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JULY 31, 2011
Teen Times this week
Teen Time: Duct Tape Crafts
Tuesday, August 2, 4:00-5:30pm
Golden Library

 

Make something unique out of colored duct tape while discussing your favorite sticky situation in a teen book. Teen times are held monthly on the first Tuesday of each month. Reservations are not required. Since space is limited, participants are encouraged to arrive early. All supplies will be provided.

 

First Thursday for Teens: Altered Books
Thursday, August 4, 3:30pm
Columbine Library

What happens to old library books? Create your own masterpiece using recycled materials. All materials will be provided, but if you have something you want to include feel free to bring it with you!

Teen Time Logo

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posted by Jenny, Golden Library

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JULY 30, 2011
Bones

We have an average of 206 bones in our body. Without them we would just be a pile of soft floppy body parts laying on the floor. Here are some fascinating facts about our skeleton:

  • When we are born most of our skeleton is made of cartilage. This develops into bones as we grow into a child.
  • The bones of the human skeleton are stronger, size for weight, than almost any kind of wood or plastic.
  • About one person in 20 has an extra pair of ribs, making 13 pairs instead of 12.
  • The skeleton is 1/7 of your total body weight.
  • Bones make new blood cells at the rate of 3 million per second.
Want to know more? Try our Health and Wellness Resource Center database.

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posted by Arra, Lakewood Library

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JULY 29, 2011
Free (Audio)Book Friday!

Sync LogoYay!!! It's dystopian SciFi week! Sort of. Jo Treggiari's Ashes, Ashes takes place in a future Manhattan devastated by environmental catastrophes where roving bands can kidnap you and infect you with plague. Sounds good, huh? Pair it with Rescue: Stories of Survival from Land and Sea for a couple of short adventure stories, but mostly true essays by the victims and heroes of amazing rescues.

You will need to download the OverDrive Media Console to your computer, but only the first time. Once you have that, get your free audiobooks! You have until midnight on Wednesday, August 3rd to get your free downloads. What are you waiting for???

Ashes, Ashes book coverRescue book cover

 

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posted by Jenny, Golden Library

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JULY 28, 2011
Book Award Day!
It's the library's end of summer celebration when you can pick up your prize book for reading at least 8 hours this summer.  Drop by your library on these days for extra fun stuff going on.  Be sure to bring your bookmark!  (If you can't make it, come by any day after to pick up your book.)

Friday, July 29th at Arvada, 10:00 to 4:00
Friday, July 29th at Wheat Ridge, 11:00 to 2:00
Friday, July 29th at Edgewater, 12:00 to 5:00
Saturday, July 30th at Standley Lake, 10:00 to 4:00
Sunday, July 31st at Conifer, 12:00 to 5:00
Sunday, July 31st at Evergreen, 12:00 to 5:00
Tuesday, August 2nd at Golden, 10:00 to 8:00
Wednesday, August 3rd at Columbine, 10:00 to 7:00
Wednesday, August 3rd at Belmar, 10:00 to 8:00

Entries for Games Night must be in by August 1st and winners will be called that week.  Also, you have until August 11th to report your hours and enter the prize drawing.  Winners will be called the week of August 14th.  And your hours must be reported by August 10th to be part of the community service goal.  All good reasons to come as soon as you can!

Summer Reading Graphic

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posted by Jenny, Golden Library

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JULY 27, 2011
Do you like Melissa Marr or Maggie Stiefvater?
Iron Witch coverI have a new favorite author - Karen Mahoney! 

I just finished The Iron Witch, the first book in her new trilogy. Donna Underwood was attacked and almost killed by dark fey when she was just seven years old. They killed her father and put her mother in a mental institution. She lives with her aunt and is being groomed to join the alchemical secret society her parents were a part of. Then the dark fey kidnap her best friend, Navin. It is up to her and her new (and gorgeous) friend Xan to rescue him.

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posted by Shelly, Arvada Library

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JULY 26, 2011
Coolness. What’s it all about?
Smiling face

According to one teenager’s list, there are many ways to be cool!

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posted by Amy, Edgewater Library

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JULY 25, 2011
Tired of cute kitten videos?

Meerkats

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posted by Jenna, Standley Lake Library

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JULY 23, 2011
Free (Audio)Book Friday!

Sync logoOkay, so you got a little break from the heavy themes with the scary ones, but this week we've got Chanda's Secrets by Allan Stratton, about a young girl's struggle amid the African AIDS pandemic. Compare this to Thomas Hardy's classic tale of a woman wronged, Tess of the d'Urbervilles.

Chanda's Secrets coverTess of the d'Urbervilles cover

You will need to download the OverDrive Media Console to your computer, but only the first time. Once you have that, get your free audiobooks! You have until midnight on Wednesday, July 27th to get your free downloads. What are you waiting for???

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posted by Jenny, Golden Library

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JULY 23, 2011
Science Saturday - Spiders in Spaaaace

 

BioServe Space Technologies, based out of University of Colorado, sent two Golden Orb spiders, named Gladys and Esmerelda, on the Space Shuttle Endeavor in April to live on the International Space Station. They are testing how spiders spin webs and eating habits in microgravity. Students in elementary and middle schools across the U.S. will participate in this experiment. What are some of the results so far? These spiders have successfully spun webs, they have molted and also doubled in size since their arrival at the International Space Station. As an interesting side note, fruit flies, the spider's food source, are twice as prolific in reproduction as those on earth.

Watch videos and see more details at the Bioedonline website.

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posted by Arra, Lakewood Library

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JULY 21, 2011
Programs This Week
Summer Reading graphic

Summer reading is drawing to a close.  You only have until July 31st to sign up (you can count hours you've read since June 1st) so don't delay.  Book Award Days will begin soon, where you can pick up your free book when you've read at least 8 hours.

Friday, July 22nd:
Book Swap at Standley Lake from 1:00 to 4:00pm

Wednesday, July 27th:
Health, Happiness, and Chocolate at Standley Lake at 4:00pm

Thursday, July 28th:
Book Swap at Evergreen from 1:00 to 4:00pm
Health, Happiness, and Chocolate at Golden at 4:00pm

Friday, July 29th:
Health, Happiness, and Chocolate at Columbine at 4:00pm
 

Book Award Day Schedule:
Friday, July 29th at Arvada, 10:00 to 4:00
Friday, July 29th at Wheat Ridge, 11:00 to 2:00
Friday, July 29th at Edgewater, 12:00 to 5:00
Saturday, July 30th at Standley Lake, 10:00 to 4:00
Sunday, July 31st at Conifer, 12:00 to 5:00
Sunday, July 31st at Evergreen, 12:00 to 5:00
Tuesday, August 2nd at Golden, 10:00 to 8:00
Wednesday, August 3rd at Columbine, 10:00 to 7:00
Wednesday, August 3rd at Belmar, 10:00 to 8:00
 

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posted by Jenny, Golden Library

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JULY 20, 2011
Here's a question...
As you enjoy living free this summer, here are some things to think about yourself.  If you want, tell us your favorite answer in the comments (but please don't put anything too personal!)

 

If you could own any single object that you don't have now, what would it be?
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
If you could meet anyone in history, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
If you could add one person to your family, who would it be?
If you could be best friends with anyone int he world, who would you pick?
If you could change anything about your face, what would it be?
If you could change anything about your parents, what would it be?
If you could fast-forward your life, how old would you want to be and why?
What is the one ojbect you own that matters more to you than anything?
What is the one thing int he world you are most afraid of?
If you could go to school in a foreign country, which country would you pick?
If you had the power to drop any course from your curriculum, what would it be?
If you caught your best friend stealing from you, what would you do?
If you had a chance to spend a million dollars on anything but yourself, how would you spend it?
If you could look like anyone you wanted, who would that be?
If you were a member of the opposite sex, who would you want to look like?
If you could change your first name, what name would you choose?
What's the best thing about being a teen?
What's the worst thing about being a teen?
If someone you like asked you on a date but your best friend had a crush on this person, what would you do?
What's the worst day of the week?
If you had a change places with one of your friends, who would you choose?
If you could be any sports hero, who would you like to be?
What's the one thing you've done in your life that you wish you could do over differently?
What would you do if you found a dollar in the street?  What if you found $100?  $10,000?
If you had a chance to star in any movie, who would you like as a costar?

(Taken from The Book of Lists for Teens by Sandra and Harry Choron)

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posted by Jenna, Standley Lake Library

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JULY 19, 2011
Free (Audio)Book Tuesday! (Because I forgot on Friday)

Sync iconHurry! Hurry! Hurry! Prepare to be scared! You have until Wednesday, July 20th (tomorrow!!) to download Joseph DeLaney's The Last Apprentice Book One: Revenge of the Witch. Listen to Francis B. Gummere's translation of Beowulf and let us know if you think this was a good pairing!

You will need to download the OverDrive Media Console to your computer, but only the first time. Once you have that, get your free audiobooks!

Revenge of the Witch book coverBeowulf audiobook cover

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posted by Jenny, Golden Library

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JULY 19, 2011
How does your state excel – or not?
US excel and not excel mapsHave you ever wondered in which state people have the cleanest teeth? Which state has the most wind power? Which state has the top exercise rate?

Check out these United States maps to see how states excel and in what ways states do not excel…

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posted by Rene, Evergreen Library

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JULY 18, 2011
I'm Reading a Book

I'm Reading a Book

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posted by Elizabeth, Dream Team Member, Belmar Library

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JULY 17, 2011
Standley Lake Teen Time: Harry Potter!
Teen Time graphic

Do you love all things Harry Potter? Come tell us about it!  We'll talk about the books and movies, rumors, and what we love and hate about the whole series.  Have a Harry Potter costume?  This is another chance to wear it!

Wednesday, July 20th
7:00 - 8:00 pm
Standley Lake Library Meeting Room

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posted by Jenna, Standley Lake Library

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JULY 16, 2011
Digestion

We eat food every day but have you ever thought about the journey that food takes through your body? Here are some interesting facts about digestion:

  • It takes 15 to 28 hours to digest food from start to finish.
  • The lining of your stomach makes about 3 pints of gastric juices each day. It also makes thick mucus to protect the stomach from being eaten by the gastric juices.
  • Food is pushed through your system by waves of muscle action called peristalsis. Peristalsis is so strong it works even if the body is upside down.
  • All of the villi, small finger like shapes about 1 mm long, from your small intestine joined end to end would stretch 248 miles.
Want to know more? Try our Health and Wellness Resource Center database.

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posted by Arra, Lakewood Library

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JULY 15, 2011
July 15th is Cow Appreciation Day

Prepare to be 'udderly' fascinated by our bovine companions as today is Cow Appreciation Day!  I plan to celebrate with a cold milkshake consumed while wearing my favorite cow costume.  How do you plan to 'milk' this holiday for all it's worth?

Check out these moooving cow jokes!

Learn more about dairy farming

Find your favorite celebrities in Got Milk advertisements

 

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posted by Lakewood Teen Advisory Board

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JULY 14, 2011
Programs This Week
Have you gone to any programs this summer?  What was your favorite and why?

Here's what's going on this week:

TODAY, Thursday, July 14:
Rhythmic Drumming at 2:00 at Evergreen
SELF-Made Summer Crafts at 2:00 at Golden
SELF-Made Summer Crafts at 3:00 at Wheat Ridge

Saturday, July 16:
SELF-Made Summer Crafts at 2:00 at Standley Lake

Tuesday, July 19:
SELF-Made Summer Crafts at 4:00 at Conifer

Wednesday, July 20:
SELF-Made Summer Crafts at 2:00 at Arvada
Harry Potter discussion Teen Time at 7:00 at Standley Lake

Summer reading graphic

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posted by Jenny, Golden Library

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JULY 13, 2011
Author Interview: Lindsey Leavitt
Teen book blog author Green Bean Teen Queen posted an interview with author Lindsey Leavitt that we found charming and fun.

Cover of Sean Grisold's HeadLeavitt’s new book is called Sean Griswold’s Head. After Payton Gritas finds out about her father’s diagnosis of MS she decides that the back of Sean Griswold’s head will be her focal point while she is in class. Alphabetically seated, Sean Griswold has sat in front of Payton in class for years. This book includes tough issues, romance and humor.

Have you read it?  What did you think?

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posted by Rene, Evergreen Library

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JULY 12, 2011
What your Favorite Ice Cream Flavor Says About You

ice cream coneEver hear the saying "You are what you eat?"  Alan J. Hirsch, M.D., of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, conducts many fascinating tests about how our senses operate.  Here are his latest scientific findings.

  • Banana Cream Pie - You're a well adjusted person who is easy to get along with
  • Butter Pecan - You're serious, competitive, and a perfectionist.  You hold high standards for yourself and you have a fear of hurting others.
  • Chocolate Chip - You're competitive, ambitious, generous, and imaginative
  • Coffee - Lively, dramatic, and flirtatious, coffee lovers often throw themselves into everything they do and then become overcommitted.  You're easily bored and so must always surround yourself with interesting people.
  • Double chocolate chunk - You like attention and excitement.  You're creative, enthusiastic, and charming.  You are easily bored.
  • Mint Chocolate Chunk - You're ambitious and confident.  You can also be very argumentative.  You'd make a great attorney.
  • Rocky Road - You are charming, aggressive, and goal oriented.  You're generally relaxed and secure, but you do have a temper.  You sometimes inadvertently hurt the feelings of those around you.
  • Strawberry - You are thoughtful, logical, and intuitive.  You have strong opinions, you're generally introverted, and you pay attention to details.  You're generally shy.
  • Vanilla - You're impulsive, you take risks, and you have high expectations.  Close relationships are important to you; chances are you come from a close family.  You often display your affection for people publicly.

Taken from The Book Of Lists for Teens by Sandra and Harry Choron

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posted by Jenna, Standley Lake Library

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JULY 11, 2011
One giant Kit Kat bar.

Kit Kat

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posted by Jenna, Standley Lake Library

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JULY 8, 2011
Free (Audio)Book Friday!
Guess what?!? We've got another thought-provoking set of audiobooks! I think we can call this week's theme Independence, and since revolution is always a messy business, these books have political and racial tension in common.

cover of Where the Streets had a Name     cover of A Passage to India

Now through Wednesday, July 13th, you can listen to Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah - which explores the Israeli/Palestinian conflict - for free! While you're at it (and since it's free anyway) download E.M. Forester's classic novel A Passage to India and compare! 

You will need to download the OverDrive Media Console to your computer, but only the first time. Once you have that, get your free audibooks!

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posted by Jenny, Golden Library

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JULY 7, 2011
Programs this week
TODAY, Thursday, July 7:
Dance2live Break Dancing Class at 2:00 at Belmar
First Thursday for Teens at 3:30 at Columbine (showing Juno)
Rhythmic Drumming at 4:00 at Wheat Ridge
Health, Happiness, and Chocolate at 4:00 at Evergreen

Tomorrow, Friday, July 8:
Teen Book Swap at Golden from 1:00-4:00
SELF-Made Summer Crafting at 2:00 at Columbine

Saturday, July 9:
Retro Bond movie (showing Dr. No with Sean Connery) at 2:00 at Standley Lake

Wednesday, July 13:
Teen Book Swap at Belmar from 12:00 to 4:00
Teen Book Swap at Arvada from 2:00 to 4:00
Rhythmic Drumming at 3:00 at Edgewater
Health, Happiness, and Chocolate at 4:00 at Conifer
Kaplan's ACT/SAT Combo Test Results (for those who took the test earlier) at 6:00 at Golden

Thursday, July 14:
Rhythmic Drumming at 2:00 at Evergreen
SELF-Made Summer Crafting at 2:00 at Golden
SELF-Made Summer Crafting at 3:00 at Wheat Ridge
 

Summer Reading Graphic

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posted by Jenny, Golden Library

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JULY 6, 2011
Zobmondo!!
Zobmondo coverI love when I stumble upon a new book at the library! This one is called Zobmondo!! The Outrageous Book of Bizarre Choices. If you've ever played Would You Rather... this is the same thing. Here's a few "Bizarre Choices" to think about:

1. Would you rather cut 1/4 acre of grass with your teeth or lick up a 15 ft by 15 ft rain puddle?

2. Would you rather be completely alone with nobody in the vicinity for one year or never be alone for even one minute for one year?

3. Would you rather get everywhere by crawling or have to stand on your hands when you are stationary?

Okay, what are your answers?

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posted by Jessie, Columbine Library

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JULY 5, 2011
10 Exercises for your Brain
Your brain, like all the other parts of you, needs exercise to function well.  Here are some alternatives to zoning out:

Picture your house.  Draw a mental map of all the rooms.  Now try to rearrange the rooms so that your house is completely different.

Think about how many windows there are in your house.  How many doors?  How many chairs?  Closets?

Recite tongue-twisters.  Try this one: How much wood would a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?  A wood chuck would chuck as much wood as a wood chuck could if a wood chuck could chuck wood.

Read a magazine article and try to work three facts you have learned into your conversation that day.

Think up a new ending for your favorite book or movie.

Write down a word that has more than 16 letters and see how many smaller words you can make from it.

Memorize a poem.  (Use Literature Resources from Gale for ideas.)  Practice reciting the poem in an emotional and entertaining way.  Perform it for your friends and family.

Make a copy of a crossword puzzle.  Work on one copy of it and time yourself.  When you're done, try to fill in the second copy in half the time.

Read a computer instruction manual and teach yourself to do something new without the computer in front of you.  (Search the library catalog for the name of your computer's operating system or program.)

List five statements that support something you really believe in, like freedom of speech.  Now come up with five arguments against the thing you believe in.  (Use the Opposing Viewpoints if you need ideas.)

Taken from The Book of Lists for Teens by Sandra and Harry Choron

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posted by Jenna, Standley Lake Library

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JULY 4, 2011
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine

Put a hold on it now!

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posted by Jenna, Standley Lake Library

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JULY 2, 2011
Weird and Wonderful Jello

What is it exactly? It isn't really a solid but still not quite a liquid. Watch a video of Jello in slow motion! The main ingredient in Jello is gelatin. Gelatin is made from the principle protein collagen whis is found in animal skin bones and sinew. Have you ever made plain gelatin? It does not smell like anything you would actually want to ingest. Gelatin isn't just for Jello it has many other uses as well including: pharmaceuticals, photography, cosmetics and even to add the yellow color to soft drinks. Gelatin has been around since the time of ancient Greece but not as the tasty treat we know today. In ancient Greece it was used to bind, glaze and preserve foods.

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posted by Arra, Lakewood Library

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JULY 1, 2011
Free (Audio)Book Friday!
Okay, so last week we were immersed in the terrible tragedy of love. While we're not exactly lightening the mood this week, the focus is on government oppression. Fun, huh? Now through Wednesday, July 6th, you can listen to Little Brother by Cory Doctorow for free! While you're at it (and since it's free anyway) download Kafka's The Trial!    

Little Brother cover

The Trial cover

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will need to download the OverDrive Media Console to your computer, but only the first time. Once you have that, get your free audibooks!
 

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posted by Jenny, Golden Library

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