Sometimes, it IS all about me.
ITEM: At 2 p.m. on June 3, Roger will conduct another book review in the large meeting room at the Washington Avenue branch of the Albany Public Library.
June 3 | Book Review | 60 Songs That Explain the 90’s by Rob Harvilla. Reviewer: Roger Green, business librarian, retired from the NY Small Business Development Center.
You’ll find the other reviews for June below.
ITEM: The APL library budget passed! And the candidates I supported won! Also, the City School budget was approved.
ITEM: Speaking of the Albany schools, Albany High School sponsored another American Red Cross Blood Drive. Last Monday, I noted that I had not donated blood in 2025, so I checked the Red Cross calendar. Sure enough, there was a drive at AHS, only 0.7 mile away, on Wednesday, May 21.
In recent years, they have been giving away T-shirts. I now have a lot of tees. But I could “get an exclusive American Red Cross solar lantern when you come to give blood May 19-31, while supplies last.” So I opted for that gift, though I would have donated without an incentive. They told me it’s time #183; my donation time was six minutes, ten seconds. It probably took that long because the scar makes it more challenging to get to the vein.
My buddy Alicia, the school librarian, coordinated the drive and got the photographer to take the picture above. A friend saw it on the school district’s Facebook page and forwarded it to me, which I have purloined.
ITEM: I got to sing at two funerals on successive Saturdays this month, for Christy on May 3 and Don on May 10. Both were great events but exhausting. Going to the Greek Festival the following weekend was a pleasant diversion.
ITEM: It happens a lot: two First Friday events, one at my church (see above) and a new Art at APL Exhibit opening at the Pine Hills branch, both on June 6. Cloning is not an option.
APL Book reviews, Tuesday at 2pm
At the blood drive, I talked to school librarian Kristen, who works at several districts, about getting speakers for the FFAPL Tuesday talks. If you’re interested in doing a book review or an author talk, please let me know. They are all on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. at the Washington Avenue branch of the Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Avenue.
May 27 | Book Review | Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Reviewer: Elaine Garrett, BFA, MA, STEM Outreach and Workforce Development, SUNY Research Foundation at NY Creates and the NYS Center of Excellence in Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnology, UAlbany.
June 10 | Book Review | Jane Austen Education: How Six Novels Taught Me about Love, Friendship, and the Things That Really Matter. By William Deresiewicz. Reviewer: Gene Damm, former president, Friends of APL.
June 17 | Book Review | He, Leo: The Life and Poetry of Lew Welch by Ewan Clark. Reviewer: Dan Wilcox, noted local poet & peace activist.
June 24 | Book Review | Germinal by Émile Zola. Reviewer: Carl Strock, author & award-winning journalist.
ITEM: I’m having some dental pain. My dentist referred me to an oral surgeon, whom I won’t see until late June. Meanwhile, I need to set up an appointment for my foot ailment.
I gave blood several times during covid but the Red Cross folks have a terrible time finding my vein. After one of the technicians had to stick me four times, I now have a “1 stick” rule. You may stick me once and if you can get blood – great! If not, no second chances. The technician at the doctor’s office always uses a butterfly, but they can’t use that at the Red Cross.