We have tons of free, fun-filled programs for the upcoming week before the holidays. Stop by and participate in one or more of these great events:

Monday 12/21:

How the Grinch Stole Christmas movie at Castro Valley, 2-4 pm.

Family Movies at Union City, 3-5 pm.

Tuesday 12/22:

Family Game Day at Newark, 1-3 pm.

Magic by Alex at Niles, 2-2:45 pm.

Winter Crafts for Kids at Fremont, 2-3 pm.

Muppet Christmas Carol movie at Castro Valley, 2-4 pm.

Family Movies at Union City, 3-5 pm.

Make a Gift for Kids and Teens at Newark, 3-5 pm.

Wednesday 12/23:

The Polar Express and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at Newark, 1-5 pm.

A Christmas Story movie at Castro Valley, 2-4 pm.

It’s a Wonderful Life movie at San Lorenzo, 2-4 pm.

Family Game Day at Irvington, 3-4:30 pm.

Family Movies at Union City, 3-5 pm.

Thursday, 12/24:

Family Movies at Union City, 3-5 pm.

Stop by a library and relax for a while in between the holiday rush. All programs are free. Please view our website: www.aclibrary.org for more details about any of the programs.

Now that it’s raining, here are a few suggestions for things to do inside the house …

1. Make homemade playdoh (try one of these websites for recipes: http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1611,147171-236192,00.html

http://www.simplymoms.com/art/playdoh.html )

2. Make paper snowflakes to decorate the house (all you need is paper and scissors).

3. Have a board game night with the whole family (some of our favorites are Sorry!, Monopoly, Scrabble, Phase 10 card game, Candyland and Chinese Checkers).

4. Bake cookies or make rice crispy treats. Yummy, fun to make and kids can help too!

5. Make a scrapbook. Kids can add drawings to the pages and add their handprints too.

6. Do a craft project together. You could make an ornament a day to decorate the house. Pick up a few craft books at the library and look for ideas. Learn to knit together or to make a small quilt. Try calligraphy or something as simple as making paper dolls and paper airplanes.

7. Read a book aloud together or read alone curled up with a warm blanket. Either way, there’s always something for everyone.   

Posted for Mary Ayers

This no-cook paper mache paste recipe is a good one to make with kids because it is easy to make and does not require heat.
Materials Needed:
*Water
*Flour

Instructions:
To make this paper mache paste, simply mix together 1 part flour to 2 parts water. You will want it to be the consistency of thick glue, but you also want it to be runny and not thick like paste. Add more water or flour as necessary. Mix well to remove any lumps.

A few helpful tips I have read in regards to using this paste are:
*If you live in an area with high humidity, add a few tablespoons of salt to help prevent mold.
*If you don’t like the smell of the glue mixture you can add a few sprinkles of cinnamon or
cinnamon to sweeten it up!
You should be able to store this glue in a covered bowl or jar, in the refrigerator, for a few days.

Find out how to create a cute penguin using a light bulb, paper mache techniques, and a few other supplies.
*Age Guideline: 8 Years and Up
*Time Required: 30 minutes
The above age and time guidelines are estimates. This project can be modified to suit other ages and may take more or less time depending on your circumstances. For best results, read through all of these steps before you start making this craft.

Before you start any project it is easiest to gather together all of the supplies. For this project you will need:
*Light Bulb
*Newspaper
*Paper Mache Paste
*Acrylic Paint
*Wiggle Eyes
*Craft Foam
*Fabric Scraps
*Craft Glue
*Paint Brush
*Scissors
Now we can start…

Start by putting a few paper mache layers on the light bulb. Let the paper mache layers dry completely before moving on to the next step…

Paint the entire light bulb white. Let the paint dry.

Use black paint to make your light bulb look like a penguin’s body.

Glue two small wiggle eyes onto your penguin.

Cut a beak and two webbed feet out of orange craft foam and glue them in place.

Optional:
Cut a piece of scrap fabric, about 2″ x 3″. Using the photo as a guideline, wrap it around the top of the Penguin’s head to be the hat. Glue it in place

Cut another piece of scrap fabric, it should be about 6 inches long and only about a quarter to a half an inch wide. Wrap this around the extra fabric sticking out over the top of the light bulb and tie.
Make small snips in the fabric gathered above the tie so it looks fringed and resembles a pom-pom on top of the hat. Your penguin is now done. You can display your Penguin on a shelf or even a ribbon for hanging.

For more ideas, be sure to check out a book on paper mache or another great craft idea from the library.

Enjoy!

Fifth through eighth graders created these aliens and painted them with fluorescent paint. Fluorescent paint can be found in most art classrooms around the country but not many people know how or when the paint was invented.

Check out The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer’s Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors to learn the story of two Berkeley brothers who collaborated to make paint glow under ultraviolet light. They used their mother’s new kitchen mixer to combine chemicals with alcohol, shellac and other ingredients to form the paint. Unfortunately, one time they didn’t clean the mixer right away their mother made a very colorful cake. They went on to experiment at home creating better mixtures, and now we see day-glo paint in Disneyland, on billboards and many other places.

So next time you see day-glo paint you can tell your parents about the Switzers!

With the holidays almost here and the arrival of Thanksgiving, we often think of friends and family and how important they are to us. Well, let me tell a story about two of the most unlikely best friends. It is the true story of Mzee, a somewhat grumpy 130-year-old tortoise, and his best friend Owen, a year old, 600 pound orphaned baby hippo.

Owen’s family lived in the Subaki River in Kenya, Africa. On December 24, 2004, a great tsunami struck and Owen, and his family, or pod, were all washed down to the mouth of the river. Afterwards only one hippo could be seen and that was Owen. Hundreds of people worked all day to rescue and save Owen. After his rescue, Owen was taken to his new home in a lush wildlife sanctuary known as Haller Park. It was here that he became friends with the very solitary, 130 year old tortoise, Mzee.

The library has two wonderful books about Owen and Mzee. One is a picture book entitled A Mama for Owen by Marion Bauer and the other a non-fiction book entitled Owen and Mzee: the Language of Friendship by Isabella Hatkoff. These two animals have become such an example of friendship and how becoming a friend can so directly affect your life in a positive way that they have their own website. Make sure to check it out and make sure to take time to be thankful for friends and family, for they surely are so important to each and every one of us!

Fellow Trekkies !!!!!

Come one come all and see this 15,000 sq. ft. exhibit filled with such items as a
replica of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 bridge, and gadgets such as tricorders, phasers, communicators, and costumes from the original show and subsequent movies.The actual shooting model for the Borg cube will be on display.

For additional fees you can even experience a Star Trek flight simulator or the IMAX presentations of Star Trek.

Costumes are allowed, however, masks and weapons from ANY galaxy are to be left
in your spaceship.

The show will run from October 23, 2009 until January 3, 2010.
Call the Tech museum for more info at 408-294-TECH. Tickets are $19-$25.
See you there….Live Long and Prosper.

Posted by Barbara Hamze.

Owen Birnbaum may be the smartest kid at the Martha Doxie School; he’s also the fattest kid in school, although he hasn’t always been that way. Something awful happened two years ago and that’s when everything changed for him and his sister. Being the fattest kid in school is not easy, especially when your evil-minded P.E. teacher has it out for you, and most of the other kids are just happy they’re not the ones on the teacher’s hit list. Enter Mason Ragg, a loner who just may be a diabolical criminal mastermind with the battle scars to prove it; the rumor going around school is that the new kid also carries a switchblade knife hidden in his sock. Like eveyone else in school, it seems that Mason Ragg has it out for the fat kid. He may even be the one who’s been stealing Owen’s oreos. And then there is that fateful day in gym class when Owen begins to see that Mason Ragg is not exactly what he seems to be. And you know what? Neither is Owen; the Martha Doxie School is in for a big surprise.

**You’ll have to read nearly to the end of the book to discover the significance of the title; and it may not be what you think.

There is lots of information available to make your life safer. The Mayo Clinic has a newsletter with suggestions on how to carve and decorate a pumpkin, improve your costume and accessories, Trick or Treat intelligently, and even how to fix things up around your own home to save others from accidents.

Masks are a lot of fun, but they can make it hard to see. Face painting is a good way to disguise the face without impairing vision. The Alameda County Library has some wonderful books on face painting, like:

Decorate Yourself: Cool Designs for Temporary Tattoos, Face Painting, Henna and More by Tom Andrich

“Provides step-by-step instructions for more than seventy body art projects, including designs for face painting, airbrush tattoos, henna temporary tattoos, and fingernails; and provides introductory guidance on the equipment and techniques of each art.”    [J745.5 ANDRICH]

 Face Painting by Patricia Silver

“Includes step-by-step instructions for 16 of the most commonly requested faces, rules for safety, and the all-important cleanup tips. Clear, full-color photographs and drawings of children in the makeup accompany the instructions. These simple illustrations are charming and helpful, leaving no doubt as to what supplies are needed. Except for the face paint itself, most of these items are readily available … it is an excellent choice for beginners, providing basic information and delightful examples.”    [J745.5 SILVER]

Pumpkin Personalities by Ruth J. Katz

As an alternative to carving, this classic book “suggests ways of creating unique jack-o-lanterns by attaching an assortment of common items to pumpkins.”     [J745.5941 KATZ]  

So by following a few simple rules, you can have a wonderful Halloween, now and for many years to come!

October is a time for harvesting, and harvest is celebrated all over the world. But in the United States, many children have traditionally looked forward to October for one reason – Halloween!

Halloween has its roots in myth and religion, but for most people it just means fun, imagination, freedom, and CANDY! Although things have changed, and many people who celebrate Halloween stay within the safe confines of supervised parties and activities, it used to be the one night children could wander freely, without adult supervision, and be just a little bit wild and crazy.

It is still a time for costumes and masquerades, makeup and masks, and there is a special freedom that comes with anonymity. Whether you dress up as a character from the past, present, or future, from reality or imagination, inspiration can be found at your local Library.

Haunting on a Halloween: Frightful Activities for Kids by Linda White

“Teaches kids of all ages the art of Halloween party planning, with yummy ghoulish recipes and scary stories that will make your guests shriek! With fun tips on how to decorate the dinner table with headstone place settings, creating cool window designs, paper “bats,” and much more, it is chock full of scary ideas. Kids learn to prepare their own jack-o-lanterns from scratch – starting with planting a pumpkin patch, growing the perfect pumpkin, carving the right designs, and toasting the seeds for snacks. Haunting on a Halloween encourages children to come up with their own ideas for decorations and activities, and includes “Bright Ideas” sidebars that offer alternatives to the activities or to potentially hazardous situations, like using disposable glow sticks instead of candles in a jack-o-lantern.”       [J745.59416 WHITE]

Happy Halloween by Abbie Mercer

“This engaging book will teach young readers all they need to know about the origins of Halloween as they enjoy the holiday’s recipes and fun crafts projects.”        

[J394.2646 MERCER]

Happy Halloween: Things To Make And Do by Robyn Supraner

“Instructions for making Halloween handicrafts for decorations, games, and disguises.”          [J745.5941 SUPRANER]  

Glue and Go Costumes for Kids by Holly Cleeland

“With readily available supplies and basic tools such as scissors and a glue gun, you can create unique, oversize, eye-catching costumes. You won’t believe how simple it is to transform a kid into corn on the cob, a cupcake, pencil, racecar, monster, basket of flowers, birdhouse, hot air balloon, plate of bacon and eggs, or other unforgettable disguise. These 28 clever ideas are showcased in fabulous full-color photographs and are made with easy-to-find materials, including plastic cups and plates, cardboard boxes, fabric and foam core. A fantastic resource for teachers, librarians, and parents.”   [J646.478 CLEELAND]

Did you go on vacation during the Summer? Did you pick up feathers, shells, leaves or pebbles, or take pictures and buy postcards? Discover crafts and projects that will help you organize all those memories! Make a scrapbook, use the pebbles and shells in a mosaic, seal the feathers, leaves or flowers in a picture or bookmark, for yourself or to give as a gift. Find inspiration in books and magazines at your Library!

Nature Smart: Awesome Projects To Make With Mother Nature’s Help by Gwen Diehn, Terry Krautwurt and Bobbie Needham

“Things to do for every season of the year, crafts that use recycled materials, and activities that encourage youngsters to investigate the natural world. Fantastic color photos capture real children happily working on the projects, and every project mixes fun and learning. A cute cat wind vane will show which way the wind blows and a pretty barometer in a painted jar captures changes in air pressure: fabulous facts on weather provide additional interesting information. Or make candies with fresh mint leaves, a pocket sundial, sweet smelling grass mat, a “desert in a jar,” and more.”     [J745.5 DIEHN]

Ecocrafts: Gorgeous Gifts by Rebecca Craig

“Wow friends and family with eco-conscious, cool, and highly individual gifts that cannot be found in any store — perfect for birthdays, holidays, and much more! From cute and colorful sock puppets for a younger brother or sister to a stylish stationery set for Dad and a beautiful bracelet for Mom, these accessible and easy-to-follow projects will keep children engrossed for hours.”         [J745.5 CRAIG]

 The Scrapbooker’s Idea Book by Kathy Ross

“This beginners book includes step-by-step instructions for 22 projects and is illustrated with color drawings. Younger children may need assistance with some basic tools, but, for the most part, the projects are simple to assemble. Materials lists are illustrated, showing each item and its name. Crafts include a cereal-box file, paper-plate recipe scrapbook, scrapbook pockets, and box scrapbook.”       [J745.593 ROSS]

The Kids’ Guide to Making Scrapbooks & Photo Albums!: How to Collect, Design, Assemble, Decorate by  Laura Check

“Along with seven ‘almost instant’ albums just to get started, you will find assorted templates for mix-and-match fun! And that’s just the beginning. Features: Make cool covers; Design your own papers; Add pizzazz to your pages; Capture each moment in your words and inspired designs; Create personalised photo pages. Ages eight and upwards.”

Don’t forget to check out magazines, like Simple Scrapbooks, Scrapbooks, etc., Creating Keepsakes, and Pack-o-Fun. With a Librarian’s help, you can request copies of magazines from other branches to be sent to your Library.