Sisters in Crime: Mystery Writers Panel

Award-winning mystery writers Rhys Bowen, Margit Liesche, Rita Lakin and Jacqueline Winspear talk about their books, their profession and their writing lives in this literary event of the season. Authors will answer audience questions and a book signing will follow the presentations. Please join us for this outstanding program!

Where: Novato Library

When: Saturday December 12th, 11am - 12pm.

For more information, contact the Novato Library at 415-897-1142.

Knitting Group at Fairfax Library

Knot to be missed! Join our Knitting Group at the Fairfax Library this Saturday, December 5, from 3-5 pm. We will help you get started if you don't know how to knit, or, bring your knitting project, meet new friends, and provide inspiration to fellow knitters! Now's the time to knit that holiday gift. Open to adults and kids at all skill levels (ages 9-12 must be with an adult.)

Poets First Thursday

The Stinson Beach Library is offering their monthly open poetry workshop on Thursday, December 3, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Bring your poems to a workshop in a supportive community environment. Questions? Please contact Barbara Martin at 868-1586.

Looking for a good book club?

The Morning Book Discussion Group at the Corte Madera Library would like to invite you to join them in the new year! Once the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is over, beat the blahs by digging into a good book, and then sharing the experience. The only requirement is that you read the book. Here's what they'll be reading:

January 20, 10 a.m.: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell





February 17, 10 a.m.: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks





March 17, 10 a.m.: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Doodling

Sharon Silver: artist, life-long doodler, will show you how to explore your own inner artist while improving your concentration through doodling.

Recent studies have shown that doodling while listening to lectures and during meetings, far from being a distraction can actually improve your ability to retain information.

Doodle books will be provided. Please bring your favorite pen, and the willingness to reconnect with your inner artist.

When: Friday, December 11, 2009

Time: 12 noon to 1 pm

Where: Marin County Civic Center, Board of Supervisors Planning Chambers, Room 328, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA

Please contact the Civic Center Library Reference Desk at 415-499-6058 to reserve your space.

Fight the Flu

Fight the Flu with 5 Simple Steps

1. Wash hands often
2. Cover coughs and sneezes
3. Stay home when sick
4. Get vaccinated
5. Look for more flu & vaccine info at www.marinflu.org
and (415) 473-6823

For the latest information about influenza in Marin County, check out www.marinflu.org, courtesy of the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services.

More information is available at the H1N1 (Influenza) Searchable Information Center, an interactive database of PDF documents from government agencies and other authoritative sites.

New Moon Premiere Party for Teens

Join fellow Twilight series fans for an evening of fun in anticipation of the film release of New Moon on Friday, November 20th. Refreshments will be served. No sign-up necessary.

When: Thursday November 19th, 3:30-5:30 pm
Where: Novato Library

This is a free program for teens.
For more information, contact the Novato Reference Desk at (415)897-1142.

100 Years of Landscape Art in Northern California

Come learn about art at the Corte Madera Library. Join us on Wednesday, November 18, at 7:30 pm to enrich your understanding and appreciation of landscape art in northern California at an illustrated lecture by a docent from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. This talk will explore the rich landscape tradition in Northern California through the eyes of visual artists, from Arthur Mathews and William Keith to Wayne Thiebaud and William T. Wiley.

This program is free to the public and sponsored by the Friends of the Corte Madera Library.

Heart Healthy Gardening

Let Marin Master Gardener MJ Andersen show you how you can garden for increased health and vitality!

When: Saturday November 14, 2009
Time: 11 am to 12 pm
Where: Civic Center Library, 3501 Civic Center Dr., Room 427, San Rafael

Pre-registration is not required for this free program.

Questions? Please call the Library Reference Desk at 415-499-6058.

Fall Clearance Weekend

The Book Place is having a sale! Friday through Sunday, November 6-8, prices will be 50% off, including Better Books!

Sale Hours:
Friday, November 6, 10 am - 7 pm
Saturday, November 7, 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday, November 8, 12 noon - 4 pm

The Book Place is located at 1608 Grant Avenue in Novato.

YouTube Class at Novato Library

Learn how to use YouTube at this free class at the Novato Library.

When: Thursday November 5, 7:15-8:30 pm
Where: Novato Library

Sign up at the Reference Desk or at (415) 897-1142.
An established email account is required.

Writing Workshop

On Thursday, November 5, from 6:15-8:30 pm, the Corte Madera Library will be hosting a free writing workshop, "Writing Your Spiritual Journey" with Susanne West, MA, CHT, Professor of Psychology at John F. Kennedy University.

No prior writing experience is necessary. In the workshop, you will explore what spirituality means to you, create a spiritual timeline, and explore current influences and areas of inquiry.

Reservations are required, as space is limited. Please contact the Corte Madera Reference Desk at 924-6444 to reserve a spot.

Civic Center Library Book Club - December Selection

Join the Civic Center Library book club on Dec. 2, from 12-1, for a discussion of James Dalessandro's 1906, an historical novel about the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

The club meets each month at the Civic Center Library, and new members are always welcome! For more information, please call (415) 499-6102.

Jewelry Making Workshop for Teens Sponsored by the Friends of the Civic Center Library

Jewelry entrepreneur Chelsee Robinson will show you how to make your own custom-designed necklace or a bracelet and earrings using blown glass, seed, stone, and art glass beads. Acquire a lifelong skill with business potential and have a whole lot of fun!

When: Saturday, November 7, 2009

Where: Civic Center Library, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 427

Time: 2:00 - 3:30 pm

This workshop is free, but space is limited.

To reserve your space, or for more information, please call the Civic Center Reference Desk at 415-499-6058.

Are you ready?

The best time to prepare for a disaster is before it happens! If you need help making a plan, there are many websites that provide advice on developing an emergency preparedness strategy, including lists of supplies, tips on preparing your home or workplace, and what you and your family need to know. Your local library also has books and DVDs that can help you prepare.

Get Ready Marin -- find a local training program, supply checklist, a Get Ready Manual, and more.

Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country -- a downloadable handbook that explains how you can prepare for, survive, and recover from earthquakes.

72 Hours -- San Francisco Office of Emergency Services

Association of Bay Area Governments Earthquake Maps -- liquefaction maps and more

Earthquake Program -- Governors Office of Emergency Services

Earthquakes Survival and Preparedness Resource -- San Francisco Chronicle

Disaster planning material available in the library -- resources in your local library

Giggles & Ghosts

Join us for an evening of not-too-scary tales for the entire family!

Wear a costume, if you like.

When: Tuesday October 27, 6:30 pm
Where: Novato Library

More Halloween fun for younger children at Lapsit Storytime (ages 18 to 36 months)
at 10am on Tuesday Oct 27 & Wednesday Oct 28.

French Impressionism: the Artists and Their Painting

Come to the Corte Madera Library for an evening of art appreciation on Wednesday, October 21. A representative from the docent council of The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco will deliver an illustrated talk on impressionist artists, featuring works on permanent display at the de Young Museum.

Enjoy the presentation and prepare for the two much anticipated exhibitions of works from the Musee d'Orsay in Paris that will be on loan to the de Young Museum during the Musee d'Orsay's renovation next year.

When: Wednesday, October 21, at 7:30 pm
Where: Corte Madera Library

Impressionism, one of the most popular and loved styles of painting, was a 19th century movement centered in Paris. Well-known impressionists are Cassatt, Cezanne, Degas, Manet, Monet, Morisot, Pissaro, Renoir, and Sisley. The lecture will give you an opportunity to take a fascinating look at these and other artists, who saw the world in effervescent color and light, creating glowing paintings of graceful beauty.

This presentation is sponsored by the Friends of the Corte Madera Library.

California Creativity: Innovative Bay Area Painters

A presentation by the docent council of The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Where: Novato Library
When: Saturday October 24, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Through the years, artists working in the Bay Area have demonstrated innovation, imagination, and unparalleled creativity. With paintbrush and color they've shared their visions -- by turns poetic, fanciful, jarring, romantic, or complex -- all creations that have enriched the lives of many. In this presentation, docent Kay Payne talks about a spectrum of artists including David Park, Elmer Bischoff, Wayne Thiebaud, Richard Diebenkorn and Peter Max.

For more information, contact the Novato Library at 415-897-1142.

Celebrate Teen Read Week!

Celebrate Teen Read Week during October 18-24, 2009 at Marin County Free Libraries and attend a free workshop on How to Draw Comics at any one of these branches:

Fairfax Library, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 457-5629
Novato Library, Thursday, Oct. 22, 3:30-5:30 p.m. 897-1142
Corte Madera Library, Thu, Oct. 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 924-6444

Create your own comic book with published author and artist Oliver Chin. Bring your ideas and creativity. Snacks and supplies will be provided along with a FREE Comic Book!

Halloween Storytime with Magic Dan sponsored by the Friends of the Civic Center Library

Come in costume for our Halloween Storytime that promises both tricks and treats.

Ages 3 and up.
Free!




Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Time: 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Where: Civic Center Library, 3501 Civic Center Drive.

For more information please contact the Civic Center Library at 415-507-4048.

Storm Watch in Marin

Find out what's happening with the storm without having to go outside! You can track rainfall, creek levels, traffic and more from your computer.

County of Marin Map with Flood Stage Levels
County of Marin Map with Wind Velocity information
County of Marin Map with Rain totals
County of Marin Rainfall summaries
County of Marin Creek levels (does not include all creeks in Marin)

Corte Madera creek levels
Fairfax creek levels
San Anselmo creek levels

San Francisco Bay Area Storm Track Radar
California Storm Track Radar (long-range)
Satellite Map of Storm System

Power Outage info from PG&E
KCBS Traffic , including CHP Incident Reports & CALTRANS

How to Be Effective in Your Job Search

Looking for help finding a job? Come to the Corte Madera Library on

Saturday, October 17, from 10 am to 12 noon,
for a free workshop on

how to use the Internet for job searching and
how to write resumes that stand out.

Tim McClain, employment counselor from Marin Employment Connection, will discuss techniques that will help you in your job search.

Facebook Class at Novato Library

As part of our series of classes on Social Media Basics, the Novato Library is offering a free class on learning to use Facebook to connect and stay in touch with friends and family.

When: Monday October 19, 7:15-8:30 pm

Where: Novato Library

An established email account is required for this class.

Please sign up at the Novato Library Reference Desk
or call (415) 897-1142.