Back in 1990, I read a book called The Rise of Japanese Baseball Power by Robert Obojski. I became fascinated by the long history of Japan's love of the game (from the 1880s), the ongoing interaction between the United States and Japan through the game, the colorful players, and the experiences of American players who had journeyed to Japan to play on Japanese teams. I soon began searching for more books on the topic, and eventually published a bimonthly newsletter, The Japanese Baseball Enthusiast in May of 1993 (it ran a little over a year). The newsletter focused on Japanese...Read more...
With the summer season in full bloom, you might hear the call of the playgrounds, beaches, parks and vacations pulling you outdoors and away from your Summer Learning reading logs. Keeping the reading momentum strong for kids can be even harder as the nights are longer, the days are hotter and the free play is all around them. It is in these months when children often experience the Summer Slide. The Summer Slide is a real experience, where young children's academic achievements slip over the summer during the break from practice and routine. The fix is fairly easy. Sign up...Read more...
When A Typical Work Day Nearly Sparked An International Incident We all have our daily work routines. However every once in a while something occurs that shakes up the status quo. In the case of my great great Uncle George Muller it came in the form of a minor celebrity by the name of Dr. Barbara Moore. Apparently there was a disagreement over fruits, vegetables, and a turtle she had brought from Sydney, Australia. California law prohibits the importation of fruits and vegetables for health reasons and Dr. Moore failed to declare them. When Customs Inspector Muller tried to compromise...Read more...
Most people believe that mental health conditions are rare and “happen to someone else." In fact, mental health conditions are common and widespread. An estimated 54 million Americans suffer from some form of mental health condition in a given year. A mental health condition is a condition that affects a person's thinking, feeling or mood. Such conditions may affect someone's ability to relate to others and function each day. Each person will have different experiences, even people with the same diagnosis. Recovery, including meaningful roles in social life, school and work, is possible, especially when you start treatment early and...Read more...
"Books I've Read Recently" is a series where I, Penelope Gomez , will do a monthly wrap up of the books I've read throughout the past month. In this series I will give a brief synopsis of the story and then give the book a rating of : Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Just Okay I will then give a brief description of why I chose to rate a book a certain way. So without further delay lets get into the "Books I've Read Recently," and as always leave a comment down below and tell me which of these books you've...Read more...
The other day I was on the light rail. As the train slowed down to stop at the Paseo de San Antonio station, I saw through the window a pair of small statues. I asked myself, “I wonder who made that?” So, I got off the train to take a better look. "The Fountain Figure" by Robert Graham is located in front of the Robert F. Peckham Federal Building on First Street. The sculpture is cast bronze. The 2 figures are 3 feet tall and looking over each others shoulder. The figures are on a 5 foot pedestal so you...Read more...
Identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, intersex, asexual, or just questioning, these characters are not stereotypes and are important to the story. The characters in these novels find themselves in all sorts of situations, both related and unrelated to their sexual orientation and gender identification.Read more...
"Still round the corner, there may wait, a new road or a secret gate." – J. R. R. Tolkien In a few days, summer will officially arrive. For some, it means opportunities to travel across the country or around the world. Others may be staying closer to home. For everyone, summer escapes are available through these eResources available at the San José Public Library. These titles are also great selections to earn hours for the Summer Learning program. Close to Home These eResources offer adventures in places both real and imaginary across the United States. Farther Flung If you want...Read more...
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