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The Central Library’s Audio/Visual materials have been shifted to the former New Books section:

What else will be moving? Find more info about Central’s new and upcoming changes.

The Cherrydale Branch Library is delighted to report that our Chinese Chestnut tree has been approved by Arlington’s Beautification Committee as a Notable Tree winner.

Notable Tree status is awarded annually to trees on the basis of their size and/or age, their species (if unusual for this area), documented historical interest, or special significance to the neighborhood. Our Chestnut will now be included in the County’s online list of Notable Trees, and representatives from the Cherrydale Branch Library will receive a plaque from County Board Chair Jay Fisette.

Greetings Arlington Readers,

In case you haven’t yet read Novella Carpenter’s wonderful “Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer,” we’ve got good news: thanks to our friend Jeri at Barnes & Noble, you can buy a copy and get it signed on Thursday night when the author herself speaks at Central Library Auditorium. The program begins at 7 p.m. We’ve got a seat for you.

And even if you have read “Farm City,” I thought I’d share just one of the many great moments in this very funny read. Here’s how Novella describes her first time feeding some former country pigs that she and her boyfriend transplanted in their city farm in Oakland, California. The “pig feed” had been the discards of local businesses:

“Bill and I, coated with Dumpster grime, looked at each other in wonder. What had we gotten ourselves into? When the pigs discovered, at the bottom of the trough, the lopsided cake we had dredged from the Yummy House Bakery, they let out peals of delight louder than the squealing brakes of a municipal bus. They bit each others ears in order to get a bigger share of the cake. I made a mental note for next time: more cake.

Reassured by these eating machines, I knew that–with the help of a pork-motivated boyfriend–it was going to be easy to raise pigs in Oakland. We had seen enough evidence in Chinatown to make our case: All that food could support several pigs. I would soon learn, though, that in this moment of self-satisfaction I was forgetting one key thing: these pigs would grow. As they steadily gained weight they would demand more food than I could ever have dreamed.”

In case you’re wondering, it is not legal to raise pigs in Arlington, Virginia. So since most of us are denied that pleasure, we’ll just have to share the second-hand thrills listening to the tales of our special visiting urban farmer on Thursday. I know the laughs will be more than sustainable.

See you there.

This is our third conversation with an artist from our current group exhibit, The Art of Food. You may recognize Allen Beland’s striking photograph, Wrenched Berry, from when it was featured on the Library’s main page at the beginning of April.

How long have you been photographing / using digital manipulation?

I have been photographing (officially) since 1986 when I enrolled in my first photo class at Longwood College as a requirement for my degree in art. I began using digital imagery and manipulation early on in the nineties when the graphics firm in which I was employed was asked to do R&D; work for Kodak and the new digital technology.

How did you come to create the piece in the Art of Food?

I have been a real ally in the fight for the natural food cause and sincerely despise altered and processed foods a great deal. Couple this with the reading of “Omnivores Dilemma” by Michael Pollan, I thought about the whole mechanized world of processed food and what symbolic visual representation I could attach to the anit-modified food movement. This is when I came up with the idea for the wrench “working on food in labs” and the strawberry “one of the most modified foods.” I shot this using a macro lens and a copystand. I then manipulated the image via photoshop to appear much like a propaganda poster, without the type of course.

What are you working on now?

Currently I am busy teaching, in my 13th year, photography at Yorktown High School and trying to get some pieces together to send out some proposals for gallery shows and I still do several freelance jobs as well.

You can find more of Beland’s work, and that of his students, on his website: http://yhsphoto.lz0.org/

Library staff – including some from the Columbia Pike Branch Library – had the opportunity to attend the Computers in Libraries 2010 conference, held in Crystal City. The focus for this year’s conference was on leading-edge technology that builds information fluency, transforms library operations, enables information products and services, and redefines roles within all types and sizes of library and information services.

The conference is a wonderful opportunity to learn how other libraries’ are using technology. We want to share some of the great free resources on the web that we’re looking forward to exploring:

• Mighty Seek (WordPress Blog for Publishing) – Plugin for Podcasters using WordPress.” Ex: Adventures In Library Instruction
• Wiggio – Makes it easy to work in groups
• card.ly – Lets you create your online card for use on social networks.
• FotoFlexer – “The World’s most advanced online image editor.”
• Weebly – Web creation made easy
• ADrive – Revolutionizing online storage and backup
• Screencast-o-matic – Make a screen capturevideo with audio and upload it for free hosting
• drop.io – 100 MG of free storage with real-time sharing, collaboration, and presentation.
• AlternativeTo – Indicate what application you want to replace and receive great alternatives, based on user recommendations.

What free online tools do you like to use?

You’ll notice some recent changes next time you come into the Shirlington Branch Library. 

We’ve just moved our New Books section to the front of the lobby, to better show off our collection. And in doing so, we’ve also carved out a small seating area for our teen patrons. 

So drop by and have a look, and browse our lovely new New-Books section!

Fairies, Fables and Funny Folktales explore Bolivia!
Come enjoy a Bolivian folktale followed by the Folkloric Dance Group, Alma Boliviana who will perform the Tinkus, on Wednesday April 28, 4 p.m. at the Columbia Pike Branch Library.

What’s going on in the Central Library Vegetable Garden?

As author Michael Shermer wrote, “Human history is highly nonlinear and unpredictable,” and we have to add, so is gardening! We’re still working to clear the liriope from our garden bed – after we thought we’d removed it all on March 27, the solarization with plastic sheeting unfortunately encouraged more growth.

** Updated 4/21 – due to rain today’s planned work has been postponed – check back here for more details**

This Wednesday morning, April 21, will see more work by AFAC from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., and Wednesday evening Girl Scout Troop 1431 will plant the tubs. Seeds donated by the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company and the Goodwin Library will be available for Library Patrons – one package per family – during those times.

If you’re interested in helping out in the garden, please contact Puwen Lee at puwen.lee@afac.org or call 703-845-8486.