Tech and the One That Got Away

I love nature channels. Animal Planet can keep me occupied all weekend, with its real life rescue missions in the city, the big game photographers stalking their elite models in the African jungle, and of course the Dog Shows. I’m not real big on fishing shows, however. Slimy, stinky fish have never been long on my mind, and I certainly can’t understand sitting in a boat waiting for one of these guys to hook his face on my line. Still, when the fishermen start to talk about the one that got away, I have to admit I begin to feel a certain kinship.

Valentine’s Day is quickly setting upon us, and as it pokes its head around the corner I have to think of the one that got away from me. His big, beautiful hazel-green eyes. Those delicious, pouty lips. How did I not manage to hook him? How did I ever let him slip through my fingers? Well I was only thirteen at the time, and hadn’t yet heard all the instructional songs about holding on loose or clinging too tight, and so my early true love died out before it began. And certainly he wasn’t the only that left me holding the line. And I’m sure that’s true for many of us.

If you’re finding yourself suddenly single this Valentine’s, and kicking yourself for the things that could have been, kick no more! Why not try searching out your old flame via the internet? There are many sites that boast of reuniting old high school friends, college roommates, and yes, old lovers. Check out these different sites, but remember, some sites may require membership or personal information such as addresses, and some may even require financial contribution on your part, so look through all the legal mumbo jumbo before you sign up. But true love lost is definitely worth searching for again, so happy hunting, and Happy Valentine’s Day.

www.classmates.com

www.peoplefinders.com

www.myoldmate.net

www.oldflings.com

Or search for lovies on your Facebook or MySpace accounts.
(Results may vary. No guarantee of reunited love provided. CADL claims no responsibility for disastrous outcomes .)

-Denelle H., Processing Clerk @ CADL

A Note from the Leslie Library

Say the word “Scouting” and what pops into your mind?  Most likely it will be memories of your own great times in a troop.  This year the Boy Scouts are celebrating their 100^th anniversary. It doesn’t seem so long ago that I was participating in their 75^th anniversary with my own boys!  While creating a library display to honor the Boy Scouts, I realized that it only takes one or two items to bring back memories from our past.

On the topic of memories, we often have people stop in to look at our collection of school yearbooks.  Often they will share their stories and memories with us.  We would like fill in the gaps in our collection so that we can continue to offer these glimpses into the past.  If you have a yearbook and would like to donate it, please contact us.  We are missing these volumes: 1950, 1951, 1957, 1962, 1964, 1987, 1992, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and any pre-1949. Please contact the Leslie Library at (517)589-9400 if you have a donation for our collection.

March is Reading Month. To help kick off this event, State Representative Barb Byrum will be visiting the Leslie Library on March 1. Join us at 3:30 when she reads some favorite stories.

-Barbara Keeler, Leslie Library Head Librarian

Reading Month: A word from Gov. Granholm for kids

After-hours Interactive Mystery Night @ The Okemos Library

The Okemos Library will be having an after-hours interactive mystery night on Friday, February 12. You’re invited to help solve the case of “The Disappearance of Angela Day.” Through evidence, crime scenes, interviews, and problem-solving,  be a detective for the night and solve the case!

Snacks and prizes will be provided.

For grades 5 and up.

Registration is required; please call (517) 347-2023.

Fri. 2/12, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

-Melissa C. Library Assistant @ Okemos Library

Reader Roundup 2/5/10

Every Friday, we run down all of the recommendations our Librarians have written over the course of the week. Want more reviews & recommendations? Want more audiobook titles? Let us know in a comment.

Jessica T. recommends I’m Down by Mishna Wolff.
Check out I’m Down in our catalog.

Liz V. recommends Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King.
Check out Dust of 100 Dogs in our catalog.

Liz V. recommends Love You, Hate You, Miss You by Elizabeth Scott.
Check out Love You, Hate You, Miss You by Elizabeth Scott in our catalog.

Liz V. recommends If I Stay by Gayle Foreman.
Check out If I Stay in our catalog.

Liz V. recommends Ghosts of War by Ryan Smithson.
Check out Ghosts of War in our catalog.

Sara D. recommends Blacklands by Belinda Bauer.
Check out Blacklands in our catalog.

Sara D. recommends The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Had To by D. C. Pierson.
Check out The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Had To in our catalog.

J Schwanke Visits CADL … This Weekend!

Lately, we’ve been blogging quite a bit about some upcoming appearances by flower expert J Schwanke of the popular web-based show JTV! at ubloom.com. If you’re not one to get excited about flowers, J WILL make you excited about flowers and flower arrangement.

As we approach this weekend’s Mid-Michigan Women’s Expo, we have been asking J for some tips on beginning flower arrangement, online flower resources, newbie mistakes to avoid, and to reveal his favorite flower.  Today, we have one last question for our flower-obsessed friend.

CADL: When some people think of flowers, they think of weddings, funerals, … the usual. How can I incorporate flowers into my daily life, and how can I do it without going broke?

J: Havard and Rutger Studies… both Tell us that FLOWERS improve our attitude at both HOME and WORK… People Surrounded by Flowers are less Stressed… More Positive and are More Productive! Homes that have flowers in them are LESS Likely to have Disagreements and arguments! The Rutger’s Study proved that people that get flowers when they are in the hospital recover faster… and those that Receive YELLOW Flowers get better faster still!
Having Flowers around improves our QUALITY of Life…. so a few flowers here and there… (or Plants… Plants WORK TOO!) help us be better people.

Flowers aren’t EXPENSIVE… you don’t have to go HOG WILD… (but I have been known to do that…) but Plants and/or a bunch of Flowers… Taken Home… Arranged (remember to relax and enjoy the arranging process)… using Flower FOOD will last for 7-10 or 14 days… depending on the variety…
My Mother… Still runs her FLOWER SHOP in Fremont NE… at age 78… Says “Flowers cost a lot less than a STEAK DINNER… and you know where that Steak Dinner Ends up the NEXT MORNING????”
My Mom’s always been Straightforward… But I agree… GIVE ME FLOWERS Every TIME!!! An investment in Flowers is an Investment in our OWN Personal Happiness and Well Being…. just like a vitamin…
A Bouquet of Tulips… (say 9.99) will last for a week in your home… with proper care… that’s about 1.40 a day… it’s a great value… toward Personal Happiness!

–

Join J for More FUN Flower Tips at the Women’s Expo and Library Shows… and visit his FREE Website… www.ubloom.com or his Facebook profile for EVERYTHING FLOWERS!

J’s Appearances This Weekend:

J Schwanke on the Women’s Expo Main Stage, Fri. 2/5 at 4 p.m.

J Schwanke on the Women’s Expo Main Stage, Sat. 2/6 at 11 a.m.

The Power of the Flower with J. Schwanke, Sat. 2/6 at 2 p.m. at the Webberville Library

The Power of the Flower with J. Schwanke, Sat. 2/6 at 4 p.m. at the Foster Library

7th Annual Winter Warm-up & Walking Works

It’s not too late to join the 7th Annual Winter Warm-Up Challenge local exercise program sponsored by Community Partners in Health and BlueCross BlueShield.  The Winter Warm-Up Program is a free 10 week walking program designed to help you build a regular physical activity and healthy eating routine.  Every Saturday now through March 27, groups, families, and individuals meet at the Lansing Mall to enjoy exercise and learn about healthy eating.  Incentive prizes and supportive updates are provided for all participants.  Different activities are scheduled each week.

And, new this year is the partnership with the BCBS program WalkingWorks which was created to help Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies motivate many of their nearly 99 million members to accomplish more walking every day, live healthier lives, and reduce the likelihood of costly health problems down the road. The program’s unique approach combines health promotion with consumer education. WalkingWorks is part of an ongoing effort to help citizens be wiser healthcare consumers.  Over the next 10 weeks, residents from 10 local municipalities will compete for a share of $8,000. in grant money funded by BCBS.  The grants are intended to assist with improving public recreation, health, and wellness in the communities.  Residents participate by signing up online and then recording how much walking they accomplish.  Sign-up is quick and easy.  Once you’re signed up, you can chart your progress, check on how your community stacks up against the others, and access walking resources.  Participating communities include the cities of:  Lansing, East Lansing, Grand Ledge, Charlotte, Williamston, and DeWitt and Delta, Meridian, Lansing, and Delhi Townships.

-Eunice B., CADL Reference Librarian

J Schwanke Visits CADL, Part4

Over the past week-and-a-half, we’ve been blogging about some upcoming appearances by flower expert J Schwanke of the popular web-based show JTV! at ubloom.com. So far, we have asked him for some tips on beginning flower arrangement, online flower resources and newbie mistakes to avoid.  Today, we have another question for our flower-obsessed friend.

CADL: You might get this question all the time, but do you have a favorite flower?

J: I do… YELLOW Freesia…. are my Ultimate Favorite… a Spring flower.. that is available all year long… but are most prevalent in the SPRING… Why is it your favorite? The Smell Like FRUIT LOOPS… Their Aroma is Intoxicating… It just about makes me CRAZY!!!!

–

Join J for More FUN Flower Tips at the Women’s Expo and Library Shows… and visit his FREE Website… www.ubloom.com or his Facebook profile for EVERYTHING FLOWERS!

Check back with the CADL Blog later this week to catch more of our conversation with J.

J’s appearances:

J Schwanke on the Women’s Expo Main Stage, Fri. 2/5 at 4 p.m.

J Schwanke on the Women’s Expo Main Stage, Sat. 2/6 at 11 a.m.

The Power of the Flower with J. Schwanke, Sat. 2/6 at 2 p.m. at the Webberville Library

The Power of the Flower with J. Schwanke, Sat. 2/6 at 4 p.m. at the Foster Library

Reference Wednesday: What in Heck Do Reference Librarians Do?

We give you handy tips like this:  I want to mention that since my last blog on taxes, the IRS has announced that you may be able to claim a donation you make to Haiti on THIS YEAR’S tax return. Go to the IRS website for details.

We can help you in many ways. We answer your questions in person, by phone (517-367-6346) and by email. We organize information for you to access online such as our premium resources. These resources (called Research Tools or databases) are FREE when you have a library card and have full text articles from magazines, journals, newspapers and reference books. We also organize sites of local interest.

We contribute to the CADL website, to blogs like this, teach classes and help you with quick answers or refer you to sources or other organizations for further research.

Our job is interesting because we get questions on everything i.e.  ”What is the phone number for the headquarters of AT&T?” (210-821-4105)  “How long do you bake a meatloaf?” (at 350 degrees about 40 minutes per pound) “What was the population of Lansing in 1880?” (8,313) You get the idea.

I will go into more detail in future blogs about the things we do to help you.  So call  (517-367-6346) email, visit the Research and Answers website or stop by the library!

-Anne R., CADL Reference Librarian

J Schwanke Visits CADL, Part 3

On Wednesday and Friday last week, we blogged about some upcoming appearances by flower expert J Schwanke of the popular web-based show JTV! at ubloom.com, and we asked him for some tips on beginning flower arrangement and online flower resources.   Today, we have another question for our flower-obsessed friend.

CADL: What are the biggest newbie mistakes you can make when attempting to arrange flowers?

J: Being Afraid to CUT the STEM… One of the things I will be showing at the Women’s Expo and Library Programs is SHORT CUTS To great Design… and the FIRST ONE I always show is the SHORT CUT!
YEP… the SHORT CUT is a SHORT CUT… Cutting the stems shorter allows the flowers to group together more effectively… and also makes the Flowers last Longer… It’s TRUE… shorter Stems flowers have less stress and they hydrate faster and stay fresh longer… They are also more apt to open!

One more thing… DON’T Forget the FLOWER FOOD… the packets of Flower Food you get with your flowers… will make them last 26% Longer when used to the manufacturer’s specifications…

–

Join J for More FUN Flower Tips at the Women’s Expo and Library Shows… and visit his FREE Website… www.ubloom.com or his Facebook profile for EVERYTHING FLOWERS!

Check back with the CADL Blog later this week to catch more of our conversation with J.

J’s appearances:

J Schwanke on the Women’s Expo Main Stage, Fri. 2/5 at 4 p.m.

J Schwanke on the Women’s Expo Main Stage, Sat. 2/6 at 11 a.m.

The Power of the Flower with J. Schwanke, Sat. 2/6 at 2 p.m. at the Webberville Library

The Power of the Flower with J. Schwanke, Sat. 2/6 at 4 p.m. at the Foster Library

A Note from the Dansville Library

Libraries are one of the world’s original “green” institutions. Reusing and sharing resources are integral to our mission of providing access to educational and recreational information to all, regardless of age or background.

According to msnbc.com, the average American spends $1,800 per year on entertainment. A huge savings could be realized by relying more on the library for books, movies, and music. In 2009, for example, the Capital Area District Library loaned out over 2.7 million books, DVDs, music CDs and audiobooks. I regularly see DVDs go out 150-200 times before they are so worn they must be replaced. Having so many people sharing the same item reduces, cost, consumption and environmental impact.

And while reuse is central to a library’s mission, CADL hasn’t forgotten about reducing and recycling. By changing the format of our printed events guide, Time Well Spent, we were able to reduce our own costs and use less paper. We made another green choice by having the guide printed on 100% post-consumer fiber paper. As an organization, CADL recycles over 50 tons of cardboard, newspaper, magazines and office paper each year. We also recycle obsolete computer equipment, used toner cartridges, and fluorescent light bulbs.

Another important component of ecological awareness is the sustainable food movement. The Dansville Library is proud to present Rebecca Titus from Titus Farms (click here for their Facebook page or follow @TitusFarms on Twitter) on Monday, March 15 at 7:00, speaking on the topic of “Community Supported Agriculture.” This will be an exciting opportunity to learn about what CSA is, how it works, and why it is beneficial for individuals and the wider community.

For a list of other green living resources offered by the library, please see CADL’s Green Living website.

-Thais Rousseau, Dansville Library Head Librarian