What's New @ the Library

So so sorry, still no Bookmobile service

2012-01-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

Our new Bookmobile sits in San Francisco awaiting a new cable.
Something to do with its unique hybrid system and that is all I can tell you. ,
not being knowledgeable about its workings.
It will NOT be on the road the week of January 30th. I will let you
know as soon as I know when.

New Bookmobile first visits postponed

2012-01-19T11:36:00.000-08:00

The new Bookmobile will not be out the week of January 24th. Dave will be taking a van
this Friday to the North County and next Monday to the South County. See below for days, times and stops. All items out will be checked in fine free and if your account is not cleared please let us know.

New Bookmobile needs work on its hybrid connection and will

not be out the week of January 24^th.

Special trips to pick up overdue items: Dave will park a van in the Bookmobile spot and pick up all items in bookdrops

Friday: January 20^th

Leave Ukiah at 8 am

Laytonville 9:15 to 9:30

Leggett School 10:00 to 10:15

Leggett Store 10:15 to 10:30

Piercy 11:00 to 11:15

Chamberlin CC 1:00 to 1:15

Parlin Forks CC 1:30 to 1:45

Mendocino 2:15 to 2:30

Albion 2:45 to 3:00

Monday: January 23^rd

Leave Ukiah at 6:30 am

TSR Sea Ranch 9:00 to 9:30

Gualala 9:45 to 10:15

Comptche Store 12:15 to 12:30

Navarro 1:00 to 1:15

Floodgate 1:30 to 1:45

Philo 2:00 to 2:15

Boonville 2:30 to 2:45

What is state-of-the-art green and has four wheels?

2012-01-09T09:01:00.000-08:00

Easy guess. Our new bookmobile will be in town this week. Then it will be prepped and ready to go on the road on January 24th. There will be a welcoming reception on the 23rd. We'll also be adding several new stops. Check back for more information.

Mendocino County Library Christmas Schedule

2011-12-17T11:21:00.000-08:00

All Branches will be open Christmas Eve

Saturday, December 24th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

All Branches closed Monday, December 26th through Friday, December 30th

All Branches will be open New Year's Eve

Saturday, December 31st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The old Bookmobile has finished its job and the new Bookmobile has not yet arrived: ETA mid-January with a first delivery date of January 24th.

Check the pages of individual Branches for new days/hours starting
January 3rd, 2012

Mendocino County Library Thanksgiving Schedule

2011-11-17T12:41:00.001-08:00

All of the Mendocino County Libraries open on Wednesdays will be closed early at 4pm on Wednesday November 23rd. They will remain closed for Thursday November 24th and Friday November 25th. All libraries will reopen on Saturday November 26th.

No bookmobile again.

2011-11-16T09:04:00.001-08:00

The bookmobile is not running today either; no stops in Manchester, Stewarts Pt, Sea Ranch, Gualala and Anchor Bay We are sorry. We should resume regular route next week.

No bookmobile today

2011-11-15T07:58:00.001-08:00

The bookmobile will not be running because the driver is ill. That means he will not make the following stops:

Book Drop: Navarro Store, Boonville General Store Bakery

9:00 to 9:30             Navarro               Navarro Store
10:45 to11:30            Comptche               Post Office
1:00 to 1:45            Floodgate               Store Parking Lot
2:00 to 2:45              Philo                     Across from Post Office
3:00 to 3:45              Boonville               Apple Building

New bookmobile graphics by James Sibbet

2011-11-14T08:01:00.001-08:00

New bookmobile James Sibbet art, a set on Flickr.

Artist James Sibbet has completed the graphics for our new bookmobile. Check it out.

Mendocino County says Yes on Libraries.

2011-11-09T20:20:00.001-08:00

By a three to one ratio:

YES 11150 75.18%
NO 3681 24.82%

More here.

The Staff, Friends and Library Board say thank you. Stay tuned for more news.

Fort Bragg and Ukiah Libraries may open later on 11/1/11

2011-11-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

If you are planning on heading either to the Fort Bragg Library or the Ukiah Library today Tuesday November 1st, please call first because our system is down and these two branches may open late. Fort Bragg #964-2020, Ukiah #463-4490. Thanks for your patience.

Round Valley Library to Begin Winter Hours

2011-10-18T09:45:00.000-07:00

On November 1st the Round Valley Library will start their winter schedule which will continue through April. The new hours are:

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm.

They will be closed Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday

Banned Books Week Sept 24 to Oct 1

2011-10-06T13:27:00.000-07:00

Yes we just missed it, but it is always interesting to read the lists and
now there is this great Google map of challenged books across the United
States.

I have always said that a good Library has got to have something in
it that offends someone. I order books that I will never read (maybe
I should) and that I find offensive for one reason or another. That makes a good Library.
How boring would be our collection to many other people if it were only the books
I want to read.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&source=embed&t=h&msa=0&msid=112317617303679724608.00047051ed493efec0bb8
Above is the link to Google maps. Check it out. You may have to copy and paste if link does not work.

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm Same here copy and paste, link is not working.
Here is the link to America Library Association list of books banned or that someone
would like banned.

http://entertainment.salon.com/2011/09/28/books_which_deserve_banning/
And here is a link to an article from Laura Miller at Salon about books
that we suffered through having to read in school.
I am sure these are the books that Richard Brautigan was refering to when he wrote:

My teachers could have ridden with the James Gang for all the hours they stole from me.

Eliza

Scrabble Challenge @ Coast Community Library

2011-10-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

Scrabble Challenge
Sunday October 9th 5:00 PM
A Friends of Coast Community Library event
Entry fee includes refreshments by Franny's Cup & Saucer
Hwy 1, Point Arena
For more information: 882-2731 or
www.coastcommunitylibrary.org

Willits and Coast Libraries closed for Columbus Day.

2011-10-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

Most of our libraries are already closed on all Mondays. However Coast Library in Point Arena and Willits Library will be closed on Monday October 10th for Columbus Day.

It is National Library Sign up Month

2011-09-26T09:19:00.000-07:00


http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/we-are-not-procrastinating-we-are-being-productive-in-a-different-direction/

Poster by Andy W of Agnostic Maybe. His blog is here.

If you don't already have a library card now is the time to get one. Don't forget that you can access databases, take the practice SAT and other prep tests, and download audiobooks without leaving your computer. You'll also be prepared to show your credentials and join the Human Resistance should zombies threaten to take over the world.

Ukiah Book Sale Sept 22 through 25, 2011

2011-09-19T10:07:00.000-07:00

Ukiah Valley Friends of the Library
September 2011
Book Sale

to be held at the Vet's Building on Seminary Ave

THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

Sept 22 Thurs 4 - 8 pm Member Only: Join at the door
Sept 23 Fri 10 am - 8 pm Open to all
Sept 24 Sat 10 am - 8 pm Open to all
Sept 25 Sun 10 am to 4 pm Bag Sale

Coast Library Closed for its Annual Book Sale Saturday

2011-08-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

Coast Branch is having it's yearly Book Sale the weekend of the Harvest Festival in Point Arena on September 3rd. The branch will be closed for library service on Saturday Sept 3 12-3 pm.

Info on the Book Sale:

LABOR DAY WEEKEND
GIGANTIC BOOK SALE
at
Coast Community Library
in Point Arena

Friday, Sept 2    Member's First Pick, Free Refreshments
(Begins 6PM)
FOCCL members only.
Not currently a member? Become one at the door.

         Saturday, Sept 3 (10 AM to 5 PM)

             Sunday, Sept 4   $5 a bag day (10 AM to 4PM

New Open Hours begin Today at the Ukiah Library

2011-08-01T12:45:00.000-07:00

Ukiah's new hours start today. Ukiah Library will now be open:

Tuesdays, Thursdays -- noon til 8pm
Saturdays -- 10am to 5pm.

CLOSED: MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS AND SUNDAYS.

Willits Library's hours are:
Mondays, 10am to 6pm
Wednesdays -- 10am to 8pm
Saturdays -- 10am to 5pm.

CLOSED: TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS AND SUNDAYS.

Stop by and say hi!

Library Branches Reduce Hours beginning July 5th

2011-06-27T14:10:00.000-07:00

Library District Branch Schedule FY 11-12

Branch	Public Operating Hours Beginning July 2011
Bookmobile	Routes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (no change)
Coast Community Library	Monday noon-6pm Tuesday: 10am-6pm Weds & Thurs: 10am-8pm Saturday: noon-3pm CLOSED FRIDAYS, SUNDAYS
Fort Bragg	Tuesday: 10am-6pm Wednesday noon - 8pm Saturday: 10am-5pm CLOSED MONDAYS, THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS, SUNDAYS
Round Valley Library	Tues and Thurs noon-7:00 Fri and Sat 10:00-5:00 CLOSED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, SUNDAYS
Ukiah Main Library	Beginning August 1^st: Tues and Thurs: noon -8pm Saturday: 10am-5pm CLOSED MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS, SUNDAYS
Willits Library	Monday: 10am-6pm Wednesday: noon-8pm Saturday: 10am-5pm CLOSED TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, FRIDAYS, SUNDAYS
Administration	Mon – Thurs, 8 to 5pm

Meetings rooms unavailable during closed hours in Fort Bragg and Willits.

Friends of the Library Booksale: Saturday, June 4th

2011-05-28T11:56:00.000-07:00

The Ukiah Valley Friends of the Library will hold a booksale
Saturday, June 3th
10:00 to 3:00

Great Books available!

Ukiah Library
105 N Main St
Ukiah CA 95482
707 463-4493

ANNUAL QUILT SHOW at the Ukiah Library

2011-05-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

Sweet Saturdays at the Ukiah Library

2011-05-05T11:09:00.000-07:00

May Day & Honoring Mothers

Mothers and Children you are invited
Saturday, May 7th from 10:30 to Noon
at the Ukiah Library
105 Main St., Ukiah CA

Crafts, circle time, stories and then a puppet play!!

Sponsored by the Mendocino County Library & River Oak Charter School

Friends of the Library Booksale: Saturday, May 7th

2011-05-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, May 7th, the Friends of the Ukiah Valley Library will hold a
booksale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Support your Friends, support the Ukiah Li brary.
Books are not Library discards. All very reasonably priced.

What the Heck are Lichens?

2011-04-04T11:05:00.000-07:00

What the Heck are Lichens?

a slideshow presented by

Julia Larke & Lori Hubbart

April 10^th at 2 PM

Coast Community Library

They’re everywhere! Lichens of all shapes, sizes and colors can be found on trees and rocks, fences and buildings, on metal, on glass. They exist in some of the harshest environments on earth, from arid deserts to the frigid arctic tundra. They’re so tough, they were used to study the extreme environment of outer space. Learn much much more at this free library event.

For information, call 882-3114.

4 Women Reading Women

2011-03-15T16:16:00.000-07:00

Press Release
A Women's History Month literary event in Ukiah
4 Women Reading Women, March 18, 2011, 7 pm, Grace Hudson Museum

To commemorate Women’s History Month, 4 local women writers will celebrate the works and contributions of various women writers of their choice. Donna Kerr, Mary Norbert Körte, Linda Noel, and Theresa Whitehill will offer a reading Friday, March 18, 7pm at the Grace Hudson Museum.

The 4 women come from varied backgrounds, including
:
- Körte, who received a post graduate degree in Silver Latin; she studied and hung out with some of the great Beat Poets, including Lew Welch and William Everson, before relocating to the Noyo River basin where she has resided for nearly 40 years

- Kerr, a librarian for Mendocino County for twenty years who channels the words of Dorothy Wordsworth and has published 2 poetry chapbooks and been a keynote speaker at the UkiaHaiku Festival

- Noel, who is a Koyungkowi California Native who grew up in Willits, where she discovered poetry while a student at Willits High School; she has been published in anthologies and journals and served as Ukiah Poet Laureate 2006-200
;
- Whitehill, who is a graphic designer and letterpress printer; her latest book, A Grammar of Longing, was released in 2009 by Pygmy Forest Press; her poetry broadsides and commissioned poetry hang in university libraries throughout the country; she is the current Ukiah Poet Laureate.

The women have made their own selections of the writers they wish to present including personal favorites, those who have inspired them or a larger following through their writings, and women who have had a profound impact on not only the literary world but society and culture, including: Anne Sexton, Joy Harjo, Gertrude Stein, Emily Dickinson, Muriel Rukeyser, Sharon Olds, Alice Walker, Adrienne Rich and Leslie Silko.

Light refreshments will be offered following the reading which is free of charge with donations welcomed.

--

Coast Community Wants You to Share Your Love

2011-02-14T14:29:00.000-08:00

Come in and say why you love your library. Valentine hearts

will be available so you can share your thoughts, a poem, a quote.

Or, drop off your own creations for our valentine display.

New Story Time at the Round Valley Library

2011-01-18T09:27:00.000-08:00

4-5 on Wednesday for up to 4 years old. We'll see you there!

Sunday @ Coast Community Library

2010-12-02T15:19:00.000-08:00

Sunday @ the Library

Anchor Bay Children's Choir
Coast Community Library
Sunday December 19 at 2 pm

Downloadable audio books to a Mac

2010-11-10T12:32:00.000-08:00

I am so impressed. One of our Library patrons could not use the Library's downloadable audio books. So, she persevered. And here is how she did it.

Have your ipod or device plugged into your Mac and make certain the
"manually manage music" is checked.

Search catalog
Downloadable audio books

Choose: MP3 titles which are compatible with Macs. The WMA titles that are iPod compatible
will only work on PCs. You will see a link to the collection of MP3 audiobooks on the left side of the page.

Go through the steps. IT DOES NOT GO AUTOMATICALLY TO iTUNES.

Go to the finder icon in the upper right corner and put in the name of the book
It will come up in Overdrive Media Console
Right click on the book and hit transfer (or use transfer icon on top)
It should transfer automatically to your iPod. If not, manually change it.

Voila!

Let's talk about Teeth

2010-10-29T14:52:00.000-07:00

This Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010
The Smiles Squad will be at the Ukiah Library
Story Time at 11 a.m.

Nicole Lederman, Emma Catherwood, Samantha Privratsky are HealthCorps volunteers
at the Mendocino County Health Clinic, Smiles Program

Let's Talk About Teeth- A Storytime Adventure
with the Smiles Squad

Boogie Woogie Costume Ball Benefit for Children's Services

2010-10-15T16:39:00.000-07:00

Boogie Woogie Costume Ball

A Benefit for the Children’s Services of the Ukiah & Willits Libraries

Saturday, Oct 30^th

7 to 11 p.m.

$20.00

& a new or gently used children’s book

Ed Reinhart &
the Burning Sensations

with the Freys Band

FOOD & DRINK AVAILABLE

Tickets at Mendocino Book Co.

in Ukiah & Mazahar in Willits

Community Reading of Favorite Poems

2010-10-07T13:26:00.000-07:00

A Community Reading of Favorite Poems

Our community’s favorite poems—Blake, Rilke, Mary Oliver, Lewis Carroll, Marge Piercy—
Come to a special reading of these and more, gathered from submissions by the public in September.

Friday, October 15, 2010
7:00 pm
Grace Hudson Museum Community Room
431 South Main Street, Ukiah
$3/person or $5/family suggested donation

For more information:
Theresa Whitehill, Ukiah Poet Laureate, 707 462-4557, ukiah.laurate@mcn.org
www.coloredhorse.com/poetry

Friends of the Ukiah Valley Library BOOK SALE

2010-09-11T14:20:00.000-07:00

It is almost upon us:

WHAT: A giant 4 day Booksale
WHO: Presented through the very hard work of the Ukiah Valley Friends of the Library
WHERE: Veteran's Memorial Hall, 293 Seminary Ave, Ukiah
WHEN: Thursday Sept 23rd 4-6 pm (Friends of the Library only) may join at the door
Friday Sept 24th 10 am to 5 pm Open to the Public
Saturday Sept 25th 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday Sept 26th 10 am to 3 pm (Buy a bag for $3 and fill it

WHY: To support the Ukiah Library. The Friends are purchasing all books, audio books, dvds etc
for the Library this year. We thank them profusely. Please purchase tons of books.

Favorite Poem Project in Ukiah

2010-08-27T11:44:00.000-07:00

The National

Favorite Poem Project

Returns to Ukiah!

Call for Submissions

Do you have a favorite poem that has touched you or has affected your life deeply, one you would like to share with the community?

The Poet Laureate Committee of Ukiah invites you to submit your all-time favorite poem. Fifteen poems will be selected from these entries. If your poem is chosen, you will be invited to participate in a public reading to be held on Friday, October 15, 2010.

The poem must be by an author other than yourself, your friends, or relatives. It should be a poem you have read, perhaps many times, and to which you feel a personal attachment. While there are no length requirements, very short or very long poems are not likely to be selected

Submission forms can be picked up and dropped off at:

Ukiah Public Library, 105 North Main Street, Ukiah

Grace Hudson Museum, 431 South Main Street, Ukiah

Submissions can also be mailed to:

Ukiah Poet Laureate Committee, P.O. Box 865, Ukiah, CA 95482

Postmark deadline for submissions: Thursday, September 23, 2010

Community Reading of the Favorite Poem Project

Friday, October 15, 2010, 7 pm, Grace Hudson Museum

43 South Main Street, Ukiah, CA 95482,

Suggested donation $3 per person, $5 per family

A project co-produced by the Poet Laureate Committee of Ukiah and Ukiah Players Theatre, www.favoritepoem.org

For information, contact: ukiah.laureate@mcn.org or call Theresa Whitehill at 707 462-4557

Sharon Louisa Cantrall

2010-08-13T16:00:00.000-07:00

I only met her once about a month ago. She and her partner were checking out books and she introduced herself.
We talked libraries - and dogs - She told me she had been the Librarian. I said I was really glad to meet her. She was part of what made this Library. I am sorry I did not meet her before.

Now she is gone. A Celebration of her Life will be held this Sunday, August 15, 2010 at the Saturday Afternoon Club at 11 a.m.

Why audio books

2010-08-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

My parents always read to me. Fairy tales, mythology, mostly where my father was concerned it was what interested him. Still I loved it. "Reading" a book by listening to it is a necessity to me.
The hour a day I spend commuting is spent listening to a book. Very often books I would not have time to read in the evening. I love audio books. I remember the storylines better. Occasionally I will listen to one a second time.

So why audio books. Well I always say that I can tell a kid who reads above her grade level. She knows the words but not always how to pronouce them. Listening to a wonderful reader, you just absorb pronounciation, cadence, the whole language. Studies have shown that kids with dyslexia and other learning disabilities are often severely disadvantaged in school. Leonardo da Vinci, George Patton, Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso, Henry Ford, W.B. Yeats and many many more were dyslexic. We do not know what efforts were necessary for them to compensate. We do know studies show that listening to audio books allows struggling students to advance and advanced students to soar.

The Mendocino County Library is dedicated to reading. We offer books, books on cassette, books on cd and downloadable books with only a Mendocino County Library card. Check out our catalog at http:www.mendolibrary.org
Then choose the search catalog tab on the left.
Then choose the advanced search tab above.
Choose a subject, an author, keywords and then limit below to books on cassette or cd.

Scroll down our front page until you come to Downloadable Audiobooks.
Download the necessary software.
Choose iPod or MP3 format. You then download to your computer and upload to your players.

There are also sites where you may download free audio books.
AudioBooksforFree.com
Librevox.org
ProjectGutenberg
Literalsystems.org

I am told on iTunes, there is a section called iTunesU (University) where you can download lectures. My friend was listening to a history lecture given by a professor from Stanford.
Free I am told. Check it out!

Eliza

New database for job seekers @ mendolibrary.org

2010-07-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

The Mendocino County Library now has the Learning Express Job and Career Accelerator, a comprehensive online job search system designed to facilitate your job seeking process. This online program is available at no charge to library users who have a library card. It can be accessed from the library or from any Internet-enabled computer by visiting http://www.mendolibrary.org

The system provides personalized, step-by-step assistance for job seekers at all experience and education levels.

The program will allow job seekers to explore and match suitable occupations from over 1,000 detailed occupation profiles and to find open jobs in their area from a database of over 5 million up-to-date job postings.

Users will be able to create professional resumes and cover letters, learn interviewing and networking techniques, improve work-related skills and prepare for exams related to their occupation.

This will help job seekers to plan, modify and track multiple job searches at the same time while receiving advice and tips during each step.

Check out our website http://www.mendolibrary.org and scroll down to the Learning Express link.

Cowboy Poetry benefit for the Willits Library

2010-07-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

Willits is “the heart of Mendocino County” and remains a bastion of cowboy culture in Northern California. You can enjoy an evening of cowboy poetry and music at Emandal, “A farm on a River,” Saturday, July 31, 2010. This rustic getaway on the Eel River is about 16 miles from the north end of Willits. Welcome to ranch country!

The entertainment will begin at 6 p.m., but come as early as 2 p.m. to swim or hike if you like. Bring blankets and folding chairs for comfort. (It can get cool once the sun goes down.) Cost is only $20, which will benefit the Willits Library, who will also be selling drinks of all kinds. Have a drink; help keep Willits literate!

Meet some real cowboys and their friends. This is ranch country, rich in the cultural heritage exemplified by straightforward behavior that reflects a tradition of hard work, honesty and loyalty. You’ll hear these messages in songs and poetry in a place where the most reliable contract is still a handshake.

There is a limited number of VIP tickets for $125 each. These eight tickets include reserved seating for the performance and nibbles, wine and cold drinks during the performance. In addition, you will enjoy dinner with the artists and the sponsors after the show.

You may call 707.459.9252 for more information. Order tickets by e-mail from cowboypoetry@emandal.com

Fort Bragg Library Summer Reading Event

2010-07-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

Wonderful Wild Waterlily Origami

Free Origami Workshop with Kathy Silva
Thursday July 8 at 11:30 AM
Veterans Memorial Building
485 N. Harrison St. (across from library)
Supplies provided. For more information
please call 964-2020.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Fort Bragg Library

USDA Announces Recovery Act Support for Mendocino County

2010-07-02T10:32:00.000-07:00

Current bookmobile is pictured

DAVIS, July 2, 2010 – USDA Rural Development State Director Glenda Humiston today announced the County of Mendocino will receive a $134,000 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) to purchase a new bookmobile. The project is funded through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program.

“Through the Recovery Act, Mendocino County can not only expand their library services to rural residents, but with added broadband capacity in the bookmobile residents have the services they need to help with job searches and resume building,” said Humiston. “This project is a great example of the real difference the Recovery Act is making throughout rural California.”

The new bookmobile will replace the county’s existing 16 year-old vehicle which is not energy efficient and has become very expensive to maintain in recent years. The bookmobile will not only house the books, but also now offers broadband internet connections to residents of 18 rural communities throughout Mendocino County. The bookmobile travels an average of 1,500 miles per week and checks out approximately 4,000 items a month.

“I am very pleased Mendocino County received the grant funding to replace its aging bookmobile,” stated the County’s First District Supervisor Carre Brown. “When I learned about the opportunity to apply, staff immediately responded with an application. The bookmobile historically has provided education and entertainment to rural County residents who are not able to have access to our libraries like urban residents. With the addition of broadband capability this service becomes even more valuable. It is my hope other County services will be integrated with the bookmobile to further enhance services and for cost effective delivery to our rural constituents during these difficult fiscal times.”

USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities program helps finance essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include child care centers, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted-living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through this program, USDA ensures that such facilities are available to all rural residents. These funds are available to public bodies, non-profit organizations and federally recognized Indian tribes.

More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery. More information about USDA Rural Development is available at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ca or by visiting one of our 18 local offices.

Ukiah, Fort Bragg and Willits Branch Libraries closed on Fridays

2010-06-29T10:53:00.001-07:00

The Ukiah Library joins the Fort Bragg and Willits Libraries in Friday closures.
We will be closed every Friday due to budget cuts and staff shortages.
At this time, there are NO other closures planned.

Ukiah Library will be closed on Sundays and Mondays
Open Tuesdays from 10am to 6pm
Open Wednesdays from 10am to 8pm
Open Thursdays from 10am to 6pm
Closed on Fridays
Open Saturdays from 10am to 5pm

We are open online, all the time, at http://www.mendolibrary.org
You can check the catalog, place requests for books, books on cd, videocassettes, dvds, download audio books, check magazine and newspaper articles, auto repair online and much much more. Or check "Your Account", see what you have checked out, renew items 2 times if there is not a request for it, postpone your requests if you are going on vacation. Any questions? Ask your Reference Librarian-- mendoref@co.mendocino.ca.us

Shelley Antilla at the Willits Library, Saturday, July 3rd

2010-06-29T10:26:00.000-07:00

Shelley Antilla will sign and sell copies of her new book, “Photographer’s Vintage Treasures and the People Who Wore Them: Early Photography and Memories from Mendocino County (including Vintage Clothing Price Guide)”

Willits Library
Saturday, July 3, from 3-5 P.M.

Originally from Willits, Shelley (known in the class of ’62 as Charlette Trotzky) will donate a portion of her book sales to the Friends of the Willits Library. If you love vintage clothing, or local history, or just want to support the Friends of the Willits Library, this event is for you!

Check out her website at: http://shelleysvintagetreasure.com/

Fort Bragg's Summer Reading Program!

2010-06-11T13:37:00.000-07:00

Begins Tuesday, June 22nd with weekly events and prizes. Our free 7 week program is geared for elementary school-aged children and up. All events are Thursdays @ 11:30, in the Veterans Memorial Building across from the library. Everyone is welcome! For information call 964-2020.

COLOR WORKS, Quilts at the Ukiah Library

2010-06-05T15:16:00.001-07:00

MENDOCINO QUILT ARTISTS PRESENT:

COLOR WORKS

A selection of Artful Quilts
11th Annual Summer Library Quilt Show
June 8 - August 30, 2010

Ukiah Branch Mendocino County Public Library
Main and Perkins Streets
Ukiah, California

463-4490

New database of Ukiah Newspapers at the Ukiah Library

2010-05-14T14:44:00.000-07:00

Ukiah Newspapers
1861-2009

Thanks to a generous donation from
The Ukiah Daily Journal

Mendocino Dispatch Democrat 1889-1899
Mendocino Herald 1861-1870
Mendo-Lake Advisor 1971-1981
Redwood Empire 1981-1982
Redwood Journal 1929-1941
Redwood Journal Press Dispatch 1981-1982
Republican Press 1891-1892
Ukiah City Press 1878-1879
Ukiah Dispatch Democrat 1900-1948
Ukiah Daily Journal 1954-2001
Ukiah Daily Journal 2000-2009
Ukiah News 1950-1956

These newspapers are part of a photographic database and are not online. They may be searched using Google desktop. Whole pages may be printed. Printing is 10 a page.

Websites for Mystery lovers

2010-05-08T14:45:00.000-07:00

There are so many good mystery writers. I find myself only reading what crosses my path. Here are some websites from Booklist magazine. Check them out.

Bouchercon at www.bouchercon.info
Home of the Anthony awards

Malice Domestic www.malicedomestic.org
Traditional and cozy mysteries and home of
the Agatha Award.

Mystery Writers of America www.mysterywriters.org
Includes information about authors and books
Home to the Edgar Awards

Sisters in Crime www.sistersincrime.org
Author information and an extensive listing of
mystery websites and bookstores.

Stop, You're Killing Me www.stopyourekillingme.com
A one stop site for all things crime.
Great indexes such as a geographic index of a characters home base.

What's Next http://ww2.kdl.org/libcat/WahtsNextNEW.asp
An authoritarian listing of books in series.

Games for Children at the Ukiah Library

2010-04-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

Games for Children
Tuesdays from 1:00 to 2:30
Ukiah Library: Children’s Room

Children ages 7 – 17 are welcome to come play games every Tuesday afternoon at the Ukiah Branch Library.
Magic, Bananagrams, Apples to Apples, Quiddler, Yatzee,
Dominoes, Chess or bring your favorite.
This is not a drop off activity. Children must be supervised.

ukiaHaiku Festival this Sunday

2010-04-14T11:43:00.000-07:00

ukiaHaiku festival features winning
poems and taiko drumming

Sunday, April 18, Ukiah Civic Center, 1:30-4 p.m.

early spring--
ukiah sprouts
haiku and taiko

Suspense is building with the approach of the Eighth Annual ukiaHaiku Festival and Awards Ceremony. The poems have been written and submitted, the judges have made their decisions, and the best is yet to come: the opportunity for the community to spend an afternoon basking in the haiku form of poetry. The ukiaHaiku festival and Awards Ceremony will take place on Sunday, April 18, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Ukiah Civic Center at 300 Seminary Avenue. The thunderous sounds of Yokayo Taiko will drum the festival to life beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the courtyard by the fountain; the indoor ceremony will begin at 2 p.m.

Taiko drumming is a poetically perfect way to usher in a haiku festival because both haiku and taiko are art forms that originated in Japan. "Taiko" is actually the Japanese word for drum, but in North America it also refers to ensemble drumming using Japanese drums. The eleven members of the Yokayo Taiko ensemble, directed by Jennifer Ung, will perform "Taiko Train", "Renshu" (Practice), "Hiryu Sandan Gaeshi and Isamigoma" (Leaping Dragon and Brave Horse), and "Iwai" (Celebration), written by Bakuhatsu Taiko Dan. Poets and audience members are encouraged to arrive early to experience the spine-tingling drumbeats of Yokayo Taiko. (Rain will cancel the drumming because it would damage the drums).

The indoor portion of the program will begin at 2 p.m. with brief remarks by Mayor Benj Thomas and Poet Laureate Theresa Whitehill. Winning poets from age 6 to 66+ will then read their poems aloud to an appreciative audience and receive their awards. A reception with refreshments will follow, during which audience members will have the opportunity to scan many of the fine poems that did not make the final cut and learn more about the Japanese art of origami, or paper folding. A booklet of winning poems will be on sale before and after the ceremony.

The 2,362 entries to the competition set an all-time record this year, up from 1,581 entries in 2009. The Poet Laureate Committee's new emphasis on local poets meant that the majority of the entries came from Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt, and Sonoma Counties. A significant number of poems were submitted in Spanish, and students from twenty Mendocino and Sonoma County schools participated. Submissions to the Jane Reichhold International Prize Category arrived from ten states, ten countries, and four continents. Poets from Australia, Denmark, Ghana, New Zealand, Portugal, Serbia, and England entered the competition. Ukiah's little haiku festival is on the map!

The 2010 ukiaHaiku festival wishes to thank the sponsors who have made it all possible. Sponsorship for 2010 includes a grant from the Measure X Transient Occupancy Tax Funds, City of Ukiah, along with: Haiku Vineyards; Susan Sparrow and Hal Zina Bennett of Tenacity Press; OCO Time Restaurant; Mendocino Book Company; Mulligan Books; Leaves of Grass Bookstore; Taka Japanese Grill; Copperfield's Books, Healdsburg; CGC Website Designs; Yokayo Taiko; and UFO (Ukiah Folding Organization). The 8th Annual festival has been produced by The Poet Laureate Committee of Ukiah, Grace Hudson Museum, City of Ukiah, Ukiah Branch Library, Nine Trees Design, Ukiah High School, Writers Read, Colored Horse Studios, and Marianchild Writing & Publicity.

Please note that the venue for the festival has changed from previous years. To reach the Ukiah Civic Center take the Perkins Street off-ramp from Hwy 101. Go west to State Street and turn left. Seminary Avenue is the third street on the right. The festival is free to the public. For more information about the haiku festival please go to www.ukiahaiku.org. For more information about Yokayo Taiko please go to www.yokayotaiko.org.

Kate Marianchild

April is National Poetry Month

2010-04-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

Benj Thomas posted this poem on his Facebook page.
Perfect for this crazy month of April.

but I think the lady protests too much. Spring sucks us in....

Spring

To what purpose, April, do you return again?
Beauty is not enough.
You can no longer quiet me with the redness
Of little leaves opening stickily.
I know what I know.
The sun is hot on my neck as I observe
The spikes of the crocus.
The smell of the earth is good.
It is apparent that there is no death.
But what does that signify?
Not only under the ground are the brains of men
Eaten by maggots.
Life in itself
Is nothing,
An empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs.
It is not enough that yearly, down this hill,
April
Comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.

April is National Poetry Month

2010-04-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

Willits Library National Poetry Month Poems of the Day – April 8, 2010

THREE BY EMILY

* * *

Exultation is the going

Of an inland soul to sea,

Past the houses – past the headlands –

Into deep Eternity –

Bred as we, among the mountains,

Can the sailor understand

The divine intoxication

Of the first league out from land?

* * *

Between My Country – and the Others –

There is a Sea –

But Flowers – negotiate between us –

As Ministry.

* * *

There is no Frigate like a Book

To take us Lands away

Nor any Coursers like a Page

Of prancing Poetry –

This Traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of Toll –

How frugal is the Chariot

That bears the Human soul.

EMILY DICKINSON

Ukiah Library National Poetry Month: Quote of the Day

Poetry's

work

is the

clarification

and

magnification

being"

Jane Hirshfield

Nine Gates: Entering the Mind of Poetry

HarperCollins 1997

2010-04-09T10:57:00.001-07:00

April is National Poetry Month

2010-04-08T10:13:00.000-07:00

Willits Library National Poetry Month Poem of the Day – April 6, 2010

CELEBRATING LUCILLE CLIFTON
(June 27, 1936 – February 13, 2010)

won’t you celebrate with me

won’t you celebrate with me
what i have shaped into
a kind of life? i had no model.
born in babylon
both nonwhite and woman
what did i see to be except myself?
i made it up
here on this bridge between
starshine and clay,
my one hand holding tight
my one hand; come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed.

Ukiah Library National Poetry Month Poem of the Day for April 8, 2010

Actually Haiku
The ukiaHaiku Festival is Sunday April 18th at the Ukiah Civic Center
Here are a few winning Haiku from previous years.

Abandoned cow field
Chilly winter deer visit
Silhouettes in fog by Donna Kerr

On the autumn pond
a flotilla of gold leaves
riding wind ripples by Kayla Wildman

the mucky goose bowl
always needed fresh water
until Coyote Cathy Monroe

April is National Poetry Month

2010-04-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday William Wordsworth

April is National Poetry Month, Ukiah Library Poem of the Day
The World is too much with us

written 200 years ago and still relevant:

The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers:
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers;
For this, for everything, we are out of tune,
It moves us not.--Great God! I'd rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea
;Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.

Willits Library National Poetry Month Poem of the Day – April 7, 2010

WILLIAM WORDSWORTH’S BIRTHDAY!
Wordsworth’s greatest poems were written during the time he
lived with Dorothy, his sister and muse.

To My Sister

It is the first mild day of March:
Each minute sweeter than before
The redbreast sings from the tall larch
That stands beside our door.

There is a blessing in the air,
Which seems a sense of joy to yield
To the bare trees, and mountains bare,
And grass in the green field.

My sister! (‘tis a wish of mine)
Now that our morning meal is done,
Make haste, your morning task resign;
Come forth and feel the sun….

No joyless forms shall regulate
Our living calendar:
We from to-day, my Friend, will date
The opening of the year.

Love, now a universal birth,
From heart to heart is stealing,
From earth to man, from man to earth:
--It is the hour of feeling.

One moment now may give us more
Than years of toiling reason:
Our minds shall drink at every pore
The spirit of the season.

Some silent laws our hearts will make,
Which they shall long obey:
We for the year to come may take
Our temper from to-day.

And from the blessed power that rolls
About, below, above,
We’ll frame the measure of our souls:
They shall be tuned to love….

April is National Poetry Month

2010-04-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

Ukiah Library National Poetry Month Poem of the Day for April 3, 2010

ELAINE EQUI

Etudes

Autumn is a solitude
Winter is a fortitude
Spring is an altitude
Summer is an attitude

Summer is a multitude
Autumn is an aptitude
Winter is a Quaalude
Spring is a prelude

Spring is a lassitude
Summer is a longitude
Autumn is a gratitude
Winter is an interlude

Winter is a beatitude
Spring is a platitude
Summer is a verisimilitude
Autumn is a semi-nude

from the tiny

Willits Library National Poetry Month Poem of the Day - April 3, 2010
　　
Wendell Berry
Woods

I part the out thrusting branches
and come in beneath
the blessed and the blessing trees.
Though I am silent
there is singing around me.
Though I am dark
there is vision around me.
Though I am heavy
there is flight around me.

April is Poetry Month

2010-04-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

Donna Kerr and I, Eliza Wingate, will be posted poetry most days in April. We are both out of town this week, but here is the first poems.

Willits Library National Poetry Month Poem of the Day – April 1, 2010
CONRAD AIKEN
from sonnet sequence, FROM AND IN THE HUMAN HEART
"Green, green, and green again…"
Green, green, and green again, and greener still,
spring towards summer bends the immortal bow,
and northward breaks the wave of daffodil,
and northward breaks the wave of summer’s snow:
green, green, and green again, and greener yet,
wide as this forest is, which counts its leaves,
wide as this kingdom, in a green sea set,
which round its shores perpetual blossom weaves –
green, green, and green again, and green once more,
the season finds its term – then greenest, even,
when frost at twilight on the leaf lies hoar,
and one cold star shines bright in greenest heaven:
but love, like music, keeps no seasons ever;
like music, too, once known is known forever.

Ukiah Library National Poetry Month Poem of the Day April 2, 2010
ROBERT BLY
from the New Yorker

Wanting Sumptuous Heavens

No one grumbles among the oyster clans;
And lobsters play their bone guitars all summer.
Only we, with our opposable thumbs, want
Heaven to be, and God to come again.
There is no end to our grumbling; we want
Comfortable earth and sumptuous Heaven.
But the heron standing on one leg in the bog
Drinks his dark rum all day, and is content.

Tommy Wayne Kramer, a rebuttal by Beverly Goldberg

2010-03-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

Here is a copy of her blog. the link is http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/print/2467

Ridiculous, Meet Sublime

By Beverly Goldberg

Created 03/16/2010 - 18:40

Remember the old saying assuring us that even fools come in out of the rain? My new corollary is: Even naysayers need shelter from the storm—especially when the naysayers don’t realize it.

There’s one particular naysayer I have in mind: Tommy Wayne Kramer, columnist for the Ukiah (Calif.) Daily Journal. Yesterday, I found myself combing through an embarrassment of riches penned by Kramer, namely his February 22 essay “Save the County, Close the Libraries.” (Caveat: Some of the commenters interpret [1] Kramer’s no-holds-barred style as satire; amazingly, others agree with him.) In advocating for the death of the Mendocino County Library system, Kramer piled on so many insults to libraries (“the blacksmith shops of the 21st century”) and the people they serve (“drunks and transients and people looking to bathe in public bathrooms”) that it was hard to select just one “gem” for AL’s “Public Perception” department. (Here’s [2] what I chose; the full article is available through Newsbank.)

I had a particular storm in mind as well, and not just a metaphorical one. I was thinking of the nor’easter that tore through New England last weekend, wreaking havoc in three states. After reading that Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell had declared Greenwich a disaster area in the storm’s aftermath, I asked GPL Director Carol Mahoney how the library had fared. Today, after I got off the phone with Mahoney and Kate Petrov, GPL’s public relations officer, I wondered whether naysayer Kramer would have been enlightened by the conversation.

Luckily, said Mahoney and Petrov, all three libraries were spared damage and power outages; instead GPL’s three facilities experienced a power surge—of users, that is. Yesterday’s gate count systemwide was more than 4,767, more than double the traffic seen on a typical Monday, and was in fact, a historic high for any day of the week, Petrov told American Libraries. With half the town of more than 61,871 left without electricity, some until at least week’s end, it’s no wonder. “Wherever there was an outlet, people were plugged in,” Mahoney said.

However, residents weresn’t just recharging their laptops and cell phones, but also their spirits; the library responded by keeping its doors open four hours longer than scheduled—or budgeted. Among the grateful who flocked to GPL was library board member Claude Johnson, who told Mahoney that what he observed was “a beautiful sight: people sharing small tables, others sharing stories or sitting patiently and busily on the floor, some offering help to those who needed it.” In other words, “a genuine and memorable testimony to the nature of this community, and to how you and your team are leading and running the library itself.”

That’s what libraries do for a community, which comes as no surprise to people living along the Mississippi River [3], the Gulf Coast [4], and elsewhere [5] who have toughed out natural disasters. As for those toughing out the economic downturn, the numbers served by the nation’s libraries speak for themselves (PDF file [6]).

Mr. Kramer, if you wanted your column to be taken at face value, it’s time to come in out of the rain. If you were instead practicing reverse psychology on the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors, please distribute some umbrellas. Just in case.

Fort Bragg Library's Vision

2010-02-27T17:10:00.000-08:00

Orion Nebula photo courtesy of NASA/Hubble Telescope, 2006.

VISIONS OF THE UNIVERSE:

FOUR CENTURIES OF DISCOVERY

A Traveling Exhibit for Public Libraries

The Fort Bragg Branch of the Mendocino County Library has been awarded Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery, a traveling exhibit developed by the Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the American Library Association, Chicago, Illinois. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) provided major funding for the exhibit.

The exhibit will be hosted by Fort Bragg Library from July 12th until September 3rd.

Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery focuses on astronomy through the ages—from Galileo’s initial findings to the latest results of the Hubble Space Telescope. The exhibit vividly illustrates 400 years of growth in our knowledge of not just planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies, but also the size and scale of the universe in both space and time. Exhibit panels feature dramatic images from the Hubble Space Telescope, other ground- and space-based telescopes, and the fleet of NASA missions that have explored our solar system.

Watch for more news about related events and programming here and on our website as we draw closer to the exhibit date!

Art Show at the New Round Valley Library Commons

2010-02-11T08:19:00.000-08:00

They are calling for submissions now. See john@roundvalley.org or carolborden@roundvalley.org.

Fort Bragg Celebrates Love Your Library Month!

2010-01-27T18:40:00.000-08:00

Mystery and Romance Book Sale!

Books to make your sweetie swoon
or your Sherlock blush!
Fort Bragg Library Community Room
Saturday, February 13th 12 to 4 p.m
Hardcover ($1.00) and Paperback (.50)
Stacks of Page Turning, Bosom Ripping, Mysterious Titles!

Chess for Children at the Ukiah Library

2010-01-23T11:07:00.000-08:00

Starting on Tuesday, February 9th, the Children’s Library, with Charlene Light, will be hosting a six week chess experience for children ages 7 to 17. We realize that mostly home schooled children will be able to participate, but this will be a start. Younger children are welcome if they already know the rudiments of the game and have the concentration needed to participate.

The session will be from 1:00 to 2:00 and will begin with a short lesson on how to play chess, chess strategies and more. All levels are welcome, from beginners to those with loads of experience. Some experienced players have offered to help the beginners learn to get acquainted with the game.

Please call Charlene Light at 707 498-3362 or email her at charlight@sbcglobal.net for further information or questions you may have.

ukiaHaiku en espagnol !!

2010-01-13T12:46:00.000-08:00

Here are links (and so sorry this is not in Spanish) to the ukiaHaiku site and
to forms in Spanish.

http://www.ukiahaiku.org/pdf/Contenidos-del-Sitio-Web-ukiaHaiku-2010.pdf
ukaiHaiku Festival

http://www.ukiahaiku.org/pdf/ukiahaiku_formulario_entregas.pdf
Forms en espagnol.

8th Annual UkiaHaiku Festival and a Haiku writing and teaching workshop.

2010-01-04T12:20:00.000-08:00

The eighth annual UkiaHaiku Festival is now accepting Haiku submissions, both online and at the Ukiah Library.
We have forms for those of you who prefer them. Come to the Reference Desk and pick one up.

Check out the website http://www.ukiaHaiku.org

Techniques in Writing and Teaching Haiku, a Workshop for Teachers
by Jane Reichhold

Tuesday January 19th, 4:00 – 5:30 pm, Grace Hudson Museum, in Ukiah

In preparation for the Eighth Annual ukiaHaiku festival, internationally-celebrated haiku master Jane Reichhold will give a workshop in Ukiah on “How to Teach Haiku,” to be held on Tuesday January 19, 4:00 – 5:30 pm at the Grace Hudson Museum, 431 S. Main Street, 467-2836. At the workshop, Jane will describe what haiku is, talk about Haiku writing techniques, update us on "haiku rules that have come and gone," and discuss techniques for teaching students, including those who are beginners. The workshop is free. Simple refreshments will be provided.

Thanksgiving Holidays

2009-11-17T10:02:00.000-08:00

The Mendocino County Libraries will be closed Wednesday, November 25th through Sunday, November 30th. Fort Bragg, Ukiah & Willits Branches will be closed as usual on Monday,(November 30th) and will re-open at 10:00a.m. on Tuesday, December 1st.

Coast Community Library will re-open on Monday, November 30th at 12:00
Round Valley Library will re-open Monday, November 30th at 10:00 a.m.

The Bookmobile will make its usual Wednesday run on November 25th.

It will be on the road, Tuesday, December 1st.

Storm Water Awareness Poster Contest Winners

2009-11-13T13:34:00.000-08:00

Come and drop by and see some of the winners from the
Storm Water Awareness Poster Contest.
Joe Scriven from the Mendocino County Water Agency
has put up the posters. Celebrate our kids and our kids
saving water.

Changes to Super Search

2009-11-02T10:26:00.001-08:00

A Webinar for Educators from Tutor.com

2009-10-08T16:41:00.000-07:00

Live Homework Help from Tutor.com through which the Mendocino County Library
offers free online tutoring and resources for all Mendocino County students from K through Adult Learners is offering a free Webinar.

You will get to see how the Tutor.com Learning Suite works and how it can help students with
homework, studying, projects, essay writing and even more in math, science, social
studies and English.

Tutors are available who speak English and Spanish. Check out Tutor.com on the Mendocino
County Library webpage at http://www. mendolibrary.org
and then sign up for the free webinar at http://www.tutor.com/suite

All you ever need is your Mendocino County Library Card!!

Willits Friends of the Library Book Sale

2009-10-07T16:49:00.000-07:00

Willits Friends Of The Library Book Sale

Thursday, Oct. 15 6-9 PM (FOL only - may join at the door, $10)

Friday, Oct. 16, 10-6

Saturday, Oct. 17, 10-4

Sunday, Oct. 18, 10-3 ($2 paper bagful)

At the Willits Library
390 Commercial St
Willits CA
707 459-5908

Mendocino County Bookmobile is off the road

2009-10-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

Our beloved Bookmobile overheated on the Boonville grade and is now at the MTA yard being fixed. We do not know its prognosis as yet. I will let you know.

Please forgive yesterday's information on our webpage, of course, the web editor broke down too.

Fort Bragg Dia de los Muertos Celebration

2009-10-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

October 22nd - November 2nd

Bring memorabilia of your favorite dead author to decorate our Community "ofrenda/altar" of authors. You also can create an altar to commemorate a person or idea and put it on display in the library's "Gallery of Authors".

October 28th at 5:00 pm "Author Tributes". Come and channel a poem or passage of your favorite dead author.

October events at the Ukiah Library

2009-10-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

ON-GOING PROGRAMS

Children's Storytime every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. preschool
A Child, A Dog & A Good Book every Wednesday at 3:30, preschool & school age

SPECIAL EVENTS IN OCTOBER

Sprite's Delight
Mendocino County Library & River Oak Charter School present
A morning of stories, crafts and more
Saturday, October 10th at 10:30am

Rare Books Road Show
Bruce MacMakin with PBA Galleries in San Francisco &
the Mendocino County Library
a free Appraisal Clinic on Saturday, October 17th
11 - 2 at the Ukiah Library

Songs, stories & a book signing
Tara Sufiana
Wednesday, October 28th
6:30 to 8:00p.m.

Ukiah Library
707 463-4493

Banned Books 2009

2009-09-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

Always fascinating, always intriguing to see which books have been challenged and or banned.

Here are some links:

http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/

http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/aboutbannedbooks/index.cfm

Here is a list of the most challenged and banned from 2008

The "Top Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2008" reflect a range of themes, and consist of the following titles:

And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell
Reasons: anti-ethnic, anti-family, homosexuality, religious viewpoint, and unsuited to age group
His Dark Materials trilogy, by Philip Pullman
Reasons: political viewpoint, religious viewpoint, and violence
TTYL; TTFN; L8R, G8R (series), by Lauren Myracle
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
Reasons: occult/satanism, religious viewpoint, and violence
Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya
Reasons: occult/satanism, offensive language, religious viewpoint, sexually explicit, and violence
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
Reasons: drugs, homosexuality, nudity, offensive language, sexually explicit, suicide, and unsuited to age group
Gossip Girl (series), by Cecily von Ziegesar
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
Uncle Bobby's Wedding, by Sarah S. Brannen
Reasons: homosexuality and unsuited to age group
The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
Reasons: offensive language, sexually explicit, and unsuited to age group
Flashcards of My Life, by Charise Mericle Harper
Reasons: sexually explicit and unsuited to age group

And another American Library Association site where you can search by decade or author.
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedbydecade/index.cfm

I still remember my daughter running in the front door, shouting the title of a book and saying,
"Mom, it's banned that means it's really really good, right?"

Eliza

3 MORE Watershed Events

2009-09-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

Gibson Creek Sign Dedication and Reception
Thursday, Oct 1, 6 pm
At Gibson Creek Bridge @ North Dora & Willow Street, Ukiah.
Reception to follow at the Ukiah Brewing Company.
For information call Linda at 463-2721.

Watershed Celebration Day 2009
Saturday, October 3; 8:30 am to 12:30 noon
Alex Thomas Plaza, Ukiah
EcoGroups & Lit Expo * Open Mic Poetry Reading * Gibson Creek Walk
In collaboration with Saturday Ukiah Farmers’ Market
Sponsored by Cloud Forest Institute

Words For The Land: Nature As Source
Saturday, October 3; 1:30 pm
Peter Berg: "Envisioning Sustainability" and Devreaux Baker: "Beyond
the Circumstance of Sight"
Mendocino Book Co., 102 S School St, Ukiah
Free; Books available for purchase

3 Watershed Poetry Events in Ukiah, California

2009-09-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

Watershed Poetry Events

Saturday, 3 October 2009
An open poetry reading celebrating watersheds, poetry and the environment in association with the Second Annual Watershed Poetry Celebration
The Grace Hudson Museum
431 South Main Street, Ukiah, CA 95482

6:30 p.m. doors open
7:00 p.m. reading

20 poets will read, 3 minutes each, based on a sign up list.

A Reading of the Watersheds

Friday, 9 October 2009
Colored Horse Studios
780 Waugh Lane, Ukiah CA 95482

of watersheds & their waterways with poets Mary Norbert Korte, Linda Noel, Robin Rule, Lisa Noel, Rachael smith-Ferri and Theresa Whitehill

6:00 t0 8:30 p.m. with the recital at 7:00 p.m.

707 462-4557

Map Reception

Saturday, 10 October 2009
Terra - Art, Garden Wine
4:00 - 7:00 p.m., Talk at 5:00 p.m.
on watersheds, poetics & mapping by
Chuck Henderson, mapcomposer.com
312 North School Street, Ukiah CA 95482

707 468-7936

Coast Community Library Booksale this weekend

2009-09-02T17:55:00.000-07:00

Come to the coast and take home books, too.

The Coast Community Library has wonderful books, many new or read only
once, still in their dust jackets, for their annual Gualala sale on Labor
Day weekend. Organizers estimate they have 10,000 books, more than the
community can use.

On both Sunday, Sept.6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Labor Day Monday,
Sept. 7, people who take a lot of books will get substantial discounts
from the low prices. On Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. regular price will
be $5 a bag or box, much less for quantity sales. After 2 p.m. remaining
books will be free.

Booksellers, Libraries, Non-profits and all book lovers are most welcome
to pick up free books in quantity on Tuesday, and Wednesday, Sept. 8 and
9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or call 707 884-3740 for appointment.

Gualala is located on the ocean on Highway 1 in southern Mendocino County,
just north of the Sonoma County line. The sale will be at the Gualala
Community Center, on the inland side of Highway 1, just north of the
Gualala Country Inn and south of the Gualala Hotel, between those two
yellow hotels.

A Child, A Dog & A Good Book returns Sept. 23rd

2009-09-01T16:21:00.000-07:00

A Child, A Dog & A Good Book

Wednesday, September 23rd, 3:30 p.m.
at the Ukiah Library
Children's Room

A special tribute to Birthdays
463-4493

Tutor.com now has something for almost everyone

2009-08-13T15:40:00.000-07:00

Tutor.com is online help. It now has expanded to offer online IM tutors for K through adult.
Login in. All you need is your Mendocino County Library Card. Right on our website at
http://www.mendolibrary.org Scroll down the page until you see the Tutor.com logo and just click your way in.

You now have K-12, College and Adult Career Services available to you. Homework--a breeze.
Chemistry test--someone is there to help. Resume to write--both help and critiques available.
GED prep work. Research paper - stuck, just ask for help. Wondering about your scholarship essay, ask a pro. Citizenship test, help is here.

Available 1p.m. to 10 p.m. in English and Spanish.

Fort Bragg Summer Reading Program Finale!

2009-07-30T14:33:00.001-07:00

Grand Puppet Show
Christe Smith's wonderful young puppeteers put on a dazzling finale to our creative summer programs.
11:30a.m. Thursday August 6th
All Library events are absolutely free and open to all
964-2020 for more information

Sponsored by the Friends of the Fort Bragg Library

FORT BRAGG LIBRARY SUMMER READING EVENT

2009-07-19T20:32:00.001-07:00

Thursday July 23rd 11:30a.m.

Fort Bragg Library Community Room
Learn 2 Braiding Techniques from weavers of Pacific Textile Arts:

Slentre(finger loop)
Kumihimo on a card

Recommended for patient and nimble fingers!
More information~ 964-2020

Fort Bragg Library Summer Reading Event!

2009-07-12T14:32:00.000-07:00

From Trash to Toys!
Thursday July 16th
Fort Bragg Public Library
11:30 a.m Library Community Room
499 Laurel St. Fort Bragg 964-2020

Come and hear the magical story Galimoto by Karen Williams. It's a contemporary tale of a child who makes his own toy from items he finds in his village. Then design your galimoto from recycled items we've collected!

Fort Bragg Library Summer Tunes!

2009-07-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

Jug Band Tunes and Tales Thursday July 9th 11:30
Come to the Fort Bragg Library for jug band tunes and tales
with Fran and Robert Crawford.
Make a musical instrument of your own from recycled materials!
Fort Bragg Library Community Room
499 Laurel St.
For information: 964-2020

Fort Bragg Library Special Event:

2009-06-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

Fort Bragg Library Summer Event:

Origami Spinning Tops

Come make colorful tops! Supplies provided free.

Teens Encouraged!!

11:30 a.m Saturday June 27^th

Fort Bragg Library Community Room

707 964-2020

Thank You, Thank You

2009-06-11T14:43:00.000-07:00

I just came back from a union meeting filled with doom and gloom and
found a pile of brand new books given to the Library. Oh anonymous
person, I truly thank you. Keeping all of us running through the next
two years will definitely be a group effort and I truly appreciate new
books to offer our community.

So thank you so much for A Darker Place by Jack Higgins, Long Lost by Harlan Coben, The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly, Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark, Mounting Fears by Stuart Woods and Run for Your Life by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge

Looking for young farmers at the Ukiah & Willits Libraries

2009-06-11T13:28:00.000-07:00

All children who help grow food can sell it in front of the Willits and Ukiah branch libraries during our Summer reading program series. Ukiah starts Wed July 8 at 4 pm, Willits starts Thur July 9 at noon. Sign up at the libraries. Children should bring a small table and chair, a sign with the items and the prices, a money box, some change, bags, sun screen, water to drink, hats.

The Quilts are back!

2009-06-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

Quilts from Grandmother's Attic

10th Annual Library Quilt Show
Mendocino Quilt Artists Guild

at the Ukiah Library
105 N. Main St, Ukiah CA
463-4493

Saturday Book Sales at the Ukiah Library

2009-05-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

The Friends of the Ukiah Library
are holding two Saturday book sales
of coffee table books.

Saturday, May 30th
Saturday, June 20th

From 10 to 2

Ukiah Library
105 N Main St
Ukiah CA
707 463-4490

Booksale at the Willits Library

2009-05-20T11:22:00.000-07:00

The Friends of the Willits Library are holding a "special" booksale
May 20 - 23rd, 2009
Thursday, Friday, 10 - 6
Saturday 10 - 4

Willits Library
390 E Commercial St
Willits CA
707 459-5908

Uncertain Waters: a community forum on California's water priorities

2009-05-16T15:10:00.000-07:00

The Mendocino County Library, National Issues Forums, California Center for the Book, California State Library, Water Education Foundation & Ukiah Daily Journal present:

Uncertain Waters: navigating California's water priorities
A forum at the
Ukiah Library
105 N Main St, Ukiah
Wednesday, May 27th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

This will be a non-partisan conversation about water from three different approaches, focusing on positive actions. Please join us and our moderator, Craig Paterson in navigating this important issue and providing your feeling and thoughts on:
What needs to be done?
What are drawbacks and acceptable trade-offs?
What kind of leadership is needed.

"Thousands have lived without love, not one without water". -W.H. Auden

"When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water". --Benjamin Franklin

Water in Mendocino County

2009-05-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

A special, fun, fascinating & educational program for children.
Rebecca Kress, The River Lady & water education specialist
will present this great program for children

Saturday, May 23rd at 10:30 a.m.
The Ukiah Library
Children's Room

Bring your children and learn about watersheds, the water cycle,
properties of water, surface runoff & storm drains. This will
help explain why some families are being allotted 175 gallons
of water per day. There will be a video, games, prizes & snacks.

What to save in your garden when the well runs dry

2009-05-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

This Wednesday, May 20th at 6 p.m., Local landscaper, Michael Maltas will talk about our gardens, drought, water restrictions and what to save and how to save it.

From lush to dead?
Michael Maltas
At the Ukiah Library
105 N Main St., Ukiah CA
707 463-4493

Ukiah Library Water Series--How to do a home water audit

2009-05-05T13:24:00.000-07:00

City of Ukiah declares Stage 1 of a local water emergency.
Stage 1 is a voluntary reduction of water.
The State of California Water Resources Board has suggested
a 50% reduction in water usage for Mendocino County.

Mendocino County Library & Water Agency

How to do a water audit on your home or business

A special presentation by Joe Scriven

The Ukiah Library
105 N Main St
Wednesday, May 6th, 6:00p.m.

An hour or two of your time, a few simple tools and a friend or family member to help, will give you the necessary information
to reduce your water use painlessly.

463-4493

April is Poetry Month--a poem for each day we are open

2009-04-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

Last day of April. Poetry though will remain with us.

Ukiah Library's Poem of the Day for National Poetry Month
April 30,2009

Water by Philip Larkin
If I were called in
To construct a religion
I should make use of water.

Going to church
Would entail a fording
To dry, different clothes;

My liturgy would employ
Images of sousing,
A furious devout drench,

And I should raise in the east
A glass of water
Where any-angled light
Would congregate endlessly.

Willits Library National Poetry Month Poem of the Day – April 30, 2009

Last day of poetry month – As Loreena McKennitt says,
“Let’s leave the last word to Shakespeare”

Sonnet 115

Those lines that I before have writ do lie,
Even those that said I could not love you dearer:
Yet then my judgement knew no reason why
My most full flame should afterwards burn clearer.
But reckoning Time, whose millioned accidents
Creep in ‘twixt vows, and change decrees of kings,
Tan sacred beauty, blunt the sharp’st intents,
Divert strong minds to the course of altering things –
Alas, why, fearing of Time’s tyranny,
Might I not then say, ‘Now I love you best’,
When I was certain o’er incertainty,
Crowning the present, doubting of the rest?
Love is a babe; then might I not say so,
To give full growth to that which still doth grow.

April is Poetry Month--a poem for each day we are open

2009-04-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

Well we did not make a poem a day--too few hours and much too much to do, but I hope you have enjoyed our choices.

From Ukiah's new Poet Laureate: Theresa Whitehill

He Brought Me Chocolate for my Hair

He brought me chocolate for my hair.
I spoke to him of power and loneliness.
I began to have qualms about the cornichons
how little they were, and sparkly with salt.
We slept under our felicity.
At every intersection, a tomato, a regret.
Morning began to develop cracks in its armature.
The gifts of drunkenness,
the long path to the sea.

Willits Library National Poetry Month Poem of the Day – April 29, 2009

DIANE ACKERMAN

SCHOOL PRAYER

In the name of the daybreak
and the eyelids of morning
and the wayfaring moon
and the night when it departs,

I swear I will not dishonor
my soul with hatred,
but offer myself humbly
as a guardian of nature,
as a healer of misery,
as a messenger of wonder,
as an architect of peace.

In the name of the sun and its mirrors
and the day that embraces it
and the cloud veils drawn over it
and the uttermost night
and the male and the female
and the plants bursting with seed
and the crowning seasons
of the firefly and the apple,

I will honor all life
- wherever and in whatever form
it may dwell – on Earth my home,
and in the mansions of the stars.

April is Poetry Month--a poem for each day we are open

2009-04-23T10:32:00.000-07:00

Sorry to have missed so many days: Imagine too much to do and not enough time for poetry--urghhh

Willits Library National Poetry Month Poem of the Day – April 23, 2009
Paper, Scissors, Stone
by Tom Wayman
An executive's salary for working with paper
beats the wage in a metal shop operating shears
which beats what a gardener earns arranging stone.

But the pay for a surgeon's use of scissors
is larger than that of a heavy equipment driver removing stone
which in turn beats a secretary's cheque for handling paper.

And, a geologist's hours with stone
nets more than a teacher's with paper
and definitely beats someone's time in a garment factory with scissors.

In addition: to manufacture paper
you need stone to extract metal to fabricate scissors
to cut the product to size.
To make scissors you must have paper to write out the specs
and a whetstone to sharpen the new edges.
Creating gravel, you require the scissor-blades of the crusher
and lots of order forms and invoices at the office.

Thus I believe there is a connection
between things
and not at all like the hierarchy of winners
of a child's game.
When a man starts insisting
he should be paid more than me
because he's more important to the task at hand,
I keep seeing how the whole process collapses
if almost any one of us is missing.
When a woman claims she deserves more money
because she went to school longer,
I remember the taxes I paid to support her education.
Should she benefit twice?
Then there's the guy who demands extra
because he has so much seniority
and understands his work so well
he has ceased to care, does as little as possible,
or refuses to master the latest techniques
the new-hires are required to know.
Even if he's helpful and somehow still curious
after his many years—

Without a machine to precisely measure
how much sweat we each provide
or a contraption hooked up to electrodes in the brain
to record the amount we think,
my getting less than him
and more than her
makes no sense to me.
Surely whatever we do at the job
for our eight hours—as long as it contributes—
has to be worth the same.

And if anyone mentions
this is a nice idea but isn't possible,
consider what we have now:
everybody dissatisfied, continually grumbling and disputing.
No, I'm afraid it's the wage system that doesn't function
except it goes on
and will
until we set to work to stop it

with paper, with scissors, and with stone.

Ukiah Library Poem of the Day
VISITATION
Jabez W. Churchill
I smell a hearth
long cool from use,
a draft
between the unstained sky
and still pungent dark.
The smoke of many fires
condensed,
frozen on the stones like stars.
Too strong
for only memory to sustain.
Whose presence may announce
I will not know
until the shadow
and its anguish pass.
Until the pictures flow.

April is Poetry Month--a poem for each day we are open

2009-04-11T08:24:00.000-07:00

Ukiah Poem of the Day for National Poetry Month
April 11, 2009

Se dice/ It is said

que el drbol
lo reconoce su fruta
that you know a tree
by its fruit.
El ave,
or us plumas
a bird by its feathers
y el aqua
and water
quizds por lo que lleva
encima de sus corrientes
perhaps by what it carries
on its currents
El viento, asi mismo
the wind likewise,
por el rastro de lo que trae.
by the scent of what it brings.
La primavera,
Spring
por el brote
for blossom
y el verano
and Summer,
su follje espesisimo
en el calido atardecer
its foliage
thickest on hot after noons.
El otono por cosecha,
su borra y deshoje
Autumn, for the harvest,
its dregs, and the fall
y el invierno
and Winter
no tanto por sus quejas,
berrinches y tormentas
not so much for its whining,
tantrums, and storms
sino como el hombre
but like man
por su vacio
for his emptiness
y silencios indiferentes
and indifferent silences

Jabez Churchill

Willits Library National Poetry Month Poem of the Day – April 11, 2009

MARY OLIVER

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice –
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do –
determined to save
the only life you could save.

April is Poetry Month--a poem for each day we are open

2009-04-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

Willits Library National Poetry Month Poem of the Day – April 9, 2009

Featuring
California Poet Laureate AL YOUNG –
Here tonight 7 PM Mendocino College Little Theater

UP JUMPED SPRING

What’s most fantastical almost always goes
unrecorded and unsorted. Take spring.
Take today. Take dancing dreamlike; coffee
your night, creameries your dream factories.
Take walking as a dream, the dearest, sincerest
means ofconveyance: a dance. Take leave
of the notion that this nation’s or any other’s earth
can still be the same earth our ancestors walked.
Chemistry strains to connect our hemispheres.
The right and left sidelines our brain forms
in the rain this new world braves – acid jazz.
The timeless taste her tongue leaves in your mouth,
stirred with unmeasured sugars, greens the day
the way sweet sunlight oxygenates, ignites
all nights, all daytimes, and you – this jumps.
Sheer voltage leaps, but nothing keeps or stays.
Sequence your afternoon as dance. Drink spring.
Holding her hard against you, picture the screenplay.
Take time to remember to get her spells together.
Up jumps the goddess gratified, and up jumped spring.

Ukiah Library Poem of the Day for National Poetry Month

Love Poem With Toast
Miller Williams

Some of what we do, we do
to make things happen,
the alarm to wake us up, the coffee to perc,
the car to start.

The rest of what we do, we do
trying to keep something from doing something,
the skin from aging, the hoe from rusting,
the truth from getting out.

With yes and no like the poles of a battery
powering our passage through the days,
we move, as we call it, forward,
wanting to be wanted,
wanting not to lose the rain forest,
wanting the water to boil,
wanting not to have cancer,
wanting to be home by dark,
wanting not to run out of gas,

as each of us wants the other
watching at the end,
as both want not to leave the other alone,
as wanting to love beyond this meat and bone,
we gaze across breakfast and pretend.

April is Poetry Month--a poem for each day we are open

2009-04-08T19:10:00.000-07:00

Willits Library National Poetry Month Poem of the Day – April 8, 2009

Sweet Voices

C.P. Cavafy

Those voices are the sweeter which have fallen
forever silent, mournfully
resounding only in the heart that sorrows.

In dreams the melancholic voices come,
timorous and humble,
and bring before our feeble memory

the precious dead, whom the cold cold earth
conceals; for whom the mirthful
daybreak never shines, nor springtimes blossom.

Melodious voices sigh; and in the soul
our life’s first poetry
sounds – like music, in the night, that’s far away.

Ukiah Library, Poem of the Day, National Poetry Month

Introduction to Poetry
Billy Collins

I ask them to take a poem
and hold it up to the light
like a color slide

or press an ear against its hive.

I say drop a mouse into a poem
and watch him probe his way out,

or walk inside the poem's room
and feel the walls for a light switch.

I want them to waterski
across the surface of a poem
waving at the author's name on the shore.

But all they want to do
is tie the poem to a chair with rope
and torture a confession out of it.

They begin beating it with a hose
to find out what it really means.

April is Poetry Month--a poem for each day we are open

2009-04-07T10:49:00.000-07:00

April 7th

Willits Library National Poetry Month Poem of the Day – April 7, 2009

April Prayer

Stuart Kestenbaum

Just before the green begins there is the hint of green
a blush of color, and the red buds thicken
the ends of the maple’s branches and everything
is poised before the start of a new world,
which is really the same world
just moving forward from bud
to flower to blossom to fruit
to harvest to sweet sleep, and the roots
await the next signal, every signal
every call a miracle and the switchboard
is lighting up and the operators are
standing by in the pledge drive we’ve
all been listening to: Go make the call.

Eliza's Choice

Eating Poetry
Ink runs from the corners of my mouth.
There is no happiness like mine.
I have been eating poetry.

The librarian does not believe what she sees.
Her eyes are sad
and she walks with her hands in her dress.

The poems are gone.
The light is dim.
The dogs are on the basement stairs and coming up.

Their eyeballs roll,
their blond legs burn like brush.
The poor librarian begins to stamp her feet and weep.

She does not understand.
When I get on my knees and lick her hand,
she screams.

I am a new man.
I snarl at her and bark.
I romp with joy in the bookish dark.

-- Mark Strand

April is Poetry Month--a poem for each day we are open

2009-04-07T10:39:00.000-07:00

For Saturday April 4th

Three Dog Neighborhood
Chosen by Eliza (Why I will always have a Rottweiler)

By Daniel Barth

Pretty Straightforward this one,
About my friend Pete and his wife Susan.
They bought an old house in Denver
Down on the Platte River.
Shortly thereafter their tv got stolen.
They bought a dog, a good-sized dog,
To keep an eye on things.
But it didn't help, they were burgled again.
This time the investigating officer said:
"You live in a three dog neighborhood."
"Huh?" said Pete (not in a good mood)
"One for the front yard, one for the back yard,
One for the house," explained the cop--
Three dog neigborhood,"
"Yeah right," said Pete, "Now I'm hip."

Donna's Choice
Willits Library National Poetry Month Poem of the Day – April 4, 2009

Anniversary: One Fine Day
by Walter McDonald

Who would sit through a plot as preposterous as ours,
married after years apart? Chance meetings may work
early in stories, but at operas, darling, in Texas?
A bachelor pilot, I fled Laredo for the weekend,
stopping at the opera from boredom, music I least expected.
Of all the zoos and honky-tonks south of Dallas,
who would believe I would find you there on the stairs,

Madame Butterfly about to start? When you moved
four years before, I lost all hope of dying happy,
dogfighting my way through pilot training, reckless,
in terror only when I saw the man beside you.
I had pictured him rich and splendid in my mind
a thousand times, thinking you married with babies
somewhere in Tahiti, Spain, the south of France.

When I saw the lucky devil I hated – only your date,
but I didn’t know – he stopped gloating, watching you wave,
turned old and bitter like the crone in Shangri La.
Destiny happens only in plays and cheap movies –
but here, here on my desk is your photo, decades later,
and I hear sounds from another room of our house,
and when I rise amazed and follow, you are there.

April is Poetry Month--a poem for each day we are open

2009-04-02T09:18:00.000-07:00

April 2nd

Donna's Choice

Meditation on Ruin
by Jay Hopler

It's not the lost lover that brings us to ruin, or the barroom brawl,
or the con game gone bad, or the beating
Taken in the alleyway. But the lost car keys,
The broken shoelace,
The overcharge at the gas pump
Which we broach wihout comment - these are the things that
eat away at life, these constant vibrations
In the web of the unremarkable.

The death of a father - the death of the mother -
The sudden loss shocks the living flesh alive! But the broken
pair of glasses,
The tear in the trousers,
These begin an ache behind the eyes.
And it's this ache to which we will ourselves
Oblivious. We are oblivious. Then, one morning - there's a
crack in the water glass - we wake to find ourselves undone.

Eliza's choice

Your grief for what you've lost holds a mirror
up to where you're bravely working.

Expecting the worst, you look and instead,
here's the joyful face you've been wanting to see.

Your hand opens and closes and opens and closes.
If it were always a fist or always stretched open,
you would be paralyzed.

Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expand
the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated
as birdwings.

Jalaluddin Rumi (1207-1273)

April is Poetry Month--a poem for each day we are open

2009-04-02T08:56:00.000-07:00

Poems chosen by Eliza Wingate, Ukiah Library & Donna Kerr, Willits Library

April 1st
From Eliza

Wystan Hugh Auden (1907-1973)

Funeral Blues (Song IX / from Two Songs for Hedli Anderson)

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone.
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling in the sky the message He is Dead,
Put crêpe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever, I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun.
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

From Donna

SURPRISED BY JOY

Surprised by joy -impatient as the wind
I turned to share the transport - Oh! with whom
But Thee, deep buried in the silent tomb,
That spot which no vicissitude can find?
Love, faithful love, recalled thee to my mind -
But how could I forget thee? Through what power,
Even for the least division of an hour,
Have I been so beguiled as to be blind
To my most grievous loss? - That thought's return
Was the worst pang that sorrow ever bore
Save one, one only, when I stood forlorn,
Knowing my heart's best treasure was no more;
That neither present time, nor years unborn,
Could to my sight that heavenly face restore.