EVPL Blogs

WWII Rosie the Riveters

just_renny@evpl — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:15:00 GMT

Dr. Heidi Strobel will be presenting a program titled "Harmony of the Homefront: Homegrown Rosie the Riveters" tomorrow (March 20, 2013) starting at 6:30 in the Browning Room at Central Library. This program will feature information from an oral history research project Dr. Strobel conducted in 2008 and 2009. Dr. Strobel is currently Associate Professor of Art History in the Department of Archaeology and Art History at the University of Evansville.

The Evansville in WWII Digital Collection was funded with a grant from the US Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Indiana State Library. The WWII Speaker Series is part of the promotional events for the grant.

Ms. Mary Sims, Welder.

Talk on Evansville's WWII Shipbuilding Industry

just_renny@evpl — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 20:56:00 GMT

Tom Lonnberg, Curator of History at the Evansville Museum of Arts, History, and Science, will discuss the Evansville Shipyard. The shipyard was the largest employer in the City's history and was the foremost producer of Landing Ship Tanks, or LSTs, during World War II. LSTs were essential to the amphibious landings in Africa and Europe, including Normandy, and were vital to the island hopping campaign in the Pacific Theater.

Mr. Lonnberg's talk will be on Tuesday, March 12 at 6:30pm and will be in the Browning Room on the first floor of Central Library.

A night view of the Evansville Shipyard from Reitz Hill. This photo is part of the Evansville in WWII Digital Collection.

Evansville in WWII Digital Collection

just_renny@evpl — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:24:00 GMT

EVPL worked with the University of Southern Indiana and the Evansville Museum of Arts, History, and Science for the last year on the "Evansville in WWII" Digital Collection. The collection was funded with a grant from the US Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Indiana State Library.

EVPL digitized their collection of newsletters from Evansville factories producing for the war industry. The newsletters contain information about safety on the job, awards and goals acheived in production, recreational activities, comics, and photographs of laborers and their families. The newsletters can be searched by word which greatly helps when searching for something specific.

USI owns a collection of war bond posters produced and distributed nationally by the Government Printing Office. The posters are colorful and show a variety of topics that were important to the patriotic feelings of Americans during the war. A few of these posters are recognizable as they were created by Norman Rockwell, famous for his Saturday Evening Post (among other magazine) covers.

The Museum allowed EVPL to scan their collection of Evansville Shipyard photographs which were commissed by the Navy at the beginning of the shipyard construction in Evansville. The collection includes nearly 10,000 pictures of the shipyard, building construction, laborers, office workers, ship building, ship christening, recreational activities, war ships on the Ohio River, and much more. Many of these pictures contain names of workers or people involved in the ship christenings which can be searched.

In support of the efforts to bring to light Evansville's participation in WWII, EVPL is also hosting the WWII Speaker Series. The first speaker will by Mike Linderman from Angel Mounds discussing the WPA and Angel Mounds. Coming up later in March are Tom Lonnber from the Evansville Museum and Heidi Strobel from the University of Evansville. April features the final three presenters: Jennifer Greene from USI, local author Harold Morgan, and EVPL digitization clerk Lauren Weingart.

If you have questions or comments submit them to Renny in Reference Services.

Temeraire post-poned

SuDocQueen@evpl — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 20:53:00 GMT

I think everyone who was at the first book discussion for Temeraire's Exploits already knows that I've had to re-schedule the 2nd book discussion. But in case you weren't there, or haven't heard...yes, I've had to push the next discussion for Throne of Jade back to March 13th. I'm really sorry about this; I hope the change doesn't create scheduling conflicts for anyone planning to come. It was just one of those unfortunate, unavoidable things.

Maybe this will be a good thing and even more people will be able to join us for this second discussion. For those, like me, already finished with the book and eagerly waiting for the discussion, I have a small sop to your patience. If you haven't already read it, Naomi Novik has a lovely little Teneraire story available on her website. The action of the short story, "Feast or Famine," is even referenced in Throne of Jade. Having already read "Feast or Famine" I got a real kick out of recognizing the references to it in Throne of Jade.

Hope I'll see you here on March 13th!

EVPL Photo Collection

just_renny@evpl — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 18:52:00 GMT

In honor of the Library's 100th year, we created an online collection of the library from past to present. The collection started with 98 pictures and the first two annual reports (1913 and 1914). We uploaded another 8 pictures this afternoon. This collection will continue to grow throughout the year, so check back often to make sure you don't miss any new additions! The collection can be found here. Just click "search" if you want to browse the entire collection. If you have any questions or feedback you can contact Renny in the Reference Services Department at Central (428-8218).

Happy Birthday, Edith Wharton

banksoftheohio@evpl — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:36:00 GMT

Today is the 151st birthday of the great American author Edith Wharton, admired as much now as she was during her lifetime for her wit, her brilliant social commentary, and her courage and determination to work as a writer in spite of the limited opportunities afforded to women of her elite upbringing during the Gilded Age. You can find her best known works - The Age of Innocence (winner of the 1921 Pulitzer Prize for fiction), Ethan Frome, The House of Mirth, The Buccaneers - on our shelves in whatever format might suit your taste, from print to audiobook to ebook to movie. Her autobiography and her short stories are here, too, including a compilation of the ghost stories that were so popular in her time.

On Valentine's Day we'll declare our fondness for Mrs. Wharton by discussing The House of Mirth, her first widely read, critically recognized novel. Published in 1905, it examines a beautiful young woman's struggle to secure her position in New York society's upper reaches and, at the same time, to discover her true self. Please join us.

Classics Book Discussion

Thursday, February 14, 2013

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Central Library

2nd Floor Conference Room

Elizabeth II, in Film and Fiction

myzticrhythmz@evpl — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:45:00 GMT

Britain’s Royal Family is always a source of curiosity, and their Monarch is no exception. Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, has been featured in a number of films, documentaries, and books over the past several years. Here are a few to enjoy.

The Queen, a 2006 feature film starring Oscar-winner Helen Mirren, portrays the turmoil in the Royal Family in the days following Diana, Princess of Wales’ death. This film portrays the public’s strong sentiment in favor of the Princess, as the Queen struggles with a proper response to her former daughter-in-law’s death. Mirren’s portrayal is sensitive, with a bit of humor thrown in, and well worth the viewing.

As Queen, Elizabeth has sometimes seemed detached from her subjects, and fiction authors have responded by imagining her in creative ways. Alan Bennett’s The Uncommon Reader poses a unique notion: What if Queen Elizabeth became such an avid reader that she loses interest in her “duty,” and becomes more introspective and sympathetic to others? This novella is a quick, pithy read, and sure to bring a smile.

Author William Kuhn creates a different scenario for the Queen. In Mrs. Queen Takes the Train, the longtime Sovereign of the United Kingdom ponders what she might be find missing in her life. The answer, strangely enough, is Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia, the former Royal Yacht of the British monarch. Alone on an inclement winter’s day, Elizabeth grows restless. First, she decides to visit one of her horses, also named Elizabeth. Then she’s off to the cheese store to buy Elizabeth (the horse) some of her favorite cheese. And finally, Elizabeth boards a public train bound for Scotland to visit her beloved yacht. The chaos that ensues among the Queen’s staff and acquaintances by her unexpected journey helps cement relationships, and demonstrates loyalty beyond “duty” to their Sovereign. This book, like The Queen and The Uncommon Reader, adds a bit of warmth and compassion to a celebrated historical figure.

For more in the Library’s catalog about Queen Elizabeth, click here.

Grab a warm cup of tea and your favorite QEII tale, and enjoy!

Serendipity at its finest...

SuDocQueen@evpl — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 19:38:00 GMT

A good friend just told me January 16th is Appreciate a Dragon Day and my first book talk for Naomi Novik's alternative history/dragon series is... January 16th. I wish I could claim I cleverly planned it, but unfortunately not. I'll just have to settle for great timing.

It looks like Appreciate a Dragon Day was started by author Donita K. Paul, but if you google 'dragon appreciation day,' you'll discover other days throughout the year when you can pay homage to these wonderful mythical beasts.

Hope I see you Wednesday evening. I just finished rereading His Majesty's Dragon and I loved it as much the second time around as I did the first time.

State Tax Forms at Central Library

SuDocQueen@evpl — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:42:00 GMT

Yes, they're here.

We have the IT-40 booklet, with forms included, along with several other commonly requested loose forms.

Federal forms are another matter. Those, of course, are delayed as the IRS deals with the changes necessitated by the passage of the American Tax Payer Relief Act of 2012. Sorry, currently we have no word on when those forms will be available. In the mean time, you can keep abreast of updated forms at www.irs.gov.

While you're waiting, you might want to take a look at our Tax Information page. You can find information on AARP's tax aide schedule and lots of useful links for online filing and filing in general.

Six Degrees Game: the Book Version

banksoftheohio@evpl — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 15:38:00 GMT

Let's play a literary version of the popular association game “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.” Here’s the Wikipedia explanation of the original idea.

Ready? Here goes:

How are best-selling writer Laura Lippman and Vernon Jordan, the first author to be selected for One Book, One Community of Southwestern Indiana, connected?

1. In 2008, Laura Lippman’s What the Dead Know received the Anthony Award for Best Mystery Novel.

2. Louise Penny, herself a recipient of several Anthony Awards, sets her Inspector Armand Gamache series in Three Pines, a small town outside of Quebec, Canada.

3. Canada is the title of the latest book by Richard Ford, whose break-through novel was The Sportswriter.

4. Sportswriter John Feinstein took a leave from absence from the Washington Post to research A Season on the Brink: a Year with Bob Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers, which topped the New York Times Bestseller List for 16 weeks in 1987.

5. Preceding Feinstein’s book as #1 on the NYT Nonfiction Bestseller List was Fatherhood by Bill Cosby.

6. While studying at Temple University, Bill Cosby joined Omega Psi Phi fraternity, whose list of notable members includes former National Urban League President Vernon Jordan, author of Vernon Can Read: a Memoir.

There you have it!

Why not give the game a try and share the results with us? Send your list of 6 literary connections to pmc@evpl.org. We'll post them as we’re able. Feel free to incorporate movies and music – anything that’s available in the library’s catalog. Happy connecting!

(Thanks to readers' advisor superstar Sarah Statz Cords for this suggestion.)

You Gotta Do When the Spirit Says Do

kiya@evpl — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 21:04:00 GMT

Whether you need to make a gift for someone, or just keep your hands busy so you don't eat all the Christmas cookies at one time, the library has plenty of books and videos that tell you how to stay busy making things. My particular fascination at the moment is knitting, so here is a smattering of the kinds of things the library has about knitting.

For a quick knitting project, take a look at these books:

Big Needle Knitting, edited by Bobbie Matela

Speed Knitting: 24 quick and easy projects, by Kris Percival

7-day afghan book by Jean Leinhauser

The Knitter's Year: 52 make-in-a-week projects, by Debbie Bliss

One Skein Wonders, edited by Judith Durant

If you are a beginning knitter, there are many books and DVDs to teach you how to knit. Here are a couple:

The Easy Learn to Knit in Just One Day

The Absolute Best Way to Learn How to Knit, with Leslye Solomon

For the experienced knitter, there are books about knitting with different

materials, or all kinds of projects beyond the traditional scarves and sweaters:

Knitting with Beads, by Jane Davis

Knit 2 Together, by Tracey Ullman and Mel Clark

Fast Fun and Easy Fabric Knitting, by Cyndy Lyle Rymer

Easy Accessories: 50 chic projects to knit and crochet, from Family Circle

100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet, by Lesley Stanfield

Cowlgirls: the neck's big thing to knit, by Cathy Carron

Home Knits: luxurious handknits for every room of the house, by Suss Cousins

Easy Toys: 25 delightful creations to knit and crochet, from Family Circle

The only real risk to checking out what the library has on your hobby is that you will end up like me, with too many projects and too little time!

Taking on Virgil

banksoftheohio@evpl — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:22:00 GMT

In her novel Lavinia, celebrated author Ursula LeGuin gives lyrical voice to her title character: the daughter of mythical King Latinus and the woman fated to cause The Aeneid's culminating war. This lushly detailed account of ancient Italian ritual and daily life, which was named a 2008 Best Book by Library Journal, is an intriguing companion to Virgil's epic poem. Check them both out and join the Classics Book Discussion on December 13th as we consider one of the cornerstones of Western literature.

Cassics Book Discussion

Thursday, December 13, 2012

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

2nd Floor Conference Room

Central Library

There be dragons at the library!

SuDocQueen@evpl — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 18:39:00 GMT

That would be Temeraire specifically, and he is a very special dragon indeed. He is the wonderful centerpiece of Naomi Novik's sci-fi/alternative history series. It is set in England during the Napoleonic Wars. In the series, Novik introduces you to what might have been if dragons had been a fact of life instead of a fascinating myth. The books reminds me of Anne McCaffrey's Pern series, with the added bonus of a strong grounding in actual history. I know, 'how can it be actual history if dragons are involved'? True, but I think Novik does an excellent job of postulating how the existence and use of dragons would have changed historical events. If that sounds dry and boring to you, don't believe it. I became highly invested in Temeraire's heartwarming character and his relationship with his rider, Captain William Lawrence. That relationship, along with the addition of multiple other riders and dragons, keeps the stories riveting. You can read the books from the library and learn more about Temeraire and his universe on Novik's website.

And, if you become as captivated by Temeraire as me, you can join me in 2013 for a book discussion series on the novels. Titled Temeraire's Exploits, we will discuss the first book at the January meeting and each book after in the following meetings. Hope I'll see you there!

Holiday Mail for Heroes

Shh_ImReading@evpl — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 21:41:00 GMT

This time of year, many of us recieve e-mails, or see messages posted on Facebook and other social websites suggesting that as we prepare our Christmas cards for family and friends, we also send a card to a recovering soldier at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Sounds like a good idea, right? Don't do it. This Snopes.com article, last updated November 16, 2011, has a thorough explanation of why it doesn't work. However, as the article goes on to explain, the American Red Cross's Holiday Mail for Heroes is a valid option, if you do want to send a card to a soldier. According the the Red Cross, "Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country."

The mailing address for the program is:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights MD 20791-5456

However, please visit the Holiday Mail for Heroes website and read the card guidelines. Be aware that this year's deadline is Friday, December 7th!

Happy holidays!

Deeply disturbing

bookchick@evpl — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 22:43:00 GMT

I just finished reading a most intriguing book called Your House is on Fire, Your Children All Gone by Stefan Kiesbye. This story of four young growing up in Hemmersmoor, a small town seemingly removed from the world, is a haunting tale of childhood gone wrong. Deep, dark secrets best left behind closed doors are exposed in a town where all the inhabitants seem to have given free reign to their impulses. I wouldn't call this a book of horror but it is horrific. Elegantly written, I couldn't put it down until the final dark secret was revealed.

Christmas is Coming

Shh_ImReading@evpl — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 17:48:00 GMT

I don't want to alarm anyone, but Christmas is coming; in fact it's less than two months away. Now, it's still entirely too early to be putting up tinsel and whatnot, but it is absolutely time to get on the waiting lists for these new Christmas cookbooks!

I'm personally very much looking forward to trying out the recipe for toffee thins on page 86 of Sweet Christmas: Homemade Peppermints, Sugar Cake, Chocolate-Almond Toffee, Eggnog Fudge, and Other Sweet Treats and Decorations by Sharon Bowers, with photographs by David Bowers.

Other new Christmas cookbooks to be excited about:

Christmas Baking: Fun & Delicious Holiday Treats by Mia Ohrn

A Home-Baked Christmas: 56 Delicious Cookies, Cakes, & Gifts from Your Kitchen

American Christmas

If you really can't wait for these titles, I recommend checking out a copy of an older title, A Baker's Field Guide to Christmas Cookies by Dede Wilson, which has a nice variety of cookies to try.

Thanksgiving

Shh_ImReading@evpl — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 16:50:00 GMT

Thanksgiving is maybe one of our simpler holidays. We give thanks for what we have and we eat good food. The giving thanks part usually doesn't require a lot of preparation; maybe just a few minutes quiet consideration. The good food, on the other hand, can sometimes be a challenge. Last November, it seemed like a lot of people came to the library looking for Thanksgiving cookbooks, so I thought I'd highlight a few here this year.

Thanksgiving: How to Cook it Well by Sam Sifton

Thanksgiving by Lou Seibert Pappas, with photographs by Lara Hata

How to Cook a Turkey and All the Other Trimmings by the editors of Fine Cooking

Betty Crocker Complete Thanksgiving Cookbook

Thanksgiving 101 by Rick Rodgers

Vegetarian Times Complete Thanksgiving Cookbook by the editors of Vegetarian Times

If you're looking for something beyond the food, try these titles:

The Thanksgiving Book: A Companion to the Holiday Covering Its History, Lore, Traditions, Foods and Symbols, Including Primary Sources, Poems, Prayers, Songs, Hymns, and Recipes, Supplemented by Chronology, Bibliography with Web Sites and Index by Laurie C. Hillstrom

Thanksgiving: The Biography of an American Holiday by James W. Baker

Book Talk: Postcard History: Evansville

just_renny@evpl — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 23:48:00 GMT

Are you interested in Evansville and its history? Have you often wondered what parts of Evansville looked like years ago?

If the answer is "yes!' then be sure to come to the Large Group Room on Central's 2nd Floor on Tuesday, October 30 at 6:30. Joseph Engler will be speaking about his new book, Evansville. The book is comprised of vintage postcards primarily from his family's personal collection. Mr. Engler also writes articles for the examiner.com as the history expert and he developed and maintains the website historicevansville.com. He will have books available for purchase and will be availble to autograph books after his talk!

Vote early at the library

knightvision@evpl — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:01:00 GMT

Early voting at five EVPL locations begins Monday, October 15 and will end November 2.

Library voting locations:

Central Library (in the second floor Quiet Study Room)
McCollough Branch
Oaklyn Branch
North Park Branch
Red Bank Branch

Voting hours:

Monday-Thursday: noon-6:00 pm

Friday: noon-5:00 pm

Please note that polls will close promptly at the scheduled time, regardless of the length of the line. If you have not voted by poll closing time, we appreciate you returning another day to cast your vote.

Can't find the voting area when you get to the library? Just follow the signage and/or yellow footprints on the floor, or ask a staff member to point you in the right direction.

Thank you for exercising your right to vote!

Read By the Author

Shh_ImReading@evpl — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 21:30:00 GMT

I love to listen to memoirs read by the authors that wrote them. Not so long ago, I was quite skeptical of all audiobooks. I viewed listening to a book as cheating, unless it was a matter of poor eyesight. I have, however, warmed somewhat to audiobooks, and memoirs read by their authors have become a favorite of mine. When it comes to memoirs, what could possibly be better than someone's story in his or her own voice?

Here are some of my favorite memoirs read by their authors that I've had the pleasure to listen to so far:

Haven Kimmel's memoirs about growing up in Mooreland, Indiana, A Girl Named Zippy and She Got Up Off the Couch. These two are good enough I recommend listening to them, even if you've already read them.
Kate Braestrup's Here if You Need Me, about being chaplain for the Maine Warden Service and her part in their search-and-rescue missions, plus her second memoir, Marriage and Other Acts of Charity.
Advice columnist Amy Dickinson's The Mighty Queens of Freeville, about the strong women in her family, including her mother, sisters and daughter.
Tina Fey's wildly popular Bossypants.
Anna Quindlen's recent memoir, Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake. I don't think I'm the target audience for this one, but I enjoyed it very much anyway.
Craig Ferguson's American on Purpose, the story of how he became a musician, then a comedian, the drugs he did and the hearts he broke along the way, and his decision to become an American citizen (he was born & raised in Scotland), might be a bit heavy on foul language for some people, but it charmed me.
Bill Bryson's memoir of growing up in Iowa in the 1950's, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid is most amusing read in his slight British accent-- he lives in England now.
A. J. Jacobs' The Year of Living Biblically details the year he attempted to follow the Bible really, truly literally. Unfortunately, this is an abridged audiobook, meaning some parts of the original text are not included.

Do you have a memoir read by the author to recommend to me?

Additional titles added to Axis 360 eBooks

professor.knowsitall@evpl — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:22:00 GMT

Additional titles have been added to our Axis 360 eBook collection! Popular reads, such as the following, are now available:

View all of the additional titles...

These additional titles, as well as all eBooks in our Axis 360 collection, are accessible through your Blio app or our Downloads page at evpl.org/downloads. Compatible devices include PC, Android, and iOS.

These titles are part of a test eBook partnership between EVPL and Hachette Book Group.

Curiosity's big day: the Mars landing

kiya@evpl — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:17:00 GMT

There's always been something special about Mars, and the way it has captured our imagination. This weekend marks the opportunity to learn more about the planet that we have so long imagined.

Last November the new Mars rover, Curiosity, was encased in a space capsule launched toward Mars via Atlas rocket. I've been vaguely following it in the news, but never stopped to think about what a mission like this might entail. Saturday Sunday night (well, Sunday Monday morning at 12:31 am CDT) Curiosity is scheduled to land on Mars. I had given even less thought to what that might be like; after all, I've seen plenty of splashdowns and shuttle landings. No big deal anymore, right? Then the president of Caltech sent me a link to a 5 minute video about the difficulties involved in just the landing of the rover, and how the planners have dealt with each of the problems along the way. Take a few moments to watch "Curiosity's Seven Minutes of Terror."

President Chameux also said:

Since its launch in November 2011, the MSL mission and Curiosity have captured the world's attention. The promise of science and planetary exploration continues to inspire millions across the world, from school children and educators, to scientists, public officials and journalists. On August 5th at 10:31pm PDT we hope to begin a new era of discovery on Mars. But it won't be easy. Historically, about 1 in 3 missions attempting to approach Mars have been successful.

MSL is the most ambitious mission in the history of robotic planetary exploration. It is not just important for our nation, it is important for the world. The Curiosity rover will allow us to explore big questions-mainly, could Mars have ever supported life? Determining Mars's past or present habitability would be a game-changer. In addition, we want to investigate the chemical, isotopic, and mineralogical composition of the Martian surface and learn more about this planet's atmospheric processes.

The data retrieved from Mars will be used in research centers around the world to expand knowledge and to chart new pathways for exploration. Students of all ages will be exposed to new insights in planetary science. And science and engineering discoveries will continue to impact society in unimaginable ways. In short, the opportunities are endless.

On Sunday, we will hold our breath in anticipation during a seven-minute period as the MSL spacecraft blazes through the Martian atmosphere at 13,200 mph, puts on the brakes, and lowers Curiosity to the planet's surface.... In life, nothing is guaranteed, and given the boldness of the MSL mission, many things could go wrong. Luckily, MSL has the most innovative technology available guiding it safely to the surface of Mars.

Want to learn more?

Support EVPL & save money with a free home energy assessment

professor.knowsitall@evpl — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 14:51:00 GMT

With the record-breaking temps we've had this summer, many are looking for ways to reduce their utility bills.

Energizing Indiana offers free home energy assessments to those who apply. An Energy Advisor will visit your home to perform the assessment. You'll receive step-by-step guidance; energy saving products, such as CFL bulbs, low-flow faucet aerators & shower heads, and insulation for your water heater; and a comprehensive report detailing additional ways to make your home more energy efficient.

This service is free, and the library Foundation will receive $25 for every energy assessment conducted through EVPL. Reduce your energy costs while helping our library Foundation!

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For information about our other environmental initiatives, visit www.evpl.org/goinggreen.

Venus and the Sun seen once in a lifetime.

SuDocQueen@evpl — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 21:51:00 GMT

I just learned that on Tuesday, 6/5, we'll have the opportunity to see a once in a lifetime celestial event. Starting late Tuesday afternoon (our time) the planet Venus will slowly pass in front of the sun. The picture of a very orange sun with a little black dot on it, making it look remarkably like an orange, caught my attention on weather.com. Their article led me to check out NASA's article on the event, which also clued me into the fact that they will be broadcasting the event online for those who can't get outside to see it. They're not the only ones. San Francisco's Exploratorium will show it live online, as well as Slooh.com.

Before you get a bright idea, like me, and think you can just walk out in your backyard Tuesday evening and view the event, read the articles from NASA and The Weather Channel. Trying to see the transit with the naked eye is too damaging to our eyes. So, either buy the glasses or lenses for your telescope they suggest, or visit the Evansville Museum on Tuesday. The museum is hosting a Venus Transit event with help from our local Astronomical Society.

To while away your time until Tuesday, stop by the library where you can brush up on your knowledge of Venus and astronomy in general.

"Awake" an amazing TV show, cancelled after tonight

professor.knowsitall@evpl — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:48:00 GMT

I'm not a fan of hyperbole...but Awake is, without a doubt, the best show I've seen on TV in a long time.

However, the bean counters at NBC have already cancelled the show. Tonight's season finale will also be the series finale.

Detective Michael Britten survives a horrific car crash with his wife and son as passengers. Following the accident, Michael finds himself living in two realities: one in which his wife survived but his son didn't, and one where his son survived but his wife didn't.

Michael alternates between the two realities every morning when he wakes. Happenings in one reality become clues for the other.

Definitely an interesting concept. But it's the writing, acting, and emotion that make the show so great. The cinematography is excellent as well, always alerting the viewer to which reality they are currently seeing (except for a few scenes that are intentionally vague).

Is one of the realities a dream? Are both? What is going on? We should find out tonight as the 13th and final episode airs.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this series (if you couldn't tell already), but you must watch them in order. They are available for viewing on Hulu.

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My Favorite Sleep/Dream Related Movies

So all this talk about Awake made me think about movies involving sleep & dreaming. Below are 3 of my favs, and as I previously declared my love for all things Christopher Nolan it should be no surprise that two of these are his.

Inception (2010) - Check our catalog

Ambiguous Plot Description: In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through dream invasion, a highly skilled thief is given a final chance at redemption which involves executing his toughest job to date: Inception. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, & Ellen Page.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - Check our catalog

Ambiguous Plot Description: A couple undergo a procedure to erase each other from their memories when their relationship turns sour, but it is only through the process of loss that they discover what they had to begin with. Starring Jim Carrey & Kate Winslet.

Insomnia (2002) - Check our catalog

Ambiguous Plot Description: Two Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to an Alaska town where the sun doesn't set to investigate the murder of a local teen. Starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams, & Hilary Swank.