That's right. You heard me. The Library should be your party destination this weekend. We're 100 years old and we feel like partying. I know. We don't look a day past 98, do we? Come see for yourself how good we look! We'll be celebrating all day Saturday, June 2 with music, author readings, birthday cake and prizes.

Here's what we have lined up for your entertainment:

10:30 Music by cellist Morag Northey

12:00 Brian Brennan will talk about the history of the library - Calgary Public Library: Inspiring Life Stories Since 1912

1:00 Musicians Michael Hope and Chris Sales from the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra will entertain with classic and popular selections

2:00 Gail Bowen will launch her newest mystery novel, Kaleidoscope, featuring popular sleuth Joanne Kilbourn

3:00 The Jazz Essence Trio will set the mood for the afternoon in the library

You're welcome to attend all of the Centennial Birthday Block Parties going on at each Calgary Public Library location on Saturday. Of course, we feel just a little bit special as Memorial Park Library is where it all began 100 years ago. And as an added bonus, Memorial Park Library staff will be decked out in fancy costumes, similar to those worn in this photo of the the original staff. But we promise to smile more. Or possibly even laugh.

Bring your friends and family and come party with us! We'd love to see you.

Memorial Park Library is at 1221 - 2 St SW
Phone 403-221-2006 for more information

“I've lost my gardening mojo,” I confessed to a friend recently. A decade ago, I anticipated transforming a newly developed plot of land into a lush oasis of vegetation. The first summer, I patrolled the yard and carefully identified each plant that was already flourishing using Lois Hole’s Perennial Favorites, Lois Hole’s Favorite Trees & Shrubs and The Calgary Gardener. The next summer, I made a list of hardy plants for Zone 3 and went on a shopping spree in my local garden centre. With naive enthusiasm, I even started a scrapbook with before and after photos to record my gardening triumphs.

In the intervening years, I've come to the sobering realization that I've taken the word “perennial” far too literally as my journal racks up a lengthy obituary of trees, shrubs and perennials. Although the name implies otherwise, perennials do not live in perpetuity as I’d thought, or hoped, they would. Their lives can be cut short by a discouraging number of pests and diseases. And the plants that do manage to eke out a fragile existence from year to year face stiff competition from weeds bent on colonizing the entire yard.

In my current state of disillusionment, I've decided that instead of fighting a perennial battle to prevent my own garden from descending into anarchy, I’d rather enjoy the attractively rehabilitated gardens which surround Memorial Park Library. Here, I’m able to relax on a park bench next to a fountain amidst colourful flowers and blossoming trees without all the work it takes to maintain them. And without worrying about which plague is preparing to annihilate the forlorn remains of my dwindling oasis.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the garden our library lives in, you’re welcome to join Donna Balzer, Calgary-based Horticulture Consultant, and Michelle Reid, Conservation Landscape Architect, for a talk and tour of the beautifully restored, award-winning Central Memorial Park. Restoring the Heritage Landscape of Central Memorial Park takes place on Saturday, May 26 from 1:30 - 3:00p.m.

And if I haven’t discouraged you too greatly with my tales of gardening woe, check out these recent titles for inspiration:

Apartment gardening: plants projects and recipes for growing food in your urban home

Gardening in no time: 50 step-by-step projects and inspirational ideas

The Living garden: a place that works with nature

Small is bountiful: getting more crops from your pots

The Complete guide to Western Plains gardening