A Whole Lot of Holi at the Library

Teens have a chance to learn about Indian culture and get messy – really messy – during the Holi on the Lawn celebration from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, at the Mentor Public Library’s Read House.

If you haven't heard of Holi, it's both a religious and cultural festival in India.

The mythological origin of Holi differs in different parts of India, but it always coincides with the beginning of spring.

The most common origin story for Holi involves an evil king (Hiranyakashipu,) his son (Prahlada, who -- unlike his father -- was an ardent devotee of the Hindu god Vishnu) and daughter (Holika, who took after her father more than her brother.)

Hiranyakashipu wanted to get rid of his son but nothing he did could destroy him, so he enlisted his daughter to take Prahlada with her into a fire. Key detail: Holika had previously been granted a boon that made her immune to fire.

However, despite her boon, Holika was destroyed by the fire. Meanwhile, Prahlada was protected by Vishnu.

Narasimha, an incarnation of Vishnu, slays Hiranyakashipu while Prahlada watches.

Revelers celebrate Holi with bonfires, music, dancing and by throwing brightly colored powder or water at one another.

In the west, Holi is best known for these playful and colorful celebrations. (Hence, Holi also being known as the Festival of Colors.)

Group celebrating Holi in Vashni, Navi Mumbai, India -- courtesy of Wikimedia

When Meredith Tomeo – the librarian who organized the Holi program for Mentor Public Library – attended American University, they held a Holi celebration every year. She said the festival was fun and it also made her more interested in India and Indian culture.

“I think it will be great for the teens,” Tomeo said of the Holi program. “It’s a good way to learn a little about India, have some fun and get messy.”

Holi is celebrated in February or March in India. However, Northeast Ohio’s climate necessitated a change of date so the teens could celebrate outside.

Tomeo will begin Holi on the Lawn by explaining to the teens what Holi is and why it’s celebrated. Then, there will be music and the same throwing of colored powder that marks Holi celebrations from Mentor to Mumbai.

Holi celebration at the University of New Mexico

Teens are encouraged to wear a white shirt and old clothes because they will get messy.

Holi on the Lawn is free and open to all teenagers. However, registration is required. People can register by calling (440) 255-8811 ext. 216 or on the Mentor Public Library’s web site.

7 Things I Learned About the Language of Flowers

Ann McCulloh, the curator at the Cleveland Botanical Garden, visited the Mentor Public Library Monday evening to talk about the language of flowers.

That phrase, "the language of the flowers," took on many connotations throughout the evening as McCulloh discussed everything from the way in which humans communicate using flowers to the manners in which plants "talk" to one another.

Here are seven things I learned Monday night:

1. Many flowers have a symbolic meaning

In the Victorian era, it was improper to talk about certain feelings in the public sector. That didn't mean people stopped having feelings, just that that they couldn't talk about them.

But people almost always find some way to express themselves.

When people couldn't use words, it became en vogue to use bouquets or nosegays (a single flower) to communicate clandestine feelings.

For example, everyone knows red roses stand for love. But did you know that certain plants can symbolize everything from gentility (geraniums) to remorse (raspberries) to frugality (endive) to revenge (trefoil.)

This language -- called floriography -- is extensive. Here's one of the more comprehensive online glossaries.

Allium symbolizes prosperity. It's also a pretty way to attract butterflies to your garden.

2. Floriography is an old art

The tactic of using flowers to communicate symbolic meanings became popular in Victorian-era England; but it's an old trick.

The English upper crust learned it from the Turkish court who used tulips to similar effect in the 18th century.

But the Turks were not to the first do it either.

Flowers have symbolic meanings in several religions. For example, the red rose often symbolizes the blood of Christ. In Buddhism, the lotus illustrates transcendence (because it grows in much but has a luminous bloom.)

Floriography likely goes back to prehistoric times. Even some neanderthal graves were decorated with flowers.

3. What flowers are really trying to communicate

Flowers have certain meanings ascribed to them by people, but their actual meaning is pretty straightforward.

It boils down to "I'll trade you nectar for pollen," McCulloh said.

Flowers are brightly colored and sweetly scented to attract insects that will, in turn, spread their pollen to other flowers.

4. What plants are communicating to one another

OK, we've talked about how plants communicate with insects and how humans use flower to talk to each other.

But do plants communicate with one another? It turns out they do -- in a couple of surprising ways.

Example one: trees and plants not only communicate but share resources also, according to Professor Suzanne Simard of the University of British Columbia.

She and her colleagues discovered that trees use a web of symbiotic fungi that connects their roots to share resources among themselves.

Example two: plants can even "scream" for help. When the hornworm caterpillar eats a tobacco plant, the plant releases a chemical that summons the caterpillar's natural predators.

It's the botanical equivalent of screaming across the schoolyard for help.

5. Some plant meanings are surprisingly apt

Some plant meanings are obvious and appropriate. For example, a thistle isn't a compliment. Hemlocks mean "You'll be the death of me." It's even pretty clear why a tuberose illustrates voluptuousness.

But some meanings are head-scratchers. For example, St. John's Wort symbolizes animosity.

 That one's a bit of a puzzler because there's nothing particularly cruel about the plant. (I mean, it's not great for livestock but otherwise...)

However, St. John's Wort has recently been used for a treatment for depression; so, perhaps, the meaning stems from the plant's reputed ability to help overcome adversity.

6. Not all bouquets are equal

McCulloh took a moment to note that about 80 percent of all bouquets are cultivated in nurseries where there is worker abuse and environmental pollution is common.

She encouraged people to look for the Whole Trade or Veriflora insignia that indicate the flowers were raised under acceptable conditions (both for the environment and the workers.) She also recommended www.organicbouquet.com.

Just some of the books on flowers available at the Mentor Public Library.

7. Join the discussion

If you enjoy the topic and want to learn even more about it, the library is also hosting a special discussion of the book "Language of Flowers" by Vanessa Diffenbaugh from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on August 12. (You can get more information on the book discussion here.)

Diffenbaugh's book is about Victoria, an 18-year-old who discovered the symbolic meanings of flowers while languishing in the foster-care system. She is then hired by a florist and, while her new job allows her to help others, it also forces her to confront a secret from her past.

For more information on programs and events at Mentor Public Library, visit www.mentorpl.org.

Super Awesome Summer Fun-Time Video Countdown

It's too soon to eulogize the summer of 2013.

Our end-of-summer party isn't until August 15; and children still have about two weeks until school begins again.

(Yes, kids, only about two weeks. Mentor Schools restart on August 21; Lake Catholic, August 22; and St. Mary's orientation day is August 26.)

Sure, we still have some fun stuff coming up. (I'm especially stoked for the Abbey Road concert and for Holi on the Lawn -- stoked enough to use the word "stoked.") But that doesn't mean we can't take stock of how awesome a summer this has been.

And, in my humble opinion, the best way to do that is with a TRL-style video countdown.

5. Ronald McDonald teaches kids that readers are leaders

The moral of Ronald's lesson is both true and important, but it's his juggling skills that have me absolutely fascinated.

4. Teens beat the buzzer in Minute to Win It competition

In case you were wondering, two of the teens managed to successfully move their cookie from forehead to mouth using only their facial muscles.

I tried it twice myself. All I got was broken cookies.

3. Mentor's Rock Roots come home to roost

I refuse to pick a favorite band from our Mentor Rock's Roots concert series, which featured four homegrown bands from in and around Mentor.

Instead, I'll link to performances from all three concerts and you can tell me who your favorite was:

• Altered Generation
• Brendan Burt Band
• Cheap Clone and Hedgehog's Dilemma

2. Constructing catapults at the Lake Branch

True to Lyndsey Gvora's hopes, a lot of the kids who participated that day said, "Wow, I didn't know I could do that."

1. Becoming a library ninja

This is my favorite library video of the summer so far; but, as I said before, the summer isn't over yet.

For more information on programs and events happening at the Mentor Public Library, visit www.mentorpl.org.

Learning the Language of Flowers at the Library

In floriography, a dwarf sunflower represents admiration or gratitude; a giant sunflower, pride.

Anyone who has ever bought a bouquet or a corsage knows that a red rose or carnation represents love. It's also pretty common knowledge that a white rose symbolizes innocence or purity.

But did you know that an aloe plant is used to represent grief; a purple lilac, the first springing of love; a wisteria or mayflower, welcoming; or that a bellflower commonly symbolizes disappointment or loss?

There's a whole language to flowers -- sometimes, it's called floriography -- and it goes well beyond the rose we bought our prom date.

People have been using flowers to express their emotions and affections for hundreds of years, but the practice became especially popular during the Victorian era.

A representative from the Cleveland Botanical Gardens will talk about the language of the flowers at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5, at the Mentor Public Library's Main Branch as part of our Monday University series. (You can register for it here.) As per our norm, the talk is free and open to the public.

If you enjoy the topic and want to learn even more about it, the library is also hosting a special discussion of the book "Language of Flowers" by Vanessa Diffenbaugh from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on August 12. (You can get more information on the book discussion here.)

Diffenbaugh's book is about Victoria, an 18-year-old who discovered the symbolic meanings of flowers while languishing in the foster-care system. She is then hired by a florist and, while her new job allows her to help others, it also forces her to confront a secret from her past.

For more information on programs and events at Mentor Public Library, visit www.mentorpl.org.

The Beatles Are Invading Mentor Public Library

Because of weather, this cancel has been rescheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. August 28 -- still at the Read House. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Abbey Road performs last year at the Steel Valley Super Nationals in Salem, Ohio.

Do you love The Beatles?

Of course you do. You're human.

It doesn't matter if you're 60 or 16, there's a good chance you've cried while listening to Yesterday, danced to I Saw Her Standing There or sang the end of Hey Jude at the top of your lungs.

Even the most iconoclastic malcontent has a favorite Beatles song.

And there's a good chance you'll hear Abbey Road perform your favorite Beatles tune this Wednesday, August 28, at Mentor Public Library's Read House. (Because of weather, the concert was rescheduled from August 7 to August 28.)

Abbey Road started performing together 30 years ago. It is one of the oldest and best known Beatles tribute bands in the world!

They don't just play the music of The Fab Four. They also wear the costumes (and with a band that spanned as many eras as The Beatles, costume changes are a must.) Abbey Road even uses the same guitars, Vox amplifiers and drums that The Beatles used in their concerts.

So come to the Read House Wednesday and enjoy a free evening of Beatles music. (The Read House is next door to our Main Branch at 8215 Mentor Ave. in Mentor, Ohio.) The music starts at 6:30 p.m.!

And, yes, to be clear, this concert is absolutely free thanks to the Mentor Arts Commission who are sponsoring it.

So tell another Beatles fan. (Tell anyone. There's a good chance they'll be a Beatles fan.) And I'll see you Wednesday. I'll be the one singing every word of Hello, Goodbye.

For more information on programs and events at the Mentor Public Library, visit www.mentorpl.org.

Teens Only Need a Minute to Win It this Saturday

Teens will face off in a series of 60-second competitions during our version of Minute to Win It from 1:30 to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Read House.

Children who are 12 and older can compete in 10 to 12 different challenges, depending on what time allows. The challenges include:

• Nose Dive, in which competitors will use a bit of petroleum jelly on their nose – and just that – to move as many cotton balls as they can from one bowl to another.
• the Princess Race, which will test the teens’ posture, speed and dexterity. They will need to complete an obstacle course while balancing a book on their head.
• Kick Off, where competitors will try to punt as many cans as they can into buckets. The farther away the bucket is, the more points each kick is worth.
• Dicey, in which teens will balance as many vertically stacked dice as they can on a popsicle stick. Not difficult enough? What if they have to hold the popsicle sticks with mouth instead of their hands?
• Hot Air, where competitors will use a balloon and their own hot air to knock as many cups as they can off of a table.
• the Cookie Unicorn, where teens will balance as many cookies as possible on their forehead without letting them fall.
• Face the Cookie, in which teens will need to move a cookie from their forehead to their mouth using only their facial muscles. (You can never have too many cookie-related contests.)

And, of course, participants will only have 60 seconds to complete each challenge.

The competitors who win the most challenges will receive prizes, including gift cards and some other surprises.

Those who wish to compete in Minute to Win It can register by calling the Mentor Public Library's reference desk at (440) 255-8811 ext. 247. You can also sign up on the library’s web site, www.mentorpl.org.

4 Things I Learned from 'Tales from Beyond'

Jim Kleefeld visited the Mentor Public Library Wednesday to share some macabre and mysterious Tales from Beyond with our teen patrons.

He talked about tragedies like the Titanic, horrors like the Lizzie Borden murders, and mysteries like the death of Otto Reuben.

Here are four things I learned from Kleefeld's program. (By the way, these are just some tidbits. They, in no way, encompass the entirety of his talk.)

1. Lizzie Borden was a trailblazer in her way.

The story of Lizzie Borden is well known. She was accused of brutally killing her wealthy father Andrew Borden and her step-mother Abby Borden with a hatchet. However, she was eventually acquitted on all charges.

Borden's case would still be eyebrow-raising today -- in part because of Lizzie's debutante status.

However, in 1892 when the murders occurred, the case was practically unimaginable.

At this time in the country's history, only six people had been convicted with the murder of their parent. In each case, all six suspects were men and each were only accused of killing one parent.

Consequently, had Lizzie been found guilty, she would have been the first woman in U.S. convicted of patricide and of killing both parents.

2. Help is on the way... slowly.

There's not much that can be said about the sinking of the Titanic that hasn't already been said a thousand times before.

However, Kleefeld offered this intriguing nugget:

When the Titanic began sinking, it sent out a call for help to the RMS Carpathia, which was only a few miles away.

However, the Carpathia was moving away from the Titanic when it received the call; and it takes a long time to turn a 550-foot-long ship.

The Carpathia did everything it could to travel as quickly as it could -- even cutting off hot water so more steam would be available for the engines. But it still took four hours for the Carpathia to arrive.

Ultimately, the Carpathia still took aboard more than 700 survivors from the Titanic's lifeboats, likely saving their lives.

3. Voodoo might not be as exotic as we all think.

Katrina Prunty puts a needle into a doll of Voodoo priestess Marie Laveau.

Kleefeld emphasized the macabre aspects of many of his topics, but not voodoo.

"Voodoo's real but it's not real creepy," he said.

If anything, he emphasized the more relatable aspects of the religion.

Voodoo had its beginnings in Nigeria and matured in Haiti. However, it did not become recognizable as we know it today until it mixed with Catholicism.

In fact, Marie Laveau -- perhaps the most famous voodoo practitioner -- also considered herself Catholic and encouraged her followers to attend Mass.

4. It is illegal to buy or sell shrunken heads in the United States.

Thank goodness because who knows how the sellers would collect the raw materials they need.

Kleefeld brought three shrunken heads that he bought from a Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum as a child. (I had no desire to verify their authenticity.)

Robert Ripley bought his first shrunken heads from the Jivaro tribes of Peru in 1923.

However, Ecuadorian and Peruvian governments made it illegal to sell shrunken heads in the 1930s; and the U.S. followed suit (making it illegal to import them) in the 1940s.