2009 in Review

I am one of those people who takes pleasure in the annual onslaught of the end of the year lists. There are, of course, the customary lists, The New York Times Top 10 Best Books of 2009, and from Time Magazine the wide-ranging Top 10 Everything of 2009. But dig a little deeper and you can find more unique lists, such as Arizona State University's Top 10 New Species.

And as someone who spends a good amount of time searching online for information, I am partial to the lists pertaining to the Internet. At 2009 Year-End Google Zeitgeist or the Top Bing Trending Topics you can discover the top searches for the year 2009. Although these lists often just repeat the obvious (is anyone surprised that Michael Jackson was the most popular search?), they also provide an opportunity to discover books you may have overlooked, or news events that deserve a second look. So before you welcome in the New Year, take a moment and reflect on the highlights of the past.

Libraries Now in MapQuest!

MapQuest has just announced new categories to locate on their maps, including ATM's, parks - and libraries! Here are some instructions to help you use MapQuest to find a library anywhere in the country when you want to check your e-mail, read a paper, or just feed your mind. Hint: if you use Mapquest's little magnifying glass icon, you'll find libraries under Community.

Buying the 12 Days of Christmas

Wondering what to get that special someone for the holidays? Well here's an idea if money is no object. "Buy" the 12 days of Christmas. The song lyrics were first published in England in 1780. The song which chronicles increasingly grand gifts on each of the 12 days of Christmas has become a staple of the holiday season. The 12 days referred to in the song are the 12 days starting on December 26th (Boxing Day in Great Britain) to January 6, the Epiphany. There are still plenty of shopping days left.

The cost of the 12 items in today's U.S. dollars would be $87,403 up less than $800 from last year. The main reason for the increase over last year was the cost of the 5 golden rings. They went from $150.00 to $500.00.

The entire list can be viewed on line at "12 days of Christmas items would top $87K."

Days With My Father

Professional photographer Phillip Toledano posted a heartrendingly honest and beautiful photographic essay last year on the Internet. Titled "Days With My Father," it poignantly documented his nonagenarian father's final years. Toledano never expected it to hold much interest for others, but things posted on the Internet have a funny way of going viral and taking on a life of their own. A published book of the sites photographs is now expected in June of 2010.

Navigating the sites 43 images is a little tricky. When you move your mouse to the bottom of each image it will partially reveal the next photograph. You can then simply click to move forward. Or you can use the up and down arrows on your keyboard to move forward and backward. It's an elegant design, perfectly complementing Toledano's intimate (and often joyful, even celebratory) photographs of his father.

The Other Black Friday

Major retailers aren’t the only businesses gearing up for an increase in traffic this holiday weekend. Kitchen drains clogged with food scraps make Thanksgiving and the next day the busiest time of the year for plumbers. With all due respect and consideration for our fine local plumbers, Morton Grove residents (and their guests) should reconsider stuffing bones and greasy food scraps into their garbage disposals.

Need help convincing your fellow cooks and kitchen helpers? Take a look at the following cautionary (and sometimes funny) tales:

Thanksgiving: the most plumber-ful time of the year (Christian Science Monitor)

At Thanksgiving, Plumbers’ plates are full (Marketplace from American Public Media)

Winter Weather Preparedness week

Despite today's weather, this fall has been unusually mild. But, that might be about to change. Remember this is Chicago and it is November. So just in time for Thanksgiving, the National Weather Service has declared this week Winter Weather Preparedness Week. And to add insult to the day, today is the average date for the first measurable snowfall in Chicago.

Besides pulling out your winter sweaters there are several things you can do to prepare for winter. One of them is understanding the terminology, such as winter storm watch as opposed to winter storm warning, or even more depressing, blizzard warning.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association's website can give you all the information you need.

But just so you think winter is all work and no play, follow this link for fun information!

Former MGPL Employee Does Good

Former Morton Grove Public Library employee Beverly Copeland always loved children’s books. After a tragedy in the family, Copeland turned to books for comfort and now uses them to bring joy to children throughout Chicago through her charity, The Erin Copeland Building Minds with Books Project. The volunteer run charity delivers thousands of books to eager young readers every year. Find out more about Beverly Copeland and her charity by clicking here.

Information via texting

Get information at anytime through your cellular phone! There is no need for a smart phone or internet linked device. Any phone that can send and receive texts has the power of Google. To use this free service type the word “google” as the phone number and type out a question in the body of the message. Within minutes Google will send a reply with an answer.

Want a more personal touch? The text search engine ChaCha works the same way as Google except all of the questions are researched by living, breathing humans at the other end. So break free from the computer and rest assured that all of your information needs can be addressed in the great wide open.

Veterans Day is celebrated in the United Sates on November 11. It began in 1919 after the end of the first world war. An armistice was signed on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11 hour signaling the cessation of hostilities between the Allied armies and Germany at the end of the "Great War."
In 1919 the day was celebrated as "Armistice Day." After World War II and the Korean War Armistice Day became Veterans Day. The day was recognized as a legal federal holiday in 1938.

On this day we now acknowledge all veterans from all wars and conflicts. So thank a vet today.

Do you know the way to Sesame Street?

Happy birthday Big Bird! And Elmo, Oscar and all the residents of Sesame Street (including Bert and Ernie, my personal favorites). Today is the 40th anniversary of the Sesame Street t.v. show. The show premiered in 1969 as an experiment in educational t.v. The question at the time was whether or not children can learn from a television show. It turns out they can. Number, letters, colors and larger life lessons were all taught to millions of kids. Sesame Street has been called the most widely viewed childrens television show in the world.

The characters, both human and puppet provided learning opportunities never seen before. From simple learning episodes, to teaching children about death (Mr. Hooper died during the course of the series) the show taught children about events in the larger world. Two cast members were married and had a child during the 1980's. The characters also continued to evolve physically. Do you remember the original orange Oscar?

The Muppets, created by the late Jim Henson soon took on a life of their own. They have met first ladies, Michelle Obama was on the anniversary show, world class musicians (Yo-Yo Ma) and celebrities of all kinds. There have also been numerous spin-offs of movies, toys and books.

Th original experiment in teaching children was an unqualified success. Children (and some adults) still watch the show today. So have some cake, relax and watch some Sesame Street with your favorite child.