Silverado Ranch Community Fair

Today, Saturday August 29th visit the folks from the Green Valley Library at the Silver Ranch Community Fair. It's taking place until 2pm & it's located on the corner of Eastern & Silverado Ranch at 9771 S. Eastern (across from the Target shopping center).

Stop by for free food & be sure to get information on all of the exciting programs we offer here at the Green Valley Library!!!

Next United Blood Services Drive at Green Valley

Mark your calendars now and plan to donate at our next blood drive! It will take place on Saturday, September 19 from 10AM to 3PM in our programming room. Walk-ins are welcome, but you can register at www.bloodhero.com (sponsor code: greenvalleylibrary) or call 562-2166. All donors will receive a movie ticket to any Regal Cinema location.

What Obama's reading on the Vineyard

Full list according to the White House:

• "The Way Home" by George Pelecanos
• "Hot, Flat, and Crowded" by Thomas Friedman
• "Lush Life" by Richard Price
• "Plainsong" by Kent Haruf
• "John Adams" by David McCullough

What are you reading this summer?

Each year, CSPAN's Book TV asks the question, "What are you reading this summer?" Find out what several legislators, journalists, and others are reading at http://www.booktv.org/Series/SR09/Summer-Reading-2009.aspx

Pat's Lego Cake

Check out the cool lego cake Pat made for Family Night at the Library! Great job, Pat!

Celebrating cultures @ your library!

Arigatou gozaimasu! That's "thank you" in Japanese, and that's what over a dozen school-aged kids were calling out at the end of our August 18 afternoon program, "Japanese Tea."

The event began with learning a few introductory Japanese words and their proper pronounciations (such as "konnichiwa") as well as an explanation of traditional Japanese dress (yes, I wore my own yukata--a summer kimono). The customs of a tea ceremony (sadou) were discussed, as well as the differences between a traditional tea ceremony and the one we would be having. We did not drink from chawan tea bowls or whisk matcha green tea powder, but we did get to taste sencha green tea and try treats straight from Japan: red bean buns and green tea cookies.

After a quiet snacking seated on the floor with traditional Japanese music playing in the background, the kids were introduced to four different kinds of kanji (Japanese word symbols) that they would be learning to draw: "chikara" (power), "tomo" (friend), "yume" (dream) and "ai" (love). Once mastered in ink, they graduated to paint and brushes to create full-sized calligraphy symbols to take home.

The tea officially ended with a raffle for free admission to SushiSKool at Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort where four lucky winners can now learn the basics of sushi etiquette, how to order sushi, how to handle chopsticks and, of course, get to eat sushi in these fun classes for kids and teens.

Dewa mata kono tsugi! (see you next time!)

--Miss Stephanie

Chess Saturdays!

Want to learn chess or expand your skills? Then join us on Saturdays for our beginner and intermediate chess sessions. The beginning sessions conclude September 12 and the intermediate sessions run from September 5 through the 26th. We've been having a lot of fun and would love to have you join us!