Saturday, September 25, 2010

In Memoriam: Carl Carnahan 1927 - 2010

Longtime Friends member and volunteer extraordinaire, Carl Carnahan, passed away in June 2010 after a long battle with heart and lung disease. He was laid to rest in Georgia Memorial Park Cemetery in Marietta. His son and daughter-in-law, George and Alice Carnahan, a granddaughter and her husband, a brother, and numerous nieces and nephews survive him.

In a fascinating life spanning 83 years, Carl saw action in WWII in the U.S. Navy and was part of an official party sent out to search for the downed pioneer female aviator, Amelia Earhart. During the Korean Conflict, Carl again heeded the call from his country, this time serving in the U. S. Army. Carl had a special soft spot in his heart for people (especially the hungry) and animals in need. One story tells of Carl traveling through the mountains of eastern Kentucky during his work rounds and noticing many, many dogs without shelter. Carl went home and began building—doghouses.

On subsequent trips out, often he’d “just happen to have this doghouse in the truck,” and his offer of it to the dog’s owner was never refused. Some 50 dogs kept warm and dry in a Carnahan Special doghouse. He was also known to put out food and water for “poor cats and dogs” anywhere he saw the need.

Carl served both his community and his church, Smyrna Christian Church. His work with Friends of Smyrna Library brought him into the Library almost daily, where he organized and maintained the Book and Magazine Sales section.

Carl was named FoSL Volunteer of the Year for 2006-2007 for his unstinting dedication of some 200-300 hours per year for the previous seven years. A bronze plaque has been created and will be placed in the Book Sales area of the Library by Friends of Smyrna Library in Carl’s memory, honoring his long and steadfast service.
 

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Fall 2010 Reading List & Featured Book

Featured Book

A King's Ransom
by James Grippando

Other Recommended Reading Selections

A Journey by Tony Blair
Angelina by Andrew Morton
Broken by Karin Slaughter
Burn by Nevada Barr
Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne
Faithful Place by Tana French
Family Ties by Danielle Steel
Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner
Foreign Influence by Brad Thor
Frankenstein: Lost Souls by Dean Koontz
Furious Love by Sam Kashner
Home Team by Sean Payton
Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen
Imperial Bedrooms by Bret Easton Ellis
In A Heartbeat by Leigh Anne Tuohy
In The Name of Honor by Richard North Patterson
Live To Tell by Lisa Gardner
Lowcountry Summer by Dorothea Benton Frank
Mission of Honor by David Weber
Packing For Mars by Mary Roach
Private: #1 Suspect by James Patterson
Queen of the Night by J. A. Jance
Scarlet Nights by Jude Deveraux
Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
Spies of the Balkans by Alan Furst
Star Island by Carl Hiaasen
Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart
The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean
The Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burke
The Island by Elin Hilderbrand
The Murder Room by Michael Capuzzo
The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel Silva
The Search by Nora Roberts
The Tenth Parallel by Eliza Griswold
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet
by David Mitchell
The Vigilantes by W. E. B. Griffin
Tough Customer by Sandra Brown
Undead and Unfinished by Mary Janice Davidson
Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong
Whiplash by Catherine Coulter

Compiled by FOSL Volunteer

Monday, September 13, 2010

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency to present at the 9th Annual Murder Goes South

The Friends of Smyrna Library and the Sisters in Crime: Atlanta Chapter announce The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency as a featured Guest Presenter for the 9th Annual Murder Goes South... A Festival of Readers and Writers of the Southern Mystery. A representative will present during the Saturday January 29, 2011 program.  Details of the presentation will be announced on the Murder Goes South website when available.

   

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Watercolors by Marsha Chandler Opens in Art Gallery

Watercolors by Marsha Chandler on display through October.

Marsha Chandler is a watercolorist, who, as a child, dreamed of being an artist. She is now realizing that childhood dream. After rearing here children and pursuing a successful career in real estate appraisal, she then moved into the world of professional painting. In her studio in Douglasville, Georgia, she creates vivid landscapes and still lifes which reflect her love of history and antiquities, such as a battered tin bowl, a weathered iron gate, a 12th century hilltown in Italy or an old barn in the Georgia mountains.

For years, Marsha carried a camera around to photograph scenes and objects as potential painting subjects, knowing without a doubt that one day she would use them. She captures her subjects in luminous watercolor, her medium of choice. "It is the translucency that appeals to me. I love the way watercolor glows. Watercolor has become the driving force in my life and a day without painting feels empty" she says.

Her travels throughout the United States, Mexico, and Italy have created a desire to capture everything she can on paper from rural farmlands to historic buildings, from old homes and barns to broken down wagons. She tries to convey to her viewers what she experiences when she sees a place or object for the first time or in a new light.

As much as she loves to paint these scenes, she enjoys painting vibrant still lifes that give viewers a new look at color and light in everyday things. "Color brings me joy and I love to create paintings with expressive color," she says. With her vibrant colors, she seeks to invoke a feeling of intimacy in the viewer, to make them feel s if they can reach out and pick up a piece of fruit. Also, she captures a sense of nostalgia by incorporating family heirlooms and vintage items of yesterday in her still lifes.

Since becoming a full-time artist, she has studied extensively with local artists and has taken workshops with regionally and nationally known watercolor artists. Marsha paints in her studio, on location and travels abroad and around the United States both to paint and find subjects for her art.

She has been accepted in numerous juried exhibitions throughout Georgia and the Southeast. Her works hang in many private collections and she is represented by Gallery 4463, Acworth, GA.

Marsha is a member of Atlanta Artists Center, South Cobb Arts Alliance, Douglas County Art Guild, ART Station, Watercolor Society of Alabama, Georgia Watercolor Society. and Southern Watercolor Society. Her website is http://www.marshachandler.com/.

Acrylic Paintings and Nature Photos by Nicole Lohr Opens in Display Gallery

Acrylic Paintings and Nature Photos by Nicole Lohr on display through October.

Read Artist Statement:

My name is Nicole Lohr, I was born in 1980 on Long Island, New York. I am a self-taught artist and work in a variety of media including acrylic paints, oil pastels, clay, photography and writing. Photography and writing are my favorites. My favorite style of art is abstract. I enjoy the freedom that the abstract expressionist style gives me to explore moods and ideas.

I am an avid photographer, which has been a passion for me since I was twelve years old. I take my inspiration from nature and love to photograph animals and birds. I hope that my photography reflects at least some of the beauty, peace and harmony I find in the natural world.

My passion for art began with my grandma Stanco who helped to raise me. We enjoyed many hours together making homemade cards and gifts for Christmas. We experimented with different kinds of art forms such as projects made from shells, pom poms, animals and much more.

Digital photography has become the art form that is most special to me. I experienced a very difficult home life and because of that, while growing up, I started taking pictures of family events trying to capture every good moment I could. I slowly found myself being more and more drawn by the beauty of nature and then wanting to capture every cool encounter I had with these wild creatures, whether it be birds, squirrels, bees, butterflies, dragon flies or even turtles and fish. I wanted to capture them all on my camera. I never try to pose anything, I just observe. I then listen and wait and watch and see what happens. I have a lot more patience with the animal world then I do with the people world.

Many of my nature shots are taken in Cobb county with several taken at the pond near the Smyrna Library. I enjoy traveling to take my shots and include places like the Chattahoochee Nature Center, Chattahoochee River trails, and Amicalola Falls.

I also really enjoy being playful with my oil pastels and my acrylic paints. I just sit down, pick up some colors, and start to create, never knowing how it is going to come out. I don't really think much when I'm doing it. I just clear my mind and something will come to me after I start to put the colors to the paper. I love to use my fingers and to use smudging techniques. I enjoy sharing my art, and I hope everyone enjoys it too.

I welcome all inquiries about my work and can be reached  at Mermie41780@yahoo.com.