Fall Into...Fall!

If you've been following my blog for a while, you probably know I'm a fan of lists.  And since fall is actually here, I thought it would be fitting to make a list of fun things to help us really get the most out of the season.  So without further ado, here are 10 things you can do locally in the Inland Northwest or at home:

• Apple picking in Green Bluff, WA  When you think of fall, you think of apples.  So why not have some fun picking apples with the family in Green Bluff?
• Have some spiced cider.  Speaking of apples, doesn't some nice warm spiced cider on a chilly night sound good?  You can try this recipe or just get a bottle ready-made from Trader Joe's.
• Have some tea and pastries.  Not into cider?  Then have some nice hot tea in the comfort of your own home or go to a local tea house, like the Silver Spoon Tea House in Spokane or the Gaiwan Tea House in Coeur d'Alene.
• Attend an Oktoberfest celebration.  Maybe beer is your thing?  If so, fall is Oktoberfest time!  The big one is 3 hours away in Leavenworth, WA, but there are others nearby in Spokane, and Coeur d'Alene, ID.  Or you can go to Das Stein Haus in Spokane.
• Take a walk in Finch Arboretum in Spokane.  Beside apples, isn't fall about...falling leaves?  Stroll in the arboretum among the trees sporting their autumn colors.
• Light some candles.  Perhaps you're more of an indoor person?  Make a cozy, inviting atmosphere by lighting a few candles.
• Knit or crochet a scarf.  Talking about cozy, knit or crochet a scarf for yourself or a loved one.  Don't know how?  Then come to the library's Spin-a-Yarn the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month and we'll teach you.
• Bake a cake.  After a while, doing all those fall things will make you work up an appetite.  Baking a cake is good for a growling stomach as well as the soul.  And your house will smell great!
• Snuggle in a blanket and watch a movie.  When you get tired, there's nothing better than snuggling in a blanket on the sofa and watching a movie.  Relax!
• Read a book.  You know I had to plug in books and reading somewhere, didn't you?  Fall is the perfect time to stay indoors with a good read, and we have plenty of good ones here at the library for you to borrow!

Hopefully, this list will help you get a start on fall!  For more ideas and things to do, stop by the library!

Wishing everyone a great fall from the perch.

Wildfire Smoke is No Joke!

I'm sure it's no surprise that the air quality in the Inland Northwest is extremely poor to downright hazardous due to smoke from wildfires in the region and neighboring states.  Until the fires are put out and the winds shift, there's not much we can do to get rid of the smoke.  However, according to the experts, there are things we can do to help protect ourselves and keep our exposure to wildfire smoke at a minimum:

• Stay indoors.  The less time spent outside in the smoky air, the better.
• Close windows.  Try to keep the indoor air as clean as possible. 
• Recircle air, close vents.  Cut off the flow of outdoor air coming into your house and car.
• Don't burn anything.  Candles, fireplaces, etc. contribute to bad air quality.
• Drink plenty of water.  It will make your throat feel better and less irritated.
• Wear proper masks.  If you must go outside, limit your time and wear effective masks.

Here are some other informative resources that can help you and your family protect yourselves from wildfire smoke:

• Health Tip: Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke Exposure
• How Smoke from Fires Can Affect Your Health
• How to Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke
• Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke
• Wildfire Smoke: Frequently Asked Questions 

Let's hope the fires are extinguished soon and air clears, but in the meantime, please take precautions and use common sense.

Yours truly practicing fire safety at the perch.

Welcome Back to...Books!

Just because the summer reading program is over doesn't mean that trips to the library should become less frequent.  Noooo!  Quite the opposite!  This is the time of year to take advantage of all the resources the library has to offer to make your little ones (or yourself) successful in school!  Really!

Got some younger (or older) students feeling a little apprehensive about the new school year?  Don't worry.  We got plenty of books to put them in a good mood and make them feel like academic champions.  Need books to help out with reading, writing, math, or science skills?  We got that, too.  History?  We got books and DVDs that help bring the past alive and make it interesting for everyone.  Home ec, woodshop, or anything else?  Yup--chances are good we have it.

If you need some one-on-one help, the library offers tutor.com, real tutors online for K-12 subjects.  For those needing the services of a proctor, we can proctor exams that are either online or on paper.  We also have laptops and desktop computers for you to use, printers, and a fax, as well as electronic databases and other online resources to help you gather whatever information you're seeking.

So just because the summer reading program is over doesn't mean that there's no reason to come to the library.  We're here for you all 12 months of the year!  Rain or shine, hot or cold, sunny or cloudy (you get the idea :-).

Wishing everyone a great new school year from the perch!