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November 2009

 

Through Wednesday, November 18, 2009 – Twilight Giveaway Contest, all Library locations

Teens ages 13-19 who use Live Homework Help online in November, print out an evaluation form at the end of their session with an online tutor, and show it to a library employee at any library location, can enter the Twilight Giveaway Drawing.  The Prize?  A complete set of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga books!  Teens can enter multiple times for each time they use the help of an online tutor, and print out an evaluation form to demonstrate that they used the service.  Drawing will be Thursday, November 19.  Call 698-7565 for more information.

 

2

Texas Authors Series - Main Library Auditorium, noon

Sherrie McLeroy of Aledo will tell true Texas tales from her new book, Bragging on Texas, a collection of about 50 stories of Texas firsts and bests.  Sandwich plates will be available for $4, or you can bring your own lunch. Drinks will be provided by Friends. Authors will sign books after their presentations.  Made possible by the Friends of the Abilene Public Library and the West Texas Book & Music Festival.  Free.

 

Fresh: the Movie – Main Library Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.

Locavores or anyone who is interested in healthy eating will want to see “Fresh: the Movie” which celebrates the “farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a future of our food and our planet.”  The Abilene chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation, a health and nutrition group that promotes traditional foods is sponsoring the free showing.  For more information, contact Joy Hedges at 254-725-4084.

 

3

Kick It! @ your library – Main Library Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Take a chance and try out your martial arts skills under the direction of instructors from Abilene Martial Arts Center.  You can check out your moves, and the instructors will answer questions, and give some demonstrations.  Free. 

 

Football Fun @ your library – South Branch, 6:30 p.m.

It wouldn’t be fall without football!  The entire family is welcome to join us, dressed in your favorite team’s jerseys.  We’ll have stories, songs and lots of gridiron goodness during this free program.

  

 

4

Holiday Recipe Swap – Mockingbird Branch, 4 p.m.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner!  Share your favorite recipes and pick up a few heart healthy tips from Lois Woods, cooking instructor for Taylor County Women, Infants and Children’s program to get ready for the holiday season.  Free.

 

5

Home Buyers/Sellers Workshop – Mockingbird Branch, 6:30 p.m.

An uncertain real estate market often means hesitant buyers or sellers and loss of opportunity.  Bring your questions to our panel of experts, hosted by local Realtor Terri Morgan.  This free 90 minute workshop will cover most aspects of buying or selling a house in today’s economic climate.

 

9

Turkey Time @ your library – South Branch, 6:30 p.m.

Bring the entire family for stories, games, crafts, and treats all about Thanksgiving’s most famous bird – the Turkey!  Free.

 

10

Getting Creative with Genealogy – Main Library Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.

Tracing your family tree doesn’t have to mean dry branches, charts and graphs.  Join former APL genealogy specialist Joy Wiley and scrapbooking expert Cynthia Jones as they introduce the basics of genealogy and creative ways to archive family pictures, documents and genealogical charts.  You’ll get hands-on experience during this free workshop.

 

11

Veterans Day

In observance of Veterans Day, most City of Abilene offices and community service centers will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, with the exception of those providing life safety services such as fire and police protection.

 

12

Tree Selection and Care – Main Library Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.

Trees ‘go to sleep’ for the winter, but there are some ways to tuck them in that will help ensure a healthy awakening next spring.  Bruce Kreitler, owner of Broken Willow Tree Service, will share his knowledge during this free program.

 

ArtWalk @ your Library: Moon Shots- Main Library, 5-7 p.m.

During this International Year of Astronomy, we are displaying a collection of moon related memorabilia belonging to Librarian Marie Noe.  And don’t forget, your library has its own colorful, original mural by local artist Debra Warr in the children’s storyroom.

 

14

Holiday Origami – Main Library Auditorium - 1- 2:30 p.m.

Abilene’s own Origami master Terry Minami will teach the ancient art of paper folding, concentrating on holiday ornaments and boxes.  Class size is limited, so don’t forget to call 676-6025 to reserve a seat.

 

National Gaming Day – Main Library Auditorium – 3-5 p.m.

Your Abilene Public Library is joining libraries across the nation in National Gaming day, and we’ll have both electronic and board games on tap. Win a chance to try out the WII for a 10 minute session. Bring your favorite board game, or play ours.  Refreshments provided. Free.

 

16

Texas Authors Series & FoAPL Annual Meeting – Main Library auditorium – noon

Join the Friends of the Abilene Public Library for their annual meeting.  Two of the authors of a great new coffee-table book, Historic Texas from the Air, will tell stories and show pictures of historical Texas sites. Author Gerald Saxon, Dean of the Library at the University of Texas at Arlington, and photographer Jack Graves will take us on a historic tour that includes downtown Abilene and Fort Phantom Hill among its 73 selected sites.  Bring your own lunch, or sandwich plates are available for $4.  We’ll provide the drinks.  Free.

 

Mittens, Hats, Critters, & Fun @ your library – Mockingbird Branch, 6:30 p.m.

Hedgehogs in mittens!  Horses in hats!  Jan Brett’s beautifully illustrated stories about animals that get mixed up with winter clothing will be featured.  After the stories, we will color the animals and make a mitten so the animals can crawl right in!  Free.

 

18

E-mail for Everyone – Main Library Computer Lab, 3 p.m.

E-mail is easy, but not if you don’t know how to begin!  Let your library staff help you get your own free Internet e-mail account and learn how to use it during this free class.  Basic keyboarding skills are required.  Space is limited, so call 325-676-6025 to sign up today.

 

18

Twilight Release Party – Mockingbird Branch, 4 - 6 p.m.

Celebrate the release of the second Twilight movie “New Moon”. We will play a Twilight trivia game and have a look-a-like contest.  There will be a prize for the winner of the look-a-like contest and certificates for the winners of the trivia game. Free.

 

19

Cover-to-Cover Book Club – Main Library Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Interesting books and interesting people are a part of this monthly get-together @ your library.  “Devil in the White City” by Erik Larson brings Chicago circa 1893 to vivid life.  Larson's spellbinding bestseller intertwines the true tale of two men--the brilliant architect behind the legendary 1893 World's Fair, and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death. Free.

 

24

Anime Club – Main Library Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.

If you love anime and manga, this club is for you.  Each month, see a brand new anime episode straight from the distributor, listen to J-rock, get the latest news on anime conventions, and the anime news letter. Talk about Cosplay, show off fan art, discuss anime and Manga they enjoy, and do a craft or game relating to Anime or Japanese culture. Free, for ages 12-24.

 

26 - 27

Thanksgiving
In observance of Thanksgiving, most City of Abilene offices and community service centers will be closed on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27, with the exception of those providing life safety services such as fire and police protection.

 

December 2009

1

21st Annual City Sidewalks  and Community Christmas Tree Lighting - downtown Abilene, 5:30 p.m.

Rediscover the charm of Christmas in downtown as merchants, museums, and galleries open their doors for an evening of holiday cheer! Activities include: KTXS-TV Christmas Lights Parade, Community Tree Lighting, Entertainment, Food, Reindeer Run Game, Gingerbread House Decorating Contest and lots of family fun! City Sidewalks is sponsored by the Abilene Downtown Association. The Reindeer Run Game runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and the parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m.

 

Following the parade, the public is also invited to attend the annual Community Christmas Tree lighting, happening 7:30 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center. Along with the tree lighting, Abilene High School's Pure Gold will perform along with the Cooper High School/Abilene High School combined orchestras and Revolution. Afterwards, refreshments will be served and Beamer's Gymnastics group will put on a demonstration in the Exhibit Hall.  The event is sponsored by the City of Abilene, Civic Abilene, Incs. and the Abilene Independent School District. Free.

 

25

Christmas
In observance of Christmas, most City of Abilene offices and community service centers will be closed on Friday, December 25, with the exception of those providing life safety services such as fire and police protection.