PITTSBURGERS SPELL OUT GOOGLE!!

"Ready, willing and able"

People hold signs over their heads as they spell out "Google" along Forbes Avenue between Ross and Grant streets.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and residents celebrated "Google Day" this afternoon by spelling out the company name for a photo Downtown to help boost its chances to host Google's experimental high-speed Internet network.

The city launched a campaign against more than 600 other applicants on March 17 with the website http://www.pittsburghgoesgoogle.com/ and the slogan "Ready, willing and able."

Mayor Ravenstahl said Google will pick a city in about four months that demonstrates enthusiasm for the project, which has given some creative license to applicants - maybe the mayor’s name will change to “Mayor Googlestahl”.

Happy Ada Lovelace Day!

March 24th is Ada Lovelace Day, which is dedicated to blogging about women in technology and science.

Of course, we all know who Ada Lovelace is, right? A quick primer is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ada_Lovelace. In short, she wrote the first ever computer program, which was pretty impressive considering that the computer hadn't been invented yet (Babbage was working on it, but never finished) and that this was in the Victorian era.

Also, there is a Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=253179284089

So go and look up women in technology and science, and comment here about your favorite. I'll start with Hedy Lamarr. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedy_Lamarr Now she is best known as an Austrian-born actress who fled her homeland during the Nazi occupation. What fewer people know is that she also worked with composer George Antheil to create "frequency hopping", a method of making radio guided Allied sub torpedos harder for the enemy to jam.

Because of technology limitations, this wasn't used until 1962 during a United States blockade of Cuba, but it still was revolutionary. Frequency hopping is also the basis of technology used in wi-fi network connections. So next time you're using wi-fi on your laptop or your cellphone, remember that Hedy Lamarr helped to make that happen.

Don't Toss My Memories in the Trash

Wednesday, March 24 at 7:00pm

Vickie Dellaquila draws on her experience as a professional organizer to share valuable tips on organizing, downsizing and moving. Owner of Organization Rules and member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, Vickie knows that some people become "stuck" and need help in moving forward with their life plans. Helping them to de-clutter, organize and simplify is sometimes the first step in easing the overwhelming number of decisions they face about the "stuff" in their lives...what to keep and what to discard.

Whether you are contemplating a move or simply need to make good decisions about clutter and possessions, you'll gain some helpful information with Vickie's guidance. Copies of her book, Don't Throw My Memories in the Trash: A Step-by-Step Guide to Helping Seniors Downsize, Organize, and Move will be available for purchase.

Please register for the program using our library website's Events calendar or by visiting or calling the Adult Services Reference Desk at 412-366-8100, extension 113.

Teas Around the World

Thursday, March 18 at 7:00pm

After a trip to Shanghai, Danielle Spinola, a lifelong tea drinker, dreamed of starting an Asian-inspired tea business. Tupelo Honey Teas combines Danielle's love of and research into the world of black, green and herbal teas. Working from home, she blends and sells her teas, most of which are organic or fair-trade products. A number of her teas are found in local coffee and tea houses.

Join us to learn more about the satisfying and healthful properties of tea and sip a variety of samples of Tupelo Honey Teas. Please register for the program using our library website's Events calendar or by visiting or calling the Adult Services Reference Desk at 412-366-8100, extension 113.

Tough Toddlers: Solutions for the "Terrible Twos"

Tuesday, March 9 at 7:00 pm

From sweetly docile behavior to temper-induced tantrums and stubborn refusals to cooperate, children develop new behavior patterns and often test the limits imposed on them, trying the patience and skills of many parents. Dr. James Rodrigues of Bellevue Pediatrics will offer practical and useful suggestions for dealing with these issues and will allow time after his presentation for your questions.

Please register for the program using our library website's Events calendar or by visiting or calling the Adult Services Reference Desk at 412-366-8100, extension 113.

Dining with Diabetes

Monday, March 8, 15, 22, 29
1:00pm-3:00pm

Diabetes can be a serious and costly disease, but those who learn how to manage their blood sugar levels with medication, good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can lead normal, productive lives and greatly lower their risks of complications.

Cindy Javor, registered dietician with the Penn State Cooperative Extension Service, will conduct a four-week series on Dining With Diabetes. The program is designed to teach adults with diabetes how to prepare meals that are healthy, simple and tasty. Participants will have the opportunity to help prepare some of the recipes, enjoy some tasty samples and learn the latest up-to-date information on managing blood sugar levels through good nutrition. Recipes and handouts will be available. Partial funding for the series is provided by the PA Department of Health and the United States Department of Agriculture.

The fee for the four-week series is $30.00 per person or $50 per couple, payable at the time of registration. (Some insurance plans will reimburse the cost.) Please register for the series at the upstairs reference desk. For questions, call Jane Jubb at 412-366-8100 X110.

Writing as a Spiritual Journey

Thursday, March 5 at 7:00pm

Madhu Wangu, former professor of world religions and art history, published writer and facilitator of spirituality-sparks.com will lead a monthly writers' group that will focus on putting deeply felt emotions and experiences into words. Madhu believes that such writings have beneficial results for the writer and the eventual reader.

If you enjoy writing, turning your thoughts into words, and learning from other writers' experiences, please join us on March 5 at the library. No registration is necessary for the free event.

Norfolk is asking for pet food donations!

Norfolk would like everyone to bring a donation (dog food, cat food, pet toy, treats, etc) for Animal Friends the evening of the derby. If you do not have a hamster (or gerbil, or other competing rodent), you may still bring in a donation for Animal Friends the week of February 21.

Norfolk's friends at Animal Friends and Kaytee have generously given her prizes to award at the derby!

Stay for a special pets-themed Pajama Storytime after the Derby (around 7:30pm)! Hamsters, gerbils, etc. in their balls are welcome, too!

Hamster Ball derby March 19, 2010 at 7:00pm.