Peter Fletcher: Making the Library a Classic Concert Hall

People think of libraries and they think of books. Sometimes, they will also think of computers and with an excited grin, "Free wifi!"

While yes, these are correct, there is so much more that happens in libraries if you just keep your eyes open for announcements or occasionally pop in to ask "What's up?". Tonight was a prime example of this in my little book-filled corner of town.

Enter: Peter Fletcher. 
 


Peter is a nationally recognized professional classical guitarist, currently on tour all over the United States. On Friday night, we had the privilege of hosting him in our little spot of eastern Washington. He put on a concert that lasted roughly an hour and a half, and was well worth every minute spent!

The first thing I noticed was how our placement of the seating arrangement ended up juxtaposing Mr. Fletcher in his classy looking suit against a background consisting of our children's area, with brightly colored stars dangling from the ceiling and a fairy tale mural on the back wall. I found it just a tad bit funny. This observation, however, was quickly forgotten amidst a flurry of beautifully played arrangements.

Following the performance, he hung out to sell and sign CDs, as well as talk to all those who attended. Due to some indecisiveness as to which album to purchase, my family and I were among the last to go, so we got to stop and chat a couple of minutes as we payed for our goods. I loved getting to talk to Peter- he seemed as excited to play for us as we were to listen! Despite all of the many performances he has put on in his time, he came across as if he still could hardly believe where he was and what he was doing. It makes me smile when I meet someone with that kind of genuine enthusiasm for what they do (in fact, I am still smiling as I write this whilst listening to his Baroque album).

For those of you who wish to learn more, you may go to his website at http://www.peterfletcher.com 
Or, if you would just simply like to hear a sample of his playing, I have included a video below.

Thank you, Mr. Fletcher for thinking of the small town folk! :)

Book of The Week: My New Teacher and Me!

I was shelving books (as always) and saw the name Yankovic in the stack.

"What?" I thought to myself, doing a double-take, "It can't be..."  I checked the cover for the full name. It was: Weird Al Yankovic writes children's literature! I had absolutely no idea.

Flipping through the book, it seems very much like something he should put to music. It is written in rhyme, and is quite comical.

Title: My New Teacher and Me!

Author: Al Yankovic

Synopsis:

"Weird Al" Yankovic's new tale of Billy, the irrepressible star of the New York Times bestselling When I Grow Up, is an uproarious back-to-school delight. Dazzling wordplay and sparkling rhyme combine in a unique appreciation of the rewards of unabashed originality and the special joy of viewing the world gently askew.

Link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-new-teacher-and-me-al-yankovic/1112541302?ean=9780062192035

The Care & Keeping of Fire Alarms

Fire alarms are kind of like insurance policies- you buy them and keep them around just in case a horrifying and exceptional circumstance comes that will require the device to be put to use. Up until such a point, your money goes to Wal-Mart and in return, you have a little plastic thing hanging above your door, ready to screech uncontrollably if it catches a whiff of smoke. Frequently the average domestic version of this device comes in the color white, with an unusual pattern on the front that appears somewhat like a demented-looking smile (or at least that's the construction of those in my home). It is a good thing they were never marketed as a decorative product, because they would have been laughed out of the Better Homes & Gardens magazine the moment they sent in a photograph.

 When your fire alarm is functioning properly, it merely sits there and stares at you quietly while you sleep. But then, once every year or two, it comes alive. It is odd to say that something can seem more alive when it's energy source is running low, but it's true. Perhaps they operate like babies- sleeping for many hours, but once hunger strikes, it screams for more sustenance.

I do not know why, but it seems to be a near unhindered fact that if your fire alarm is to run out of battery juice and begin it's high-pitched chirping routine, it will ALWAYS try to do so when you would rather be asleep. Recently, mine decided I should feed it at 5:45am. Needless to say, I was too groggy to oblige it and rather, threw it out on to my back porch and shut the door. I awoke several hours later to overhear my breakfast-eating family wondering where the noise was coming from. It wasn't terribly long before they discovered the answer.



If anyone has a good (maybe even interesting?) explanation for this phenomenon, I would love to hear it! Feel free to drop me a line, if you so have the desire :)

Book of the Week: American Eden

This book caught my eye for two reasons:

1. The pictures are lovely!
2. The part of the title that says "What our gardens tell us about who we are".


After reading the above subheading on the book, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself and cringe a little. If my garden is supposed to tell about who I am, it's telling the world that I am a slob. Whoever owned this house before my family did had a real thing for rosebushes: we've counted close to 30 of them on our property. While roses are great and all, I can tell you with full authority that one CAN have too many rose bushes! Needless to say, it's a tad difficult to keep up with those, the weeds, the grass, and all the areas of the yard that my family's two dogs tear up.

Oh well, we can always look into these pretty garden books and dream, right?

Author: Wade Graham

Title: American Eden: From Monticello to Central Park to Our Own Back Yards

Synopsis:

 Garden designer and historian Wade Graham offers a unique vision of the story of America in this riveting exploration of the nation’s gardens and the visionaries behind them, from Thomas Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello to Michelle Obama’s vegetable garden, Fredrick Law Olmsted’s expansive Central Park to Martha Stewart’s how-to landscaping guides. In the tradition of Mark Kurlansky, Simon Schama, and Michael Pollan, Graham delivers a sweeping social history that examines our nation’s history from an overlooked vantage point, illuminating anew the living drama of American self-creation.

Link: http://www.wadegraham.com/

Oh, Connections!

All I can say is that "one never knows who they might meet while on library business".

Yesterday I ended up on one of my favorite assignments: going around town asking businesses if they would put up posters for upcoming library-sponsored events.

I enjoy this for a number of reasons (in no particular order):

1. Being out getting fresh air is always nice.
2. Part of the task involves driving around blasting music in my car.
3. People are generally very friendly.
4. I am always get to bring fliers to either a local bakery or coffee shop, so I get to pick up treats to have with me on the road.
5. One of the stops is an antique shop; sometimes they have skeleton keys to buy while I'm in!
6. You sometimes see interesting stuff.
7. You sometimes meet interesting people.

This time while I was on my little mission, not only did I unexpectedly run into a good friend of mine from my high school days, but I also ended up meeting someone with an interesting claim to fame.

I met Kelly Clarkson's lead guitarist's grandma.

Yep, by far, one of the most interesting and random connections ever. When the lady working in the antique shop saw that this month's poster was advertising a free Peter Fletcher classical guitar concert (which for any of you locals who might see this, is Friday Oct. 25 at 7pm in the main Ctown library), she became suddenly reminded of her grandson.

"Hey, you know that one singer, Kelly Clarkson?" she asks.
"Oh, yeah! Of course." I reply.

"My grandson is her lead guitarist."

That made me pause. Coming from anyone at my other job (which is housekeeping in a nursing home), I would probably assume the person is delusional. Not so, this time around. Seconds later, I got to hear all about her adventures in attending one of Kelly's shows with her granddaughters from their free front row seats, complete with back stage passes because they were "with the band".

I heard about how at one point during a show, he changed the guitar melody on the spot. Afterwords, he was told "Go in to the office; Kelly wants to talk to you." At this point, the man thought he'd had it. He walks in, feeling insanely nervous, and is then told "I LOVED what you did! Here is a $5,000 bonus", as she hands him a check, "Would you like to co-write some songs with me?"

So, now I have an indirect claim to fame, haha. Again I say it, "one  never knows who they might meet while on library business!"

And Then There Were Seven: Part 3

"So, kittens, you say?"

I can tell you're excited by the prospect of seeing weekly kitten photos. You've got that twinkle in your eye! So, of course, I will oblige you. Yes, that means weekly kitten photos for all, from our charming little kitty crew.

--------------------------------------------
Click here to read Part 2
--------------------------------------------

Let me tell you, it doesn't take long for kittens to grow up! Before we knew it, that feline family all had their eyes open and were beginning to shuffle around their plastic bin-bed. Slowly, yes, but they were getting increasingly better at dragging themselves around. Some of them even attempted to climb the walls of their clear confinement.

Well, at least Arnold gave it a shot. Others, like Lor [below], opted to take a nap instead.

Book of the Week: Grumpy Cat- A Grumpy Book

Contrary to the description of the book, I laughed my head off (I have the feeling there is a lot of reverse-psychology going on in this publication!). If you love Grumpy Cat internet memes, you will enjoy flipping through this one. Heck, if you don't even know what an internet meme is, I am sure you will still get some good chuckles.

Oh, wait... You aren't supposed to get chuckles out of this. Whoops. FROWN! Frown like your life depended on it! DO IT NOW! GRRRR.

Author: Grumpy Cat

Title: Grumpy Cat: A Grumpy Book



Synopsis:Internet sensation Grumpy Cat's epic feline frown has inspired legions of devoted fans. Celebrating the grouch in everyone, the Grumpy Cat book teaches the fine art of grumpiness and includes enough bad attitude to cast a dark cloud over the whole world. Featuring brand new as well as classic photos, and including grump-inspiring activities and games, Grumpy Cat delivers unmatched, hilarious grumpiness that puts any bad mood in perspective.

Link: http://www.grumpycats.com/

"And Then There Were Seven" Part 2

Oh dear, I see that look in your eye. The way you are staring at me so intently tells me there is something you're waiting for. Is it the next part of And Then There Were Seven? I am hoping it is that, rather than you simply lusting after my Crunch bar, both for your sake and my own (because you are NOT getting my Crunch bar; you are, however, about to read the next installment of And Then There Were Seven, assuming you stick around to the end).

--------------------------------------------
Click here to read Part 1

--------------------------------------------

Carmen loved her new surroundings and friends, explored a lot, and was fed quite well by the librarians. After the first month of having her, she had gained some weight (though she was so little when we got her, it wasn't terribly apparent). It was also noted that she was becoming increasingly anti-social, preferring to spend most of her time lying on the floor behind the circulation desk. Upon notice of these developments, Carmen was escorted to the vet, who informed us that she was pregnant.

I know not how long the librarians knew before informing me, but the news of Carmen's pending family was brought before me on April 1st, of all days. Naturally, I didn't believe anyone- until I put my hand on the cat's belly and felt one of the babies kick. After that, I decided I was allowed to be excited and tell other people. Eleven days later, on the 12th of April, Carmen gave birth to six adorable kittens.



Carmen and her kittens: Lor, Luna, Rascal, Arnold, Mikey, and Dudley.

So little! Our Children's Librarian holding Rascal (don't worry, she didn't squeeze him to death!).

The New, the Old, and the Overdue

I have this shameful habit of continuously keeping my books past their appointed due date. I know, a terrible thing for a librarian to have to admit to. Under most circumstances, this would be a bad thing, but for once, having an overdue book worked out for the greater good.

"How, pray tell, could you say such a thing?", you're most likely wondering, "How on earth could an overdue book be for the greater good?"

Well, I shall tell you.

Upon making an unplanned stop at the library yesterday afternoon, I opened the door to discover that they were having their semi-annual book sale. My library hosts it (good chance to sell off their old, infrequently looked at goods), and they allow other libraries and individuals to donate their books to the cause as well. One never knows what may be found in these sales; being the book lover that I am, I naturally had to stop and paw through the piles.

The first thing I noticed, I grabbed immediately. It was a 1965, 5th edition Leslie 20,000 Words book. I do so enjoy learning new words! That one, I decided, definitely had to come home with me- especially since it was only going to cost a dollar. Shortly after that find, an announcement was made: in 10 minutes, the book sale would be shutting down and people could then grab a paper sack, fill it as full as they desired, and purchase the contents for a mere $2. Oh yes, I was in. I was so very in!

Grabbing my sack (after having a delightful chat with a lady who turned out to be a portrait artist), I began to rummage through the piles with much less discernment than I'd previously used. This resulted in my collecting five additional books to take home. My final collection ended as follows:

1. 1965, Leslie 5th Edition 20,000 Words
2. 1946, The Modern Omnibus, by Rolfe Davenport & Bowerman
3. 1930, Harvard Classics Reading Guide
4. 1976, Think Mink! by Mary Crowley
5. 2012, Discovery, by David Jeremiah
6. A very old looking pocket-size copy of The Four Gospels of the Bible (Can't find a publication date on it, but it says "The American Bible Society, Instituted in the Year 1816" inside)

Needless to say, I walked out quite happy. Not only for all my new old books, but also because I didn't have to pay an overdue fine. Oh, library life is sweet!

Book of The Week: "Who Could That Be at This Hour?"

Last year when I noticed that Lemony Snicket wrote a new book, I was quite excited. Ever since the library got it in, I've passed it on the shelves and put it away off my cart many times, all the while thinking "I really ought to read this one of these days."  Well, this week I finally took the book home. I have no regrets! Yet another fun and hilariously written book by my long-time favorite author. I've taken great pleasure in his various writings for a decade now! 

Despite this being categorized as a children's book, I'd recommend it for anyone to read. Not only is Lemony Snicket's writing style very witty, but adults and kids alike will find themselves learning fascinating obscure words. Did you know that "bombinating" means "to make a humming or buzzing noise"? I didn't. I doubt the programmers of Firefox did either, because my browser claims it is a misspelled word.

Title: "Who Could That Be at This Hour?"
Author: Lemony Snicket
Synopsis:

In a fading town, far from anyone he knew or trusted, a young Lemony Snicket began his apprenticeship in an organization nobody knows about. He began asking questions that shouldn't have been on his mind. Now he has written an account that should not have been published, in four volumes that shouldn't be read. This is the first volume.

Link: http://lemonysnicketlibrary.com/