Despite the bad taste that public libraries leave in my mouth, I still love cheap books (hence my love for the Paperback Swap website).  So, I always get excited when some library offers to sell the books they’ve stolen my money to purchase.  This Saturday, the Morgan Hill Public Library (660 W. Main)  is doing just that.

Well, technically, the “Friends of the Morgan Hill Library” will be holding a used book sale, though the books they’ll be selling will be those purchased through taxation/theft.  If you’ve never been to a library book sale before I highly recommend you get there early as there will be a huge range of books available, but the really good texts usually go in the first half hour or so.  The sale starts at 10am, by the way.

If you’re not picky and just looking for book bargains, then swing on by around 2pm as every book is further reduced another 50% during the last two hours of the sale (2pm – 4pm).

In 2004, Thomas Flowers was working behind the counter at Morgan Hill’s BookSmart. Next Thursday he will be working there again, but on the other side of the counter, as a published author!

His first book, Walking Humbly: Scripture Mediations In Verse was just published by Paulist Press, which has been publishing Catholic works for more than 142 years.  Thomas will be reading, discussing and signing Walking Humbly at BookSmart (80 E. 2nd St.) starting at 6:30 on December 11th.

The book serves as a companion to prayer for people seeking to draw closer to the humanity and divinity of Jesus, through poetic reflections on familiar scripture passage.  While I’m neither Christian nor Catholic I did run a non-profit organization devoted to poets and poetry for a couple of years.  The way that Flowers blends spiritual education with verse is absolutely wonderful.  I’ve always been a fan of making “deep thought” more accessible to people who do not consider themselves intellectuals and that’s exactly what Walking Humbly does.

I’ve had a soft spot in my heart for Anime 101 (and Manga Too!) for a few year’s now. Unfortunately, the game I enjoyed playing (and buying) there is no longer being produced so I have few excuses to visit Glenn at his new location. But I still wish him the best and know that things must be getting mighty tight this holiday season.

So, if you’re an anime or mange fan, be sure to visit Glenn at Anime 101 (313 Vineyard Town Center) and tell him that Aahz says “hi”.  Need more motivation to visit?

Well, are you a Yu-Gi-Oh fan? Because Anime 101 hosts regular monthly tournaments-

The 1st tournament for December will be held on the 6th @ 2pm.

Tournaments may have prizes sponsored by our local Gamestop in the Cochrane Plaza. 1st place will get a $15 gift card, second will be $10, and 3rd & 4th will get one for $5 ea. Giftcards are good for items found at Gamestop and are subject to Gamestop’s rules governing such things. Prizes are contingent on the number of people who enter, so bring a friend!

Please Note: The league kit for December *has* been ordered, but it may not arrive in time for the 1st December tournament. The card of the month is yellow gadget.

Apparently, Pokemon is still pretty popular as well. In fact, it’s so popular that Anime 101 will be hosting their first Pokemon tournament-

The first pokemon tournament in the new store will be held on Dec 13th @ 2pm. Players are advised to come early, since seats will be sold on a 1st come, 1st served basis. Players must be 7yrs or older and be capable of being on their own. The entry fee is $5.

Don’t forget to tell ‘em Aahz sent ya!

The Fourth Annual Tree of Light Celebration fundraiser, will be held on Tuesday evening, December 9, 2008 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Saint Louise Regional Hospital.  There will be caroling and holiday refreshments followed by the lighting of theirChristmas Tree.

There will also be a silent auction of seasonal decorations, gift baskets and wreaths, and an opportunity drawing for a beautiful quilt. Piece by Piece Quilters of Morgan Hill have generously donated a beautiful handmade quilt for this year’s Tree of Light event. Tickets to win this quilt will soon be available for a donation of $1 each or a book of 12 tickets for $10. The winner of the drawing will be announced after the event, which is always nice.  We had to wait two months to learn that we hadn’t won a quilt in the last raffle we participated in.

In return for a donation of $10 you may dedicate a light on their tree.  For those able to give a little more generously, a donation of $100 will entitle you to a personalized commemorative ornament.

Next Saturday, December 6th, Morgan hill’s BookSmart will be having a “double header” of sorts with thriller author W. Craig Reed in the afternoon and Storyteller Susan Shirley in the evening.

At 2pm author W. Craig Reed will read from his new thriller, DNA and discuss the blurring of fact and fiction that lead Entertainment Tonight’s Malcolm Boyes to state that “”DNA is an enlightening and terrifying journey that offers a unique answer to the most controversial argument of our time: Intelligent Design or Darwin’s Evolution? Based on five years of solid research, DNA is a riveting story that will compel you to read the other books in the series.”

Then at 6:30pm Storyteller Susan Shirley will once again appear for her regular children’s story hour.  Kids of all ages are encouraged to attend, imaginations at the ready, for an evening of fun, laughter and more.  Dress is ultra casual (read: pajamas are the primary choice in fashion). BookSmart is  located at 80 East 2nd St. in downtown Morgan Hill and is not only our only book store, but the only independent book seller in the South County area.  For more information on these or other future events you can call the store at (408)778-6467

Next Saturday, December 6th, Morgan Hill’s own Mary Hellman, of Feeling Gifted, will be hosting the Ful Circle Holiday Boutique at the Ramada Inn (Tennant and 101).  Open from 10am to 4pm, this free admission event will have offerings of artwork, jewelry, baby items, holiday foods, quilts and more.  Refreshments will be available of course and there will also be a raffle.  All proceeds from the sale of raffle tickets will go to support AAUW Morgan Hill (American Association of University Women) which has promoted equity for all women and girls, lifelong education, and positive societal change for more than 25 years here in Morgan Hill.