Bouquets From Your Garden

Flowers in the home say "Welcome!" Join us from 10 AM-Noon on Saturday, June 12, 2010 in the Community Room, where the UC Master Gardeners will show us how to create our own garden of cutting flowers. Be inspired to create your own arrangements with what you gather from your yard. Instructors will bring flowers and other plant materials for demonstration.
Activities for children will be available on the patio outside the Community Room. This free event is sponsored by Friends of the West Valley Library, UCCE Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County and the WV Branch Library.

June Book Club

In June we'll be reading some fiction that is based on a contemporary topic with global relevance. And just so we're clear about this, the word "fundamentalist" should not only be applied strictly to those of Muslim faith, but in this case the book "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" deals with the choices and life experiences of a muslim man in the western world. It's a short read at 184 pages, but surely a topic and global reality worth exploring and talking about. The Reluctant Fundamentalist was written by Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid in 2007 and will hopefully provide an engrossing level of conversation when next we meet on Wednesday June 9th at 6:30pm, as always. See you then.

Backyard Beekeeping with UCCE Master Gardeners

We have a real problem in our urban areas. We don't have enough bees to pollinate our fruit trees, flowers and vegetables. Ever wonder what it takes to become a backyard beekeeper? Join us on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 in the West Valley Branch Community Room as UC Master Gardener Anita Rosen tells us what is involved. Bring your questions. For more information about Master Gardeners, please visit their web site.

May Book Club Pick

For the month of May we have chosen a title that takes place during the glamour days of 1950's era Cuba ... well until the glamour is interrupted by the Cuban revolution and the legendary ruler who still lives, Fidel Castro. Telex from Cuba is by Cuban-American author Rachel Kushner and was a finalist for the National Book Award in 2008. It has received many positive reviews and we hope that it'll be well received at our next book club meeting on Wednesday May 12th at the usual time of 6:30pm. See you there.

UCCE Master Gardeners: Growing Culinary Herbs

Please join us on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 from 7-8 PM for our next program from the UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County.

Learn from UC Master Gardener Ann Ranish how easy it is to grow your own herbs to add lively flavor to your meals. Add culinary herbs to the vegetable garden, use as companions for drought tolerant ornamentals, or grow them in containers. Bring your questions!

This is the fourth free gardening event for 2010 sponsored by West Valley Library, Friends of the West Valley Library and the UCCE Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County. This program will be held in the West Valley Branch Library Community Room.

Census 2010 assistance at West Valley

West Valley library will have a representative from the U.S. Census Bureau through the 19th of April here to assist any members of the public seeking help or information about their census forms. Our Census worker Tiffany will be here Thursday & Friday 1-6pm and Sat. 10-3pm in Study Room B, March 19-April 19 in case you're looking for someone to answer any questions you might have or help you may need in completing the required information from the U.S. Census Bureau. Take advantage of the assistance provided because completion of the Census information is required by law, folks!

April Book Club Selection

Louise Erdrich, prolific author of titles such as Love Medicine and The Master Butchers Singing Club among many others, wrote The Plague of Doves in 2008 and it's the title we'll be reading next month for our book club. It's a family epic of indigenous Ojibwe peoples and white European settlers in North Dakota, a pseudo-mystery and by all accounts a memorable tale written by an accomplished storyteller. Join us on Thursday, April 15th at 6pm in the community room of the library for our next meeting.