Where Does the Money Go?

The Friends are often asked how we spend the money we raise through our various books sales. There are two answers to that:

1. If you'd like to know details, we invite you to our Board meetings. The next one is November 18 at 6:30 pm at Reston Regional Library;

2. If you'd like to know generally, just walk into Reston Regional Library and look around. Anything that looks like an enhancement to the space is probably something the Friends paid for. This includes the big screens on the columns that tell you what's going on and which computer is soon to be freed up. The murals and paintings in the children's area is a Friends purchase. The new books area shelves and lighting were paid for by the Friends, as were the circulation and reference desks. If you're able to find your favorite magazine in the collection, we probably paid for it to be there. Some Friends groups absolutely do not buy books for their library's collection. Our group is very careful about not usurping the County's role in this area, but there are times that after careful consideration, we have underwritten particular purchases of books and materials for the collection.

But our favorite things to underwrite are the things that delight. In that vein, please visit the Events link for Reston Regional and see what kinds of programs are going on. Our fabulous staff have managed to squeeze a few programs out of the budget money they were left with last year. You should check them out! Some of the highlights:

Songs of Mark Twain's America -- Judy Cook combines music and multimedia images to provide a rich audience experience and a deeper understanding of this era with songs, anecdotes, historical photos and more. Adults. That's this evening at 7pm! Free.

Also tonight at Fairfax Regional, the Fairfax Bibliophiles will present a program “How we are moving from a physical book to e-book culture.” Fritz Heinzen will be the main speaker and Chan will assist. In an episode of Star Trek: Next Generation Captain Jean Luc Picard is reading from something that looks like what we now would call Kindle or Nook or E-Reader. He sighs and looks at his shelf of old books and says something about how he does like to hold a real book in his hands now and then. How did we get to this point where e-books are replacing real, solid, physical books? Fritz and Chan (mainly Fritz) will discuss and demonstrate all things E when it comes to books.

Babysteps Story Time -- Preschool offering on Thursday at 10:30. An interactive story time for children ages 13 to 23 months with parent. Free

and this Friday at the Government Center, popular Children's author, Patricia Reilly Giff! At 7 pm, she'll present a program on writing for school age students.

Don't forget -- the library is CLOSED on Wednesday for Veteran's Day. Thank you to those who have served or are serving today. We SALUTE you!

PUZZLE SALE IS OVER!

Thank you Friends! Your response to the jigsaw mini-puzzle has been over-the-top and we're closing the sale TODAY, SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7! There just isn't anything left to carry over to tomorrow and Monday!

THANK YOU!

Wordzzle Saturday

t's Saturday, so it's time to publish the Wordzzles! The blogger is taking a break this week, but Kit and Charly are in their usual stride, with just a bit of mischief in Kit's. To play with us it is simple. Write a short paragraph, poem, story with the 5, 10, or all 15 words Raven provides. On Saturday, you publish and link to her. Raven can be found at Raven's Nest.

WIthout further ado, here they are:

Charly

In the Enchanted Gardens Amusement Park, the CHARMING VICTORIAN garden was in bloom. Flowers of all shades were aglow as the sun was setting and the fragrance was beyond belief. Off in the distance a TOWER could be seen and the sound of a train returning to the entrance bringing patrons back for the park would soon be closing. Off to the side under a tree near the RAILROAD TRACKS sat a cat. Spice, the resident cat whose coat was SALT & PEPPER in coloring. He was known as a daredevil in the cat world and as such, was using up his 9-lives with abandonment. As the vibration on the ground got stronger, old Spice moved closer to the tracks. As he sat, his tail swished side to side watching in anticipation of the arrival of the train. While waiting to make the mad dash across the tracks, he recalled the story of his uncle who had also been a daredevil and had met his fate from just such an action. The train coming around the bend drew closer and was sounding the whistle. He heard a dog's bark in the distance between the whistle sounds. As he positioned himself to dart in front of the train, he could hear his mother's voice 'CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT!'....Did it? Not this day. Spice turned his head just as the train was approaching and saw that the dog was practically upon him..being more afraid of the big, hairy dog looming before him than playing adventurer, he turned, tucked his tail, and scooted up the tree. He might be a daredevil, but he didn't like dogs; especially big ones.

KIT

They say, 'curiosity killed the cat',

but, I'm here - to tell you true..

This week's words - almost 'killed' Kit,

as she wrote them - for your view..

For, like the lady - who sits at the hearth,

in the lovely and - charming Victorian home..

Kit sat and stared - out of her tower-window,

wondering where - the rhyming words had flown.

But, like the trains - on the railroad tracks,

keep chugging along - this poem will soon be done..

And, if her salt & pepper hair - just turned silver,

What the heck, she's had - a bit, of morning fun..

So, when life throws you - 'hard' words or curves,

don't let them get you down - or worry what others think..

Accept results and know - you did the best you could,

Just as Kit did with these words - that truly 'stink'.

Words for next week's 10-word challenge are: officer, candid, drowning, turtles, sugar-coated, prospecting, shame on you, reclinder, luggage, brains

And for the mini: paragon of virtue, cats-in-the-cradle, swamp, sprinkles, garbage