What's New at PPLD!

Join in the Juneteenth Celebration at Ruth Holley Branch (685 N. Murray Blvd.) from 1 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 20. At this free family event, enjoy snow cones, popcorn, and the following special events:

• 1 – 2 p.m. Reverend Lonzie Symonette, author of Everyday Soaring Since My Emancipation, discussion and book signing (copies of her book will be sold)
• 2 – 2:30 p.m. Pressman Chapel Children’s Gospel Choir



• 2 – 4 p.m. Crafts and games for children, including a ring toss, face painting, mask making, and storyteller Connie Black
• 3 – 3:30 p.m. Hotboyz, local hip hop dancers

The AARP Mature Safe Driving Program is the nation’s first and largest classroom driver refresher course specially designed for motorists age 50 and older. Upon successfully completing the course, graduates may present their course completion certificate to their insurance agents for a discount.

A minimum of 10 students is required for the class to be held. Charge for the eight-hour course is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. This is a change from previous years. Class size is limited and registration is required. Bring a lunch for classes longer than four hours.

• Sat., May 2, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at Cheyenne Mountain Branch
• Thu., May 7, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Ruth Holley Branch
• Sat., May 9, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Sand Creek Branch
• Sat., May 16, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at Monument Branch
• Sat., May 16, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at Old Colorado City Branch
• Mon., May 18, and Tue., May 19, 5 – 9 p.m. at East Library
• Tue., May 19, and Wed., May 20, noon – 4 p.m. at Briargate Branch
• Thu., May 21, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Ruth Holley Branch

Remember Earth Day by meeting these gentle creatures, hearing about their low impact as pack animals, and learning how their coats can be used for felting, spinning and weaving. Marlice Van Zandt and Michael Shealy from Touch the Earth Ranch in the Black Forest will introduce you to these charming animals.

• Sunday, April 19 at 1:30 p.m. – Penrose Library, 20 N. Cascade Ave.
• Saturday, April 25 at 10:30 a.m. – Ute Pass Branch, 8010 Severy Rd. in Cascade
• Saturday, April 25 at 1:30 p.m. – Ruth Holley Branch, 685 N. Murray Blvd.
• Sunday, April 26 at 1:30 p.m. – Sand Creek Branch, 1821 S. Academy Blvd.

Hello Earth! A Puppet Show with Patti Smithsonian
Little Red Riding Hood learns from the Wolf about recycling paper instead of chopping down forests. The Three Little Pigs learn about wasting disposable goods and their impact on the environment. The Ant and the Grasshopper remind us to enjoy life. This engaging ‘fairytale with a twist’ puppet show introduces ideas around the important topic of environmental stewardship.

• Mon., March 23 at 10:30 a.m. – Monument Branch
• Tue., March 24 at 10:30 a.m. – Fountain Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. – East Library
• Wed., March 25 at 2 p.m. – Ruth Holley Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. – Penrose Library
• Fri., March 23 at 10:30 a.m. – Rockrimmon Branch
• Sat. March 28 at 10:30 a.m.– Ute Pass Branch

Puppet Variations with Bob Aiken
Try a lighthearted piece of Puppet Theater that the whole family can enjoy together. Four puppet styles and four performing techniques form a visual smorgasbord. Its simple approach and positive attitude has touched and brought smiles to folks across the country, at venues ranging from birthday parties to art festivals.

• Tue., March 24 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. – East Library
• Tue., March 24 at 6:30 p.m. – Old Colorado City Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. – Sand Creek Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 2 p.m. – Fountain Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 10:30 a.m. – Cheyenne Mountain Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 2 p.m. – Monument Branch

Rhythm Fun and More With Helen Trencher, “The Percussion Lady”
Spark your imagination and ignite your creativity! Participants will experience a magical time filled with song, story, and rhythm. This interactive program is great for the entire family – ages 2 through 92! Come ready to let your imagination run wild through the joy of rhythmic expression.

• Tue., March 24 at 10:30 a.m. – Monument Branch
• Tue., March 24 at 2 p.m. – Rockrimmon Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m – Penrose Library
• Wed., March 25 at 2 p.m. – Cheyenne Mountain Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. – East Library
• Thu., March 26 at 2 p.m. – Briargate Branch

Alphabet Songs! A children’s concert with Steve Weeks
Join in this fun, interactive show filled with music, stories and humor for the whole family! Learning your letters has never been so much fun! Steve is a USA Songwriting Competition winner, and included Parents’ Choice and Nappa Honors Winner.

• Tue., March 24 at 10:30 a.m. – Ruth Holley Branch
• Tue., March 24 at 1 p.m. – Cheyenne Mountain Branch
• Tue., March 24 at 4 p.m. – Sand Creek Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 2 p.m. – Briargate Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 7 p.m. – East Library

A Patchwork Quilt of Rhythm, Rhyme, Story and Song
Bonnie Phipps tickles your imagination with a diverse repertoire of participatory songs and stories using her unusual instruments to heighten the action in her tales. Bonnie is a Parent’s Choice Awards winner, a published author, recording artist, a national Autoharp Champion, a contemporary folk singer, a spoons, paper bag, limber-jack, and jaw harp player, a storyteller, a former kindergarten teacher, and an undeniable hit with children.

• Tue., March 24 at 10 and 11 a.m. – Briargate Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 10:20 a.m. – Palmer Lake Branch
• Wed., March 25 at 2 p.m. – Rockrimmon Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 10:30 a.m. – Old Colorado City Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 2 p.m. – Sand Creek Branch

Origami with a Twist!
Join storyteller Denise Gard, as she tells stories using the ancient art of
Origami. Learn the techniques and create a Samurai Helmet. Recommended for ages 8 and older. Registration required.

Funky Fairytales 19 presents Snoring Beauties and Other Strange Stuff
Now in their 19th year of performing, Pikes Peak Library District’s favorite acting troupe presents Bruce Hale’s Snoring Beauty and other frankly funny tales to tickle your fancy! Recommended for ages 4 and older.

• Tue., March 24 at 10:30 a.m. – Rockrimmon Branch
• Tue., March 24 at 2 p.m. – Penrose Library
• Fri., March 27 at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. – East Library
• Fri., March 27 at 2 p.m. – Ruth Holley Branch
• Fri., March 27 at 4 p.m. – Sand Creek Branch

Dream City
Just imagine a city far, far into the future. Design your vision of what that city would look like in this creative hands-on workshop. Register at your library. Recommended for ages 8 and older.

• Mon., March 23 at 2 p.m. – Cheyenne Branch
• Mon., March 23 at 2 :30 p.m. – Sand Creek Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 10:30 a.m. – Ruth Holley Branch
• Thu., March 26 at 2 p.m. – East Library
• Thu., March 26 at 2 p.m. – Fountain Branch
• Fri., March 27 at 2 p.m. – Briargate Branch

Middle school and high school art teachers are invited to submit their student’s best work beginning Monday, March 16 through Saturday, March 21 for the 3rd Annual Teen Art Show Competition at Ruth Holley Branch. All art media is welcome.

Submissions will be judged by the Teen Advisory Council and docents from the Fine Arts Center. Winners will receive cash prizes. An award ceremony will be held Saturday, April 11 at noon at the Ruth Holley Branch. For more information, call Marie Ballard at 597-5377 or email mballard@ppld.org.

The Star Wars Storm Troopers from the Mountain Garrison of the 501st Legion (and, of course, Darth Vader) visited East Library on Sunday, January 11. Science Matters also gave a presentation to the 272 people in attendance. The Storm Troopers will be making additional appearances at PPLD facilities as the District celebrates science and technology this month.

Science Matters and the Storm Troopers

• Saturday, January 17, 1:30 p.m., Cheyenne Mountain Branch
• Sunday, January 18, 1:30 p.m., Penrose Library
• Saturday, January 24, 1:30 p.m. , Ruth Holley Branch

Astronaut Bob Stewart and the Storm Troopers

• Tuesday, January 13, 6:30 p.m., Old Colorado City Branch
• Saturday, January 17, 1:30 p.m., Rockrimmon Branch
• Saturday, January 24, 10:30 a.m., Ute Pass Branch

Join us as British storyteller Danyda spins some holiday tales from many cultures for your enjoyment. Danyda will capture your interest and your heart as she shares the world and its stories with you! A craft activity will follow.

• Sat., December 27 at 10 a.m. – Fountain Branch
• Sat., December 27 at 1:30 p.m. – Ruth Holley Branch

Learn about the newfound popularity of a very old instrument – the recorder! Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays and treat yourself to some exquisite music and refreshments. Two experts will share the history of the recorder and the many varieties that exist.

• When: Saturday, December 13 from 2 – 2:45 p.m.
• Where: Ruth Holley Branch, 685 N. Murray Blvd.

Mitchell High School’s Advanced Drama Department will twice present Life in the Dust Bowl: History through the Eyes of a Child as part of All Pikes Peak Reads 2008. The narrator, Dusty, will share stories of her childhood through puppetry, storytelling, and audience participation. This program will teach about the strength of families who lived through the Great Depression. It is recommended for children ages 6 and older.

• Thursday, October 16 at 4 p.m. – Ruth Holley Branch, 685 N. Murray Blvd.
• Saturday, October 18 at 2 p.m. – East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd.

• Where: Ruth Holley Branch
• When: Saturday, October 4, 8:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Rose Fortune from the Social Security Administration will demonstrate and discuss how to file for benefits online, how to change your direct deposit, how to get a replacement Medicare card, how to get an estimate of your benefits, and more.

Registration required, call 597-5377