MYSTERIOUS DONATION

We find all kinds of things inside book donations -- bookmarks, postage stamps, grocery lists, school pictures...nothing very valuable most of the time.

But every once in a while we find something that we want to try to return to the donor because we suspect it might have some sentimental value.

Recently we discovered a manila envelope about the size that used to hold a time card. It contained a note and a negative of a photo inside. Here is the information:

Outside of envelope:

Dark Suite [sic]

GEORGE McGRATH, & Friend

Taken in Iroquois Falls, Ont.

in 1930

Born in 1872 in Chelsae, Quebec

Died in 1932 Iroquois Falls Ont.

Mickey's Father

Taken in front of the old T&NO Station Iroquois Falls Ont

Note inside:

June 9 59

Dear Laura

Received your nice card and was so glad to hear from you. So the latest news is that I will be leaving for Ottawa Civic Hospital on June 18th. I will be looking forward to seeing you when you visit Ottawa, then we will have a good chat.

I am enclosing Margaret's letter so that you will read about the arrangements.

No doubt you will be glad to get your vacation.

So now take care of yourself. Love, Elizabeth

If you know who this belongs to, will you please e-mail us?

HOLIDAY MINI-SALE

December 2-6

Opening - 4 p.m.

Quality Books for Gift Giving

Cash or Checks

No Scanners

Limit on Children's Books

10925 Bowman Towne Dr

Reston, VA

For more information, E-mail us

HOLIDAY MINI-SALE

Books are the best presents to give for the holidays. They delight, they satisfy, and they keep giving -- either in re-reading, re-gifting, or donating to good causes.

But when you give a book as a gift you want to make sure you are giving one that looks ... well, gifty! This is where our very able and expert sorters come in. For the last many months, they've been choosing the very best of the donations that come in and setting them aside for our

Holiday Mini-Sale

The sale will begin on Wednesday, December 2, at 10 a.m. The sale will continue through the 6th, starting each day when the library opens, and closing at 4:00 p.m. During the sale we will also have Friends of Reston Regional Library merchandise available for purchase. We even have smaller people and children's sized T-shirts!

Now because this is a friendly neighborhood sale, we have a few rules for you to remember:

1. No scanners

2. We will have a limit on the number of children's books (we only have so many available -- think about it -- how many children's books survive the children well enough to qualify as gift books?)

3. Be nice

And, on Sunday, December 6, beginning at 1:30, join us for

refreshments and music as the Reston Regional Library celebrates its Holiday Open House.

As always, for questions, please e-mail us.

See you soon!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS!

The library will be CLOSED on Thursday and Friday

for Thanksgiving!

The Holiday Sale will start next week on

December 2

Gift quality books and FRRL Merchandise!

Sing For Your Thanksgiving Supper

It will be easy to do with these DVD's from RestonFriends1!

La Cenerentola by Rossini starring Cecilia Bartoli in her American debut. This is the story of Cinderella, told in a way you've probably never see it before! For more details on the story, go to this article. For more reviews on this particular production, go here. This copy is still shrink-wrapped, so eminently suitable for holiday gift giving! Only $16.50 at RestonFriends1.

There are two Wagner DVD's available, again still shrink-wrapped. The first is Die Meistersinger and the second is Gottdammerung. Die Meistersinger is performed by Opera Australia and stars Helen Dose and Donald McIntyre. It is $15. Godammerung is performed by the Met and is $22.50.

Prince Igor by Borodin is the final offering here, at $22, also shrink-wrapped. For more details, see RestonFriends1!

There are at least two more shrink-wrapped DVD's of operas on RestonFriends1! Currently, they're at the top of the second page of listings. Check them out!

/kw

Wordzzle Saturday

Raven hosts a fun meme. She gives us words, we make a story or paragraph from them. You can choose to use 5 (the mini), 10 (the challenge) or all 15 (the maxi). Then you post yours, link to hers, and visit the other talented writers who have done the same. It's fun, and fat-free, so try it! If you'd like to join the Reston Friends doing so, e-mail us and we'll get you started!

KIT:

The nature of the beast - can be seen in man,

as forms of emotions - we sometimes express..

When we get carried away - in situations,

that may not be - for our soul-growth best..

It's found in the person - who acts in anger,

letting it control - their every mood..

And may lead to times - of hurt feelings,

leading friendships into - a lifelong feud.

Another form of a - sleeping beast,

may be heard in a - braggarts speech..

With identical thoughts - of only black & white,

the softness of charcoal - is never reached..

For they're so busy - touting their own self,

that true appreciation - is often overlooked..

So, if you ever feel - you're experiencing a beast,

take a vacation - or sit and read a favorite book.

CHARLY:

In the country far from the city, the LIBERATION of noise, fumes, and pollution was wonderful. A light snow was falling as we approached the house. We could hear music from inside the home; LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING by the Four Aces. As we went up the steps, we noticed a wreath made of ORGANIC berries, small brass items with angel SYMBOLS, greenery and ribbons hanging on the door. It appeared professionally done and COSTLY, but one that would last the season. Grandma opened the door and greeted us with a hug only a grandma could give. As we entered, the smell of fresh baked bread filled the air. Heading into the kitchen, on the counter was another loaf RISING awaiting destiny with the oven. There's little that's better tasting than hot homemade bread. Grandpa, a TRUCKS INSPECTOR, must have thought the same. A hunk was missing from the center of the baked loaf, and Grandpa saying ' Hi, Kids!', had a SMUG look on his face. With dishtowel in hand, Grandma gave him a whack and 'the look' ..as in, I told you not to touch it as it needed to cool. Well we all know it's best when hot..not being able to resist, Gary & I looked at one another and reaching over each pulled off a hunk. Umm, with melted butter oozing from the crevices, it can't get better. Oh, how NAUGHTY we were, but it was so good. Grandma looked at the three of us, shaking her head and knowing she could not win this battle, burst out laughing as she reached for her own piece. Can't you just taste it?

BLOGGER: (To see earlier installations, search for Wordzzle in the search box)

The next morning, Danae broke away from her office around ten. As she strolled down the block towards Miz Trent’s house, she noticed the trucks out front. They were from the city inspector’s office and were covered with symbols designed to give one confidence in the officials. She waved to the inspector who was in the yard examining the power and gas hookups.

As Danae went inside she called to Miz Trent, “I’m here, Miz Trent.” It was a pleasure to hear the joy in Miz Trent’s voice as she called back, “in the living room, Danae!” The sweet little old lady was tucked into the recliner listening to music on an iPod. Danae had to smile. “What are you listening to?” she asked. Miz Trent smiled back, “my grand nephew gave me this. He put what he called “old people music” on it. Right now I’m enjoying Mr. Englebert Humperdinck singing ‘Love is a Many Splendored Thing.’” Danae couldn’t decide whether to be smug or horrified that she had actually heard of the singer.

“I can’t stay long today – I’m taking a break from my office. But I’ll be back this evening with some supper for us to share. How about a totally organic salad from the co-op garden? We don’t use any pesticides or anything like that. Would that be alright with you?”

“Of course, sweetie!” answered Miz Trent. “But that means we need to get busy right now so I can tell you about Cecile!” Danae relaxed into the sofa with her laptop to listen and record.

“The winds were rising something fierce. Susanne was frantic. She knew Cecile had been naughty disappearing like she had but at that moment, she didn’t care.

She went up and down the block calling Cecile. She asked all the neighbors. Even the neighbors who had shunned them because of their mixed marriage responded to the plea for help to find a lost child in the face of the storm. But it was no use. She was no where to be found.

Now something you need to know about that money. Susanne and Reynaud had had some serious disagreements about it. She wanted to use it to buy that farm away from the port. She knew that the sea would always have some call on Reynaud and that in town, as a black man, Reynaud would always be treated like hired help. But Reynaud wanted to keep the money hidden away for what he called his ‘liberation’ day. He told Susanne the money was ‘liberation’ for her if something happened to him. After one particularly angry argument over it, Reynaud told her he was going to hide the money where she’d never see it again and so she might as well stop talking about it. That ugly argument had occurred that morning right before Reynaud had been called out to help. Cecile couldn’t have helped but hear it.

You can imagine that Susanne, with her husband gone and her child missing and a hurricane bearing down on her was distraught. She finally decided to go down to the dock to see if Cecile had gone that direction to find her papa. Fighting the wind and the driving rains, Susanne headed toward the port area. As she got near 4^th Street and Winston, she could barely see anything. Debris was flying around, and she was in great danger. Crossing the intersection was treacherous because of the water and wind trying to push her off her feet. There was no traffic, and she didn’t see another soul.

And then all of a sudden she saw a figure trudging through the darkness towards her. As the figure grew closer she saw it was a man carrying a bundle. With her heart in her throat, she knew this was Reynaud and Cecile. He didn’t say a word or even stop. He just went by her, carrying his bundle. Susanne turned and followed him back to the house.

When they got inside, he laid Cecile down on the sofa and went back outside to finish hammering the shutters on the house. Susanne knelt down to the little figure and started unwrapping the all-weather cloak wrapped around her. Susanne gasped when she saw what the child had clutched in her arms. It was that cursed money. The young mother took her child in her arms and began to sob. Eventually Reynaud came in and sat down and put his arms around his wife and child. They sat like that, all three together, until the storm was over. Then they buried Cecile, with the money still wrapped in her arms, in a secret place in the house so that she would always be with them, but so they would never be tempted to let the money divide them once more.

They eventually had many other children, and the story of Cecile was passed down. By the time it got to my husband’s generation, no one really knew where the money was anymore. Until your workers found her, Cecile’s resting place was secure.”

Miz Trent paused. “Danae, do you think there’s enough of that money for us to give Cecile a proper burial with her momma and daddy over at Spring Street Cemetery? And maybe enough for me to be buried with them when it’s time?”

Danae blinked back tears and answered gently, “Miz Trent, I’m sure of it.”

Next Week NO WORDZZLE! And everyone, enjoy your Thanksgiving! Remember also that the library will closed THURSDAY AND FRIDAY (26th & 27th).

And for your listening/viewing pleasure, a very young Englebert Humperdinck:

Ad Astra Per Aspera

As a child growing up in Kansas the blogger memorized all types of things about our state, including its motto, Ad Astra Per Aspera. It means "to the stars through difficulties." When Seneca the Younger first spoke this, it captured the imagination of many.

When we have difficulties, like extreme budget cuts, while we must look inward to make sure we are as efficient as possible, we must then shift our gaze outward to ensure we have a path to the future charted. The budget cuts the County is asking the library to make hurt. A LOT. The libraries have already had to look inward and make very difficult cuts including hours and personnel. But the County is asking for more and more and more. And while the library community understands that everyone must do a little more with a little less, we believe that the cuts to the library are disproportionate.

The blogger has kids in public school right now and so hears the plaint from both entities. Sure, the public schools are feeling cuts as well and many VOCAL parents want their particular program preserved at all costs. But the fact of the matter is that what has been done to the library is not equitable in any way. The library took deep cuts in FY 2010 and is slated to take even deeper ones in FY 2011. This is in contrast to the FCPS (over 50% of the County Budget) and other agencies that didn't even take cuts in FY 2010.

And that's before you consider that in times of tight funds, library usage goes UP, not down. So if the County cuts hours and cuts staff, they're asking more patrons to stand in line longer to get fewer services. The Friends groups raise a LOT of money - this is true. But we cannot legally fund staff positions or underwrite operating costs to keep a library open. Many Friends groups, by their own governing documents, are also barred from purchasing materials like books. This makes sense if you figure that once the Friends start paying for books the County will spend the money saved elsewhere and there will be no going back.

The ONLY way to get the attention of the County Officials who will make the cuts is to be HEARD. There's one more community meeting planned for Dec 2 (Herndon HS, Hayfield HS, Lake Braddock HS, 7-9pm). But there's also a petition you can go sign urging the County to Restore FCPL's Budget. Go check it out:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/restore-fairfax-county-public-library-budget.html

And now, to the stars:

Road of Stars to Santiago by Edward Stanton

A book of impressions about the author's journey on El Camino de Santiago. Uniformly good reviews. This copy is like New at $24.50

Corona: America's First Satellite Program

This paperback describes the nation's first satellite reconnaissance mission. The information was declassified in 1995 and provides a look into a time of great technological innovation which laid the basis for the type of satellite imagery we think of as 'standard' today. $12.75

These two books, and many others, are available at RestonFriends1, our Amazon storefront. If you're a local, current Friend, and you are interested in any of these books, e-mail us, and we'll save you the postage.

/kw

Early Holiday Shopping

Some more interesting books on our RestonFriends site at Amazon.

If you're a comic fan, you'll appreciate this one: Civil War stars Spider Man, the New Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men. A compilation of #1-7. In New condition, $14

We know the Government collects data and has tons of it for our perusal, but how to access it? One can spend hours surfing hoping to strike the right note. This book will help you cut to the chase. U.S. Government on the Web: Getting the Information You Need (Third Edition) does not appear to have been used - minor shelf wear on the cover. $36

An unabridged CD Audio book brings us the story of the founding of Australia.

Based on history, this novel, A Commonwealth of Thieves: The Improbable Birth of Australia, does for Oz what Covenant by Michener did for South Africa. $18.50

If you're interested in any of these, please go directly to the site through the link above. OR, if you're a current local friend, we can get the book to you without postage! E-mail us!

Wordzzle Saturday

Wow -- I can't believe how late this is. I completely forgot to post them this morning. The Wordzzle is a game created and hosted by Raven. If you'd like to play, check her site, write something up, and e-mail it to us or post it on your own blog and link to Raven!

Words for this week's challenge were: officer, candid, drowning, turtles, sugar-coated, prospecting, shame on you, recliner, luggage, brains And for the mini: paragon of virtue, cats-in-the-cradle, swamp, sprinkles, garbage

KIT:

How much nicer - the World would be,

if we could become - a paragon of virtue..

By practicing traits - we've learned from birth,

by parents - who were sent to us for nurture..

Like being kind & thoughtful - considerate of others,

and loving - to all creatures and mankind..

These are the blessings - we all can share,

if we'd stop to consider - the ties that bind..

Ties that bind us to life - and to one another,

like cats-in-the-cradle - who snuggled together..

They know their love - is to be shared,

for they're not restrained - by any kind of tether..

But man's restraint - is the garbage held in mind,

allowing memories of the past - to swamp their days..

Shake those old thoughts off - like sprinkles of rain,

So your life can move forward - without any delays.

CHARLY:

Magnolia Trace, a beautiful plantation surrounded by magnolia trees, was the home of Susanna, a southern belle. She now sat on the steps of the veranda playing the game CATS-IN-THE-CRADLE. She was bored! Being a PARAGON OF VIRTUE was maddening for she longed for adventure and excitement. She watched the neighboring plantation owners nearing the river where canoes would take them into the SWAMP. They were in search of contraband rumored to have been stashed there by the pirate, Jean Lafitte. Some say it was chests containing silver and gold with SPRINKLES of diamonds scattered within and was buried deep in the swampland; others laughed at the pursuit of such a quest. She slowly got up and strolled towards the river where the group was to board the canoes. Jasper, the kitchen help, was throwing GARBAGE into the river when bubbles appeared and an alligator surfaced..the men stopped in their tracks gawking at this 8 foot long creature. As it swam closer to the bank they began scrambling back up the incline to safety leaving the canoes behind. As the alligator reached the bank eating the scraps tossed, Susanna thought perhaps she should return with the men; after all, these creatures are known for speed and as a southerner, she moved as a lady... the alligator looked about and made a move to come aground, she decided perhaps this is one time she didn't need to be graceful. She hiked up her gown, turned around and started running back to the house, passing the men. As she reached the steps, her mother stood with hands on hips and said, 'Oh! Susanna, put down your skirt; ladies do not run about showing their ankles. The alligator lost interest and sinking back into the water swam away. The men decided they'd save their search for another day. Susanna figured she'd just have to accept that having a song written for her by her friend Stephen, was excitement enough...

BLOGGER:

The old lady was candid with Danae. “My husband’s people didn’t always choose the best or easiest way to go about things. Their feeling was that if you were fooled by a sugar-coated version of life, then shame on you. They met their challenges head on using their brains and some luck to survive. Reynaud and Susanne made their home together here. They didn’t have much luggage but there was the one valise with the patent money in it that Reynaud kept well hidden. Putting off buying a farm, he got a job with the local fishermen who gathered turtles when they were available and risked drowning out in the Gulf when prospecting for bigger fish.

When Cecile was born she was a beautiful child. She had all the beauty of her mother’s dark eyes and delicate features, and the richness of her father’s dark skin and lovely smile. One day when she was about three a terrible storm blew in. That was before we had the weather channel to tell us to get ready. The fishermen could tell it would be a big storm, but they had no idea how big. Reynaud came home early to help prepare for the blow. An officer of the law came looking for him telling him he and all the other men had to go back to help get the boats ready. He was candid with the officer telling him he’d rather stay and protect his family, but the man insisted. Reynaud kissed Susanne and Cecile and left with the man. Susanne continued hammering the shutters closed and moving things to the highest point in the house. As long as Susanne could hear Cecilie humming and singing, she knew she was playing nearby. Around lunchtime she realized she hadn’t heard Cecile’s music for a little while. She looked throughout the house, and in the yard, and realized Cecile was gone.”

Miz Trent leaned back into the sofa and paused, “Sweetie, will you get me a glass of water?” Danae cheerfully jumped up from the recliner and headed for the kitchen. When she returned Miz Trent was dozing. Danae put the water down next to her, adjusted her blanket, and tiptoed out of the room.

Words for next week's 10-word challenge are: love is a many splendored thing, trucks, inspector, symbols, rising, organic, liberation, costly, smug, naughty


And for the mini: the nature of the beast, identical, charcoal, braggart, vacation

Holiday Treats

Holiday shopping has begun and there are some great offerings through the Friends of Reston Regional Library's Amazon site.

French Farmhouse Cooking by Susan Herrmann Loomis is full of recipes gleaned from the French countryside during the author's three year sojourn. The book gets uniformly good reviews. Perhaps this is the year you try something entirely new for holiday cooking? This book will help you figure it out! $32.50 at RestonFriends1.

For a long winter read, this book by David Kahn should keep you engaged. The Codebreakers: The Comprehensive History of Secret Communication From Ancient Times to the Internet is a massive history tome about the subject. It gets good reviews from the community it covers and is $35 at RestonFriends1.

Finally, something extraordinary -- Chocolate for Breakfast. Author and chef Barbara Passino gives you the ability to serve the same delicious decadence she does at her Inn in Napa Valley. This is THE book to impress the heck out of your holiday visitors! At $23.50 in new condition, this is also a PERFECT gift book.

If you are a local, current Friend, we are happy to get these books to you without you having to pay postage. Just e-mail us!

/kw

Budget Meeting at Herndon HS Dec 2

In response to public demand, Fairfax County has added an additional budget meeting on December 2 occurring simultaneously at Lake Braddock HS, Herndon HS and Hayfield Secondary School (7 to 9pm). The library system needs supporters at all of these meetings. If they don't hear from us, they'll assume it's okay to slash and burn!

Register for the meeting here. It's limited to 70 participants at each location. Get out and be heard!

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 6:00 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

PUZZLE SALE TODAY

TODAY, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5, is the first day of the

JIGSAW PUZZLE MINI-SALE

Held during library hours in the "New Books" area of the library this sale recycles gently used jigsaw puzzles of all types. The best selection is available during the first couple of days, but we'll run through Monday or as long as they last.

Puzzles are a great 'common ground' activity for holiday guests. Most people can't resist sidling up to the table where the puzzle is and trying a piece or two. Stock up now for the long winter ahead!

This Stuff Matters

We sent an e-letter to our membership this past week to alert them to the budget dilemma the libraries face. E-mail us if you'd like a copy. Please don't underestimate your influence on the County budget process. Historically, one can tell that the squeakiest of wheels are the ones that receive attendance by the ones holding the grease. And there's something UNIQUE about libraries -- we see and serve those who in many other areas of life HAVE NO VOICE.

The key to success in America is literacy. Period. Okay, it helps to have money, power, position, etc. But the key to unlocking how to achieve money, power, and position is LITERACY.

The libraries serve the homeless, the newly immigrated, those who have been here for a while but who struggle with the language, the very young who are beginning to decipher letters, the middle aged who enjoy reading for fun, the newly jobless who need resources to help them re-package their skills, the very old who now have time to read, the sight-impaired, the hearing-impaired, the disabled...

It is so VERY, VERY important that we all stay focused on this budget process. It is the only way we can ensure there is no slight-of-hand performed at the expense of the library budget.

And to quote Monty Python: And now for something completely different. A book or two from our Amazon site, RestonFriends1.

Tony Dungy, Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance (Audio CD/Abridged) $16.75

C. Ross Greening, Not as Briefed: From the Doolittle Raid to a German Stalag, $24.00