Monday, July 13, 2009

Book Reviews from Master The Art of Reading participants White Shadow by Ace Atkins: A very good read, lots of interesting history from the 50's Florida. Hard to put down. Confessions of a little black gown by Elizabeth Boyle: A great romance. Boyle knows how to write an exciting novel. Girls in Pants by Ann Brashares: It was a great book! Cat who had 60 whiskers by Lilian Jackson Braun: Not as good as the others. Cat who smelled a rat by Lilian Jackson Braun: If you like animals and mysteries you'll love this book and anyone of the many in the series. Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton: What an awesome book! I couldn't put this one down. A must read for any magic/romance lover. Princess forever by Meg Cabot: I liked the book but you must read the whole series to get this one. Secrets she left behind by Diane Chamberlain: This was a fantastic author. Her writing style is so smooth and flows well...Great story with great plot. Cursed by Carol Higgins Clark: One of her best books. Loved it! 12:18:28 PM     New Sites You can see the latest websites that we've linked to on our Resources page. 11:50:30 AM     Upcoming Events at HPL Braveheart Raptor Rehabilitation Center 2 PM Tuesday, July 14 The Raptor Center rescues injured birds of prey and returns them to the wild. Director Susan Stamy will visit with some of the “guests” at the Center and tell about raptors. Visiting birds may include the Barred Owl, Turkey Vulture, Peregrine Falcon or American Kestrel Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Invention Day 2 PM Thursday, July 16 Creative activities based on kids’ inventions. An Invention Fair will let kids show off things they’ve made. The Invention Game gets kids to think up unusual solutions to ordinary problems. As the program finale kids will make Lie Detectors and other weird gizmos. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Z’s Kids Club Traveling Animal Show 11 AM Monday, July 20 John Ball Zoo’s Mobile Zoo brings live animals to the Library. Kids will learn how animals too can Be Creative when they solve problems of food, shelter and survival. Zoo docents lead the program and let kids see the animals close up. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. Living Sculpture Tour 2 PM Wednesday, July 22 Sponsored with the Muskegon Museum of Art Tour Muskegon’s downtown sculptures then join a digital photo team to create a living version of each. MMA education curator Cathy Mott will lead the program. After the short walking tour create an original abstract sculpture at Hackley Library. The program starts at the Library. Adult accompaniment is required on the tour. Please call the Youth Services Department at 231-722-7276 x 230. 11:48:44 AM     Know What Questions to Ask During a Job Interview [Job Search] . It's nerve-wracking enough worrying about how best to answer interview questions. Unfortunately, it's also important to ask questions during the exchange. Weblog Lifehack.org details how best to turn the tables with a list of seven noteworthy questions to raise. Photo by brymo. Apart from inquiring about your day-to-day responsibilities and opportunities for career advancement, Lifehack suggests you ask the following: "How do you feel that I measure up to your requirements for this position?" The author argues that far too many candidates take a passive role during job interviews, and though it may come across as pushy, it's better to know upfront if there's any reason you might not be offered the job. By extension, if it turns out that you really want the job, you can then use the opportunity to counter any holes in your resume by detailing relevant experience or other skills you have. Taking a more proactive role during interviews is also important because it allows you to steer some of the conversation, and therefore leave more of the impression you want. Hit up the post for their full list of questions to ask prospective employers, then let's hear any other questions you'd suggest posing in the comments. Seven Great Questions to Ask At a Job Interview [Lifehack] [Lifehacker] 11:47:59 AM     Exploring Underwater Treasures Our guest blogger today is Caryn Bower, an intern with the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. As the heat of summer hits, everyone can use an opportunity to cool off and have some fun by the water. In these tough economic times, however, it can be hard for a budget-conscious family to find ways to beat the heat that don't involve spending lots of cash to wait in lines at a water park. So, if you're one of the many Americans searching for inexpensive, entertaining and educational aquatic activities, it's hard to go wrong with a visit to one of our national marine sanctuaries! From Lake Huron to the Florida Keys, NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary System manages more than 150,000 square miles of America's ocean and Great Lakes waters. If you live near the coast, chances are that you're close to one of these 14 special places and all of the wallet-friendly fun they have to offer. There are countless things to do in the marine sanctuaries, like snorkeling, surfing, fishing, kayaking, or just relaxing on the beach. Visitors can explore tide pools along Washington's shores in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary or see wildlife like sea otters and pelicans as they paddle among the kelp forests of California's Monterey Bay. Adventure seekers can plunge into the depths of the sanctuaries and see the underwater world through a wide range of scuba diving experiences. Even without scuba training, many of the historic shipwrecks in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Michigan's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary are accessible within snorkeling depths. For an unforgettable experience, whale watching tours are a great way to see some of the largest creatures on Earth. Popular whale watching destinations include the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary, Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary in Massachusetts, and the Channel Islands Sanctuary off the Southern California coast. Those who prefer to experience the wonders of the underwater world without getting their feet wet will find free visitor centers in San Francisco, Key West, and Hilo, Hawaii to be perfect for learning about the sanctuaries from the safety of dry land. If you're a history buff, you can learn all about our nation's maritime past at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center (free admission) or check out one of the most famous ships in American history at the USS Monitor Center in Newport News, Virginia. More information about some of the historic shipwrecks and landmarks within the sanctuary system can be found through the Historic Places and Preservation section of USA.gov. You don't always have to open your wallet to open your mind. Plan a visit to a national marine sanctuary today, and explore some of America's underwater treasures! - Editor [Gov Gab: Your U.S. Government Blog] 11:47:26 AM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 8/3/2009; 10:35:54 AM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien