Sherman Alexie wins PEN/Faulkner Award!

Sherman Alexie's latest book of short stories has won the prestigious PEN/Faulkner Award, the New York Times has announced. Mr. Alexie, who has also written novels (including 2007's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, a National Book Award for Young People's Literature winner) and poetry and whose book The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven was made into the movie Smoke Signals, won the 'literary showdown' that included distinguished fellow finalists Lorrie Morrie, Barbara Kingsolver and Colson Whitehead with his book War Dances, a collection of stories and poems. We salute the accomplished Sherman Alexie! For more information about this versatile and talented author, visit his website. To learn more about the PEN/Faulkner Award, visit their website.

Support Libraries!

This is the year for the County bond election in the Fall. Like the City, the County provides funding for library materials through General Obligation Bonds issued every two years. The Library Advisory Board and the administrative staff of the library system have requested that $2 million for library materials be on the October 2010 ballot. As of right now there has been no firm commitment by the County Commission to increase the bond amount to $2 million. This library funding is crucial for the purchasing of new books and media – especially at this time when library usage is increasing significantly.

County commissioners will host meetings with their constituents during the next three months. It is very important for as many citizens as possible to show their support for the Library at these meetings. See the Duke City Fix for the locations and times of the first three meetings. The remaining 2 district meetings will be posted as soon as they are scheduled.

Please attend all or at least one of these meetings. Invite everyone you know to also attend. It could be especially important for residents of the County outside of Albuquerque to be present. There will be “Support Libraries” buttons available at the meetings. Please be prepared to convey to the Commissioners, your support for the Library and how much it means to you, your family and your community.

Check out the "My Library" group on Duke City Fix for more information on this & other library issues!

Clay African Pots and Drums

Today local Clay Artist Celeste Boals presented a workshop on the forms and the process of building large, clay vessels and drums, including rotate, orbit, coil, paddle, mold, and layer, in the primordial traditions of African pottery making. Using natural tools and rhythmic methods, Ms. Boals' focus was on large, exotic vessel building. There was a slide show, demonstration, discussion, and some hands-on interaction.

For more upcoming Cherry Hills programs, including movies, yoga, Spanish club, book & poetry discussion groups, stitching circles, & more, check our webpage.

Favorite Poem Project @ Cherry Hills Library

Are you ready for National Poetry Month in April? Here at the library, we are already gearing up for our annual celebration of poetry. Right now, we are accepting submissions for a 'Favorite Poems Project' display. The Favorite Poems Project, 'Americans saying poems they love', was created in 1997 by former Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky. Visit the Project's website to see videos of folks from all walks of life sharing their favorite poems & what they mean to them. The library system has 2 of Pinsky's Favorite Poem Project anthologies, Poems to Read & Americans' Favorite Poems.

To participate in the display, please bring your favorite published poem and a brief explanation of what it means to you (signed with your first name) to the Cherry Hills Library Information Desk by March 26, 2010 or email it to cherryhills@cabq.gov with 'Favorite Poem Project' in the subject line. We will display your chosen poem and your explanation in the library during the month of April.

Also watch in April for poetry programs for children & adults, including our Poetry Circle, a poetry discussion group, & Rhyme Time: Poetry Storytime.

For more Poetry Month info, including Poetry in Your Pocket Day, Poem-A-Day emails, & suggestions for celebrating poetry all month long, check out Poets.org. Poets.org is a great poetry resource all year round, including lists of poems for every occasion & a 'Poetry Map' that lists poets of your state, your state's poetic history, & local poetry-friendly bookstores. You can even create on online notebook of your favorite poems!

What We're Reading

I just finished Gaile Parkin's Baking Cakes in Kigali. What a treat! Angel Tungaraza, the main character & cake-baker of the title, will remind readers of Alexander McCall Smith's Precious Ramotswe. Angel is the lynch pin of her community & learns the stories of many of her neighbors through her baking business. This is a gentle, life-affirming read, though Angel deals with, on a daily basis, issues like children living in dumpsters, AIDS, & the aftereffects of the Rwandan genocide. Baking Cakes in Kigali is an interesting look at African politics & culture, chock full of quirky characters & dilemmas for Angel to help sort out (at one point, Angel wears a dress with a pattern that says Help me & let me help you, which could be her motto). Expect to be truly charmed by Angel, her delectable cakes, her spicy tea, & her indomitable spirit.

Will you be watching the Oscars?

Hollywood's favorite party is on March 7th! Are you ready? For details on nominations & more, Oscar.com seems like the website to head to, featuring galleries, videos, & message boards.

For your Oscar Party Kit, check out the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences website! Includes games, appetizer recipes, & more party planning ideas! Also, take a look at Bakerella for recipes for Awards Night Sugar Cookies & Movie Popcorn Brownies.

In the library catalog, a keyword search of Academy Awards brings up a list of books & movies you might be interested in taking a look at.

Locally, the Guild Cinema in Nob Hill is showing this year's Oscar Nominated Animation Short Films from March 4th-8th, including 'A Matter of Loaf and Death', starring Wallace & Gromit! From March 9th-12th, they'll be showing The Oscar Nominated Live Action Short Films.

10 in '10: Take the Challenge

Last month we challenged you, our readers, to read 10 books in 2010 either about New Mexico, set in New Mexico, or by a New Mexico author-fiction (any genre) or non-fiction. Have any of you taken up the gauntlet? If so, what are you reading? We recommend: Juniper Tree Burning by Goldberry Long Oh Pure and Radiant Heart by Lydia Millet Timing is Everything by Sabra Brown Steinsiek The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey Lonely Street by Steve Brewer A Killing in New Town by Kate Horsley The Killing Cards by Lou Campanozzi