Mexican Cooking Class with Nicole Salgado

Nicole Salgado of Mexican and European ancestry grew up in Central New York. When she came to live in the Bay Area, she was exposed to authentic Mexican cooking via friends and family members. She moved to her husband’s home state of Querétaro, Central Mexico in 2006, where she became part of an extended Querétaro family and introduced to traditional methods for cultivating and utilizing maize. In an effort to combine their passion for good food with environmental health, she and her husband cultivate an organic home garden and small animal production among other sustainable practices. Her newly published book is a collection of authentic recipes from the Querétaro and the surrounding region and is dedicated to the Mexican women carrying out their ancient traditions worldwide.

Wednesday, December 9 at 5:30 PM – Woodside Library
Thursday, December 10 at 7:00 PM – San Carlos Library
Friday, December 11 at 7:00 PM – Half Moon Bay Library
Saturday, December 12 at 11:00 AM – Brisbane Library
Sunday, December 13 at 1:00 PM – Pacifica–Sharp Park Library
Sunday, December 13 at 5:00 PM – Atherton Library
Monday, December 14 at 6:00 PM – East Palo Alto Library
Tuesday, December 15 at 7:00 PM – Millbrae Library

Emerald Cities: Arts of Siam and Burma, 1775-1950

A docent from the Asian Art Museum will give a slide lecture highlighting their newest exhibit, Emerald Cities: Arts of Siam and Burma, 1775-1950. This exhibition of decorative and religious arts explores Thailand and Burma’s shared aesthetic despite their contrasting histories. The more than 140 artworks include gilded and mirrored ritual vessels, black lacquer and mother-of-pearl inlaid furniture, and vibrant, colorful paintings.

Friday December 4 at 7:00 PM – Atherton Library
Monday December 14 at 7:00 PM – San Carlos Library

Amish Abstractions:  Amish Quilts: Geometry and Simplicity, Community and Belief

Fine Arts Museum’s Docent lecturer Judy Cunningham or Kay Payne will discuss Amish Quilts: Geometry and Simplicity, Community and Belief. The quilts, made with superior craftsmanship and great care, are visual distillations of the Amish faith and way of life, representing the principles of simplicity, humility, discipline, and community that govern their society. Experience the simple yet strong designs, rich saturated colors, intricate quilting patterns and fine and elaborate stitching of one of the finest aesthetic art forms in America. No registration required. Seating may be limited.

Sunday, December 6, 2009, 2:00 PM – Belmont Library
Saturday, January 16, 2010, 1:00 PM – Pacifica–Sharp Park Library
Thursday, January 28, 2010, 1:00 PM – Millbrae Library
Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 7:00 PM – San Carlos Library

Personal Finance Series

In partnership with the local San Francisco Bay Area chapter of SOFA (Society for Financial Awareness) we are pleased to invite our communities to these free, engaging workshops. Fiscally Fit will cover basic financial principles, wealth accumulation, financial blueprints, and more. Maximizing the Right Mortgage Strategy will focus on what to look for in a foreclose, how to evaluate your refinancing options, whether refinancing is good idea, and other timely mortgage concerns and strategies. Highly skilled professionals teach the workshops and take questions afterwards. Empower yourself with the knowledge and skills to secure the future you desire. Workshop dates take place throughout November and December.

Fiscally Fit

San Mateo County Library presents Lawyers in the Library

Each month the library, in partnership with the San Mateo County Bar Association, holds free legal clinics. Find out more and schedule a one-on-one twenty minute consultation with a volunteer lawyer at your local library. Each evening at each library has a scheduled focus--topics include family law, wills and trusts, guardianship, general topics, real estate, and more. Sign up at a participating library today! In November, this program will be expanding to East Palo Alto and Half Moon Bay.

For a more detailed discussion contact the San Mateo County Bar Association lawyer referral service.

First Tuesdays from 7-9 PM – Belmont Library
Second Thursdays from 6-8 PM – East Palo Alto Library
Third Tuesdays from 7-9 PM – Foster City Library @ the Peninsula Jewish Community Center
First Sundays from 11 AM-1 PM – Half Moon Bay Library
Third Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 PM – Millbrae Library

Free Counseling for Medicare Prescription Drug Program

Atherton Library

Make Origami!
Wednesday, December 2 at 3:30 PM
Join students from Menlo School and make an origami snowflake! All ages welcome.

Be a Go-To Grandparent Whether You’re Near or Far
Friday, December 4 at 9:00 AM
Join Donne Davis, contributor to The Art of Grandparenting, for conversation and coffee.

Christmas Movie Night: A Muppet Christmas Carol
Friday, December 11 at 7:00 PM
The Muppets’ delightful adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic with Michael Caine as Scrooge. This funny and heartwarming movie features songs by Paul Williams.

Nick Barone’s Holiday Treats Puppet Show
Monday, December 14 at 4:00 PM
Holiday Treats is an original Christmas show from Nick Barone Puppets. Filled with lovable and friendly monsters, this comical story is designed to delight families and children of all ages.

Belmont Library

A Musical Literary Holiday Evening
Thursday, December 3 at 7:00 PM
Danny Carnahan, popular musician/mystery writer, will appear in a combined concert and author event. Best known for his Celtic cross-over band, Wake the Dead, Danny will perform Celtic tunes and then tell how this music drives both his mystery plots and the personality of his protagonist, Niall Sweeney. Danny Carnahan’s most recent Sweeney & Rose mystery is titled “Fortune Turns the Wheel. Copies will be available at the show for sale and signing. Refreshments will be served.

Teens – Knit a Holiday Present
Wednesday, December 9th at 3:30 PM
Learn how to knit just in time to make a fabulous scarf for your loved one!

P&T Puppets Present The Night Before Christmas
Wednesday, December 9 at 7:00 PM
Come see Christopher Mouse, Jack Frost, Jingles the Dwarf, Ginny the green-nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Paul R. Bear in this warm winter tale. For ages 3 and older.

Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanza Holiday Storytime & Crafts
Saturday, December 12 at 10:30 AM
Get into the holiday spirit with this joyous family event!

Brisbane Library

Toddler Dance Party with Keta Bill
Friday, December 4 at 11:30 AM
Brisbane Community Center
Toddlers, preschoolers and their adult companions are invited to put on their dancing shoes and rock out to Keta’s Toddler Tunes!

Author Event: “Brisbane” by Dolores Gomez and Christy Thilmany
Thursday, December 10 at 7:00 PM
Brisbane Community Center
The definitive history of Brisbane, written by two former Brisbane Library staff members, will be discussed by the authors.  A reception and book signing will follow in the Library.

Story Adventures
Wednesday, December 16 at 3:00 PM
Storyteller Tamberly Mott is bringing adventure to the Brisbane Library on Wednesday afternoons this fall.  Geared for Middle school children, but all ages are welcome.   Children 4 and under must be accompanied by a parent/caregiver.

Brisbane Library Open House
Thursday, December 17
An all-day celebration at the Brisbane Library, with light refreshments, kazoos, carols, a craft program and other surprises.

East Palo Alto Library

Mexico Vivo Ballet Folklórico - Traditional Mexican Dances
Wednesday, December 2 at 6:00 PM
Come celebrate Las Posadas with East Palo Alto Library. Join us and watch as Mexico Vivo Ballet Folklórico performs traditional Mexican dances.

Knitting Class
Wednesday, December 16 at 6:00 PM
Learn to knit at this beginners' class and start on a simple scarf. Knitters of all levels are welcome to attend and discuss starting a knitting group at their library. Please bring your own needles and yarn.

Holiday Event with Santa Claus
Thursday, December 17 at 6:00 PM
Celebrate the holidays and get your picture taken with Santa Claus at the Library.  This is an event for the entire family!

Foster City Library

Family Pajama Storytime
Mondays, Dec. 7 & 21 at 7 PM
At the Peninsula Jewish Community Center, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City, CA

Children's Storytime
Dec. 7, 11, 14, 18 & 21 at 10:30 AM
At Parents Place, 2001 Winward Way, Foster City, CA

Paws for Tales
Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 7-8 PM
School-aged children read to dogs.  Books will be provided.  It's fun and the dogs are adorable and well trained.
Please call (650) 212-7522 to register.
At the Peninsula Jewish Community Center, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City, CA

Adult Book Club
Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 PM
Topic:  An Uncommon Reader
At the Peninsula Jewish Community Center, 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City, CA

Half Moon Bay Library

Movie Night
Saturday   December 12 at 6:00 PM.
This month’s feature G-Force.

Game Night
Saturday December 19 at 6:00 PM.
Show your skills with a variety of electronic games.

Millbrae Library

Millbrae Library 5th Anniversary
Saturday, December 5 at 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Join The Friends of the Millbrae Library for a celebration of the library’s 5th Anniversary. Cookies and cider will be served. The celebration will be part of the Friend’s Big Book Sale, which runs Friday the 4th through Sunday the 6th.

Basic Internet Computer Class
Saturday, December 5 at 10:30 AM
Begin to explore the World Wide Web using search engines like Google. Previous computer basics and word processing or equivalent suggested. This class has no fee or sign ups, but come early to save your seat.

Mills High School String Quartet
Wednesday, December 9 at 7:00 PM
Enjoy a winter concert with music by the talented students from Mills High Music Department. Program recommended for school-aged children and their families.

T3: Teens @ 3:30
Wednesday December 16 at 3:30 PM
Every Wednesday of the month at 3:30 teens are welcome to come and hang out while we watch movies, play board games, play wii games, and have surprise events. Join us for Twizzlers and a movie on the 16th.

Pacifica-Sanchez Library

Pajama Storytime: Holiday Celebration!
Monday, December 7 at 7:00 PM
Stories and crafts for ages 4 and up. Wear your PJs!

Mother/Daughter Book Club
Wednesday, December 9 at 7:00 PM
For girls ages 8-11 with a female adult. We will be reading The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Knitting Night
Friday, December 11 from 6:30-8:00 PM
Join us for our monthly knitting night. Knitters of all ages and levels welcome!

Family Movie Night: Alvin and the Chipmunks
Saturday, December 12 at 7:00 PM
Come in your PJs! Snacks provided!

Pacifica-Sharp Park Library

Teen Movie Night: Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Friday, December 4 at 7:00 PM in the Community Room
This movie is rated PG. Teens 13-18.

Teen Game Night!
Friday, December 4 at 7:00 PM
Wii, board games, Rock Band, and more!

Flute Program with Gail Edwards
Thursday, December 17 at 4:00 PM
Listen to seasonal flute favorites and enjoy light refreshments!

Teen Movie Night: Year One
Friday, December 18 at 7:00 PM in the Community Room
This movie is rated PG-13. Teens 13-18.

Portola Valley Library

Boswick the Clown 
Thursday, December 10 at 4:30 PM at the library
Boswick, a former Ringling Brother's Clown, will introduce youngsters to the joy of reading and the fun of the holiday season with his funny antics. There will be magic, juggling and comedy.  Fun for all ages.

Non-Fiction Book Club
Thursday, December 17, 1:00-2:30 PM & Tuesday, December 22, 7:00-8:00 PM
We will discuss Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: a year of food life by Barbara Kingsolver.  “Her tale is both classy and disarming, substantive and entertaining, earnest and funny.”

San Carlos Library

San Carlos Library Daytime Book Club
Monday, December 7, 2009 at 10:00 AM
We will be discussing A thousand splendid suns by Khaled Hosseini

San Carlos Library Non-Fiction Book Club
Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 10:15 AM
We will be discussing The head trip: adventures on the wheel of consciousness by Jeff Warren

San Carlos Library Mystery Book Club
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 7:00 PM
We will be discussing Master of the delta by Thomas H. Cook

Woodside Library

Woodside Library Book Club
Tuesday, December 1 from 11 AM to 12 PM
Peer into the correspondence of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a novel by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows; it’s a fascinating glimpse of World War II in the English Channel islands.

“Babies & Books” Musical Storytime
Wednesdays, 10:00 AM, December 2, December 9, December 16
(No storytime on December  23 and December 30)
Age newborn to 24 months.
Rhymes, songs and lap-sit activities for parents and infants!

“Toddler Time” Musical Storytime
Wednesdays, 11:00 AM, December 2, December 9, December 16
(No storytime on December 23 and December 30)
Age 18 to 36 months.
Finger plays, stories, and songs and fun!

Fratello Marionettes Holiday Program
Thursday, December 17, 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Be sure to be here for this joyous musical, The North Pole Review, featuring custom-made puppets – a crowd-pleaser for all ages!