This week while working on a reference request we came across a list that may be of interest to our readers. The requestor asked specifically for a list of major employers in the Cleveland area in the year 1950. After searching through a variety of sources the best answer we came up with was from an article published March 28, 1965 in The Plain Dealer.

Although the list tells us much of what we already know about the changing economic landscape of our city, it is interesting nonetheless to compare the 1950 employment figures and industrial classifications to those of today.

This recipe from The Mexican Gourmet uses some unique ingredients, including a several types of chiles and even a pound of chocolate. The Science & Technology Department has hundreds of interesting and unique cookbooks that you can browse to find new ideas for your holiday cooking this year.

MOLE POBLANO (serves 25 generously)

Winterfest Event at Cleveland Public Library, Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium Concert featuring the Singing Angels Performing Chorus Saturday, Nov 24, 2007, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm, FREE. Enjoy free events all day starting at 10 a.m. around Public Square. Parade steps off at 6 p.m. followed by the lighting ceremony in Public Square.

This van will be used to deliver materials to early childhood centers served by the program. It will also be used for special events such as parent nights at these centers. On the Road to Reading is part of the Mobile Services Department and began service right after Labor Day using a rented car. Programming based on the 6 early childhood literacy skills of "Every Child Ready to Read" (you can see illustrations of the skills on the van!) is presented at selected early childhood centers, and books are left with the teachers for them to use with the children between library visits. In addition, the librarian and library assistants visit pediatric waiting rooms to inform parents about "Every Child Ready to Read" skills and the importance of using books with children.

Join us for the official vehicle launch at 1 pm, November 16, 2007, at William Patrick Day Early Childhood Center, 2421 Community College (across from Tri-C.)

Cleveland Public Library’s Main Library Drive-up Window

Did you know that you can check out books and other library materials from the comfort of your car at Main Library’s drive-up window? Located at the rear of the Louis Stokes Wing, across from the Cleveland Board of Education (on Rockwell Avenue, just west of East 6th Street), the drive-up window can be used to check out and return books, magazines, audio/video recordings, and software--even to sign up for a library card! You can have books and other materials sent to the drive-up window for pick-up by selecting “Cleveland Public Library: Main Library Drive-Up Window” when placing a reserve in the Library’s online Catalog. You may also telephone any of the Main Library subject departments and request that library materials on any subject be sent to the drive-up window for pick-up.

More than 6 million military personnel records were recently made available to the public by the National Archives’ Personnel Records Center . These records include all of the individual Official Military Personnel Files of Army, Army Air Corps, Army Air Forces, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard military personnel who served and left military service before 1946. Treasured by family members and genealogy researchers, these files typically contain documents outlining all elements of military service, such as assignments, evaluations, awards, select medical information and disciplinary actions. Some records also include photographs. For complete information, please visit the National Personal Records Center website.

Is your inner crafts-person itching to start a new project or two?

If you wish to improve your conversational English, the following resources may be of help.

Geer, Philip. Wordfest! Your Vocabulary for Lifelong Learning. Hauppauge, N.Y.: Barrons Educational Series, 2007.

Gillett, Amy, and Amy Gillett. Speak English Like an American Dialogues. Ann Arbor, Mich: Language Success Press, 2003.