"The Rural Scribe: Memories of Country Life" Writing Contest The Santa Clara County Library invites Silicon Valley residents to submit personal memoirs about growing up or living in a rural area. Selected submissions will be published on the Library Blog and honored at a special literary event during National Library Week in April. For more information, check the Santa Clara County Library website: www.santaclaracountylib.org.

Admission $5, free for students and seniors.
Reservations: 800-847-7730 or online at www.commonwealthclub.org/sv.html

12:30-1:30 p.m.
Campbell Library
77 Harrison Ave.
Campbell

"Lunch with David Mas Masumoto" Bring a bag lunch and we'll provide a peach dessert. Co-sponsored by Santa Clara County Library and Friends of the Campbell Library.
Information: Terri Lehan, 408-866-1991

5:30-6:30 p.m.
Barnes & Noble
1875 S. Bascom Ave.
Campbell

4 p.m.
Gilroy Library
7387 Rosanna St.
Gilroy

Tea with David Matsumoto. Enjoy a cup of Japanese Green Tea and listen to readings from his book and insights into writing memoirs. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Gilroy Library, Gilroy Writing Project, Vision Literacy, Gilroy Barnes and Noble, Santa Clara County Library, and Gilroy Library Commission. Books available for purchase and signing.
Information: 408-842-8207

7 p.m.
Morgan Hill Community Center
17000 Monterey Rd.
Morgan Hill

"An Evening with David Mas Masumoto"

Co-sponsored by BookSmart, Friends of the Morgan Hill Library, Morgan Hill chapter of AAUW, the City of Morgan Hill, and Santa Clara County Library.
Information: 408-778-6467

10:30 a.m.
Campbell Library
77 Harrison Ave.
Campbell

Jeannette Watson, Campbell historian and author of "Campbell: The Orchard City" will share her experiences about growing up on a farm in the Santa Clara Valley and discuss the similarities and differences to the family farm life described in "Epitaph for a Peach."
Information: 408-866-1991

7:30 p.m.
Saratoga Library
13650 Saratoga Ave.
Saratoga.

Book group discussion of "Epitaph for a Peach." Open to the public.
Information: 408-867-6126

6:30-8 p.m.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
150 E. San Fernando St.
San Jose

Book group discussion of "Epitaph for a Peach." Open to the public. Co-sponsored by Commonwealth Silicon Valley and San Jose Public Library Foundation.

6:30-9 p.m.
Santa Clara City Central Park Library
2635 Homestead Rd.
Santa Clara

The book, Passing Farms, Enduring Values: California's Santa Clara Valley by Yvonne Jacobson has some of the same themes as the Silicon Valley Reads book,  Epitaph for a Peach. Deborah Olson, Yvonne Jacobson's niece and the owner of  CJ Olson Cherries will talk about her aunt's book, her family's history as farmers in Silicon Valley, and how her current business reflects upon her family's agricultural past. Following Deborah Olson's talk, orchard and agricultural images from the Silicon Valley History Online website (www.siliconvalleyhistory.org) will be projected and audience members who remember the Valley's orchard and fruit packing era will be invited to share memories. Event co-sponsored by the Foundation & Friends of the Santa Clara City Library and the California History Center at DeAnza College and under the auspices of the Silicon Valley Reads program. California History Center will have copies of the book Passing Farms, Enduring Values for sale after program. For more information, call 408-615-2909.

7 p.m.
Barnes & Noble
5353 Almaden Expressway
San Jose

"History Makers" panel discussion of local agriculturists and business people who are involved in saving the valley’s heirloom plants and fruit trees. Sponsored by History San Jose.
Information: 408-287-2290

1 p.m.
Santa Clara City Central Park Library
2635 Homestead Rd.
Santa Clara

"The Writer Speaks: Reading by David Mas Masumoto." Books available for purchase and signing. Co-sponsored by Foundation & Friends of the Santa Clara City Library
Information: 408- 615-2900

2 p.m.
Willow Glen Library
1157 Minnesota Ave.
San Jose
Saturday, Feb. 12

"Remembering the Past in Willow Glen: When Peaches and Apricots Were King." Several long-time Willow Glen residents will share their stories and memories of the pre-Silicon Valley days. The public is invited to interact with the speakers and share their own memories over tea and cookies. Sponsored by Friends of the Willow Glen Library.
Information: 408-998-2022

3-5 p.m.
India Community Center
555 Los Coches
Milpitas

A panel discussion on the universal themes of "Epitaph for a Peach." For speaker information check www.indiacc.org.
Information: 408-934-1130.

7 p.m.
Vineland Branch Library
1450 Blossom Hill Rd.
San Jose

Book group discussion of "Epitaph for a Peach." Open to the public.
Information: 408-808-3000

7 p.m.
Hillview Branch Library
2255 Ocala Ave.
San Jose

Book group discussion of "Epitaph for a Peach." Open to the public.
Information: 408-272-3102

7 p.m.
Sunnyvale Public Library
665 W. Olive Ave.
Sunnyvale

Book group discussion of "Epitaph for a Peach." Open to the public.
Information: 408-730-2772

8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Sunnyvale Community Center

Grow Your Own: Healthy Organic Food Gardening Conference

Come meet local residents who grow or want to grow edible organic food gardens. Through workshops on varied topics such as Starting a Food Garden, Growing from Seed, Small Space and Container Gardening, Permaculture, Non-Toxic Pest Control, and many others, hands-on demonstrations on composting, sharing personal experiences, and forming neighborhood Growing Circles.

Keynote address by David Mas Masumoto, author of the 2005 Silicon Valley Reads book selection, Epitaph for a Peach: Four Seasons On My Family Farm.

Presented by: Valley of Heart's Delight project, Common Ground Organic Garden Supply and Education Center, City of Sunnyvale, and the Santa Clara Valley Water District

For more information and registration www.globalcommunity.org/gyo or contact Susan Osofsky at (650) 328-7756 x 629

2 p.m.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
150 E. San Fernando St.
San Jose

David Mas Masumoto will discuss family farming in today’s California with the public and 4H families from Santa Clara County. Books available for purchase and signing.
Information: 408-808-2397.

9:30 a.m.
Cypress Senior Center
403 S. Cypress Ave.
San Jose

"Reflections on a Rural Past." Share memories and discuss "Epitaph for a Peach."
Information: 408-244-4766

2 p.m.
Ainsley House Museum
Campbell

"What a Peach" tea and peach preserve tasting with David Mas Masumoto. Limited space (40). Donation-fee of $35.

Co-sponsored by Friends of the Ainsley House and the City of Campbell.
Reservations: Gloria Chun Hoo 408-866-2757

4 p.m.
West Valley Library
1243 San Tomas Aquino
Rd., San Jose

"Reflections on a Rural Past" with David Mas Masumoto.

Community members are invited to discuss the book Epitaph for a Peach and how it relates to the many changes they have witnessed in the Santa Clara Valley over the past decades. Participants are encouraged to bring stories and memorabilia relating to the theme to share with one another.
Information: 408-244-4766

7 p.m.
Cupertino Community Center
10800 Torre Ave.
Cupertino

Reading by David Mas Masumoto.

Co-sponsored by Cupertino Library, Distinguished Citizens Society International of Silicon Valley, and Santa Clara County Library
Information: 408-466-1677

7 p.m.
Mountain View Public Library
585 Franklin St.
Mountain View

Book club discussion of "Epitaph for a Peach." Open to the public.
Information: 650-903-6337

9 a.m.
Saratoga Library
13650 Saratoga Ave.
Saratoga

"Breakfast in the Orchard with Mas"

Co-sponsored by Santa Clara County Library and Friends of the Saratoga Library.
Reservations: 408-867-6126.

11:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Santa Clara University
Orradre Library

David Mas Masumoto will discuss his book with students from the Multicultural Center, Center for Multicultural Learning, and Unity RLC at noon. Open to the public. A panel discussion at 1 p.m. will focus on the evolution of Silicon Valley from agricultural to industrial with participation from Faculty from the Food and Agribusiness Institute and Historical Ecology Project. Book sales and signings will follow.
Information: 408-554-6808

4-5 p.m.
Biblioteca Latinoamericana, 921 S. First St.
San José

"Vanishing Orchards and Local Neighborhood Treasures"

Conversation with author David Mas Masumoto, followed by "Vanishing Orchards," a photo presentation documenting the orchards of San Jose. Community members are invited to bring photos of local gardens and orchards and share knowledge of their local neighborhoods.
Information: 408- 294-1237

7:30 p.m.
Barnes & Noble
3600 Stevens Creek Blvd.
San Jose

7:30 p.m.
Morgan Hill Library
17575 Peak Ave.
Morgan Hill

Book club discussion of "Epitaph for a Peach." Open to the public.
Information: 408-779-3196

4 p.m.
Milpitas Library
40 N. Milpitas Blvd.
Milpitas

"Memoir Sharing." Milpitas High School students who attended a creative writing workshop with author David Masumoto will read their essays. Sponsored by Santa Clara County Library.
Information: 408-262-1171