Sunday, September 24, 2006

JIM HENSON BIRTHDAY

Today would have been Jim Henson's 70th birthday. Creator of Kermit the Frog and the Muppets (and more), Time Magazine recognized him as one of the 100 Most Important Artists and Entertainers of the 20th Century.

The Elk Grove Library has several books about Jim Henson and his work:

Jim Henson: The Works: The Art, The Magic, The Imagination (1993) text by Christopher Finch (BIO HEN)
Jim Henson (1994) by Deanne Durrett. (J BIO HEN)
Jim Henson's Designs and Doodles: A Muppet Sketchbook (2001) by Alison Inches (791.5309 INC)
It's Not Easy Being Green: And Other Things to Consider (2005) by Jim Henson, the Muppets, and friends; with drawings by Jim Henson; edited by Cheryl Henson (791.5309 HEN)

There are also DVD's of the various Muppet movies, Fraggle Rock episodes, and The Muppet Show available.

Friday, September 22, 2006

J.A. KONRATH IS COMING TO ELK GROVE VILLAGE

On Sunday, October 15, as part of the Elk Grove Village Open House--one of the last events of this 50th Anniversary Year--, local mystery writer J.A. Konrath will appear at the Library for "Kocktails with Konrath". Interested adults are invited to join Mr. Konrath at 1:00 p.m. for beverages, oer d'oerves, and the opportunity to hear the author talk about his popular Jacqueline Daniels (Chicago PD Lieutenant) series. No registration is necessary.

His books include:
Whiskey Sour (MYS KON)
Bloody Mary (MYS KON)
Rusty Nail (NEW MYS KON)

Audio versions of these books are also available.

Monday, September 11, 2006

GOOD DEED DAY

One way to honor the memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, is to perform a "good deed" on this day. My Good Deed.Org--which is also promoting this day as an official annual National Day of Voluntary Service--suggests "Any act of kindness, charity or service" as a "Good Deed". More specific ideas can be found on their site.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 REMEMBERED

5 years ago on this date Americans (and, indeed, citizens of the world) were shocked and dismayed by the tragic events that occurred in New York City, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Remembering that horrific day and the desperate days that followed will be hard for most of us, still heartbreaking for the families and friends of the victims.

There will be many Memorial Services throughout the US and Canada as well as abroad on Monday. This weekend several special programs will be presented on television, including the (newly updated) French documentary that was being made about New York Firefighters as the disaster occurred--9/11: A Portrait of Heroism on CBS, Sunday at 8 p.m. ET & PT; 7 p.m. CT. ABC is presenting a 2-night docudrama, The Path to 9/11 at 8 ET, 7 CT starting Sunday. PBS is presenting America Rebuilds II: Return to Ground Zero on Monday night (in Chicago, it will be on at 9:30 p.m. on Channel 11). The Associated Press has an online exhibit including photos from that day and from 5 years later as well as video. The Library of Congress also has an online gallery called Witness and Response, a collection of acquisitions related to 9/11.

The Elk Grove Village Library (and other local libraries) has several displays related to the events of that day in both Adult and Youth Services. Books and films about 9/11 are available to be checked out. Among the most recent are:

Without Precedent: The Inside Story of the 9/11 Commission by Thomas H. Kean and Lee H. Hamilton, with Benjamin Rhodes. (NEW 973.931 KEA)
The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 by Lawrence Wright (NEW 973.931 WRI)
Inside 9/11 (NEW DVD 973.931 INS)
United 93 (NEW DVD UNIT)

The 9/11 Commission Report is available online as a PDF file; the library has a copy (973.931 NAT). The Graphic Novel version is available online at Slate.com; the library has copies on order.