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.

Stories Under the Stars

On Friday, May 2 at 8 p.m., the Almaden Library and Community Center (6445 Camden Ave., San Jose) is pleased to host a "Stories Under the Stars" program. This event will feature stories and songs about the wonders of the night sky and will take place in the small amphitheater next to the Almaden Library (please dress warmly and bring blankets). The astronomers from the San Jose Astronomical Association will give a brief presentation at 8:20 p.m. and afterwards everyone will have an opportunity to observe the Moon, Mars, Saturn, a few double stars, and several distant star clusters. The astronomers will stay as long as there are people wanting to view the night sky. Special thanks go to Jim Van Nuland from the San Jose Astronomical Association who helped make this event possible. This event is tailored for families with children ages 6 to 12. For more information please call (408) 808-3040.

Adults--Give us your input!

The San Jose Public Library is seeking to expand and improve the range of programs we offer for adults. Please take a few minutes to let us know areas of interest to you. Click on the link below to take the survey.

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB227P7KACMJN

Continued discussion for Team of Rivals--Tuesday, May 6th

This month, join the History Book Club on Tuesday, May 6th at 6:30 p.m. as we continue our discussion with part 2 of Doris Kearns Goodwin's work, Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. In this work, Lincoln's ability to bring disparate groups and men into his presidency and use their talents to hold the country together is exemplified. Tea and cookies will be served. In this work, Lincoln's ability to bring disparate groups and men into his presidency and use their talents to hold the country together is exemplified. Tea and cookies will be served.

Parent Workshop - Music and Movement with Preschoolers

Music and Movement with Preschoolers - Parent Workshop will be featured Thursday, April 17, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children love music and both music and movement stimulate the brain. Learn to use simple rhythm instruments and techniques to keep a beat. This parent workshop will immediately follow the regularly scheduled Toddler Story Time that starts at 10:30 AM.

Friends of the Almaden Library - Spring Book Sale

Almaden Friends' Spring Book Sale – an event you won’t want to miss. On Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Almaden Branch Library is having its huge Spring Book Sale. This popular event is sponsored by the Friends of the Almaden Branch Libray will be staged in the large community room next to the library's entrance. At this book sale there will be a large selection of gently used and sometimes new books covering a wide range of topics and interests. Entertainment videos, DVDs, CDs and cassettes will also be available for purchase. There will be a special "Bag of Books" sale from 2 to 3 p.m. All proceeds benefit Almaden Branch Library programs and services. If you love books, you won't want to miss this event. The Almaden Branch Library is located at 6445 Camden Avenue. For more information, please call (408) 808-3040.

San Jose Teen Idol Contest at Almaden Library

Almaden’s San Jose Teen Idol Contest will be held on Saturday, April 26 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. If you are 12-19 years old and live in San Jose, you can compete in the San Jose Public Library's singing competition! Please register at the Almaden Branch Library by April 25 at the library's Information Desk. First prize will win $50.00, second prize $25.00 and third prize $10.00. The first place winner will be one of the finalists to compete for the grand prize downtown on Saturday, May 17th.

ESL Book Club--Thursday, April 17th 1-2 p.m.

Join the ESL Book Club to discuss the touching classic, Charlotte's Web. Author "E.B. White reminds us to open our eyes to the wonder and miracle often found in the simplest of things" and communicates the value of friendship and love. All adult ESL learners are welcome to attend. For more information, call (408) 808-3040, or visit the Information Desk.

Andrea's Musical Adventure--Saturday, April 19th

As part of our salute to the Month of the Young Child, we are pleased to have Andrea come and share her musical talent and storytelling skills. Come join the fun as we learn, sing , dance, and play! This event takes place in the Library's Family Place from 2:00--2:45 p.m. Andrea is Bay Area Parent's Family Favorite winner of 2007.

Saturday, April 5th--New Almaden Historical Event

Tomorrow, Saturday April 5th, from 2-4 join the Almaden Library and Community Center for a dedication of historical New Almaden photographs!

We will dedicate historic photos of New Almaden, a local history display, and a collection of materials of local historical interest. Following the dedication, docents will be stationed throughout the facility to add additional interpretation and information regarding the history of New Almaden. Displays and interpretation made possible by the efforts of the Committee for Almaden Historical Awareness and the New Almaden Quicksilver Country Park Association. This event takes place in the Large Community Room.

Free Income Tax Assistance (V.I.T.A.)--King Library

Saturday, March 29, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Room 322, 3rd Floor, King Library

Free Income Tax Assistance is provided by V.I.T.A. every Saturday, beginning February 9 through April 5, 2008. The V.I.T.A. program will offer free income tax assistance for low income, disabled, elderly, or limited English-speaking persons. No appointments are necessary. Customers will be served on a first-come, first-served basis. A sign-up sheet will be available in front of Room 322 on the day of the program. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-829-1040.

The History Book Club is reading about Lincoln

Please join the History Book Club at the Almaden Library to read Part I of Doris Kearns Goodwin's work, Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. One reviewer states that "this engaging work reveals why'Lincoln's road to success was longer, more tortuous, and far less likely' than the other men and why, when opportunity beckoned, Lincoln was "the best prepared to answer the call." We will read this book over two months. Part I will be discussed on Tuesday, April 1st from 6:30-7:30 pm in the Program Room.

History Book Club--Punctuation and Manners!

Join the History Book Club Tuesday, March 4th from 6:30-7:30 in a foray outside of the realm of history, and into the world of grammar and manners when we discuss Eats, Shoots & Leaves: the zero tolerance approach to punctuation and Talk to the Hand: the utter bloody rudeness of the world today, or six good reasons to stay home and bolt the door by Lynne Truss. Tea and cookies will be served. For further information, please call (408) 808-3040, or ask at the Information Desk.This event takes place in the Program Room.

Battle of the Bands--March 1st, 2-4 p.m.

Time's running out! Calling all teen musicians! Now's your chance to be heard. Enter online by February 15th for your chance to compete at a live concert on March 1st and win awesome prizes! Almaden Branch Library is honored to host the exciting "Battle of the Bands" play-off on Saturday, March 1, 2-4 p.m. Join us in the large community room and enjoy the musicianship of our remarkable San Jose teen finalists. In order to enter, contestants must submit an entry email to sjplbattleofthebands@gmail.com by February 15th, which must include a link to the band/performer's music on line. For more details get the official rules at the participating branches or call Katherine Buckles at (408) 244-4766. This program is part of the Teen Tech Week.