Pierce County Library > Event Schedule

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Event Schedule

Talk, share and participate in free events during Pierce County READS. Pierce County Library System, The News Tribune and several community partners are offering these events for you to further engage in this community-wide event.

All of the events focus on themes from the selected Pierce County READS 2012 best-selling book, “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” by award-winning author Jamie Ford.

Friends of the Libraries and Pierce County Library Foundation sponsor many of these free events.

See the event listing below, or download the event schedule.

To view events by date, see the calendar.

Please bring a nonperishable food donation to events. Help a Pierce County READS community partner, Emergency Food Network, provide a reliable food supply so that no one in Pierce County goes hungry. Thank you!

Peanut butter.
Baby food, formula, diapers.
Canned chili, fish, meat, stews.
Evaporated or powdered milk.
Fruit juices.
Rice, pasta.

Author events

Meet author Jamie Ford, who will speak and sign books at these free events.

Arts and Allied Health Building
Pierce College Puyallup
1601 39th Ave. S.E., Puyallup
Friday, April 13, 12 p.m.

Sharon McGavick Conference Center
Clover Park Technical College
4500 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., Lakewood
Friday, April 13, 7 p.m.

Featured speakers

Internment Legal Issues

Lorraine K. Bannai, Professor of Legal Skills and Director of the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality at Seattle University School of Law, will discuss the legal issues involved with the Japanese American internment. Bannai served on the legal team in the U.S. Supreme Court that, in 1983, successfully reopened the case of Fred Korematsu, who, during WWII, was convicted of violating orders removing Japanese Americans from the West Coast.
Lakewood Library, Monday, March 5, 7 p.m.

Internment Camp Experience

Kristina McMorris, award-winning author, will speak and sign her book about internment in a war relocation camp, “Bridge of Scarlet Leaves.”
University of Puget Sound, Collins Memorial Library, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 7-8:30 p.m.

Larry Matsuda, a Former Seattle University Visiting Professor, will share his story about being born in and living in the internment camp at Minidoka, Idaho.
University Place Library, Saturday, March 10, 2:30 p.m.

Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience representatives share true life internment stories of the Japanese American incarceration experience.
Puyallup Public Library, Wednesday, March 21, 7 p.m.

The History of the Japanese Community in Tacoma

Michael Sullivan, local historian, and other experts relate the fascinating stories of Japanese Americans’ contributions to our region.
King’s Books, Thursday, March 29, 7 p.m.

Share your story

People have been sharing their true life accounts of the Japanese American internment. Please share your story at a private videotaping at the following dates and times.

Lakewood Pierce County Library, Wednesday, March 28, 4-6 p.m.
South Hill Pierce County Library, Monday, March 26, 1-3 p.m.
University Place Pierce County Library, Friday, March 23, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Library will post the stories to its YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/piercecountylibrary1.

Thank you for sharing your story!

Event descriptions

The Art of Meditation
Learn about meditation with Kelsang Tsoglam, resident teacher for Olympia Mahayana Buddhist Center.

Book Discussion
Bring your ideas, questions and insight about “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.” Library staff will lead a lively discussion.

Chinese Calligraphy
Explore the ancient art of brush painting with Evergreen Chinese Academy.

Chinese Dance
Experience a performance by the staff and students from Evergreen Chinese Academy.

Japanese Dance and Music
Participate in a cultural exchange with Mary Ohno and the Kabuki Academy.

Japanese Tea Sampling and Art Activities
Sample a selection of Japanese teas, and create journals and bookmarks.

Origami
Create traditional Japanese folded paper art with artist Annaliese Richmond.

Photography and Personal Histories
Pick up ideas and techniques with photographer Greg Farley.

Sumi Painting
Practice the ancient art of ink painting with Puget Sound Sumi Artists.

Taiko Drumming
Feel the beat of this important part of Japanese culture with One World Taiko Drummers.

Tea Ceremony
Learn Chinese or Japanese tea history with the Asia Pacific Cultural Center.

Tea Tasting
Sip and sample various types with Green Spot Tea House and Art Gallery.

Treasure Box Craft
Fold and decorate paper to make an elegant lidded box for your secret treasures with artist Heather Lee.

Treasure Trunk
Discover history and cultural significance of Chinese or Japanese relics with the Asia Pacific Cultural Center.

Events by location

Bonney Lake Pierce County Library

Tea Ceremony - Chinese Saturday, March 24, 2 p.m.

Buckley Pierce County Library

Treasure Trunk - Japanese Saturday, March 10, 11 a.m.

DuPont Pierce County Library

Tea Ceremony - Japanese Saturday, March 10, 2 p.m.
Photography and Personal Histories Thursday, March 29, 6 p.m.

Eatonville Pierce County Library

Treasure Trunk - Chinese Saturday, March 17, 2 p.m.

Fife Pierce County Library

Photography and Personal Histories Saturday, April 7, 11 a.m.

Gig Harbor Pierce County Library

Sumi Painting Saturday, March 3, 2 p.m.
Origami Saturday, March 24, 2 p.m.

Graham Pierce County Library

Treasure Trunk - Chinese Saturday, March 10, 2 p.m.
Book Discussion Monday, April 2, 3 p.m.

Key Center Pierce County Library

Taiko Drumming Saturday, March 31, 2 p.m. Event will take place at Longbranch Improvement Club, 4312 KPS.

Kings' Books

The History of the Japanese Community in Tacoma: Michael Sullivan Thursday, March 29, 7 p.m.

Lakewood Pierce County Library

Internment Legal Issues: Lorraine K. Bannai Monday, March 5, 7 p.m.
Tea Ceremony - Japanese Tuesday, March 13, 6:30 p.m. Register online @ www.piercecountylibrary.org/calendar
Origami Saturday, March 24, 12 p.m.

Milton/Edgewood Pierce County Library