Dance It Out

In the spirit of this summer’s Teen Summer Reading theme, “Express Yourself”, please enjoy this great video and witness the infectious power of creative expression!

Express Yourself!

The 2009 Teen Summer Reading Program is starting soon! This year’s theme is “Express Yourself”. It will run from June 15 to August 15. You can sign up and get your Reading Log at any of the Alameda County Library’s branches. You’ll use your Reading Log to keep track of hours spent reading. In addition to books, you may also read newspapers and magazines, as well as reading aloud to siblings or grandparents. You’ll receive cool prizes as you reach a certain number of hours spent reading!

It’s Not too Late!

the 25-hour prize

The teen summer reading program continues through Saturday.

If you haven’t come in to collect your prizes yet, now’s the time to come and get ‘em!

While you’re here, why not click the “Review a Book” tab above and enter to win an iPod Shuffle, too?

“Monster” found on NY Beach

What in the world is this?  Sort of looks like a giant rat, with a dinosaur head.  This “thing” is what is being dubbed the “Montauk Monster” and it has the internet buzzing with everybody chiming with their guesses as to the true identity of this creature.  Some have speculated that it is a secret government experiment gone wrong.  Others have said that it is something as mundane as a badly decomposed dog or raccoon.  There are still others who believe that this is nothing more than a well executed publicity stunt for the cartoon network.  Do you have any ideas?

If you’re interested in attempting to unravel the mysteries of other famous unexplained “monsters” why don’t you try checking out a couple of these titles

 

The Loch Ness Monster: Opposing Viewpoints- Robert San Souci

Bigfoot: The Yeti and Sasquatch in Myth and Reality – John Russell Napier

Science Looks at Mysterious Monsters- Thomas Aylesworth

Ghosthunters: Terrifying Television

For those of you channel surfing on a Wednesday night, tired of watching a “Friends” rerun for the 20th time, or just not interested in what phony drama occurs between Spencer and Heidi, might I suggest hopping over to the Sci Fi channel at 8:00 and checking out Ghosthunters.

Ghosthunters follows Jason, Grant, and other members of ”TAPS” (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) as they search for ways of proving or disproving the existence of a parallel spiritual world.  Armed with thermal imaging cameras and high tech audio recording devices, “TAPS” puts these tools of the trade to good use as they come up with some pretty cool discoveries.

The first clip below is an “EVP” (Electronic Voice Phenomenom) aka a supposed voice of a dead person, from a hotel in New Hampshire.  The real cool/creepy thing about this is that not only is the voice very audible, but it seems to be responding to the questions asked by the TAPS members.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fkX0LntF-8

The 2nd clip is a cool thermal imaging clip of a supposed ghost

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7C7WlYCZGQ

School’s out for summer!

Now that the last few strenuous weeks of dances, field trips, locker cleaning, and yearbook signing are over, you may be wondering what you’re going to do with all your spare time.  Here are some ideas: On Tuesday, June 17, bring your friends to the Albany Library for an afternoon of Dance Dance Revolution, music, snacks and fun. While you’re here, sign up for the teen summer reading program. You’ll get prizes just for reading, and can enter to win an iPod Shuffle. Come back to the Albany Library and rock out with an afternoon of Guitar Hero on Tuesday, July 15. We’ll wrap up the summer with a very special after-hours event in August. Stay tuned!

Freaky Friday Website

“Since 1998, Monstrous.com seeks to investigate and explore the enduring influence and imagery of monsters and the monstrous on human culture throughout history. In particular, the project has a dual focus with the intention of examining specific categories of monsters as well as assessing the role, function and consequences of persons, actions or events identified as ‘monstrous’. The history and contemporary cultural influences of monsters and monstrous metaphors are also examined. We base our analysis and work on historical archives, documents, active field research and testimonies rather than “word of mouth” stories.”

(Text from Monstrous.com)

Summer 2008

With only a couple of days left to finish the 2007 Teen Reading Program, we wanted to say, “Come back and see us!”  We will post information about the 2008 Summer Reading Program for Teens as we receive information.  We are excited about the next theme and the artist working with libraries.

 

 Jan Duursema