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Summertime and the Listening is Easy

Summer’s here. . . I’m for that. Got my rubber sandals, got my straw hat.

Schools out for summer. Schools out. For. Ever. And the livin’ is easy. Can you surrey? Can you picnic?? You’re gonna need an ocean of calamine lotion. Good day sunshine; gonna make our own lighting. We’re barefootin; hot summer streets and the pavements are burning.


I sit around trying to smile but the air is so heavy and dry; back of my neck getting dirty and gritty. Well I feel that burning flame. Has high blood pressure got a hold on me? Went to the fortune teller to have my fortune read. Well there ain’t no cure for the summer time blues. Girls comb their hair in the rear view mirrors. I really dig those styles they wear. They`re out there a`havin` fun in that warm California sun.

The heat of the day begins to die; the faintest breeze comes drifting by. My fickle friend the summer wind.

Hot fun in the summertime. Sail on Sailor. Here are my favorite summer tunes:

1. School’s Out – Alice Cooper
2. Hot Fun in the Summer Time – Sly and the Family Stone
3. Stoned Soul Picnic – Laura Nyro
4. Summer in the City – Lovin’ Spoonful
5. Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran
6. Cherry, Cherry – Neil Diamond
7. Heatwave – Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
8. Fortune Teller – Rolling Stones
9. Cruel Summer – Bananarama
10. Summer’s Here – James Taylor
11. Good Day Sunshine – Beatles (but you still can’t legally download them. Here’s “The Hit Crew”)
12. Starless Summer Night – Marshall Crenshaw
13. The Summer Wind /Madeleine Peyroux
14. Summertime – featuring Anita Baker, Cyrus Chestnut
15. California Sun – Dick Dale
16. California Girls – David Lee Roth
17. Poison Ivy – Coasters
18. Sail on Sailor – The Beach Boys
19. Barefootin’ – Wilson Pickett
20. Born to Run – Bruuuuuuuuuuuuce

Bonus: Popsicle – Jan and Dean

Happy 66th Birthday Gail Gibbons!

Aurora Hills Branch Library will celebrate children’s non fiction author Gail Gibbons 66th birthday on Sunday August 1st!

Even if her name does not instantly ring a bell you have certainly seen dozens of her titles with their distinctive and colorful illustrations in the children’s non fiction section of Arlington Public Libraries. She has written titles on popular holidays, animals, sports, the environment, and art.

If you have never read any of her work now is the time to start – we suggest starting with her wonderful book about visiting the public library entitled Check it Out! The Book About Libraries.

Playing Ball at Jennie Dean Park

This photograph bears the following caption:

"Play Ball! The game is about to start on Jennie Dean Field. Left to right are: Dernard [sic] Johnson (Arl. Rec. Dept.), captain of the Arl. Rec. Dept., Mr. Pryor (counselor of 153), and Warren Jackson (Mgr. of the Daper Jeans)."

Jennie Dean Park, located at 3630 27th Street South, was part of the first group of parks developed by the Department of Recreation when it was formed in 1948. During development, it was referred to as "the county's presently sole recreation area for colored citizens." Serving south Arlington and located in the African-American neighborhood Nauck, Jennie Dean Park, with its baseball fields, tennis courts and open areas, gave south Arlingtonians a new place to enjoy outdoor activities, either on their own or through a county-sponsored program.

Ernest Johnson was the Supervisor of the Department of Parks' Negro Recreation Section while the county had a segregated recreation system. In 1964, after a reorganization of the department, he became Supervisor for the county's recreation centers. Johnson was very involved in the development of the programs under his charge, and during the early 1950s, oversaw photographic documentation of the Negro Recreation Department's programs. Researchers can now see photographs of dances, plays, sporting teams, parades and other activities for both African-American children and adults; Johnson's widow generously donated these photographs to the Virginia Room.

Today, the park has a lighted basketball court and picnic facilities, and is a centerpiece of the area in the warmer months.

What About You?

What do you remember about Jennie Dean Park? How about the programs in the Negro Recreation Department? Did your path cross with Ernest Johnson? We want to know!

Do you have a question about this story, or a personal experience to share? 

Use this form to send a message to the Charlie Clark Center for Local History.

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Teens Working and Playing at Columbia Pike

 
What are teens up to this summer at the Columbia Pike Branch Library?

They are working hard and playing hard. Some play board games on Wednesdays from 3pm to 5pm. Others have been spending 5 days a week during the month of July working at the library on different projects as part of a teen internship arranged by youth service librarian Desiree Fairooz.

Find out more about teen gaming this summer on our Teen blog.

Happy 45th Birthday J.K. Rowling!

Aurora Hills Branch Library will be celebrating the 45th birthday of Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling this Saturday, July 31st!

There are plenty of ways to celebrate even if you have already made your way through all seven titles – try reading her Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, or Quidditch Through the Ages which were published as a supplement to the wildly popular series for her most dedicated fans who were aching to know more about her world of wizarding.

Reed-Westover Project Earns Gold LEED Certification

The Reed-Westover facility, new home of the Westover Branch Library, has been awarded Gold Certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

In order to achieve a gold rating, buildings needs to receive 39 LEED points, through addressing issues of water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. The Reed Westover facility received 40 points from the USGBC.

The project also preserved a portion of the original brick school building. Although not part of the final LEED rating determination, reusing existing structures is one of the “greenest” techniques available as it reduces construction waste and eliminates the need to use new construction materials.

Read more about this great green honor, and the design and building strategies that were utilized.

Discoveries in the Stacks – Fun and Fitness


Discoveries in the Stacks is the Westover Branch Library’s occasional exploration of our collection, delving into areas that you may not have visited yet.

This week we look at the 613 section of our books and DVD’s. There you will find all sorts of fitness activities.

  • We all want Tank top Arms, Bikini Bellies and a Boy Shorts Bottom. Let Minna Lessig help you towards that end with her book that will tighten and tone your body in as little as 10 minutes of exercise a day. 613.7045 LESSI
  • If that still seems like too much effort…how about just a walk? Leave behind your Couch Potato days and become the powerhouse walker you were born to be. Read Claire Walter’s Nordic Walking for great walking tips. 613.7176 WALTE
  • Belly dance your way to a tighter tummy. Check out Kathy Smith’s DVD “Flex Appeal: Belly Dance Workout.” DVD 613.715 KATHY
  • Or use some salsa music to burn off those extra calories. Crunch Gym released a DVD series called “Crunch Workout” and the Cardio Salso DVD is a great one to start with. DVD 613.71 CRUNC
  • On the Ball Pilates Workout for beginners is a transformational way to improve posture and strengthen your core, with Lizbeth Garcia. Look for DVD 613.71 ONTHE
  • Taebo Caridio will give you a high aerobic way to scuplt your body. Billy Blank gives you an active way to burn calories and fat. DVD613.71 TAEBO
  • And, then, there is Yoga for the Rest of Us: Heart Healthy Yoga with Peggy Cappy. Learn several easy workouts, for both beginners and experts, that will help generate more flexibility, improved balance and stress management. DVD 613.7046 YOGAF

It’s never too late to get started.

See you next time in another part of the stacks!

What's Behind Door No. 3? New Access to Central

After a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning with staff and volunteers, we opened the Central Library’s 10th Street doors – creating a third ground-level entrance to the building.

Diane and Olivia cut the ribbon
You can see more photos of the mini-event on our flickr page.

10th Street open 104Along with other recent changes to our layout, opening the 10th Street doors helps to make Central’s first floor a more open and inviting space. This entrance also provides a shorter walk for patrons headed to and from the Metro, or the shops and restaurants on Fairfax Drive.

A team of AmeriCorps volunteers will also be working to create a native plant garden outside the 10th Street entrance over the next year – stay tuned for more details!



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