Category Archives: Libraries

Nurturing Potential

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“It helps us to all work together, because its the parent and the teacher and the child – its that triangle..”

Michelle Rhee, Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools has stated that the potential is there for students to become super men and super women, if given the opportunity for a great education. Our children’s inability to progress is due to the educators ineffectiveness in fulfilling the needs of the children in the classroom. It is the adults who are failing the children. This is a blanket statement, however, we all know that there are as many good teachers as there are inadequate teachers.

Every child deserves and needs a great education. They are the future of our country and students need to be taught in a way that recognizes and builds upon their strengths and gifts,so they can become global leaders as adults.

David Guggenheim’s new film “Waiting for Superman” will be premiering in New York and L.A. on September 24. This documentary film provides an inside look at education in America, our need for equal opportunity, America’s teachers and some answers to saving schools.

As highlighted in the film, the opportunity to obtain an excellent education should not be dependent upon the chance of winning a lottery to be admitted into one of the new high performing charter public schools.

Obviously, educational institutions can not be entirely held responsible for the success of a child. Parents need to do their part, too. Expose your child to the arts, to museums, to athletics, to faith and to groups of empowering people. A child has the potential to achieve what is set before them – so set the bar high! That way, your child will know you have confidence in their abililities and that you know they can succeed! It is all about nuturing potential.

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Sharing the Word!

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“Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”                 ~Mark Twain 

How coincidental is that? Today, I had planned to write a blog on the man who is known as our first American novelist – Mark Twain. He is one of the most well-known essayists and moralists in our country’s history! This morning, I had a few minutes to spare before my dentist appointment, and took the opportunity to take a little drive into an area of Steamboat Springs, CO that I had not previously taken the time to explore before. There the name was, on a street sign, Mark Twain. Was it an Avenue or Road or Lane? ! I dont know! I was so thrown off guard by this odd coincidence of having just composed, on paper, last night a blog based on  Mr. Twain that I can not remember which!   

Seeing this sign has changed the content of my blog. I was going to go on and on about the man who was born in 1835 and died in 1915 AKA Samuel Langhorne Clemens. His speculative ventures included silver mining, business and publishing.  His writings had appeal to young and old, alike. Although in he is known for his humor and wit, many of the essays he wrote in his final years were filled with his “venting” against power, corruption and greed.

Why his name should appear on a street sign in a place like Steamboat Springs, CO, I wonder. Perhaps it is just a subtle reminder to all that as we travel down the road of life  “to do the right thing.”

 

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Welcome back, Jonathan Franzen!

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“Read the best books first, or you may not have a chance to read them all.” ~Henry David Thoreau

Well, well, well – look who is back on the Oprah Book Club list – author Jonathan Franzen! In 2001,  Jonathan Franzen landed on the “O” pick list for his book “The Corrections.” Now he is fulfilling Oprah’s need for outstanding, thought provoking reading with his latest book “Freedom.”

Although the Oprah Show will be coming to a close after this season, her book club will continue on. Over the years, Oprah has created quite a buzz for authors and their books. Millions of readers worldwide participated  in Oprah’s on-line book club discussing new thought leader, Eckhart Tolle’s book “A New Earth.”  For authors such as David Wroblewski, being thrust into the limelight as a first time author with his book “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” had to be a thrill. I personally flat out loved that book!

“Freedom”  will be added to my long list of  I want to read, will someday read or might read books. Perhaps I will move it ahead of the pack, to the top of my MUST read list.  That way, I won’t have to see if it was worthwhile waiting for.  I will know right away! Join me in discovering what the rage over this book is all about. Oprah promises it will be a fulfilling read!

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Weekend Indie Publisher News

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Hurry and Register! October Writers Conferences are coming up, soon! Writers Conferences are beneficial to all writers – seasoned and first time publishers! Click on the links to get all of the details of these popular conferences:

Emerald City Romance Writers – Greater Seattle Area October 1-3, 2010  www.gsrwa.org/conference.

James River Writers Conference – Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA  October 8-9,2010   http://bit.ly/bQ6Aph

Fisherman’s Wharf Conference, San Francisco, CA  October 13-17, 2010 www.fwalgonkianconferences.com.

Florida Writers Conference, Lake May, FL  October 22-24  www.floridawriters.net.

Can’t attend these conferences? You can always tune into “Cover to Cover” each and every Saturday on-line at www.wnzf.com.  There is a wealth of information free for writers and publishers on this radio show.

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Common Clarity

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  “Almost all new ideas have a certain aspect of foolishness, when they are first produced.” ~Alfred North Whitehead

Having good language and writing skills is important for all of us. It helps us to communicate in our jobs, with family, friends and through social media, too! But using lofty, big words that no one else understands can be frustrating and a turn-off for the reader. A book or film with a message that is clearly communicated, is the most fulfilling to me.

If you visited this blogsite yesterday, I am glad you returned today! Yesterday’s blog writing was filled with archaic words that may have left you feeling the need for a reference book on weird, wacky words. It takes time that few readers have, to continually look up words you do not quite understand. I will spare you and provide you with a clear interpretation, right here and now!

The internet is a sciniary( keeper of archives), so it should be able to rally to the task of helping me find the right words. So useful is the worldwide web to writers in so many ways. Without it, I would need to practice the art of scoteography (writing in the dark).  Poets seem to find words that work in the context of their writing, so very easily that I have become a musophobist (person who regards poetry with suspicious dislike). I believe that poets can’t possibly come up with all those magnificent, creative words without extra God- given gifts for language. A gift that was not given to all individuals.

This blog is becoming somewhat naufrageous (in danger of a ship wreck)! If I continue, it will end up a capilotade (hashed together story).You will call me a cumber-ground (someone who is useless in their job) and suggest that I become a bouquinist(a dealer of second hand books).

Does it sound like morology (foolish talking) to you? Well, PLEASE do not discerp (tear it to shreds) unless you have linguipotence (mastery of the languages).

Enough of being inaniloguous (full of idle talk). These words are not drogulus (not able to be verified). They can be verified. I will deliciate (make myself happy) by ending this blog.

In the meantime, I will go try to open some boxes of books, that are hard to get into because they have segilbond (encircling plastic bands that hold shipping cartons shut – you know- the kind that are so hard to remove until you use them as a handle).

A girl just wants to have fun on her new computer, and use a lighthearted start. In coming days this blog will be more recognizable with fulfilling content!

 

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Do Another Nice Thing!

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“A library of all wisdom is more precious than all wealth…” ~ Unknown

All children need to learn the virtues of compassion and sharing. Teach your child to be a book angel, by donating their gently used (or new) books to inner city children, homeless shelters, youth centers and family literacy centers through www.bookends.org.

The founder of this non-profit is a 8 year old boy. The focus of  this  organization is kids helping other kids for the sake of literacy. Since this organization was founded in 1998, 1.9 million books have landed in the hands of 478,000 at risk childrens hands. Imagine how many smiles this gesture of kindness has brought to the faces of children who needed it the most!

Keep the momentum going from yesterday’s cleaning out of kid flicks to give to children in hospitals. Have your child make room for new books by donating those they no longer need!

Teaching your children to be involved with doing good things sure beats the alternative, doesn’t it?

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Do a Nice Thing!

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“It is above all by the imagination that we achieve perception and compassion and hope.” ~ Ursula K LeGuin

How would you like to fulfill a dream of a child who is sick and in the hospital? Well, you can, in a very easy way! If you are a parent whose kids have grown, and you have no longer used children’s DVDs sitting in boxes, or in your basement or garage, you can donate your kid’s flicks to children’s hospitals and pediatric medical units, all over the United States.

This idea came about when four sisters visited a young friend being treated for leukemia in the hospital. Children are distracted and pain is eased when they can watch colorful, fun DVDs from the comfort of their hospital beds.

Rather than selling your children’s  idle DVDs in garage sales and the like, give them away to children who will value them the most. Send them to –

Kid flicks/Barta, 11755 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1450, Los Angeles, CA  90025

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You’ve Got to be Kidding!

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“The most thoroughly wasted of all days is that on which one has not laughed.”  ~ Chamfort

What good are the words “RANT” and “RAVE” if we don’t use them every once in a while? The thing is, they are just two little words taking up unnecessary space in the dictionary unless we all put them to work occassionally!

 I put “RANT” to good use yesterday, as I sat in front of a computer at the library. Once again, my computer is in the shop. This occurrence has been  repeated far too many times this summer. I tried to console myself as I walked through the library doors. I uttered words to myself like “oh well, at least our library is gorgeous, new and bright!” Followed by, “I will work efficiently, since my time will be limited on a library computer.” To cement this concept in my brain, I chanted “I will quickly get in and out, I will quickly get in and out.”

Yeah, right!! I selected a computer placed right across from #028.909 NEL in the non-fiction section of the Dewey Decimal System. There sat the culprit ogling me and it refused to let me be! The flirt was a book called “So Many Books, So Little Time : A Year of Passionate Reading” by Sara Nelson.

Now, I ask you – “How can you possibly get in and out when you spy a title starring at you like that?”

  1. The title – I can relate to!
  2. My dream is the tag line.
  3. I met the author at a publishing conference a few years ago.
  4. I am curious to know if Sara Nelson can write as well as she speaks.
  5. You can not just strike up a relationship with just one book! What about all the others?

Now for my “RAVE” – Sara Nelson’s book came home with me (and a few others, too!) What a delightful, easily-devoured book! As a book reviewer, Sara executes her job so well. Throughout the book, she name drops titles left and right, and gives you enough of a tease to know you want the whole story! It is a great publication for someone who wants to read so many books, but has so little time!

When my computer is back from the repair shop, I will resume my chanting “I will work efficiently, I will, I will, I will.” That way, I’ll have more time for you know what!

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Saved by the Book

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“We need to be pro-children and pro-literacy of all kinds.” ~ David Booth

Saved! By former First Lady, Laura Bush! All was not lost when my wishes for a weekend full of literary enjoyment began with a bomb of a book that did nothing to fulfill my expectations. Determined to immerse myself in some good reading, I switched gears and delved into a wonderful  journey that was entitled “Spoken from the Heart.”

From the time Laura Bush was a little girl, literature has been an all encompassing part of her life. As an only child, she found a treasure trove of good times with characters and places to escape to all by herself.  Later on in her life, her positions as a mother, teacher, librarian and First Lady allowed her to share her passion of reading with her twin daughters, students and  others, around the globe. She made stories come alive for children in disadvantaged areas so they could also escape into worlds beyond their own environments,.  She taught students how to make handmade books and  former students became subjects of her own first published book “Read All About It.”

As first lady of the United States, she traveled to many countries, like Zanzabar to spread the good news that private and American funds would place 20,000 books in 16 schools for underserved children.

Laura Bush has always been at the top of my list for favorite First Ladies.  Her book “Spoken from the Heart” gave me even more insight into the wholesome Texas values she was raised with, the fact that she is deeply aware of how blessed we are to have children in our lives and our responsibility to do all that we can to spread the value of literacy around the world.

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Weekend Indie Publishing News

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Heads UP!!  A lot coming up on the docket on the independent publishing scene. Put all the events on your calendar, so you won’t be caught unaware! 

***The NEIBA Fall Conference (New England Independent Booksellers Association) is October 1st and 2nd at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, RI. For a small fee, your publication can be displayed at the Independent Publishers of New England display table, whether you are a member or not. For more details, visit http://www.ipne.org/Events. 

***Between now and September 15th, there are 20 writing contests you can enter. Time is running out, so act now if you are interested. For more information on the contests, requirements and entry fees, go to http://www.pw.org. 

***Don’t miss this article in American Artist Magazine – “How to Build An Art Business You Can be Proud Of.”  Subscribe now, and you will receive six (6) free issues! Every month this magazine provides a wealth of articles, features and stunning images from some of the most prominent artists around. Order Now! www.interweave.com 

***The Museum of Modern Art in NYC will be screening during a 10 day period, The March of Time. There are 40 different episodes in this series of films that have never been screened before! Opening Night will be September 1st and panel discussions will follow all screenings. For more information, visit: Facebook.com/themarchoftime. 

***PLAN NOW!!! The 7th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival is scheduled for January 17-22, 2011 in Delray Beach, Florida. Six days of workshops, events, poetry readings featuring notable poets. Deadline to apply November 2, 2010! For more information on this festival www.palmbeachpoetryfestival.org. 

Check in again next weekend – there will be more to share!!!

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