Vote! Vote! Vote!

Shinkansen, a Japanese high speed bullet train

You keep hearing it: This is the most important election in years (ever? in our lifetimes?). The deadline to register to vote was this past Tuesday, October 21. Here at the library, we had a large number of people asking for voter registration forms, asking how to change party affiliations, and asking about polling places. For us, it is very satisfying to work in a place like Hillview Library that can assist people with these questions and help them participate in our democracy. It was great to see 18-year-olds registering to vote for the first time, and older people also taking an active interest in this election.

If you think that the presidential election is unimportant, or if you think that your vote will not make a difference in the federal process, that certainly is your prerogative. But, we'd also encourage you to vote because there are many state, county, and city initiatives that need to be decided. Exciting things, like high speed rail (similar to those found in France, Germany, and Japan) which promises to travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles in about 2 1/2 hours at speeds of up to 220 mph. Wow, that's fast!

Also, Hillview Library is a polling place this year(!), so if you live nearby, you may be coming in to our library to vote. Have you forgotten where you vote this year? Check here:

http://eservices.sccgov.org/pollingplace/prepare.do?action=begin

Just type in your street number, street name, and zip code, then press submit, and Voila!, your polling place appears. Pretty, pretty cool.

Are you unsure of whom to vote for, or what the initiatives mean? Go to The League of Women Voters website. The League provides nonpartisan political information in order to encourage and increase the active participation of citizens in government. Here you'll find plenty of information about candidates, propositions, and initiatives.

The Wire

Seagirt Marine Terminal, Baltimore

I’m almost done watching the fourth season of the very entertaining, very intense HBO show The Wireand I highly recommend it. It seems to give an authentic, in-depth look at many components of a large city. The police department is one of the aspects it covers, and it shows how politics can infiltrate and impact police work. But the show also gives equal time to the criminals, city politicians, and even union dockworkers (see above, a photo of the Seagirt Marine Terminal, where much of the second season was filmed). You'll start to become familiar with many of the characters from this huge cast: Stringer, Avon, McNulty, Bodie, Carcetti, Burrell, Bubbles, and on and on. A couple of us here at work have watched it from season one and we’ve all really liked it. Also, SURPRISE! We’ve just received (yeah!) season 5, the final season. Each season has been better than its predecessor, and the fourth season, for me, has been by far the best yet. I can’t wait to finish this!

But I’ll be sad when it’s over. :(

Now, I may not have convinced you, but check out these reviews:

In SF Chronicle

In NY Times

Of course, like many shows on HBO, The Wire is intended for mature audiences.

Find the first season here, at our libraries!

ABC for Adults graduation!

Left to right: Branch Manager Kim , student Leticia Sandoval & teacher Cris
Left to right: Kim, Irene Hernandez, Cris
Left to right: Kim, Jose Sandoval, Cris
Left to right: Kim, Carolina Sandoval, Cris
Left to right: Kim, Luis Sandoval, Cris

Hi everyone, while summer sizzled, so did our students for ABC English for Adults. They came diligently and no amount of heat wave stopped them from attending. The two month course, which started July 8th and ended August 30th, was off to a good start. Initially, there were a total of about 25 students for the morning and afternoon session. However, we think the heat wave got to most of them until only a core of five students remained. Hooray for the Sandoval siblings, Leticia 20, Jose 18, Carolina 15 and Luis 13 and Irene Hernandez. (see photos) They all received a certificate of completion, a bag of goodies and some cake and punch to celebrate their achievement.

These students are now attending level one of ESL class and are doing very well!

Family Learning Center subscribes to the idea of all work and no play …. So on every second Tuesday of the month we play BINGO for ESL students. This is no ordinary bingo game. The bingo cards are words instead of numbers. The students are asked to repeat the words called, and then cover that word until they have a horizontal, vertical or diagonal bingo. Winner receives a prize. This activity reinforces speaking, listening and reading skill areas. This is one game with a good purpose!

Stay tuned for more ….