Monday, October 11, 2010

Programs galore around Books to Bridge titles

Local libraries have been conducting programs based on Books to Bridge the Region 2010 titles for children and middle readers. For instance, Lake County Public Library's Munster Branch conducts a program Wed., Oct. 13 around I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child. From 4 to 5 p.m., those in kindergarten to sixth grade will hear the story, discuss their favorite foods, and make "edible dirt." On Oct. 25, the library's Cedar Lake Branch plans a program called "Gross Grub." (Uh, yum?)

Meanwhile, the middle reader book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney, is featured as well. Jasper County Public Library's Rensselaer Public Library is sponsoring a Cartoon Drawing Contest, while on Oct. 19, Lake County Public Library's St. John Branch encourages teens to Create Your Own Cartoon Drawing. On Oct. 18, Valparaiso Public Library shows a film, while the Hammond Public Library plans a tween program. Why all the excitement? The Ugly Truth, the fifth book in this popular series, comes out on Nov. 9. Greg Heffley even has his own balloon in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Several area libraries have book discussions planned around the adult title, Bowling Across America: 50 States in Rented Shoes by Mike Walsh. Students and faculty at Ivy Tech locations can participate in discussions at each campus. Bowling historian, Steve Cooper, presents programs at several local libraries, while Whiting Public Library offers Wii Bowling for Seniors each Tuesday afternoon.

A complete schedule of events is on the Books to Bridge the Region website, www.books2bridge.org

Monday, October 4, 2010

Steve Cooper presents "Bowling Memories"

Have you read the 2010 Books to Bridge the Region adult selection? Mike Walsh's "Bowling Across America: 50 States in Rented Shoes" brought back memories of watching our old Phillips black-and-white TV, when bowling was shown quite often. The announcer spoke in hushed tones, sort of like announcers do in golf. The ball whoosed down the lane... strike! I remember going to the local bowling alleys with my family; grabbing the 8 lb. "star ball" (so named because of the yellow star painted on it — a clue that it was lightweight); putting on the dorky rental shoes; marking the score with a little pencil.

You may have those memories too.
Go back to an earlier time with local bandleader and bowling historian Steve Cooper, as he presents "Bowling Memories" at six area libraries as part of Books to Bridge the Region 2010. His video program features rare clips from the heyday of bowling. You'll see the greatest trick shot artists of all time, and witness impossible spares made on live TV and the dramatic endings of several perfect games. You’ll meet many famous bowling legends and view early automatic pinsetter inventions. Jerry Lewis, David Letterman, Buddy Hackett, Ozzie and Harriett and others find the comedy in the game. You'll also see some old time Chicago bowling alleys and a current alley in Milwaukee called Holler House with the oldest lanes in America.

Steve presents his free Bowling Memories program at these libraries:

Sat., Oct. 9 at 2 p.m., Lowell Public Library
Wed., Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m., Lake County Public Library (Central Library)
Thurs., Oct. 21 at 7 p.m., Hammond Public Library
Wed., Oct. 27 at 6 p.m., Whiting Public Library
Thurs., Oct. 28 at 7 p.m., Wheatfield Public Library
Tues., Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., Portage Public Library

Looking forward to Mike Walsh visiting the Region in November!

Welcome to Books to Bridge the Region

Books to Bridge the Region is a reading initiative encompassing the Northwest Indiana counties of Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski and Starke.

Books to Bridge uses a themed approach with selections at three reading levels so that families can read together and readers of all ages can enjoy the conversations generated by these books.

Our theme for 2009 is Family Matters. The titles are: The Ride of Our Lives by Mike Leonard; The Watsons Go to Birmingham- 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis, and A Day with Wilbur Robinson by William Joyce. Books to Bridge runs during October 2009.




For Email Marketing you can trust