spotlight database: EBSCO eBook Collection

Nearly 32,000 eBooks in over 20 categories:

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Access EBSCO eBook Collection through the Friendswood library website.  Go to the Electronic Library found in the blue bar along the left side of the home page. Scroll down to eBooks on Ebscohost.  Supply your 14 digit Friendswood library barcode number.  

 

Lighthouses of Texas with author Steph McDougal

Author Steph McDougal at Friendswood Public Library

Wednesday, April 16 at 7pm

Lighthouses of Texas, the newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series, showcases the entire 367-mile long Texas Gulf Coast and the lighthouses that line its shores. Written by author, Steph McDougal, this pictorial history boasts more than 200 vintage images of the lighthouses along the Texas coast.

As author, Steph McDougal noted, “Without lighthouses marking the shoals, bars, jetties and narrow passes through barrier islands, the settlement of Texas by immigrants from all over Europe and Asia, as well as the American Upper South — creating a rich mix of Texan music, food, culture and traditions — would not have been possible.” Her new book showcases this history through vintage images along with entertaining and informative anecdotes.

Lighthouses of Texas chronicles lighthouse history in the state from when Texans won their independence from Mexico in 1836 to modern automated lighthouses of the 20th century. Images of how lighthouses have changed throughout the decades provide readers with a visual history of the evolution of the structures, especially when many lighthouses today have been abandoned or are privately owned.  McDougal hopes that this book “will spur lighthouse-related tourism along the Texas Gulf Coast and help to encourage the restoration of the remaining lighthouses, some of which are in deteriorated condition.”

Steph McDougal is an historic preservation consultant and writer in the Houston area. Having previously lived in New England, McDougal became fascinated by the designs of Texas lighthouses and how different they were from the popular “traditional” lighthouses built along the Atlantic coast.

An Ohio native, McDougal originally became interested in architectural history and historic preservation while at Miami University (Ohio), where she earned a master’s degree in technical and scientific communication in 1997. Her early amateur research on ballrooms of the Big Band era eventually led McDougal to obtain a second master’s degree in historic preservation from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008.

What lasting impact do you hope your book will leave?

I think this is the first book that includes an itinerary for visiting all of the museums and other sites that are associated with Texas lighthouses, as well as the lighthouses themselves. I hope this will spur lighthouse-related tourism along the Texas Gulf Coast and help to encourage the restoration of the remaining lighthouses, some of which are in deteriorated condition.

Soldiers, Scholars, and Poets of World War I, presented by Rev. Dr. Mark Crawford

Wednesday, April 23, 7pm at Friendswood Public Library

"Soldiers, scholars and poets of WWI"  The Rev. Dr. Crawford will give a presentation on the lives and works of the extraordinary men who served in WWI and how they struggled with the devastation of that war.  A number of these young men wrote extraordinary poems, letters and prose as they wrestled with death, dying and destruction.  Mark Crawford earned his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

The Rev. Dr. Mark Crawford’s book list:

New Art Exhibit featuring Regina Lee Parkinson

Beginning May 5^th at 6pm, Friendswood Public Library’s featured artist will be Regina Lee Parkinson.  This art exhibit will run through the end of June in the Friendswood Public Library Activity Room.  Come meet the artist during an Opening Reception on Monday, May 5^th from 6 – 8pm.  

Anthem

Regina Lee Parkinson creates unique art that springs straight from her imagination.  The natural world and current events also inspire her work.  Bold color, texture and high contrast elements are common, but ethereal, dream-like landscapes also appear.  She works mostly in acrylic, but loves nothing more than experimenting with new materials and techniques.  Found objects, as well as original photographs and poems sometimes enter the mix.

Her work is in more than 20 states across the U.S. and has found its way to several international locations such as Hong Kong, Canada, and Australia. She’s received awards for both painting and mixed media work in Houston area juried competitions.    

Upcoming events

April 5:  First Saturday Art Market, The Heights, Houston

April 26:  Featured artist at Affaire d’art Fine Art Gallery for Galveston Artwalk  

May 5:  Solo exhibition at the Friendswood Public Library

Recent Awards and Activities

Waterfall

January 2014, works selected for redesign of Hotel Icon, historic downtown Houston hotel

November 2013, Featured Artist, Art Dwellers Christmas Art Market, Friendswood

August 2013, Featured Artist, White Linen Night, First American Title, Houston (solo)

January 2013: Second Place, Painting, Art Dwellers Juried Competition, Friendswood

July 2012: Featured Artist, S Squared Design Grand Opening, Houston (solo)

June 2012: Featured Artist, Affaire d’art International Fine Art Gallery, Galveston

August 2011: Featured Artist, White Linen Night Open House for U.S. Congresswoman

Sheila Jackson Lee, Houston (solo)

April 2011: First Place, Mixed Media, Galveston Art League Spring Juried Show, Galveston 

Gallery Representation

2013-present:  Avenue Gallery, Houston

2013-present: Mi Art Gallery, Galveston, Texas

2012-present: Art Dwellers, Friendswood, Texas

2011-present: Affaire d’art International Fine Art Gallery, Galveston, Texas

2010-2011: E Street Gallery, Galveston

Imagined City

Breakthrough Poppies

We All Have Wings
9 X 6 X 4
Mixed Media (3-d box)

Just For Today
36 X 18
Acrylic