Kent District Library (MI)'s Blog, page 104

It’s Classical Music Month!

Since September is “Classical Music month”, I thought it’d be good to spread the news about some of the great classical CDs that are available through KDL, and do that by listing some of the pieces that have become my favorites over the years. I started listening to this music about 35 years ago, going to my home town (and quite small) library to check out the classical LPs that intrigued me.  I’ve never really stopped listening either, though my tastes have broadened to include a number of other genres. The following recommendations are of course purely personal, and if you are a lover of classical music, feel free to add a comment about what you like that I may have left out.

No list could be complete without the works of J.S. Bach, and one of his most beloved and well-known are the Brandenburg Concertos, whose vitality and loveliness never die.  I don’t know how one could grow tired of these pieces, but if by chance you did, there are always Bach’s works for keyboard, including those insomniac-inspired pieces for solo piano known as the Goldberg Variations. So much variety in one piece! Moving ahead in time, we come to the many symphonies of Haydn, one of which, “Farewell”, has the musicians leaving one by one at the end of the piece—yes, the Master did have a sense of humor, though he was also sending a message. (You’ll have to look it up.)  Beethoven is probably the most well known of the composers on this list, and of all his symphonies, I’ve always loved the 6th the most. Also known as the Pastoral, its lyricism and emotion always get me. (You may recall its use in the Disney feature Fantasia.)  While we’re on symphonies (and the 19th century), Dvorak, who actually lived in the Midwest for part of his life, wrote a wonderful (and justly well-known) symphony inspired by the United States, its people and its music. Popularly known as “From the New World” it is well worth seeking out.  Dvorak’s string quartets are also a must-listen. Heading to France, there’s Claude Debussy, whose series of piano pieces called simply “Images”, despite their “modern” sound, have delighted with their dreamy, poetic compositions.  Finally—and to show that classical is not dead—I wanted to mention Henryk Gorecki’s Symphony No. 3.  Though written in 1976, this piece is not the dissonant, difficult work you might expect from that era. Instead, Gorecki gives us an incredibly moving work with some singing parts by the great Dawn Upshaw.

This is just a sampling, of course, of what’s out there, and if I had more space, I’d write about many more. And don’t forget to check out Freegal, available for KDL cardholders, that has a number of classical pieces available for downloading that might not be available on CD.

Meet the Pure Michigan Photographers

Ludington-based father/son duo Todd and Brad Reed will present a slideshow of their Pure Michigan® photographs, share stories of their travels and talk about how they use cameras to connect with both nature and people.

Schedule:

Thursday, September 19, 6:30 PM – Comstock Park branch

Tuesday, September 24, 6:30 PM — Grandville branch

Thursday, September 26, 6:30 PM — Gaines Township branch

Tuesday, October 8, 6:30 PM — Byron Township branch

Monday, October 14, 6:30 PM — Sand Lake/ Nelson Township branch

Sunday, November 10, 2:00 PM — Cascade Township branch

Monday, November 11, 6:30 PM — Alpine Township branch

All programs above are free to attend, but if you’d like a more up-close experience, the Friends of Cascade Library will also host the Reeds for Booked for Lunch on Thursday, October 24 at 12:30 PM. Pre-registration is required and spots are limited. Luncheon cost is $8 for Friends members, $10 for non-members. Cost for author talk only is $5. Deadline to register is October 18.

Find a map to all our branches here.

 

Krause Memorial (Rockford) Branch Open

The Krause Memorial branch in Rockford will be OPEN normal hours Thursday, September 5 and Friday, September 6, despite a boil water advisory that has closed many local schools and businesses. The faucets and drinking fountains will be unavailable, but safe water will be provided for library visitors.

 

Krause Memorial (Rockford) Branch Open Today

The Krause Memorial branch in Rockford will be OPEN normal hours today (Thursday, September 5), despite a boil water advisory that has closed many local schools and businesses. The faucets and drinking fountains will be unavailable, but safe water will be provided for library visitors.

 

Happiness Is… Bees

As we buzz into fall, why not sting your way through a book about these famous, efficient pollinators… BEES!



FICTION

Telling the Bees by Peggy Hesketh Albert

Honig’s most constant companions have always been his bees. A  never-married octogenarian, he makes a modest living as a beekeeper, as his father and his father’s father did before him. Deeply acquainted with the workings of the hives, Albert is less versed in the ways of people, especially  his friend Claire, whose presence and absence in his life have never been reconciled.

Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

When Lily’s fierce-hearted black “stand-in mother,” Rosaleen, insults three of the town’s most vicious racists, Lily decides they should both escape to Tiburon, South Carolina—a town that holds the secret to her mother’s past. There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters who introduce Lily to a mesmerizing world of bees, honey and the Black Madonna who presides over their household.

NON-FICTION

The Beekeeper’s Lament by Hannah Nordhaus

Award-winning journalist Hannah Nordhaus tells the remarkable story of John Miller, one of America’s foremost migratory beekeepers, and the myriad and mysterious epidemics threatening American honeybee populations. In luminous, razor-sharp prose, Nordhaus explores the vital role honeybees play in American agribusiness, the maintenance of our food chain and the very future of the nation.

The Honey Connoisseur by C. Marina Marchese

From honey experts C. Marina Marchese and Kim  Flottum comes this comprehensive introduction to  the origin, flavor and culinary uses of more than 30 varietals of honey, from ubiquitous clover to tangy star thistle to rich, smoky buckwheat. Like wine, cheese, coffee and chocolate, honey has emerged as an artisanal obsession. Its popularity at farmers’ markets and specialty food stores has soared as retailers are capitalizing on the trend. The Honey Connoisseur teaches consumers everything they need to know about how to taste, select and use a diverse selection of honey.

     

 

The New Health Care Law, Demystified

Priority Health and Kent District Library present The Affordable Care Act and You, a FREE informational seminar for those age 65 and younger who are responsible for purchasing health benefits for their family. Topics include why you should get health insurance, how you can get covered and when and how to enroll for coverage in the Healthcare Marketplace opening for enrollment beginning October 1.

Schedule:

Tuesday, September 17, 6:30 PM – Cascade Township branch

Tuesday, September 24, 6:30 PM – Caledonia Township branch

Wednesday, September 25, 6:30 PM – Plainfield Township branch

Monday, September 30, 6:30 PM – Grandville branch

Saturday, October 5, 10:30 AM – East Grand Rapids branch

Tuesday, October 8, 6:30 PM – Spencer Township branch

Thursday, October 10, 6:30 PM – Comstock Park branch

For maps to our branches, click here.

 

It’s On: 2nd Annual Write Michigan Contest

Kent District Library, Schuler Books & Music, Pooh’s Corner and Capital Area District Libraries are proud to announce the second annual Write Michigan Short Story Contest, which drew nearly 600 Michigan writers in its inaugural year.

“We were delighted with the response to our first Write Michigan contest,” said Heidi Nagel, KDL communications manager. “Now we’re eager to draw even more writers and expand on the success of our first year.”

Write Michigan kicks off today, with an entry deadline of November 30. Details include a 3,000-word maximum length; $10 entry fee for ages 18 and older, free for 17 and younger; Michigan residents only; and all entries must be submitted online. Winners are chosen by public vote for the Readers’ Choice award and by a panel of judges for the Judges’ Choice award. The top honor in each category receives a $250 cash prize, and the finalists will be published in an anthology by Schuler Books’ Chapbook Press. This year, Write Michigan has also separated the under-18 submissions into separate teen (ages 12-17) and youth (ages 11 and younger) categories, in addition to the adult category for those 18 and older.

Winners will be honored during an awards ceremony at the Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch of KDL on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 2:00 PM. The event will feature a keynote address by Kristina Riggle, whose fifth novel, The Whole Golden World, will be published by HarperCollins this November.

Workshops to support teen and adult writers will be held in September and October at KDL and CADL branches. See www.writemichigan.org for complete details!

 

Free Computer & Technology Classes

Whether you’re a computer novice or looking to update your skills, KDL’s free computer classes can help you learn something new! Registration opens today for our October classes:

Computer Basics: Mousing and More
Computer Basics: Using Windows 8
Computer Basics: Where’s My Stuff?
Gadgets: B.Y.O. eReader & Tablet Users Group

(pre-registration not required)
Gadgets: Get Appy with Your iPad

(pre-registration not required)
Internet: Create Your Own Website or Blog
Internet: Email Workshop
Internet: Facebook Basics
Internet: The Lowell Ledger Online — Explore Your Local History
Internet: Online Genealogy Research I & II
Internet: Online Security
Internet: Wikipedia, the Encyclopedia for Everyone
Microsoft Excel Basics I, II & III
Microsoft PowerPoint Basics
Microsoft Word Basics I, II & III
Microsoft Office Workshop
Career Transitions Workshop: Developing Your Personal Brand (pre-registration not required)
Career Transitions Workshop: Communicating Your Brand (pre-registration not required)
Career Transitions Workshop: Networking (pre-registration not required)
Career Transitions Workshop: Behavioral Interviewing (pre-registration not required)
Career Transitions Workshop: LinkedIn Boot Camp (pre-registration not required if you provide your own laptop)
Speak to a Geek (pre-registration not required)

For class descriptions and schedule, please see our brochure or search our events calendar.

Unless otherwise noted, pre-registration is required and will begin the month before the scheduled classes on the first Monday of each month for KDL cardholders and the second Monday for non-KDL cardholders (if space is still available):

October classes: Registration begins Tuesday, September 3 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, September 9 for non-KDL cardholders)
November classes: Registration begins Monday, October 7 for KDL cardholders

(Monday, October 14 for non-KDL cardholders)

To register, please call 616-784-2007.

It’s Not Just Any Train. It’s Dinosaur Train!

All Aboard! Children ages 6 and younger are invited to take a ride on PBS’ Dinosaur Train. Celebrate Buddy, Tiny, Don and Shiny at a special storytime that includes stories, crafts and activities.

Schedule:

Thursday, September 12, 6:30 PM – Spencer Township branch

Tuesday, September 17, 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch

Wednesday, September 18, 10:00 AM – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) branch

Saturday, September 21, 10:00 AM – Caledonia Township branch

Monday, September 23, 9:45 and 10:30 AM – Walker branch

Saturday, October 26, 10:00 AM – Gaines Township branch

Monday, November 11, 6:30 PM – Byron Township branch

Tuesday, November 12, 10:00 AM – Cascade Township branch

Wednesday, November 13, 10:00 AM – Cascade Township branch

Monday, November 18, 10:00 AM and 6:30 PM – Plainfield Township branch

Wednesday, November 20, 10:00 AM – Plainfield Township branch

Thursday, November 21, 10:00 AM – Plainfield Township branch

 

Early Lit Bits: Music Minute

We often hear about comfort foods, but music can also be a comfort. Recent studies have shown that listening to music significantly reduces pain and anxiety during medical procedures. Favorite songs can serve as the perfect distraction during uncomfortable events, such as tending a scraped knee, getting a shot, or even saying goodbye after visiting friends.

Children love repetition. It creates a sense of control and comfort when they know what to expect. Singing familiar “comfort” songs when things are scary or stressful gives children a way to cope. Check out some of our children’s favorites like Children’s Favorites: 30 Classic Tunes for a variety of familiar and fun songs that can help in trying situations.

–Sara M. at KDL’s Sand Lake/Nelson Township branch

 

 

This article originally appeared in our Early Lit Bits eNewsletter. Read the most recent issue online or sign up to receive this monthly update highlighting early literacy tips and resources for parents and caregivers.