"Shop Smarter To Reduce Waste" Class Saturday At Northeast Branch Library

The Northeast Branch of the Seattle Public Library (6801 35th Avenue NE) is holdlng a special class, Shop Smarter to Reduce Waste: Urban Self-Reliance 2012" on Saturday from 2-4pm.

The class description says:

 

Learn how to shop smarter by choosing products with recyclable or reusable packaging, and with as little packaging as possible, to reduce waste and conserve resources -- including your dollars! 

We have lots of choices when we buy things at the grocery store and sometimes the exact same food comes in four different packages.  

In this class, you'll learn how to:

• "Shop your fridge" before going to the store and plan your weekly meals to reduce food waste at home.
• Shop smarter by choosing products with recyclable or reusable packaging, and with as little packaging as possible, to reduce waste and conserve resources -- including your dollars!

This class is offered in partnership with CleanScapes as part of the Neighborhood Waste Reduction Rewards program and is part of the 2012 Urban Self-Reliance Series.

This event is free and everyone is welcome. Registration is not required.

 

Preview Lecture of "Madame Butterfly" Tonight At Northeast Public Library

Tonight at 7pm the Seattle Opera will preview their upcoming production of Puccini's "Madame Butterfly"at the Northeast Branch of the Seattle Public Library (6801 35th Avenue NE).
The information says:

Join us for an entertaining and insightful  preview lecture presented by Seattle Opera Education Department staff. 

In "Madame Butterfly," a Japanese maiden catches the fancy of a caddish American Naval officer, crosses cultural boundaries to become his bride and grapples with a serious dilemma while faithfully awaiting his return.
Puccini’s story of tradition, romance, yearning and sacrifice has been a beloved opera world-wide for over a century.

The production starts next month at the Opera House and is in Italian with English subtitles.

(photo courtesy of SPL)

Seattle Opera Preview at the Northeast Library Tonight

Tonight from 6:30 –7:30pm, the Northeast Branch Libaray (6801 35th Avenue NE) will have a preview of Seattle Opera's upcoming production of the "The Barber of Seville," presented by Theodore Deacon for the Seattle Opera Guild.

"Arguably the funniest of all comic operas, Rossini’s delightful, vivacious romp kicks off with an instantly recognizable overture, gains speed with a non-stop parade of hit tunes, and concludes with an 'all is forgiven' finale bubbling over with joy," the website says.

The event is free and everyone is welcome. Registration is not required.

For questions you can contact the Northeast Branch at 206-684-7539.

(photo courtesy of SPL website)

Free Preview of Seattle Opera's "Amelia" Tonight at the NE Library

Once again the Seattle Public Library is hosting a preview of  an upcoming opera at the Seattle Opera.

This time from 6:30-7:30pm you can preview "the world-premiere production of Seattle Opera's newly-commissioned opera, 'Amelia'" as the SPL website says.

There will be a preview lecture presented by Theodore Deacon for the Seattle Opera Guild.


The description about the opera says:

A first time mother-to-be, whose psyche has been scarred by the loss of her pilot-father in Vietnam, must break free from anxiety to embrace healing and renewal for the sake of her husband and child in this original story unfolding over a 30-year period beginning in 1966. "Amelia" interweaves one woman's emotional journey, the American experience in Vietnam, and elements of the Daedalus and Icarus myth to explore man's fascination with flight and the dilemmas that arise when vehicles of flight are used for exploration, adventure, and war.

"Amelia" is a new American opera created by Daron Hagen, Gardner McFall, and Stephen Wadsworth. The performance includes a libretto written by American poet Gardner McFall ("The Pilot's Daughter"), whose father was a Navy pilot lost during Vietnam.
 
The event is being held at the NE Branch of the Library.
 
Everyone is welcome and registration is not required.
 
The opera begins May 8 at the Opera House and tickets can be purchased here.
 
(picture courtsey of SPL)

Good News - NE Library Hours To Remain the Same

The Friends of Seattle Public Library was successful in their efforts to keep many libraries, including the NE Library, with the current operating hours with yesterday's City Council approval of the Friends of the Library "Option C" proposal despite a citywide budget crunch.

"Today, November 12, 2009, the Seattle City Council unanimously voted to increase the General Subfund (GSF) support for library services by $860,000 in 2010. As described in the Seattle City Council’s green sheet Tab 94, Action 1, Option C, Version 1, “[$860,000] would restore 140 of the library operating hours that would be eliminated per the 2010 Proposed Budget.

Increasing GSF support for library services by $860,000 would also allow the Library Board to reinstate some of the 27 staff positions (18.8 FTE [Full Time]) that would be eliminated under the 2010 Proposed Budget,” as posted on the Friends of the Library website yesterday.

The NE Library will remain at the current seven day, 62 hour weekly schedule (along with 9 other city libraries):
• Monday – Thursday, 10 am – 8 pm;
• Friday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm;
• Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm

The University District Library hours have been reduced slightly (along wih 14 other city libraries)
• Open 5 Days per week (35 hours per week, closed Friday and Sunday):
• Monday – Tuesday, 1 pm – 8 pm;
• Wednesday – Thursday, 11 am – 6 pm;
• Friday: CLOSED;
• Saturday 10 am – 6 pm;
• Sunday: CLOSED

Also, in other budget news, the City Council approved yesterday 5-4 the highest proposed Seattle City Light rate hike of 13.8% increase over the next 2 years to help offset the city's budget issues.

Help Keep Our Libraries Open

Last month Mayor Nickels announced his proposed 2010 capital budget plan for the City of Seattle. This budget would drop Seattle Public Libraries funding by 37 percent from the 2009 budget of $1,646,000 to $1,031,000.

Under the plan, 21 branch libraries would reduce operating hours to seven hours per day, five days a week, closing Friday and Sunday. Friends of Seattle Public Library is petitioning against the proposed Sunday and Friday closures at neighborhood libraries.


The Northeast Library branch and the University Branch are included in the list of libraries that could potentially be closed both Sunday and Friday and have reduced operating hours if the proposed budget is adopted by Seattle City Council in November.

According to The Seattle Public Library, “Early estimates show the reduced hours may result in the loss of approximately 27 positions, or the equivalent of 18.8 regular full-time employees. Expected earnings of each Library employee will be cut approximately 1.9 percent due to the one-week closure.”

The reduction in hours would cut $1.2 million for the library’s budget. SPL has also proposed a week-long furlough. Mayor Nickels asked the library to identify approximately 5 percent in cuts — about $2.6 million.

The proposed budget would impact many communities and neighbors who rely on the city libraries for computer access, job search resources, adult and kids programs, gathering spaces for all ages, and much more.

Friends of SPL is asking community members to send a letter or email to the Mayor and City Council as it is the easiest and has the biggest impact. Here is contact information. The Friends of SPL blog also has extensive contact information.

Other ways to get involved immediately are:

*Saturday, October 24 1-3pm meet the Friends of SPL at NE Library as they gather signatures and pass out information on the potential consequences of the proposed 2010 budget Monday

*October 25 5:30 p.m. special hearing at City Council Chambers (600 4th Avenue). Library supporters can make brief remarks in support of prioritizing library funding petition.

*Sign the Friends of the Library petition

*Join Facebook Friends of the Library Cause group

*Join the Friends mailing list

*Take the Friends of the Library survey

Sarel Rowe, advocacy chair of The Friends of the Seattle Public Library says, “We need people who will stand up and speak for two minutes in support of the library. One night at a hearing is a small investment if one considers that the risk is closures and reduced hours of our neighborhood branches. E-mails help alot but we must also have support at the hearings if we have any hope of blunting or avoiding these service cuts.

We need your e-mail help and attendance at the public budget hearings now!"

Friends of the Library Book Sale Starts Today

The Friends of the Seattle Library Fall Book Sale starts today through Sunday at Magnuson Park.

"This popular book sale features over 200,000 books and other items. It’s a perfect time for holiday shopping! Proceeds go to benefit the Seattle Public Library," the information says.

The sale is in the Hangar in Building #30 at 7400 Sand Point Way NE. The 70th Street entrance is the closest to the Hangar which will be on your right after you enter.

Hours are today 6:30- 9:30 p.m for the member preview sale. Members can purchase up to 25 items. Memberships are $10 in advance; $30 at the door.

Members may bid in the silent auction during the preview sale. You can become a member for just $15.00 for a full year or $10.00 for the partial year from July through December. New members may join in advance by filling out a membership form and mailing it in or filling in the form at the door. Friends recommends you purchase your membership in advance due to the popularity of the Preview Sale.

Saturday the sale is open 9 a.m.- 5 p.m and Sunday 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Items for sale include:

*Art prints and posters
*Nonfiction books organized by category
*Huge selection of hardcover and paperback fiction
*Audio books, music CDs, and movies on VHS and DVD
*Large "Better Books" section
*Rare, collectible, and sets room

All items in the regular section are $1.00 each, except art prints, which are priced as marked. Books in the "Better Books" section are priced as marked.

Call Quick Information at 206-386-4636 for further information or the Friends’ voice mail at 206-386-4098 or email book.sale@spl.org. Information can also be accessed through the Friends of the Library website.

Volunteers are always needed if you have time to donate.

And if you have books to donate, call 206-523-4053 or drop them off at your local branch library.