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Friday, September 11, 2009

Staff Pick: Wild Douglas County

Book Cover

Wild Douglas County by Ken Lassman

Ken Lassman's book, Wild Douglas County, encourages us to bring the outdoors into our social conscience. Ken wants to reconnect each of us to our bioregion with a greater sense of place. Ken's book may also be used as a reference guide to become more familiar with nature in our own backyards and the whole region. Read Wild Douglas County to learn how valuable and important our local ecology is and how we can help create justice for this piece of the earth.

Ken writes: "Today... we have a landscape that has shrinking islands of native habitat surrounded by agricultural and urban landscapes." How can wild animals that do not fly travel from one natural area to the next? Every summer I witness several turtles attempting to cross our roads; unfortunately, I can't always help them across. We must find a way to help wildlife survive. Ken offers these practical solutions: connect areas of nearby native habitats with natural corridors, "nature's highways", transform your yard to native habitat, control invasive species, get actively involved in local restoration and preservation efforts, and cultivate ecological literacy.

This thorough guide makes the seasons more accessible with descriptions of happenings throughout the year in the cycles and rhythms of various organisms. An annotated list of recommended local organizations to join or contact for more information is also provided. Recommended native habitats to visit are highlighted, including access pointes to the Kaw and Wakarusa Rivers, and where to see healthy examples of native prairies and woodlands.

Also note that Ken offers an invitation, if you would like to ask him to give a presentation and/or lead a nature walk, his contact information is inside the front of the book.

Shirley - Adult Services

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

September Movies

The movies are coming out later this month. The books are already here at the library. Click on titles to view and reserve items in our catalog.

Whiteout
by Greg Rucka

In theaters September 11

In this graphic novel, Carrie Stetko, a US Marshall stationed in Antarctica, chases a killer across the continent and finds out that he has more than bodies to hide. Followed up by Whiteout: Melt.

More about the book
Official Movie Site

The Informant
by Kurt Eichenwald

In theaters September 18

A riveting account of an FBI investigation into a massive price fixing scheme at one of America's largest corporations. This book may be a work of nonfiction, but as David Baldacci put it, "the twists and turns... leave many thrillers in the dust".

More about the book
Official Movie Site

Brief Interviews with Hideous Men
by David Foster Wallace

In theaters September 25

A collection of short stories from the writer A. O. Scott called "the best mind of his generation".

More about the book
Official Movie Site

I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell
by Tucker Max

In theaters September 25

Unapologetic and supposedly true accounts of the author's adventures boozing, sleeping around, and admittedly acting like an idiot. Some reviewers think this book is hilarious. Others are offended.

More about the book
Official Movie Site

Surrogates
by Robert Venditti

In theaters September 25

A graphic novel that takes place in 2054, when virtual reality and cybernetics have advanced to the point that it is no longer necessary for people to leave home to experience life. A terrorist is determined to put an end to this, and two detectives are determined to stop him.

More about the book
Official Movie Site