The Promise of Hope:  Can We Overcome?

Join us at the 84th Birthday Celebration Honoring the Legacy of Civil Rights Leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

WHAT: Join us for the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.  This event will feature live music, a libation ceremony, a theatrical presentation of Dr. King speaking, and reflections by the Community.  

There will be a special award given to acknowledge the lives and contributions of Dr. Herman Hyatt and Henry Gage Sr. presented by the Legacy Committee and the San Jose City Council.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Noon – 1:00 pm

WHERE: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library - Fourth St. Lobby
150 E. San Fernando St. (corner of 4th and San Fernando)    

This event is co-sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Committee, Councilmember Sam Liccardo, San Jose Peace and Justice Center, and more.   

Ringing in the New Year is done in many cultures, in many different ways, and at many different times of the year. Emery Bernhard's book, Happy New Year!, brightly illustrated by Durga Bernhard, introduces children to many different traditions from around the world. The book explores ancient and modern traditions from such varied places as Rome, Egypt, Bali, Ecuador, China and Japan. Adults are bound to learn new things from this book too!

Christmas Spectacular is a FREE Holiday Musical Production produced by Bethel Church of San Jose and is an event the entire family can enjoy! For 30 years, Bethel Church has been continuing living its dream of celebrating Christmas withthe neighbors and community.

This exciting musical production celebrates the fun, the joy, and the blessings of the Christmas season through exceptional live music, drama, dance, and multimedia.  Each year Bethel’s talented choir, orchestra, children’s choir & ensemble of actors and dancers create a fantastic, high caliber performance that’s become a must-see tradition for hundreds in our community.  Featuring a wide variety of music – from anthems and carols to seasonal pop and rock, old holiday classics, and new seasonal sounds. Christmas Spectacular offers something for everyone as quoted on christmasspectacular.org

Performance Schedule:
December 7, 8, 9 & 14, 15, 16
Friday performances - 8:00pm
Saturday & Sunday performances - 4:00pm & 7:30pm

Location: 

Bethel Church of San Jose
1201 S. Winchester Blvd.
San Jose, CA 95128 

Doors open one hour before each performance for General Seating and Spanish translation is provided. (Spanish transmitters will be available in the Lobby)

San Jose Public Library Collections:

• Christmas Songs

• Christmas Movies

• Christmas History Books

Additional information:

• Holiday Free Events and Tickets sponsored by San Jose Public Library

• FM Radio Music Station for Christmas Songs: FM 96.5 (KOIT)

SJPL is excited to host free performances by harp player and teacher Elizabeth Erickson. All ages are invited to share in the holiday spirit of Elizabeth's music. She will also talk to audiences about the harp.

Elizabeth's performances will be:

• Wednesday, November 28, West Valley Branch Library, 5:00 pm
• Saturday, December 8, Santa Teresa Branch Library, 11:00 am
• Wednesday, December 12, Tully Community Branch Library, 5:30 pm
• Saturday, December 15, Willow Glen Branch Library, 11:00 am
• Saturday, December 15, Pearl Ave Branch Library, 2:00 pm

No registration required.

Are you looking to add a bit of homemade glitter, twinkle and shine to your holiday celebrations? The San José Public Library has over 150 do-it-yourself Christmas decorations titles that will show you how to make festive ornaments, centerpieces, origami and other crafts, keepsakes and holiday dishes.

Here is a brief look at some of the newer additions to this collection:

While I am familiar with the expression “don’t judge a book by its cover,” 55 Christmas Balls to Knit: Colorful Festive Ornaments, Tree Decorations, Centerpieces, Wreaths, Window Dressings looks like a lot of fun and the men on the cover are wearing the dapperest sweaters. I also like the idea of knitting holiday decorations. Knitting the Christmas balls requires experience with double pointed needles and it is a manageable way to learn or to practice your Fair Isle knitting skills. The patterned charts are knit in a red and white color scheme, but you may substitute in your own color yarn.

While I’ve included a second knitting book, you don’t have to knit to enjoy 'Twas the Knits before Christmas. This book tells the traditional story “Twas the Night  Before Christmas” and includes images of knitted characters throughout in colorful, full-page illustrations. Patterns are included to knit Saint Nicholas, his reindeer, Christmas dolls and more from the story.

Debbie Macomber is best known for her works of heart-warming fiction featuring small town life, family and friendship. Her recently published, Debbie Macomber's Christmas Cookbook, has also been well-received and includes her favorite recipes, crafts, decorations and gift wrapping for the winter holiday season. Macomber fans will enjoy her personal anecdotes introducing each section of the book in which she shares the origins of her holiday traditions.

As it has become increasingly popular to go green and adopt ecologically and financially sustainable practices, Anna Getty’s, I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas: Gifts, Decorations, and Recipes That Use Less and Mean More, is a welcome addition to our collection of Christmas decoration books. If you are seeking out ideas to green your winter holiday celebrations, Getty’s book contains a variety of sustainable, elegant practices and traditions including how to choose a tree, homemade craft ideas, post-holiday recycling and holiday recipes.

Christmas Gifts from the Kitchen is a handsomely photographed book with a variety of recipes ranging from cookies and cakes to candies, savory treats and preserved delights. Also included are ingenious packaging ideas for personalizing your homemade treats.

It's cold outside, so drink some Hot Cocoa, and watch some entertaining Holiday movies! Yes, we have the classics like White Christmas and Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, but I'm referring to some newer Holiday movies, sure to tickle your funny bone.

1. Scrooged-starring Bill Murray. A hilarious version of the "Christmas Carol" story complete with all the glitz and splendor of a 1980s Christmas movie. The Ghost of Christmas Future may be a bit scary for some viewers, but this is certainly on its' way to being an irreverant Holiday classic.

2. Christmas Vacation -Chevy Chase is back as Clark Griswold, celebrating the Holiday season with a zany cast of characters as his extended family. Watch for the squirrel chase towards the end.

3. A Christmas Story - otherwise known as the "you'll shoot your eye out, kid" movie. Ralphie is on a quest for the ultimate boyhood Christmas gift, a Red Ryder B.B. Gun.

4. Love Actually- a Holiday movie featuring a veritable Who's Who of British actors and actresses, fun and dramatic at the same time.

So enjoy your Holiday season with lots of love and laughter!