The author writes in a tone that is friendly and conversational. She packs her book full of real-life examples. You really can’t roll your eyes at her conflict resolution or discipline advice when she’s willing to use her own grandsons as examples!
We’ve all heard the warnings about kids watching too much television. This book explains why parents should be cautious with screen time in a way no other source I’ve read has done. The author discusses the observations of preschool and kindergarten teachers who have seen children’s play changing over the years. She explains the difference between play that is merely mimicking what is seen on TV (as with action figures of TV characters) and true creative play where children invent storylines. She talks about avoiding “single purpose” toys and instead thinking of toys like props and providing items that could have multiple purposes. (more…)
I recently saw the Ken Burn’s PBS series National Parks. What impressed me about this series was how much the average person had influenced the purchasing and preserving of land for future generations. I feel the same way about Earth Week–I want do as much to preserve the Earth’s future for my daughter and future generations.
Recycling, reusing, reducing, and composting are regular practices in my life. While grocery shopping, I look for food item packages that can be recycled. When will the styrofoam egg carton be a thing of the past? My recycling bins are fuller than my garbage bag. And I am more conscious of reusing items instead of putting in landfills. I found Homemade : how to make hundreds of everyday products fast, fresh and more naturallyby Reader’s Digest helpful and informative in helping guide me to the 3 r’s of the environment.
When I was 15, my sister planted a seed in my brain of joining the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps is an opportunity for American citizens to live abroad for 27 months or more in a developing country and work with the local community in such areas as health, education, environment, and even information technology. The initial creation of the Peace Corps was announced at the University of Michigan by then Senator John F. Kennedy when he challenged the students at U of M to put their education to use for the service of others. Ever since I first learned about the Peace Corps, the idea has always been in my head, but I was never eligible until last year when I graduated from college. The application process was long and involved 5 vaccinations, a lot of faxes, and paperwork, but eventually I was accepted and am now preparing for my 27 months of service in Panama. The library has been an amazing resource in helping me with my preparations. We have travel books, information on the Peace Corps, resources on Panamanian etiquette, Mango Languages (a wonderful language database), and historic novels, like “The Tailor of Panama“ to help me expand my knowledge of my soon to be home. We also have free internet access and faxing services that helped me tremendously during the application process. So if you are looking for a change or have a desire to help fellow world citizens while experiencing a little bit of adventure, come to the library and learn more about the Peace Corps. It might be the change and challenge you are looking for!
It increases job opportunities in many careers. 4 out of 5 jobs created in the US are a result of foreign trade.
It opens the door to other cultures and makes foreign travel easier and more enriching.
Study of a foreign language improves academic performance in many subjects including English grammar and vocabulary, math, reading and writing.
It improves listening skills and memory.
Best of all, it’s FREE with Mango Languages!
Mango is an online, interactive language learning system that uses real-life situations and actual conversations to teach a new language. Mango allows you to learn at your own pace, whenever you have the time.
44 Basic courses offered–perfect for business or travel overseas.
Complete courses available in 18 languages including Japanese, Greek, Italian, Spanish, and German.
Mango also offers basic English as a Second Language (ESL) courses for native speakers of 14 different languages. Advanced ESL courses are available in Spanish, Polish and Portuguese.
To begin your lessons visit www.grpl.org/databases . If you are accessing the database from home, please have your library card number ready.
Have you caught the new show on NBC, “Who Do You Think You Are?” Well, here at GRPL we’re offering a Genealogy Lock-In on Friday, April 16th, from 6-10 pm. You will be able to search our databases, make copies, attend an Ancestry computer class, get individualized help from the Western Michigan Genealogical Society, and network with other genealogy junkies! We don’t guarantee results like Sarah Jessica Parker’s , but the search is half the fun! Registration is required.
Nine people in black robes. One just joined the group last summer. One is starting to think about retirement; after all, he’s almost 90. Together they interpret the Constitution, spark controversy, and make history. They’re always in the news. They’re the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. How much do you know about the people who make decisions that affect your life?
Just a few of the recent titles about the highest court in the land offer great reads about how public opinion has influenced the Court’s opinions, and how its members’ opinions affect the political process. Activist judges at work? Decide for yourself. On the lighter side of the gavel, there’s weird trivia and Supreme Court history. Or learn by watching – a great series narrated by actor David Strathairn. Nine people in black robes with the power to affect the lives of ordinary Americans. It’s good to know a little about them.
I’m pleased to see one of my favorite albums introduced into the GRPL’s CD collection- The Dirty Projector’s “Getty’s Address“. Dave Longstreth’s quirky musical compositions and tinkerings reach their most ambitious level by exposing the digital era of recording. Mixing classical instruments, digital thumps and hiccups, meandering compositions and a strained folksy voicy, the album likes to go wherever it wants. Musical analysts can have a field day with this one.
It has some beautiful moments. Dave has some of the strangest vocal arrangements I’ve found around- (think bjork). Definitely not for musical fans that love the pitch perfection of an artist! Dave’s voice goes all over the place in an R&B kinda way, but his strained voice can be irritating to some. The female singers he employs are way more on target, and his latest album “Bitte Orca” puts two of his singers in the spot light while his prescence is downplayed.
Since Valentine’s Day, I have been searching assiduously for my first Robin sighting of the year. Last week my efforts finally paid off. This, coupled with recent teasing glimpses of the sun and ever diminishing snow piles, has turned my thoughts to Spring. Now that I can see my garden space again, I am wondering what to do with it this year.
As always, the library has the answers. We are conducting a whole series of programs and events for Earth Week 2010. We have great events planned, and gardening is one of our topics.
There will be workshops to make your own rain barrel, allowing you to collect water to nourish your plants without wasting resources.
Do you have a small or even non-existent yard? Don’t let that stop you from growing your own fresh vegetables and herbs! Another of the topics of Earth Week will be container gardening.
For a full schedule of Earth Week events, check our web page often for the latest updates. In the meantime, take a look at the great selection of small space gardening resources we offer.
Join us tonight from 6:30-8:00pm for the first of 7 Money Smart Monday Classes! Andrea Drekker from Organization Made Simple and Julie Bos from Greenpath Financial Services will teach you how to Get Organized — how to manage your time, create a budget, track your spending, record your checks, pay your bills, and create short and long term goals for your financial future.
Inspiration was provided by a book for young adults called 
Have you caught the new show on NBC, 
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