S IL ICO N VA LL EY R EA D S 2016
Chance
of RAIN
The impact of climate change on our lives
Calendar of 150+ Events
January - March, 2016
Authors • Panels • Films • Art Exhibit • Discussions
Free events for all ages throughout Santa Clara County
PRESENTED BY:
SiliconValleyReads.org
Welcome to Silicon Valley Reads 2016
Too little rain . . . too much rain. Either case of extreme
weather can dramatically impact everyday life. Silicon Valley
Reads 2016 will explore the effects of climate change with its
theme “Chance of Rain: The impact of climate change on
our lives.”
For the first time in its 14-year history, Silicon Valley Reads
will host an Author in Residence for two months and a
Visiting Author as the centerpieces of more than 150 free
programs designed to engage the community in dialogue
about the potential consequences of climate change. Our
goal is to encourage people to read, think, talk and gain new
perspectives about a topic – the weather – that affects each
of us every day.
2016 Featured Books
Memory of Water
by Emmi Itäranta
Sherwood Nation
by Benjamin Parzybok
2016 Companion Books
for Children
Water Is Water
by Miranda Paul (PreK-Grade 3)
Closing Event
of Silicon Valley
Reads 2016
Tuesday, Jan. 26
Sunday, March 20
Doors open at 6:45 p.m. No tickets or reservations
required. First come, first seated. Barnes & Noble
will sell books before and after the program and the
authors will sign books after the program.
A video of this program will be posted in the Video
Library of the website SiliconValleyReads.org.
7:30 p.m., Heritage Theatre, Campbell
Information: SVReads@aol.com
Authors Emmi Itäranta and Benjamin
Parzybok discuss their books and the
Silicon Valley Reads experience with
Nancy Howe, Santa Clara County
Librarian and co-chair of Silicon Valley Reads. Co-sponsored by the
Cupertino Library Foundation.
1 p.m., Cupertino Community Hall
Information: SVReads@aol.com
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
Author in Residence Emmi Itäranta........................................................ 4-5
Visiting Author Benjamin Parzybok ....................................................... 6-7
Learn about climate change, drought, water conservation ..............8-9
Films ......................................................................................................... 10-11
Programs for children & families ......................................................... 12-13
Celebrity storytimes, book discussion groups ....................................... 14
2
Saturday, Feb. 20
Join the Santa Clara Valley Water District for a
free public tour of the largest advanced water
purification center in Northern California. See how
treated wastewater is purified to produce water
that is safe enough to meet California’s strict water
quality standards using advanced technologies of
microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet
light disinfection. Learn about the beneficial uses
of purified water and its potential for providing a
safe, reliable, and locally-controlled water supply
that is resilient against drought and climate change.
You must register online at PureWaterSV.org/SVR
to secure a tour spot at the Silicon Valley Advanced
Water Purification Center in San Jose. Space is
limited. Please register by Feb. 17 as tour times are
first come, first serve.
10 a.m., 12 noon or 2 p.m., Silicon Valley Advanced
Water Purification Center
Information and reservations: PureWaterSV.org/SVR
The Storm in the Barn
by Matt Phelan (Grade 4 and up)
Kick Off of
Silicon Valley
Reads 2016
Emmi Itaranta, author of Memory
of Water, and Benjamin Parzybok,
author of Sherwood Nation,
are interviewed on stage by
Mercury News columnist Sal Pizarro. Co-sponsored
by Commonwealth Club Silicon Valley. Welcoming
music performed by Del Mar High School Saxophone
Ensemble under the direction of William Burkhead.
Tour Water Purification Systems
Event locations.............................................................................................. 15
Event listings in date order at SiliconValleyReads.org
“Burning Ice” Art Exhibit
Feb. 1-March 17
“Burning Ice” explores
impacts and causes of
climate change from
Richmond and East
Palo Alto to the Arctic
Circle. Artworks also
honor nature and
those who advocate
on our behalf.
Artists include Amy Balkin, Jesus
Barazza, Barbara Boissevain,
Melanie Cervantes, Brett Cook,
Cheryl Patrice Derricotte, Linda
Gass, Holly Van Hart, Maile
Iwanaga, John Kurtyka, Martin
Machado, Joseph Rodriguez, Simone Shin,
Kim Stringfellow, and Wesley T. Wright.
Special project with De Anza College Art
and Humanities students.
The public is invited to meet the artists
of the “Burning Ice” exhibit and Silicon
Valley Reads authors Emmi Itäranta and
Benjamin Parzybok at a reception with
music and refreshments on Wednesday,
Feb. 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Euphrat
Museum of Art.
On Saturday, March 5, the
public is invited to a “Climate Control
Art Cards” workshop. Draw, collage and
stamp to create cards that honor nature
and advocate for solutions. Drop-in, free
of charge with ongoing activities 10 a.m.1 p.m.
Euphrat Museum of Art on the De
Anza College campus is open MonThur, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. (closed Mon,
Feb 15 for Presidents Day), Sat
March 5, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Thur
Feb 4 and Thur March 3, 5:307:30 p.m. for open mic nights,
and Thur Feb 18 and Thur March
17, 5-8 p.m. for film and discussion
nights. Open to tour groups by
appointment. Information:
408-864-5464
3
Event location addresses on page 15
Author in Residence
Emmi Itäranta
“I haven’t dared to go to the spring in seven weeks. Yesterday
I turned on the tap in the house and held the mouth of the
waterskin to its metal. I spoke to it in pretty words and ugly
words, and I may have even screamed and wept, but water
doesn’t care for human sorrows. It flows without slowing or
quickening its pace in the darkness of the earth,
where only stones will hear.”
- from Memory of Water
Meet Emmi Itäranta at these locations during
her residency in Silicon Valley
Global warming has changed the world’s
geography and its politics. Wars are waged
over water, and China rules Europe,
including the Scandinavian Union, which
is occupied by the power state of New
Qian. In this far north place, 17-year-old
Noria Kaitio is learning to become a tea
master like her father, a position that holds
great responsibility and great secrets. Tea
masters alone know the location of hidden
water sources, including the natural spring
that Noria’s father tends, which once
provided water for her whole village. But
secrets do not stay hidden forever, and after
her father’s death the army starts watching
their town—and Noria. And as water
becomes even scarcer, Noria must choose
between safety and striking out, between
knowledge and kinship.
Saturday, Jan. 30, 2 p.m. at Cambrian Branch Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Cambrian Branch Library
Information: 408-813-8777
About Emmi Itäranta
Emmi grew up in
Finland and now lives
in Canterbury, U.K.
Memory of Water is her
debut novel and has
won multiple awards.
Translation rights to
it have been sold in
17 territories to date.
Emmi holds an MA in
Drama from the University of Tampere
and an MA in Creative Writing from the
University of Kent, UK.
Thursday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m. at Santa Clara Central Park
Library
Co-sponsored by City of Santa Clara Library and Santa
Clara City Library Friends & Foundation
Information: 408-615-2900
Monday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m. at Saratoga Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of the Saratoga Libraries
Information: 408-867-6126
Saturday, Feb. 6, 2 p.m. at Vineland Branch Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Vineland Branch Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Saturday, Feb. 6, 4 p.m. at East Carnegie Branch
Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of East Carnegie Branch Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Monday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. at Sunnyvale Public Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Sunnyvale Public Library
Information: 408-730-7300
Saturday, Feb. 13, 1 p.m. at Edenvale Branch Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Edenvale Branch Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Saturday, Feb. 13, 3 p.m. at Rose Garden Branch Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Rose Garden Branch Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Friday, Feb. 19, 1 p.m. at Bascom Branch Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Bascom Branch Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Friday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m. at Woodland Branch
Library
Co-sponsored by Los Altos Library
Endowment
Information: 650-969-6030
Saturday, March 5, 2:30 p.m. at Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2 p.m. at Mountain View
Public Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Mountain View
Library
Information: 650-903-6897
Sunday, March 6, 2 p.m. at Palo Alto City Library
Rinconada Branch
Co-sponsored by Friends of Palo Alto City Library
Information: 650-329-2436
Sunday, Feb. 21, 3-4:30 p.m. at San Jose
Woman’s Club
Emmi is interviewed by Lucille Boone of
the San Jose Woman’s Club. Refreshments
served.
Information: 408-294-6919
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 4 p.m. at Almaden Branch
Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Almaden Branch
Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Friday, March 11, 7 p.m. at Calabazas Branch
Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Calabazas Branch
Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Saturday, March 12, 2 p.m. at Campbell Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Campbell Library
Information: 408-866-1991
Sunday, March 13, 1:30-3 p.m. at India
Community Center
Talk followed by panel discussion. Co-sponsored
by Indian Business & Professional Women and
hosted by India Community Center
Information: IBPW.net
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2 p.m. at Los Gatos
Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Los Gatos Library
Thursday, March 17, 6:30 p.m. at San Jose City
Information: 408-354-6894
College Theatre
Thursday, March 3, 5:30 p.m. at Alum Rock Emmi will be interviewed by Desert Ecologist Dr.
Branch Library
Mark Newton, Biology Dept., San Jose City College
Co-sponsored by Friends of Alum Rock
Information: 408-646-1248
Branch Library
Saturday, March 19, 2 p.m. at Gilroy Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Co-sponsored by Friends of Gilroy Library
Information: 408-842-8207
Join Emmi for a traditional Japanese
Tea Ceremony at Hakone Gardens
Friday, March 11, 1 p.m.
Author Emmi Itäranta says that a traditional tea ceremony is a central element of her book,
Memory of Water, because “it highlights the importance of water as well as the clash between
maintaining tradition and seeking change under new circumstances.” Her portrayal of a
tea ceremony combines elements from different cultures, but was heavily influenced by the
“Japanese way of tea.”
Join Emmi for a traditional
tea ceremony, Urasenke style,
and discussion of her book at
beautiful Hakone Gardens in
Saratoga. Tickets are $20 per
person and include admission
to the garden. Limited
seating. Purchase tickets at
hakone.com.
4
5
Event listings in date order at SiliconValleyReads.org
Event location addresses on page 15
Visiting Author
Benjamin Parzybok
“The bone-dry summers of the west lingered deeper and deeper into
winter. Everyone could see the snow pack was melting. Then the
great Deschutes River … dried up in a single summer. The farms that
depended upon it follow suit. There were strikes and protests. Blood
was spilled. Then, quickly, other rivers diminished… Hordes poured
into the Midwest and the Eastern United States and the last of the
surface water seeped deep into the ground ... Finally, borders along
the Rocky Mountains were sealed to Westerners and a meager aid
strategy was conceived for the many millions abandoned to their dry
fates out west.”
- from Sherwood Nation
Thursday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m. at Los Altos Library
Co-sponsored by Los Altos Library Endowment
Information: 650-948-7683
Friday, Feb. 19, 1 p.m. at Berryessa Branch
Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Berryessa Branch
Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Saturday, Feb. 20, 3 p.m. at Santa Teresa Branch
Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Santa Teresa Branch
Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Tuesday, March 8, 4 p.m. at West Valley Branch
Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of West Valley Branch
Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m. at Morgan Hill
Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Morgan Hill Library
Information: 408-779-3196
In drought-stricken Portland, a Robin
Hood-esque water thief is caught on
camera redistributing an illegal truckload
of water to those in need. Nicknamed
“Maid Marian,” Renee, a 20-something
barista, becomes an instant folk hero.
She rides her swelling popularity and
the public’s disgust at how the city has
abandoned its people to raise an army
and secede a quarter of the city. But as
Maid Marian and her compatriots build
their community one neighbor at a time,
they make powerful enemies amongst
the city government and the National
Guard. Sherwood Nation is a love story,
a war story, a grand social experiment,
a treatise on freedom and necessity, on
individualism and community.
About Benjamin Parzybok
Benjamin Parzybok is the author of many published short stories
and one other novel, Couch, in addition to Sherwood Nation. Among
his other projects, he co-founded Gumball Poetry, a literary journal
published in gumball capsule machines, co-ran Project Hamad, an
effort to free a Guantanamo inmate Adel Hamad (who is now free)
and co-runs “Black Magic Insurance Agency,” a one-night city-wide
alternative reality game. He also founded and is the current Chief
Technology Officer of the startup Walker Tracker.
Meet Benjamin Parzybok during his visits to Silicon Valley:
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 4 p.m. at Santa Clara University, Learning Commons,
St. Clare Room
Ben will be interviewed by SCU faculty member John Farnsworth, followed by audience
Q&A and book signing. Co-sponsored by Santa Clara University
Information: 408-554-5031
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 12:30 p.m. at West Valley College Campus Center, Baltic Room
Information: 408-741-4661
“what if”
Saturday, Feb. 20, 1 p.m. at Evergreen Branch
Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Evergreen Branch
Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Wednesday, March 9, 5:30 p.m. at Pearl Avenue
Branch Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Pearl Avenue Branch
Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Thursday, March 10, 2 p.m. at Evergreen Valley
College Montgomery Hall
Information: 408-270-6433
Thursday, March 10, 5:30 p.m. at Tully
Community Branch Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Tully Community
Branch Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Saturday, March 19, 2 p.m. at Willow Glen
Branch Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Willow Glen Branch
Library
Information: 408-813-8777
Could It Happen Here?
Monday, March 7
In Benjamin Parzybok’s eco-fiction novel Sherwood Nation,
he speculates about what an American city would be like if an
extended drought limited water rations to one gallon of water
per person a day. Hoarding, riots, neighborhoods filled with
abandoned homes and businesses, fires left to burn themselves
out, power outages – residents quickly devolve into survival
mode of doing whatever they think is necessary to stay alive.
How far-fetched is this disturbing “what if” story? Would the
infrastructure, water policies and human kindness ethics of
Silicon Valley be up to the challenge of losing unlimited access
to the precious resource we take for granted – water.
Discussing “Could It Happen Here” with author Parzybok are
panelists:
• Dr. Brian Green, Assistant Director, Campus Ethics,
Markkula Center for Applied Ethics and Assistant Director
of Engineering, Santa Clara University
• Jim Fiedler, Chief Operating Officer, Water Utility,
Santa Clara Valley Water District
• Barbara Marshman, moderator, Editorial Page Editor,
Mercury News
• Additional panelists to be announced
Audience questions will be encouraged. Co-sponsored by
the Tech Museum of Innovation and Commonwealth Club
Silicon Valley
6-7:30 p.m., Tech Museum of Innovation
Information: SVReads@aol.com
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m. at Milpitas Library
Co-sponsored by Friends of Milpitas Library
Information: 408-262-1171
6
7
Event listings in date order at SiliconValleyReads.org
Event location addresses on page 15
Learn more about climate change, drought and water conservation
Keeping the Water
Flowing
Saturday, Jan. 30
Water’s unique status as a renewable but
finite resource misleads us into thinking we
can always produce more of it. Susan Leal,
author of Running Out of Water and former
General Manager of the San Francisco
Public Utilities Commission, will discuss
her decade of research on the world’s
water and wastewater challenges. She will
balance the sobering facts about the water
crisis with ideas for innovative solutions aimed at increasing
the quality and availability of water for both agricultural users
and city dwellers. Co-sponsored by Commonwealth Club
Silicon Valley.
2 p.m., Cupertino Community Hall
Information: SVReads@aol.com
The United Nations
Global Conference on
Climate Change: A Final
Opportunity?
Wednesday, Feb. 3
In December, nearly all the countries in the world gathered in
Paris for the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to forge
a legally binding, global agreement to effectively confront
climate change. What will be the measure of success and
what are the consequences of failure? Christopher Field of
Carnegie Institution’s Global Ecology and Katharine Mach,
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, will present their
first hand assessment after attending the Paris Conference. Cosponsored by World Affairs Council Peninsula Chapter and the
Los Altos Library.
7:30 p.m., Los Altos Youth Center
Information: WorldAffairs.org
History of Water
in Silicon Valley The West Without Water: A
Wednesday, Feb 10
History of Droughts and Floods in
This presentation by the Santa Clara
Valley Water District will showcase the
California
past, present and future of water in
Silicon Valley. It will take a close look at
what we have done to ensure a reliable
supply of safe, clean water throughout
the years as population density has
increased and as the main industries of
the valley have changed. It will also look
at historical flooding and what we have
done – and continue to do – to protect
lives, homes and businesses, including
the latest preparations and actions to
guard against the “Godzilla” El Niño
we have been promised in 2016. It will
include tips for water conservation for
the drought and flood protection for El
Niño storms – a dichotomy that we’re
living today.
Sunday, Feb. 21
7 p.m., Cupertino Library
Information: 408-446-1677
2 p.m., Cupertino Community Hall
Information: SVReads@aol.com
In this illustrated talk authors
Dr. Lynn Ingram, Professor
in the Departments of Earth
and Planetary Science and
Geography at U.C. Berkeley,
and Frances Malamud-Roam,
Senior Environmental PlannerNatural Sciences Caltrans District 4, will present evidence for “megafloods” and
“megadroughts” that recurred over the past several thousand years. These extreme
events in California, mirrored by events throughout the West, were of much longer
duration and severity than any experienced over the past century and are virtually
unknown in the living memory of modern residents of the West. Co-sponsored by
League of Women Voters San Jose/Santa Clara and Southwest Santa Clara Valley
chapters.
Water Conservation Programs
Planning a Rain
Garden for Native
Plants
This season’s rain is
pouring down, running
off your roof, down your
driveway into the streets,
storm drains, creeks and
ultimately to the ocean.
What if you could capture much of that runoff and use it for a
garden, with the excess percolating downward to recharge your
local aquifer, purifying itself as it goes through the soil? Learn
how Rain Gardens can help you keep rain water on site. Find
out what they are, how to construct them, and which California
native plants are best for them. Presented by Alan Hackler,
owner of Bay Maples.
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 7 p.m. at Morgan Hill Library
Wednesday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m. at Campbell Library
Biodiversity and the Native Plant Gardener
Learn about the critical role native plants play in a healthy
environment and what you can do to celebrate and save them.
Provide habitat for wildlife, conserve natural resources, save
money, and give your garden a sense of place – by using native
plants. Plant lists will be available. Our speaker Arvind Kumar
has been gardening with native plants for over 13 years and
is a past president of the Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the
California Native Plant Society.
Tuesday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m. at Saratoga Library
Drought Tolerant Flowering Plants for
Your Garden
Create a beautiful flower garden while conserving water. Many
low water use flowers not only add color, fragrance, and texture
to your garden, but also create a healthy habitat for beneficial
insects, butterflies, and birds. Learn how to grow and care for
them. Presented by UCCE Master Gardener Joan Cloutier.
Monday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m. at Morgan Hill Library
How To Reduce Water Use In Your Garden
We won’t have an El Nino every year! Water saving methods
will continue to be necessary in our climate. Learn about
gardening practices that will save water while growing healthy
plants. Irrigation tips and techniques will also be discussed.
Presented by UCCE Master Gardener Joan Cloutier.
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. at Gilroy Library
8
Event listings in date order at SiliconValleyReads.org
Graywater
This seminar will cover everything you need to know about
the Santa Clara Valley Water District Graywater Laundry to
Landscape rebate program that offers $200 per single family
residence for connecting a clothes washer to a graywater
irrigation system. Topics include graywater code, key design
aspects and audience Q&A.
Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m. at Gilroy Library
Monday, Feb. 29, 7 p.m. at Saratoga Library
Success with Low Water Ornamentals
A talk by Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County.
Thursday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m., Palo Alto City Library
Rinconada Branch
Information: 650-329-2436
How To Use Recycled Water
for Gardening
A talk by RainDance.
Thursday, March 10, 7 p.m., Palo
Alto City Library, Rinconada Branch
Information: 650-329-2436
The Threat of Rising Waters
Silicon Valley is the lifeblood of the Bay Area economy. But
rising waters and extreme weather brought about by climate
change put major tech companies and other businesses
at risk. Scientists and experts warn that our region is due
for the next severe storm, but are Bay Area residents and
businesses really prepared? The answer may concern you.
Join Mike Mielke, Senior Vice President, Environment and
Energy, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and John Bourgeois,
Executive Director, South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project,
for a presentation on the threat to our economy and our way
of life posed by climate change as well as potential solutions
supported by both business and environmental leaders across
the Bay Area.
Tuesday, March 8, 7-8:30 p.m. at Mountain View
Public Library
9
Event location addresses on page 15
The Fight for Water: A Farm
Worker Struggle
Blue Gold: World
Water Wars
Wars of the future will be fought over
water as they are over oil today, as the
source of human survival enters the
global marketplace and political arena.
Corporate giants, private investors, and
corrupt governments vie for control
of our dwindling supply, prompting
protests, lawsuits, and revolutions from
citizens fighting for the right to survive. Past civilizations have
collapsed from poor water management. Can the human race
survive? (90 min)
Monday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. at Saratoga Library
Climate Refugees
A “climate refugee” is a person displaced
by climatically induced environmental
disasters such as droughts,
desertification, sea level rise and extreme
weather events (hurricanes, cyclones,
fires, mass flooding and tornadoes). All
this is causing mass global migration
and border conflicts. For the first time,
the Pentagon now considers climate
change a national security risk and
the term climate wars is being talked about in war-room like
environments in Washington D.C. (95 min)
Monday, Feb. 22, 4 p.m. at Rose Garden Branch Library
Liquid Assets
This film tells the story of essential
water-related infrastructure systems:
water, wastewater and stormwater.
These aging systems — some in
the ground for more than 100 years
— provide a critical public health
function and are essential for economic
development and growth. Exploring
the history, engineering challenges,
and political and economic realities
in urban and rural locations, the documentary provides an
understanding of the hidden assets that support our way of life.
(90 min)
Friday, Feb. 5, 3:45 p.m. at Educational Park Branch Library
Earth Under Water
National Geographic explores the
potential effects of sea level rise on our
civilization over the next few centuries.
“Earth Under Water” explains the
science behind the prediction of sea
level rise and shows what will happen
if the levels rise with increasing speed.
Then, we fast forward to the 23rd
century to see how resourceful humans
fight back and adapt using hyper
engineering, vast dams, and even the construction of floating
cities to cope with the after-effects. (45 min)
Friday, Feb. 5, 3 p.m. at Educational Park Branch Library
Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m. at Mountain View Public Library
Saturday, Feb. 13, 5 p.m. at Palo Alto City Library, Rinconada
Branch
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m. at Saratoga Library
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 5 p.m. at Tully Community Branch Library
Friday, Feb. 26, 4:30 p.m. at Tully Community Branch Library
Monday, March 14, 4 p.m. at Rose Garden Branch Library
Wednesday, March 23, 6:30 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Library
Mega-drought
Trends indicate that a major drought
event is looming in the not-too-distant
future. In as few as three decades we
could experience conditions that would
make the Dust Bowl of the 1930s seem
like an oasis. Efforts to conserve, while
admirable and desperately necessary,
may already be too late. This episode
of the History Channel’s mega-disaster
series projects a scenario 70 years into
the future in which a 12-year drought leaves the U.S. unstable
and economically depressed. Western cities are abandoned,
states clash for dwindling water supplies and society devolves
into a battle for survival. (45 min)
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. at Saratoga Library
Tuesday, Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m. at Mountain View Public Library
Saturday, Feb. 13, 4 p.m. at Palo Alto City Library, Rinconada
Branch
Monday, March 7, 4 p.m. at Rose Garden Branch Library
Wednesday, March 9, 6:30 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Library
Saturday, March 12, 4 p.m. at Alum Rock Branch Library
Wednesday, March 16, 6 p.m. at Tully Community Branch
Library
This historical documentary, set during
the 2009 California Water Crisis, follows
the stories of two Central Valley farmers.
They discuss how water restrictions
and environmental regulations have
threatened their way of life, their
American dream and their community.
The crisis point was an environmental
ruling to protect an endangered fish
species that shut off their water supply
and led to the layoff of thousands of
migrant farm workers. This led to a water march across the
heart of the California Central Valley by farmers, farm workers
and a coalition of Latinos to demand that their water supply be
turned back on. (78 min)
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Library
Tuesday, Feb. 9, 4 p.m. at Hillview Branch Library
Tuesday, Feb. 9, 6 p.m. at Los Gatos Library
Thursday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m. at Santa Clara Central Park Library
Monday, Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m. at Sunnyvale Public Library
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 6 p.m. at Gilroy Library
Saturday, Feb. 27, 4 p.m. at Alum Rock Branch Library
Monday, Feb. 29, 4 p.m. at Rose Garden Branch Library
Tuesday, March 8, 5:30 p.m. at Tully Community Branch
Library
Saturday, March 19, 2:15 p.m. at Biblioteca Latinoamericana
Branch Library
Water Detectives
In Matamoros, Mexico, a severe water
shortage led to a one-of-a-kind solution:
The city put local children in charge
of changing adult attitudes and habits.
Thousands of schoolchildren were
enlisted as “water detectives.” Educated
about resource conservation, they were
encouraged to discuss proper water
usage with adults and were authorized
to give “tickets” to transgressors seen to be wasting water. The
municipality followed up by fixing leaks and visiting homes.
The result? Matamoros lowered its water consumption by
nearly 20 percent in just one year! (11 min)
Friday, Jan. 29, 4 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
Monday, Feb. 1, 4 p.m. at Rose Garden Branch Library
Saturday, Feb. 13, 3:30 p.m. at Palo Alto City Library,
Rinconada Branch
Thursday, Feb. 18, 4 p.m. at Bascom Branch Library
Thursday, Feb. 25, 4 p.m. at Saratoga Library
Friday, Feb. 26, 3:30 p.m. at Tully Community Branch Library
Friday, Feb. 26, 3:30 p.m. at Alum Rock Branch Library
Friday, March 11, 5 p.m. at Calabazas Branch Library
Saturday, March 19, 2 p.m. at Biblioteca Latinoamericana
Branch Library
There Once Was An Island
What if you had to leave your home
forever? Takuu, a tiny atoll in Papua New
Guinea, contains the last Polynesian
culture of its kind. Facing escalating
climate-related impacts, including a
terrifying flood, community members
Teloo, Endar and Satty take us on an
intimate journey to the core of their
lives and dreams. Will they relocate to
war-ravaged Bougainville - becoming
environmental refugees - or fight to
stay? Two visiting scientists investigate on the island, leading
audience and community to a greater understanding of climate
change. (80 min)
Monday, Feb. 8, 4 p.m. at Rose Garden Branch Library
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 5 p.m. at Bascom Branch Library
Friday, March 11, 5:15 p.m. at Calabazas Branch Library
Silicon Valley Reads
Film Fest at Bluelight
Cinemas
Sunday, Feb. 28, 12:30-8 p.m.
Films to be shown include: “There Once Was An
Island,” “Climate Refugees,” “The Fight for Water:
A Farm Worker Struggle,” “Liquid Assets” and “Blue
Gold: World Water Wars.” For times of each film, visit
BlueLightCinemas.com.
Writing Workshop for Teens
Wednesday, Feb. 24
Aspiring writers get advice from Emmi Itäranta, author of
Memory of Water, in this workshop. Limited to 20 and preregistration is required. Call 408-446-1677 x3344 to sign up.
7-9 p.m., Cupertino Library
10
11
Event listings in date order at SiliconValleyReads.org
Event location addresses on page 15
Events for
Children & Families
Water Is Water
The Storm in the Barn
By Miranda Paul, illustrated by Jason Chin
Written and illustrated by Matt Phelan
[PreK-Grade 3]
This poetic story follows
two siblings—and
all the water around
them—through a year’s
worth of movements
and changes. Younger
children will enjoy
the rhythmic text and
colorful illustrations
while older readers can
learn about the science
behind the story from
factual information at
the end of the book.
Water Is Water was
named a Junior Library
Guild selection, received
starred reviews in School Library Journal and Publisher’s
Weekly, and appeared on the “Best of 2015” lists from the
Chicago Public Library, the New York Public Library and The
Huffington Post.
About Miranda Paul
Miranda Paul is a children’s writer who is passionate about
creating stories for young readers that inspire, entertain and
broaden horizons. In addition to more than 50 short stories for
magazines and digital markets, Miranda is the author of several
forthcoming picture books.
Meet Miranda Paul
Monday, Feb. 22, 10:30-11:15 a.m. at
CHAC Family Resource Center
Monday, Feb. 22, 5:30-6 p.m. at West
San Jose Family Resource Center
Both of these events are co-sponsored
by FIRST 5 Santa Clara County.
Monday, Feb. 22, 3:30 p.m. at Santa Teresa Branch Library
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 3-4:30 p.m. at Hicklebee’s Bookstore for reading
and book signing
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2:30 p.m. at Saratoga Library
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 6 p.m. at Alum Rock Branch Library
Thursday, Feb. 25, 4 p.m. at Cupertino Library – special program
for children ages K and up, includes interactive guessing jokes
and multiple choice questions about water facts
Thursday, Feb. 25, 5:30 p.m. at East Carnegie Branch Library
Friday, Feb. 26, 3:30 p.m. at Bascom Branch Library
Children are invited to create their own musical rain stick that
mimics the sound of falling rain.
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2 p.m. at Berryessa Branch Library
Friday, Feb. 19, 3:30 p.m. at Alum Rock Branch Library
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 4 p.m. at Hillview Branch Library
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 6 p.m. at Bascom Branch Library
Friday, Feb. 26, 3:30 p.m. at Tully Community Branch Library
Saturday, March 5, 1:30 p.m. at East Carnegie Branch Library
Saturday, March 5, 2 p.m. at Seven Trees Branch Library
Friday, March 11, 3:30 p.m. at Edenvale Branch Library
Friday, March 11, 4 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
Saturday, March 12, 11 a.m. at Calabazas Branch Library
The Dust Bowl is
sweeping through 1937
Kansas, but 11-year-old
Jack Clark still faces life’s
ordinary challenges: town
bullies, a sister with an eye
for trouble, and his father’s
failed expectations. With
tensions flaring in the
rising heat, Jack catches a
glimpse of a sinister figure
with a face like rain in a
neighbor’s abandoned
barn. When it never rains,
it’s hard to trust what you
see with your own eyes – and harder still to take heart and
be a hero when the time comes. The Storm in the Barn is a
graphic novel that has received numerous honors including
the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction and Kirkus
Reviews Best Children’s Book of the Year.
Saturday, Feb. 27, 11 a.m. at Gilroy Library
About Matt Phelan
Matt Phelan is the illustrator of many
books for young readers. The Storm
in the Barn won the 2010 Scott O’Dell
Award for Historical Fiction. In 2014,
Matt was awarded the Free Library
of Philadelphia/Drexel University
Children’s Literature Citation.
Meet Matt Phelan
Tuesday, March 1, 5:45 p.m. at Joyce Ellington Branch Library
Wednesday, March 2, 4 p.m. at Los Altos Library
Thursday, March 3, 4 p.m. at Cupertino Library
Friday, March 4, 4 p.m. at Mountain View Public Library
with the Graphic Novel Club for Tweens
Saturday, March 5, 1-2:30 p.m. at Hicklebee’s
Bookstore for reading and book signing
Saturday, March 5, 4 p.m. at Pearl Avenue
Branch Library
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2 p.m. at Almaden Branch Library
Los Gatos chapter of Daughters of American Revolution will
distribute free copies of Water Is Water to first 20 families
Sunday, Feb. 28, 12:15 and 1:30 p.m. at Children’s Discovery
Museum
O T H E R
The Rhythm of Rain
[Grades 4 and up]
A C T I V I T I E S
Monday, March 14, 3 p.m. at Joyce Ellington Branch Library
Tuesday, March 15, 5:30 p.m. at Biblioteca Latinoamericana
Branch Library
Saturday, March 19, 11 a.m. at West Valley Branch Library
Saturday, March 24, 3:30 p.m. at Santa Teresa Branch Library
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring
Preschool children ages 2-4 share a story about clouds in the
sky and then make their own clouds in an art activity that
is age appropriate. All supplies provided. Children must be
accompanied by an adult.
Tuesday, Jan. 26, 11:30 a.m. at Tully Community Branch Library
Thursday, Feb. 4, 11 a.m. at Bascom Branch Library
Thursday, Feb. 11, 10:30 a.m. at Alum Rock Branch Library
12
Event listings in date order at SiliconValleyReads.org
F O R
C H I L D R E N
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 3:30 p.m. at Santa Teresa Branch Library
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 5:30 p.m. at Seven Trees Branch Library
Friday, Feb. 26, 4 p.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
Saturday, Feb. 27, 1:30 p.m. at East Carnegie Branch Library
Tuesday, March 1, 11 a.m. at Edenvale Branch Library
Saturday, March 5, 11 a.m. at Calabazas Branch Library
Saturday, March 5, 11 a.m. at West Valley Branch Library
Wednesday, March 9, 11 a.m. at Almaden Branch Library
Thursday, March 10, 10:30 a.m. at Willow Glen Branch Library
Thursday, March 17, 10:30 a.m. at Biblioteca Latinoamericana
Branch Library
Saturday, March 19, 1 p.m. at Evergreen Branch Library
Thursday, March 31, 3:30 p.m. at Joyce Ellington Branch Library
Let It Rain!
“Let it Rain!” is a hands-on science workshop (for children age
3 to 6) presented by Science Smart Kids and Camp Captivate.
Children will simulate rain in the classroom, measure rain with a
rain gauge, and will explore the water cycle. Each child must be
accompanied by a participating parent/caregiver.
Saturday, Feb. 27, 11 a.m.-12 noon at Cambrian Branch Library
Saturday, March 5, 11 a.m.-12 noon at Bascom Branch Library
Saturday, March 5, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Edenvale Branch Library
Saturday, March 12, 2-3 p.m. at Rose Garden Branch Library
Saturday, March 12, 3-4 p.m. at Alum Rock Branch Library
Saturday, March 19, 11 a.m.-12 noon at Calabazas Branch Library
Saturday, March 26, 1-2 p.m. at Evergreen Branch Library
Saturday, March 26, 4-5 p.m. at Pearl Avenue Branch Library
Event location addresses on page 15
13
Celebrity Storytimes
All children and families are invited to these storytimes to hear the Silicon Valley Reads
PreK-Grade 3 children’s selection, Water Is Water, read by local media personalities and elected
officials. Here is a partial list of celebrity participants. Visit your local library for information on
additional celebrity readers, including members of the San José City Council.
Lissa Kreisler
KBAY Radio personality
Tuesday, Feb. 2, 6:15 p.m. at
Rose Garden Branch Library
Jason Baker
Mayor, City of Campbell
Thursday, Feb. 25, 10:30 a.m. at
Campbell Library
Tuesday, March 15, 11 a.m. at
Calabazas Branch Library
Gloribella
Radio personality, KBRG 100.3
Mas Variedad
Saturday, March 26, 1 p.m. at
Biblioteca Latinoamericana
Branch Library
The public is welcome to join any of the
following group discussions of Memory of
Water by Emmi Itäranta.
Thanks to special support from the Santa
Clara County Office of Education, all four
of the 2016 Silicon Valley Reads authors
will be visiting local schools, including:
Saturday, Jan. 9, 11 a.m. at Pearl Avenue
Branch Library
Tuesday, Jan. 12, 6:30 p.m. at Rose
Garden Branch Library
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 5:30 p.m. at West
Valley Branch Library
Wednesday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m. at Sunnyvale
Public Library
Thursday, Jan. 21, 7 p.m. at Cupertino
Library
Monday, Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m. at Morgan Hill
Library
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m. at Gilroy Library
Friday, March 4, 10:15 a.m. at Gilroy
Library
Tuesday, March 8, 11 a.m. at Palo Alto
City Library, Rinconada Branch
14
Matt Wilson
Editor, Sunnyvale Sun
Thursday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m. at
Sunnyvale Public Library
Maggi Scura
TV news journalist and host
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 6:15 p.m. at
Rose Garden Branch Library
Book Discussion School
Groups
Presentations
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m. at Los Gatos
Library
Mike Wasserman
Santa Clara County Supervisor
Thursday, Feb. 4, 10:30 a.m. at
Gilroy Library
Sal Pizarro
Mercury News columnist
Saturday, Feb. 27, 3 p.m. at
Joyce Ellington Branch Library
Members of the Board
of Directors of the Santa
Clara Valley Water
District will also be reading at local
libraries. For schedule information, visit
SiliconValleyReads.org.
Wednesday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m. at Vineland
Branch Library
Kim Vestal
KLIV Radio personality
Saturday, March 12, 10:30 a.m.
at Pearl Avenue Branch Library
Barron Elementary School
Branham High School
Bulldog Tech
Campbell Middle School
Christopher School
Cupertino High School
Dove Hill Elementary School
Homestead High School
Live Oak High School
Lynbrook High School
Marian A. Peterson Middle School
Milpitas High School
Monroe Middle School
Oak Ridge Elementary School
Orchard Elementary School
Palo Alto High School
Santa Clara High School
Santa Rita School
Saratoga High School
Shirakawa Elementary School
Tom Matsumoto Elementary School
Walter Hays School
Wilcox High School
Teachers
and School
Librarians!
Silicon Valley Reads 2016 Event Locations
Almaden Branch Library
6445 Camden Ave., San Jose
East Carnegie Branch Library
1102 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose
Los Altos Youth Center
1 N. San Antonio Rd., Los Altos
Santa Clara University
500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
Alum Rock Branch Library
3090 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose
Edenvale Branch Library
101 Branham Lane East, San Jose
Los Gatos Library
100 Villa, Los Gatos
Santa Teresa Branch Library
290 International Circle, San Jose
Bascom Branch Library
1000 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose
Educational Park Branch Library
1771 Educational Park Dr., San Jose
Milpitas Library
160 N. Main St., Milpitas
Saratoga Library
13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga
Berryessa Branch Library
3355 Noble Ave., San Jose
Euphrat Museum of Art, De Anza
College
21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino
Morgan Hill Library
660 W. Main Ave., Morgan Hill
Seven Trees Branch Library
3590 Cas Dr., San Jose
Mountain View Public Library
585 Franklin St., Mountain View
Silicon Valley Advanced Water
Purification Center
4190 Zanker Rd., San Jose
Biblioteca Latinoamericana
Branch Library
921 S. First St., San Jose
Evergreen Branch Library
2635 Aborn Rd., San Jose
Calabazas Branch Library
1230 S. Blaney Ave., San Jose
Gilroy Library
350 W. Sixth St., Gilroy
Cambrian Branch Library
1780 Hillsdale Ave., San Jose
Hakone Gardens
21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga
Palo Alto City Library, Rinconada
Branch
1213 Newell Rd., Palo Alto
Campbell Library
77 Harrison Ave., Campbell
Heritage Theatre
1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell
Pearl Avenue Branch Library
4270 Pearl Ave., San Jose
Vineland Branch Library
1450 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose
CHAC Family Resource Center
748 Mercy St., Mountain View
Hicklebee’s Bookstore
1378 Lincoln Ave., San Jose
Rose Garden Branch Library
1580 Naglee Ave., San Jose
Children’s Discovery Museum
180 Woz Way, San Jose
Hillview Branch Library
1600 Hopkins Dr., San Jose
San Jose City College
2100 Moorpark Ave., San Jose
West San Jose Family Resource
Center
46 Race St., San Jose
Cupertino Community Hall
10350 Torre Ave., Cupertino
India Community Center
525 Los Coches St., Milpitas
San Jose Woman’s Club
75 S. 11th St., San Jose
Cupertino Library
10800 Torre Ave., Cupertino
Joyce Ellington Branch Library
491 E. Empire St., San Jose
Santa Clara Central Park Library
2635 Homestead Rd., Santa Clara
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose
Los Altos Library
13 S. San Antonio Rd., Los Altos
Santa Clara County Office of
Education
1290 Ridder Park Dr., San Jose
P A S T
S I L I C O N
Palo Alto Children’s Library
1276 Harriet St., Palo Alto
V A L L E Y
R E A D S
2015
We Need New Names Stealing Buddha’s Dinner
NoViolet Bulawayo
Bich Minh Nguyen
2012
The Muslim Next Door The Butterfly Mosque
Sumbul Ali-Karamali
Willow Wilson
The Book of
Unknown Americans
Tortilla Curtain
T.C. Boyle
Tully Community Branch Library
880 Tully Rd., San Jose
West Valley Branch Library
1243 San Tomas Aquino Rd., San Jose
West Valley College
14000 Fruitdale Ave., Saratoga
Willow Glen Branch Library
1157 Minnesota Ave., San Jose
Woodland Branch Library
1975 Grant Rd., Los Altos
S E L E C T I O N S
2013
The Shallows: What The
Mr. Penumbra’s
Internet Is Doing To Our Brains 24 Hour Bookstore
Nicholas Carr
Minefields of the Heart
Sue Diaz
The Long Walk
Brian Castner
Robin Sloan
2011
2010
2009
2008
The Year of the Fog
In Defense of Food
Not a Genuine Black Man
The Distant Land of My Father
Michelle Richmond
2007
Tech Museum of Innovation
201 S. Market St., San Jose
2014
Cristina Henriquez
Event listings in date order at SiliconValleyReads.org
Sunnyvale Public Library
665 W. Olive St., Sunnyvale
Evergreen Valley College
3095 Yerba Buena Rd., San Jose
Santa Clara County Office of Education
Library Fair
Tuesday, March 8
An opportunity to review the newest
and best standards-aligned children’s
literature, nonfiction books, reference
materials, and other print, non-print, and
online library resources from publishers
and exhibitors across the United States.
2016 Silicon Valley Reads authors, Emmi
Itäranta and Ben Parzybok to speak on
the theme, “Chance of Rain: The impact
of climate change in our lives” from
10-11 a.m. followed by a signing until
11:30 a.m. Books will be available for
purchase. Information: 408-453-6670.
Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell Rd., Palo Alto
Bluelight Cinemas
21275 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino
2006
When The Emperor Was Divine
The Souvenir
Julie Otsuka
Louise Steinman
Michael Pollan
Brian Copeland
2005
2004
Epitaph for a Peach
Fahrenheit 451
David Mas Masumoto
Become a Silicon Valley Reads fan on Facebook!
Event location addresses on page 15
Ray Bradbury
Bo Caldwell
2003
Breaking Through
Francisco Jimenez
#SVReads
15
Thank you for supporting Silicon Valley Reads!
2 0 1 6
S P O N S O R S
THE MICHAEL AND ALYCE
PARSONS
FOUNDATION
Campbell Union High School District
Friends of Almaden Branch Library
Friends of Alum Rock Branch Library
Friends of Alviso Branch Library
Friends of Bascom Branch Library
Friends of Berryessa Branch Library
Friends of Calabazas Branch Library
Friends of Cambrian Branch Library
Friends of Campbell Library
Friends of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
Friends of East Carnegie Branch Library
Friends of Edenvale Library
Friends of Educational Park Library
C O M M U N I T Y
Barnes & Noble
Bluelight Cinemas
Campbell Library
Cupertino Library
De Anza College
Evergreen Valley College
Gilroy High School
Gilroy Librar
Good Karma Bikes
Friends of Sunnyvale Public Library
Friends of Tully Community Branch Library
Friends of Vineland Branch Library
Friends of West Valley Branch Library
Friends of Willow Glen Library
Kieve Foundation
San Jose Water Company
San Jose Woman’s Club
Santa Clara City Library
Santa Clara City Library Foundation & Friends
Santa Clara University
Friends of Evergreen Branch Library
Friends of Gilroy Library
Friends of Hillview Branch Library
Friends of Los Gatos Library
Friends of Milpitas Library
Friends of Morgan Hill Library
Friends of Mountain View Public Library
Friends of Palo Alto Public Library
Friends of Pearl Avenue Branch Library
Friends of Rose Garden Branch Library
Friends of Santa Teresa Branch Library
Friends of the Saratoga Libraries
Friends of Seven Trees Branch Library
Hakone Gardens
League of Women Voters – Southwest
Santa Clara Valley
and San Jose-Santa Clara chapters
LiveSV
Los Altos Library
Los Gatos Library
Milpitas Library
Morgan Hill Library
And many individual community members!
P A R T N E R S
Mountain View Public Library
Our Bay on the Brink
Recycle Bookstore
San Jose City College
San José Public Library
Santa Clara City Library
Santa Clara County Reading Council
Santa Clara High School
Santa Clara University
Saratoga Library
Silicon Valley Leadership Group
South Bay Salt Pond Restoration
Project
Sunnyvale Public Library
Univision Bay Area
Village House of Books
West Valley College
Special thanks to Diana Argabrite, Gail Mason, Shari Mullen, Beth Olshewsky, Leslie Tanaka-Loza and Therese Wiese
S I L I C O N
Co-Chairs
Jill Bourne
Nancy Howe
Angelica Ramsey, Ed.D.
VA L L E Y
R E A D S
Board Members
Tom Atkinson
Diana Bautista
Lucia Calve
Muhammed Chaudhry
Mark Coker
Jacquie Davidson
Rhonda Farber, Ph.D.
C O M M U N I T Y
Alice Gosak
Stacey Greenwell
Jon R. Gundry
Margaret Hengel
Kara Iwahashi
Robert Kieve
Deepka Lalwani
Jane Light
A D V I S O R Y
Jack Lucas, Ed.D.
Rosanne Macek
Michelle McGurk
Mary McLane
Diane McNutt
Alyce Parsons
Sal Pizarro
Claudia Rossi
B O A R D
Josh Russell
Carmen Sigler
Marisa Spatafore
Geri Weimers
Kathy Wheeler