SiliconValleyMom

Both San Jose and Santa County Libraries will be hosting a new type of bookmobile during the month of April.  But instead of traditional books, this bookmobile travels with broadband Internet-connected PCs, high definition monitors, premium sound systems, and a variety of portable media players to introduce the public to Overdrive, a web portal which supplies local libraries with digital content: ebooks, audio books and music.

I’ve long been a fan of audio books.  And I’ve recommended the Overdrive service for a number of years.  One of my favorite features is not having to ‘return’ the item back to the library.  With the digital library, your ability to access the item simply expires when the return date is reached. And of course the ability to access information 24/7.  

Overdirve users can also take advatage of several of the favorite features offered at the physical library branches such as being able to place an item ‘on hold’ and be notified when the item is availalbe for checkout. 

Visit the bookmobile on April 16th at Dr. MLK Library in downtown San Jose,  April 17th at Saratoga Library and April 18 at Morgan Hill Library (Santa Clara County Libraries)

Besides the Overdrive portal, below is a list of other online portals offered by the San Jose libraries.  Visit the San Jose eBooks, Audiobooks and Music page to access these online services. 

TumbleBooks - audio books for young children

Missons of California Ebooks: Online or downloadable ebooks on California Missions.

NetLibrary: Popular ebooks on business, legal self-help, computer science, economics, literature, psychology and more.

Safari Tech: Online programming and IT ebooks published within the last 3 years.

Pimsleur Language: Downloadable audiobooks for learning foreign languages and for learning English from another language.

For more ideas about great things at our local libraries, read my post:  My Favorite Things About the Library.

Celebrate-Family!

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KDFC is looking for non-professional classical instrumentalists or vocalists in two simple categories: ages 10-20; and 21 and over. Three finalists in each group will perform at the live Finals Event on May 11 at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.  Winners of the competition will receive $1500.

KDFC has extended the date to enter until April 5, 2009.

Ths yearly competition  is a wonderful way to highlight the love of classical music in our children.  The finals competition will be held on Monday, May 11, 7 pm at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Thanks again to KDCF for their annual Children’s Day at the Tech.  The concert was wonderful and free admission to the Tech is always welcome.  Thanks also to Safeway for the snacks and drinks.

We recommend the Beethoven’s Wig series for children ages 10 and under as a great way to introduce children to classical music. 

Each cd includes classical music selections with lyrics written just for children.  For example, “Light Cavalry March” by Suppe becomes ”Stuck In The Saddle Again” and Beethoven’s 5th Symphony becomes Beethoven’s Wig and entire song devoted to Beethoven’s flowing wig. Visit the Beethoven’s Wig store at Amazon.com to purchase these cd and listen to the individual clips.  

Celebrate Family!

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The Lick Observatory is comprized of the main observatory building with telescope and the nearby Shane Dome.  In the main Observatory building, visitors can enjoy looking at at the Great Lick Refractor in the 36-inch telescope dome.  While in the Shane Dome you can view the 120-inch Reflector from the Visitors’ Gallery.

There are two special programs offered during the summer:

• Summer Visitors Program (SVP) where the public is invited to observe through both the 36-inch Great Lick Refractor and Nickel 40-inch Reflecting Telescope. Each evening also features two speakers, who present programs even if clouds or fog prohibit viewing.
• Music of the Spheres Summer Concert Series which includes a talk by an astromer, a concert and viewing through the refractor and reflecting telescopes.

Tickets for the summer programs must be purchased in advance and sell out quickly.  I would suggest submitting your name for the observatory’s email blast. Visiting the observatory is a great way to spend the day.

Music in the stars

Summer visitor program

General visitor informtion

Celebrate-Family!

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So grab your camera and showcase what you feel makes Los Gatos special!  There is a $10 entry fee for this competition but all ages are welcome.

For more information visit: LG Chamber of Commerce.

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Our City Forest (if you want a free tree, this is site to visit) is looking for artistic children to enter their Green & Healthy Neighborhoods poster contest. The competition is open to all children from K - 12.  Deadline date for entry is April 10, 2009.

Entrants must create a poster which illustrates why trees in cities are important plus a short paragraph describing why their poster reflects this year’s theme.

For more details and entry forms visit: Our City Forest

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Let’s not forget to support the arts in the Bay area.  CSMA (Community School of Music and Arts) which provides the community with great free concerts is having a raffle.  The prizes include tickets to Wicked (the current hot ticket!), “wearable art” created by designers Soo-Ling and DGStudios, and a “staycation” comprised of 15+ events to theater, opera, music, more.

Tickets are only $20 (six for $100) and can be purchased at CSMA’s main office or call Development Associate Amy Streeper (650-917-6800, x334); gala@arts4all.org.  There will only be 450 tickets sold so buy yours today.

Celebrate-Family!

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From June 27, 2009, through March 28, 2010, we will be able to enjoy Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs at the De Young in SF.   The exhibit will include over 130 outstanding works from the tomb of Tutankhamun, as well as those of his royal predecessors, his family, and court officials.  All of the treasures in the exhibition are more than 3,000 years old.

Tickets can be purchased now for members of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.  For the rest of us, tickets sales begin on April 6th. Ticket prices for non-members range from $16.50 (children) to $32.50 (adults).

There is also special pricing available for groups and field trips including a limited number of reduced price and free tickets for field trip groups.

Celebrate-Family!

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