May is National Inventors Month
Think of all the things that make your life easier. Someone invented those! At some point, a person or group of people made those neat and useful things that you might take for granted everyday, and this month it's time to appreciate those devices, medicines, and other inventions that have been created (and honor the folks who created them!).
April is pet first aid month
After researching the proper way to care for your pet, be prepared for the accidents and illnesses that arise.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ASPCA, provides tips for prevention and action in the care of large and small mammals, birds and fish.
The American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA, also provides information and links to other pet health care sites.
Happy Birthday, Charles Darwin
If you're looking for someone's birthday to celebrate, Charles Darwin is a natural selection! Though his theory of evolution is a little younger than he would be, it has done more than survive -- it has become more robust with time.
Darwin's birthday is February 12. International Darwin Day is celebrated on and around that day, celebrating science and reason.
Finally football never ends
The end of football season leaves some fans feeling like they are being abandoned. If you are a die-hard fan in search of more football, or if you just like the game, then there's great news! Check out the region's semi-professional football league, featuring a local team, the Gainesville Longhorns. The season begins in February, perfect for those still looking to maintain that Superbowl sports high. Visit the United Football Federation site for schedule and team info.
You need never be worried about being without football again.
Twinkle, twinkle we are... who?
Have you noticed the two bright objects that appear in the sky after sunset, both in the west? And that flashy red jewel in Leo? With your attention drawn to the coming spring skies,
can you identify what other constellations fill the sky?
No need to remain in the dark!
The Kika Silva Planetarium at Santa Fe College offers programs that can answer these questions and more.
The Proper Care and Feeding of Exotics
Just as extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, keeping exotic animals as pets demands extraordinary effort from the prospective pet owner. Reptiles, birds, amphibians, and arthropods have needs, both dietary and environmental, that may be difficult and expensive for the owner to provide. Keeping these animals in an optimal state of health will require knowing exactly what is needed to create the conditions they would otherwise inhabit in the wild.
Drawing and painting: more than just marks on paper
Painting has a language of its own, much like music and literature. Its language is based upon the visual vocabulary of line, tone, space among other elements. Drawing is more than the countless sketching of an art student, before churning out a masterpiece. It is more than just the preamble to painting, but instead an art form itself. Art is power; the power of the image to reaffirm or challenge the awareness of both artist and audience.
Music theory for guitar
You don't need the skills of a Nascar driver to drive to the store for a carton of eggs. Neither do you need a Ph.D. in music theory to play guitar. But just as everyday drivers need to know the rules of the road before getting behind the wheel, there are a few basics of music theory that every player can benefit from learning.
May is Better Speech and Hearing month
The month of May is Better Speech and hearing month. Check out the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's website
and help ASHA make "effective communication... accessible for all."
Starting on May 12th, there will be classes at the Millhopper branch library
http://www.aclib.us/millhopper/blog/american-sign-language-millhopper-library
for anyone interested in learning more about ASL.
Check out the ACLD's diverse multi-media collection on sign language
Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month – a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. A rather broad term, Asian-Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).
Before you tie the knot
This is a premarital class that provides a certificate worth $32.50 reduction of the fee
for a marriage license obtained in Alachua County. The program consists of two workshops, each lasting 2 hours.
Participants must attend both sessions to receive a certificate of completion.
For further program information and to register, see the brochure.
For further information contact Dr. Brenda Williams, Family & Consumer Sciences Agent,
at 352-955-2402 or by e-mail at bjcw@ufl.edu.
Some books available to guide you:
Redefining Able with speaker Tricia Downing
On March 30th, motivational speaker Tricia Downing will be coming to UF to speak about her experiences as both an athlete and a parapelegic.
Ms. Downing is the first female parapelegic athlete to compete in the US triathalon and has written a book about her experiences entitled Cycle of Hope.
Movie review resources
Deciding what movies to watch for you and your family can be tricky.
Most films and videos are rated and labeled so appropriate choices can be made ahead of time.
Be aware that different versions of the same motion picture may have different ratings or no rating at all.
There is help. Ask a librarian to assist in locating the rating of the DVD or video before you check it out.
Here are some useful websites:
At last! A cardio alternative
Not just good for hand-eye coordination, not to mention just plain fun, ping pong requires quick, almost continous yet punctuated movement of arms, legs, and torso.
rally to these websites:
Renewing an interlibrary loan book
Once in your ILL account look to the menu to the left. Click on "Checked out items" under the heading "View".
That will bring up all the items that are checked out to you. There is a transaction number displayed on the left side of the record for each item checked out.
Click on the transaction number of the book you want to renew. That record then opens up and if a renewal is possible for that item, you will see , in red, the words "renew request" just above the blue title bar that reads "transaction information".
Click the "renew request" button.
It's important to be aware that the item has not yet been renewed. The new due date can only be given by the lending library.
