Sustainabilty Showcase

Join Burbank READS 2009 as we put it all together at the Sustainability Showcase!

Let's all get on the road to sustainability!

Looking for ways to go GREEN? Then this will be the event where you'll find the resources, information and contacts that you'll need.

Handouts, samples & giveaways!

Ride a bike and enjoy Bicycle Valet service!

Come see The Burbank Bus!

"How GREEN is my City?" - a Q & A with guests from City departments [Information Technology, Burbank Water and Power, Recycling Center, Library and ????"

Screenings of The Lorax, organic popcorn, door prizes for kids.

Enter the drawing for a GREEN gift basket!

Have fun and meet your neighbors!

Stop by between
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Buena Vista Branch Library
300 N. Buena Vista St.
818-238-5620

Guests include: TraderJoe's....Full O' Life....Burbank Farmer's Market....Burbank Water & Power....Burbank Recycling Center....Transition to Green....Bayes High Performance Cleaners....Life Source Whole House Water System....American Lung Association....
I Zip USA....and a whole lot more!.

Even More Green Reading - Living Green around the house.

Living Green Around the House, look for the icon, and check out the many reading choices you have to help you make greener choices around the house. From cooking and cleaning to gardening and baby care, we've got a book to help you out around the house!

The Sustainability Showcase - featuriing....

Now that you've read Living Like Ed and attended the entertaining and informative programs, gather the tools you'll need to move into a greener, more sustainable lifestyle.


Stop by the Buena Vista Branch Library between 1:00 and 4:00 PM on Saturday, April 4 for the Sustainability Showcase.


Representatives from City departments, local organizations and "green" businesses will provide resources, information, and contacts for All-Things-Green.


Get your green on and walk or bike to the Sustainability Showcase. Those who bike to the event can enjoy the convenience of Valet Bicycle Parking!

Children are invited to the Storytime Room for screenings of The Lorax film and other fun activities throughout the day.

Stay tuned for more details of what will be the Green event of the year in Burbank!

Sneaky Green Uses for Everyday Things by Inventor and Author Cy Tymony!

Come meet Cy Tymony, the author of "Sneaky Green Uses for Everyday Things" on Thursday, April 2 @7:00 PM at the Buena Vista Branch Library.

Inventor and author Cy Tymony will discuss and demonstrate some of the projects in his new book, Sneaky Green Uses for Everyday Things, such as

• How to craft eco garments and Sneaky Snack Kits
  
• How to create green cleaners
  
• Remake paper into flying toys
  
• Assemble alternative energy science projects
  
• Construct a robot recycle bin with everyday things

The book contains sneaky things we can do to go green and includes a helpful energy reduction section that is full of tips and resources, making energy conservation easy. Books will be available for purchase and signing by the author!

Thinking Green!

A few questions to consider while reading Living Like Ed by Ed Begley, Jr.

1. After reading Living Like Ed, are you now more aware of how your actions affect the environment?
2. Did you realize that you've already doing some of the things that Ed suggests in the book? What are those things?
3. What are some of the changes you can't make right now but that you would like to make in the future?
4. How has "going green" actually helped you save money?
5. Is there any area where you've attempted to be eco-friendly and failed? Are you willing to try it again in the future?
6. What changes have you seen in your environment since you were a kid? Do you think people are more environmentally aware now?
7. Do you believe that many people making small changes can really affect the environment?
8. Do you think that the future looks greener?
9. How did reading Living Like Ed change your view and/or behavior?
10. Conserving saves money as well as the environment. Are you now more attuned to conservation?
11. What other books have you read that influence your views on the environment?
12. There's a big "Keep it Local" movement afoot. Do you mostly buy or sell locally? do you make or grow locally?

The Sustainability Showcase - featuriing....

Join Burbank READS 2009 as we put it all together at the Sustainability Showcase!

Let's all get on the road to sustainability!

Looking for ways to go GREEN? Then this will be the event where you'll find the resources, information and contacts that you'll need.

Handouts, samples & giveaways!

Ride a bike and enjoy Bicycle Valet service!

Come see The Burbank Bus!

"How GREEN is my City?" - a Q & A with guests from City departments [Information Technology, Burbank Water and Power, Recycling Center, Library and ????"

Screenings of The Lorax, organic popcorn, door prizes for kids.

Enter the drawing for a GREEN gift basket!

Have fun and meet your neighbors!

Stop by between

1:00 - 4:00 PM

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Buena Vista Branch Library

300 N. Buena Vista St.

818-238-5620

Guests include: TraderJoe's....Full O' Life....Burbank Farmer's Market....Burbank Water & Power....Burbank Recycling Center....Transition to Green....Bayes High Performance Cleaners....Life Source Whole House Water System....American Lung Association....
I Zip USA....and a whole lot more!

Thank you Barnes and Noble!

The Burbank READS Committee and the Burbank Public Library want to thank our good friends at Barnes and Noble for their support of this year's program though their displays.

Event Recap - "Inside the Book" and Trashed!

We did our Inside the Book program and showed the movie Trashed on Saturday. We were pleasantly surprised that while the crowd wasn't too big, those who attended Inside the Book had a lively discussion. People attending enjoyed the refreshments and the discussion was so lively that the movie was started late! People were very interested in talking about what they were doing or hoping to do to help make a difference in improving the environment.

Both Hope McCloon and Kreigh Hampel from the Recycling Center joined us and answered many questions after the movie.

[from Patrice]

Everyone has another chance at getting Inside the Book tomorrow night when Patrice and Triste return at 6:30 PM in the Central Library Auditorium for another lively discussion about what everyone is doing green. Stop by for refreshments and conversation. There will be a screening of the documentary The 11th Hour at 7:00 PM, so stop on by and join us!

Event Recap - The Organic String Quartet

The music was lovely last night, with The Organic String Quartet playing to an audience of 63 appreciative listeners! Sseveral people dropped in because they happened to be visiting the library, and saw the poster on the open door, and later, heard the sounds floating out into the hallway.

A good program – and a nice group. Several people approached them afterward to thank them, and get their cards for future events and weddings!

From Joan C.

Native California Plants a lecture by The Theodore Payne Foundation.

We've read green, talked green, watched green, now it is time to plant green!

Join us on Saturday, March 28 @2:00 PM in the Central Library auditorium and hear a speaker from The Theodore Payne Foundation talk about Native California plants.

Founded and incorporated in 1960, the Theodore Payne Foundation promotes the understanding and preservation of California native flora.

Come and discover the beauty of native California plants.

Participants will each receive a 4-inch plant to take home.

It's easy being green - books for kids!

Burbank READS hasn't forgotten about our younger readers who also may be interested in reading "green" along with their parents.

Look for the shown icon and checkout the books found on our online iBistro booklist "It's easy being green - books for kids!" for many interesting "green" reads for children through the 8th grade.

This and many other booklists for kids of all ages are found on our online catalog.

Event Recap - Plug In America!

Last night we had a very "plugged in" audience for our speakers, Alexandra Paul and Paul Scott, from Plug In America who showed excerpts from the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car? and then spoke about the future of such cars and then fielded many thoughtful, excellent questions from the audience.

Certainly has me thinking about how such vehicles fit into my future.

Both the DVD of Who Killed the Electric Car? and the featured book, Plug-In Hybrids by Sherry Boschert are owned by your library so stop by, check them out and we hope to see you at an upcoming program!

The 11th Hour and Inside the Book with Patrice and Triste!

Come Join us on Thursday, March 26 @6:30 in the Central Library Auditorium for our second session of Inside the Book with Patrice and Triste. Join us for refreshments and a lively conversation about the green suggestions in Living Like Ed. Come and share your ideas and successes or come for a snack!

Then at 7:00 PM, stay for a screening of the documentary The 11th Hour. Produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, the film looks at the causes of global warming and explores solutions, such as eating organic and building with solar power.

Runtime is 92 minutes and is rated PG.

Organic String Quartet in Concert!

Join us on Monday, March 23 @7:00 PM at the Buena Vista Branch Library for a concert performance by The Organic String Quartet.

Possessing an extensive musical background in orchestral, chamber, operatic, solo and folk/blues, the Organic String Quartet offers an eclectic array of musical styling.

Visit their website for a musical taste of what you're in store for when you attend!

Event Recap - Burbank Teens Consider Verdure

The Burbank Public Library High School Book Club selection for March tied into our “green” theme in a big way: We read The Family Tree, by Sheri S. Tepper. It’s a science fiction saga of present and future, incorporating many themes germane to a discussion about the impact of our actions on the earth and our legacy. (See previous post, “Teen Book Clubs Read Green,” from 3 March 2009 for a synopsis.) Although it was a difficult book for some to get through, due to the multiplicity of characters, times and places, we were all enthralled by the idea of trees and plants taking their survival into their own “hands” by deciding to limit how and where people are allowed to live, travel, and even add to the population! Likewise the transformation of thought about the potential of animals to occupy a niche in the world that goes beyond man’s companion, servant or dinner provoked some lively discussion.

The Middle School Book Club’s ecologically minded choice, The Secret Under My Skin, by Janet McNaughton, was a hit with three-quarters of the club and a miss with the rest, but received an overall rating higher than Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight, which is praise indeed coming from the Edward-and-Bella-obsessed! The book’s fans particularly liked its narrative style: The story is told without omniscience by its protagonist, so that the reader learns everything along with Blay Raytee instead of having foreknowledge about any of the people or events of her story. They enjoyed a picture of the future that wasn’t either technology-obsessed or technology-deprived, and several of them absorbed from this book that the future is up to them and it is their obligation to study how to be of use.

Stayed tuned for photographs!

From Melissa E.

Seeing Green - Environmental DVDs for green viewing.

Now that you've read green, perhaps it is time for a little bit of green viewing? If so, check for this icon and follow this link to our online, iBistro link for Seeing Green - Environmental DVDs for green viewing.

The list includes both documentaries that will be screened during Burbank READS events, The 11th Hour and Trashed, as well as, Living with Ed, Ed Begley Jr.'s TV show that follows Ed around his house and his efforts towards green living [sometimes with and sometimes without the support of his wife!].

A lot of good viewing for all!

Event Recap - Eco-magician Paul Cash!

Yes, you can combine magic and science! Eco-magician Paul Cash mesmerized an impressive audience of 230 people this past Saturday at our Buena Vista Library. He made shoes disappear, tables float, heads shrink… all while promoting the message that it is important to reduce, reuse and recycle. After the program, children were given “Going Green @ Your Library” coloring books to enjoy.

The next Burbank Reads children’s program will take place during our finale on Saturday, April 4th. We will be showing the animated musical version of “The Lorax” in the storytime room at 1, 2 and 3 pm. There will be popcorn, a drawing with fun prizes, and giveaways for all.

Also: throughout the time of Burbank Reads, children can write down their ideas and suggestions for helping the environment onto colorful leaves in the Children's Library at all three Burbank libraries. We are constructing "Truffula Trees” (like in "The Lorax") out of these leaves. Come see what great ideas our kids have!

From Jennifer!

The Sustainability Showcase - Burbank READS Grand Finale!

Now that you've read Living Like Ed and attend the entertaining and informative programs, gather the tools you'll need to move into a greener, more sustainable lifestyle.

Stop by the Buena Vista Branch Library between 1:00 and 4:00 PM on Saturday, April 4 for the Sustainability Showcase. Representatives from City departments, local organizations and "green" businesses will provide resources, information, and contacts for All-Things-Green.

Get your green on and walk or bike to the Sustainability Showcase. Those who bike to the event can enjoy the convenience of Valet Bicycle Parking!

Children are invited to the Storytime Room for screenings of The Lorax film and other fun activities throughout the day.

Stay tuned for more details of what will be the Green event of the year in Burbank!

More Green Reading - "Building a Green Home"

If Living Like Ed has inspired you to take on some green projects around the house, our online booklist, Building a Green Home, should provide a nice selection of home construction and remodeling books to inspire you and help you get those green jobs done!

Look for this icon under our Burbank READS link on our ibistro catalog.

Check them out and keep up the good work!

Inside the Book and come watch "Trashed"!

On Saturday, March 21 @1:30 PM Burbank READS presents Inside the Book with Patrice and Triste. Meet in the Central Library auditorium and join us for refreshments and a conversation about the green suggestions in Living Like Ed. Share your ideas and successes.

Following Inside the Book will be a screening of the thought provoking documentary film Trashed [77 min.] will be screened @2:00 PM in the Central Library auditorium. The garbage business is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. Trashed examines America's "disposable" society with its waste stream fast approaching a half billion tons annually. Everyone interested in the future of sustainability should see this film. After the film, stay for "Talking Trash" with City of Burbank Recycling Coordinator Kreigh Hampel hosting a Q & A session.

So join us for refreshments and conversation on how to get your “green” on, watch a great film and do a bit of trash talking!

Plug in America with speakers Alexandra Paul and Paul Scott.

Join us on Thursday, March 19 @7:00 PM at the Buena Vista Branch Library as speakers Alexandra Paul and Paul Scott from Plug in America discuss the past, present and future of electric vehicles.

· Plug In America drives change. Their mission is to accelerate the shift to plug-in vehicles powered by clean, affordable, domestic electricity to reduce our nation's dependence on petroleum and improve the global environment.

· Alexandra Paul was honored in 1997 by the United Nations Environmental Program for her work in overpopulation issues and by Global Green for her environmental activism. She has been driving electric cars for 18 years.

· Paul Scott is a founding member of Plug In America, a long-time EV driver, and an advocate for renewable energy. He is the president of the Electric Vehicle Association of Southern California. He is also an involved population and environmental activist.

Thinking Green!

A few questions to consider while reading Living Like Ed by Ed Begley, Jr.

1. After reading Living Like Ed, are you now more aware of how your actions affect the environment?
2. Did you realize that you've already doing some of the things that Ed suggests in the book? What are those things?
3. What are some of the changes you can't make right now but htat you would like to make in the future?
4. How has "going green" actually helped you save money?
5. Is there any area where you've attempted to be eco-friendly and failed? Are you willing to try it again in the future?
6. What changes have you seen in your environment since you were a kid? Do you think people are more environmentally aware now?
7. Do you believe that many people making small changes can really affect the environment?
8. Do you think that the future looks greener?
9. How did reading Living Like Ed change your view and/or behavior?
10. Conserving saves money as well as the environment. Are you now more attuned to conservation?
11. What other books have you read that influence your views on the environment?
12. There's a big "Keep it Local" movement afoot. Do you mostly buy or sell locally? do you make or grow locally?

Event Recap! Global Warming – Facts and Solutions with John Zavalney

Hello Burbank....

We had our first Burbank READS lecture program, Global Warming – Facts and Solutions with John Zavalney, last night and 33 people attended. It was such a wonderful presentation, we wished everyone had come by to see it. One member of the audience, Burbank's Recycling guru, Kreigh Hampel, was there and was very impressed. [if you attend our March 21 program you can "talk trash" with Kreigh Hamplel, so stay tuned for details!] Mr. Zavalney was a lively speaker and the slides were very impressive. Even the few youngsters who came with parents were attentive. He not only spoke about global warming, but talked about other green issues such as water conservation and alternative energy sources. His table of exhibits was fascinating. You will find some of Mr. Zevalney's handouts at our Sustainability Showcase finale [another plug!, so stayed tuned for more details].

Mr. Zavalney has worked closely with Jane Goodall and her “Roots & Shoots” campaign with youngsters (check out this website: http://www.rootsandshoots.org/aboutus/].

Photos and recap from Louise.

BURBANK KIDS READ GREEN, TOO!

“I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.”
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not.”

Are you looking for a way to get your kids involved with the “Go Green” message of Living Like Ed? Revisit an old favorite (or discover its deliciousness for the first time): the timeless tale of The Lorax by Dr. Seuss…

**A long time ago, there was a beautiful place filled with colorful Truffula Trees and wonderful creatures called Swomee-Swans, Brown Bar-ba-loots and Humming-Fishes. Wouldn’t you like to visit such a fantastic place? Well, the trouble is this place no longer exists, thanks to the Once-ler who came into town and chopped down all of the trees just to make some nifty thing that everyone, everyone needs (well, not really, but it’s awfully neat). A fuzzy yellow guy named the Lorax tried to stop this Once-ler, but no one listened…and now, the Lorax has left, too. Come hear the story told from the point of view of the Once-ler, and discover that there is hope. If people like you care enough, you can help make this world a better place. You can help clean up the environment and make a difference!**

There are multiple copies of The Lorax available for checkout at all three of our Burbank libraries. During Burbank Reads, we have even put a couple copies on hold in our Children’s Libraries to always be available to read inside of the library. So, come enjoy our cozy spaces, and share the magic and wisdom of Dr. Seuss and his The Lorax!

For more environment-themed book titles for children, please visit our “It’s Easy Being Green” booklist link on our Library Catalog here.

Posted for Jennifer!

Earth Hour 2009 Movie

Earth Hour isn't just for big cities-anyone can participate. To get a better sense of the event, check out this video.

This came to our attention and it sounds like a good idea. Hope that you'll consider participating!

On Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 8:30 pm, take part in Earth Hour-a global event in which millions of people will turn out their lights to make a statement of concern about our planet and climate change. We want to invite you to join, too! Sponsored by World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour got started just two years ago and is now the largest event of its kind in the world. Last year, more than 50 million participated and the lights went out at the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and the Coliseum in Rome, just to name a few. Even Google's homepage went black for the day! In Israel, President Shimon Peres personally turned off lights in Tel Aviv.

This year, Earth Hour will be even bigger-already 250 cities in 74 countries have agreed to take part including Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami and Nashville with more signing up every day. Around the world cities like Moscow, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai and Mexico City will turn out their lights.

Participating in Earth Hour is easy, fun and free. We hope you will join us for this amazing event. To sign up, visit http://www.earthhourUS.org where you'll learn more including ways you can spread the word about Earth Hour, plus creative things to do when the lights go out in case you need inspiration!

Help the US to turn out more lights than any other country in the world during this historic event so please pass this note along to anyone you think might want to take part. Let's all turn out and take action on March 28 at 8:30 pm.

Brown Bag Book Club goes Green!

The Burbank Green...err, Brown Bag book club will be going Green in March when they meet to discuss "Living Like Ed" by Ed Begley Jr.

Recap - Ed Begley Jr. kickoff event on March 7.

(Pictured are the Library staff who worked the Kickoff event)

Saturday's author event for our Burbank READS Goes Green kickoff, was a wonderful success. 181 people attended, many books were autographed, photos taken and Ed Begley Jr.'s talk was informative and entertaining.

For a wonderful recap of the event [far better than I could ever dream of writing!] with some great photographs, visit Lisa Burks Online

Family Day @ the Library – “The Earth is in Our Hands” with eco-magician Paul Cash.

Attention all families, please join us at the Buena Vista Branch Library on Saturday, March 14 as we present Paul Cash the EcoMagician.

Join us for an entertaining afternoon as Cash uses magic and humor to encourage young people to make good environmental choices about water, waste, and energy. Not only do they learn about how they can help the environment, the magic will foster a positive "can-do" attitude towards the environment.

Click to visit Paul Cash's website.

Meet author/actor Ed Begley Jr.!

Join us on Saturday, March 7 for our big Burbank READS goes Green kickoff event featuring Ed Begley Jr., the author of this year's book, Living Like Ed.

Come and meet one of the hottest speakers on eco-living in America, Ed Begley, Jr. who has received standing ovations for his empowering and humorous message on sustainable living. Mr. Begley will talk about and sign copies of his book [copies available for purchase].

When: Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 2:00 PM

Where: Buena Vista Branch Library - 300 N. Buena Vista St. See you there there!

Global Warming – Facts and Solutions with John Zavalney

Please join us at the Central Library auditorium on Wednesday, March 11 @7:00 PM for a lecture by John Zavalney on "Global Warming -- facts and Solutions."

Learn about the emergency of global warming and what steps you can take to be part of the solution. John Zavalney has trained with Al Gore and a team of renowned scientists and environmental educators to become a presenter of the “Inconvenient Truth” slide show. His mission now is to get the word out about the dangers of global warming and offer suggestions on how we can help solve this crisis.

Teen Book Clubs reads Green.

In honor of the “green” theme for Burbank Reads in March, the Teen Book Clubs have each chosen a novel with an ecological bent.

The High School Book Club, which will meet on Tuesday, March 10, at 6:30 p.m., is reading The Family Tree, by acclaimed science fiction writer Sheri S. Tepper. Police officer Dora Henry must investigate the bizarre, seemingly unrelated murders of three geneticists. But she has some big distractions from her work that she must address, among them the fact that Nature seems to be taking over the neighborhood! Trees are springing up everywhere, blocking off the streets, kidnapping unwanted babies, and generally acting like they have both a brain and a plan. Meanwhile, from far in the future, an odd band of comrades follows an ancient prophecy into their past (which happens to be Dora’s present) to stop the extinction of their species. The story is hilarious at moments, but also earnest in its warnings about the need to take our ecological future seriously by acting on it today.

The Middle School Book Club, which will meet on Wednesday, March 18, at 7:00 p.m., will read The Secret Under My Skin, by Janet McNaughton. In the year 2368, Blay Raytee is an orphan living in a state-run work camp, spending her days excavating usable items from a garbage dump. The government teaches the orphans that technology users are evil and the world is a dangerous place, and the children are afraid to go outside without protective clothing. Everything changes when Blay is chosen by a “bio-indicator” (a sort of canary in the mine who monitors environmental toxin levels for her community) to help with her studies. Blay discovers that much of what she has learned about science, technology and the world is a lie…including her own identity. The book celebrates the impact that one person can make, while postulating a believable future we would be wise to avoid.