Kick-Off of Silicon Valley Reads 2009 Tuesday, Jan. 13 Brian Copeland, author of Not a Genuine Black Man, was interviewed on stage by Mercury News columnist Mike Cassidy. View the video

 
Events featuring author Brian Copeland, in person  

Friday, Jan. 9
Not a Genuine Black Man, Brian Copeland's One-Man Show. 
7 p.m., Smithwick Theatre, Foothill College, Los Altos Hills
Purchase tickets by calling (650) 949-7360 or visit the website preznet.fhda.edu/fas.html

Tuesday, Jan. 20
Author talk and book signing.  Co-sponsored by Friends of the Saratoga Library.
6:30 p.m., Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga
Information: (408) 867-6126

Wednesday, Jan. 21
Author talk, panel discussion, book signing and announcement of winners of essay contest for Cupertino adults and high school students who entered essays on the outsider themes of Not a Genuine Black Man. Co-sponsored by Cupertino Library Foundation. 
7 p.m., Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Ave., Cupertino
Information: (408) 446-1677

Tuesday, Jan. 27
Author talk and book signing. Co-sponsored by The Foundation and Friends of Santa Clara City Library.
7 p.m., Santa Clara Central Park Library, 2635 Homestead Rd., Santa Clara
Information: (408) 615-2900

Wednesday, Jan. 28
Author talk and book signing.  Co-sponsored by Friends of the Palo Alto Library.
6:30 p.m., Haymarket Theatre, Palo Alto High School, 50 Embarcadero Rd., Palo Alto.
Information: (650) 329-2436

Tuesday, Feb. 3
Book Fair for teachers, librarians and the public.  Author talk followed by book signing.
10:30 a.m., Santa Clara County Office of Education, 1290 Ridder Park Dr., San Jose
Information: (408) 453-6800

Wednesday, Feb. 4
Author talk and refreshments.
7 p.m., Edenvale Branch Library, 101 Branham Lane East, San Jose
Information: (408) 808-3036

Saturday, Feb. 7
Author talk and book signing.  Co-sponsored by Friends of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.
1-3 p.m., Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., 2^nd floor, San Jose
Information: (408) 808-2397

Tuesday, Feb. 10
Author talk and Q&A with students and faculty.  Open to the public.
1:30-3:30 p.m., Saint Clare Room, Harrington Learning Commons, Sobrato Technology Center and Orradre Library, Santa Clara University
Information: (408) 554-6830

Thursday, Feb. 12
Author talk and book signing. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Morgan Hill Library, BookSmart, American Association of University Women (Morgan Hill branch), and the Morgan Hill Times.
7 p.m., Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, 17090 Monterey Rd., Morgan Hill
Information: (408) 779-3196

Tuesday, Feb. 17
Author talk and book signing.
7 p.m., Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Rd., Los Altos
Information: (650) 948-7683

Wednesday, Feb. 25
Author talk and book signing. Co-sponsored by Friends of the Milpitas Library.
7 p.m., Milpitas Library, 160 N. Main St., Milpitas
Information: (408) 262-1171

Tuesday, March 3
Author talk and book signing.
6 p.m., Berryessa Branch Library, 3355 Noble Ave., San Jose
Information: (408) 808-3050

Wednesday, March 4
Author talk and book signing.
6:30 p.m., Evergreen Branch Library, 2635 Aborn Rd., San Jose
Information: (408) 808-3060

Tuesday, March 10
Author reading and book signing.
7 p.m., Barnes & Noble Pruneyard, 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell
Information: (408) 559-8101

Wednesday, March 11
Author talk and book signing.
7 p.m. West Valley Branch Library, 1243 San Tomas Aquino Rd., San Jose
Information: (408) 244-4747

Thursday, March 12
Author talk and Q&A with students and faculty.  Open to the public.
11:30 a.m., DeAnza College, Campus Conference Center Rooms A&B, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino
Information: (408) 864-8672

Monday, March 16
Author talk and book signing.
7 p.m., Mountain View Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View
Information: (650) 903-6335

Wednesday, March 18
Author talk and book signing.
7 p.m., Sunnyvale Library, 665 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale
Information: (408) 730-7300

Monday, March 23
Author talk and book signing.  Co-sponsored by Friends of the Los Gatos Library.
6:30 p.m., Los Gatos Town Council Chambers, 110 E. Main St., Los Gatos
Information: (408) 354-6891

Tuesday, March 24
Author talk and book signing.  Co-sponsored by Friends of the Gilroy Library, American Association of University Women (Gilroy branch), Gilroy Writing Project, Vision Literacy.
6:30 p.m., Gilroy City Council Chambers, 7351 Rosanna St., Gilroy
Information: (408) 842-8207

Wednesday, March 25
Author talk and book signing
6:30 p.m., Almaden Community Center, 6445 Camden Ave., San Jose
Information: (408) 808-3040

Wednesday, April 22
Author talk and Q&A with students and faculty.  Open to the public.
12:30 p.m., Evergreen College, 3095 Yerba Buena Rd., San Jose
Information: (408) 223-6743

Tuesday, April 28
Author and book signing. Co-sponsored by Friends of Palo Alto Library.
7 p.m., Palo Alto High School, Haymarket Theatre, 50 Embarcadero Rd., Palo Alto
Information: (650) 329-2436

Other Silicon Valley Reads Events

Monday, Jan. 12
Book Group discussion of Not a Genuine Black Man. All welcome.
7 p.m., Rose Garden Branch Library, 1580 Naglee Ave., San Jose
Information: (408) 808-3070

January 13-20
Buy a book at Barnes & Noble Pruneyard to help fund Silicon Valley Reads!  Mention you want your purchase to support SVR (Bookfair #452854) and a percentage of the sale will be donated.

Saturday, Jan. 17
Celebration of the 80^th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
11 a.m., Storytime featuring Silicon Valley Reads children's book selection, The Other Side, along with picture books on related themes of peace, friendship and diversity, in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose
5:30-9 p.m., Evening Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Hal Todd Theatre in Hugh Gillis Hall, San Jose State University campus, featuring gospel choir performances, performances by the Golden Street Dancers and Jaliya, and a rendition of the "I Have A Dream" speech.  Reception following.
Information: (408) 808-2397

Monday, Jan. 19
7-8:30 p.m., Benson Student Center, Santa Clara University
Information: (408) 286-9663 x328 or www.svccj.org

Tuesday, Jan. 27
Book Group discussion of Not a Genuine Black Man.  All welcome.
7 p.m., Gilroy Library, 7387 Rosanna St., Gilroy
Information: (408) 842-8207

Tuesday, Jan. 27
Book Club discussion of Not a Genuine Black Man.  All welcome.
6:30 p.m., Pearl Avenue Branch Library, 4270 Pearl Ave., San Jose
Information: (408) 808-3053

Wednesday, Jan, 28
Book Group discussion of Not a Genuine Black Man. All welcome.
7 p.m., Tully Branch Library, 880 Tully Rd., San Jose
Information: (408) 808-3030

Thursday, Jan. 29
Book discussion and craft activity focused on The Liberation of Gabriel King, for children in grades 4-6.
4 p.m., Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga
Information: (408) 867-6126

Sunday, February 1
Not a Genuine Black Man: Reflection, Story, and Song
11 a.m., First Unitarian Church of San Jose
160 N. 3rd Street, San Jose, CA 95112

The First Unitarian Church of San Jose invites all to a worship service that focuses on this year's selection: "Not a Genuine Black Man," by Bay Area author and actor Brian Copeland. Copeland's book asks questions that apply to us all: Who and what defines who we are? How has our culture imprinted a "race" on each of us? How does the place in which we grow up influence our sense of self?

We will also hear "The Other Side," by Jacqueline Woodson - the children's selection for Silicon Valley Reads this year - as our Story for All Ages. Senior Minister Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones and Worship Associates Carolyn Bowman and Patricia Ohanian - Coffey will lead us in reflection, story, and song.

All are welcome in this loving and justice-minded multicultural, multigenerational community of seekers. For more information, please visit www.sanjoseuu.org, or call 408-292-3858.

Thursday, Feb. 5
Book Group discussion of Not a Genuine Black Man.  All welcome.
7 p.m., Campbell Library, 77 Harrison Ave., Campbell
Information: (408) 866-1991

Saturday, Feb. 7
Palo Alto Public Library presents Black History Show with a performance by Tabia African-American Theatre Ensemble.
7 p.m., Mitchell Park Community Center, 3800 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto
Information: (650) 329-2436

Sunday, Feb. 8
Blues in the afternoon: a performance by Johnny McGee & Friends, with Chris Cain.
2 p.m., Milpitas Library, 160 N. Main St., Milpitas
Information: (408) 262-1171

Sunday, Feb. 8
Silicon Valley Reads Storytime featuring Janice Edwards, Community Relations Director, Producer and Host of Bay Area Vista, NBC11, reading The Other Side and discussing its themes with families.
2:30 p.m., Children's Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way, San Jose
Information: (408) 298-5437 x282

Wednesday, Feb. 11
Book Group discussion of Not a Genuine Black Man.  Refreshments. All welcome.
6:30 p.m., Cambrian Branch Library, 1780 Hillsdale Ave., San Jose
Information: (408) 808-3080

Thursday, Feb. 12
A special program for school-age children including the reading of The Other Side, making quilt blocks that depict friends and friendship for a library quilt, and discussion of paintings from the Picturing America collection that relate to Black History Month.
3:30 p.m., Campbell Library, 77 Harrison Ave., Campbell
Information: (408) 866-1991

Saturday, Feb. 14
Celebration of the 80^th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
11 a.m., Storytime featuring Silicon Valley Reads children's book selection, The Other Side, along with picture books on related themes of peace, friendship and diversity in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose
11:15 a.m., Re-enactment of the '60s era civil rights marches, San Jose State University campus
1 p.m. Re-enactment of a civil rights courtroom scene by Jaliya, Hal Todd Theater in Hugh Gillis Hall, San Jose State University campus
2:25 p.m., Panel discussion of the theme "Re-interpreting King's Dream for the 21^st Century" in Hal Todd Theatre in Hugh Gillis Hall, San Jose State University campus
6-9 p.m., Evening Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Hal Todd Theatre in Hugh Gillis Hall, featuring gospel choir performances, performances by the Golden Street Dancers and Jaliya, and a rendition of the "I Have A Dream" speech.  Reception following.
Information: (408) 808-2397

Sunday, Feb. 15
Silicon Valley Reads Storytime featuring former San Jose City Councilmember Forrest Williams reading The Other Side and discussing its themes with families.
2:30 p.m., Children's Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way, San Jose
Information: (408) 298-5437 x282

Tuesday, Feb. 17
Book Group discussion of Not a Genuine Black Man.  Refreshments. All welcome.
7 p.m. Vineland Branch Library, 1450 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose
Information: (408) 808-3000

Thursday, Feb. 19
Discussion of The Liberation of Gabriel King for grades 4-8
4 p.m., Milpitas Library, 160 N. Main St., Milpitas
Information: (408) 262-1171

Friday, Feb. 20
Video clips of the edgy stand-up comedy of Brian Copeland and discussion of his book.  Refreshments served.
4:30 p.m., Dr. Roberto Cruz - Alum Rock Branch Library, 3090 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose
Information: (408) 808-3090

Sunday, Feb. 22
"Entwined Heritage: The University AME Zion Church and Palo Alto."  Sponsored by Palo Alto Public Library.
3 p.m., Art Center, 1313 Newell Rd., Palo Alto
Information: (650) 329-2436

Sunday, Feb. 22
Discussion of Not a Genuine Black Man, followed by a panel discussion on Race Relations in America, hosted by Indian Business & Professional Women.

Panelists:
Diana Rohini LaVigne - Journalist, India West, Indian Life & Style Magazine
Jana McBurney-Lin - Author, My Half of the Sky
Mike Swift - Demographics Writer, San Jose Mercury News
Ulysses Pichon- Instructor, Language Arts, De Anza College
Moderator: Shubhangi Vaidya - Pondering Minds Book Club

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm,  India Community Center (ICC), 525 Los Coches Street, Milpitas, CA 95035
Cost:     IBPW and ICC Members: Free; Non-Members: $5.00
Information: (408) 956-9115 or www.IBPW.net

Saturday, Feb. 28
Family story time featuring The Other Side.
11:30 a.m., Educational Park Branch Library, 1770 Educational Park Dr., San Jose
Information: (408) 272-3663

Thursday, March 5
Family program
3 p.m., Willow Glen Branch Library, 1157 Minnesota Ave., San Jose
Information: (408) 808-3045

Tuesday, April 7
"Fair Housing Then and Now" presentation about history of fair housing in America, laws created to end housing discrimination, and how fair housing practices are enforced locally by Ann Marquart, Executive Director of Project Sentinel.  Co-sponsored by City of Santa Clara.
7 p.m., Santa Clara Central Park Library, 2635 Homestead Rd., Santa Clara
Information: (408) 615-2900

Writing/Storytelling Contest
Survival of the Funniest: Finding the Laughter in Life's Challenges

The Gilroy Library invites all residents of Santa Clara County to participate in a writing and storytelling contest from the funny side of life. It is said that humor often is born out of adversity as you face life's stresses and challenges. Laughter can help you cope or gain insights when the going gets tough. Submit a written piece of 1,000 words or less or an audiotape of no more than 10 minutes in length telling the story. Winners will receive a gift certificate to Barnes & Noble and be announced at a reception for all participants in April, 2009.

Submissions accepted: February 1 - March 21, 2009

Suggested formats:  Word document, email, CD.  Mail to: Gilroy Library, 7387 Rosanna St., Gilroy CA 95020, or email to survival@library.sccgov.org