Calling all teens: Submit an entry in our Fall Writing Contest! By Jen Studebaker, Young Adult Services Coordinator Do you have a story you have been waiting to tell? Here's your chance! In honor of Teen Read Week, the library is sponsoring our 10th annual Fall Writing Contest. We've changed the format; it's now open to all genres of writing (in past years we had themes like horror or humorous stories). This year, write about the things that interest you most! Will your story make me fall in love, shiver in fear, laugh out loud, or cry with despair and sadness? Maybe you write about life on other planets or paranormal experiences. Or, maybe you're into comic strips, poetry or short stories. Whatever you like to write about, we want to read it! The contest begins September 8 and guidelines will be posted on our Teen web page beginning then. Entries must be 1,000 words or less. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in two age groups (6-8th grade and 9-12th grade). Deadline for entries is October 3. I can't wait to read your stories! Winners will be announced at a celebration party at Vancouver Community Library on October 17th at 7:00 p.m. Climate: A Community Conversation White Salmon Valley Community Library Tuesday, Sept. 9, 7 p.m. Join in a community conversation to understand why scientists agree that climate change is occuring, the problems resulting from climate change, their significance, and what we can do about them. Facilitated by Robert Marino, an MBA student in sustainable business practices who has been studying climate change for two years and has done training with The Climate Project and Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility. Art in the Park Woodland Horseshoe Lake Park Saturday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. A great day of arts, crafts, music, food and fun has been planned by Friends of Woodland Community Library! Join the festivities in this beautiful park. Local artists and artisians will offer their work for sale or just to enjoy, plus there will be a Creation Station for kids. An open mic invites all family-friendly performers. (Rain location: Woodland Middle/High School Commons) A panel discussion: Washington State's Aid-in-Dying Initiative Clark Public Utilities Community Room (1200 Ft. Vancouver Way, Vancouver) Thursday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m. What are the end-of-life issues? What choices will people have if the initiative passes? What are some of the concerns should the initiative pass? Panelists: Kevin Myles, Hospice Southwest; Dr. Ken Stevens, Compassionate Care Education Foundation; George Eighmey, Compassion and Choices/Oregon Chapter and Dr. Linda Olson, Washington Death with Dignity Campaign. Greg Kimsey, Clark County auditor, will serve as moderator. Presented by Forum at the Library. Cascade Park Community Library Saturday, Sept. 27, 2 p.m. Come meet Cathi Wright of "Wild on Wildlife." Learn about her wild creatures as she shows them off and explains how we can help wildlife and their habitat. All ages welcome. Breaking Dawn -- The Twilight saga continues! La Center Community Library Tuesday, Sept. 9, 3:30 p.m. Teens: Come to our special party celebrating the latest book in the "Twilight" series by Stephenie Meyer. Games, snacks and a cool raffle! Move to the Music Battle Ground Community Library Introduce your child to the world of music and movement. Caregiver participation is joyfully required. Three sessions based on your child's age: Newborn-18 months: Thursday, Sept. 11, 9:15 a.m. 18-36 months: Friday, Sept. 12, 9:15 a.m. 3-5 years: Sat., Sept. 13, 11 a.m. Programs facilitated by Dee Hale, licensed teacher at Musical Beginnings. Apple Health for Kids & Time for Families Stevenson (several activites in September) Health services partners will be at the Stevenson Community Library on Sept. 9 from 6-8 p.m. to sign up eligible children for health coverage. Then, during Sept. 19-20 there will be a Time for Family fair at Rock Creek Community Center in Stevenson. It will feature health and family information from local agencies and partners. Librarian Chris Hughey will read stories to children on Friday, Sept. 19 at 3:15 p.m. and the bookmobile will visit on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. The fair hours are Sept. 19 from Noon-8 p.m. and Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Handy Links Catalog (search for library materials) Renew books (review your account) Library locations & hours Bookmobile schedule Contact us

A new search tool for booklovers! Can't decide what to read next? Use Books & Authors to explore the latest genre fiction and non-fiction. Try out the "who, what, where, when" tool to browse by character, subject, location and time period. It also has a reading room for creating your own personal reading list. This is just one of FVRL's many no-fee databases. Library Friends' Used Book Sales Cascade Park Community Library (on the back lawn) -Saturday, Sept. 13, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Ridgefield Community Library (held in adjacent community center) -Friday, Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. -Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m Special Multi-Media Sale! Held Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Hosted by local teens, to raise money for teen summer reading. Audio books, movies and music! Presale for Friends members (memberships available at the door) on Friday, Sept. 26 from 9-11 a.m. Vancouver Community Library (in Library Hall) -Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. -Sunday, Sept. 28 from Noon-5 p.m. Presale for Friends members (memberships available at the door) on Friday, Sept 26 from 6-9 p.m. Library District Surplus Sale Miscellaneous library equipment sold "as-is" Vancouver Community Library (outside on tennis courts), Friday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Infant-Toddler Sign Language Cascade Park Community Library Thurs., Sept. 25, 10 a.m. Learn how to encourage your pre-verbal baby to use signs to communicate. Facilitated by Dawn Prochovnic, MW, founder of Small Talk Learning. Art Drop-In Three Creeks Community Library Wednesdays, Sept. 10 and 24, 2 p.m. Artists of all ages and abilities are welcome. Please bring your own art supplies and share your ideas and techniques. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Huckleberry Festival Daubenspeck Park in Bingen Sept. 5-7 The library joins in the fun at this annual event! Watch for the bookmobile in Saturday's parade. Join library staff for "Reading Rocks" crafts on Sunday afternoon in the park. Other festival events include a carnival, classic car show, talent show, local bands and a bratwurst and microbrew fest. Plus, fresh baked huckleberry pies, jams and other goodies for sale. Who can resist? Write On! Washougal Community Library Saturday, Sept. 20, 11 a.m. Do you write fiction or poetry? Want to share it? This informal group meets the third Saturday of the month. Come and share your creative works, improve your craft and enjoy fellowship. Welcome to Fairyland Vancouver Mall Community Library Saturday, Sept. 20, 3 p.m. For ages 5-10. Join the Fairy Ring and learn how to be a fairy through stories and tales. Come dressed as your favorite fairy. Make a fairy house and more! The Bug Lady Three Creeks Community Library Saturday, Sept. 6, 2 p.m. Over 400 different kinds of exotic and native insects will be on display to creep you out! Join us as Brenda Dobbs ("The Bug Lady") shares facts about her unique collection. Romanian Sights: A Slideshow with Dr. Ogden Goldendale Community Library Monday, Sept. 29, 7 p.m. For two weeks this summer, Dr. Jim Ogden and his team volunteered in Romania, providing eye clinics, new glasses to residents and humanitarian aid. Many more events There's a whole lot more going on around our library district. See our Web site for ongoing events and activities, including: Storytimes for young children Teen events Book discussion groups - adult, teen, parent/child Other events: art and craft groups, knitting, movie events, poetry and more! Past newsletter issues - see the archive. Subscribe to this newsletter (get email notices when the latest issues are available).

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