Most girls look forward to their special prom night. Aside from all the final exams they will need to face, graduation is just around the corner along with prom.

If you need idea for your dress, this is the perfect opportunity for you to come out to see the variety of prom dresses we've collected! You will get tips from a designer so that you can alter the dress to make it your very own.

Mark the date on your calendars!

Saturday, March 9th

1:00- 3:30pm

Registration required

On a side note: If anyone have any gently used dresses that they would like to donate for this program, please drop them off at the Forest Lawn Library before March 7th.

Over 400 people gathered at the Forest Lawn Library to enjoy our 5^th annual Taste of Cultures on October 20^th. Displays from the 15 ethnic groups were supplemented this year by displays from CPL’s Diversity Services and the Calgary Police Service’s Diversity Unit.

The participants were once again treated to a variety of ethnic food, and more performers than in previous years. For the first time, we offered some light opera (courtesy of the International Avenue Arts & Culture Centre, a new partner on the planning team) and a thunderous performance by a Japanese drumming troupe.

The ESL Conversation Club at Forest Lawn Library was a resounding success. We had many people from all over the world taking part throughout its eight week run. The group’s enthusiasm was wonderful and infectious and everyone had a great time enhancing their English speaking skills with their fellow students.

This wonderful enthusiastic group wrapped up the program with a flourishing feast for everyone – with the participants bringing in sensational foods to share on the last evening. Some notables were the wonderful melty cheesy garlicky Darth Vader Potatoe Casserole and the beautiful Vietnamese salad rolls filled with vegetables and bright red Chinese sausage and eggs. We had lovely lasagna with a gently sweet tomatoe sauce. There were dainty little homemade sweet dumplings with a slightly sweet bean paste filling. We had fabulous breads with wonderful fruit fillings and one of our volunteers managed to entice her husband into baking some tasty frosted little cupcakes. As well there was a beautifully spiced noodle dish from Ceylon and a luscious spicy asian casserole dish with tofu and spicy peppers. There were too many foods to describe but they were all delectable! Everyone had a great last meeting to remember!

-Carol

Calling all teens between the ages 13-18!

The Forest Lawn Library is hosting a Hunger Games Challenge on Friday the 13th (Apirl). You must represent your district and face all the different obstacles that are ahead of you!

Challenges will include Cornucopia survival, Bracelet Making, Wii physical challenges and Trivia.

Do you have what it takes to survive? If so, please register at the Customer Service desk, spaces are limited.

Bonus points will be awarded to those who dresses up!

Forest Lawn’s ESL Conversation Club has completed another successful run. Our great volunteers led an enthusiastic group of ESL students through the last eight weeks! The ESL Conversation Club wrapped up on December 8 with a fabulous potluck supper. Italian appetizers of Brushetta and Italian salamis and spicy Sicilian Olives whet their appetites. The students and their coaches both enjoyed homemade Chinese Pork dumplings, crispy Vietnamese Spring rolls and divine Sri Lankan Fried Rice with fresh ginger and cardamom, and other great rice and noodle dishes. Rich Canadian Chili added a local touch to the event. Our students had a great time both throughout the duration of the class and – if laughter and talk is any indication – the roundup was a huge success!

Calgary Bridge Foundation club bused over 20 students, and 14 other teens from the community dropped in for the Refugee Experience teen program on Child Soldiers. The teen program included a presentation by Anthony Lavala, a Refugee who spent ten years in a camp and now works with Refugees who survived the trauma of war as children, many of whom were child soldiers.

All hands on board for the Red Hand Campaign

His talk generated many questions from the teens, many of them focusing on the unfairness, abuse and human rights violations as they struggled to understand the issues surrounding civil wars. The event ended with an introduction to the Red Hand Campaign, a tribute to the 250,000 children who are used worldwide in adult wars despite the practice being made illegal in 2002 by the UN Convention of Children Rights. More than 350,000 red hands have been collected from over 40 countries and sent to politician and policy makers. The teens added their handprints to the protest movement, and they will be sent to our local MLA’s and MP’s.

On Saturday November 26, Forest Lawn hosted the Ultimate LEGO contest! A total of 32 kids brought in their well put together lego artwork for display. Each of them drawing in the "ooohs and aahhhs" from enthusiastic customers, staff and family members. In the end, the customers voted for their favourite creations. Certificates were given to each participant, and four winners received a Lego set. Everyone was excited about the prizes and many kids and parents thanked us for hosting the contest!

Have you ever folded a paper airplane? If you answered yes, then you too have made some form of Origami.

Origami is an ancient Japanese traditional art of folding paper. It has developed extensively over the last thousands of years into forms that no one could imagine. It all starts with a single sheet of paper and our delicate little fingers. Whether you’re old or young, the art of folding has evolved and expanded into every generation of life.

As a child I remember reading the book, Sadako and the thousand paper cranes, and I couldn’t wait to fold my first paper crane. From then on, I’ve borrowed many Origami books from the library and developed my own little origami collection.

On Thursday, November 3^rd the teens had an opportunity to make different origami structures, from flowers, to birds and airplanes. Even though there were times where we got stuck, at the end of the day, we all appreciated how much effort it takes to make even the simplest object.

Knitting is probably one of my favourite things to do of all time. Whenever I find myself in front of the TV, standing in line, or riding the bus, I've got needles in my hands and a project on the go. This is one of the reasons I'm so excited about the upcoming Knitting & Crochet program that's part of the Teen Afterschool Program Series at Forest Lawn Library.

For two Thursdays, teens will hone their knitting and crochet skills in a three hour drop-in workshop. Materials such as yarn, knitting needles and crochet hooks will be provided but if you have your own projects already started feel free to bring them along. You don't need to know how to knit or crochet to be a part of the group - we'll teach you how! However, if you have previous experience we will be counting on you to share your mad crafty skills with us!

Over the two Thursdays, there will be patterns provided to knit either a pouch, small stuffed toy, or fingerless gloves which you can make for yourself or make to give to family or friends. By the end of the two weeks, teens will have completed a cool small project and gained a great creative skill.

The Teen Knitting & Crochet program will be taking place on Thursdays, November 10th and 17th from 3pm-6pm.

No registration required! Just come on by with your crafty inspirations and let's get knitting!