Games for the Brain

Neuroscientists have discovered that the brain is a use-it-or-lose- it proposition - which is all the excuse you need to spend some time here playing memory, logic, and strategy games like Reversi, Crime Scene, Sudoku, What Was There, etc.

Games for the Brain

The Alzheimer's Association 10 Top Tips to Maintain Your Brain.

There are things you can do now to protect your brain from memory loss:

1. Head first. Good health starts with your brain. It's one of the most vital body organs and needs care and maintenance.

2. Take brain health to heart. What's good for the heart is good for the brain. Do something every day to prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke - all of which can increase your risk of Alzheimer's.

3. Numbers count. Keep your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels within recommended ranges.

4. Feed your brain: East less fat and more anti-oxidant rich foods (fish, leafy greens, whole grains, nuts).

5. Work your body. Exercise keeps the blood flowing and may encourage new brain cells. Do what you can - like walking 30 minutes a day - to keep both mind and body active.

6. Jog your mind. Keeping your brain active and engaged increases its vitality and builds reserves of brain cells and connections. Read, write, play games, learn new things, do crossword puzzles.

7. Connect with others. Leisure activities that combine physical, mental and social elements may be most likely to prevent dementia. Be social, converse, volunteer, join a club or take a class.

8. Protect your brain. Take precautions against head injuries. Use seatbelts, unclutter your house to avoid falls, and wear a helmet when cycling or rollerblading.

9. Use your head. Avoid unhealthy habits. Don't smoke, drink alcohol excessively or use street drugs.

10. Think ahead. Do something today to protect your tomorrow.Increasing evidence suggests that another important way of maintaining your memory is to train your brain, in a similar way to training your body.

In fact the latest scientific studies suggest that brain training can even restore ailing memory and keep your concentration, memory and mental speed in peak condition throughout your life. Neuropsychologists have developed targeted brain training exercises, now available as a software computer program. Give them a try.

Grown-ups Can Catch the Reading Bug, too!

Adults who check-out any material with a bug word in the title or subject matter can register to win prizes as well. Just ask for a form at check out and enter to win prizes for valuable certificates to stores in Waterford.

Catch the Reading Bug @ Your Library

Registration for this summer's reading program begins on Saturday, June 14th.
This summer's first Storywagon event will be held on Wednesday, June 18th from 10-11.

We will be offering a minimum of five programs per week throughout the six-week program.

Lap-Sit storytimes and pre-school storytimes will be offered every other week on Thursday mornings.

Storywagon events will continue to be on Wednesday mornings. Family Storytimes will be held on Tuesday nights.

Teen events will include things like Buggy Fear Factor and a "Jitterbug" outdoor teen dance.

Highlights for the younger crowd will included:

The Racine Zoo, buggy crafts, movie and gaming events and a visit from the Weinermobile.
Prizes will be offered to all age groups for reading throughout the summer.

Mark your calendars and bring the whole family in to register beginning Saturday, June 14th.

Registration will run through June 27th.

Read-a-thon

The Racine Literacy Council invites adults, youths, businesses, organizations and families to take part in its second annual read-a-thon, Summer Read — Pages with Purpose from June 5 to Aug. 5.

Summer Read is an opportunity for the entire community to encourage the joy of reading and to raise funds in support of the Racine Literacy Council’s Adult Literacy Program. Participants will seek pledges for each book they read during the summer. Prizes will be awarded in several categories — Youth (7-15), Adult (16 and older), Family, and Corporate/Business — for the most funds raised and the most books read in each category. An awards event is planned for International Literacy Day in September.

The free public kickoff event for Summer Read will be from 4-7 p.m. June 5 at the Literacy Council, 734 Lake Ave. It will include music, refreshments, edible books and an opportunity to sign up to be a reader. Local authors are invited to read from their latest book.

Edible books are creations of local bakeries and artisans who have transformed cakes into literary creations. Edible books will on display and served to guests at the Summer Read Kickoff June 5. Call the Racine Literacy Council if you would like to enter an edible book/cake.

Adults who come to the RLC literacy program want to be able to apply their new reading and writing skills in meaningful ways. They want to be able to speak and to understand the English language in their everyday lives. Tutors work to integrate the learner’s selected goals with academic progress. Goals might include job-related vocabulary, making a doctor’s appointment without an interpreter and being able to make a budget.

The next volunteer tutor training will be the mornings of June 16-19 and June 23. Prior to the training, people should attend a one-hour information meeting. They will be at noon June 4, 5:30 p.m. June 10 or 10:30 a.m. June 12 at the Racine Literacy Council. In Western Racine County the meeting will be on June 5 at the public libraries: Union Grove: 9 a.m.; Waterford, 10: 30 a.m.; and Burlington, noon.

With the increase in the number of people wanting to learn English and many others working to improve basic literacy skills, the role of the volunteer tutor is essential to the program. Tutors, 16 years or older, volunteer two to three hours per week. A volunteer’s work and personal schedule help to determine what day or time they tutor. People do not need to know another language to teach someone English nor do they need to have a teaching background.Speakers BureauClubs, churches, businesses and organization program chairs are encouraged to contact the Racine Literacy Council to have a representative speak to their group about literacy issues in Racine County.

How does literacy affect the workplace? Do immigrants have enough opportunities to learn the English language in Racine County? What is Health Literacy, and why is it so important to us all. The impact on society is significant.You are invited: Focus groups inputFor more information, contact Kay Gregor at (262) 632-9495 or send e-mail to kgregor@racineliteracy.com

BY RACINE LITERACY COUNCIL- Journal Times Article 5/20/08

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

Walt Disney presents : "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian".
The enchanted characters of C.S. Lewis’s timeless fantasy come to life again in this second installment of the seven book series, in which the pevensie siblings return to Narnia, where they are enlisted to once again help ward off an evil king and restore the rightful heir to the land's throne, Prince Caspian.

These games will transport you into the land of Narnia. Gryphon Attack and Escape from Miraz Castle or see what you would look like as a Narnian creature!

Read this and other fantasy books by C.S. Lewis at your local library.

Caldecott winning book to the big screen.

Author Brian Selznick has expressed confidence that his The Invention of Hugo Cabret is in good hands, with the recent announcement that Ice Age and Robots director Chris Wedge will bring the Caldecott-winning book to the big screen.

John Logan, who wrote the screenplay for The Aviator and Sweeney Todd, has also signed on. Johnny Depp's production company Infinitum Nihil is coproducing the film with Grahmam King's Initial Entertainment Group for Warner Bros., Selznick says.

Selznick, who had many producers vying for the movie rights, went with Grey Rembert, vice president of development at the Grahma King Company, because, he says, Rembert was someone who understood the book and liked the book "very much and wanted to make a movie that's true to the book."

Since this will be the first live-action film by Wedge, Selznick says he's excited to see how the director will incorporate his command of the latest movie-making technology into this Hugo Cabret, as well.

Earlier, it was reported that Martin Scorcese was a possible director for the movie version on Hugo Cabret (scholastic, 2007), but Selznick says he is unsure what, if any, role the Oscar-winning director might ultimately play.

The autor/illustrator says he has no information about casting or wheather the film will be produced in color-considering that his book consists of his own black and white pen-and-ink drawings, strung together like the frames of a movie. "The possibility of a movie is very exciting, "Selznick says, "especially because it's a book about movies. So, to get to see the story projected in a cinema is an intriguing idea."

Hugo Cabret tells the story of a boy living alone in Paris train station of the 1930s, and of his intriguing discovery. A fall start date is planned for the Warner Bros. film.

This article originally appeared in School Library Journals Extra Helping.

Famous Mother's Day Quotes

“My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.” -Mark Twain

"The mother is the one supreme asset of national life; she is more important by far than the successful statesman, or business man, or artist, or scientist."-Theodore Roosevelt

“All I am, or can be, I owe to my angel mother.” -Abraham Lincoln

“The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” -Theodore Hesburgh


http://videos.howstuffworks.com/howstuffworks/208-how-mothers-day-works-video.htm

Culvers Winner!

The Waterford Public Library participated in Culver's "Draw a Picture for National Library Week" campaign.


Children 10 and under drew pictures depicting a character, scene, or event from a favorite children's book. Each participant received a coupon good for FREE CUSTARD at any Culver's Restaurant.




The winner of this year's drawing was Gabe Riska, age 5, for his drawing of "Dinosaurs: An adventure back in Time" by Susan Ring. Nice going Gabe!