To see the country’s major highlights we booked a “Golden Circle Tour” with the first stop, Thingvellir National Park. Although it was a blinding snowstorm that April day, our trilingual guide (he spoke French, English and Icelandic) pointed out the valley rift where the North American and the Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart from each other, adding 2 centimeters to the landmass every year. Because of its precarious geologic position on a major fault line, Iceland is literally seething with constant volcanic activity. That’s not all bad news since the resulting geothermal activity provides 96 % of the country’s energy needs. From the National Park we visited Gullfoss, a spectacular, 2-tiered waterfall. Next up was a warm drenching from Geysir hot spring, as we hadn’t timed its eruption to our casual stroll around the area.

The following day we headed off to the Blue Lagoon—a geothermal spa set in a bleak, lava-strewn landscape. We whiled away the grey afternoon happily floating in the powder blue, 99 degree saltwater. We also popped in and out of saunas, and got our backs massaged by the force of the spa’s waterfall. For good measure we slathered on the white mud lining the pool— It’s a concoction of minerals that are great for your skin, although you look a little odd while it dries to a bright pastiness.

Even though Icelanders speak perfect English you may want to try your hand at Icelandic—a language that resembles the Old Norse spoken by the Viking immigrants over 1100 years ago. Try Teach Yourself Icelandic.

Curious as to why that modest looking lunch costs so much? You might be interested in Michael Lewis’s latest book Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World. The first chapter describes what led up to Iceland’s banking collapse in 2008.

Where should you stay? Start with the Icelandair website for special package deals. Or get a few ideas from  Frommer’s Iceland 2011. We stayed at the Hilton Nordica, a 4 star hotel of sleek design with a complimentary full breakfast buffet that included all manner of smoked fish and meats that you wash down with shots of fish oil for good health.

Iceland is intriguing on so many levels—for one thing, its people are all related. Descended from Vikings and their Celtic slaves, this isolated and homogenous population is lately the subject of several genetic studies. Then there is their unflappable belief in “Hidden People”—elves, dwarves, gnomes who inhabit deserted regions—which means that they are pretty much everywhere.

And according to author Eric Weiner in The Geography of Bliss it is one of the happiest places on earth. “There’s no one on the island telling them they’re not good enough, so they just go ahead and sing and paint and write.”  If only we all had their confident yet playful perspective on life. Spend a few days on this unusual island and that quality may rub off on you.

Mary O.

We would like to wish you all a safe and happy holiday.

“Earth to Table“: If foraging in your neighbor’s yard for dandelion greens is your thing–then this is the book for you! Check it out but don’t let the farmer’s market chickens see the front cover! Food at it’s freshest and recipes to use throughout the year as the seasons pass by.

“Cooking in the Moment” by Andrea Reusing.  Recently reviewed in “Newsweek” magazine, Ms Reusing is a winner of the prestigious James Beard award.  This book is full of straight forward recipes and luscious photographs.

“Plenty : Good, Uncomplicated Food for the Sustainable Kitchen ” revives the lost art of home economics-making the most of what you have and combining it with today’s desire for a sustainable table.  Diana Henry shares recipes that show modern cooks that there is “plenty” of food for us to eat and enjoy without depleting our bank accounts and the planet’s resources.

“The Omnivore’s Dilemma : a Natural History of Four Meals“: Pollan asks the seemingly straightforward question of what we should have for dinner.  But it’s more complicated than that! As omnivores, the most unselective of eaters, humanity is faced with a wide variety of food choices, resulting in a dilemma.  What’s for supper?

And lastly, film star Gwyneth Paltrow, has recently published a cookbook entitled: “My Father’s Daughter : Delicious, Easy Recipes Celebrating Family and Togetherness“.   Written partly as an homage to her father, who taught her to cook, and also as a celebration of local, fresh and healthy cookery.  By publishing this cookbook Gwyneth helps answer the universal question we all want to know: What do movie stars  REALLY eat at home?

So stop by the library to “get fresh” and try a new recipe or two!  See you at the library ~ or the farmer’s market!

           On April 7, 2011 the Branch will be celebrating its 31^st birthday.  In 1977 city government officials began to look for another use for the West Fire Station which was closing.  In June of 1978 a committee formed to study the feasibility of turning this building into a “Community Center” with a Senior Center and a Branch Library to serve the west side.  The process took over two years to come to fruition.

            Today the Branch is no longer housed only in the basement due to the building of a brand new Senior Center next door in 2005.  With funds from the City and the Library Foundation the West Branch expanded to all three floors of the old West Fire station.  These renovations were completed in 2006. The Branch now has a dedicated children’s area as well as the Allen Gene Cote Reading room on its main floor.  The Cote Reading room was dedicated in 2007 in honor of the significant bequest received by the Library Trustees from Mr. Cote’s estate.  Members of his family still live on the west side and he remained a Branch library supporter from his new home in Virginia.  The lower level (or the basement!) continues to house all our fiction and non-fiction books, our busy public Internet computers and a Teen area.  

            The Branch recently had the public Internet computer equipment updated with a grant from the Gates Foundation and matching funds from our Library Foundation.  The Branch had a very successful 2010 with 56,604 visitors and our west side patrons borrowed 68,060 volumes of library materials.  Internet computers at the Branch were used 16,000 times in the 2,218 hours the building was open in 2010. 

            The Branch has always offered programs to the west side community especially for children.  There is a weekly story time, crafts and special programs are often held.  During school vacation weeks our neighbors at the Senior Center graciously allow us the use of their larger meeting room to host a family program which usually involves live animals!  The Branch also hosts “Movies at West” every Friday with current releases playing on the big screen in our upstairs meeting room. 

            We are also very thankful to our Friends Group at the West Library. Over the years they have helped to sponsor our discounted museum passes to the Museum of Fine Arts, New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science in Boston.  They also host the annual Bingo night!  Their next big event is their book and bake sale on April 16^th.  Please join us in supporting their efforts as part of our National Library Week activities!