Little Elm Journal > News
Overcome culinary fear, read bestsellers at Little Elm Public Library
By Tina Hager
Published: Thursday, July 22, 2010 8:03 AM CDT
How many people does it take to eat a box of crickets? At Tuesday’s food fear factor it took about eight. Other items on the menu included fortune cookies, astronaut cinnamon apple wedges, potted meat, baby food, smoked oysters, sardines in hot sauce, prepared horseradish, goat cheese, pickled okra, pickled pig’s feet, anchovies, and dried larvae. Though the program was initially for teens “with parental permission”, the youngest of the 17 participants was three and there were even four adults who participated.
The idea is to start out with simple, easy-to-eat foods, and work up to the grosser and harder-to-eat foods such as the horseradish, pig’s feet, cricket, and larvae. The benefit of programs such as these is to increase people’s awareness of various types of food that they might not normally try on their own. One thing that we allow after contest participants finish is for observers to try some of the foods they have never eaten before. Except for the crickets, because we ran out before the contest was over. If you would like to suggest food for the next food fear factor, email me at thager@littleelm.org.
Another way to learn about new things is by reading. Bestsellers added this week include: “Delivering Happiness: a Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose” by Tony Hsieh; “Foreign Influence” by Brad Thor; “Ice Cold” by Tess Gerritsen; “Private” by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. Large print bestsellers added include: “Whiplash” by Catherine Coulter; “In the Name of Honor” by Richard North Patterson; “The Burning Wire” by Jeffery Deaver; “The Spy” by Clive Cussler and Justin Scott; and “That Perfect Someone” by Johanna Lindsey. New large print Christian fiction added this week includes: “Morning’s Refrain” by Tracie Peterson and “Take Four” by Karen Kingsbury.
Another library program that enables you to shop and or learn about businesses and different products and opportunities is the monthly business fair. The business fair provides many types of opportunities for people who attend including speaking with actual representatives of the business in a one-on-one interaction; learning about job opportunities, both self employed and regular employment; networking; shopping for upcoming events such as birthdays, holidays, or other special events; and also learning about resources in your area because even though you may not need the service or product now, you never know when you might need it.
Vendors that will be in the July 24 business fair include Little Elm Friends of the Library (promoting literacy and membership); Sam’s Club (will be providing goodie bags and a $20 gift card for those who become members); Camelot Books, Music, and Games; Organo Gold (will be giving out free samples and selling bags of coffee); Avon; Homemade Gourmet; Cookie Lee Jewelry; 3-Net Solutions (marketing business); Aflac; and Peaches N Melons (homemade preserves and sauces). The business fair runs from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
There is still room to register for the free Home Sellers workshop being held on July 24 at 10 a.m. Call the library at 214-975-0430 to reserve your spot now.
Tina Hager is the director of the Little Elm Public Library