Your Community Library
Find that Book!: and other tales By Michael Beller, Community Library Manager
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rom El Cerrito to Crockett, over to Oakley and Brentwood, and then down to San Ramon, all the libraries that make up the Contra Costa County Library make up one single collection of resources. Except for certain non-circulating collections, we can have any of our books, DVDs, magazines, and CDs sent to your most convenient library for you to pick up. It gets better, though. We know that there isn’t a library out there that has everything that their patrons are going to want. To better serve our communities, many libraries and library systems up and down the West Coast are participating in a collaborative project known as Link+! What that means is that if the Contra Costa County Library doesn’t have what you want, there is a good chance that we can get it. The libraries that make up Link+ include other major library public library systems like San Diego, Sacramento, and San Francisco. Link+ also includes research institutions like Santa Clara University, Saint Mary’s College of California, and Loyola Marymount University. If after searching the Contra Costa County Library catalog (https://catalog. ccclib.org) for a book you would like to read, it turns out that we can’t provide it, look for the “Search Link+” link at the bottom left corner of the webpage and search the collections of over 70 library systems and have the book you want sent to the Contra Costa County Library of your choice.
And while we’re talking about library services, with school starting up again, please don’t forget that the Contra Costa County Library gives access to a wide variety of academically helpful electronic resources. Through our subscription to the family of Explora databases, we have research resources for our grade school, middle school, and high school (and beyond) patrons. Through our subscription to LearningExpress, our patrons can access test preparation for the important SAT, ACT, AP tests and more. And through our subscription to Brainfuse, our patrons are connected to free tutoring on all subjects, at all levels. There are plenty of other electronic resources available, too, including language learning through Rosetta Stone, streaming movies through Kanopy, and access to the electronic version of many popular magazines through Flipster. For almost all of our resources, all that you need to access them is your library card and an internet connection. To view the resources, just go to http://ccclib.org/researchcenter/. And, of course, if you have any questions, just call us up at 925 938-1481.
Zucchini is Best When Fresh
Recipe
By Lisa Assoni, Resident since 2016
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here’s lots of reasons to love summer squash. Wow, just the nutritional value alone makes this veggie worth every bite. Zucchini is a favorite among low-carb dieters and anyone who wants to drop some weight. Zucchini has a very low score on the glycemic index. They also have high water content, low in calories, carbs, and minimal sugar. High in potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants. Zucchini squash, both yellow and green, have therapeutic compounds. This makes a wonderful, very tasty vegetable, so easy and convenient to prepare. I really appreciate simple, tasty, and healthy food. I like this zip dish - ready in under 10 minutes. • • • • • •
2 medium size zucchinis (washed well), slice to a near ¼ to ½ inch. 2 tablespoons butter 1 small sweet onion, diced 8 fresh cherry tomatoes, sliced in half 1 teaspoon fresh or dried Italian seasoning Salt to taste
Using a medium nonstick skillet, pump up the stovetop burner. Add 2 tablespoons butter. Melt and brown. Carefully add zucchini and stir for about three minutes. They should be nicely browned. Add fresh tomato, diced onion, sprinkle with Italian Seasoning, and lightly salt. You’ll have to watch closely, as they crisp-up quickly. Recipe takes about 5 to 6 minutes to make. Eating well helps you heal well. Ciao! NORTHGATE LIVING 13
