A Celebration of Laurie King -- 20 Years of Published Works!

Best-selling local mystery writer Laurie King will present a book talk in the Central Park Library Redwood Room on Monday, February 4 at 6:30 p.m. in celebration of the 20th anniversary of publication of her first book, Grave Talent.  Author of the popular Russell books and Martinelli books, she also has written a number of stand-alone novels.  Recently published is her new work, Garment of Shadows, part of the Russell series.  Come hear Laurie discuss her 20 years of published novels and talk about her new book! 

For more information about this free anniversary celebration book talk, call Reference at 1-408-615-2900. This event is made possible by the Santa Clara City Library Foundation & Friends.  

 posted by jb

Silicon Valley Reads Book Talk: Brian Castner, The Long Walk

Silicon Valley Reads 2013 focuses on the “Invisible Wounds of War.” Brian Castner’s The Long Walk: A Story of War and the Life That Follows, is one of two books featured. At the first of a series of Silicon Valley Reads events at the Library, Brian will discuss his book on Sunday, February 3 at 2:00 p.m. in the Central Park Library Redwood Room.

Brian Castner completed three tours of duty in Iraq, serving as commander of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit for two. His “stunningly honest” book portrays the toll war takes on the fighting men and women, and his struggle with post-war anxieties and the effect on his family upon his return.  Brian will share with us his heartbreaking experiences, both in the field of war and at home. 

Everyone is encouraged to read the two Silicon Valley Reads authors. The other featured book is Minefields of the Heart, by Sue Diaz, which chronicles two deployments in Iraq by her son from the perspective of a mom on the home front. 

For more information about the free Silicon Valley Reads book talk, call Reference at 1-408-615-2900. Pick up a flyer listing all the special veterans-related events taking place at the Library in February and March. The program is co-sponsored by the Santa Clara City Library Foundation & Friends.

posted by jb

Women in Combat Upcoming Library Programs

        Yesterday, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced an end to the ban on women serving in combat in the U. S. military, potentially opening up 200,000 positions on the front lines and possibly also jobs with elite commando units.  As part of Silicon Valley Reads "Invisible Wounds of War" this spring, there will be two women who are experts on women's experiences in the military speaking at Santa Clara City Library. 
       Join us Monday, March 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Redwood Room to hear Charlotte Bear, a former U.S. Army broadcast journalist, present Supporting Women Warriors, Then and Now.  Learn about opportunities and challenges during active military service and the legacy created by women warriors.
       On Monday, March 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the Cedar Room, Linda Kleinsasser, Women's Veterans Program Manager at the VA Palo Alto Health Care  System, presents VA Health Care for Women.  She will tell us how the VA has responded to the needs of women veterans.
       Learn about all the Silicon Valley Reads "Invisible Wounds of War" events held at Santa Clara City Library here.  For all Silicon Valley Reads events, follow this link.

posted by mb



Get Your Free Credit Report

Once a year you can request a free credit report from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, the three major nationwide credit reporting agencies.  Ask for yours and check to see if there are any errors. This is a good way to prevent identity theft.  Follow the link above to learn more at the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Information site.

A credit report includes information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued or arrested, or have filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.


The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have set up a central website, a toll-free telephone number, and a mailing address through which you can order your free annual report.
To order, visit annualcreditreport.com, call 1-877-322-8228. Or complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form and mail it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. Do not contact the three nationwide consumer reporting companies individually. They are providing free annual credit reports only through annualcreditreport.com, 1-877-322-8228 or mailing to Annual Credit Report Request Service.

You may order your reports from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies at the same time, or you can order your report from each of the companies one at a time. The law allows you to order one free copy of your report from each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies every 12 months

posted by mb

Name That Asteroid!

So here's the conversation...

Me: Hello, my name is (101955) 1999 RQ36.
You: That's a terrible name!
Me: Well, it's not my fault. I'm just an asteroid, and I was given a boring science name by the geniuses at the Minor Planet Center of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. What the heck am I supposed to do?
You: Wow! That name is just as bad as yours! Well, maybe a bunch of kids could send in suggestions for new names. Then you could get a really cool name instead of that other ridiculous name that nobody can remember.
Me: Wow, what a great idea!

So, if you're under the age of 18, here's your chance to...NAME THAT ASTEROID!

You only have until December 31, 2012 to get that name sent in. So put on your thinking caps and come up with a good one. Maybe your name will get chosen and you will be the one that gets to say, "Remember that asteroid (101955) 1999 RQ36? (You'll have to remember the name because it will be YOUR asteroid at this point) Well, I'm the dude/chick who gave it its cool new name (insert name here)." Then you'll put it on a t-shirt and be famous for the rest of your life, and everyone else's, because asteroids usually stay in space for like millions and billions of years.

There are some guidelines to naming the asteroid. For instance, you can't just name it whatever you want. Scientists won't be very happy if you try to name it Inky Pinky Squigglebottom, H.R. Pufnstuf, or some other silly name like Lemony Snicket. Read the guidelines, submit your suggestion, and keep your fingers crossed! If you win, we'll have a big party for you here at the library! Promise!

Click this link for all the details. Name That Asteroid!

New Irish Genealogy Online Resources

New England Historic & Genealogical Society reports:

A Note from the Editor: New Irish Resources


by Lynn Betlock, Editor

Researchers tracing Irish ancestors will be pleased to note that new Irish resources have recently been made available online

National Archives of Ireland Website

In November, the National Archives of Ireland launched a new genealogy website, which offers access to Census Records for 1901 and 1911, Soldiers’ Wills from 1914 to 1917, and Tithe Applotment Books (head-of-household substitutes) from 1823 to 1837. (FamilySearch has Tithe Applotment Books from 1814 through 1855.) In years to come, the Archives plans to add the following collections: Calendars of Wills and Administrations, 1858–1922; nineteenth-century census survivals, 1821–51; Valuation Office House and Field Books, 1848–60; and census search forms for the 1841 and 1851 censuses.

Irish Military Records

The Military Archives is responsible for the records of Ireland’s Department of Defence, the Defence Forces, and the Army Pensions Board. The website features the Military Archives Image Identification Project and the Irish Army Census Collection, 1922 (which is in its third and final phase). (An Irish Times article provides background information on the 1922 census.) According to the website, “the Military Archives holds only the personnel records of those who served in the military of the Irish Free State from 1922, as well as material pertaining to the Irish Volunteers and the Independence movement, 1913–1921.”

British Army records, including those for Irish regiments, can be obtained at the National Archives of England. An article entitled “Information Document on the Irish Regiments of the British Army up to 31st July 1922” can be a useful guide. Other sources of military records in Ireland are “The National Library, which holds a number of lists of Irish Personnel in the British Army from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, or Dublin City Library and Archive . . . which is the point of contact for the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association."   posted by mb