December

December 3, 2008 Color Me Beautiful - Get ready for the holiday season with a color makeover from hair to skin tone analysis with expert beauty consultant, Lisa Allison.

December 10, 2008 Wrap a Gift/Save the World - Tracy Williams and Rose Botkin reveal how to make beautifully wrapped gifts in an environmentally friendly way.

December 17, 2008 A Ukrainian Holiday Celebration - How do Ukrainians celebrate the season? Learn how to make Russian/Ukrainian tea cookies and pierogues with Melanie Metzger. Find out about the traditional Sviata Vechera or Holy Evening dinner. HSC 105

A special performance Thursday Dec. 18 at 3:30!
Here We Go a Wassailing and a Madrigal Feast with
The I Cantori Singers from Langham Creek High School.
Join us for some Renaissance vocal music, history, wassail and hearty fare.
First floor of the library near the Technology Entrance.
No class Dec. 24 or Dec. 31. LIFE resumes on January

November

November 5, 2008 Medicine of the Future Baylor College of Medicine’s Tony Elam, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives, reveals amazing medical breakthroughs from imaging to enomic
research. Celebrate National Radiologic Technology week Nov. 2 – 8.

November 12, 2008 The White Man’s Indian: Native Americans in Film Professor Matthew Turner takes us on a tour of how Native American culture has been portrayed in the movies.

November 19, 2008 Explore Your World: When Photography and Maps Merge Geotagging is he
process of merging digital photography and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to create maps of photographs. Buck Buchanan gives hands-on demonstrations of new technologies breaking boundaries. GIS Lab TECH 114

No class Nov. 26

October

October 1, 2008 Collecting Antiques - Vanessa Gerondale of "Chippendale Eastlake" in the Heights gives us a primer on how to choose antiques and find hidden treasures.

October 8, 2008 Hot Tamale! - Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and discover the culinary art of making tamales with Paula Gonzales. HSC 105

October 15, 2008 Taking Sides - What are the issues facing the nation this November? Professor Jim Brown presents some of the vital issues and you can vote using amazing new technology – clickers! And let’s talk about election war stories. Just what is an hanging chad?

October 22, 2008 Art of Montage - Artist Tony Kram demonstrates how the artist composes an artwork using existing artifacts and objects in a collage. Win an original work of art!

October 29, 2008 Skull Beads and other Adornments - Create skull beads and learn about the Day of the Dead with the mistress of the bead, Melissa Savage.

September 2008

September 3 — Herbal Medicine - Dr. Mary Chen is back to share the secrets of ancient Chinese herbal medicine which precede modern medicine by millennia. Stay to celebrate the five-year anniversary of the college. The ceremony is 2 - 4 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Main Stage.
September 10 — You're Fired! - Get in your survival-of-the-fittest mode and learn how to start a fire without the convenience of matches. Jason Moulenbelt, professor and survival buff, gives this workshop where you will learn to spark a flame four different ways without matches or a lighter. TECH 124 Advanced Manufacturing Center
September 17 — Hangzhou, China - It is the finest and most noble city in the world according to Marco Polo. Professors Carolyn Ho and Bobby O'Brien will examine the economic and social importance of this Chinese city's past and present.
September 24 — What's the Word, Hummingbird? - Professors Tim Sebesta and Clay White give the scoop on all things hummingbird. Just how fast are those wings?

August 2008

August 6 — You Scream, I Scream Ice Cream! - Learn about the history of iced confections, unique ways to create them, and how to savor their flavor. Monica Norem leads the way.

August 13 — Yard Wise Seminar - Make your back yard an environmental model using simple earth-friendly methods and materials. Herman Sanders of Watershed Protection Group joins us.

August 20 — Mindfulness - Discover the restorative powers for health and spirit of mindful breathing with Barbara Morrison of Texas Yoga Center. And this too will pass.

August 27 — Make and Bake with Krissy - Create several exquisite and deceptively simple clay flowers. Krissy Conn lends her artistic flair to the process.

August 13 - Yard Wise Seminar

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Harris County Watershed Protection Group
Speaker: Herman Sanders
(713) 290-3000
http://www.cleanwaterways.org/
Physical Address:
9800 Northwest Frwy., Suite 305,
Houston, TX 77092

Watersmart Landscapes: Beauty without Waiste
Speaker: Carol Brouwer
County Extention Agent - Horticulture
(281) 855-5600
http://harris-tx.tamu.edu/hort

Soil Testing
http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/
~ $17
~ 6in depth various samples.
Make sure to dry out before sending.

I Scream, You Scream

3 Question Survey Results!

1. How do you like to eat your ice cream?
On a stick 2 7%
In a cup or bowl 18 67%
In a cone 7 26%
Total 27 100%

2. How many ice cream cartons are usually in your freezer?
0 9 33%
1 12 44%
2 3 11%
3+ 3 11%
Total 27 100%

3. How often have you made homemade ice cream?
Never 4 15%
Once in my life 5 19%
A few times 14 52%
Frequently 4 15%
Total 27 100%

July 2008

July 2 — Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation - "Joseph J. Ellis reveals that many of those truths we hold to be self-evident were actually fiercely contested in the early days of the republic." (Amazon.com) Alex Smith leads a discussion of this fascinating book. Check it out at the library!
July 9 — Milles Feuilles or Napoléons? - Oh the magic of French pastry. Explore your taste buds with Francophile Georges Detiveaux. La fête du quatorze juillet is Monday: French Independence Day has never tasted so sweet!
July 16 — JFK's Ghost - Learn why the assassination continues to haunt us. Emphasis will be on the murder case and on retired LAPD detective Mark Fuhrman's claim of "a major clue that has been ignored for forty years - a breakthrough that will change the debate over the assassination." Professor Allen Vogt from Lone Star College-North Harris presides.
July 23 — Gardening for Year-Round Color - Learn the secrets to accent your garden with color using annuals and perennials with master gardener Freddye Kelly.
July 30 — Dog Days of Summer-What's for Dinner? - Create cool, light, and refreshing fare with ease and finesse. Learn how with Chef John from HEB Cypress Market in LRNC 131 (NOTE: room change).

July 30 — Dog Days of Summer-What's for Dinner?

To get in touch with HEB cooking connection to find out about classes offered, please call: 281-758-1100.

Easy Black Bean Salad
prep time:10 minutes
serves 6-8

2 cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of mixicorn, drained (can use regular corn too)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup of cilantro, chopped (can substitute for Italian parsley)
1/2 jar roasted red pepper and onion relish (or dip)
1/2 cup of feta, crumbled
1/4 cup red onion, chopped small (can substitute for scallions if prefer)

Mix all of the ingredients together.
Season to taste and let rest 1 hour before serving. Serve with raspberry glazed pork tenderloin for a great dinner.

Southwest Caesar Salad
Prep time : 15 minutes
Serves 4-6
1/2 cup star chefs truly authentic caesar dressing
1 tablespoon adams reserve southwest rub
(If you plan to add meat, you can use the rub on the meat instead)
1 bag hearts of romaine lettuce
2 medium-size tomatoes, cut to preferred style
1 avocado
1/2 can whole kernel corn
1/2 can black beans, rinsed and drained
Optional: croutons and Parmesan cheese for garnish
you can also use tortilla chip strips in stead of croutons

-Combine dressing and rub together in a medium size salad bowl. Drain corn. Rinse and drain beans; place in bowl with dressing.
-Chop tomatoes into bite size pieces. Cut avocado in half; discard seed; then cut into wedge and discard peel.
-Toss lettuce, tomatoes and avocado with dressing, corn and beans. Top with croutons and cheese, if desired, and serve.
*You can also make this a dinner salad by adding grilled chicken to it, or other preferred meat.

July 23 — Gardening for Year-Round Color

Top 10 landscape perennials

Common Name / Scientific Name / Exposure

Baby Sun; Sunray Moonbeam; Zagreb / Coreopsis gandiflora / Sun
Daylily / Hemerocallis spp. / Sun or Semi-Shade
Goldstrum Rudbickia / Rudbeckia X Goldstrum / Sun
Perennial Hibiscus / Hibiscus X mosheutos / Sun

(Rose Mallow, Mallow Rose, Swamp Mallow). Grown primarily for its large flowers (six to 12 inches wide), the plant forms a large (three to eight foot) shrub. White, pink and red hibiscus are available. The plant is actually a herbacious perennial and will overwinter. Do not confuse this Hibixcus with K. syruacus (Althea), a woody deciduous shrub common in the landscape or with H. rosa-sinensis (Chinese Hibiscus), a tropical hibiscus which is not hardy. The Moy Grande, Flare and Lord Baltimore are highly recommended for full sun locations, wet or dry.

Purple Coneflower / Echinacea angustifolia / Sun
Garden Canna / Canna X Gerneralis / Sun or Shade
Turk's Cap / Malvaviscus drummondii / Sun or Shade
'Texas Gold' Columbine / Aquilegia Hinckleyana / Shade
Firebush / Hamelia patens / Sun
Perennial Verbena / Verbena X hubrida / Sun

Flowers and Color for All Seasons
1. Designing with Plants
2. Painting with Plants
3. Patio Gardening
4. Vertical Gardening
5. Buterfly Gardening

Fall Planted Spring-Flowering Annuals

Spring Planted Summer-Flowering Annuals

The Southern Garden
Table of Landscape Plants

May 2008

• May 7 — Better Living Through Sonography - See the amazing new technology to peer into your very own arteries without any pain. Professor Jose Rodriguez demonstrates how and whether you need to screen for stroke.
• May 14 — Calls of the Wild - Birdsong is a magical part of nature. Come to this hands-on workshop by Professor Tim Sebesta on how to identify our feathered friends by their song.
• May 21 — Tracing your Genetic Lineage - Dr. Brian Shmaefsky, biology professor from Lone Star College-Kingwood, reveals his ancient ancestral roots via the Genographic Project hosted by the National Geographic Society.
• May 28 — Curry Flavor: Secrets behind Curry with Professor Padmaja Vedartham - What is the history of curry and why is it so hot? Taste the exotic flavors of Indian/South Asian food and learn some easy, healthful cooking tips and techniques. Celebrating Asian Pacific Heritage Month in HSC 105 (Kitchen).
  

Animoto

Join us Wednesdays 10 - 11 am

April 2008 Schedule

• April 2 — Real Estate Looky Loo - See the amazing new technology to peer into your neighbor’s real estate and valuations with Susan Green. Arm yourself to challenge your next homestead appraisal.
• April 9 — Harris County History - Theresa Chang, Harris County District Clerk, delves into some local history through the award winning display of historical records and images. See how history is preserved for the generations to come.
• April 16 — Arts of India with Rahda Atluri - Come prepared to make your own artistic creation inspired by the ancient Indian arts.
• April 23 — And Not a Drop to Drink - You may think there’s water, water everywhere, but not so fast! Find out about protecting our waterways with the Harris County Watershed Protection Group.
• April 30 — Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Learn about past elections and let the mud slinging begin. Alex Smith, history professor, delights with hidden scoops about politics at its worst. (or best?)

Suggestions!

Any ideas for new programs?
Post a suggestion!
Or send an email to lifelibrary@gmail.com.

Claire Gunnels,
LIFE COP,
Chair of Programming

April 2 - Real Estate Looky Loo

Websites for real estate envy

Houston Sites:
Harris County Appraisal district www.hcad.org
Houston Area Realtors www.har.com
Chronicle real estate www.choron.com/realestate
Zillow www.zillow.com
Swamp lot swamplot.com
Houston architecture information forum www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif
Flood plains tropical storm Allison recovery project maps2.tsarp.org/tsarp

Out of town shopping:

www.realtor.com

Just for fun:
www.architecturealdigest.com/resources/estates
haute living
www.hauteliving.com/category/blog
realestalker
realestalker.blogspot.com
la.curbed.com
curbed.com

March 2008 events

March 5, 2008 Original Artwork Revealed
Our own artist and master instructor Tony Kram
creates a pastel work of art before your very eyes.
You may be the lucky winner of this unique piece.

March 12, 2008 Ukrainian Easter Eggs Olia Palmer,
librarian from Lone Star College-North Harris, shares
her Ukrainian heritage by giving us the history and
the art of decorating pysanky (Ukrainian Easter
Eggs). Celebrate Women’s History.

March 19, 2007 Chanson française with Georges
Detiveaux. In celebration of the semaine nationale
de la Francophonie, Monsieur Detiveaux is back with
great songs from the French-speaking world. Venez
chanter avec nous!

March 26, 2007 The Katy Prairie
Come learn the why and how of the interesting and
unusual landscaping at Lone Star College-CyFair.
Start your adventure in Library 131 for a multimedia
slide show by Cindy Crow and bring your walking
shoes for an environmental tour by our own Phi
Theta Kappa International Honor Society students.

February 2008 Schedule

• February 6 — Playing the Blues - Get down with Jason Moulenbelt and learn how to play the harmonica. Yes, the harmonica! Celebrating African-American History Month.
• February 13 — Hearts and Chocolate - Dell Burditt looks at the heart as an iconic symbol of many things from love to health.
• February 20 — What Handwriting Reveals - Susan Green and Claire Gunnels discuss the book, Sex, Lies, and Handwriting by Michelle Dresbold. Can your handwriting change your life? A Joint ALL program.
• February 27 — American West in Film - Break through the stereotypes and learn how Hollywood depicts our American West. History and Film Professor Bobby O'Brien presides.

January 2008 Schedule

• January 2 — No Session
• January 9 — Yoga on My Mind - Learn basic skills and techniques of the meditative process of this ancient art with Barbara Morrison of the Texas Yoga Center. A joint Wellness Committee program.
  
• January 16 — NASA - It's a bird, it's a plane, it's the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Learn from two former NASA historians, our own Sandra Harvey and Rob Coyle, just what NASA is and why you might care.
• January 23 — Captain Cash - It's Financial Wellness Month and Hal Lynde of radio 94.5 FM gives tips for saving you money! A joint program with our Children's Department.
• January 30 — Bioinformatics and Nanobots - Discover the profound impact of the intersection of science and information technology. Professor Larry Loomis-Price of Montgomery College's Biotechnology Department reveals a brave new world. Care to program your DNA?