For the love of dogs

Do you love dogs? Are you looking for some inspiring reading about dog interactions with their human companions? We have a fairly large collection of books about dogs, but here are just a few titles that look at different aspects of the lives of dogs and what makes their relationships with human beings so special.





Dogs and Devotion by the Monks of New Skete. (New York: Hyperion, 2009) 636.7 DOG


The Monks of New Skete, NY have written numerous books about dogs and puppies. This book is a series of meditations about our special relationships with dogs--it is very moving.





Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know by Alexandra Horowitz. (New York: Scribner, 2009) 636.7 HOR



This book is written for the dog lover who would like to understand his or her dog from the dog's incredible sensory perception as studied and understood by author Horowitz. It is written with the general reader in mind and gives us a fresh look at dogs from a slightly more academic perspective.






The Modern Dog: A Joyful Exploration of How We Live With Dogs Today by Stanley Coren. (New York: Free Press, 2008) 636.7 COR



Author Coren gives a brief history of the dog's relationship with humans and then launches into other aspects of our interactions with dogs. This is a series of essays written about the relationships we have with dogs and some humorous aspects to their behavior and our seemingly frequent misunderstanding of it.





Dog Talk: Lessons Learned From a Life With Dogs by Harrison Forbes with Beth Adelman. (New York: St. Martin's Press, 2008) 636.7 FOR



This book is written by a dog trainer and behaviorist, Harrison Forbes. He relates his experience with difficult-to-handle dogs and offers insight into dealing with these types of dogs. He gives some sound information about why dogs act and react the way they do. He offers up all this information and experience in a humane and useful way for dog owners to understand and put into practice with their own dogs.

Marie's Favorite Film Pics

Over the years we have been offered film recommendations from such great film reviewers as Leonard Maltin, Jeffrey Lyons, Joel Siegel, and Portland's own Shawn Levy, among others.

When we have conversations with friends about movies, invariably everyone will come up with a few movies that they can't wait to share with you. That is how I've discovered some of my favorite movies.

Well it is now my turn to share with you some of my film favorites for you to enjoy for the first time or revist if you have already seen them.

Gather friends and family along with your favorite movie snacks and enjoy!

Enchanted April DVD (1992).

This is a delightful drama that tells the tale of 4 unhappy British women who need to escape their stifling lines in London in the 1920's. They decide to rent a quaint castle by the sea in Italy for the month of April. During their stay the place works its magic on everyone as they fall under its romantic spell and the women learn much about themselves and their relationships.

The "enchanting" Italian settings in Portofino, Liguria, Castello Brown, and Genoa cast a spell over those who view the film. They sure made me feel like I was there.

Moonstruck. DVD (1987)

In Moonstruck, Loretta Castorini, a Brooklyn bookkeeper in her late 30's, decides that it is time to marry again and accepts a proposal from a nice, middle-aged man named Johnny Cammareri. (Her first marriage ended when her husband passed on and she is convinced she was cursed because theygot married in City Hall instead of in a church.)

The story gets interesting when her fiance goes to Italy to see his controlling mother who is "again" on her deathbed. Before he leaves he asks Loretta to visit his estranged brother to invite him to their wedding.

The meeting of Loretta and Johnny Cammareri sets off all kinds of sparks

and the complications that follow will keep you laughing and

wanting more.

For fans of this movie, lines like: "Johnny Cammareri!!!!!" and "Snap out

of it?" and "When you love them they drive you crazy because they know

they can." and "A bride without a head! A wolf without a foot!" and "Birds fly

to the stars - I guess.", along with many others bring back fond memories of

this movie.

Whales of August. DVD (1987)

For those who have never seen the following 3 great film actors, Betty Davis, Lillian Gish and Vincent Price, the Whales of August is a great introduction.

This relatively unknown film is set in the summer in Maine in a seaside home where two elderly widowed sisters have spent there summers for 50 years.

Libby is blind and hard to live with and Sarah is her very devoted sister.

Enter an aging count who tries to sweep Sarah off her feet. Unfortunatley

jealous Libby sabotages the romance.

The theme of whether Sarah should sell the summer cottage and find a

place for Libby to live out the rest of her life weaves its way through the film.

The interior details of the old cottage, the sounds of the wildlife,

the sun shimmering off the water, and the amazing interactions

between the characters draws one into this little slice of life.

Enjoy!

Waste Not Want Not

Living within one's means and topics of personal responsibility have been common publishing themes lately in business books. Books on raking in millions through real estate investing...not so much....

Stop Acting Rich by Thomas J Stanley 332.024 STA
You would think that our wastrel ways are over, we're erasing debt, and stocking up on savings. The reality is that not only are we spenders who barely understand the concept of frugality, we are big spenders on expensive elite brands, and we do it in an attempt to emulate the rich people we see on television, in magazines, and down the street. The recession may have caused us to take a breather, but every indication is that we will pick up right where we left off when gentler economic winds blow again. -publisher marketing

Be Thrifty by Pia Catton 332 area --On Order, click link above to place hold

"Be Thrifty" is not about being cheap; it's about being smart and self-sufficient. Drawing on the work of experts in every field, it shows how to cut food bills, credit card debt, and even cut hair to save money.

Suddenly Frugal by Leah Ingram 332 area -- On Order -- click link to place hold

A guide to help you identify small, painless changes you can make to your daily habits that can add up to big savings while bringing you closer as a family. By grouping these money-saving tips into a room of the house or errand on a to-do list, you can immediately put your suddenly frugal plan into actionaand instantly begin saving money. By pinpointing the dollar amount associated with each cost-saving step, financial whiz and mom Leah Ingram will inspire you to embrace - and enjoy - your new frugality.

The New Frugality by Chris Farrell 332.024 FAR

Drawing on his expertise as a financial reporter and his years of conversations with his public radio listeners, he provides down-to-earth, practical advice for every aspect of your financial life, including:
- how to always maintain a "margin of safety" in your spending
- the frugal home: renting vs. owning
- the two best ways to save for college
- wise debt vs. foolish debt
- why giving your money away can be "newly frugal"

Wealth Watchers by Alice Wood 332.024 WOO

Ten years ago, Alice Wood was living a normal life, balancing her career, family, and finances with con dence. Having grown up with a father who was a bank president from the pre-branch banking era and a mother who was influenced by the Great Depression, Alice learned prudence and financial responsibility at home. After an injury, Alice encountered many new challenges; for the first time in her life she was overweight and in serious debt. Weight Watchers(R) allowed Alice to lose the weight and keep it off. Inspired by Weight Watchers'(R) daily discipline of journaling and the principle of group accountability, she decided to create a new and radically simple program to reclaim her financial stability. She called it Wealth Watchers. This simple program enabled her to meet her own financial goals and soon was helping thousands of others to do the same.

Standard Mileage Rates 2010

IRS Announces
2010 Standard Mileage Rates

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2010, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
50 cents per mile for business miles driven
16.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
The new rates for business, medical and moving purposes are slightly lower than last year's. The mileage rates for 2010 reflect generally lower transportation costs compared to a year ago.

You can read more details about standard mileage rates here.

A Fit New Year

The library is a great place to find help to keep your new year's resolution to become more fit in 2010! Here are just a few titles recently added to our catalog. To find more titles, search the catalog using the keyword "exercise" and then narrow your search by chosing publication year, type of material or subject. Here's to a healthy new year!

Fitness After 40
by Vonda Wright





15 Minute Abs Workout
by Joan Pagano





Complete Guide to Cross Training
by Fiona Hayes




101 High Intensity Workouts for Fast Results
by Muscle and Fitness Magazine