So come celebrate with us for this once in a lifetime event. We are turning 100 and we want to party! Come on out on Saturday June 2 and join in on all the fun activities we have lined up for the day, enter to win prizes, and of course have some birthday cake!

While you're here, you can also have a look at the wonderful new community garden sprouting up behind the library. There will be fun programs held in the garden on Saturday, so be sure to register for those as well.

See you on June 2!

King Henry II and Eleanor had four sons, Hal, Geoffrey, Richard and John. After their father’s death, Richard was to be crowned King of England when Hal and Geoffrey died. Just after the coronation, Richard embarked of the Third Crusade to the Holly Land. His mother Eleanor would remain to protect Richard’s authority, for her youngest son John was conspiring with the French King to put himself on the throne.

On the way to the Holly Land he marries Berengaria of Navarre and rescues his sister Joanna. This gives the story a feminine touch-not just giving the reader the tale of battle upon battle.

In the book it portrays Richard as a complex man, a person who loved poetry, ballads, and the arts, yet also he loved battle warfare. I got the impression that he was reckless with his own safety and took several personal risks. It sounds as if his men loved him, respected him and would follow him into battle without hesitation.

I am looking forward to her book, "A King’s Ransom" that delves more into King Richard I, the Lionheart.

Now you can keep up with the development of the Common Ground Community Garden at Southwood online!

Visit http://cggs.ca/ to see pictures of the garden and to reveiw meeting summaries. It's never too late to join! If you would like more information or to add yourself to the list, come into the branch or give us a call and we'd be happy to help you!

This is the fourth book of the series 44 Scotland Street and the characters struggle with their own personal dilemmas. Poor six year old Bertie wishes he had some freedom from his overbearing mother, Irene Pollock, and thought he would; now that his baby brother Ulysses has arrived. Bertie’s father, Stuart, is still henpecked and talked down to, which was disappointing because in the last book Stuart showed some backbone. I have come to the discovery that I really dislike the character Irene Pollock and her “holier- than - thou” personality. Bruce reappears in Edinburgh again and gets himself in hot water. I am looking forward to the next book and to seeing how he wiggles out of the position he put himself into. Matthew questions himself, does he truly love Pat? While Pat asks herself is a comfortable relationship all she wants, especially when seeing Bruce again sets her heart a pitter patter. The artist, Angus Lordie, copes with the threat of his dog Cyril possibly being put down after being accused of biting someone. Domenica observes the people around her and how they reflect the image of her beloved city of Edinburgh. Her opinions always make me smile. Big Lou is still looking for a kind man to love and may have found him. Yet again, Alexander McCall Smith writes a beautifully written story about people.

I really enjoy reading these gentle reads and because of this I find myself with a container of mixed olives in the fridge and some fancy coffees in the pantry…..you will have to read this series to find out why I have these items!

Fabulous Hikes of the Foothills and How to Pack for Them

With spring here and summer just around the corner, now is the best time to get out for a hike in the beautiful mountains we have surrounding our city! But if you're not sure where to start or want to try a more challenging hiking path then come to Southwood for this program. It runs on Saturday May 5 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm in the program room and is just the thing you need before you head out for that trip! Julie Walker from Full Circle Adventures will be here to show you a few off trail places to hike and see amazing scenery and flowers. She will also show you how to read basic wildlife signs, the weather, and how to be bear-aware! Register online here at http://calgarypubliclibrary.com/services/programs-events/register-for-programs?ad=s003&dt=s003&lc=s004&pt=s&kw=Fabulous%20Hikes&pg=1, or by phone, 403-260-2620.