November New Books Part 2

Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury October 20
Brad Cutler, twenty-eight, is a rising star at his New York ad agency, about to marry the girl of his dreams. Anyone would agree he has it all: a great career, a beautiful and loving fiance, and a fairy tale life ahead of himself when memories of a high school girlfriend begin to torment him. Lost innocence and one very difficult choice flood his conscience, and he is no longer sure what the future will bring except for this: He must find his old love and make amends. Haunted by the past and confused about the future, he turns to God seeking forgiveness and redemption.



The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver Nov 3
The Lacuna is a poignant story of a man pulled between two nations as they invent their modern identities. Born in the United States, reared in a series of provisional households in Mexico-from a coastal island jungle to 1930s Mexico City-Harrison Shepherd finds precarious shelter but no sense of home on his thrilling odyssey. Life is whatever he learns from housekeepers who put him to work in the kitchen, errands he runs in the streets, and one fateful day, by mixing plaster for famed Mexican muralist Diego Rivera.
He discovers a passion for Aztec history and meets the exotic, imperious artist Frida Kahlo, who will become his lifelong friend. When he goes to work for Lev Trotsky, an exiled political leader fighting for his life, Shepherd inadvertently casts his lot with art and revolution, newspaper headlines and howling gossip, and a risk of terrible violence. Meanwhile, to the north, the United States will soon be caught up in the internationalist goodwill of World War II. There in the land of his birth, Shepherd believes he might remake himself in America's hopeful image and claim a voice of his own. He finds support from an unlikely kindred soul, his stenographer, Mrs. Brown, who will be far more valuable to her employer than he could ever know.


Breathless by Dean Koontz Nov 24
In the stillness of a golden September afternoon, deep in the wilderness of the Rockies, a solitary craftsman, Grady Adams, and his magnificent Irish wolfhound Merlin step from shadow into light…and into an encounter with enchantment. That night, through the trees, under the moon, a pair of singular animals will watch Grady's isolated home, waiting to make their approach.

A few miles away, Camillia Rivers, a local veterinarian, begins to unravel the threads of a puzzle that will bring all the forces of a government in peril to her door.

At a nearby farm, long-estranged identical twins come together to begin a descent into darkness…In Las Vegas, a specialist in chaos theory probes the boundaries of the unknowable…On a Seattle golf course, two men make matter-of-fact arrangements for murder…Along a highway by the sea, a vagrant scarred by the past begins a trek toward his destiny…



I, Alex Cross by James Patterson Nov 16
Detective Alex Cross is pulled out of a family celebration and given the awful news that a beloved relative has been found brutally murdered. Alex vows to hunt down the killer, and soon learns that she was mixed up in one of Washington's wildest scenes. And she was not this killer's only victim.

You can't hideThe hunt for her murderer leads Alex and his girlfriend, Detective Brianna Stone, to a place where every fantasy is possible, if you have the credentials to get in. Alex and Bree are soon facing down some very important, very protected, very dangerous people in levels of society where only one thing is certain--they will do anything to keep their secrets safe. Alex Cross is your only hope to stay alive



Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb Nov 3
When the newly promoted captain of the NYPSD and his wife return a day early from their vacation, they were looking forward to spending time with their bright and vivacious sixteen-year-old daughter who had stayed behind.

Not even their worst nightmares could have prepared them for the crime scene that awaited them instead. Brutally murdered in her bedroom, Deena's body showed signs of trauma that horrified even the toughest of cops; including our own Lieutenant Eve Dallas, who was specifically requested by the captain to investigate.

When the evidence starts to pile up, Dallas and her team think they are about to arrest their perpetrator; little do they know yet that someone has gone to great lengths to tease and taunt them by using a variety of identities. Overconfidence can lead to careless mistakes. But for Dallas, one mistake might be all she needs to bring justice.

November New Books Part 1

The Gift by Cecilia Ahern Nov 3
Lou Suffern is always overstretched, immune to the holiday spirit that delights everyone around him. The classic workaholic who never has a moment to spare, he is always multitasking while shortchanging his devoted wife and their adorable children. And ever since he started competing for a big promotion, he has barely seen his family at all.
One frigid morning in an uncharacteristic burst of generosity, he buys a cup of coffee for Gabe, a homeless man huddled outside his office building. Inspired by his own unexpected act of kindness, Lou decides to prolong his charitable streak and contrives to get Gabe a job in his company's mailroom. But when Gabe begins to meddle in Lou's life, the helping hand appears to be a serious mistake. Gabe seems to know more about Lou than Lou does about himself, and, perhaps more disturbingly, Gabe always seems to be in two places at once.

With Lou's personal and professional fates at important crossroads and Christmas looming, Gabe resorts to some unorthodox methods to show his stubborn patron what truly matters and how precious the gift of time is. But can he help him fix what's broken before it's too late?


Rainwater by Sandra Brown Nov 3
The year is 1934. With the country in the stranglehold of drought and economic depression, Ella Barron runs her Texas boardinghouse with an efficiency that ensures her life will be kept in balance. Between chores of cooking and cleaning for her residents, she cares for her ten-year-old son, Solly, a sweet but challenging child whose misunderstood behavior finds Ella on the receiving end of pity, derision, and suspicion.
When David Rainwater arrives at the house looking for lodging, he comes recommended by a trusted friend as "a man of impeccable character." But Ella senses that admitting Mr. Rainwater will bring about unsettling changes.
However, times are hard, and in order to make ends meet, Ella's house must remain one hundred percent occupied. So Mr. Rainwater moves into her house...and impacts her life in ways Ella could never have foreseen.


Quilter's Holiday by Jennifer Chiaverini Nov 3
For the Elm Creek Quilters, the day after Thanksgiving marks the start of the quilting season, a time to gather at Elm Creek Manor and spend the day stitching holiday gifts for loved ones. This year, in keeping with the season's spirit of gratitude, Master Quilter Sylvia Bergstrom Compson Cooper is eager to revive a cherished family tradition. A recent remodeling of the manor's kitchen unearthed a cornucopia that once served as the centerpiece of the Bergstrom family's holiday table. Into it, each Bergstrom would place an object that symbolized something he or she was especially thankful for that year. On this quilter's holiday, Sylvia has invited her friends to continue the tradition by sewing quilt blocks that represent their thankfulness and gratitude.

Wrecker by Clive Cussler Nov 17
In The Chase, Clive Cussler introduced an electrifying new hero, the tall, lean, no-nonsense detective Isaac Bell, who, driven by his sense of justice, travels early-twentieth-century America pursuing thieves and killers . . . and sometimes criminals much worse.
It is 1907, a year of financial panic and labor unrest. Train wrecks, fires, and explosions sabotage the Southern Pacific Railroad's Cascades express line and, desperate, the railroad hires the fabled Van Dorn Detective Agency. Van Dorn sends in his best man, and Bell quickly discovers that a mysterious saboteur haunts the hobo jungles of the West, a man known as the Wrecker, who recruits accomplices from the down-and-out to attack the railroad, and then kills them afterward. The Wrecker traverses the vast spaces of the American West as if he had wings, striking wherever he pleases, causing untold damage and loss of human life. Who is he? What does he want? Is he a striker? An anarchist? A revolutionary determined to displace the "privileged few"? A criminal mastermind engineering some as yet unexplained scheme?

Ford County: Stories by John Grisham Nov 3
In his first collection of short stories John Grisham takes us back to Ford County, Mississippi, the setting of his first novel, A Time to Kill.
Featuring a cast of characters you'll never forget, these stories bring Ford County to vivid and colorful life. Often hilarious, frequently moving, and always entertaining, this collection makes it abundantly clear why John Grisham is our most popular storyteller.


Merry, Merry Ghost by Carolyn Hart Oct 27
Being dead can't put a damper on spirited, holiday-loving Bailey Ruth Raeburn.

Christmas is a time for family and giving, and a wealthy woman in Adelaide, Oklahoma, is about to embrace both. Discovering that she has a young grandson, the dowager decides to change her will to leave the bulk of her fortune to the young boy—an alteration that stuns the rest of her family. But a scrooge of a determined heir makes sure she never signs the new document. When she is found dead, it's up to that irrepressible spirit Bailey Ruth, on assignment from Wiggins and Heaven's Department of Good Intentions, to protect a little boy, foil a murderer, and save Christmas.

There's only one teeny hitch: how can Bailey Ruth figure out which family member was desperate enough to kill when everyone has a motive?



The End of the Road by Sue Henry Nov 3
Maxie McNabb and her miniature dachshund, Stretch, are just back from their latest adventure when a murder shatters the quiet in their hometown of Homer, Alaska. Now it-s up to Maxie to find the killer-a search that leads her to a place called -the end of the road.



Ice by Linda Howard Nov 10
Gabriel McQueen has only just arrived home on holiday leave from the service when his county-sheriff father sends him back out again with new marching orders. A brewing ice storm, and a distant neighbor who’s fallen out of contact, have the local lawman concerned. So he enlists Gabriel to make the long haul to the middle of nowhere, and make sure Lolly Helton is safe and sound. It’s a trip the younger McQueen would rather not make given the bitter winter weather–and the icy conditions that have always existed between him and Lolly.

Under the Dome by Stephen King Nov 19

On an entirely normal, beautiful fall day in Chester's Mill, Maine, the town is inexplicably and suddenly sealed off from the rest of the world by an invisible force field. Planes crash into it and fall from the sky in flaming wreckage, a gardener's hand is severed as "the dome" comes down on it, people running errands in the neighboring town are divided from their families, and cars explode on impact. No one can fathom what this barrier is, where it came from, and when--or if--it will go away.

Dale Barbara, Iraq vet and now a short-order cook, finds himself teamed with a few intrepid citizens--town newspaper owner Julia Shumway, a physician's assistant at the hospital, a select-woman, and three brave kids. Against them stands Big Jim Rennie, a politician who will stop at nothing--even murder--to hold the reins of power, and his son, who is keeping a horrible secret in a dark pantry. But their main adversary is the Dome itself. Because time isn't just short. It's running out.

Halloween Storytime 10/27-29

Children's Librarian alias "Sheriff "Ingvild read stories about pumpkins, and halloween. Some children came dressed up and all enjoyed the activites.

More Pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/kassonlibrary/

Thursday, October 29th

Head Start made their first visit of the year to the library. Welcome!

Wednesday, October 28th

The children enjoy the stories and activities. Great costumes throughtout the storytimes this week.

Tuesday, October 27th

Soldiers and fairies came to hear the stories and color.

Twitter with the Library

In August Children's Librarian Ingvild opened a Twitter Account and has been twittering ideas, and upcoming library events. Become a "Tweet" with us. http://twitter.com/kassonlibrary

Ask the Readers: Easy Green Products That Really Work

I always check this site daily http://www.onsimplicity.net/ to find out what she has to say on a variety of topics. I have started to use products that my mother used years ago and seemed to be so outdated. But guess what she was right! They work great. Below are some other ideas on how to go green and save.


Not everyone will share my opinion, but I’m fully convinced that green products and solutions will never truly be viable unless they’re actually better and, more importantly, easier than more wasteful options. Take it from the girl living in an area where glass is not allowed in the curbside recycling bin (seriously!): If it’s not easy, it’s not happening.
Today, I’m hoping that some readers can share their knowledge of green products, ideas, and services that are easy and that work well.

In my own house, I’ve fallen in love with (none of which are particularly innovative or fresh, just completely effective):

Vinegar-based cleaners: Buying a gigantic bottle of vinegar means that I have to go shopping less and also that my cleaner is awesomely cheap.

Jersey-knit rags: These beat paper towels for a couple of reasons. While I do have to wash cloth rags, they can go in the regular cycle, so it’s not an extra load. Plus, they’re free when cut from old t-shirts, and it doesn’t take any longer to walk to the washing machine than the garbage can. (Strategy, folks!) And since jersey is a tightly-woven knit, I find that they soak up messes really well

Stainless steel thermoses: These beat water bottles that need to be tossed and repurchased constantly. I think “buy it once and keep it forever” purchases are the ultimate in classy laziness. Plus, i can actually control the temp of the water or tea in my thermos! I do tend to walk off and forget my thermos on a very regular basis, but soap and water cleanup means it takes just a minute or two to refill when we’re reunited.
control the temp of the water or tea in my thermos! I do tend to walk off and forget my thermos on a very regular basis, but soap and water cleanup means it takes just a minute or two to refill when we’re reunited.

Reusable shopping bags: At first it was a guilt trip. No one wants to be the loser carrying out two dozen plastic bags from WinCo. Once I tried the standard reusable shopping bag, though, I was hooked. With the shoulder-length straps, I could carry more bags at a time with less strain, which made unloading the car so much easier. Plus, they’re way sturdier than they look and it’s been easy to remember to take them with me to the store. Win-win on this one..

Chemistry Storytime October 20-22

"Mad Scientist" Ingvild introduces chemistry and the magic of mixing items together to create or explore why they change.










The children heard about Chemistry week from Children's Librarian Ingvild and learned about mixing colors to create new colors. The best part was mixing frosting to create new colors and taste the difference on cookies. Yummmm.

Follow all of the exciting action of our very busy storytimes and see the many pictures of your children, grandchildren etc at our

This week was a very busy week and I fell behind in the blog but we have lots of pictures for you to view and share.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kassonlibrary/

Barn Storytime October 13-15

I was at the Minnesota Library Association annual conference in St Cloud this week so did not get a chance to write about the storytime events.

Follow all of the exciting action of our very busy storytimes and see the many pictures of your children, grandchildren etc at our Flickr site http://www.flickr.com/photos/kassonlibrary/.

Excellence in Customer Service: A "Standard" Approach MLA Session 5

James Lund, Red Wing Library and Andy Stehr, Rochester Public Library and Kim Edson were the session presenters.

The Red Wing and Rochester Public Library decided to standardize their approach to customer service to help patrons and staff have familiar and predictable expectations. Make the patrons feel ownership of the library and empower staff to make decisions bases on the library's core values.

James is passionate bout customer excellence. He encourages his staff through modeling behavior, living it and encouraging it. He spoke highly of the book The Starbucks Experience-5 Principals of Turning Ordinary Into Extraordinary. In this book the five expectations are:Make It Your Own, Everything Matters, Surprise and Delight, Embrace Resistance, Leave Your Mark. He gave examples of these principals and how the are helping staff and patrons have a better library experience.

Andy and the Rochester Library had a similar approach and had employee workshop and empowered staff to make decisions and suggestions for improvement.

A informative workshop with many ideas and thought of how to improve your own library.

Grassroots Advocacy MLA Session 4

Sally G. Reed was the dessert Keynote speaker and spoke passionately about people coming forth the help support the funds needed to keep library services going.

She talked about the Carnegie Libraries that sprung up in the early 20th century with the help of Andrew Carnegie and towns that wanted and could support libraries so all could use the free library. Before Carnegie started the library building program there were about 637 public libraries and after over 3500 libraries. Town had to meet certain criteria such as: own and develop the land, have a book collection, furnishings, and have resources to support the library in the future.

Libraries in a recent library rating polls found that 95% of the population approve and support libraries. They tend to see libraries through their own particular window rather than the whole picture. We as library workers have to try and change and educate the public on what we do and why it is important to continue our services.

We are currently in a crisis with funding being cut when people desperately need the library services. Such as Internet access (job applications, unemployment benefits, etc), use of books for do-it-yourself projects, early literacy (storytime), summer reading programs so children can stay at grade level for reading.

A very thought provoking speech and I will try to do better informing my patrons of library services and what they can do to help.

Fun With Facebook MLA Session 3

Thanks to Jonya Pacey, a Selco employee and avid facebook user helped us with how to set up an account, use groups or fan pages, and how to link with existing twitter and blog accounts.

Jonya stated that you should know ahead of time what your focus of the account will be personal or professional and the pages should be uniform and could be branded to the library. Rochester Public Library has one for their teens, and other promote upcoming programs.

I have toyed with Facebook ever since I finished the 23 Things on A Stick program and saw the huge potential to reach teens a group I feel is under served in our library. But with the huge demands on teens they find it hard to come to the library for information, books or programs. You also have to get on their social calenders early. I am hoping we can start small and have a presence so they will know what we have to offer them.

I will continue to ponder this and hopefully have a product sometime early next year.

Friends of the Library Ideas Exchange MLA Session 2

Great ideas from Friends of the Library (FOL) groups from all over Minnesota. I learned more about sales tax, 501 c 3 accounts and have the promotions and programs under the City insurance. Make sure the Friends get advertising coverage if they contribute to a program.

I heard new ideas and plan to pitch them to my Friends group when I get back. For instance:

1. Have a calling committee that just does calling. Call people for specific programs or help.


2. Create brochure of what activities the Friends are doing or need help for project.


3. Book Sales-Have a Silent Auction (have minimum bids) at your sale-use library bags and place best sellers, chocolate, gift cards, etc.


4. Ask for specific help.

Author Nancy Carlson MLA Session 1

At our 7 am breakfast, Author Nancy Carlson (Harriet , Louann Pig, Loudmouth George books) spoke on Where Do Ideas Come From?

Nancy was an outstanding speaker and told us that ideas come from everywhere and we just have to keep our eyes and ears open. For instance at her son's school conference she was told by the teacher that her son knew 101 ways to sit in a chair. She thought great idea for a book Sit Still. She heard around her house It's Not My Fault from her children great book idea. Another book was Harriet's Halloween Candy that talked about hoarding candy and how to share. I must confess I was a lot like her with the Halloween candy and found it hard to share. I loved it when my kids were small, my husband & I raided their Halloween candy while they slept. We only did that till the noticed some was missing.
She said that theme books were the hardest to write: Smile Alot, Think Happy, and Get Up and Go. While they are intriguing and have great illustrations not lots written content. Plot books on the other hand were easier because content was there and illustrations added later:I like Myself.
I thoroughly enjoyed her presentation. I added information about the Sharon Lerner Lecture.
Lerner Publishing in Minneapolis. Sharon was started as art director for the company and went on to be president of Carolrhoda Book Company. She had a great love for children and children's books and this is a very fitting legacy for her and the company.

Minnesota Library Conference Session 4

What's New in Young Adult Literature with Donna Nix

This workshop was the most disappointing because it was advertised as an overview of this years must read young adult books. Attendees were hoping to actually see and hear about the titles but were informed by the speaker that was not what her session would be. Some people did get up and leave disappointed.

She did a great job of telling the audience about the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). As I already use their lists to buy young adult books I also gleaned information on several new programs that could be beneficial for us in the future.

Minnesota Library Conferece Session 3

Putting the You inYouTube-presented by Linda Prybyto, Carver County Librarian, Marcus Lowry, Waconia Librarian and Heather Peterson from Eden Prairie Library.

Each library took a different approach to put tween/teens and videos together to help promote their libraries.

Carver County wrote a grant and received over $10,000 to purchase video cameras, materials and pay for staff time. No Waste recycling was chosen as the theme and a total six movies. A great overall learning experience but proved to be hard with 5th graders and their knowledge of video cameras, storyboarding and editing. Parents and children were excited to see the finished product but lessons learned by staff of what to do different.

Carver County decided if they did it again the would chose the Canon FS100 video camera for its ease of use and uploading capabilities for any age.

Waconia Library also worked with 5th graders and found storyboard worked well and kept the children on track better.

Eden Prairie took a low cost approach and did not buy cameras, uploading or editing software but instead chose to have YouTube take charge. YouTube has great instructions on how to sign up, use their software, and upload videos. Students in 7-12 competed for the last three years in a contest to have Eden Prairie library features in a YouTube video. Prizes ranged from $100.00 first prize and two $75.00 runner-ups. Seven groups participated and worked well with staff and patrons to produce, direct, star, and perform original musical scores.

These videos from the past years of all three libraries are on YouTube. Just put Eden Prairie, Carver County or Waconia to view these outstanding videos. Eden Prairie http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=eden+prairie+library&search_type=&aq=f

Thank you to the three libraries and the information they gave all of us. I would like to try this with the teens in my library.

Minnesota Library Conference Session 2

Northern Bright Jewelry Class
WOW!! What a great workshop! Paige told us how she became a designer of purses, jewelry and many more products.

Paige also gave us some background on her love of jewelry and her many beads and buttons. She has beads from India, Africa, Czech Republic just to mention a few. She also explained about how to chose what color, size and amount of beads go best together for a wonderful finished product. It took longer to pick out what we wanted than it did to string it all together.
All six in the class had different taste and style of bracelets and like what each other had designed. We then strung them on elastic thread, learned how to tied it all together, and learned how to best hide the knot. I had such fun I also paid for additional beads to make another beautiful bracelet. I received many compliments on my bracelet for conference-goers Thank you Paige for all of your help!

I would highly recommend this jewelry class to anyone. If you and your friends would like to a project to do together this would be great. Just call her store and make arrangements.

Northern Brights707 W. St. Germain St. St. Cloud, MN 56301 Phone: 320.654.1814 Our hours are Mon-Fri 10-6 & Sat 10-4. Hope to see you soon! http://www.northernbrights.com/

I also included some information on her store.

About the Northern Brights Store.
The Northern Brights boutique opened in spring of 2007 in a hundred year old building in the Historic Arts District of downtown Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It was a six month journey restoring the building where the store is in the front and the production studio is in the rear. We exposed the original tin ceilings, refurbished the hardwoood maple floors, and hung ceiling fans and crystal chandeliers.

The store is an eclectic mix of the Northern Brights accessory collections, handcrafted jewelry, one-of-a-kind artisans pieces, handmade clothing, fair trade items and other assorted lines of jewelry, scarves, handbags, clothing, gifts and cards. The 13-foot antique counter that the cash register sits on was salvaged from a turn-of-the-century dry goods store in Hibbing, Minnesota. It wouldn't be unusual to see earrings hanging from birdcages, handbags displayed on a garden arbor, or garments hung from wrought-iron screens.

Minnesota Library Convention

I am at the Minnesota Library Convention (MLA) in St Cloud for the next three days. I received a scholarship t0 MLA from Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO ) regional library system.

I attend three sessions today along with talking to the many vendors that help support library services. I will blog on this page the first session and blog about the others on other pages.

I attended a pre-conference session on Personal Safety for Library workers by Fred Vogt. Mr. Vogt has also written a book called See Sally Kick Ass a Woman's Guide to Personal Safety.

This workshop really opened my eyes on how little time to have to react to a potentially dangerous person or situation. We were told the best way to stand, approach, and what to do with our arms and hands to defuse a situation. Always be prepared and what is your action plan. Mr. Vogt gave us hands on experience along with the lecture of the 4 A's- Attitude, Awareness, Avoidance and Action.

Attitude-90% is nonverbal, stand tall and walk confidently.

Awareness-He used the analogy of how an inside cat acts inside vs when he goes outside. He stops at the doorway and is constantly scanning his surrounding. Mr. Vogt said we should always do likewise. We tend to get into trouble when we become complacent.

Avoidance-650 safety tips were is a book on safety written by speaker.

Action-Verbal and your body as a weapon.

After a short break there was audience participation and I had to go to another workshop and missed the hands on part but heard later he was vey impressive and helpful tips for everyone.

15 Graceful Ways To Say No

I too have trouble saying no and keeping my off time for myself, family, and close friends. This was a great article that reminded me it okay to say no. Great suggestions. http://www.onsimplicity.net/2009/02/15-graceful-ways-to-say-no/

While saying yes can take us down some wonderful roads, there’s also a ton of value in saying no. We’re only given a certain amount of hours in our lives; do you really want to give yours away so easily? If you don’t have time to commit to a new project, complete a favor, or serve on another committee, it’s a good idea to just say no.

The problem comes when saying no will put you in an awkward situation. Maybe you feel bad turning down the invitation to a coworker’s bridal shower or you’re worried that saying no to your cubicle buddy will cost you opportunities down the line. What you need in your back pocket is a way to say no gracefully—and that’s just what I’ve got for you today. Consider them “Get out of Jail Free” cards for grown-ups.

For requests in the workplace:
“I’m sorry, but I just have a lot of other responsibilities on my plate. I really can’t give that project the attention it deserves.”

“I love your ideas, and I know a few people who might be great matches for your project.”

“You know, this isn’t really my area of expertise, but I know a few great resources. Let me write them down for you.”

“I’d love to help, but I’m on a strict deadline for the next few days. Let me know if there’s any way I can help another time.”

“I’d love to come to your [creepy after-hours direct marketing] party, but I’m babysitting for a friend that evening.” (I highly recommend brainstorming a few truthful excuses as to why you wouldn’t be able to go: make plans to call your mom, to catch up with an old friend, or to finally do whatever task it is that you’ve been putting off.)

“I’m sorry, but as a general rule I don’t participate in [insert activity or favor here]. If there’s another way I can help, let me know.”

For a friend’s event you can’t attend:
“I’m busy that afternoon. Why don’t you and I get together for brunch next week instead?”

“I wish I could come, but I’ve got a family thing I can’t back out of. I hope everyone has a great time.”

“Thanks for thinking of me! That evening isn’t good for me, but I’d love to come another time.” (Remember, only say “another time” if you really mean it–otherwise, you’re wasting the other person’s time.)

“No, I won’t be able to make it, but please let me know how it goes.”

“I really need some downtime, so I’ll have to pass. Email me a picture if you can and tell everyone ‘hi’ for me.”

When you’d rather have a root canal:
“My child/dog/cat has severe diarrhea, so I really have to get home. Thanks for the invite, though!”

“I have to apologize. I think I’ve got the beginnings of a migraine, so I’d better lay low tonight. I hope you have a great time!”

Or, try the Scarlett O’Hara option: “Why that sounds lovely! You will tell me how it went, won’t you? You’re such a doll!” Then book it out of there—fast!

And here’s the nuclear option. If someone really won’t take no for an answer for a non-work hours event, this should get them to let it go: “I’m sorry but I’ll be all tied up then. That’s bondage night at my house. “

If you’d like more good reasons to say no, check out Avani Mehta’s post, Saying No—And Feeling Good About It.

Clockeasy

I found this great website from my friend at Sites and Sound Bytes and I started to use it and it works great.

Every so often, I need a little alarm to remind me of an upcoming meeting, or know that I am going to work on a project that I get immersed in and need to be reminded of the time. I have looked and looked for a nice clock function that I could download and have on my desktop.
Well, Clockeasy isn’t a download, making it one step better. It’s a website. They offer a clock, an alarm, countdown timer, or a stopwatch. Both the clock and countdown can be customized for font, size, color and more and then the code can be inserted on a website. The alarm and stopwatch are there to be used on their site.
Simple, easy, and the perfect solution to an ongoing problem. Time.

Tour of Pierre Bottineau Public Library-Mpls.

Today board members(Lori Hopkins, Chuck Coleman), Sally Coleman, and I traveled to Minneapolis to tour a library in the Hennepin County Library system that was reclaimed buildings to create the Pierre Bottineau Library. The architects melded the old with the new wonderfully. They kept the character of the old buildings and added modern touches that really worked. We all felt that the building is beautiful and really fits in it's environment.

I especially loved the iron works inside and out. Two beautiful wrought-iron gates and iron fencing really adds charm to the library site. The skylight was a great touch along with the large spacious windows that let lots of light into the library. This library is also a "green building". This means that they kept existing tree for shade in the summer, high-efficiency HVAC, southeast orientation helped to maximize wintertime solar light, occupancy sensors decreased demand for lighting, end of day shutdown of systems to conserve energy. Sidewalks and bike racks were constructed to help encourage low-energy methods of transportation.

Pierre Bottineau Library is one of the newest old building in the Hennepin Library System opened in 2003 at the Historic Grain Belt campus.The 1893 Wagon Shed and the 1913 Millwright Shop and stables were reused and merged with a new structure to create a warm and welcoming state-of-the-art library. It is a lively neighborhood gathering place where people come to read, meet, and study.

The library and the nearby Bottineau neighborhood are named for Pierre Bottineau one of the most colorful characters in early local history. An accomplished guide, trapper, and trader, he spent the prime years of his long, active life opening up the Northwest Corridor communities of the Twin Cities metro area to settlement.