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Local libraries need your help

Friday, January 28th, 2011

Attention, everyone!

This is me testing the mic, whistling, waving my arms in the air … trying desperately to get your attention.

Our local libraries need our help – NOW. The preliminary state budget for 2012-2013 proposes a 99 percent cut in library funding and a 93 percent cut to library resource sharing programs. If this budget is approved, every library in the county will be affected. The TexShare databases will not be available, the entire interlibrary loan program will be eliminated and valuable regional library systems that provide support to community libraries will no longer exist.

Librarians agree these budget cuts would set libraries back an entire generation.

They are asking that you do two things:

1. Visit your local library and fill out a card with your name, address and why the library is important to you before Feb. 14. These cards will be delivered by librarians Cecilia Barham and Megan Suffling to Rep. Phil King and Sen. Craig Estes on Library Legislative Day, Feb. 16.

2. Write letters explaining why libraries are important to our communities and send them to King at P.O. Box 2910 in Austin, TX 78768 and Estes at P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station Austin, TX 78711.

Letters are welcome from all ages, so gather the family around the kitchen table this weekend and detail the reasons you love your library. For more information, read “Libraries face major cuts in services” in the Sunday, Jan. 30, edition of the Wise County Messenger.

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Quote of the week

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

I’ll admit, my blogging has been lackluster this summer. But instead of offering lame excuses, I decided it’s best to just jump back into the blogging routine. I think I’ve made this declaration before, but … let’s not look back, and instead move forward.

I’m easing in with a quote of the week. A couple of weeks ago I was reading an article in the July issue of Texas Monthly on the 25th anniversary of “Lonesome Dove,” and interviews were conducted with people associated with the book and later the movie. When I came across the quote below, as spoken by one of Larry McMurtry’s friends, it rang true for me, growing up in Wise County and also spending time in Montague County with family.

“I stayed at his (Larry McMurtry’s) house in Archer City once for a month or two and began to understand what living in the country means: It’s sitting in a little bitty restaurant, looking out the window at a cow, but you only have powdered creamer for your coffee.”     ~  Dave Hickey, an art critic, professor of art practice at the University of New Mexico and a longtime friend of McMurtry

You can read more about my impressions of Archer City in my Bookends column in this week’s All Around Wise.


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Rick Riordan in Southlake

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

redpyramid

Rick Riordan, bestselling author of the young adult series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” will be signing books at 6 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, May 13) at Barnes and Noble in Southlake.

Riordan’s most recent book, “Red Pyramid,” kicks off the chronicles of Carter and Sadie Kane.

B&N began handing out wristbands Monday, which are needed to get a book signed. Only a certain number of wristbands were to be distributed, so before you head that way, call the store at (817) 442-0207 to make sure there are some still available.

We probably won’t make this one, but if you go, e-mail me a pick and I’ll post it here. Send photos to ktribe@wcmessenger.com.

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What am I reading?

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

I figured if I was confused, then most of you probably were, too. I’ve mentioned a handful of books lately in only a smattering of posts, but I haven’t really mentioned what I’m actually reading.

I guess it’s because I’m not even sure. I’ve started three books, and I’m faced with only 15 days to read my book club’s next selection, “Outlander,” which I haven’t even started.

I started “Gone With the Wind,” and even encouraged you to follow my “progress.” I was hoping for a triumphant finish, but my “progress” proved laughable. Although I like what I have read of it, I’m going to put it to the side for now.

Several months ago I started “Unashamed” in Francine Rivers’ Lineage of Grace series, and although it’s a book that could be finished in a weekend, I managed to make it only about halfway before abandoning it to start “Gone With the Wind.”

In the meantime, I started “Backyard Giants,” a nonfiction selection, and although I’m still reading on this one, I’ll admit that in the wake of my book blunder, I’ve considered abandoning it  so I have plenty of time to get through “Outlander.”

But this must stop. It’s driving me crazy. I need closure, people. These are not my usual reading habits, and I have all these half stories running through my head. (Imagine me screaming into a pillow right now.)

So for the record, I’m now reading “Backyard Giants.” I’ll let you know if I pick up “Outlander.”

Thanks for letting me vent.

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A Tribe tradition

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

polarexpresscdcoverEvery family marks the holiday season with various traditions, and one we started when our oldest was born, seven years ago, involves books.

We basically put our own spin on two Christmas Eve traditions – getting to  open one present and receiving new pajamas. Every year we give our kids a Christmas book, which they open on Christmas Eve and we read before bed.

When the kids are grown, I plan to give them their little collection of Christmas books so they can share them with their own families.

It’s become something the kids look forward to and in fact, just yesterday they were asking me what books they were going to get this year. As if I would tell!

Do you have any family traditions at Christmas or any other time that include books?

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