Mother Goose on the Loose

On Tuesday, March 26th at 6:30 p.m., the Terrazas Branch is starting America’s Music with "Swing Jazz." An excerpt from the "Swing" chapter from Ken Burn’s series, "Jazz," will give an overview of the period. Then we zoom in on the first racially integrated all-women band in the U.S., the International Sweethearts of Rhythm. We are delighted to announce that Sherrie Tucker, author of Swing Shift: "All-Girl" Bands of the 1940s, is in Austin then; so she will introduce that night’s films and lead our discussion. Celebrate Women's History Month and hear some great music while learning more about how American women contributed to this chapter in the history of America's popular music.

You can study up in advance with the resource guide for Swing Jazz found here. The guide includes an introductory essay and points for discussion, as well as lists of related films, sound recordings, and books.

America’s Music: A Film History of Our Popular Music from Blues to Bluegrass to Broadway is a project of the Tribeca Film Institute in collaboration with the American Library Association, Tribeca Flashpoint, and the Society for American Music. America’s Music has been made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.”

Are you wasting away our earth’s most valuable resource? Do you know if you are? The City of Austin and Austin Public Library care about water in all its glorious forms and are helping to educate the community. They plan on acknowledging World Water Day which is designated as March 22, 2013 and making it a priority for the entire month. So now we all have the perfect opportunity to find out about what we can do to conserve.

Of course there are already resources in place year round like being able to check out a digital hose meter (a device to measure your water usage as you wash the car, water the lawn, etc.) from the library or applying for a rebate on qualifying home and business conservation improvements. Neat, right?

Plus you can always Google your way to helpful water conservation tips. I say whatever way you get there is a good way. It benefits the earth, your community and your wallet. Personally, I have my good and bad days when it comes to paying attention to the water I drip down the drain. Most recently I discovered I do not tighten the handle on the bathroom sink enough leaving it slowly wasting away all day. I know I can always benefit from learning more and I am looking forward to attending both the screening of the 2012 documentary Last Call at the Oasis and the program on Rainwater Collection offered this month. Find out more and do your part.

March Water Madness at the Austin Public Library!

Monday, March 18

7:00pm Last Call at the Oasis - Celebrating World Water Day all month long at North Village Branch

Tuesday, March 19

7:00pm Blue Gold: World Water Wars - Celebrating World Water Day all month long at Windsor Park Branch

Saturday, March 30

2:00pm Rainwater Collection - Celebrating World Water Day all month long at Twin Oaks Branch