Now you can keep up with the development of the Common Ground Community Garden at Southwood online!

Visit http://cggs.ca/ to see pictures of the garden and to reveiw meeting summaries. It's never too late to join! If you would like more information or to add yourself to the list, come into the branch or give us a call and we'd be happy to help you!

This is the fourth book of the series 44 Scotland Street and the characters struggle with their own personal dilemmas. Poor six year old Bertie wishes he had some freedom from his overbearing mother, Irene Pollock, and thought he would; now that his baby brother Ulysses has arrived. Bertie’s father, Stuart, is still henpecked and talked down to, which was disappointing because in the last book Stuart showed some backbone. I have come to the discovery that I really dislike the character Irene Pollock and her “holier- than - thou” personality. Bruce reappears in Edinburgh again and gets himself in hot water. I am looking forward to the next book and to seeing how he wiggles out of the position he put himself into. Matthew questions himself, does he truly love Pat? While Pat asks herself is a comfortable relationship all she wants, especially when seeing Bruce again sets her heart a pitter patter. The artist, Angus Lordie, copes with the threat of his dog Cyril possibly being put down after being accused of biting someone. Domenica observes the people around her and how they reflect the image of her beloved city of Edinburgh. Her opinions always make me smile. Big Lou is still looking for a kind man to love and may have found him. Yet again, Alexander McCall Smith writes a beautifully written story about people.

I really enjoy reading these gentle reads and because of this I find myself with a container of mixed olives in the fridge and some fancy coffees in the pantry…..you will have to read this series to find out why I have these items!

Fabulous Hikes of the Foothills and How to Pack for Them

With spring here and summer just around the corner, now is the best time to get out for a hike in the beautiful mountains we have surrounding our city! But if you're not sure where to start or want to try a more challenging hiking path then come to Southwood for this program. It runs on Saturday May 5 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm in the program room and is just the thing you need before you head out for that trip! Julie Walker from Full Circle Adventures will be here to show you a few off trail places to hike and see amazing scenery and flowers. She will also show you how to read basic wildlife signs, the weather, and how to be bear-aware! Register online here at http://calgarypubliclibrary.com/services/programs-events/register-for-programs?ad=s003&dt=s003&lc=s004&pt=s&kw=Fabulous%20Hikes&pg=1, or by phone, 403-260-2620.

Recently I was encouraged to start listening to books on CD. What a great way to “read” a good book. Although my commute is not long, it makes that time much more bearable. But, so much depends on the Reader. Currently I am listening to “A Spot of Bother” by Mark Haddon. It is read by Charles Keating, an English actor with a wonderful voice. Reading the novel myself would never give me the full appreciation of the British family portrayed in this novel. Keating’s voice and accent are a welcome addition to this charming story. I felt the same when I listened to another of Haddon’s novels, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. So if you’d like to try something new on your commute or even if you are planning a road trip, try listening to your books.

Do you love to build things with natural materials like wood? Well if so, register today and come check out this program at Southwood library where the Dirt Craft Natural Building group will present unique and different ways to use natural materials in building projects. We also have tons of woodworking, clay, and building project books for you to take home to use those new skills you'll learn in the program!

Call us or go online to register for this program.

Natural Building Presentation:

Learn how natural building - the act of building with clay, sand, straw, wood, and stone - can be used to add vitality to any community space. Learn how these techniques can be used in the home to add comfort and beauty, and improve health. Presented by Dirt Craft Natural Building.
Monday, May 14
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Southwood Library

Spring is in the air! There is no season that I appreciate more than Spring! I realize that this season in Calgary brings many different thoughts and emotions, but the sight of bits of green grass, tulips and robins bring me joy!

Maybe this is the season to start a new hobby, or learn to run, fitness walk or golf. You can find books on gardening, de-cluttering, cleaning, love, healthy eating and more!

Frankie Flowers new book “Pot it Up: 150 fresh ideas for beautiful, easy to grow containers"; Marjorie Harris new Thrifty Gardening: From the Ground Up and No Guff Vegetable Gardening by Donna Balzer plus many more new titles on getting that garden started. And now that winter has passed maybe it is also time to think about a hotspot to visit next winter, or plan for that great summer vacation. Spring is the time!

This year is not only our 100th birthday, which you can read more about at www.cpl100.ca, but it is also the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Interest in this event has been revived, thanks in large part to the re-release of James Cameron's Titanic in theatrical 3D. But if you'd like to watch it in the comfort of your home, perhaps with a box of tissue handy, check it out from a Calgary Public Library branch!

Also be sure to pick up these newly published books about the Titanic and the events surrounding the day it sank.

Titanic, First Accounts by Tim Maltin recounts what transpired the night of the sinking through firsthand anthologies from survivors and eye-witnesses alike. Get a glimpse of what the titanic was like through the perspectives of those who lived the moments themselves or the family of the survivors.

The Band that Played On by Steve Turner

Remember that scene in Titanic when those muscians started playing music admist all the chaos and confusion? Now you can read all about those who took up their instruments in a time of need on the titanic.

Planning is well underway for a community garden west of our branch. Calgary Public Library is excited to embark on this project as our garden teams, drawn from interested community members, are working to establish and eventually manage the garden.

Currently, garden teams are busy with Design & Layout, Financials and Membership. The initial design includes individual plots, a gathering place and a composting system. Site development is scheduled to take place in May with planting to begin in June!

This venture would not be possible without the generous donations of time and funds from Encana, the City of Calgary, the Calgary Garden Resource Network and countless community volunteers.

As this is a truly organic process, there is room for the growth of ideas as well as carrots, a place to sit and ponder or read, an opportunity to learn, to care and to share with one and all.

A customer today was taking out Roald Dahl's, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for her son. Which got us talking about the nostalgic factor these children books bring for us. Having said that she was looking forward to reading the book again got me thinking about some of the children's books that I loved as a kid that I would like to reaquaint myself with.

Of course, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory brought me great joy as I had always wanted a golden ticket to that magical factory! How could you not love edible chocolate rooms, chocolate bars that come out of your tv set, and cavity-filling caramels (something adults would probably appreciate more).

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White was actually my favourite book as a child, to this day I still enjoy reading my tattered well used copy I had recieved back in grade 1! Quite odd though considering that I have a fear of spiders , but Charlotte the spider was one I'd never shy away from. Maybe it was because of adorable Wilbur the pig who's life is spared by the brave Fern.

Sound off and let us know about your favourite children's book that you would love to read over and over again!

-Leeanna

This age old poem reminds us all of the wonderful sightings of spring, take it all in!

Spring has sprung;
The grass has ris.
I wonder where
The birdie is?

There he is
In the sky.
He dropped some
Whitewash in my eye!

I am no sissy;
I won't cry.
I'm just glad
That cows can't fly!