We recently came across a saying, attributed to Ziad K. Abdelnour, that we liked. It goes like this: "Life is like a camera. Focus on what is important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negatives. And if things don’t work out, "Take another shot."
There’s no better way to experience autumn colors in the southwest Twin Cities than a hike.
Standing in a small clearing, deep in the northwoods of Minnesota, I was telling the participants in my black bear photo workshop some of the more interesting natural history facts about the American black bear.
The “digital divide” has become an increasingly critical conversation in today’s ever-shifting tech landscape, especially in wake of the past year and half’s isolating pandemic.
Do you remember where you were at the time of the collapse of the Twin Towers 20 years ago? We do. With the recent 20-year anniversary of the 9/11 Twin Towers catastrophe, we watched the TV replays of the disaster and what unfolded immediately afterward. We thought about the phrase, “Never f…
Whether you are looking to get outside or stay cozied up at home, Carver County Library has family friendly programs planned for you. Take a stroll and read a story at Chaska’s StoryWalk on Saturday, Sept. 18 anytime between 10:30 a.m. and noon.
I’m back! This month, I wanted to touch on something that has been, honestly, life-changing. Getting my driver’s license!
What difficult decisions are you trying to make? Maybe you go back and forth trying to decide what’s best for you.
In-person storytime returns to Chanhassen, Chaska, and Victoria libraries beginning Monday, Sept. 13 with a special outdoor storytime at the Victoria Library at 10:30 a.m. Victoria also presents storytimes on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. starting with dance party on Sept. 15.
The Friends of the Chanhassen Library present its fall book sale beginning Thursday, Sept. 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. The sale continues Friday, Oct. 1 and Saturday, Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The sale ends with a $5 per bag sale on Sunday, Oct. 3 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Every now and then I get an opportunity to work with a species that I don’t have much hands-on experience with. These are often rare or endangered species or a species that is difficult to access and lives in areas that makes it hard to get close to.
The Library will be closed on Monday, September 6 for Labor Day.
I am no stranger to traveling hundreds or even thousands of miles to see, study and document some of nature's most wonderful events. For over 35 years I have traveled to see the epic migration of sandhill cranes in Nebraska, stunning flocks of snow geese in North Dakota and remarkable monarc…
What do you see going on in the world? As you’re probably aware, there are so many things happening — difficult things. We see nations collapsing, earthquakes, fires and floods. We also know that there’s political division, vaccine issues, economic concerns, social unrest and possibly family…
Freshwater mussels, what many call clams, often go unnoticed buried at the bottoms of lakes and rivers.
It is hard to believe summer is coming to an end. Kids will soon be in school.
As the daughter of an American service member, I found myself in the Montgomery, Alabama public school system in the 1970s.
With daylight slipping away, September’s skies make an excellent background for watching stars and planets.
When I think of the end of summer, I imagine myself in a hammock enjoying an earlier sunset and cooler weather. I think of vegetable gardens coming to fruition and farmers markets packed with delicious ingredients for my neighbors and I to enjoy.
Every now and then I meet a true wildlife superhero. You know, the kind of person who has dedicated their life to understand and protecting wildlife.
What got us thinking about trust is that there seems to be so much confusion and lack of trust going on today.
Before we know it, school will be back in session for many. Be sure to enjoy the last bit of summer with one of the Library’s StoryWalks in late August.
They say “Hope springs eternal” – or does it?
This Saturday is the last day of the 2021 “Tails and Tales” Summer Reading Program at Carver County Library. Aug. 14 will be your last chance to enter reviews online or in person to win free books.
Jupiter and Saturn are at their best of the year this month, thanks to Earth lapping them in the race around the sun.
I hope the summer has been treating everyone reading this well. It has certainly been doing me justice for one reason and one reason only. I finally got my license.
True or imagined, books paint pictures of stories and tales that can take the reader to the past, present, or future with both real and fictionalized characters.
Recently we went outside early in the morning to feed the birds. It was a beautiful, sunny morning and the air felt fresh. It was totally peaceful and quiet except for the little birds chirping overhead in the tree, waiting for their breakfast.
Venus glimmers in the sun’s afterglow, where it will stay for months to come. Look for the planet low in the west-northwest about 40 minutes after sunset. The best days may be the 11th and 12th, when a young moon hovers nearby.
Blackbirds always seem to get a bad rap. As the late Rodney Dangerfield was fond of saying, they “get no respect” in the bird world.
Both Chanhassen and Chaska libraries increased their hours, beginning July 6.
2020 was a year that had many challenges. There were businesses that closed, shortages of products, quarantines, face masks, social distancing, and entertainment that shut down all over the world.
Shopping and books. These happen to be two of my favorite pastimes — so why not combine them together? This weekend provides a great opportunity to do so.
Shopping and books. These happen to be two of my favorite pastimes — so why not combine them together? This weekend provides a great opportunity to do so.
The wide diversity of birds on earth should be a reminder to us all that the natural world is a place where life takes all shapes, colors and forms.
What lies are you telling yourself? Now, given that question, you might feel a bit indignant and might respond, ‘I’m not a liar. I don’t lie to other people and I certainly don’t lie to myself.’ We hope you’ll hang in there with us as we explore this subject further.
The Chaska Friends of the Library summer book sale returns in the plaza in front of the library during the city’s River City Days celebration.
How do you feel when you get feedback? In psychology and coaching, we see how feedback can be helpful or harmful. We took a good look at what makes the difference.
I’m back! There's a couple things to say before I get into what I wanted to touch on. One, happy summer. No more school! What could be better than that? Wait I know — being fully vaccinated. I can proudly say I have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine! How about you?
My very first official job in life was working as a gardener.
The complexity of nature is sometimes hard to understand and even harder to justify or feel good about, especially when seen through the human lens. I was reminded of this the other day while filming a family of American redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) that is nesting on my property.
What does freedom mean to you this year? In the past, it might have been easy to take freedom for granted. But a lot has happened since last year. With the Fourth of July coming up we’re looking at freedom in a new way. Freedom and July Fourth have always been important, but this year they s…
The library continues to restore hours and services beginning July 1.
As we return to regular service models over the next few months, Carver County Library will resume charging fines starting July 1.
Are you feeling a little ‘hot’ these days? Yes, we have been in a prolonged heat wave. We think back to when we were growing up and didn’t have the luxury of air conditioning. The remedy was to turn on multiple oscillating fans. Not only was the breeze cooling, the sound of the fans also had…
Imagine having a vehicle in your garage, but not being able to use it. Perhaps you have just seen your doctor and must now go to a medical facility for treatment — but first, you need a COVID test. You have no way to get to either place.
There have been a lot of words used to describe this past school year, among them: unprecedented, challenging, difficult. I would like to add a few more as I reflect on the 2020-21 school year and my first year as Eastern Carver County Schools superintendent: community, strength, and resilience.
Join us June 14-Aug. 31 on our Carver County Library Facebook video page, www.facebook.com/CarverCountyLibrary/videos/, to view all of our Summer Reading Program performers.
