1. family and parenting
2. children

May at PCL
PLACITAS
Community
LIBRARY
May 2
Our 12th Birthday Bash!
from 10:00 to 2:00
see p. 2
May 8
Joe Cabaza, Artist’s Reception,
5:00 to 7:00
see p. 10
May 9
Flea Market, 7:00 – 2:00
see p. 11
May 12
Children’s Story Hour: Explora presents
“Taking Flight” at 3:00
see p. 5
May 13
Home School Book Club meets at 12:30
see p. 5
May 21
Board of Directors meeting, 6:30 pm
May 23
Flea Market, 7:00 – 2:00
see p. 11
May 30
Jeff Berg with “Movies Made in New
Mexico: Route 66”
see p. 12
News
May 2015
HOURS
Tuesday 10 – 7
Wednesday 10 – 5
Thursday 10 – 5
Saturday 10 – 5
Sunday 1 – 4
To go to our website
click: www.placitaslibrary.com
What’s Inside









From Marian’s Desk
New in the Collection
Kids’ Column
Children’s Book News
Library Gardens
Artist of the Month
Susanne’s Selections
Bulletin Board
and more!
1
3
3
5
7
8
10
12
13
June 5 through July 24: Children’s Summer Reading
Program (SRP), Fridays at 10:00. Find the complete
SRP schedule on page 6.
453 Hwy 165  P O Box 445 Placitas NM 87043  505-867-3355  www.placitaslibrary.com
Don’t miss our 12th Birthday Bash
Saturday, May 2, 10:00 – 2:00
There will be cake!
And we will be kicking off the Summer Reading Challenges
for Adults and for Children
If your child, age infant-10 years, is one of the first 20 to register, he or she will get a prize.
There will be pamphlets available about our Children’s Summer Reading Program which
starts in June. Its theme is "Every Story Has a Hero."
We will have local heroes visiting throughout the day for you and your children to meet. And
at 11:00 in the labyrinth bilingual storyteller Matilde Machiavello will tell tales about heroes
from Latin America. From Matilde: "It is my dream to be able to introduce children and adults
to the world of Latin American writers as a way of learning and enjoying the cultural tradition,
customs, and folklore in the countries of the "Cono Sur" namely Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil,
Chile, Paraguay, and Colombia.”
Come join the fun!
About our Storyteller
Matilde Machiavello was born in Montevideo, Uruguay,
resided in Buenos Aires for years, and is now settled in
Placitas. She is a member of Storytellers of New Mexico, the
National Storytelling Network, Red Internacional de
Cuentacuentos, and the storytelling group L@s Hij@s del
Gallo, formed in 2008.
Matilde trained with coaches from Argentina, Colombia, and
the U.S. She has produced and performed in storytelling
events both in English and Spanish in Buenos Aires. She
designs and teaches workshops, using tools from Brain Gym
and Neuro Linguistic Programming.
 Speaker at the International Meeting of Art & Culture
‘Culturar Havana,’ in Havana, Cuba in 2010
 Winner of the contest ‘Cuentos de Humor’ in the ’10 de
Octubre Cuenta’ Festival in Havana, Cuba in 2013
 Guest Storyteller, Jemez Storytelling Festival in 2013.
 Guest Storyteller at Tellabration in NM in 2014.
2
453 Hwy 165  P O Box 445 Placitas NM 87043  505-867-3355  www.placitaslibrary.com
FROM MARIAN’S DESK
Marian Frear, Library Director
Help Wanted: Web Content Coordinator
Do you need a new outlet for your creative talent? Can you handle having hundreds of appreciative fans? We
may have just the volunteer position for you.
As things tend to do around here, our wonderful new website has surpassed our ability to keep up with it. We
are looking for someone with good grammatical skills and a keen artistic eye to keep the website fresh,
accurate and current. Familiarity with WordPress is a plus, but we are happy to train you on this (Easy!
Intuitive!) sturdy and useful software.
And as a bonus, you get to work with the Placitas Community Library volunteers, who are a charming and
delightful bunch, if we do say so ourselves.
Please call me at the library on a weekday at 867-3355, or email [email protected]. I look forward
to meeting with you. 
NEW IN THE COLLECTION
FICTION
Balancing Act, by Joanna Trollope
Cold Betrayal, by J.A. Jance
Endangered, by C.J. Box
Falling in Love, by Donna Leone
DVDs
The Imitation Game
Into the Woods
AUDIOBOOKS
NONFICTION
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,
by Marie Kondo
As You Wish, by Cary Elwes
The Boston Girl, by Anita Diamante
The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins
Trying to decide if you should take a book or DVD home with you or not?
Remember, at the Library the price is always right.
3
453 Hwy 165  P O Box 445 Placitas NM 87043  505-867-3355  www.placitaslibrary.com
What a fabulous Book, Bake, Art, and Plant Sale we had last month!
In spite of the wintery weather and a bit of crowding indoors, we sold
loads of baked goods, plants, talavera pots and books.
Many, many thanks to everyone who baked, worked the registers,
hauled boxes of books, gave gardening advice, arranged pottery, or
just came and bought all the marvelous things for sale. Thanks for
your energy, your dedication, your wonderful organizational skills
and your support of the library.
~ Marian
Our bakers once again outdid
themselves. Yum!
Local Artist Gives Back to Placitas Community Library
Geri Verble has long been an avid supporter of PCL. She works at the help desk and participates in the
children’s and community programs. She has given several classes and lectures at the library.
Geri is also a jewelry designer and owner of Tribal Bear Designs. Her work combines “Old World” beads
and pendants into jewelry that is in harmony with the Earth and contemporary life. She often uses
Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Tibetan beads and pendants as her inspiration and incorporates tribal and
ethnic beads into one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. She also creates contemporary southwestern designs
employing turquoise, spiny oyster, and coral. www.tribalbear.com
This year she has chosen to support the Placitas Community Library by donating 25% of her proceeds
from the 2015 Annual Placitas Studio Tour, Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10. Just imagine – one
quarter of the proceeds from the sale of her work will be given to PCL. More, she will be collecting
monetary donations for PCL at her studio.
We encourage you to stop by Geri’s studio, Studio # 42 on the Studio Tour, to see her beautiful creations
and help her support Placitas Community Library.
4
453 Hwy 165  P O Box 445 Placitas NM 87043  505-867-3355  www.placitaslibrary.com
Kids’ Column
You are invited to our Birthday Bash
Saturday, May 2, 10:00 – 2:00
Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge
The first 20 children will win a prize!
At 11:00 the Summer Reading Program “Every Story Has A Hero” will kick
off with Storyteller Matilde Machiavello telling tales about heroes.
And some Local Heroes will be visiting throughout the day. Join in!
Children's
Story
Hour:
Taking Flight !
Want to learn how things float and fly in the sky? Come to the Story
Hour. You will get to experiment with wind tunnels as you make
contraptions that can glide through the air, and then create your own
flying kite. Stories: The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchings or Clorinda Takes
Flight by Robert Kinerk. Join us on Tuesday, May 12, at 3:00.
Grownups: These stories and activities are appropriate for ages
2-5 although slightly older children (6-8) may enjoy the kite
activity, so bring them along! This is our last ¡Explora! Stem-to-Read Story Hour for this year.
Work with your children on interesting reading and science activities to learn how to better
help them. Please reserve a space for your child by calling the library at 867-3355.
The Home School Book Club
Our book to talk about this month is James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl.
James lives with his horrible aunts – but then something magical happens! If
you are age 7 to 11, you can join our Club. Our meeting is Wednesday, May
13, at 12:30. The book for June will be Nurk by Ursula Vernon. You can find
these books at the library.
5
453 Hwy 165  P O Box 445 Placitas NM 87043  505-867-3355  www.placitaslibrary.com
Kids – Join the Fun at our
“EVERY STORY HAS A HERO”
FRIDAYS AT 10:00 AM
JUNE 5 through JULY 24
Free!
June 5 – “Heroes of Conservation” Meet live animals from the rainforest
such as snakes, parrots and many other species. Since 1992, the owners of
Exotics of the Rainforest Carolyn and Sparky Newell have been educating
the ABQ area about the importance of preserving and protecting the
rainforests of the world.
June 12 – “Storytelling Theatre with Live Music” Hear folktales and
ballads presented by Johanna Darsee and Scott Hongall. Enjoy the heroine
princess of the tale “The Rosemary Plant” as told by Johanna and accompanied
by Scott’s original music.
June 19 – “Heroes in Art, Comics, and Books” Artist Roy Lichtenstein
was influenced by the comics he read as a boy. Art interpreter Jean Kolod
will present his works, and the children will create their own comic hero.
June 26 – “Heroes of Science”
Singing Scientist Chris Harrell returns with
new and original songs about the many heroes of the scientific world. His
program is sure to include something explosive and fun! Select your first
free book!
July 10 – “The Super Ann Show” Ann Lincoln is back again with her
variety show of magic, music, juggling, and dog tricks! She will tell children
of the heroes she loved to read about as a child.
July 17 - “Cibola Search & Rescue Team” Meet these local heroes who will
demonstrate the equipment they use during a rescue and give you tips for
safe hiking. Led by Bill Kennedy and his fellow volunteers.
July 24 – “Super Readers Tribute” You are the super heroes of reading,
and we will honor you with a performance by the Clan Tynker Circus of
Santa Fe. We will have prizes, books, certificates and refreshments too!
6
453 Hwy 165  P O Box 445 Placitas NM 87043  505-867-3355  www.placitaslibrary.com
Children’s Book News
by Nancy Guist, Children's Collection Coordinator
April was officially “Poetry Month”, but being May doesn’t mean that one can’t devote time for poems –
especially when it comes to children! Children’s language is often scattered with poetic phrases as they begin
to put words together. They see the world through different eyes than adults and in doing so create word
pictures which reflect their innocence and imagination. Rhythm and rhyme also appeal to children. Rhyming
poems capture a child’s affinity for repetition and rhythm. In addition, poetry is a wonderful vehicle for
humor as demonstrated by the well – loved poetry of Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky. Our library has quite
a varied collection of children’s poetry books. Check them out in the 800’s of the children’s non-fiction section
as well as the “easy” picture books by using the on-line catalog as a guide. Also a display of poetry books are
currently atop the children’s low bookshelves. A few are highlighted below.
Book of Animal Poetry, Edited by J. Patrick Lewis, U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate
This is a collection of poems by such favorites as Robert Frost, Jack Prelutsky, Emily
Dickinson and more. The poetry is supported by marvelous colored animal
photographs produced by National Geographic which are bound to fascinate every
child and adult. The varied animal poems are divided into categories meant to catch
children’s attention such as “the big ones”, “the little ones”, “the strange ones” and
“the noisy ones”. Children will enjoy reading poems about the familiar – gorillas,
lions, seals – as well as being introduced to the peculiar blue-footed boobie or the
unusual anemone.
Ubiquitous, Celebrating Nature’s Survivors, by Joyce Sidman
Ubiquitous is a poetry book with a different take on the life of the planet. The
poems focus on global life as varied as dandelions, bacteria, coyotes, and sharks.
Each poem is accompanied by an informative paragraph with interesting facts and
tidbits which further illustrate how these unique survivors have not succumbed to
extinction. The stunning artwork by Beckie Prange, all hand-colored linocuts,
extends the educational aspects of a most beautiful book. This handsome volume is
sure to fascinate the older child.
All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Marla Frazee
All the World is a 2012 Caldecott Honor Book. Rather than a collection of individual
poems, it is one complete rhyming poem with an appealing rhythm particularly
geared to younger children. Its tale is that of a warm summer day experienced by
two children and their parents beginning on a beach, building a sand castle and
collecting shells and ending with a cozy moonlit night coming after a sudden
rainstorm. Children will have fun finding this highlighted family in the storied
illustrations as well as other members of their community whose paths they cross as the day unfolds. The
book celebrates the interconnectedness of us all and the comfort and joy found in the little things of life.
cont.
7
453 Hwy 165  P O Box 445 Placitas NM 87043  505-867-3355  www.placitaslibrary.com
Children’s Book News, cont’d
A Pizza the Size of the Sun, by Jack Prelutsky, drawings by James Stevenson
Those children fondly familiar with the wacky poems of Shel Silverstein, will also find an
allegiance to many of Jack Prelutsky’s poems. Mr. Prelutsky has a natural sense of what
delights children. His poems are clever and usually wrapped up in humor. Many of
them are just shouting to be read aloud. And then there are the tricky poems such as
‘Backwards Forwards Silly Rhyme’ which will have children engrossed in trying to read
this backwards poem forward!
Read a Rhyme, Write a Rhyme, poems selected by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Meilo So
This book combines a marvelous collection of poems by various poets along with Jack
Prelutsky’s invitation to children to write their own. On each double spread he has
created a “poemstart” to compliment the poems on the two facing pages. In addition,
he provides other suggestions which read as if he is talking directly to his child reader
(and hopefully writer!) A wonderful book for parent and child to share and perhaps
collaboratively write their own poem. Have fun!

Out and About in the Library’s Gardens
by Suzanne Maxwell
Hi everyone, It’s that time again. Spring and all its glory.
Goals and tasks for our Spring Sprucing:
o Watering – new plantings, west side wildflowers, east side grasses, south of the parking lot
plantings (if we don’t get rain between now and then)
o Managing/removing “weeds,” especially the clover
o Cleaning out and sealing up the viewing box that contains the binoculars
o Any additional pruning of dead limbs, etc.
o Installing our water feature solar pump!!!
o Adding more mulch to Lolly’s tree as it appears a whirlwind picked up a large amount of the
existing mulch and spread it in every direction
One thing that’s been on the plate for a while is whether to use Round Up on the clovers. Several people did
some good research on the issue, and for this I thank each of you. It appears that there’s almost as much
research against the use of Round Up as there is in favor of using it. For those of you who don’t know, the
active ingredient in Round Up is glyphosate, and it is the chemical in question. While using it might save us
some sweat equity in controlling the clover, the research brings into question the possible, multiple
detrimental effects of glyphosates on human health. So since we’re a public facility, the decision has been
made to NOT use Round Up.
cont.
8
453 Hwy 165  P O Box 445 Placitas NM 87043  505-867-3355  www.placitaslibrary.com
Gardens, cont.
The good news about managing our gardens and the spread of the persistent clover is that I’ve personally
purchased a “flame thrower” that I will bring to our next maintenance day. The second piece of good news is
that the clover in question is a biennial, meaning that it only grows for 2 years before dying on its own, leaving
much needed humus, from the dead roots, and aeration, from the empty space the roots left, in the soil. So if
we manage the clover to keep it from going to seed and spreading itself too eagerly, it won’t be too hard to
keep it in check. Interestingly, clover does a good job in filling a niche
● ● ●
in landscapes. Part of its job is to help “fix” nitrogen and cover/cool the
THANK YOU, THANK YOU,
soil, to fill in empty spaces, so it’s not a bad thing, rather simply an
THANK
YOU,
Placitas
undesirable in our landscape plan. The healthier we can make our soil
Community
Library
and
and enhance the growth of native plants the less clover will serve to fill
Keepers of the Labyrinth and
the bare niche. Blessings for Spring – Suzanne Maxwell 
Gardens for going the extra 100
miles to beautify the landscape.
Your
caring
made
the
Editor’s Note: If you haven’t explored the PCL gardens yet, you should
celebratory labyrinth walk in
do so. Sit on the bench in the east garden and look for bluebirds,
honor of my mother an even
butterflies, and other creatures in this Certified Wildlife Habitat. Enjoy
more extraordinary experience.
the native plants. Read the interpretive signs. And then thank our
The Collin Meeting Room with
the gorgeous quilt exhibit was
the perfect setting for our
indoor activities.
It is quite special to have a
library such as ours where
creative and unique uses are
encouraged and supported.
wonderful gardeners for creating this beautiful space.
It was a lovely day for the Dedication of the Labyrinth, seen below in a
screen capture from Todd Hakula’s beautiful aerial video of the event.
The complete video will be available on YouTube shortly – watch our
website for the address.
Also, a thunderously loud
clapping of hands to Anne Grey
Frost and Doris Fields for their
awesomeness.
With sincere gratitude,
Karen Jones Meadows

●
9
●
●
Add “Read Books” to your to-do list.
That way you’re sure to get
at least one thing done!
453 Hwy 165  P O Box 445 Placitas NM 87043  505-867-3355  www.placitaslibrary.com
ART: MAY
Honoring the Simple
JOE CABAZA
Traditional
and Digital
Photographer
Artist’s Reception
Friday, May 8
5:00 to 7:00
by Joe Cabaza
Elements of Style
Raised in Santa Fe, NM, and South Texas, a graduate of Texas A&M University, and well traveled on many
journeys, I have remained a citizen of New Mexico and traditional photographer. Although influenced by the
works of Ansel Adams and Edward Weston, my approach to photography has evolved with the Japanese
concept of "Mono No Aware" in which every object has the ability to move the human heart. Mono No Aware
and objects of Wabi-Sabi, such are my preferences to visualize, create, and present a print that can impact and
move the human heart.
Honoring the Simple
Within all things dwells a spirit. The spirit of “Wabi Sabi” implies a modesty of soul that allows us to see and
appreciate imperfect beauty and nobility in the common and simple. Wabi-Sabi lets us see what many do not
consider worthy of their focus and puts it in a position of supreme importance. In doing this, and by stripping
away the excess, we bring honor and dignity to the common and simple. We all march to our own drummer.
Show runs May 02, through May 28, 2015, in the Collin Meeting Room. The reception is free and open to the
public.

10
453 Hwy 165  P O Box 445 Placitas NM 87043  505-867-3355  www.placitaslibrary.com
Placitas History Project
ROUTE 66 COMES TO PLACITAS
Saturday, May 30, at 2:00
by Bob Gajkowski
He’s back again. Butter up the popcorn and prepare to be entertained.
Film historian and enthusiast Jeff Berg is returning to PCL for another of his
fast-paced, witty, and completely entertaining “Films Made In New Mexico”
presentations.
On past occasions Jeff has mined movie gold from films by Thomas Edison who visited Isleta Pueblo in 1898 to
make New Mexico’s first known motion picture. Then director Sam Peckinpah in 1978 brought Kris
Kristofferson , Ali McGraw, and Ernest Borgnine to Placitas to drive a semi truck off the Highway 165 “S”
curves to demolish a chicken coop. Along the way Jeff re-acquainted us with Gene Autry and other Western
heroes who visited New Mexico and with many of the filmed dramas and comedies that showed the beauty
and diversity of our enchanted land.
For his newest “reel” adventure Jeff will project the width and breath of New Mexico’s Route 66, the “Mother
Road,” as it wound its way, beginning in the 1920s, from Santa Rosa to Santa Fe and Las Vegas; then south
along the Rio Grande down La Bajada through Santa Domingo, Algodones, Bernalillo, Alameda, Albuquerque,
Los Lunas and west to the coast. In subsequent years all of these stops along “the road,” with the exception of
Albuquerque, would disappear from many route maps, replaced by a “cut” through Tijeras Canyon directly to
Albuquerque shortening, but dramatically changing, the way west. But that’s another story.
So come “Get Your Kicks on Route 66.” Join us on Saturday, May 30 th, 2:00, in the Collin Meeting Room as the
Placitas History Project presents Jeff Berg’s “Movies Made in New Mexico: Route 66.”
Popcorn will be served!
The Flea Market
The first Flea Markets of this season are Saturday, May 9, and Saturday, May 23, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00.
Come to the field west of the Merc, 221 Hwy 165, Placitas, and enjoy searching for bargains in a festive
atmosphere. You never know what treasure you might find.
Want to help? We can always use volunteers to help with the set up of the flea market area and with greeting
the customers at the library’s sales table. Sign-up sheets for volunteering will be at the help desk.
This summer’s markets will again be held on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, May through
October. The fee for a space is still just $10, and we offer optional tents for $15 and tables for $10 each. If
you have gently-used items to donate for the library’s sales table - costume jewelry, house wares, accessories they can be dropped off at the library. Please, no clothing or large pieces of furniture. To rent a space, to
donate an item, or if you have questions, contact Ellen McMahon at 505-404-8657 or email
[email protected] . 
11
453 Hwy 165  P O Box 445 Placitas NM 87043  505-867-3355  www.placitaslibrary.com
Susanne's Selections
Reading recommendations by Susanne Dominguez
Ghost Boy: My Escape From a Life Locked Inside My Own Body
by Martin Pistorius and Megan Lloyd Davies
Eloquent, breathtaking and frank, this memoir is a triumph of the human spirit. Martin
Pistorius' memoirs are profound. When Martin was twelve years old, he was diagnosed
with a mysterious degenerative disease that to-date has not been identified. His muscles
were uncontrollable, and he lost his ability to speak. He eventually became comatose.
He was thought by everyone to be in a "vegetative state, " and his devoted parents were
told he would only live a couple of years. However, he was actually conscious and aware
of his surroundings for 10 of the 12 years he was in a "vegetative state."
An extraordinarily stable and emotionally strong person, he mastered his emotions in order to not go
completely berserk, and to accept his physical limitations. He states: “My mind was trapped inside a useless
body, my arms and legs weren’t mine to control and my voice was mute. . . . I couldn’t make a sign or sounds
to let anyone know I’d become aware again. I was invisible – the ghost boy.” He was vulnerable, being unable
to communicate, unable to take care of his physical needs. He briefly addresses incidents of indifference and
abuse by caregivers: "I've escaped using the only thing I have---my mind---and explored everything from the
black abyss of despair to the psychedelic landscape of fantasy." Eventually a caregiver became convinced he
was attempting to communicate with her, and Martin was able to be tested. The assessment declared him
conscious. He was 25 years old.
Martin wrote : "I can feel the wings of a bird called hope beginning to beat softly inside my chest." In 2009,
he married. "I will not look back. It is time to forget the past. All I can think of is the future."
I Am Pilgrim, by Terry Hayes
A riveting, brilliant international thriller, fast paced, well researched, unpredictable--what
more can I say? I don't want to spoil the "read," so will be brief. The protagonist, code
named Pilgrim, is in a race against time to prevent a terrorist plot against the U.S. from
coming to fruition. The unswerving terrorist is Pilgrim's match in this gripping cat and
mouse game. The plot sounds simple but is complex and full of surprises.
The Invention Of Exile, by Vanessa Manko
A compelling historical novel, this book examines the psychological aspects of being an
exile, alone and living "in the shadows" during the time period of the "Red Scare" in the
U.S. It's loosely based on Manko's grandfather who immigrated to the U.S. from Russia
and was deported during the "Red Scare" in the early 20th century. Unfortunately Manko
never knew him since he never returned to the U.S.
Austin Voronkov, the protagonist, is a Russian engineer who immigrates to America in
1913. He meets his future wife Julia at the boarding house where they live, and they fall in
cont’d
12
453 Hwy 165  P O Box 445 Placitas NM 87043  505-867-3355  www.placitaslibrary.com
Susanne's Selections, cont’d
love. Austin is detained by government officials, erroneously accused of being a radical leftist, and ordered to
be deported. Just before Austin leaves, Julia denounces her U. S. citizenship, they marry, and Julia accompanies him to Russia. Because of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, they later escape to Paris, then to Mexico
City, where many Russian émigrés escaped during that time period. You'll have to read the book to discover
what happens. After the Russian Bolshevik revolution in 1917, paranoia and fear of a potential Bolshevik
revolution in the U.S. developed. Thousands of immigrants were illegally arrested and deported. Later during
the McCarty era, another "Red Scare"took place beginning in 1947.

Books of the Month Sale
SCIENCE
is the subject this month.
Come in and experiment with
something new to read.
The most exciting phrase to hear in science,
the one that heralds new discoveries, is not
“Eureka!” but “That’s funny. . .”
- Isaac Asimov
HELP WANTED
Website Content Coordinator
PCL needs a volunteer to keep the website
up-to-date. This job does not involve
technical website work. The information is
provided – you just need to use your good
writing skills and artistic eye to keep the
website fresh. May work from home.
Contact Marian at 867-3355, or
[email protected]
Don’t you just hate it
Placitas Flea Market
7:00 to 2:00
Saturday, May 9 & May 23
at the lot by the Merc
when someone says
you read too much.
EXCUSE ME?!!
Call Ellen @ 404-8657 or email
[email protected].
13
453 Hwy 165  P O Box 445 Placitas NM 87043  505-867-3355  www.placitaslibrary.com