All Posts in "Events & Lectures"

Everyone knows someone with hearing loss.  As much as we may tease about it, hearing loss can be a serious issue.  Hearing loss can occur at birth and with aging; it has many contributing factors such as work, illness, medications, hobbies and lifestyle.

More than 37 million Americans–and approximately 4 percent of the population of Pierce County live  with hearing loss significant enough to affect not only their lives but the lives of those around them family, friends, co-workers, service providers and more.

Knowing “how to” communicate with someone with hearing loss will dramatically change your relationships.   Pierce County Community Connections Aging & Disability Resources is sponsoring a free informational workshop, “Solving the Mystery of Hearing Loss.”  It will be repeated four times:

May 7 – 12:10-12:50 p.m.

Pierce County Annex, Main Conference     Room, 2401 35th Street, Tacoma

May 9 –12:10-12:50 p.m.

County-City Building, 7th Floor Rainier Conference Rm., 930 Tacoma Ave S., Tacoma

May 10 – 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Drive NW, Gig Harbor

May 12 – 9:30-11:30 a.m.

TACID, 6315 South 19th St, Tacoma

Christine Seymour, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resource Specialist, will present this interactive and informative presentation aimed at changing how you view hearing loss and giving you the tools to support effective communication.

Contributing Author by — April 30, 2012 in Everything Else

The Bonney Lake and Summit Libraries are hosting workshops on raised bed gardening during the month of April.  The classes will include instructions on how to locate, build and maintain a raised bed.

On Tuesday, April 3 at 6p.m., George Fry of the Washington State University Master Gardeners will instruct interested individuals in raised bed gardening at the Summit Library, 5107 112th St. E.

On Saturday, April 14 at 2 p.m., Kelli Sugihara from the Washington State University Puyallup Research and Extension Center will lead a raised bed gardening class at the Bonney Lake Library, 18501 90th St. E.

The Summit Library hosts the Summit Garden Club for children 6 years old and up and their parents and caregivers.  Young gardeners will learn about plants and nature while helping to complete an outdoor garden project with a Washington State University Master Gardener and a librarian.  The club will meet on the following Saturdays: April 14, May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug. 11 and Sept. 8 from 1 until 3 p.m. at the Summit Library, 5107 112th St E.

 

Press Release by — March 20, 2012 in Everything Else

Family caregivers are the backbone of the American health care system with twenty-five percent of all households involved as family caregivers. Caregiving is a rigorous responsibility often resulting in burn out and feelings of being overwhelmed. Key individual skills and community resources can help caregivers keep their health, maintain their balance and sustain their work.

“Family Caregiving 2012” is an informal discussion about family caregiving and the resources, tools and skills that can help caregivers over the long term. The discussion will explore ways families construct caregiving responsibilities, how to handle the caregiver duties, the challenges most caregivers face and the resources available in Pierce County.

“Family caregivers do amazing work,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, Manager of Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources. “People suffer chronic illnesses, have various disabilities and deal with long term conditions. Parents, spouses, children and other relatives step in to form an incredible web of support for their loved ones. It is essential that those caregivers remain healthy and stable so they can continue their work.”

“Family Caregiving 2012” is an information-only event. It is free and open to the public and will be presented by staff of Pierce County Community Connections and the partners of the Aging and Disability Resource Center. The workshop will be repeated five times:
• Jan 9 – 12:10 – 12:50 p.m.
Pierce County Annex – Main Conference Room (2401 S. 35th Street, Tacoma)
• Jan 9 – 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Sound Vista Village (6633 McDonald Ave, Gig Harbor)
• Jan 11 – 12:10 – 12:50 p.m.
County-City Building – Rainier Conference Room – 7th Fl. (930 Tacoma Avenue, Tacoma)
• Jan 11 – 7:00 – 8:00 a.m.
Parkland/Spanaway Library Conference Room (13718 Pacific Ave S, Tacoma)
• Jan 14 – 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Sumner Library Conference Room (1116 Fryar Ave., Sumner)

For more information, call the Pierce County Aging & Disability Resource Center at (253) 798-4600 or (800) 562-0332.

Contributing Author by — December 21, 2011 in Everything Else

Looking for an inexpensive way to celebrate the holidays?  Pierce County Libraries offer programs and projects for just about any age group.  Have young grand children visiting?  Check out the opportunities to make and decorate their very own gingerbread house or go watch a variety show featuring comical marionettes.   Want something for yourself?  Learn to make a holiday wreath or centerpiece, listen to local musicians or take up a new hobby with lessons on book making.   Need something a bit more cerebral?  Learn about the Civil War, listen to a lecture on opera or hear a local author.  It’s all at Pierce County Libraries.  Reminder to Tacoma residents: You can have a Pierce County Library card and a Tacoma Public Library card.  If you live outside of Tacoma, check here to see if you qualify for a Pierce County Library card.

Bonney Lake Pierce County Library, 18501 90th St. E.

  • Saturday, Dec. 3, 12 – 2 p.m. Wreath Making All are welcome to learn techniques. For those who would like to make a wreath, cost is $5 for supplies. Registration required. Register online @ www.piercecountylibrary.org/calendar
  • Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. Puppets Please
  • Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m. Holiday Caroling
    The Dickens Carolers, a professional a cappella quartet, dressed in authentic Victorian costumes, will sing.

Buckley Pierce County Library, 123 S. River Ave.

  • Saturday, Dec. 10, noon. Puppets Please
  • Wednesday, Dec. 14, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Gingerbread Houses. Ages 5 and up. Register in the library.

DuPont Pierce County Library, 1540 Wilmington Drive

 

Gig Harbor Pierce County Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Drive N.W.

  • Saturday, Dec. 3, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Gingerbread Houses. Ages 5 and up. Register in the library.
  • Saturday, Dec. 3, 2:30 p.m. Holiday Concert
    The award-winning ensemble, Evergreen Brass Quintet, will perform seasonal music.
  • ·  Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m. – noon. Holiday Centerpiece Workshop
    All are welcome to learn techniques. For those who would like to make a centerpiece, cost is $15 for supplies. Registration required. Register online @ www.piercecountylibrary.org/calendar
  • Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m.  Veteran opera lecturer Norm Hollingshead will inform and entertain with an enthusiastic preview of the Seattle Opera production of Giuseppi Verdi’s “Attila.”  Italian opera master Verdi’s dramatic work of historical fiction features assassination plots, dirty politics, and plenty of pomp and circumstance. Attila the Hun and his conquering hordes clash with cunning women warriors and a scheming Roman general. This rousing showdown between good and evil boasts expressive melodies, glorious choral pieces and standout arias.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 21, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Puppets Please

Graham Pierce County Library, 9202 224th St. E.

  • Saturday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m. Holiday Concert
    All ages will enjoy tunes with The Totem-Aires/Tacoma Barbershop Harmony Chorus.
  • Tuesday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m. Puppets Please

Key Center Pierce County Library, 8905 KPN, Lakebay

  • Saturday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m. Holiday Concert
    Vocal music lovers will welcome the holidays with the Seattle ensemble Madrigalia. Friends of the Key Center Library encourage people to bring donations for the Key Peninsula Food Bank.
  • Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. Gingerbread Houses. All ages. Register in the library.

Lakewood Pierce County Library, 6300 Wildaire Road S.W.

  • Monday, Dec. 5, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Book Making
    Participants will learn to make a simple book with pamphlet stitch binding and gain skills to create homemade presents.
  • Saturday, Dec. 17, 2 p.m. Puppets Please

Milton/Edgewood Pierce County Library, Surprise Lake Square, 900 Meridian E., Suite 29

Orting Pierce County Library, 202 Washington Ave. S. 98360

  • Thursday, Dec. 8, 3 – 4:30 p.m. Gingerbread Houses. Ages 13-17. No registration required.
  • Saturday, Dec. 17, 1 – 4 p.m. Gingerbread Houses. Ages 5 and up. Register online @ www.piercecountylibrary.org/calendar

Parkland/Spanaway Pierce County Library, 13718 Pacific Ave. S.

South Hill Pierce County Library, 15420 Meridian E.

  • Sunday, Dec. 4, 2 p.m. Puppets Please
  • Wednesday, Dec. 7, 1 – 5 p.m. Gingerbread Houses. Ages 5 and up. Register online @www.piercecountylibrary.org/calendar
  • Friday, Dec. 16, at 2 p.m.  Celebrate Jane Austen’s birthday. Guests will sip tea while they talk with Sharon Johnson, local author of “The Darcys of Pemberley,” a sequel to “Pride and Prejudice.” Learn about Jane Austen’s life and work, and hear true tales of the rocky road to publication.  Copies of “The Darcys of Pemberley” will be available for purchase at the event.

Steilacoom Pierce County Library, 2950 Steilacoom Blvd.

Summit Pierce County Library, 5107 112th St. E., Tacoma

  • Saturday, Dec. 17, 12 p.m. Puppets Please

Sumner Pierce County Library, 1116 Fryar Ave. 

  • Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. Gingerbread Houses. All ages: under 6 with an adult. Register online @ www.piercecountylibrary.org/calendar
  • Saturday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m. Puppets Please
  • Saturday, Dec.17, 3 p.m. Holiday Stories
    Dave Rasmussen from the Fireside Story League will share delightful holiday short stories.

University Place Pierce County Library, 3609 Market Place W.

  • Let’s Talk About It: Making Sense of the American Civil War, a reading and discussion series, will open with an orientation on Thursday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m., and include five discussions on Thursdays: Jan. 5, Feb. 2, March 1, April 5, May 3, from 7 to 9 p.m.  The library will provide all materials at the orientation, including the following books for discussion:   Registration is required. People may sign up at the library or by calling 253-548-3307.
  • “America’s War: Talking about the Civil War and Emancipation on their 150th Anniversaries” edited by Edward L. Ayers.
  • “Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam” by James M. McPherson.
  • “March” by Geraldine Brooks.
  • Saturday, Dec. 17, 3:30 p.m. Puppets Please
srmedia by — November 30, 2011 in Everything Else