HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Framingham Public Library is a great place to find information to help you with your New Year’s Resolutions and the following article from the American Psychological Association will insure you succeed!

Making Your New Year's Resolutions Stick

Lose weight? Check. Start exercising? Check. Stop smoking? Check

It can be daunting when your list of New Year’s Resolutions is as long as your holiday shopping list. In addition to the post-holiday slump, not being able to keep your resolutions by February, March or even late January may increase your anxiety. When your holiday decorations are packed up and stored away, the frustration of an unused gym membership or other reminders of failed resolutions can make the later winter months feel hopeless.

However, it is important to remember that the New Year isn’t meant to serve as a catalyst for sweeping character changes. It is a time for people to reflect on their past year’s behavior and promise to make positive lifestyle changes. “Setting small, attainable goals throughout the year, instead of a singular, overwhelming goal on January 1 can help you reach whatever it is you strive for,” says psychologist Lynn Bufka, PhD. “Remember, it is not the extent of the change that matters, but rather the act of recognizing that lifestyle change is important and working toward it, one step at a time.”

By making your resolutions realistic, there is a greater chance that you will keep them throughout the year, incorporating healthy behavior into your everyday life.

APA offers these tips when thinking about a News Year’s resolution:

Start small — Make resolutions that you think you can keep. If, for example, your aim is to exercise more frequently, schedule three or four days a week at the gym instead of seven. If you would like to eat healthier, try replacing dessert with something else you enjoy, like fruit or yogurt, instead of seeing your diet as a form of punishment.

Change one behavior at a time — Unhealthy behaviors develop over the course of time. Thus, replacing unhealthy behaviors with healthy ones requires time. Don’t get overwhelmed and think that you have to reassess everything in your life. Instead, work toward changing one thing at a time.

Talk about it— Share your experiences with family and friends. Consider joining a support group to reach your goals, such as a workout class at your gym or a group of coworkers quitting smoking. Having someone to share your struggles and successes with makes your journey to a healthier lifestyle that much easier and less intimidating.

Don’t beat yourself up — Perfection is unattainable. Remember that minor missteps when reaching your goals are completely normal and OK. Don’t give up completely because you ate a brownie and broke your diet, or skipped the gym for a week because you were busy. Everyone has ups and downs; resolve to recover from your mistakes and get back on track.

Ask for support — Accepting help from those who care about you and will listen strengthens your resilience and ability to manage stress caused by your resolution. If you feel overwhelmed or unable to meet your goals on your own, consider seeking professional help. Psychologists are uniquely trained to understand the connection between the mind and body. They can offer strategies as to how to adjust your goals so that they are attainable, as well as help you change unhealthy behaviors and address emotional issues.
Source: American Psychological Association - www.apa.org

Did you receive a new eReader for the holidays?

We have put an eBook FAQ on our website to help you borrow library eBooks for your Nook, Kindle, iPad or similar device. It is available at www.framinghamlibrary.org under the downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks button. http://www.framinghamlibrary.org/ebooks.htm

We'll also be holding a hands-on eBooks workshop for people who would like help borrowing library eBooks for their Nook or Kindle.

Or if you are ready to jump right in, go to http://digital.minlib.net/.

Access our databases from your IPhone

You can now access our Databases even when you're not at the library.
It's as simple as using the AccessMyLibrary mobile app for the IPhone or IPod from Gale, the publisher of our reference databases.  Search Books & Authors for your next book, the Health & Wellness Resources Center for medication info, or the Business and Company Resource Center for up-to-date company info, for example.
AccessMyLibrary uses GPS to find libraries within a 10-mile radius of your location and then gives you free, unlimited access to their reputable, authoritative online resources, without the need to log in.

For more information and to download the App, visit: www.gale.cengage.com/apps or
search for accessmylibrary in the AppStore.

Receiving too many catalogs?

If you are receiving a lot of unwanted catalogs and junk mail at home, you can cancel them by going to www.catalogchoice.org and listing ones you do not wish to receive. This not only reduces clutter but helps the environment and helps protect your privacy.

This free service launched in 2007 works with over 4000 companies who guarantee to honor your choice to opt out.

Consumer Reports Rates Ebook Readers

The December 2011 copy of Consumer Reports has a helpful article rating the different ebook readers that can be used to borrow ebooks from the library. If you are trying to decide what type of ereader to buy, please ask at the Reference Desk to see the December issue of Consumer Reports.

Are you an avid reader looking for something new to read? Then check out the online version of Bookpage.  Here you can explore new books by genre, read author interviews and discover ideas for gift giving.

This site also provides weekly and daily newsletters that you can subscribe to and provides links to connect to other readers through Facebook and Twitter.

And, you can “discover your next great book” with the Bookpage app on your Iphone, Ipad or iPod. The app allows you to keep track of what you’ve already read and what you want to read next.

Mango Languages App

There is a Mango Languages app available for the iPhone, iPod, or iTouch. People with one of these devices and a Framingham Public Library card can use Mango Languages from anywhere! The app is available for free from the iTunes store.

Details about the app are available here...
http://www.mangolanguages.com/libraries/products-overview/mango-mobile/

Access to Mango Languages is available from http://www.framinghamlibrary.org.

Native American Heritage Month

North American Natives have long been known as Indians because of the belief prevalent at the time of Columbus that the Americas were the outer reaches of the Indies (i.e., the East Indies). Most scholars agree that Native Americans came into the Western Hemisphere from Asia via the Bering Strait or along the North Pacific coast in a series of migrations. From Alaska they spread east and south. Some scholars accept evidence of Native American existence in the Americas back more than 25,000 years, while many others believe that people arrived later than that, perhaps as recently as 12,000 years ago. In pre-Columbian times (prior to 1492) the Native American population of the area North of Mexico is conservatively estimated to have been about 1.8 million, with some authorities believing the population to have been as large as 10 million or more.

By the time of early European colonization attempts, there were over 30,000 Native Americans in Massachusetts living amongst a variety of tribes belonging to the Algonquin language group. Some of the most well known tribes were the Wampanoag, Pennacook, Mahican, Pocumtuck, Nipmuck, and the Massachusett (for whom the state was named). Unfortunately, the Europeans would bring with them diseases for which the Native Americans had no immunity against, resulting in large, deadly epidemics. The first such epidemic hit the coastal region of Massachusetts between 1616 and 1617. The Native population continued to suffer from disease and warfare throughout the remainder of the 17th century. Nearly ninety percent of the Native population was killed during this period.

What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose.

In 1915, the annual Congress of the American Indian Association meeting in Lawrence, Kans., formally approved a plan concerning American Indian Day. It directed its president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, to call upon the country to observe such a day. Coolidge issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915, which declared the second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day and contained the first formal appeal for recognition of Indians as citizens.

In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 "National American Indian Heritage Month." Similar proclamations have been issued each year since 1994.

For additional information on Native American history and culture visit our online databases at: http://www.framinghamlibrary.org or come in and browse our collection of Native American materials located at call numbers 970.004 – 970.1.

Health and Wellness Resource Center Database

To access the Health and Wellness Resource Center, visit http://www.framinghamlibrary.org/, click on “Databases and Articles” on the left and enter your library card number. The databases are listed alphabetically. This database offers information from trusted medical reference books, journals and dictionaries. There are several tabs on the homepage to direct you to the type of information that you require:

• “Diseases & Conditions” has in-depth articles from the Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine including descriptions, symptoms and prevention information.
• “Drugs” can be searched by a specific medicine’s name. There are links to articles for the consumer about descriptions of use, warnings, drug interactions and allergies.
• “Directories” can be used to search for addresses, phone numbers and website information from the Medical and Health Information Directory.
• “Dictionary” supplies definitions to medical terms from the Mosby's Medical, Nursing and Allied Health Dictionary.
• “Trusted Sites” is an invaluable list of reviewed websites, grouped by subject including asthma, cancer, pediatrics and senior health.
• “Health Assessment” provides calculators from various sources for determining if you are at risk.

This database is recommended for additional information only and not to replace consultation with a doctor.

MEMA and Chain Saw Safety

CHAIN SAW SAFETY TIPS

As homeowners begin the clean-up and recovery from the October 29-30 Nor’easter, it is important to understand what you are doing if you are going to safely use a chainsaw. Operating a chain saw is inherently hazardous. As downed trees and debris are being removed, potential injuries can be minimized by using proper personal protective equipment and safe operating procedures.

Before Starting a Chain Saw

· Read the instruction manual that came with your saw. Your manual describes how to mount the guide and chain, how to mix the fuel and lubricate the saw, and how to start it. 

· Check controls, chain tension, and all bolts and handles to ensure that they are functioning properly and that they are adjusted according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

· Make sure that the chain is always sharp and the lubrication reservoir is full.

· Start the saw on the ground or on another firm support. Drop starting is never allowed. 

· Start the saw at least 10 feet from the fueling area, with the chain’s brake engaged. 

Fueling a Chain Saw

· Use approved containers for transporting fuel to the saw.

· Dispense fuel at least 10 feet away from any sources of ignition when performing construction activities. No smoking during fueling.

· Use a funnel or a flexible hose when pouring fuel into the saw.
· Never attempt to fuel a running or HOT saw.

Chain Saw Safety

· Clear away dirt, debris, small tree limbs and rocks from the saw’s chain path. Look for nails, spikes or other metal in the tree before cutting.

· Shut off the saw or engage its chain brake when carrying the saw on rough or uneven terrain.

· Keep your hands on the saw’s handles, and maintain secure footing while operating the saw.

· Proper personal protective equipment must be worn when operating the saw, which includes hand, foot, leg, eye, face, hearing and head protection.

· Do not wear loose-fitting clothing.

· Be careful that the trunk or tree limbs will not bind against the saw.

· Watch for branches under tension, they may spring out when cut.

· Gasoline-powered chain saws must be equipped with a protective device that minimizes chain saw kickback.

· Be cautious of saw kick-back. To avoid kick-back, do not saw with the tip. If equipped, keep tip guard in place.

 What is MEMA?

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is the state agency responsible for coordinating federal, state, local, voluntary and private resources during emergencies and disasters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MEMA provides leadership to: develop plans for effective response to all hazards, disasters or threats; train emergency personnel to protect the public; provide information to the citizenry; and assist individuals, families, businesses and communities to mitigate against, prepare for, and respond to and recover from emergencies, both natural and man made. For additional information about MEMA and Flooding Issues, go to www.mass.gov/mema. Also, follow MEMA updates on Facebook and Twitter.

Home Energy Assessment

Is your home energy efficient?  Now’s the time to find out. 

Contact MassSave at 866-527-SAVE (7283) to schedule your free Home Energy Assessment and start saving money while staying warm this winter.

The audit takes about 1.5 – 2 hours and the result will help you develop an energy plan and explain any applicable incentives.  Adding insulation and changing light bulbs are some ways that you can immediately save money; replacing windows and hot water heaters could reap some tax deductions.

There are also income based programs that could qualify you for fuel assistance or reduced utility rates.
The MassSave website offers a variety of tips to help you save money while staying warm in winter and cool in summer.

Haunted New England!

As the trees become bare and the autumn moon illuminates the chill night sky, take one of our guidebooks in your travels and learn about the mysterious and haunting tales that have been documented to have happened right here in New England.

Lexington, Bedford, and Concord : ghosts, legends, and lore / E. Ashley Rooney
With information about history and legends, these stories take place in various locations in these three local towns.

Old ghosts of New England : a traveler's guide to the spookiest sites in the Northeast / C. J. Fusco
This book is a very handy state by state guide to spooky sites in New England. The entries are followed by directions to the location.

Passing strange : true tales of New England hauntings and horrors / Joseph A. Citro ; illustrations by David Diaz
These tales are grouped by specific types of supernatural events. There is a “Notes, Acknowledgements and Sources” section in the back as well as a geographical index.

Spooky New England : tales of hauntings, strange happenings, and other local lore / retold by S.E. Schlosser ; illustrated by Paul G. Hoffman
There are 30 folktales in this collection, each from various cities and towns in New England. This book is part of the Spooky series, each focusing on particular regions in the United States.

Happy Halloween!

Direct eBook and eAudiobook access – No computer needed!

You can now download Overdrive eBooks and eAudiobooks directly to many handheld devices, without having to use a computer!

-Kindle users can download Overdrive ebooks directly to their Kindle http://digital.minlib.net/EC139DE6-1FCB-456C-B112-37CA6120413A/10/531/en/Help-Kindle.htm

-iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone 7 users can download the free Overdrive Media Console App to directly access Overdrive eBooks and eAudiobooks

Direct access to eBooks and eAudiobooks simplifies downloading and it allow you to access eBooks and eAudioboks wherever you can get the Internet on your handheld device!

http://www.framinghamlibrary.org/technology.htm#downloadable

Flu Clinic Information

Visit the Framingham Board of Health's flu clinic page for up to date information about free flu clinics in Framingham for Framingham residents, or call the Framingham flu clinic information hotline 508-532-5478.

Other ways to find flu shots include...
- Your doctor
- Pharmacies
- Massachusetts Flu Clinic Finder's website
- American Lung Association Flu Vaccine Finder

Yard Sales and Antiquing

If you are going antiquing, visiting yard sales or thinking of starting a collection, there are many resources at the library to help.

Available through our Electronic Journals Database:
Antique Trader Weekly
Antiques Roadshow Insider
*Click on “view PDF pages” to see the original magazine article with images.

For a wide variety of collectibles including pottery, jewelry and furniture try:
Kovels' American antiques, 1750-1900 / by Ralph and Terry Kovel
Kovels' American collectibles, 1900-2000 by Ralph and Terry Kovel
The Kovels' antiques & collectibles price list / by Ralph and Terry Kovel
Warman's antiques and collectibles price guide

For stamp collectors:
Scott standard postage stamp catalogue
Museum passes are available at the library for the
Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History

For book collectors:
ABC for book collectors / by John Carter
Book collecting : a comprehensive guide / Allen and Patricia Ahearn
The official price guide to collecting books
The official price guide to old books

This book explores the creation of a personal journal using scrapbooking techniques and antique ephemera.
Vintage collage journals : journaling with antique ephemera / Maryjo Koch

For an introduction to the field of collecting and an overview of different types of collectibles try:
Antiques Roadshow 20th-century collectibles : the complete guide to collecting 20th-century toys, glassware, costume jewelry, memorabilia, ceramics & more from the most-watched series on PBS / by Carol Prisant

Don’t know what’s cooking?

In a predicament about what to cook for parties, friendly get-togethers, holidays, or even everyday meals? Come to the Framingham Public Library and browse our large collection of cookbooks.

A good cookbook can inspire you with tips and ideas for creating interesting , healthy and tasty meals or dishes. Here is a sampling of some the newest additions to the collection:

Just married & cooking : 200 recipes for living, eating, and entertaining together / Brooke Parkhurst & James Briscione.
Includes lists for pantry essentials, meal planning tips and recipes for a host of holidays and events, and everyday advice for how to keep the magic alive in the kitchen.

Italian, my way : more than 150 simple and inspired recipes that breathe new life into Italian classics / by Jonathan Waxman
The all-star chef’s simple, seasonal dishes inject fresh perspective into classic dishes.

Eat greens : seasonal recipes to enjoy in abundance / by Barbara Scott-Goodman & Liz Trovato
For those who prefer their vegetables fresh the authors cover all the basics, from how to purchase and prepare a variety of vegetables to a brief overview on growing your own greens Also included are charts denoting each vegetable’s nutritional value.

If it makes you healthy : more than 100 delicious recipes inspired by the seasons / with Sheryl Crow and Chuck White
More personal and more enlightening than the typical celebrity cookbook, this health-focused collection from Sheryl Crow and her personal chef is a refreshing addition to an increasingly crowded field.

Plenty : vibrant vegetable recipes from London's Ottolenghi / by Yotam Ottolenghi
Ottolenghi offers a vibrant and versatile collection of mouth-watering dishes that elevate vegetables from paltry side-dish status to superstar prominence.

My father's daughter : delicious, easy recipes celebrating family and togetherness / Gwyneth Paltrow
Paltrow showcases a wealth of dishes, from soups to pastas to main courses and more. A helpful pantry section includes recipes for basics such as slow-roasted tomatoes and numerous types of stocks. While many recipes are vegetarian, Paltrow does include meat dishes.

Hungry girl 300 under 300 : 300 breakfasts, lunches & dinners under 300 calories / Lisa Lillien
Lillien’s goal is to make guilt-free cooking easy for anyone to enjoy. Each recipe has no-sweat instructions and features readily found ingredients (the most exotic is soy milk), which make this cookbook very appealing. The tips scattered throughout further guide readers to healthier eating.

No whine with dinner : 150 healthy, kid-tested recipes from The meal makeover moms / Liz Weiss, Janice Newell Bissex
No Whine with Dinner turns mealtime whines into "wows" with nutritious and delicious recipes kids and parents will love.

Kindle E-Books now available through Minuteman!

You can now borrow Kindle E-books from the Minuteman Library Network website

(http://www.mln.lib.ma.us), and, with the click of a button, have them delivered to your Kindle device or mobile Kindle reading app.

Instructions:

1. Visit the Minuteman Library Network Website.
2. Click on the link for “Overdrive”
3. Review the Quick- Start guide here
4. Search for an e-book – go to “Advanced Search” and change format to “Kindle Book”
5. Check out a Kindle book (library card required).
6. Click on "Get for Kindle." You will then be directed to Amazon.com to redeem your public library loan. You may be required to login to your Amazon.com account -- or create a new account -- if you're not already logged in.
7. Choose to read the book on your Kindle device, mobile Kindle reading app, or Kindle Cloud Reader.

Notes:

1.  You have to create a digital media account for yourself with your library card number and PIN. Do that here.
2. You will need to have an active Amazon.com account in order to use this service.  It is suggested that you set one up first on your computer.
3. Public library books require an active Wi-Fi connection for wireless delivery to a Kindle device. Library books will not be delivered via your Kindle's 3G connection. If trying to send to a Kindle device and do not have an active Wi-Fi connection, you may instead choose to load your library book via USB. Both Mac and Windows users can manage Kindle content through a USB connection.

For more information and assistance, look here:

Overdrive Kindle help

Amazon’s Library Kindle help

Recycling every day items

Doing fall cleaning? Replacing old appliances? Here are some ways to recycle everyday items.
Appliances like microwaves, toasters, and refrigerators that still work and are less than 8 years old may be used by Habitat for Humanity in their ReStores. See http://www.habitat.org/cd/env/restore.aspx and click on Massachusetts to find a ReStore. For nonworking appliances, go to Recycle-Steel.org to find a nearby steel recycling center. Older air conditioners or a second refrigerator that still work can be recycled through Mass Save at http://www.masssave.com/. Look under lighting and appliances for instructions on recycling your second refrigerator. Once your fridge is picked up, they will send you a check for $50.00!

Do you have old eye glass that you no longer need? New Eyes for the Needy will gladly accept them including old sunglasses. Go to NewEyesfortheneedy.org. You can also contact the Lions Club to find a local drop off box for used eye glasses. There is a box in the Pearl St. lobby of the library.
People are constantly upgrading their electronics. The chain store Best Buy allows you to drop off old electronics for recycling no matter where you purchased them from. You can also log onto DigitalTips.org to find other places to recycle your digital goods. If you want to recycle your old cell phone log onto CellPhonesforSoldiers.com to print a free shipping label to send the phones to the recycler. The recycler will use the proceeds to purchase and send calling cards to troops stationed far away. For other recyclers of cell phones go to GoWirelessGogreen.org.

You can recycle your printer cartridges instead of tossing them into the trash. Those can be dropped off at Best Buy and Staples stores. Staples will give you $2.00 credit towards a new cartridge!
Did you know that you can recycle pantyhose, knee highs, and tights? The No Nonsense company melts them down and they are turned into plastic items like playground equipment and plastic chairs. Go to NoNonsense.com to print out a shipping label, box up your old hose and send them away.

Hurricane Names

Follow this link for tips on preparing for a Hurricane: Preparedness tips

Only 10 hurricanes since 1851 have passed within 75 miles of Boston. The most recent was almost exactly 20 years ago: Hurricane Bob.

When you think about it, it may seem curious that hurricanes and tropical storms receive names each year, while other kinds of storms -- such as severe thunderstorms and the fierce tornadoes they sometimes produce -- do not.

After all, the largest and most intense thunderstorms can spawn dozens of tornadoes that impact cities and communities across multiple states. So why are names reserved only for those storms that reach tropical storm and hurricane status? Why not simply use the date on which a hurricane makes landfall as its name?

In fact, that's just how hurricanes and tropical storms were labeled in the United States all the way up until the 1950s.

Before 1950, military weather forecasters in the U.S. were responsible for assigning a number, not a name, to tropical storms. For example, the fifth tropical cyclone of the 1932 hurricane season was called Hurricane Number 5. In later years, the military phonetic alphabet (Able, Baker, Charlie, etc.) was used to assign names.

Beginning in 1953, tropical storms were assigned female names. Names were listed in alphabetical order, with the first tropical storm of the year given a name beginning with "A."

In 1978, both men's and women's names were included in the eastern North Pacific storm lists. In 1979, the Atlantic Basin list of names was expanded to include both male and female names. Today, once a tropical disturbance intensifies to tropical storm strength, with wind speeds above 39 mph, the National Hurricane Center gives it a name.

Member nations of the World Meteorological Organization have since revised the list to include names common to English, Spanish, and French-speaking peoples. The order of men's and women's names alternates every year. For example, in 1995 the list began with Allison. In 1996, it began with Arthur.

In the event that more than 21 named tropical cyclones occur in the Atlantic basin in a season, additional storms will take names from the Greek alphabet: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and so on.

Occasionally, a name is retired from the list when an associated hurricane has caused many deaths or a tremendous amount of damage. Some retired names include Andrew, Bob, Camille, David, Dennis, Elena, Fran, Frederic, Katrina, Hugo, Ivan, Opal, Rita, Stan, and Wilma.

Source: www.weather.com/ 08/24/2011

New financial planning information available

The American Consumer Credit Counseling organization, a non-profit, has published two very useful booklets. Understanding Credit Reports explains what credit reports are, how they are scored and how to receive one. The Personal Financial Workbook is for tracking your daily expenses and much more. The booklets are available for free upstairs in the Reference Department Job Center.

Last week for individuals and families using Massachusetts Health Connector to buy or change health plans

The first annual six-week open enrollment period to purchase individual health insurance ends in one week.

Until August 15, Massachusetts residents who either want to purchase individual or family health insurance coverage or want to switch their existing coverage will be able to do so will via the Health Connector, or directly from health plans. After August 15, under a new state law, the window of opportunity shuts until next July.

Until last year, Massachusetts individuals and families could buy or switch their health plans at any time they needed to throughout the year. Concerns about abuse from “jumpers and dumpers” – policyholders switching to more extensive and expensive coverage right before they needed care and then switching back or even dropping that plan after they received treatment – prompted the legislature to enact open enrollment, which is, of course, only “open” during a very limited time frame.

The law means that unless some individuals or families act within the next week they will either be stuck with the plan they have or, for many of those who are currently uninsured, with no plan whatsoever.

This open enrollment period only applies to residents purchasing insurance for themselves or their families, not to residents who are eligible for employer- or government-subsidized coverage or to self-employed residents.

The open-enrollment period doesn’t apply to everyone though. Certain residents who meet “special conditions” are exempted from the open-enrollment restrictions.

The Department of Public Health’s Office of Patient Protection will consider applications for waivers from people who have been denied insurance coverage because they missed the open enrollment period, depending on the reasons why they missed their opportunity during the open enrollment period

For more information, residents can visit to the Health Connector’s web site, mahealthconnector.org, call the Connector at (877) MA-ENROLL, or call the HelpLine at 800-272-4232.

Emergencies and pets: What to do

Pets are valued members of our families and it is important to know what to do with them in an emergency. We have had some severe weather this past winter and summer.
Are you prepared to take care of your pet in an emergency situation like a hurricane or tornado? The American Red Cross has some useful tips on what to do with pets in an emergency. They also have a checklist available at this web site.
Red Cross Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist
Here are some titles of books on the topic in the library collection:
The Dog Bible by Tracie Hotchner (636.7 Hotchner)
What Every Pet Owner Should Know by Dr. Karen Halligan (636.8 Halligan)
The Original Dog Bible: the Definitive New Source for All Things Dog by Kristin Mehus-Roe (McA 636.7 Original)

Debt Limit: Myth v. Fact

The debt limit is the total amount of money that the United States government is authorized to borrow to meet its existing legal obligations, including Social Security and Medicare benefits, military salaries, interest on the national debt, tax refunds, and other payments. The debt limit does not authorize new spending commitments. It simply allows the government to finance existing legal obligations that Congresses and presidents of both parties have made in the past.

Failing to increase the debt limit would have catastrophic economic consequences. It would cause the government to default on its legal obligations – an unprecedented event in American history. That would precipitate another financial crisis and threaten the jobs and savings of everyday Americans – putting the United States right back in a deep economic hole, just as the country is recovering from the recent recession.

Congress has always acted when called upon to raise the debt limit. Since 1960, Congress has acted 78 separate times to permanently raise, temporarily extend, or revise the definition of the debt limit – 49 times under Republican presidents and 29 times under Democratic presidents. In the coming weeks, Congress must act to increase the debt limit. Congressional leaders in both parties have recognized that this is necessary. Recently, however, a number of myths about this issue have begun to surface.

This page: Debt Limit: Myth v. Fact provided by the United States Department of the Treasury separates the fact from the fiction.

What does "CSA" mean?

Are your friends and neighbors raving about the local organic produce they are getting for their “shares” from a “CSA”?  Do you want to know what that means and how you can participate too?

CSA means Community Supported Agriculture and that is actually a local farm supported by its members - consumers who purchase “shares” and benefit from what the farm growns and harvests.  Members help pay for the seeds, fertilizer, labor and equipment for the farm.

This arrangement benefits both the farmers and the shareholder or consumer.  The farmer gets paid at the beginning of the season and doesn’t have to wait till he harvests and sells his crops.  The consumer knows exactly where their food is coming from and can establish a relationship with the farmer.  They also get to experience new items that they might not have tried before and are assured that their produce is fresh.  Commonly, shareholders do not know what is going to be contained in their allotments and pick-up is usually in bi-weekly increments.

Some farms offer items other than just produce (eggs, dairy products, etc.).  And, some farms offer winter shares and half shares.  It may be too late for this season’s harvest, but you can glance at their web pages and plan for next year.

Some CSA’s in the Framingham area are:

Stearns Farm

http://www.stearnsfarmcsa.org/

Hanson’s Farm

http://www.hansonsfarm.50webs.com/csa.html

Eastleigh Farm (eggs and milk)

http://www.eastleighfarm.com/

Silverwood Organic Farm (Sherborn)

http://www.silverwoodorganicfarm.com/

Siena Farm (Sudbury)

http://www.sienafarms.com/

Outpost Farm ( Holliston)

http://www.outpostfarm.net/csa.htm

More information can be found at the Local Harvest website, here. http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Massachusetts CSA listings are here.

http://extension.umass.edu/vegetable/resources/csa-information-listings

The USDA’s website on CSA’s

http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml

Space Shuttle Program

The final flight of the Space Shuttle Program lifted off from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida today. Atlantis' final flight will cap off an amazing 30-year program of exploration.

NASA's space shuttle fleet began setting records with its first launch on April 12, 1981. Starting with Columbia and continuing with Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour, the spacecraft has carried people into orbit repeatedly, launched, recovered and repaired satellites, conducted cutting-edge research and built the largest structure in space, the International Space Station.

The NASA website: www.nasa.gov offers a number of excellent pages covering all aspects of the space shuttle, including its history, past missions, benefits, technologies, photographs, computer wallpaper, and much more

Read Magazines at the Library or on Your Computer (No More Expensive Subscriptions!)

One good way to save money is to read your favorite magazines for free at the library or on your computer through the Framingham Public Library website!

Framingham Public Library subscribes to hundreds of magazines for adults, teens, and kids - everything from GamePro to Seventeen, People to Consumer Reports, American Girl to Sports Illustrated for Kids. If you like to keep up with current news events, celebrities, sports, health, fashion, business, science, finance, cooking, decorating, or many other topics, we have a magazine for you. Current issues can be read in the library, or check out any issue that is not the current one and take it home to read at your leisure for two weeks.

Looking for a specific journal or article?

Framingham residents can also access many magazines through their computers as well. Search by title or browse by subject to access over 11,850 electronic journals, magazines and newspapers. From our website click on Catalog and then on EJournals Finder in the “Research and Information Box”. Type the magazine title in the search box and hit the Enter key to get a list of databases the magazine is indexed in. Choose a database, select a date for issues you would like to see - and you're set to enjoy!

Free Admission to Museums!

Every Friday for nine weeks during the summer the Highland Street Foundation is providing free admission to museums and cultural attractions across Massachusetts.  Beginning  Friday, July 1st we will sponsor 36 free venues including the Museum of Fine Arts, Franklin Park Zoo, Old Sturbridge Village, Plimouth Plantation and 32 more.  These venues will be absolutely free, no tickets or advanced reservations necessary.
View this link for more info.


 

SaferProducts.gov

Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually.

In an effort to identify product hazards quicker and provide consumers with safety information on products in and around the home, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has launched a new centralized federal database of people’s safety complaints about thousands of products. Consumers can use the site to report safety concerns or injuries linked to common products ranging from children's toys to power tools. They also, for the first time, will be able to easily search through recent reports about safety issues involving specific products. The database is accessible through the Commission’s website and directly at http://www.saferproducts.gov/. Previously, to get access to the same information, people had to file Freedom of Information requests for data, a cumbersome and lengthy process.

The CPSC will continue to collect reports of dangerous product incidents from multiple channels, including telephone, email, postal mail, and online, just as it has done in the past. The CPSC has up to 5 days to review a report to ensure that it does not offer materially inaccurate or insubstantial information. If the report is adequate, the CPSC will refer the report to the product’s manufacturer. The manufacturer then has 10 days to address the complaint and, if it chooses, can post its response in the database. After this review process, the original consumer complaint and any manufacturer response is made public online. Information about mandatory or voluntary recalls of the product will also appear in the database. CPSC has said that submitted reports will not become public if they are incomplete, “materially inaccurate,” or expose confidential information. Reports submitted anonymously will also not be made public.

The new database is intended to reduce risks and injuries by informing the general public of a potentially dangerous product earlier in the complaint process.

JAWS Software now available

Thanks to a generous donation from the Town of Framingham Disability Commission, the Library now has a computer equipped with JAWS software.  JAWS is a screen reader, a software program for individuals with low vision or blindness, whose purpose is to make personal computers using Microsoft Windows accessible to blind and visually impaired users. It accomplishes this by providing the user with access to the information displayed on the screen via text-to-speech or by means of a Braille display and allows for comprehensive keyboard interaction with the computer.
For more info, visit the Reference Department or call us at (508) 532-5570 ext. 4361.

Bob Dylan turns 70

Singer and songwriter Bob Dylan is recognized worldwide for the impact he has had on rock music since his career began in the early 1960s, and he has maintained his popularity among fans and critics alike over the ensuing decades. Although known primarily for his caustic and candid lyrics that reveal a defiant stance on authority, politics, and social norms that was prevalent in America in the 1960s, Dylan's fans come from a variety of age groups, all of whom identify with the raw human emotion expressed in his lyrics. As further evidence of Dylan's broad appeal and the magnitude of his contributions to music, he performed in Bologna, Italy, in September of 1997, after receiving a special invitation from Pope John Paul II. The notoriously private artist revealed more of his personal life with a documentary film and autobiography published in 2005.

Dylan has composed more than 500 songs since early 1960s; recorded with rock groups including The Band (1975), The Traveling Wilburys (with Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, George Harrison, and Roy Orbison, 1988 and 1990), and The Grateful Dead (1989); solo singer and musician in concerts since early 1960s, including appearances at Newport Folk Festival in 1962 and 1965, Woodstock Festivals in 1969 and 1994, and Live Aid benefit concert in 1985.

For full article visit our website www.framinghamlibrary.org and follow the Databases & Articles link to the Gale Biography in Context database.

Source Citation:
"Bob Dylan." Contemporary Musicians. Vol. 58. Detroit: Gale, 2006. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 24 May 2011.

Dale Chihuly at the MFA

With passes from the Framingham Public Library to the Museum of Fine Arts, you will be able to visit “Chihuly: Through the Looking Glass” without additional cost.  At the MFA until August 7, 2011, this amazing exhibit showcases both new and archival work of this master glass artist.

Born in Tacoma, WA, and now based in Seattle, Chihuly received a Masters in Fine Arts and taught for many years at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence.  His work is exhibited in over 200 museums worldwide, and is included in many private and commercial collections.  Want more info? Look here!

To reserve passes to the MFA or a variety of other places, start at our web page, http://www.framinghamlibrary.org/ and follow the links to Museum Passes.  You can book the passes yourself, or call us at (508) 532-5570, ext. 4361.

What to do about winter damage?

We had a long rough winter and many of us have building and yard damage to prove it. 

After a severe winter you may see discolored leaves, burned evergreen needles or leaves, dead branches, heaved root systems, and broken limbs and branches.  The extent of winter damage can best be determined once spring growth is well underway.

This is the time of year to prune all dead twigs and branches back to within a quarter of an inch above a live bud.  Prune to remove badly damaged or broken branches, to shape the plant and stimulate growth.

An application of fertilizer to the soil around winter damaged plants, accompanied by adequate watering will usually help plants and shrubs to compensate for winter injuries.
If you have plants close to areas that were heavily treated with salt last winter, you may want to take a soil sample to the county extension service. They will test the soil and, if it is warranted, advise you how to improve and enrich growing conditions.   Start here: www.umass.edu/soiltest.

It is a good idea to flush the area around plants exposed to road salt.  Apply two inches of water over a 2-3 hour period and repeat 3 days later to leach most of the salt from the soil.  Foliage can also be rinsed with lots of water to wash away any remaining salt spray. For future planning, consider putting salt tolerant plantings close to the road.  Some examples are roses, red oak, junipers, white oak and Scotch pine.   

While you are in the yard, walk around your house and look for possible winter damage.  Check the roof, inspect the foundation, look for rot on wooden decks and stairs, check the soundness of the window frames.  Clean the gutters and air conditioners.

Did you know we have a fun, fast and easy language learning program called Mango Languages?

You can access Mango Languages for free anywhere there is internet with your Framingham Public Library card. You can even download a Mango Languages app for your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad from iTunes!

Mango is an easy and effective way to learn to speak a foreign language. Mango is available in two versions:

Mango Basic:
Perfect for a foreign language beginner, Mango Basic teaches everyday greetings, gratitudes, goodbyes and helpful phrases in a short period of time. The courses, which require only two to five hours of time to complete, are currently available in 34 foreign languages and 15 English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.
You can view all the supported Mango Basic languages and ESL courses here: http://www.framinghamlibrary.org/mango.htm

Mango Complete:
Mango Complete offers a 100-lesson course that digs much deeper and is designed to provide a more complete understanding of the entire language and culture. It is available in 31 foreign language and 14 ESL courses. Foreign language courses include Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. ESL courses include Spanish and Portuguese.

Visit http://www.framinghamlibrary.org/ and click the Mango button to get started!

Massachusetts Newstand - FREE newspaper articles!

Search current and older newspaper articles from 1980-present in the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald, the Quincy Patriot Ledger, The Worcester Telegram, the Berkshire Eagle and the Lowell Sun plus other local newspapers from Massachusetts Newstand. Access this from home with your library card number for free.

Isn't it great to know that if you can't find that piece you've been wanting to read but some well meaning family member (or you!) flipped into the recycle bin...that you can come here and find it using a few keywords? Go to http://www.framinghamlibrary.org/and select "Databases and Articles" from the left column.Then follow the link for Massachusetts Newstand.

New in the Framingham Room

The Framingham Room is the corner of the Reference Collection devoted to local history. We have two important new collections housed there.

Through the efforts of a volunteer who was formerly the archivist at Wellesly College our collection of Wallace Nutting manuscripts, archives and memorabilia has been organized, boxed and indexed. Wallace Nutting was a Renaissance man...minister, author, painter, furniture designer. He colorized illustrations that remain quite popular to this day. Nutting and his wife lived in Framingham from 1912 until his death in 1941.

The library also owns an eclectic collection of old photographs. Some are reproductions, others original. Some of the pictures date back to the nineteenth century. They cover many aspects of local life and history. The photographs are indexed and available for viewing whenever the library is open.

Make a Difference

"One person can make a difference and everyone should try." John Fitzgerald Kennedy

There are many opportunities for anyone and everyone to make a difference. The Reference Staff would be happy to help you find your way to improve and enrich our community. Here are some examples of projects waiting for you!

Coach Little League or Soccer
Become a Big Brother/Sister
Support a new mother or elderly person through weekly visits
Become a Literacy, ESL Volunteer or a Reading Buddy
Knit hats for cancer patients, mittens or afghans for foster children
Be a docent at a museum
A Volunteer at an Animal Shelter
Deliver books to the homebound
Train for a walk, run or bike ride, to raise money for charity
Get involved with a local food bank
Find a local service organizations whose mission interests you.
Participate in activities with developmentally disabled youngsters.

Please consult our Community Information Database at Framinghamlibrary.org for more ideas. Community initiatives and opportunities are often posted in the library newsletter and can also be found on the shelves by the Pearl Street door to the library.

Spellman Museum

Summer is coming and you may be looking for local activities. Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Framingham Library Association and other supporters, we are fortunate to be able to offer a wide range of passes for free or reduced admission to local museums, historic attractions, botanic gardens, and zoos. With the help of the library pass program, you and your family can explore new attractions and revisit favorites.

You may book a pass by calling the Reference Desk at 508-532-5570 ext 4361, or you can view their availability and reserve passes yourself by starting at our web page, www.framinghamlibrary.org.

A lesser-known local attraction is the Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History. Founded in 1960, the Spellman Museum, on the campus of Regis College in Weston, is one of only 2 museums in the country devoted to stamps and postal history.  The Museum provides a variety of services to assist collectors as well as members of the general public who have questions about stamps and postal history. The Spellman Museum's collection is estimated at 2,000,000 items including representative, worldwide stamp collections; individual items of rarity and curiosity; representative specialized collections of a particular stamp, topical and thematic collections; and information about the development of the postal and telegraph system.

In addition, The Spellman Museum Library is the major philatelic library in New England and one of a handful of significant philatelic libraries in the United States.

They are open Thursday through Sunday from 12 noon to 5 pm. Our pass admits 2 adults for free; children under 16 are always free.   Check their web site,  http://www.spellman.org/ for special exhibits.

May is National Barbecue Month

The technique of cooking over hardwood coals or a low fire, or with smoke and indirect heat from hardwood, at a low temperature (about the boiling point of water) exists in a great many different cultures, and has from time immemorial: Europeans and Africans were both familiar with it before they arrived in the New World and found the native Indians doing it.


The word barbecue came into English only some five hundred years ago. In the first decades of the 1500s Spanish explorers in the Caribbean found the locals using frameworks of sticks to support meat over fires. They did this either to slow-cook it or to cure and preserve it. Both on the island of Hispaniola (modern-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and on the northern coast of South America this apparatus was called something that the Spanish heard as barbacoa.

Barbecue pits date back to 25,000 B.C., and starting around 1600 B.C., the ancient Greeks were hosting open-pit barbecues. Writing in the eighth century B.C., the Greek epic poet Homer describes an early barbecue: Among guests of honor were Ajax and Odysseus, and the pit master was Achilles.

In the 1600s, shooting firearms at a barbecue was declared unlawful in Virginia. By 1769, barbecue was an American social and culinary institution. An entry in George Washington's diary that year states: "Went up to Alexandria to a barbicue."

Barbecue flourished first in the South, where the domesticated pig was and still is the meat of choice. Barbecue followed the herds of cattle west to Texas, where beef was and still is synonymous with barbecue. And in the Midwest, Southern and Western barbecue traditions crossed and mingled.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries regional barbecue developed into the well-defined varieties, styles and sauces that have made America the barbecue capital of the world. It was the food of the poor--slaves, cowhands, rural country folk.

It was the alfresco feast of the rich--who hosted lavish barbecue parties. And it was the crowd-pleasing bash of politicians--from Boss Tweed to Lyndon Baines Johnson, Jimmy Carter to President Bush. In the 20th century, the rediscovery of regional American cuisine has refueled our interest in barbecue.

Ready to barbecue?

The following titles and many others can be found in our cookbook section at call#’s 641.5784 & 641.76

Low and slow : master the art of barbecue in 5 easy lessons / by Gary Wiviott ; with Colleen Rush.

Smoke & spice : cooking with smoke, the real way to barbecue / by Cheryl and Bill Jamison.

Serious barbecue : smoke, char, baste, and brush your way to great outdoor cooking / by Adam Perry Lang

For a review of barbecue smokers and grills visit:

Amazing Ribs - All about Barbecue, Grilling, and Outdoor Cooking

Galt Technology - Internet Guides, Buying Guides, and product reviews