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A.K. Smiley Public Library Blog

Serving the City of Redlands, California since 1894

What's New

Contribute Family Memories to the Redlands Home Movie Preservation Project

November 29, 2020 By Nathan Gonzales

As we look toward a holiday season that is both familiar and yet, by necessity, different this year, we are given the opportunity to look back and reflect upon seasons past. When many think about historical materials, what often comes to mind are old, dusty documents and books, and yet the reality of the Archives at A.K. Smiley Public Library is anything but that. Just over a year ago, the Library embarked upon an exciting new project to digitize and preserve the 8mm, Super 8, and 16mm home movies that were so popular from the 1930s through the 1970s. Because of the expense of the medium, only those who could afford it were able to utilize it, but it also meant that it was reserved for the moments in life that were most important to the families capturing them. That often meant the excitement of the holidays.

Thanks to the families who have contributed their own family history to the Redlands Home Movie Preservation Project, Redlanders into the future can experience a slice of the holidays in motion, from opening gifts around the tree, to large family dinners and gatherings, to community events like the Redlands Christmas Parade. For example, Don Payne captured his family’s Christmas celebration in 1954, replete with the excitement of opening presents that included an 8mm film setup. Twelve years later, the Ford family brought their home movie camera to record the 1966 Redlands Christmas Parade for posterity. In 1975, the Williams family documented the thrill – and exhaustion – of Christmas morning.

Whatever traditions we follow, films like these demonstrate the more universal values of family, togetherness, excitement, support, and generosity.

If you, family, or friends have home movies that help illustrate and tell the story of life in Redlands, please contact the Heritage Room at (909) 798-7632 or heritage@akspl.org. We hope you and yours have a safe and healthy holiday season!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: What's New

Comfort Food Recipes We Need in 2020

November 20, 2020 By Diana Lamb

“So what exactly is comfort food? It’s food that’s not just nourishing but it’s also emotionally satisfying.” Ina Garten
Without a doubt, 2020 has been a stressful and emotionally unsettling year. In times like these, many of us turn to food to soothe our frayed and jangled nerves. Which foods help you to feel better? Is it grilled cheese and tomato soup, pancakes, nachos, ice cream, chocolate chip cookies, macaroni and cheese or all of the above? No matter if it is hot, cold, salty, sweet, crunchy or creamy, you’ll discover something new or nostalgic to enjoy in the following cookbooks.
Ina Garten’s twelfth cookbook couldn’t have arrived at a better time and is appropriately titled, “Modern Comfort Food.” In it, you’ll find many familiar recipes that have been given an ‘Ina upgrade.’ These include Ultimate Beef Stew made with tender boneless short ribs, pancetta and a splash of Cognac to enrich this timeless meat and potato dish. Creamy Tomato Bisque served alongside Cheddar & Chutney Grilled Cheese sandwiches, are a welcome lunchtime duo. Roasted Sausages, Peppers and Onions are delicious by themselves, spooned atop a hoagie roll or over Fresh Corn Polenta. For something sweet and decadent, Ina has Bittersweet Chocolate Cake which is rich and dense like a brownie or lava cake, Milk Chocolate Oreo Ice Cream and Giant Crinkled Chocolate Chip Cookies sprinkled with sea salt while still warm from the oven.
Since 2011, Melina Davies has been keeping Angelinos well fed at her restaurants. Now you can duplicate Melina’s sought-after dishes in your kitchen with her debut cookbook, “Olive & Thyme.” Roasted chicken coated with an aromatic spice rub and slowly cooked in the oven with or without a nest of vegetables makes for a classic and satisfying meal. Any leftover meat may be used in a Classic Cobb Salad, Curry Chicken Salad or Spicy Chicken Bowtie Pasta with feta, cilantro and scallions tossed in a creamy Russian dressing with a kick. For some, mac and cheese is the quintessential comfort food. If you agree, then get ready for Melina’s version of this beloved dish. Bacon, Macaroni and Cheese blends parmesan, sharp white cheddar and gruyere cheeses with pasta and smoky bacon. The casserole receives a layer of toasted breadcrumbs for a crunchy golden crust. The photo alone is irresistible!
Muffins, biscuits, cornbread, cookies, pies and cakes are all here in “The Good Book of Southern Baking” by Kelly Fields. Flaky, multi-layered golden biscuits are attainable with Kelly’s The Baker’s Biscuits recipe. Other varieties to try are Angel, Drop, Beaten and Sweet Potato Biscuits. A Southern baking book would not be complete without cornbread. Willa Jean Cornbread is Kelly’s version which is baked in a cast iron skillet. For those who are short on time, grab a box of Jiffy corn bread mix and use the ideas listed on page 37 for additional sweet or savory ideas. Thanksgiving is almost upon us and this is the holiday to show off your mad pie baking skills. There are 18 delicious offerings to crown your feast like Apple Streusel, Sweet Potato and Toasted Honey Marshmallow or Pumpkin Pie with Roasted White Chocolate Cream.
Lastly, is a trio of books written by or about familiar people from television. They are “The Happy in a Hurry Cookbook” by Steve and Kathy Doocy, “Just Feed Me” by Jessie James Decker and “Friends: The Official Cookbook” by Amanda Yee with recipes for Bathtub Fried Chicken, Central Perk’s “Birthday” Muffins and The Moist Maker Sandwich.
The staff here at Smiley Public Library wishes all of you a safe and peaceful holiday season.

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Library Offers New E-Resource for Students, Job Seekers, and Veterans

November 8, 2020 By Jennifer Downey

Smiley Library is pleased to announce the addition of a new electronic resource. Brainfuse JobNow/VetNow is an all-in-one suite of services designed for students, job seekers, and veterans. Brainfuse can help you tackle a resume, write a cover letter, navigate the VA system, or adjust to a civilian career. You don’t have to be a veteran or a student to use this service. It’s available to all library cardholders.

Brainfuse allows students to connect with expert tutors in real time to assist in the areas of math, science, reading, writing, history, and standardized test preparation including the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP tests. You can also receive one-on-one assistance with studying for the GED and college placement tests.

For job seekers, expert coaches are ready to help you practice your interview skills, create your resume, write cover letters, and study for tests. You can get help with reading and writing, and attend Microsoft Office computer classes. Coaches are also available to help you find and apply for jobs in your field and geographic area.

If you are a veteran, Brainfuse allows you to connect with live coaches to ensure you’re receiving all the services for which you’re eligible. Coaches also help veterans with job searching and adjusting to life as a civilian.

You can use Brainfuse’s secure file sharing in the writing lab to submit documents to coaches any time of the day for feedback. The Brainfuse full-service test center offers practice tests for all levels in math, reading, writing, and college preparatory tests, plus the U.S. citizenship test.

Brainfuse JobNow/VetNow was generously provided free of charge by the California State Library in order to help people with school and work during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re very appreciative and excited to share this resource with our patrons.

Log on to www.akspl.org/elibrary to get started.

Filed Under: What's New

Hey Teens, Democracy Needs You – Get Ready to Vote!

October 30, 2020 By Kristina Naftzger

Teens, with an intense national election just days away, I’m in the mood to talk about democracy. And not just about the facts you learn in American Gov. Let’s talk about the nitty gritty messy stuff. The kind of stuff that threatens to undermine our representative government, subverting the will of the people and leaving our influence diluted.

Wait. Do you know about the nitty gritty messy stuff? Many of you probably do. I thought I did too, but I didn’t totally get it until I read Elizabeth Rusch’s “You Call This Democracy? How to Fix Our Government and Deliver Power to the People.”

While the first part of the title sounds cynical, the contents are anything but. Rusch systematically unpacks the reasons American democracy is in peril, including problematic issues with the electoral college, gerrymandering, voter suppression, and more, and instead of just pointing out problems, Rusch provides readers—specifically teen readers— starting points for actively working towards solutions.

You may find it hard to believe that a non-partisan book about politics is riveting, but this one is. Using real-life examples, easy-to-understand graphs and charts, and compelling data, Rusch helps readers develop a nuanced understanding of a complicated topic, sometimes getting our blood boiling as we realize the real sources of power in our current electoral system. You may walk away from reading this book vexed. But you will also be energized, informed, and well-positioned to take concrete steps towards activism if that is your thing.

After you put down “You Call This Democracy?,” you will more than likely be ready for some fiction, but your political juices will still be flowing. No problem. Your next read may have to be Brandy Colbert’s new YA novel “The Voting Booth.” When idealist, die-hard activist, and first-time voter Marva Sheridan sees fellow teen Duke Crenshaw turned away at the polls, she can’t let it go. What follows is a wild election day filled with mad dashes between precincts and a series of rejections, experiences that give Marva and Duke a civics lesson they may not have anticipated. Did I mention there’s also a splash of romance? You should have seen that coming. I mean, is there anything more passion-inducing than working together to realize your democratic duty?

I know in my last mullet-inspired article I promised you a literary man-bun next, but this time I delivered more of an 18th-century powdered wig (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, it’s a long story…you may be better off not knowing). Before you go powder your own wig, I want to direct any first-time voters, or even second or third time voters, to the Teens page of the AKSPL website: www.akspl.org/teens/. There you will find a link to a Young Voter’s Guide to Social Media and the News compiled by Common Sense Media. This resource is designed to help you cut through the election hype and get to the facts. If you haven’t voted yet, be sure to check it out. And if you’re not old enough to vote yet, get a head start, check it out anyway, and turn yourself into an election fact-finding guru. And of course, if you’re 18 or older, VOTE.

Filed Under: What's New

Adventurous Memoirs Await to Take You Away

October 25, 2020 By Nancy McGee

Ready, set, go… to A.K. Smiley Public Library for some adventurous memoirs to transport you away from the comforts (confinement?) of your home. Nature lovers, animal conservationists, space enthusiasts, and armchair adventurers will be carried off to far-away places in some of our new book selections.

“An Elephant in My Kitchen: What the Herd Taught Me about Love, Courage and Survival” will whisk you to Africa and a wildlife rescue center. Francoise Malby-Anthony with Katja Willemsen continue the story where “The Elephant Whisperer” by Francoise’s late husband, Lawrence Anthony, left off. Unexpectedly widowed by Lawrence’s early death, Francoise tries to carry on the work they started protecting an elephant herd on a game preserve in Africa. She faces many struggles as she manages to subsequently build a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center for elephants and rhinos. Her engrossing narrative brings to light the happiness and heartbreak of caring for orphaned and injured animals, the relationships and communication between the animals themselves and their human caretakers, plus the grim realities of poaching, even within the confines of the preserve. It would be difficult not to become emotionally involved in this memoir.

“Wild Life: Dispatches from a Childhood of Baboons and Button-Downs” by Keena Roberts, takes the reader to the author’s divided childhood growing up between two distinctively different worlds. Part of each year is spent in Botswana in Baboon Camp with her primatologist parents and younger sister studying baboon interactions and living a free and independent life. Dealing with the wild animals in their remote camp is where Keena feels most at home and alive in spite of the constant danger. The other part of the year is spent back in Philadelphia attending a private school when her parents must return to the university which enables them to continue their grant to study in Africa. Imagine having to try and fit into a structured academic setting with peers who can’t even begin to understand her experiences and realizing she prefers to be in the unpredictable wild than with the teasing and lack of acceptance she endures. Keena’s descriptions put you in the midst of all of her adventures and this is a memoir that is captivating and hard to put down.

Astrophysicist Sara Seager was captivated by the stars at a young age. She shares her career and life journey in “The Smallest Lights in the Universe: A Memoir.” Readers with an interest in space exploration will relish this selection as there are plenty of details on her research and discoveries in searching for exoplanets and another Earth. Time magazine listed her as “one of the twenty-five most influential people in space.” Her personal life has not been without struggles and heartbreak which she also openly shares. Her adult diagnosis of autism gives her some clarity and being widowed with two young boys does not stop her from continuing to pursue her passion.

These memoirs and others await you in the New Book section of the A.K. Smiley Public Library, available either by Books-to-Go reservation or an in-person visit. The hours for public access are Mondays and Tuesdays 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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