Wave Goodbye

Heads up!  Knowledge coming… in… 3… 2… 1… The CLP Teensburgh blog is going away in favor of Tumblr – starting (like) TOMORROW!



Check it out and follow us for the same great brand of crazy/awesome you’re used to getting here on the blog.  Just think of it…  info on stuff going down at the Library as well as rockin’ book, music, and movie suggestions all alongside cats and Nicolas Cage… yeah, mind blown.



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Jon : Carrick

Photoshopping

Nobody’s perfect, but it seems that our media drenched society would like you to think perfection is obtainable.

Gif by Photoshocked

Why are they making J-Law’s arms so toothpick thin when they are so healthy and strong???

The American Medical Association has urged advertisers in teen-oriented magazines to work with health agencies to develop guidelines that set some photoshopping boundaries.

“Photoshopping, especially as it’s related to children and adolescents, gives them an unrealistic expectation of what they might expect to look like as they grow up,” said Jeremy Lazarus, AMA’s president-elect. “So there are adverse health consequences as a result of that.”

When young people measure themselves against body types that can only be attained with the help of photo-editing software, it can lead to a poor body image and dangerous, unhealthy behaviors. Several studies have linked exposure to manipulated pictures to eating disorders and other health problems.

Celebs and artists like Lady Gaga and Beyoncé have raised their voice to the injustice of severe photo editing. Check out this music video from a Hungarian singer named Boogie who demonstrates the power of retouching in her new video, “Parfum.” Boggie chose to reveal the extent to which celebrities are altered to make a statement about modern consumerism and urge women to be themselves.

To some degree, we all grow up wanting to change certain things about ourselves. What if you could appear to be the media’s version of perfect ? Would your altered image become your Facebook profile pic STAT!? BuzzFeed gave four women professional makeovers and had them pose for photos. Then they photoshopped them to look like true “cover models.” Check out their reactions in the video.

They were happier being their unique awesome selves! So let’s embrace the freckles, the curves, the smile lines, the cow licks, the crooked teeth, the one eye that’s a little lower than the other (that’s me!) – everything that makes you, you.

♥

lauren @ CLP – Woods Run

Read:

Click:
SPARK Movement is a nonprofit organization that aims to fight  the media’s objectification of girls.

Tips for maintaining a healthy body image!

Teens Heath

 

That’s Sew Cool!!

Do you like sewing?  Crafts?  Animals? Having fun?

If the answer to any of those is yes then you should check out the Felt Friends event at the Woods Run branch of CLP.  It’s this Saturday at 2:00PM.  You can call the library at 412-761-3730 for more information or check out the link here.

 

Teen Review by Abraham R: Only the Ball was White

This movie talks about three of the most famous African-American baseball players in history- Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson; as well as many other less known players from the Negro Leagues like Cool Papa Bell.

The movie talks about how there was a ‘color line’ in baseball that kept black players from playing in the Major Leagues.  Since they were not allowed in the Majors these players had their own leagues called the Negro Leagues, which was only for African American players.  It tells about some of the best players to play in the Negro Leagues like Josh Gibson who was thought to be as good as Babe Ruth and once hit 77 home runs in a year and Satchel Paige who was one of the hardest throwing pitchers in baseball history.

This was a really interesting movie and I would recommend it to anyone who likes baseball or history.  It is especially good to watch now because February is African-American history month.

Abraham is a student at Brashear High School in Pittsburgh.

A Teen’s Mini Survival Guide: Healthy You!

Part 1

From a Teen Librarian’s perspective

It Starts with You!

Have you ever wondered why things just have not gone right for you? Well, in my experience, I learned that is starts with you. What do I mean by that? I mean you get what you give! Everything in life is reciprocal (give-and-take); for example, you have a friendship that is in turmoil and you cannot seem to understand one another’s positions; sometime you have to ask yourself “Am I the problem?” or “What toxic things have I contributed to the relationship that could have caused so much chaos?” Another step that you can take is self-evaluation. You can start by asking yourself a couple self-reflecting questions like, what is bothering me and why? What is it that I want from this friendship or person and am I using clear communication to express to my listener? Knowing the answers to these questions may help you figure out where you went wrong and it may also help you understand why your friend reacts and feel the way they do toward you. Lastly, after you have realistically asked and answered your self-reflecting questions share your information with your buddy; tell him/her about the process and why you did it. Encourage your friend to participate and share their answers as well. Here at Carnegie Library we have lots of teen reading material that will help guide you on your journey to fixing your friendship. So come check us out, after all a productive and reciprocal friendship is worth saving!

Help yourself by helping others!

Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer! Through volunteerism, I learned that helping others with no need or want of compensation really makes you feel great inside. Being a part of something greater than yourself, allows you to lucidly understand that you are fortunate and that you some of your daily problems are mediocre and easily fixable. Secondly volunteering helps connect you with other. For example, one of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity together. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, especially if you are new to an area. Volunteering also strengthens your ties to the community and broadens your support network, exposing you to people with common interests, neighborhood resources, and fun and fulfilling activities. Third, volunteering is good for your mind and body. Volunteering can provide a healthy boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals. Last but not least, from my experience, volunteering can advance your career without making a long-term commitment. For example, if you’re interested in nursing, you could volunteer at a hospital or a nursing home. Your volunteer work might also expose you to professional organizations or internships that could be of benefit to your career.  As you can see, there are many advantages with volunteer. Did you know that you can volunteer at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh? We love and support our teen volunteers, because you are the reason why our organization thrives! See your branch Teen Librarian for more details; he/she will be happy to assist you!

Want to learn more about volunteer check out: Volunteering: a how-to guide by  Audrey Borus.

Brandi-Knoxville

Sherlock Holmes and Human Skulls

Are you a fan of BBC’s Sherlock? Interested in the science behind detection? Join the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Beechview on Thursday, February 20 from 5:00 to 7:30 PM for an exploration in real life forensic science with a hands on diagnoses of human skulls! Plus, stick around afterwards for a screening from the third season of Sherlock.  Presented by Barbara Paul, a Mobile Science Lab Education Facilitator from the University of Pittsburgh.

Contact the Beechview Library at 412-563-2900 for more details.

MEGA LOVE POEM MASHUP

A mad dash through all sorts of love, courtesy of 11 fine poets (named at the end of the post!). It’s a scientific fact that love poems can keep you warm in a snowstorm (it’s not a fact.)  Check some out at the library today – they’re great inspiration for writing your own. After all, the Ralph Munn Creative Writing Contest is coming up.

“I didn’t fall in love. I fell through it:

Came out the other side moments later, hands full of matter, waking up from the dream of a bullet tearing through the middle of my body.

I no longer understand anything for longer than a long moment, or the time it takes to receive the shot.

This kind of gravity is like falling through a cloud, forgetting it all, and then being told about it later. On the day you fell through a cloud . . .“ 1

“They land like seasoned rocks on the

decks of the cliffs. They take another turn

on the spiral of life where the blossoms

blush & pale in a day of dirty dawn

where the ghost of you webs

your limbs through branches

of cherry plum.” 2

“O every little thing wants

to be loved, wants to be marked by the cry   

that brings desire to it, even blue-eyed fly   

to the bloated hiss of death. To love is to be remiss:   

the horse alone in the wide flat field nods

its head as if the bridle and bit were missed” 3

“I can see what I would miss in leaving—

the way her ankles go into the work boots

as she stands upon the ice chest;

the problem scrunched into her forehead;

the little kissable mouth

with the nail in it.” 4

“I am amazed by peace

It is this possibility of you

asleep”5

“Now I am waiting

till you leave, till

the clatter of your shoes

is heard no more. Now, silence.”6

“Later I learned to live in it,

            to walk

through the alien city—

a beekeeper’s habit—

            with fierce light   

clinging to my head and hands.   

Treated as gently as every

            other guest—

each house’s barbed antennae   

trawling for any kind

            of weather—

still I sobbed in a glass box   

on an unswept street

            with the last

few lire ticking like fleas

off my phonecard” 7

“if I say to you “To you I say,” you have not been   

set to music, or broadcast live on the ghost   

radio, may never be an oil painting or

Old Master’s charcoal sketch: you are

a concordance of person, number, voice,

and place,” 8

“The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing

Alive enough to have strength to die;

And a grin of bitterness swept thereby

         Like an ominous bird a-wing…” 9

“Not for me the saint’s white bliss,

    Nor the heart of a spotless dove.

But give me the love that so freely gives

    And laughs at the whole world’s blame,” 10

“I love that moment. And I love the moment

when I climb into your warm you-smelling

bed-dent after you’ve risen. And sunflowers,

once a whole field and I almost crashed,

the next year all pumpkins! Crop rotation,

I love you. Dividing words between syl-

lables! Dachshunds! What am I but the inter-

section of these loves?” 11

1: Sarah Manguso

2: Lorna Dee Cervantes

3: Melanie Almeder

4: Tony Hoagland

5: June Jordan

6: Anna Swir

7: Monica Youn

8: Reginald Shepherd

9: Thomas Hardy

10: Ella Wheeler Wilcox

11: Dean Young

– Tessa, CLP – East Liberty

Teen Blogger: Stargirl Review

Today I will be reviewing Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. This is the first book in a set of two books, but it can be read as a standalone novel. Overall I did enjoy this book, but if you are looking for a more in depth review you can read below.

Characters

The two main characters of this book were lovable and quirky. Leo, the main character felt a bit bland to me at first, but after the plot picked up I did enjoy reading about him. While most of the book focuses on Stargirl, I really loved his character. Stargirl (yes, her name is actually Stargirl) was really unique and fun character. Her quirkiness might have been a little overplayed, but I loved her message of being your own person. I give this area an 8/10.

Setting

I loved the fact his book took place in the desert instead of the typical Midwest town or city. The parts that were the most descriptive, like the part about the desert flowers or the large cacti, were interesting because you don’t normally hear about that kind of beauty in a desert. I do wish the school was described more. I am going to give this area a 7/10.

Plot

This book was simply heartwarming. There wasn’t any epic quest or week-long journey across the US.  It was simply a book that made you feel happy on the inside. Plus, the book was so short, (180 pages) I don’t think there could have been a long, involved plot. Normally I don’t enjoy plots lacking complexity, but this book was really sweet and satisfying. I am giving this area an 8/10.

Writing Style

I did enjoy the author’s writing style. While the book wasn’t very long, he did manage to make each and every one of those pages meaningful. I zoomed through the book, and dreaded every moment when I had to put it down. I though overall the writing was pretty good, though it did have a few small issues. I am going to give this area a 9/10 because I did enjoy his style.

The Final Verdict

Once the scores are tallied up, I get a 7.5/10!  I agree with that score, as the book did have a few problems, but overall was put together well. If you enjoy books with a heartfelt message, you will most likely enjoy Stargirl! My one warning is that for some Stargirl might feel too quirky. Please know these are just my opinions. I respect yours too, so why not leave a comment?  Please mark spoilers for new readers.

Happy Reading!

-Laurel

Laurel is an overly creative person that is looking for good books to read. While she fills her spare time with crocheting, filming, editing, drawing, sewing, writing, and crafting, she always has a little time to read. She enjoys books that have an intricate plot and fresh new characters, but does not like books with a lot of romance. Hopefully she will find what she is looking for.

Teen Underground Cafe Is Back–and Bigger Than Ever!

Teen Underground Cafe, an after-hours performance & arts program for teens, is coming–and it wants your participation!

Through Teen Underground Cafe, we hope to turn Libraries all over the city into after hours showcases of teen talent. As one part, we will soon be scheduling eight Teen Underground Cafe Presents… at the Main Library (in Oakland), in which we’ll be looking for teens to fill two slots of 30-40 minutes of material of all kinds–music, poetry, improv, you name it–as well as one teen to feature their visual art of choice in the Main – Teen Department for a month after the event. (Think of it like your own private opening party.)

Performers and artists will be compensated for their time and efforts. If you are a performer or visual artist and would like to be considered, please submit the following information to teenundergroundcafe@carnegielibrary.org:

• Name
• Performing or artist alias or name of group
• Description of performance or art
• Link to any recordings or documentation
• E-mail address
• Phone number

Additionally, the Teen Underground Cafe is going to travel all across the city for a series of after hours Open Mic Nights. The stage will be yours to feature your music, poetry, and more. And with a full PA system and back line of drums, guitars, and amps, you may meet a fellow collaborator–or even get scouted to feature more of your work at Teen Underground Cafe Presents…!

Our Open Mic Nights will be happening the following months at the following locations. Tune into our events page for more info as it comes:

• Feburary 2014: Knoxville [Saturday, February 22, 2014 ; 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM]
• March 2014: Hill District [Thursday, March 27, 2014 ; 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM]
• May 2014: East Liberty
• June 2014: Brookline
• July 2014: Carrick
• August 2014: Hazelwood
• September 2014: Squirrel Hill
• November 2014: Homewood
• January 2015: West End
• March 2015: Sheraden
• April 2015: Allegheny
• May 2015: Woods Run

Hope to see you there!

~Joseph
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main

XXII Olympic Winter Games

The 2014 Olympic Winter Games are now open in Sochi, Russia!  The slogan for the games is Hot. Cool. Yours. 

The Sochi Mascots are The Polar Bear, The Hare and The Leopard.  The Mascots even have their own Facebook page.  The public got the chance to vote for their favorite mascots in 2011.  The look of the mascots have changed since that time.

Some Fun Facts about the Winter Olympic Games

• For the XXII Olympic Winter Games there are 98 events in 15 winter sports.  Four of the sports will be played indoors:  Curling, Figure Skating, Speed Skating and Ice Hockey .
• 3,000 athletes will represent 88 countries.
• The United States has hosted the Olympic Winter Games four times.  Lake Placid  hosted the games in 1932 and 1980, Squaw Valley hosted in 1960, and Salt Lake City had the honor to host in 2002.

~Marian