Albert Lea Public Library

JUST FOR FUN:

                         

On March 29,1886, Coca-cola was invented.  The original color was green.

On March 30, 1964, "Jeopardy" premiered with Art Fleming as the host.  Popular host, Alec Trebak, began in 1984.

Riddle

What has no beginning or end and nothing in the middle?
A doughnut

For a fun-filled adventure about one special choclate-covered doughnut, check out Arnie, the Doughnut.  This is a silly story about Arnie who narrowly escapes his fate.  Refusing to be eaten, he comes up with numerous reasons why he should remain whole and ways that he might benefit his new owner.  In the end, the pastry is substitued for a pet.  Filled with offbeat humor that kids will "eat up", this fantasy highlights Arnie's optimistic, can do personality.  (Ages 3-7)

Longing for Your Garden?

Snow is gone, grass is greening, perennials are popping up and gardeners' green thumbs are ready to till and plant. The Albert Lea Public Library has a display of great books for gardening...flowers, trees and vegetables. 

Perennials for Minnesota and Wisconsin by Don Engebretson;

Annuals for Minnesota and Wisconsin by Don Engebretson;

Plants for Small Spaces by Clive Lane:

The Flower Gardener's Bible by Lewis and Nancy Hill;

Colors for the Garden by P. Allen Smith;

The One-Hour Garden by Joanna Smith;

The Way We Garden Now: 41 pick and choose projects for planting your paradise, large or small by Katherine Whiteside;

The Victory Garden Companion by Michael Weishan;

The $64 Tomato: how one man nearly lost his sanity, spent a fortune and endured an existential crisis in the quest for the perfect garden by William Alexander.   

If these are not enough, we have many more on the regular shelves.

                         

Last week for Programs

Due to the construction and move preparation, this will be the last week of children's programs for spring.  We will resume Storytime and L.A.F. the week of June 12th.
However, don't worry.  We will see you all at the Library!!  It will remain open as long as possible.  Check the website for renovation updates.

10 PLACES EVERY FOOD FANATIC SHOULD VISIT:

FAMOUS BIRTHPLACES OF GREAT AMERICAN FOOD

1.  The Hamburger: Louis' Lunch, New Haven Conn.

2. The Fried Twinkie: The ChipShop, Brooklyn N.Y.

3. Root Beer Float: Myers Avenue Red Soda Co., Cripple Creek, Colorado

4. Corn Dogs: Cozy Dog Drive In, Springfield, Ill.

5. Pizza:  Lombardi's, New York City, N.Y.

6. Fat Darrell: R.U. Hungry, New Brunswick. N.J.

7. Philly Cheesesteak: Pat's King of Steaks, Philadelphia, PA.

8. Cobb Salad: Brown Derby, Los Angeles, California

9. Onion Rings: Pig Stand, Dallas, Texas

10. Derby Pie: Melrose Inn, Prospect, KY.

from mental_floss, March-April 2007, pgs.66-67

VOTE FOR MINNESOTA'S TOP BOOK!

Help pick the Minnesota Book Awards Reader's Choice Award.  The 28 Book Award finalists have been chosen, and now it is your turn to vote for your favorite.  You may vote from March 01 through April 15, 2007.  To vote and to see a list of the authors and their books go to:  http://extras.twincities.com/book_awards/

Visit the Albert Lea Public Library to check out some of these books.

Did you know?

With Spring, comes April showers.  Have you ever noticed the weekends always seem to be rainier?  Weather data shows that weekends get more rainfall than weekdays.  The reason seems to be air pollution.  People drive and run machines most during the week.  Tiny particles of pollution seed the clouds.  Moisture attaches to those particles, building up all week.

For more interesting facts about our world, check out Kids Discover magazine from the Children's Library.  Each month has a different topic to get kids involved, interested and to make learning fun.  Also, children's magazines can now be checked out for 21 days.

Spring Week

Join the Children's room at the ALPL as we celebrate the coming of spring!
Storytime is Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m.  Patty will have great stories and a neat craft.
Library Afternoon Fun is Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.  We will be making tissue paper roses and playing some games.  Stop by to get in on the fun.
There is no fee and no need to register.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION DAY

   

The Freedom of Information Day is celebrated nationally each year on March 16, the anniversary of the birth of James Madison, chief author of the Bill of Rights and fourth President of the United States.  The purpose is to focus attention on the importance of citizenry's right to government information in a democratic society.

"A popular Government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy or perhaps both.  Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives."   James Madison

For more information, visit the website below:  http://familycrafts.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.chipublib.org/008subject/006govinfo/foia.html

ON MARCH 15, WE CELEBRATE:

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

The "Godfather" film premiere: 35th anniversary           1972

"Three's Company" TV  premiere: 30th anniversary        1977

Ides of March: Julius Caesar was assassinated                44 BC

Alan Bean, former astronaut                                         1932

Fabio, model                                                                1961

Ruth Bader Ginsburg , US Supreme Justice                     1933

Judd Hirsch, actor                                                        1935

St. Patricks Day craft for kids

Shamrock Craft
Supplies:  coffee filter
               2 plastic cups
               yellow and blue food coloring
               Q-tips

Cut the Coffee filter into the shape of a shamrock. Put water in two plastic cups and add yellow food color in one and blue in the other. Using q-tips let the kids mix the colors on the coffee filter. Now let dry.  For some added sparkle add glitter and sequins.  You will end up with a very interesting green shamrock. 

Children's Book Club

The Children's room at the Albert Lea Public Library is interested in starting a book club for kids in 3rd - 6th grade who enjoy reading and chatting about good books.  If this is something you may want join in on, stop by or call Patty and let her know you want to be a part!

FOUNTAIN LAKE READERS

The library book club will meet on Friday, March 09 at 10:00 in room 213.  They are reading How Much is Enough?  by Jean Ilsley Clark.  Join them for an invigorating discussion. 

NEW BIOGRAPHIES

The library has some interesting new biographies.  A few are listed below:

The Man Who Fed the World: nobel peace prize laureate norman borlaug and his battle to end world hunger by Leon Hesser

Louis Armstrong's New Orleans by Thomas Brothers

Under the Rainbow: an intimate memoir of judy garland, rock hudson and my life in old hollywood by John Carlyle

My Life as a Furry Red Monster: what being elmo has taught me about life, love and laughing out loud by Kevin Clash

Clemente: the passion and grace of baseball's last hero by David Maraniss

Saving Graces:finding solace and strength from friends and strangers by Elizabeth Edwards

American Spy: my secret history in the cia, watergate and beyond by E. Howard Hunt

Leap Days: chronicles of a midlife move by Katherine Lanpher

The Narnian: the life and imagination of c.s. lewis by Alan Jacobs

The Man Who would Not Shut Up: the rise of bill o'reilly by Marvin Kitman

Beatrix Potter: a life in nature by Linda Lear

Did you know?

What year was the board game MONOPOLY invented?

It was 1934 when Charles B. Darrow showed the game to Parker Brothers.  It is published in 26 languages.  Over its 65-year history, an estimated 500 million people have played!