The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Angie and Cassie have been good friends and shared secrets and wishes for years. Now they are both looking for the wonderful man to complete their dreams of family. Angie even applied to a matchmaker. She was rejected. Cassie learned about it and decided to give Dr. Simon Dodson a chance to find the right match for her. Was she surprised at how cold and rude he was in that first interview! Actually, he was always like that. But the more he was business like, the more determined Cassie was to ask personal questions and find the real Simon inside that analytical mind. Before meeting the perfect match Simon asked her to complete three tasks. Each one was intended to help him know for sure that she would meet the desires of another client. One of those assignments turned into disaster with a wardrobe malfunction. The others proved to be unexpected experiences, also. Cassie fortunately had the funds to spend on this thirty thousand dollar experiment. But it would be worth it if Simon could find the man to help her have The Perfect Christmas.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Twelve

Merry Christmas!

And since it's Christmas, we're offering 12 more movie recommendations!

1. Greatest Story Ever Told
2. Nightmare Before Christmas
3. Scrooged
4. The Bishop's Wife
   
5. Love Actually
6. Polar Express
7. Home Alone
8. The Ref
9. Charlie Brown Christmas
10. Home For the Holidays
11. The Christmas Letter
12. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Look for these, and all your favorite movies at the library.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Eleven

JOYEUX NOEL

Nominated for a Best Foreign Film Oscar, this French film relates one of the Christmas Truces of World War I. Joyeux Noel is a reminder of the hopes and joys people everywhere hold in common, and to take a moment to remember those that serve far away from home this Christmas Eve.

And remember, you can find all your favorite Christmas movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite Christmas movies.

Recommended by S.S. in Computer Services
Reserve your copy here.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Ten

THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY

This Rankin / Bass production was one of several animated puppet Christmas shows that played on TV in the 1960s and 1970s, and became a well loved classic. The Little Drummer Boy still holds up well, enchanting new generations of children with the wonderful puppets and beautiful message. Enjoy the true meaning of Christmas with this heartwarming video.

And remember, you can find all your favorite Christmas movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite Christmas movies.

Reserve your copy here.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Nine

NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION

While not to everyone's taste, if you enjoy the silly, or the antics of Chevy Chase, then this is probably the DVD you reach for this season. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation reunites the Griswolds, and hits all the disasters that can happen when relatives gather for the holidays.

And remember, you can find all your favorite Christmas movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite Christmas movies.

Reserve your copy here.

Homewood Library Director, Deborah Fout, Cruises in the Homewood Christmas Parade 2009

Hello from Deborah Fout & Carolyn Crew!
Originally uploaded by HomewoodPix

The Homewood Public Library would like to thank Crown Nissan of Hoover, AL for the use of the fabulous 2010 Nissan Pathfinder in the Homewood Christmas Parade. The SUV was driven by Deborah Fout, Director, with Breanna Fout and Carolyn Crew tossing lots of candy to the people lining the parade route. With an unusual light dusting of snow on December 5th, the turn-out for the parade was good considering the cold and damp weather. Crown Nissan has provided an automobile for the library to use in two parades per year for over 12 years. Thank You Crown! Visit their website www.shopcrown.com or call them at 205.979.5420 or 800.844.5420.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Eight

THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL

Take Charles Dickens' classic and give it an update, Muppet style! Add Michael Caine to the mix, playing Scrooge, and The Muppet Christmas Carol is sure to please all ages.

And remember, you can find all your favorite Christmas movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite Christmas movies.

Recommended by D.W. Intern
Reserve your copy here.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Seven

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

You can't watch TV this time of year without seeing this Christmas classic playing. It's a Wonderful Life takes this holiday to remind us of what's important in life.

And remember, you can find all your favorite Christmas movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite Christmas movies.

Recommended by C.B. in Computer Services
Reserve your copy here.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Six

DIEHARD

Looking for something a little different in your Christmas movies? Well, Diehard certainly fits the bill. An action movie that takes place at Christmas, it made John McClaine reconsider the holiday trip, even to be with family.

And remember, you can find all your favorite Christmas movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite Christmas movies.

Recommended by S.S. in Computer Services
Reserve your copy here.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Five

A CHRISTMAS STORY

This wonderful movie was made in 1983, but is a child's eye view of Christmas in the 1940s -- told with a child's blunt honesty. A Christmas Story was written by humorist Jean Sheperd, and he even narrates the story, as an adult looking back fondly, but clearly, at cherished events that every one can relate to. Your dad may never have won a "special prize," but I'll bet you've heard something like, "you'll shoot your eye out, kid."

And remember, you can find all your favorite Christmas movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite Christmas movies.

Recommended by S.S. in Computer Services
Reserve your copy here.

Homewood Cycle & Fitness is our Library Champion!

The Library Champion Award is given annually by the Jefferson County Public Library Association to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to libraries or librarianship in Jefferson County. Homewood Cycle & Fitness is a recipient of the Library Champion Award for 2009. The cycle shop was nominated by the Homewood Public Library and was honored at the annual Jefferson County Public Library Association (JCPLA) Christmas luncheon.

General Manager, Faris Malki, and wife, Ellie Jo, accepted the award for Homewood Cycle & Fitness. For the past four years, the cycle shop has donated a bicycle that is awarded to a lucky child who reads at least five books per week during the Summer Reading Program at the library. Because of this incentive and others like it, over 900 children are registered in Homewood Public Library's Summer Reading Program each year. We truly appreciate the Malkis and Homewood Cycle & Fitness for supporting the library and our community with this fantastic contribution!

Homewood Cycle & Fitness
2834 South 18th St.
Homewood, AL 35209
205.879.3244

Go by and visit them!

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Four

DR. SEUSS'
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!

With less than a week left, the Christmas Eve deadline is staring everyone in the face, and Present Buying Panic is starting to creep into lives everywhere. Before you get grumpy take a couple of hours and watch the Christmas classic, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas to give you a little perspective on the more commercial side of Christmas.

And remember, you can find all your favorite Christmas movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite Christmas movies.

Reserve your copy here.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Three

WHITE CHRISTMAS

A big part of Christmas is the caroling, and today's recommendation will definitely get you in the mood for singing. White Christmas is a light hearted classic and you just can't go wrong with names like Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Irving Berlin and Michael Curtiz!

And remember, you can find all your favorite Christmas movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite Christmas movies.

Reserve your copy here.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day Two

ELF

Before Jon Favreau directed Iron Man, he hit box office gold with Will Farrell and Buddy the Elf. With an all star cast that includes James Caan, Bob Newhart, and Ed Asner, as well as Andy Richter, Amy Sedaris, and Zooey Deschanel, the whole family can enjoy this humorous take on Christmas elves and family.

And remember, you can find all your favorite Christmas movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite Christmas movies.

Recommended by L.J. in Circulation
Reserve your copy here.

12 Days of Christmas Joy -- Day One

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

Christmas is coming! And we'll be counting down the days with our favorite holiday videos. Starting with a classic favorite, Miracle on 34th Street. That question all children and parents face at some point is answered wonderfully in this timeless movie. It's been remade a couple of times, but nothing beats the 1947 original. It features one of Natalie Wood's first performances, and she shines as the little girl who wants to believe in Santa Claus. Maureen O'Hara plays her mother perfectly, and for generations Edmund Gwenn WAS Santa.

And remember, you can find all your favorite Christmas movies at the library. Check back here every day for staff recommendations of their favorite Christmas movies.

Recommended by S.S. in Computer Services.
Reserve your copy here.

Facebook's New Privacy Settings Explained

Video explaining facebook's new account privacy settings.

CLICK HERE

Oh wow! Teen (Lego) Block Party

Oh wow!
Originally uploaded by HomewoodPix

Teens created Lego masterpieces at this Block Party. The library provided all the Lego blocks & snacks, & even had 2 prizes for the best Lego creations!

A Fatal Feast: a Murder, She Wrote Mystery by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain

Jessica truly enjoys living in the small town Cabot Cove, Maine. She realizes just how small it is when everyone she meets comments on her writer's block or her trouble meeting her writing deadline. Her anticipation of the Thanksgiving celebration is heightened this year because her Scotland Yard friend will be visiting. Her guest list for the holiday grows by the moment as she plans a traditional Thanksgiving menu for George Sutherland to experience. All the motels and B & Bs are booked so Seth is host to the Inspector during his stay. Everyday in the mail Jessica receives a letter of the alphabet pasted on an otherwise blank sheet of paper. This really made Jessica wonder what was going on. Then Jessica and George happen on the body of one of her dinner guests. The murder weapon was the carving knife used by Jessica and George at the Thanksgiving charity meal. As Jessica's unfinished book awaits, she and George try to help Mort Metzger find out who killed Hubie and why. George's visit really wasn't relaxing.

Microsoft Office 2010

Microsoft released its Office 2010 suite in beta in November, and is available for download at microsoft.com. Office 2010 will work with XP SP3, Vista, and Windows 7, with a 64 bit version available for Vista & Windows 7.

To match the ease of use and popularity of Google Docs, Microsoft will offer free online versions of Word, Power Point, Excel, and OneNote.

You can download the beta version here, with the final version made available in the first half of 2010.

--kb

Job Hunting at Your Local Library is Up

Yet another news story about how libraries are playing a huge roll to help people hunt for jobs during these hard economic times. Go to liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/12/07/on-the-job-carrollton-texas-library to see the video and read the article.

The Carrollton Public Library system in north Texas is highlighted in this video, but it could just as well have been almost any local library in Jefferson County.

Libraries and job hunting stats:

62% of libraries provide help for people looking for work online

66% say online job hunting is one of the most important services offered

70% say helping online job hunters is up this year

Books about resume writing and job interviewing are hot items and computer classes to brush up on skills are very popular.

Homewood Public Library offers FREE computer classes and if you'd like to learn more, visit our Training Lab webpage or contact Sandra Swindle @ 332-6632 or sswindle@bham.lib.al.us.

If you'd like to request a new/different computer class or other item or program, please fill out our Sound Off! Suggestion Form.

Turkey Shoot Movie Created by Teens @ HPL

Created by Justin Dobbs and Shannon Gragg for the Turkey Shoot Contest.
Thanks guys, great job!

One of the best video book ads (from the New Zealand Book Council)

May advertising awards and chocolate fish* rain down upon the clever people at Colenso BBDO for creating an ad for the New Zealand Book Council that manages to avoid the multitude of cliches available to do with books and reading, and just does something creative and original. ~from the Market Intelligence for Librarians website.

*the internationally recognised token of appreciation amongst librarians