LIBRARY NEWS

Lifelong Learning lectures resume in March

By Carole Howard and the Library Staff

Back by popular demand is another series of Lifelong Learning lectures at the library on Saturdays at 3 p.m. Mark your calendars for these interesting presentations that have been arranged by Biz Greene, the program’s creator and organizer. Biz says there may be more added, but in the meantime this is a very fine lineup for the spring series:

• March 15:  “Preserving Native American Sacred Places” by Dr. Andrew Gulliford. This lecture is based on his book “Sacred Objects and Sacred Places: Preserving Tribal            Traditions.” Andy has been one of the biggest supporters of our Pagosa Lifelong Learning program since it commenced in September 2006, and one of our most popular speakers.
• March 29: “By Design: Why We Buy, What We Believe” by Fort Lewis College art professors Amy Wendland and Dr. Marilee Jantzer-White.
• April 5 or 19: “Evolution and Creation: A Biologist's Eye View” by Dr. John Condie, professional associate of Fort Lewis College.
• April 12: “Left Brain or Right Brain: Science or Pop Science” by Drs. Chuck and Cheryl Carson, engineer and psychologist at Fort Lewis College.
• April 26: “Electronic Voting: A Source of Insecurity” by Ross Park, publicity officer of the League of Women Voters of  Archuleta County.  The Archuleta County League of Women Voters have added their support as co-sponsors of this lecture.

Lifelong Learning events are free to the public. They help keep your mind agile and your life interesting. We hope to see you there.

 Easter decorations

Many thanks to Margaret Wilson for once again donating hand-knit Easter decorations to the library as a fundraiser. Many long-time library supporters have impressive collections of her chickens, eggs, ducks and roosters, thanks to Margaret’s creativity and generosity over the years. They are available at the library for $1 or $2 each.

Federal student aid

The office of Federal Student Aid at the U.S. Department of Education has provided your library with the 2008-09 edition of the “Counselors and Mentors Handbook on Student Aid.” It describes the major federal student aid programs, includes an extensive section on completing the free application for federal student aid, and lists useful publications and web sites about student aid.

Large print books

Best-selling author Jack Higgins’ book “The Killing Ground” is the latest of the Sean Dillon series of thrillers. “Caroline’s Child and Dr. Texas” by Debbie Macomber is volume two of the Heart of Texas series. “The Purrfect Murder” is a mystery co-authored by Rita Mae Brown and her cat Sneaky Pie Brown. “Sizzle and Burn” is a psychic romance by Jayne Ann Krentz.

Political books

“An Inconvenient Book” is written by radio and television host Glenn Beck, who offers his solutions for poverty, global warming and illegal immigration among other current issues. “Real Change: From the World That Fails to the World That Works” by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich describes his solutions to our country’s problems and his views on why the Democratic Party can’t deliver real change and the Republicans have failed to govern successfully.

Thrillers and mysteries

“Blood Dreams” by Kay Hooper is another in the series of thrillers featuring Bishop and his FBI Special Crimes Unit. “Plum Lucky” by Janet Evanovich is the latest in the Stephanie Plum mystery series. “The Shooters” by W.E.B. Griffin is another of the novels featuring Delta Forces officer Charley Castillo.

Food and fitness

“In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto” by Michael Pollan is an account of how we produce, market and agonize over what we eat. “The Food You Crave: Luscious Recipes for a Healthy Life” is a new cookbook by Food Network host Ellie Krieger. “The 12 Second Sequence” by Jorge Cruise helps you lose belly fat and shrink your waist. “The Spectrum” by Dr. Dean Ornish comes with a DVD and is a new program to help you feel better, live longer, lose weight and gain health. “Eat This Not That” by David Zinczenko outlines thousands of simple food swaps that promises to save you 10, 20 or 30 pounds.

Animal books

“The Animal Dialogues: Uncommon Encounters in the Wild” by naturalist Craig Childs is a collection of essays with unusual insights into wildlife including bald eagles, pronghorn antelopes, porcupines and coyotes. An essay about a mountain lion from his book was reprinted in the February 8 issue of The Week magazine. “Tracking” by Bob Carass shows how to track any moving thing, in an environment and under nearly any circumstance.

Books on CD

“I Am Legend” by Richard Matheson about what happens after an incurable plague has been made into a movie starring Will Smith. “The Darkest Evening of the Year” by Dean Koontz tells of what happens after a woman adopts an unusual abandoned golden retriever.

Quotable quote

“ Reading is an escape, an education, a delving into the brain of another human being on such an intimate level that every nuance of thought, every snapping of synapse, every slippery desire of the author is laid open before you.” -- Contemporary American author and humorist Cynthia Heimel.

Thanks to our donors

For books and materials this week we thank Dianna Baird, Donald Brinks, Karen Carpenter, Stan Church, Jack Delange, Lyn Dryburgh, Walter Golien, Warren Grams, Patsy Harvey, Carole Howard, Judy James, Fran Jenkins, Chuck Martino, Christa Munro, Lisa Peterson, Hope Purvis, James Sanderson, Linda Schneider, Rick Sibley, plus C. Jarell and Natalie Tyson.

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