SVR Online Book Club_
Posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 by jtakagihsu
Express Your Gratitude
Posted on Friday, December 21, 2012 by eLibrarian
SVR 2013 Events At A Glance
All listed events are open to the public.
- Online Book Club
- A Million Thanks
- Essay Contest in Cupertino for Teens & Adults
- War & Healing Art Exhibit
- Care Package Collection
- Kick-off Event
- January
- February
- March
- April
= kids friendly
= for teens
Online book club
Beginning January 30, 2013 Santa Clara County Library District’s Online Book Club will explore the themes in the Silicon Valley Reads selections The Long Walk and Minefields of the Heart. Enrich your reading experience through online discussion by visiting: www.sccl.org/svr
A Million Thanks
Express your appreciation for our troops by writing them a letter or even drawing a picture. Participating libraries will be collecting these messages of gratitude and support, and will forward them on to an active duty serviceperson or veteran. Take a few moments to say thank you for their service and sacrifice! We’ll make sure your messages get sent to our troops, whether they are serving at home, abroad, or are recovering in a military hospital.
Essay contest in cupertino for teens & adults
Now through March 18 Deadline
Information: CupertinoLibraryFoundation.org
Adults and teens in grades 9-12 who live in Cupertino are invited to participate in the annual Essay Contest sponsored by the Cupertino Library Foundation. The essay contest question is: Reflect on a difficult personal experience with which you, your family or a friend were involved. What lessons did you learn from either of the Silicon Valley Reads books that would be helpful in dealing with this experience.
- Grand Prize winners [2 winners, 1 adult and 1 teen] each receive $500.
- 2nd Place Prizes of $300 go to 1 adult and 1 teen.
War & Healing Art Exhibit
February 4 - March 21, Euphrat Museum of Art at De Anza College, Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to tour groups by appointment.
“War & Healing” will look at war and the healing potential of art. The visual dialogue will include veteran, civilian, and activist points of view. Artists and groups include the Combat Paper Project with co-founder Drew Cameron, Joyce McEwen Crawford, Thomas Dang, Mike Dooley, Pantea Karimi, Linden Keiffer, Rolf Kriken, Sanaz Mazinani, Guiseppe Pellicano, Ehren Tool, Elizabeth Travelslight, Diego Marcial Rios, War is Trauma prints portfolio by the Justseeds Artist Collective with the Iraq Veterans Against the War, and Xiaoze Xie. Special projects include a collaborative mural by Eugene Rodriguez’s design students and winning entries from the Sakhaa On-the-Spot
Peace Art contest. A concurrent display at the California History Center will feature The Art of Protest, a collection of 1960s and ‘70s protest posters from the San Jose Peace and Justice Center. Cosponsored by LiveSV.
A reception for the artists will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 5:30-7:30 p.m. with printmaking demonstrations by Diego Marcial Rios.
Care package collection
February - April 30
South Bay Blue Star Moms and Santa Clara County Library District invites the public to donate items for care packages sent to soldiers on active duty. Drop off at Campbell Library or Saratoga Library during open hours. Most requested items are power bars, beef jerky, instant coffee and cocoa, tea, sunflower seeds, nuts, instant oatmeal, tuna in foil packs, DVD movies, music CDs, comic books, crossword puzzles, sunscreen and lotions. Click here for a complete list of items needed by troops, or visit the website SouthBayBlueStarMoms.org and click on Support.
Silicon Valley Reads 2013 Kick-off
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
7:30 p.m., Campbell Heritage Theatre, 1 W. Campbell Ave. (at Winchester Blvd.), Campbell
Information: 408-354-1242
Brian Castner, author of The Long Walk, and Sue Diaz, author of Minefields of the Heart, are interviewed on stage by Mercury News columnist Mike Cassidy. Book signing follows the program. Open seating – no reservations required. First come, first seated. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Welcoming music by Prospect High School students, under the direction of Ryan Goodenough. Co-sponsored by Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley and LiveSV.
january
Thursday, January 17
Knit-In for the Troops, 3 p.m., Los Altos Library
Information: 650-948-7683
Los Altos Library will be hosting a knit/crochet-in to benefit those touched by war. Join us to make needed items for active duty soldiers, wounded veterans, and Afghani families. We will be sending items to the following charities: Operation Gratitude, Soldiers Angels, and Afghans for Afghans. Refreshments provided by Friends of the Los Altos Library.
Tuesday, January 29
Book Discussion, 7 p.m., Gilroy Library
Information: 408-842-8207
The Long Walk by Brian Castner will be discussed. Open to all.
Thursday, January 31
Sue Diaz, 7 p.m., Morgan Hill Library
Information: 408-779-3196
Sue Diaz, author of Minefields of the Heart, talks about the emotional rollercoaster her family experienced when her son was deployed. Q&A follows. Co-sponsored by Friends of Morgan Hill Library, AAUW Morgan Hill, BookSmart and the Morgan Hill Times.
February
Friday, February 1
Book Discussion, 10:15 a.m., Gilroy Library
Information: 408-842-8207
The Long Walk by Brian Castner will be discussed. Open to all.
Friday, February 1
Press Conference for Teens, 4 p.m., Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Ave., Cupertino
Reporters for high school newspapers in Santa Clara County are invited to a special Teen Only Press Conference with authors Sue Diaz and Brian Castner. Co-sponsored by Cupertino Library, Santa Clara County Office of Education and LiveSV. To reserve your press credentials and receive background information, call 408-354-1242.
Saturday, February 2
Moffett Field History Museum Community Open House, 10 a.m. - 12 noon, Moffett Field, Enter at Main Gate Severyns Ave., Bldg. 125, 158 Cody Rd., Mountain View
Museum Information: MoffettFieldMuseum.org or 650-964-4024; Event Information: SVReads@aol.com
Step back in time at the Moffett Field Historical Society Museum and learn about the significant role Moffett Field and our region has played in American military history since the 1930s. Explore exhibits and enjoy USO style coffee and donuts and casual conversation with Silicon Valley Reads authors Brian Castner and Sue Diaz. Limited to 200 and reservations required. Email name, number attending and contact information to SVReads@aol.com. Photo ID will be required at the Moffett Field entrance gate. Co-sponsored by Moffett Field Historical Society, the Office of Congressman Mike Honda, the Office of San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, and the Office of Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman.
Saturday, February 2
Brian Castner, 2 p.m., Gilroy Library
Information: 408-842-8207
Brian Castner, author of The Long Walk, talks about his being in combat and the difficulties he experienced when he returned home. Brian will be accompanied by his wife, Jessica, who will share his combat experience from her perspective. Q&A follows. Co-sponsored by Friends of Gilroy Library.
Brian Castner, 2 p.m., Gilroy Library
Information: 408-842-8207
Brian Castner, author of The Long Walk, talks about his being in combat and the difficulties he experienced when he returned home. Brian will be accompanied by his wife, Jessica, who will share his combat experience from her perspective. Q&A follows. Co-sponsored by Friends of Gilroy Library.
Sunday, February 3
Sue Diaz, 2 p.m., Saratoga Library
Information:408-867-6126
Sue Diaz, author of Minefields of the Heart, talks about the emotional rollercoaster her family experienced when her son was deployed. Q&A follows. Co-sponsored by Friends of Saratoga Library.
Sunday, February 3
Silicon Valley Reads Film: Striking a Chord, 3:30 p.m., Saratoga Library
Information: 408-867-6126
Boredom and loneliness – the side effects of repeated and long-term deployments – can plague soldiers, as can depression, anxiety, and insomnia. This documentary explores what happens when exhausted and often traumatized soldiers on the frontline of America’s war in Iraq encounter a band from back home. Putting politics aside, this film travels to a series of remote American military bases, and through a string of deeply personal conversations and experiences builds an understanding of the needs of troops deployed overseas.
Tuesday, February 5
Brenda Ehrmantraut, 7 p.m., Campbell Library
Information: 408-866-1991
Brenda Ehrmantraut will read her book Night Catch and talk about how the book was important to her family. Co-sponsored by Friends of Campbell Library.
Thursday, February 7
Celebrity Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Campbell Library
Information: 408-866-1991
Mayor Evan Low reads Night Catch, a SVR 2013 Children's selection.
Thursday, February 7
Brenda Ehrmantraut, 7 p.m., Saratoga Library
Information: 408-867-6126
Brenda Ehrmantraut will read her book Night Catch and talk about how the book was important to her family. Co-sponsored by Friends of Saratoga Library.
Thursday, February 7
Silicon Valley Reads Film: Striking a Chord, 7 p.m., Gilroy Library
Information: 408-842-8207
Boredom and loneliness – the side effects of repeated and long-term deployments – can plague soldiers, as can depression, anxiety, and insomnia. This documentary explores what happens when exhausted and often traumatized soldiers on the frontline of America’s war in Iraq encounter a band from back home. Putting politics aside, this film travels to a series of remote American military bases, and through a string of deeply personal conversations and experiences builds an understanding of the needs of troops deployed overseas.
Tuesday, February 12
Operation Freedom Paws, 7 p.m., Morgan Hill Library
Information: 408-779-3196
Mary Cortani is founder of Operation Freedom Paws. Her Gilroy nonprofit organization helps veterans train their own service dogs, a step in healing their invisible wounds of war. Mary has been nominated as one of CNN’s Top 10 Heroes of 2012. Mary will be joined by some of her clients and their 4-legged friends.
Tuesday, February 19
Celebrity Story Time, 7:15 p.m., Campbell Library
Information: 408-866-1991
TV news journalist and host Maggi Scura reads Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle. All families welcome.
Thursday, February 21
Teen Book Group, 4 p.m., Cupertino Library
Information: 408-446-1677
The Teen Book Club will discuss Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick. All teens welcome.
Thursday, February 21
Adult Book Discussion Group, 7 p.m., Cupertino Library
Information: 408-446-1677
The Cupertino Library Book Discussion Group will be reading the Silicon Valley Reads featured selection: Minefields of the Heart: A Mother's Stories of a Son at War. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Cupertino Library.
Tuesday, February 26
A Conversation with Poets Brian Turner and David Sullivan, 7 p.m., Nichols Hall Auditorium, The Harker School, San Jose
Information: 408-354-6664
Brian Turner, author of the award-winning collection of poetry, Here, Bullet, and Santa Cruz poet David Sullivan, editor of a multivoiced manuscript about the war in Iraq entitled Every Seed of the Pomegranate, are interviewed by Parthenia Hicks, Los Gatos Poet Laureate Emeritus.
Brian Turner served in Iraq and Bosnia-Herzegovina and writes of his experience with a direct rawness that gives us a glimpse into the psyche of soldier-as-witness. He tells us, unflinchingly, the hidden stories that often remain locked inside the psyche of those soldiers fortunate enough to return to their homeland.
David Sullivan shows us the “back stories” of ordinary people trying to survive under the extraordinary and unnatural circumstances of war.
Refreshments and book signing follows. Co-sponsored by LiveSV and The Harker School Speaker Series.
Wednesday, February 27
"Why World Peace Is Possible and How We Can Achieve It", 7 p.m., Los Altos Library
Information: 650-948-7683
Iraq War veteran, West Point graduate and peace activist Paul K. Chappell discusses how he learned at West Point and in the army that world peace is possible. He explains how military history shows that human beings are not naturally violent. He also debunks the “Gandhi myth” and describes how waging peace is strategically superior to violence in solving our national and global problems.
While on active duty, Chappell wrote two books, Will War Ever End?: A Soldier’s Vision of Peace for the 21st Century and The End of War: How Waging Peace Can Save Humanity, Our Planet, and Our Future. He is also the author of Peaceful Revolution: How We Can Create the Future Needed for Humanity’s Survival.
After leaving active duty in November 2009, he began serving as the Peace Leadership Director for the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation in Santa Barbara, CA. He speaks throughout the country to colleges, high schools, veterans groups, churches, and activist organizations. Presented by Los Altos Voices for Peace and sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Los Altos.
Wednesday, February 27
Silicon Valley Reads Film: Striking a Chord, 7p.m., Milpitas Library
Information: 408-262-1171
Boredom and loneliness – the side effects of repeated and long-term deployments – can plague soldiers, as can depression, anxiety, and insomnia. This documentary explores what happens when exhausted and often traumatized soldiers on the frontline of America’s war in Iraq encounter a band from back home. Putting politics aside, this film travels to a series of remote American military bases, and through a string of deeply personal conversations and experiences builds an understanding of the needs of troops deployed overseas.
Wednesday, February 27
Brian Castner, 7:30 p.m., Milpitas Library
Information: 408-262-1171
Brian Castner, author of The Long Walk, talks about his being in combat and the difficulties he experienced when he returned home. Q&A follows. Co-sponsored by Friends of Milpitas Library.
Saturday, March 2
Silicon Valley Reads Film: Wartorn 1861-2010, 2 p.m., Saratoga Library
Information: 408-867-6126
This HBO documentary chronicles the lingering effects of combat stress and post-traumatic stress on military personnel and their families throughout American history, from the Civil War through the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. It shares the personal stories of soldiers through letters and journals, photos and combat footage, and first-person interviews of veterans of WWII, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Saturday, March 2
Silicon Valley Reads Film: Striking a Chord, 2 p.m., Campbell Library
Information: 408-866-1991
Boredom and loneliness – the side effects of repeated and long-term deployments – can plague soldiers, as can depression, anxiety, and insomnia. This documentary explores what happens when exhausted and often traumatized soldiers on the frontline of America’s war in Iraq encounter a band from back home. Putting politics aside, this film travels to a series of remote American military bases, and through a string of deeply personal conversations and experiences builds an understanding of the needs of troops deployed overseas.
Saturday, March 2
Brian Castner, 2:30 p.m., Campbell Library
Information: 408-866-1991
Brian Castner, author of The Long Walk, talks about his being in combat and the difficulties he experienced when he returned home. Q&A follows. Co-sponsored by Friends of Campbell Library.
Sunday, March 3
Staged Reading of Back Home, 2 p.m., Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Ave., Cupertino
Information: SVReads@aol.com or 408-354-1242
Local celebrities join young actors for this staged reading of Back Home by Chicago journalist and author Julia Keller, the story of a family’s reactions when Dad returns from combat with physical and brain injuries. Directed by Shannon Edwards and featuring radio personality Kim Vestal, Mercury News columnist Sal Pizarro, former TV host Brian Adams and community leader/Realtor Elizabeth Monley. Audience discussion with Julia Keller following the performance. Co-sponsored by Cupertino Library and LiveSV.
Monday, March 4
Pulitzer Prize Journalist and Author Julia Keller, 7 p.m., Saratoga Library
Information: 408-867-6126
Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Julie Keller wrote a series of articles about traumatic brain injury for the Chicago Tribune in 2004 and became more aware of American soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan with invisible wounds of war. This background inspired Back Home, a novel for grades 5-8, that describes one family's reaction when Dad returns home with physical and brain injuries. Julia will talk about how and why she wrote this book and also answer questions about her most recent book, A Killing in the Hills, a mystery novel for adults.
Tuesday, March 5
Celebrity Story Time, 7:30 p.m., Saratoga Library
Information: 408-867-6126
KBAY radio personality Lissa Kreisler reads Night Catch. All families welcome.
Saturday, March 9
Combat Paper Project Art Workshops, Euphrat Museum of Art, De Anza College, 10 a.m. - 12 noon and 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Information: 408-864-5464
Pre-registration required by email to argabritediana@fhda.edu. Please indicate which workshop you want to attend.
The Combat Paper Project utilizes art-making workshops to assist veterans in reconciling and sharing their personal experiences. Through papermaking workshops veterans use their uniforms worn in combat to create cathartic works of art. Workshops will be led by co-founder and director Drew Cameron with artist Ehren Tool. The workshops are open to everyone, veterans and civilians, and are free of charge.
Saturday, March 9
Silicon Valley Reads Film: Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq, 2 p.m., Cupertino Library
Information: 408-446-1677
Actor James Gandolfini interviews 10 soldiers and Marines about their feelings on their future, their physical and psychological disabilities, and their devotion to America. The documentary surveys the physical and emotional costs of war through memories of their “alive day,” the day they narrowly escaped death in Iraq.
Saturday, March 9
Silicon Valley Reads Film: Striking a Chord, 3:15 p.m., Cupertino Library
Information: 408-446-1677
Boredom and loneliness – the side effects of repeated and long-term deployments – can plague soldiers, as can depression, anxiety, and insomnia. This documentary explores what happens when exhausted and often traumatized soldiers on the frontline of America’s war in Iraq encounter a band from back home. Putting politics aside, this film travels to a series of remote American military bases, and through a string of deeply personal conversations and experiences builds an understanding of the needs of troops deployed overseas.
Sunday, March 10
Speaking of War Panel Discussion, 2 p.m. Tech Museum of Innovation [free public event – you do not need to purchase museum admission]
Information: 408-354-1242
How does it feel to leave your family, law practice and political career to serve your country? What images are burned into your memory during five years aboard warships and aircrafts? Do American journalists struggle to remain objective post 9-11? How does covering a war for a long period of time affect a reporter’s personal life? Do recent communication technologies and social media make it emotionally easier – or more difficult – for those who in the field and those who wait at home?
These and other questions will be explored by four panelists who will describe their time in combat zones and how these experiences affected their lives and perspectives. Speakers are:
- Jeff Bush, KRON-TV reporter, who enlisted in the Navy at age 20 and worked as a combat photographer during Operation Desert Storm.
- Scott Johnson, former Newsweek foreign correspondent and Bureau Chief for 12 years in the Middle East, Europe and Latin America, and the author of the forthcoming memoir TheWolf and the Watchman.
- Otto Lee, intellectual property attorney and former Sunnyvale Mayor, who was deployed to Iraq for a year.
- Tim McGirk, former Time Magazine Bureau Chief who covered the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Isaraeli-Palestinian conflict and the hunt for al-Qaeda.
Moderator: Barbara Marshman, Mercury News Editorial Page Editor
Co-sponsored by League of Women Voters, Southwest and San Jose-Santa Clara branches.
Tuesday, March 12
Mary Nethery, 4 p.m., Gilroy Library
Information: 408-842-8207
Mary Nethery, co-author of Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle will read and talk about writing the book. A video interview of Major Brian Dennis and Nubs will be shown.
Tuesday, March 12
Operation Freedom Paws, 6:30 p.m., Gilroy Library
Information: 408-842-8207
Mary Cortani is founder of Operation Freedom Paws. Her Gilroy nonprofit organization helps veterans train their own service dogs, a step in healing their invisible wounds of war. Mary has been nominated as one of CNN’s Top 10 Heroes of 2012. Mary will be joined by some of her clients and their 4-legged friends.
Tuesday, March 13
Mary Nethery, 7 p.m., Morgan Hill Library
Information: 408-779-3196
Mary Nethery, co-author of Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle will read and talk about writing the book. A video interview of Major Brian Dennis and Nubs will be shown.
Thursday, March 14
Sue Diaz, 6 p.m., Woodland Branch Library
Information: 650-969-6030
Sue Diaz, author of Minefields of the Heart, talks about the emotional rollercoaster her family experienced when her son was deployed. Q&A follows.
Saturday, March 23
Wartime Memories: Stories in Times of War, 2 p.m., Gilroy Library
Did you serve on the front lines as a medic? a soldier? a cook? Did you wait at home for a member of the family to return from war? The Gilroy Library is interested in the story of your experiences in times of war. Veterans of any war and their families are invited to tell their story at the Wartime Memories event on Saturday, March 23, 2013, 2-4pm at the Gilroy Library Community Room. For more information, please contact Lani Yoshimura, Memories@sccl.org or 408-842-8207 x3400 or visit http://www.sccl.org for details.
April
Thursday, April 4
Rosemary Wells Talks to Parents of Preschoolers About Reading, 10 a.m. at FIRST 5 Community Room
Information and sign up on the website: First5Kids.org
Rosemary Wells has written and illustrated more than 60 children’s books. The recipient of many awards, she spearheaded a national campaign for early literacy called “Read to Your Bunny.”
In this special presentation for Silicon Valley Reads and FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, she will talk to parents about the importance of reading to their children 20 minutes a day and how to pick books that will keep the attention of preschoolers. She will provide pointers on how to read illustrated books aloud and answer questions. After children join their parents, she will read Love Waves to the families, a book about how to feel close when loved ones are far away.
Refreshments and each family will take home a copy of Love Waves. Limited space and advance registration required.
Wednesday, April 10
Brian Castner, 7 p.m., Los Altos Library
Information: 650-948-7683
Brian Castner, author of The Long Walk, talks about his being in combat and the difficulties he experienced when he returned home. Q&A follows.
Saturday, April 13
Closing Event of Silicon Valley Reads, 1:30 p.m. Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Ave., Cupertino
Information: 408-446-1677
Our two featured authors, Brian Castner and Sue Diaz, come back togther for a conversation about their books and the Silicon Valley Reads experience, moderated by De Anza College President Brian Murphy. Announcement of winners of the Cupertino Library Foundation Essay Contest follows, along with book signing. Co-sponsored by Cupertino Library Foundation.
Additional Events & Information
- For more information, visit the Silicon Valley Reads web site.
- Previous Silicon Valley Reads Selections