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.

UC Master Gardeners Present: Growing Tomatoes!

Learn the secrets to growing great tasting tomatoes from UC Master Gardeners Sue Zaslaw and Janet Waagen. Learn about the many different varieties of tomatoes, how to get them started and planted, how to grow them, protect them and keep them healthy.
Join us for this program in the Community Room from 7-8PM on Wednesday, March 17.
This free gardening event is sponsored by West Valley Branch Library, Friends of the West Valley Library and the UCCE Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County.

March Book Club Title

We're going back to fiction, contemporary fiction, for the March gathering of our book club. Specifically, we'll be reading The White Tiger: A Novel by Aravind Adiga. According to the publisher: "Balram Halwai is a complicated man. Servant. Philosopher. Entrepreneur. Murderer. Over the course of seven nights, by the scattered light of a preposterous chandelier, Balram tells us the terrible and transfixing story of how he came to be a success in life—having nothing but his own wits to help him along." So hopefully this gives a little taste of this novel of one man's version of contemporary India that won the Man Booker Prize in 2008. It'll be a good time when next we meet on Wednesday, March 10th at 6:30pm. Join us if you can.

Author Event at West Valley February 25th

We're lucky here at West Valley library when Silicon Valley Reads rolls around because we've gotten some great author programs over the years. Typically they are well-attended and this year we have another event to offer. Jonah Raskin, author of Field Days: A Year of Farming, Eating, and Drinking Wine in California will be here on Thursday, February 25th at 6:30pm to talk about his book and hopefully shed some fascinating light on farming and food topics here in Northern California. Locavores and really anyone interested in contemporary food topics should find much value in writers like Mr. Raskin, and his visiting our branch library is an event that we're fortunate to be able to present. Come check it out and take advantage of the unique offerings that Silicon Valley Reads enables us to present to our community.

Growing Orchids is Easier Than You Think!

Join us on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 from 7-8 PM for a free gardening event with UC Master Gardener David Giroux, an orchid expert. Mr. Giroux will discuss varieties of orchids as well as share tips on maintaining healthy, beautiful orchids in your home and garden.

Bring your problem orchids to the talk for his diagnosis and advice.

This free gardening event is sponsored by West Valley Branch Library, Friends of the West Valley Library and the UCCE Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County. We will meet in the West Valley Branch Library Community Room.

Silicon Valley Reads & February Book Club

This year's title for Silicon Valley Reads is a non-fiction book that you've probably heard about due to the ample attention that the writer has received in recent years for his important and timely writings. The author is Michael Pollan and the title is In Defense of Food. Maybe you've heard the mantra: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." That is the most basic summary the author can provide for advice that was sought out from him after his previous bestseller, The Omnivore's Dilemma. Both of these titles are important works addressing contemporary topics on food, diet and health in the broader spectrum of culture, but for February's book club we'll be focusing on In Defense of Food. It is the Silicon Valley Reads pick of the year and you'd be wise to pick up a copy and join in the community dialogue. There are tons of programs going on, just check out the link for sponsored programs ... or come to our book club for starters! WV Book Club next meets on Wednesday, February 10th @6:30pm.