Is This Year Your First Time--to Vote?

If the answer is "YES!" then you have the opportunity to participate in our nation's premier democratic process--electing the President of the most powerful nation in the world. Awesome! And even more awesome is the fact that your vote counts as much as anyone's. Sooooo, start today to reserve part of your day on Nov. 4 to let your voice be heard.

If you're still one of the undecided, educate yourself on the candidates' stand on the issues most important to you. Check out these websites for the latest election and campaign information:

League of First Time Voters (CNN)

Barack Obama's website

John McCain's website

The Democratic Party

The Republican Party

FactCheck.org

Politifact.com

On the Issues: every candidate on every issue

And come by the library to view a display of books about the history and process of electing the President.

Hurry up! Time's a-wastin'.

She's Ba-a-a-a-a-ck!

In August we were excited to have a vibrant art exhibit by local artist Christie O'Grady. Well, she's back! Christie and the ArtBox Gallery have loaned us several more of her works, this time from her newest collection.

Christie says of her work, "I am interested in what I call 'the field' from which everything emerges, and the movement of manifestation out of this field. I think of it as primal material springing out of a void. I see it as vibrant energy filled with infinite potential."

Energetic, wondrous, fantastical, and stunning are good words to use to describe her creations. Here you can see just one of her works, but come by and look at her other pieces and visit her website for a glimpse into her world.

Here are the titles and brief descriptions of the six pieces on display. The arrangement is in order from the classroom entrance to the back of the library.

• Gray Dancing Forms---framed; oil & acrylic on canvas; 26"h x 30"w
  
• Bright Pink Forms---acrylic on panel; 24"h x 30"w
  
• Vesica Pisces---framed; oil on canvas; 20"h x 40"w
  
• Foliage: Four Directions---framed; acrylic & oil on panel; 24"h x 30"w
  
• Sketch: Orange & Pink---unframed: acrylic over palette knife on panel; 24"h x 30"W
  
• Foliage Communication---unframed: oil on panel; 24"h x 30"W

Image credit to Christie O'Grady.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Since 1988 we have formally celebrated the rich heritage of the Hispanic population by recognizing September 15-October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month. "Hmmm. I wonder if I have any Hispanic heritage," you might cogitate. Well, according to the US Census Bureau, the term hispanic or latino is defined as:

"persons who trace their origin or descent to Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Spanish speaking Central and South America countries, and other Spanish cultures. Origin can be considered as the heritage, nationality group, lineage, or country of the person or the person's parents or ancestors before their arrival in the United States. People who identify their origin as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race."

Results of the 2000 census showed that the total Hispanic population numbered 3.3 million. Because of acculturation and assimilation (Sound familiar? Think Comp I class.), influences from the Hispanic culture can be found in our food, fashion, language, art, architecture, literature, history, and social life.

Come by the library and look over our current book display which illustrates the significant contributions to these and other fields. But enjoy your burrito outside while you relax to the sounds of Paulo Mollo. (Suu-eeet.)

For more information, visit these websites (Why re-invent the wheel?):

• Library of Congress: National Hispanic Heritage Month
• Hispanic Heritage Foundation
• Evergreen State College: National Hispanic Heritage Month
• National Register of Historic Places: National Hispanic Heritage Month
• The History Channel: Hispanic Heritage Month
• Smithsonian Education: Hispanic Heritage Month
• US Dept. of Labor Wirtz Library: Hispanic Heritage Month

Image credit to Oak Ridge National Laboratory