Staying Busy in West Palm Beach

One of the best things about the library is that it’s in the middle of such a vibrant community.  There’s always something going on.

While you may know about the weekly Clematis by Night concerts and the seasonal greenmarket, there’s so much more happening in West Palm Beach!

• The city of West Palm Beach keeps an online event calendar listing everything from events in local restaurants to kids’ activities at the South Olive Community Center.  They’ve also got a Twitter account to keep you updated.
• West Palm Beach’s Downtown Development Agency keeps their own event calendar that focuses on the Clematis District and Cityplace.
• Or course, there are always events happening right here at the library!  (Don’t forget our Twitter updates.) Our Friends group puts on some great programs as well.
• While we love to have you at the city library, the county library has some pretty darn good programs and events too.  Choose your local branch to see what they’ve got going on.

If you’re curious to see how the community is changing, check out the Clematis Street Blog.

If you want to know what’s going on right this very second, @aGuyonClematis posts information and pictures about the here and now on Clematis Street.

Next time you’re in the neighborhood, make sure to stop by the library!  If none of these events appeal to you, we’ve got loads of materials on cooking, crafts, and hobbies.  We’ll make sure to keep you busy!

 

**Britta**

Father and Son

Oct. 2^nd is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and I remember my mother also on that day because there are so many memories of my mother associated with Gandhi. She was a true Gandhian and used to tell us stories about Mahatma Gandhi when we were growing up. Now I realize that by telling all those stories she was telling us how to be brave, truthful, and courageous.  I grew up understanding Gandhi through those stories.

 But there is one story about Gandhi my mother never told us.  I found that even in the literature about Gandhi there was some unspoken blacking out of Gandhi’s son Harilal from Gandhi’s daily world.  This is evident from his secretary Mahadev’s meticulous record keeping; even that is totally silent about Harilal.

 I would like to share my thoughts about that.  It is a story of a failed father who carried a deep wound in his heart –his son Harilal, roaming the streets like a beggar, converting to Islam and then back to Hinduism, and finally dying of syphilis and alcohol abuse.  Harilal was Mahatma Gandhi’s eldest son and a most inconvenient truth.  He rebelled against his father’s idealistic principles and sought to live a life where he would not have to carry the burden of being the son of Mahatma Gandhi.

 I wondered why Mahatma Gandhi could not save the soul of his own son when he was transforming the soul of the nation. The conflict between father and son is complex; I tried to read whatever I could find on that aspect of Gandhi.  It makes me sad but I can never make Harilal a yardstick to understand a great man like Gandhi, nor do I have the moral authority to even question a man like Gandhi.

To me this is a conflict of a principled father and an unfortunate son.  Gandhi became a greater human being by putting his principles and quest for human dignity above everything else - even his own son. He made a personal sacrifice; a very difficult choice to make.

 P.S. I am sure after reading this you would like to know more about Harilal and the good news is – Harilal Gandhi: A Life is on order and will soon be available for checkout.

 

Manju

92YLive – Mitch Albom

Hello again.  I am eager to tell you about a wonderful upcoming event at the West Palm Beach Public Library:  92YLive – Mitch Albom: Have a Little Faith.  It will be held in the library auditorium (3rd Floor) on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 7:45 PM.

I highly recommend that you try to attend this event.  I had the privilege of hearing Mitch Albom talk at an American Library Association conference a few years ago, and he was absolutely fantastic – one of the most moving and delightful experiences ever!  A really memorable occasion!  He is not only a great writer but an enthralling public speaker: inspiring, fascinating, and entertaining. He had all of us in the audience laughing, crying, and frequently doing both at once!

Mitch Albom is as gifted a speaker as he is a writer.  He brings to life the connection between his sports writing and human interest stories of empathy and drama in such books as Tuesdays with Morrie and Five People You Meet in Heaven.  His new book Have a Little Faith proves to become another great read.  I plan on attending this event on November 4 if at all possible.  For anyone who wants to be truly entertained (and enlightened!), it is strongly recommended.  Come and share this and many other terrific events with the Library Friends.  Enjoy!

Have a Little Faith: Mitch Albom

Writer and broadcaster Mitch Albom, the author of Tuesdays with Morrie (the best-selling memoir of all time with more than 14 million copies sold), The Five People You Meet in Heaven and For One More Day, has become an inspiration to millions of people around the world. His forthcoming book is Have a Little Faith: A True Story of a Last Request. Albom is a columnist for the Detroit Free Press and the host of two radio shows that are broadcast in 38 states.

Live from NY’s 92nd Street (92YLive) is a live, satellite-broadcast event, that allows people all over the nation to access the Y’s cultural and educational programs. This event is ongoing, with our first program being the Forum on Sustainable Global Enterprise.

This program will provide an opportunity for the audience to ask questions of the presenters, as if they were in the New York audience.  For more information about the 92YLive programs go to http://www.92y.org/live

Friends members can attend for $5.00, the General Public can attend for $10.00.

Remember, Friends receive email notices and reminders of events and can access many events at discounted prices or attend for free.

To register, please visit the website of our Friends group:  http://www.friendswpblibrary.org/

Esther Fawn Van Allen, Reference Librarian
West Palm Beach Public Library

Breast Health Awareness @ the Library!

I am a procrastinator.  No doubt about it.  However as I began my job of  forwarding  library event information to various organizations I realized that one particular event hit a nerve.   In promoting our “Hispanic Breast Health” lecture program I have heard numerous stories from individuals who have either experienced first-hand breast cancer or know others who have dealt with this terrible disease.   So no more postponing my physical! The date is set and I am also making sure I attend this valuable and informative program.

Please make every effort to take your breast health into consideration!  Be  proactive and attend the West Palm Beach Public Library’s Hispanic Breast Health presentation this Saturday from 1:00-2:00pm.  Dr. Elisabeth A. McKeen will present the latest information on breast health for the Hispanic population. She will speak about breast cancer prevention, screening and treatment. Dr. McKeen will also answer questions from the audience. A translator will be provided.

Particularly for our Hispanic community we need to get the word out!  Did you know that breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic/Latina women?   Also, according to the National Cancer Institute it estimates that a woman in the United States has a 1 in 8 chance of developing invasive breast cancer during her lifetime! 

So bring your mother, sister, grandmother, and anyone else you care about to the library’s breast health presentation and let’s not put off hearing about what we can do to learn and possibly prevent breast cancer.

• Date/Time: Saturday, October 10 1:00-2:00pm
• Location: West Palm Beach Public Library Auditorium
• Cost: FREE

See you there,

Theresa

Caution: Dangerous Reading!

Once a year, libraries around the United States salute intellectual freedom by highlighting books that have been banned or challenged in school libraries and public libraries.  Banned Books Week, which is September 26 – October 3 this year, celebrates our freedom to read materials which may have controversial content or unpopular viewpoints. 

If you come into the library in the next week or so, you’ll see our Banned Books Week display in the New Fiction section on the first floor.  We’ve highlighted some of the most often challenged and banned books.

You would expect to see books such as Lolita and Harry Potter on display, but many of the books frequently challenged in schools and libraries are surprising.  Here are a just a few examples:

• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel
• The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle
• Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
• The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
• King & King by Linda de Haan
• The Adventures of Tintin by Hergé
• Walter the Farting Dog by William Kotzwinkle (one of my personal favorites)

Come to the library and check out something from our display.  Open your mind by getting to know a different point of view.

**Britta**

The United States of Hispanic

From September 15 to October 15 every year, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated across the country. We celebrate the traditions and values of the various cultures, and the contributions Hispanic immigrants and their descendants have made to this country.

It’s an important activity, since the Hispanic population and its impact on the United States continue to grow, as this press release from the U.S. Census Bureau attests. The list of numbers and statistics they’ve compiled about Hispanics in the U.S. included some surprises for me.

Can you believe, for example, that the only country with a greater Hispanic population than the United States is Mexico?

Out of the 50 states, New Mexico is the state with the most Hispanics – 45% of their total state population. (Florida is about 20% Hispanic.)

Our US Hispanic population contributes to American society in many ways. 79,400 of US Hispanics are chief executives. 50,866 are physicians and surgeons. 48,720 are postsecondary teachers. 38,532 are lawyers, and 2,726 are news analysts, reporters and correspondents. Plus, 1.1 million Hispanics are veterans of the U.S. armed forces. And, of course, we now have our first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor.

It’s good to be bilingual! Many immigrant groups lose their language over a couple of generations, but Spanish is alive and well in the US. 78% of Hispanics 5 and older speak Spanish at home. More than half of these folks also speak English very well.

Check out all the stats from the Census, and raise your awareness in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month 2009!

~Tara

Time to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

It’s just around the corner and WOW do we have some exciting events planned for Hispanic Heritage Month!  

September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States, a time to recognize the achievements and contributions of Latino/Hispanic Americans.  To celebrate, the West Palm Beach Public Library will host a variety of programs beginning Saturday, September 13th.  On this date the Children’s Department will present their “Sundays @ 2 for families” series with a Mayan Hieroglyphics interactive workshop,with local artist, Steve Brouse. 

In addition the library will present a cooking demonstration on Saturday, Sept. 19th at 2:00pm.  La Esquina del Ceviche Restaurant will actually be showing us how to cook ceviche, Peru’s most renowned dish.  Yummm!

And that’s not all!  Take a look at some of our other FREE programs celebrating Hispanic Heritage:

• iCinema series: the Cuban Arts and Cultural Association will present the film “El Super.” They will also host a special reception afterwards.  Sunday, September 20th @ 2:00pm.
• La Paloma Dancers: Mexican folkloric dance group from the Hispanic-Latino Cultural Alliance of Palm Beach County. Fresh chips and salsa will be provided by Aleyda’s Restaurant. Kids will also be invited onstage for a pinata!  Saturday, September 26th @ 2:00pm.
• Live Argentine Tango Performance: George and his students from the dance studio Exclusively Argentine Tango @ George’s will show off their best pieces onstage.  Sunday, September 27th @ 2:00pm.
• Homage to Rafael Hernandez: The Puerto Rican Cultural Society will present a taste of Puerto Rico’s rich musical and cultural heritage. Sunday, October 4th @ 2:00pm.
• Bolivian folkloric dancing: Part of our “Sundays @ 2 for families” series. Kids from the cultural center Semilla Boliviana will perform in full costume Bolivia’s traditional dances. Sunday, October 11th @ 2:00pm.

Also a special display titled “La Florida: Spanish Colony” will be located in the Florida Room on the 4th floor of the library.

The West Palm Beach Public Library invites you as well to browse and borrow materials from our Spanish Language collection. The library offers books, DVD’s, CD’s, popular magazines and more!  Just search our online catalog.

For more information about these great programs please call 561-868-7723 or 561-868-7701 or be sure to visit www.mycitylibrary.org.  BTW: Kudos to Tara Moreno, the library’s Hispanic Outreach Librarian, who has coordinated the scheduling of these great programs!

See you soon!

Theresa

 

 

 

important to understand “the diversity of the Hispanic community — Hispanics in the U.S. come from not just Mexico, but also from many different places in Europe and the Americas,

The Truth About Renewable Energy and Solar Power

Are you curious about solar power or other forms of renewable energy? If so, come out to the library on Thursday, September 10th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Brian Betron from Abundant Energy will be here to discuss how to make your home more green!

Renewable energy is energy that is naturally replenished and generated from natural resources. This includes energy from the sun, wind, and rain. If you want to learn more about renewable energy check out the Go Green section located on the first floor of the library. We have an amazing assortment of books to help you reduce your carbon footprint, start your own business, or even have a green wedding! Check out our catalog and see how you can be green.

See you at the library,

Annya

Staying Safe (and Hopefully Dry) During Hurricane Season

CC by Flickr user bglasgow

With Ana petering out, Bill hightailing it up North, and Claudette already gone, we’ve been pretty lucky so far this hurricane season.  However, those of us who have lived in Florida for awhile know how quickly circumstances can change.

The city of West Palm Beach has implemented an emergency notification information website to keep people in the know about a wide variety of possible emergency situations.  There you can find a link to the latest hurricane guide, information on hurricane preparedness, details about the different stages of evacuation, important phone numbers to keep on hand, and many other emergency-related resources.

Here are some other hurricane-related websites you may find useful:

• The National Hurricane Center
• Hurricane Tips from FEMA
• Hurricane Emergency Preparedness and Response from the CDC
• The National Hurricane Survival Initiative
• Bad Weather Safety Tips from the Florida Highway Patrol

**Britta**

To Kindle, Or Not to Kindle?

I saw Kindle!

My neighbor bought her Kindle reader and showed it to me.  Essentially Kindle is a hand-held device roughly the size of a paperback book.  It has a large screen on which you can download your book.  The idea is that we won’t have to buy books: all books will be available to anyone who has access to Kindle.  I can understand the logic behind Kindle, but I hope it won’t make the books obsolete in times of technology onslaught.

For me it is the romance of buying a book or borrowing a book from the library that I will miss if Kindle drives the book into obsolescence.  It is sheer pleasure for me to go to a bookstore or library go and through the book shelves, perusing each book and flipping through the pages and making my selections.

Reading a book is an experience.  There are people like me who would like to take the book in their bed and would miss the feel of a book in their hands.  I read for pleasure and Kindle reading cannot be pleasurable as you are reading from a machine.  This technology might not provide the same reading experience, and I wonder if it would test my power of concentration too.  I hope, even if Kindle technology catches on, there will always be a market for books.

There is nothing like finding a book, smelling the pages, holding it and turning its pages, discovering the world.  Is there anything comparable to this pleasure?

What do you think?

- Manju

Re-thinking the Book

Hello again.  I am eager to share with you a marvelous experience I was privileged to enjoy recently when I attended a class called “Book Arts 101″ presented by the Southeast Florida Libraries Information Network. This workshop took place at the Jaffe Center for Book Arts (http://www.library.fau.edu/depts/spc/jaffe.htm)  located in the Wimberly Library at Florida Atlantic University, and it was truly eye-opening.  John Cutrone and Arthur Jaffe himself introduced us to this spectacular and unique collection of “artists’ books”.  The book as art opens up whole new concepts for creative interpretations and indeed rethinking the very definition of “the book”, in a variety of clever forms.  Visually stimulating pop-ups, tunnel, quilted, staircase, flag books, graphic novels, miniatures, broadsides, anamorphic illustrations with mirrored cylinders, and so much more delight the eye and inspire the imagination.  The book is filling a different function today – more than words, and ideas in between the words.  Books are to be read, touched, heard, experienced, even smelled!  The visual impact makes a more indelible impression.  In the American flag-in-a -box book For Boys Who Dream of War, the message is more effective than written columns of  war casualty statistics.   Artists’ books are vehicles for bringing ideas to a different level.  The Jaffe Center’s motto is: “A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.”  Many philosophical musings are represented in the impact of this collection: “The Koran, the Bible, the Britannica all burn the same color!”

Graphic novels have become significantly popular, and the West Palm Beach Public Library has a wonderfully representative collection of graphic novels.  I personally appreciated the visual and literary impact of  The curious case of Benjamin Button : a graphic novel / F. Scott Fitzgerald ; adapted by Nunzio DeFilippis & Christina Weir ; illustrated by Kevin Cornell.  Bird songs : 250 North American birds in song / by Les Beletsky ; foreword by Jon. L. Dunn, is a fine example of a book to be experienced as one listens to the sounds of individual bird species by means of the digital audioplayer contained in the book.  What a marvelous learning experience!

At the Jaffe Center we actually operated an authentic printing press and created our own books!  This heightened our appreciation for the process as well as for the finished product.  There is nowhere near enough room here to tell you of all the wonderful visual and tactile experiences awaiting you at the Jaffe Center for Book Arts.  Please visit their website and sign up for one of their workshops.   If you haven’t visited us in our new library building at 411 Clematis Street, please come and see all our wonderful offerings in attractive settings on all 4 floors! To learn more about artists’ books, we recommend some books on the subject contained in the collection here at the West Palm Beach Public Library:

Alphabetica : an A-Z creativity guide for collage and book artists / Lynne Perrella.

 

The decorated journal : creating beautifully expressive journal pages / Gwen Diehn

 

Making books by hand : a step-by-step guide / Mary McCarthy, Philip Manna

May all of your “book” experiences be enriching and rewarding!

Esther Fawn Van Allen, Reference Librarian

Looking to change your career?

If you are miserable at your current place of employment or even worse you have just lost your job now might be a great time to consider a career change.  Unemployment is on the rise so maybe its time to evaluate a new career and explore the possibility of enrolling in one of our local colleges in the pursuit of another degree.

So please join us on Tuesday, August 4th from 10:00am-2:00pm for the “Get That Degree: Education Fair!”  It’s your opportunity to talk about your future to:

Barry University
Florida Atlantic University
Keiser University
Palm Beach Atlantic
Palm Beach Community College
Nova Southeast University
Union Institute and University
University of Phoenix

The above schools will be in attendance to answer your questions about continuing your education. There will also be breakout sessions to inform you about scholarship opportunities, financial aid, and test-taking prep!

And if you’re concerned about the money $$$ situation with going back to school the West Palm Beach Public Library owns many books on financial aid and scholarship resources.  Here are a few examples:

• Peterson’s College Money Handbook
• Paying for College
• The Scholarship Book

Education will increase your chances of finding either a new job or enhance the one you already have so be proactive and mark your calendar for our Education Fair!

To be held in the Library’s Urban Living Room on the first floor.  For more information please contact the library at 561-868-7701 or visit www.mycitylibrary.org.

Theresa

FREE Yoga classes continue until May 2010!

For all of you yoga fans the news is the West Palm Beach Public Library will continue offering its FREE yoga classes every Saturday morning until May 2010!  

Why not feel fitter, be more energetic, be happier and peaceful and best of all at no cost?  And for those of you still considering joining our classes consider the following:

Concentration improves

Memory improves

Hostility decreases

Cardiovascular efficiency increases

Respiratory efficiency increases

Sleep improves

Immunity increases

 

The physical and psychological results from participating in regular yoga classes is a no-brainer for me and since I am always on the lookout for a deal attending a free yoga class is immensely appealing!

So be sure to bring your mat and join me every Saturday morning (unless of course I am working the reference desk that day!) from 10:30-11:30am in the library’s Auditorium.

For more information please contact the library 561-868-7701 or visit us at www.mycitylibrary.org.

Theresa

Author Visits @ the Library: A. Manette Ansay & Daniel Silva!

How excited am I to have not one but TWO well-known and best-selling authors visit the West Palm Beach Public Library this week!  I’m still trying to rearrange my work schedule so I can be sure to hear both of these awesome authors talk about their latest works!

On Wednesday, July 22 at 6:30pm A. Manette Ansay will be in the Clematis Room of the Library to discuss and sign copies of her latest Good Things I Wish You.  Ms. Ansay also wrote Vinegar Hill, an Oprah Book Club Selection, and Midnight Champagne, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, as well as a short story collection, Read This and Tell Me What It Says, and a memoir, Limbo.  Besides her busy writing schedule Ms. Ansay also teaches at the University of Miami.

On Friday, July 24 at 1:00pm the New York Times bestselling novelist, Daniel Silva will be in the library auditorium to talk about his latest thriller, The Defector, as well as sign copies.  Mr. Silva is infamous for his writings of  international intrigue and is considered one of the greatest American spy novelists.  If you have not heard him speak before you will be in for a treat!

The West Palm Beach Public Library owns many of the above authors’ other works so be sure to check them out while you’re here!

• Blue Water by A. Manette Ansay
• The Mark of the Assassin by Daniel Silva

See you next week!

Theresa

Create the perfect relationship with your dog!

Having issues with your dog or possibly need the services of a pet shrink?  Look no further because the West Palm Beach Public Library is presenting a special program titled “Explore pets in your space: what all good dogs should know!”  Noted animal behaviorist, Lorraine F. Smith will be visiting Thursday, July 16th at 7:00pm to teach you how to create a happy and healthy relationship with your animal companion.  Think “Dog Whisperer…”

Maybe now I can finally have my couch back again…

This is a free event and open to all!  For more information please contact the library at 561-868-7701.  Program will be held in the library’s Hibiscus Room.

Theresa

Let’s Read West Palm Beach!

Do you love books?  Do you love reading especially to young children?  Or do you have a desire to volunteer your time to help children become better readers?  If you answered “yes” to any of these questions please consider joining the “Let’s Read” program sponsored by the West Palm Beach Public Library.

The “Let’s Read” program brings volunteers from our community into four local schools and introduces young children to the joy of reading.  Over 800 children experience a love of beautiful new literature weekly.  The Palm Beach Post, one of our sponsors, makes it possible for every child in the program to receive wonderful new books to begin their own home library.

Why not join our team of excellent volunteers and share books with children?  Volunteers donate only one hour per week and make a ten week commitment to the program.  Training and all materials are provided for interested readers.  Click here to view the volunteer application.

Call 561-868-7786 for more information and to get trained to become a volunteer for our fall session. 

So let’s read…let’s read…let’s read West Palm Beach!

Theresa

A “Precious” Tale of Africa

A couple of weeks ago, our Book Goddess blogged about how much she enjoys Alexander McCall Smith’s 44 Scotland Street series.

I happen to be reading (or rather, listening to) the latest book in another of Mr. McCall Smith’s series, The Ladies’ No. 1 Detective Agency.

When the first book in the series was released in 1998, my grandmother happened upon it her local library.  She enjoyed it so much that she insisted I read it immediately.  My grandmother generally likes light-hearted mystery novels, which aren’t really my cup of tea, but I decided to appease her and give it a try.

Within the first few pages I was transported to Botswana, Africa and the world of Precious Ramotswe, the very first private detective in Gabarone.  Mr. McCall-Smith does such a wonderful job of describing Botswana that after a while it was easy to envision the dirt roads, scorching sun, and cattle munching on sweet grass.

The first book, The Ladies’ No. 1 Detective Agency, details Mma Ramotswe’s challenges in opening her business and getting clients in a culture that generally values the opinions of men more than those of women.  It also introduces us to Mma Ramotswe’s fiance, renowned mechanic Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, and Mma Ramotswe’s secretary, the straight-forward, uncomprimising Grace Makutsi.   Each character is beautifully developed. 

A main focus of the series is the difficulties in getting clients, keeping the clients happy, and of course, actually solving the case.  Mma Ramotswe investigates everything from theft and infidelity to missing persons and murder.  She treats every case with equal importance and relies on her own common sense as well as words of wisdom The Principles of Private Detection by Clovis Anderson.  And of course, the series spends a lot of time talking about the characters and how they interact with each other.  Life in Gabarone may be a simpler than a life in New York City, but relationships and friendships will always be complicated.

What I most enjoy about The Ladies’ No. 1 Detective Agency series are the descriptions of Africa’s rolling desert prairies and the love most of the people have for their homeland.  Every single book in the series demonstrates the pride Mma Ramotswe has not only of being an African woman, but being from Botswana.  McCall Smith manages to seemlessly incorporate the history and culture of Botswana in his books as part of the stories he tells.  It’s safe to say that I know more about the history of Botswana than I know about any other country south of the Equator.

HBO liked the series so much that they developed it into a well-received television series starring Jill Scott as Precious Ramotswe.  It was directed and produced by the late Anthony Minghella, who directed such blockbusters as “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and “Michael Clayton.”  The entire series was shot on-location.  While there are a few minor changes made to the story, the spirit of the tale is the same.

I’ve read every book in this series.  In fact, I make it a point to either purchase or check out the book as soon as it’s released.  I love every installment of the series.  While the books deal with serious issues, such as the AIDS epidemic, at the end of the book I always feel better than I did before I read it.  And sometimes, if I’m lucky, I have dreams of Africa.

The latest book in this series is Tea Time for the Traditionally Built.  It, as well as the other books in the series, is available from the West Palm Beach Public Library.  Most of them are available in audio as well.

 

**Britta**

He’s Just Not That Into You – and other relationship advice

               

 

     He’s Just Not that Into You has just been released on DVD, and what a hot item that is!  I took 2 requests for it this morning while on duty on the first floor.  I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I read the book when it was a bestseller a few years back, and I found it very helpful.  The book, unlike the movie, is non-fiction.  It’s a self-help manual for women who need help understanding how men tend to think, as far dating and relationships.  The insight is given by a guy, like he would have given it to a female friend.  I highly recommend it for women who are trying to sort out all the fish in the sea.

     For more background on how dating works, I also recommend The Rules: Time-Tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right.  This is an older book, with old-fashioned advice that has stood the test of time.  If you take it with a grain of salt, thinking in terms of guidelines instead of rules, you will find plenty in here that you wished someone would have told you sooner.

     A more modern and balanced take on the same ideas is Dr. Phil’s Love Smart – very enlightening and practical.

     And, if you’re interested in the science and nature behind why men and women think and act differently in regard to sex and relationships, you might get a kick out of Why Beautiful People Have More Daughters.  This is a pop science introduction to the field of evolutionary psychology, and it attempts to explain why a lot of the things people do, relate, in the end, to our drive to procreate. 

     Lastly, a book that I’m too afraid to read but have read a lot about is The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists.  This is the true adventures of one loser who became a chick magnet, by employing subtle, manipulative techniques.  I’m sure this book offers great insight to the uglier side of the male perspective.  

     Of course, one of the most important things I learned while dating was that not all men are the same – thank goodness! 

Happy dating!

~Tara

Life Support @ your city library

It’s no secret that a lot of people are out of work right now. If you’re looking for a job, your in luck – the West Palm Beach Public Library has teamed up with the City of West Palm Beach Human Resources Department to give you Life Support – a series of programs designed to help you find a job!

Here is the schedule:

Finding the Right Job for You
June 23 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Learn what type of job you are best suited for.

Resumes to Get That Job!
June 30 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Do you want to write a resume they will remember? We can help.

Job Search Strategies
July 7 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Learn all about online applications, resume posting, job searching, and more. You must have an email account before you can take this class.

Interviewing for Success
July 14 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Learn how to arrive at you interview feeling positive, confident and prepared. Gain the winning strategies to land a new position!

What better way to get a job than to get concrete information and advice from experts that actually interview and hire people? Register before our seats fill up! Call 561-868-7760.

Good luck on your job hunt!
Annya

Summer’s Here! Get ready for our Adult Summer Reading Program!

So now that the heat and humidity is upon us why not stop in, visit us in the “cool”  West Palm Beach Public Library and participate in our Adult Summer Reading Program?   The Adult Summer Reading Program begins June 22nd and is a terrific way to read some of your favorite books and maybe get a chance to win some “out of this world” prizes! 

Each time you read a book stop by either the first or fourth floor of the library and complete an entry form to get a chance to win prizes including:

• a one night stay at Hotel Biba
• $50.00 gift certificate to Paradiso Restaurant in Lake Worth
• $20.00 gift cards to Motor City Car Wash
• $20.00 gift certificate to Havana Hideout in Lake Worth
• $20.00 gift certificate to Nature’s Way Cafe
• three month free memberships to Bally Total Fitness

Our Summer Reading Program theme this year is “Explore Space @ Your City Library!”   So the library will also be scheduling a variety of programs and events on exploring your space.   We will kick-off our summer reading program with an “Explore your creativity with wine-glass painting” workshop on Thursday, June 25th from 6:30-8:00pm.  Other events include an Argentine tango performance on Sunday, June 28th from 2:00-4:00pm, an “Explore pets in your space” program with animal behaviorist, Lorraine F. Smith on Thursday, July 16th from 7:00-8:00pm, and a program on Thursday, July 23 titled “Explore green space: greening our City” which discusses ways to save energy and water.  For a complete listing of additional programs with dates/times be sure to visit our calendar of events.

So open a book this summer, join us for some fun-filled, air-conditioned programs and “Explore Space @ your City Library!”

 

 

 

Theresa