Somerville Reads Potuck

From the city's communication's department: 

SOMERVILLE – The Somerville Public Library invites all community members to the “Somerville Reads” Celebration and Potluck from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 21^st at the Central Library, 79 Highland Ave.  The Potluck will kick off the annual Somerville Reads campaign, encouraging community literacy through a common theme. 

The 2012 theme is “food,” and the selected books are Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer, by Novella Carpenter, for adults, and Seedfolks, by Paul Fleischmann, for children.  Community members are encouraged to join the Somerville Public Library and Trustees and Friends of the SPL for the potluck celebration, and to learn more about our connection with fresh food, urban farming, and the books selected for this year. 

Throughout the campaign, which lasts through the end of April, readers will be invited to discussions and related events.  At the potluck, Somerville-based band Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library will provide live entertainment.  Attendees are asked to bring a favorite recipe or dish to share.

“Somerville Reads is a joyous celebration of reading. Through this year’s picks we explore themes such as urban living, food and sustainability, poverty and wealth, family relationships, identity formation, and discovering the hopes, dreams, and concerns of neighbors from many backgrounds,” said Library Director, Maria Carpenter.

The potluck will feature live music, food and recipes from community members, and children’s activities.  Attendees will be asked to vote on the best dishes, and winners will receive gift certificate to area restaurants.  Cookbooks, created by Friends of the Somerville Public Library, will be available, and all proceeds will support library activities. 

Residents interested in participating in the Somerville Reads campaign can find copies at the Somerville Public Libraries, and visit www.somervillereads.blogspot.com for discussions and updated information. 

Partners and Sponsors of Somerville Reads include the City of Somerville, Somerville Public Library, Somerville Public Schools, Flagraphics, Groundwork Somerville, Sherman Café & Market, Highland Kitchen, Dave’s Fresh Pasta, Guru, India Palace, Somerville Community Growing Center, Green City Growers, and Friends of the Somerville Public Library.

Upcoming Somerville Reads Events include:

• ·      Thursday April 5^th, 7:00pm: Talk on Urban Farming and Discussion of Farm City, Central Library
• ·      Tuesday April 10^th, 3:00pm: Art Exhibit Reception with Somerville Public School Students, Central Library
• ·      Wednesday April 11^th, 7:00pm: Community Storytelling Night on The Love of Food, Central Library, emceed by Tom Champion
• ·      Saturday April 14^th, 2:00pm: Family fun participatory enactment of Stone Soup, Central Library
• ·      Tuesday April 17^th, 7:00pm: Kids ages 9-12 discussion of Seedfolks, Central Library
• ·      Sunday April 22nf  1:00pm: Multigenerational discussion of Seedfolks, Walnut Street Community Garden