A Conversation with Michael Bautista

Please join the Almaden Library and the South Bay Guitar Society for music and conversation with featured artist Michael Bautista. He has performed the "Concierto de Aranjuez" for the Ambassador of Spain, given a solo performance for Senator John Kerry, and in 2005 was honored to perform as a soloist in Carnegie Hall. He was a finalist in the 2006 Christopher Parkening International Guitar Competition, the world’s preeminent classical guitar competition. For more information about Bautista, visit the South Bay Guitar Society's website at http://www.sbgs.org.

This event will take place from 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, May 31st in the Program Room. Remember, the Master Gardener's Tomatoes, Chilies and Peppers workshop takes place earlier that day, in the same place, from 11-12:30 p.m. You could attend the tomato lecture in the morning, go have lunch, then come back for Bautista's performance!

For any questions, please call the Almaden Library at 408-808-3040.

ESL Book Club is reading Al Capone does my Shirts

Join the Almaden Library on Thursday, June 19th, 1-2 p.m. for June's selection, the New York Times best seller, Al Capone does my Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko. Imagine growing up in 1935 at Alcatraz, a prison island in San Francisco! This book is funny, fascinating, and refreshing. All adult ESL learners are invited to attend. Ask at the Almaden Library Information Desk if you have any questions, or call 408-808-3040. This event takes place in the Program Room.

Events at the King Library

Sunday, May 18, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PMRooms 225/229, 2nd Floor
Chinese Opera Presentation Featuring Margaret Sze – Reunion of Yang Yanhui and His Family Enjoy the DVD Chinese Opera Presentation featuring Margaret Sze – Reunion of Yang Yanhui and his family. For more information contact: Susana Liu at (408) 808-2088.

Thursday, May 22, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Children's Room, 1st Floor Studio 150: Lei Day Learn how to make a candy lei and a fabric flower lei. All materials are provided at this free program for children, teens and their families. For information, call (408) 808-2183.

Thursday, May 22, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMRooms 225/229, 2nd Floor
The Unreleased Beatles: Music and Film
The Unreleased Beatles details the incredible breadth of music the Beatles recorded but did not release, as well as film footage of the group that hasn't been made commercially available. Beatles expert Richie Unterberger examines an array of material, including unreleased studio outtakes, BBC radio recordings from 1962-1965, live concert performances, home demo recordings, fan club Christmas recordings, and other informal demos done outside of EMI studios. The wealth of unreleased gems encompasses The Beatles' entire career, from a recording the Quarrymen made on July 6, 1957 (aka "the day John met Paul"), right up to outtakes from the final sessions of Let It Be in 1970. Also includes a general overview of Beatles bootlegs, their songs recorded by other artists in the 1960's, never-recorded material, and more than 100 photos. Richie Unterberger has been writing about little-known rock and popular music of all kinds for more than 20 years. Copies of The Unreleased Beatles: Music and Film will be available for purchase. Hosted by General Collections. Co-sponsored by Friends of the King Library. For information, call (408) 808-2397.

Saturday, May 24, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PMRoom 255, 2nd Floor
The Art of Flower Arranging
Obtain the basic skills of flower arrangement for different occasions. What are the methods for arranging flowers and how do you select the proper design or color? A professional florist will lecture and demonstrate flower arrangement for a variety of occasions: birthdays, get well, home decor, love, wedding, prom, and graduation. Join the excitement and get answers to your flower arrangement questions! Hosted by General Collections. Co-sponsored by Friends of the King Library. For information, call (408) 808-2393.

“Catch the Reading Bug!” Starts Saturday, June 14th

■ “Catch the Reading Bug!” will be the theme of the 2008 Summer Reading Celebration for children from birth through grade 5 at San José Public Library. A complementary theme, “Metamorphosis @ your library,” invites concurrent teen participation. The entire family is encouraged to sign up and earn credits together for accumulated minutes of reading starting Saturday, June 14. Credits may be cashed in for a fun prize at any one of several milestones, cumulatively representing 30 hours of reading or being read to. Parents may also choose to participate in the adult summer reading program, “Savor the Summer @ your library.” Check our web pages for more information, including special programs scheduled throughout the city. Summer Reading Celebration is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, Round Table Pizza and the San Jose Mercury News, with additional support from Bay Area Parent™ and other community organizations.

Hand Art Contest--Saturday June 7, 11 a.m.--2 p.m.

Hand Art Contest - Hand Therapy Awareness and Injury Prevention Week
In honor of the Hand Therapy Awareness and Injury Prevention Week (June 9-13), we are please to host a unique hand art contest, which is sponsored by the American Society of Hand Therapist (California Chapter). On the day of the art show, bring your hand art work (may be art work of any medium that features the hands) for display and judging. There will be prizes of $100 dollars for Junior High, $100 for Senior High and $200 for Adult participants.

California and the Civil War

Join the History Book Club on Tuesday, June 3rd, 6:30-7:30 p.m. to discuss California's role during the Civil War. We are reading The California Gold Rush and the Coming of the Civil War by Leonard L. Richards. “Richards, a leading historian of 19th-century America superbly illuminates gold rush California as a land in contention between national pro- and anti-slavery lobbies in the decade leading up to the Civil War.” Tea and cookies will be served. For more information, please call the Almaden Library at 408-808-3040.

Tomatoes, Chilies and Peppers with the Master Gardeners!

You say tomato....Saturday, May 31st

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Join the Master Gardeners and the Almaden Library for a hands-on workshop on how to grow your best 2008 tomatoes, chilies and peppers. Enjoy having fresh grown fixings for salsa, gazpacho and bruschetta all summer long. For more information, or to sign up, visit the Almaden Library Information Desk or call 408-808-3040. Drop in attendees are also welcome.