I have to thank DCPLive’s own Jimmy for blogging about National Novel Writing Month last year because now the portmanteau “NaNoWriMo” is forever lodged into my brain. I ran out of time last year before I could reach the 50,000 word count (the number of words necessary to claim novel-writing success on the official website). Also, I just really couldn’t resist the urge to chuck the ideas that I grew frustrated with while racing the NaNoWriMo clock, thus completely missing the point of this particular exercise in freewriting and perseverance. So I’m going to give it another shot this year (though I’m now down by four days). So…thanks, Jimmy!

There are several books in DCPL to help you along the path to creating and finessing the novel of your dreams. Here are two that I like so far:

The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways To Bring Fiction To Life by Noah Lukeman: After you hammer out your NaNoWriMo novella, you may be wondering how to make it readable (and perhaps even enjoyable) to the masses. This is a great little book full of helpful hints and practical exercises for developing characters and plot.

Your Novel Proposal: From Creation to Contract by Blythe Camenson and Marshall J.Cook: Now that you’ve drafted a winning manuscript, take a look at this book. I really like the fact that it provides in-depth guides to conquering the more administrative aspects of authorship such as searching for an agent and submitting query letters. But first things first…let’s just make it through Novel Writing November and think about this other stuff later.

Happy Writing, ya’ll!

It seemed like the perfect way to spend a rainy Saturday morning. I’d read all the James Herriot books at least once. ER was my favorite TV show and lastly, my Dad was a doctor. An Animal First Aid Class seemed appropriate. And it was.  I attended the First Aid for Cats and Dogs class at the Dunwoody Library on October 17th.

Our Christopher Walken look-a-like instructor (John McCarren from Paw Paws Pet Sitting Service) showed us the basics of pet first aid. We learned everything from the infamous Mouth to Muzzle breathing technique (on a dog replica that came with a heart beat and pulse to show you if you were doing the technique right).  We learned to use an old credit card to scrape out stingers and to carry a dog to the car rather than have him walk, if a snake bit him.  We learned how to perform CPR, how to stop bleeding, how to strap a dog to a backboard if his back was broken and my favorite–the doggy Heimlich manuever.

I came home from class and my dog, Sammy, knew he was safer or at least he let me take his pulse and shake on it.  If you missed this event, don’t worry–you could check out Emergency care for cats and dogs : first aid for your pet by Craton Burkholder.  Also, there are many other educational programs at the library.

The thought of it sounds delightful but the cost brings me down–quickly. The library has the perfect solution for a night of family fun: dinner and a movie.  Several libraries offer recent blockbuster films.  All you have to bring is the family and a blanket and/or lawn chairs to sit on and of course, dinner.  You can even wear your pajamas . The kids will eat it up. And you won’t have to shell out for tickets and popcorn. (Although you can bring your own if you like!)

Upcoming movies include Bedtime Stories at the Chamblee Library on Tuesday, October 13 from 5-7PM.   Covington offers Teen Movie Day on Monday, October 12 from 1PM-3PM and Family Movie Night on Monday October 19 from 6PM-7:30PM.  Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa will be playing at the Wesley Chapel-WCB Library also on Monday, October 19 from 6PM-8PM.  The Gresham Library will show the holiday classic, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on Tuesday November 24 from 6PM-6:30PM.  Check the online calendar for additional film screenings and more details.

The big S you see on DCPL programming is for Seniors.  Yes, the library has programs geared towards senior patrons (though you don’t have to be a senior to attend).

We offer everything from Healthy Living programs to Senior Movie Times. Here is a sampling:

• come test your knowledge of trivia at the Chamblee Library
• come knit with us, on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month, except for holidays
• come discuss a book, we have book discussion groups at many different branches
• want to learn about what classes the Georgia Perimeter College has to offer?  Denise Rixter gives you the details
• learn how to use the computer
• map out your ancestry in one of our genealogy workshops, every third Thursday of the month, except for holidays.

Here is a list of all our senior programs.

Doesn’t it sound cool and mysterious?  DCPL Unshelved is a precision drill team that pushes library carts.The ten members (from our many different library branches) put on sparkly silver newsboy caps, matching t-shirts, black pants and their dancing shoes.

Performing movements like the Flying Geese and Shooting Star make for a lively performance. The crowd was in awe at the team’s debut for the fourth of July in Decatur’s Pied Piper Parade.  See the YouTube clip below for a video of their performance.

The songs they push to are “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge, “Electric Avenue” by Eddy Grant, “We Will Rock You” by Queen and more upbeat lively numbers.

If you want to see DCPL Unshelved for yourself, the team will be performing as part of the August 15 Dunwoody festivities for the dedication of their newly renovated library, at the end of the morning program, which begins at 10:00. Or check out the Decatur Book Festival. You’ll be glad you did! Who knew library carts could be so versatile?

Back in February the Library hosted a quilt exhibition by members of the Brown Sugar Stitchers Quilt Guild. The exhibition was such a hit that we wanted to let you know about another exhibition by the Ebony Stitchers Quilt Guild, a group related to Brown Sugar Stitchers.  The Ebony Stitchers Quilt Guild has partnered with the National Black Arts Festival to host an exhibition at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center. The exhibition, entitled “Award Winning,” will feature quilts by Aisha Lumumba that celebrate African American Academy Award winners in the areas of motion picture and music. There will be several activities such as quilting classes, workshops and lectures for adults and children to participate in throughout the weekend. The Opening Night Reception is Thursday, July 23 at 6:30 p.m. The exhibition will run from July 24 — 26 at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center and from July 29 — August 1 at the Woodruff Arts Center. Hours for both locations will be 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information click here.

The Library now offers calendar of events RSS feeds.  This means that you can subscribe to events by age group, event type, or branch just like you would subscribe to a blog’s RSS feed.  You will then get updates on new events in your areas of interest directly in your RSS reader.  If you are not familiar with RSS feeds, watch this video first:

What’s even cooler is that if you have very specific interests, you can now build your own RSS feed.  Simply fill out the form on that page.  For example, if you were interested in movies and also events for kids, then simply click the check box next to Movies and also check the boxes next to the age groups you are interested in.  Once you submit the form, a RSS feed will automatically be generated for you immediately.

This is a great way to keep up with library events, especially if you are already familiar with RSS readers and check your feeds daily.

It’s Mardi Gras time again…and we’re stuck here in Atlanta. No offense, ATL, but I can’t help but envy all the Fat Tuesday revellers who’ll be traipsing down to New Orleans getting their fill of food, fun and festivities. But that’s okay. We book-lovers and, um, vacation-planning procrastinators still can kick up our heels–albeit quietly–here at the Library. There are lots of great titles at DCPL to satisfy one’s appetite for all things related to the Big Easy. So browse around, have fun and behave yourselves. But no beads, guys! Things get too out-of-hand…

Here are some fun Mardi Gras titles for the kiddies;

Mardi Gras by Dianne M. Macmillan (Enslow Publishers)

The Greentail Mouse by Leo Lionni (Alfred A. Knopf; Random House Children’s Books)

On Mardi Gras Day by Fatima Shaik (Dial Books for Young Readers): This one is a lively and beautifully illustrated book about Mardi Gras custome and festivities.

For more grown-up reading here are some more suggestions:

Carnival, American Style: Mardi Gras at New Orleans and Mobile by Sam Kinser (University of Chicago Press): I, for one, didn’t know there were Mardi Gras festivities in Mobile, Alabama. I’m gonna try to get my hands on this one myself–it seems really fascinating.

Gumbo Tales: Finding My Place at The New Orleans Table by Sara Roahen (W. W. Norton): Now this title isn’t so much a Mardi Gras book but isn’t this the perfect time to delve into New Orleans’ culinary customs and traditions?

Up From The Cradle of Jazz: New Orleans Music Since World War II by Jason Berry, Jonathan Foose and Tad Jones (University of Georgia Press): Here’s a book that I’ve been reading that discusses New Orleans’ rich musical and cultural heritage. For those, such as myself, who are looking to gain insight into the Crescent City’s history and an introduction to such musical greats as Fats Domino, Professor Longhair and others, this is a great starting point.

All of this Mardi Gras jazz has really made me want to see New Orleans even more. For anyone looking for a tour guide into the Big Easy don’t forget the ever-popular and informative Frommer’s and Fodor’s guides to the city. If I get started planning right now, who knows? This time next year I may be doing this blog post from the French Quarter.

Film Love is an on-going Atlanta film series at The Eyedrum Gallery and occasionally at other venues as well.  Its stated goal is to provide “access to great but rarely-screened films, and promotes awareness of the rich history of experimental and avant-garde filmmaking.”  Over the years I’ve been to many really great screenings of films that are not released anywhere on DVD or VHS.

This year Film Love is presenting a series of movies about African Americans’ struggle for civil rights.  The Civil Rights on Film series starts this Friday, February 20th and features four nights of rare films on African-American life, 1941-1967.  To learn more about the films, please visit their website.  Many of these films are not available anywhere else, so don’t miss this opportunity!  Note: the films will be screened at three different locations, so check the website for where each movie will be held.

One of the free IRS tax prep services that DeKalb County Public Library hosts each year is the AARP Tax-Aide program. AARP volunteers help hundreds of people each year file their taxes and collect their refunds. The IRS provides the computers and software. Volunteers complete approx. 100 hours of training before assisting low- and middle-income taxpayers of any age with their federal and state tax returns.

At the Dunwoody Library, Jerry Vitt is returning for his 12th year as an AARP Tax-Aide Coordinator. Last year his crew of volunteer tax counselors filed more than 750 tax returns. Mr. Vitt said, “The one thing I wish everyone knew is that this service really is absolutely free. It’s open to everyone, not just seniors, and you don’t have to be a member of AARP.” He added that even if someone doesn’t need to file a federal tax return, they should still come in to see if they’re eligible to claim the Georgia low income tax credit. The Dunwoody location files about 95% of the tax returns electronically, but they can print out a paper copy for those uncomfortable with the internet.

When you come to the library for tax help, bring the following with you:

• current year’s tax forms and booklets
• copy of last year’s tax return
• all income forms, such as W-2, SSA-1099, all 1099 forms
• child care provider information (name, employer, ID, SS#)
• receipts or canceled checks if itemizing deductions.
• Social Security cards or other official documentation for yourself and all dependents

Take a look at the AARP Tax-Aide website for more information about this program and for a list of all their locations, so you can let your grandmother in Florida know about this terrific FREE program.