2019 Día de los Muertos Celebration and Altar Exhibit

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Katie Auman in Library Blog, Library Programs, Local Happenings

PLUS: DIY Shoebox Altar for Kids

“La cultura es lo que, en la muerte, continúa siendo la vida”
“Culture is what, in death, continues to be life”

The Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos is an annual Mexican and Latin American celebration when families gather to honor the memory of deceased loved ones on November 1 and 2. Scholars trace the origins of this celebration back hundreds of years to Aztec festivals held during the summer. After colonization, the festivities were shifted to coincide with “All Saint’s Eve.”

Since then, the festivity has been celebrated all over the world and centers on honoring, remembering, and celebrating the lives of those who have departed.

Our community, organizations, and agencies have celebrated Día de los Muertos for over a decade with the Poudre River Public Library District. We are very intentional in the creation of a program that decenters power of European ideologies in this event.

This year, the celebration of family and remembrance takes center stage at the Día de los Muertos Celebration at Northside Aztlan Community Center (112 E. Willow St.) on Friday, November 1 from 5:00 – 7:00PM.

The entire community is invited to celebrate the Day of the Dead and learn about this traditional holiday from Mexico and Latin America. This year’s event includes plenty of family-friendly activities: bilingual storytime, sugar skull decoration, altars, live music and dance, Mexican food sampling, and a parade around Aztlan Center with personal miniature altars. (See DIY shoebox altar instructions below.)

The 2019 community celebration will be Friday, November 1 at Northside Aztlan Community Center from 5-7PM. All are welcome.

Traditional Altar Display

One of the most visual parts of the Día de los Muertos tradition is the altar, a carefully crafted centerpiece of the annual celebration. For this year’s celebration, a specially crafted altar, designed and created by Ludy Rueda representing the Library District, will be on display at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (408 Mason Ct.) from October 16 – November 4. The Community Altars Exhibition will be at Global Village Museum (200 W. Mountain Ave.) through November 2.

Each family or individual’s Día de los Muertos altar is a complex and personal creation with incredible symbolism as each element included carries specific meaning. Here are the most important elements, from flowers to food to fire, and what they mean.

The free Día de los Muertos community celebration is presented by Poudre River Public Library District, City of Fort Collins Parks and Recreation, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, Global Village Museum, the Health District, The Colorado Trust, Poudre River Friends of the Library, LaLuz Mexican Grill, Las IV Américas, and Taquería Los Comales.

DIY Shoebox Altar for Kids and Families

It’s easy to create a Día de los Muertos miniature altar modeled after the larger altars you’ll see at traditional celebrations. You can still follow the requirements of an authentic altar and personalize it, but in a smaller space. This is a great DIY craft for kids!

Bring your completed shoebox altar to the community Día de los Muertos celebration at Northside Aztlan Center on Friday, November 1, from 5:00 – 7:00PM.

What you’ll need:
• A shoebox
• Construction paper or wrapping paper to cover your box
• Markers, crayons, or paint
• Fabric
• Scissors
• Glue, tape, or stapler
• Candle
• Flowers / Cempazuchitl
• Tissue paper / Papel Picado
• Sugar Skull / Calaveras de Azúcar
• A photograph of your loved one
• A small glass with something to drink
• Something to eat
• Offerings (items of particular interest to your loved one)

The items you’ll need to get started creating your own shoebox altar.
Photo credit: Yamel Alfaro, Captura Adventure Portraits

If you don’t have these items, feel free to think outside the box and get creative! Create orange marigold flowers/cempazuchitl flowers out of paper or cut out and color your own decorations.

STEP 1
Use your fabric, construction paper, markers, etc. to decorate the shoebox in colors like purple, pink, orange, and red. Cover the inside and the outside of the shoebox.

Camila Rivalcoba works on decorating her mini altar using colorful construction paper and paper flowers. Photo: Yamel Alfaro

STEP 2
Place a photo of your loved one you are honoring in the center of the box. Fill the box with items that remind you of that person. Any item can be an ofrenda – photos, objects, anything.

Camilla adds “ofrendas” to her shoebox altar. Photo: Yamel Alfaro.

STEP 3
Fill the remaining space in the shoebox with décor and add other treats and foods.

Fill your mini altar with additional decorations, flowers, and candles. Photo: Yamel Alfaro.

STEP 4
Surround the box with flowers, candles, tissue paper, and small glass of water. These items represent the four elements of earth, fire, wind, and water.

Camilla shows off her beautiful shoebox altar. Photo: Yamel Alfaro.

Celebración y Ofrenda del Día de los Muertos 2019

La cultura es lo que, en la muerte, continúa siendo la vida”

El día de los muertos es una celebración de México y Latinoamérica donde cada año las familias se reúnen el 1ᵒ y 2 de noviembre para honrar a sus ancestros y seres queridos. El origen de esta celebración data cientos de años atrás cuando los Aztecas celebraban rituales durante el verano dedicados a la muerte. Después de la colonización, las fechas de las festividades se cambiaron para coincidir con creencias post-colombinas como “la noche de todos los santos.”

Desde entonces, esta celebración ha sido acogida en diferentes partes del mundo y se centra en honrar, recordar y celebrar la vida de aquellos que ya han partido.

Nuestra comunidad, así como diferentes organizaciones y agencias, han celebrado con el distrito bibliotecario esta hermosa tradición por más de una década. En este evento en particular, el distrito bibliotecario ha creado un programa que, de forma intencional, descentraliza el poder de ideologías Eurocéntricas.

This year’s community celebration includes altar displays, makeup workhops, art exhibitions, and much more.

Este año la celebración comunitaria será en el Centro Northside Aztlan (112 E. Willow St.) el viernes 1ᵒ de noviembre de 5:00 a 7:00 PM.

Invitamos cordialmente a la comunidad a celebrar esta hermosa tradición mexicana y de Latinoamérica. El evento incluirá actividades para toda la familia: hora del cuento bilingüe, decoración de calaveras de azúcar, ofrendas, danza, mariachi, comida mexicana, y un desfile alrededor del Centro Aztlan con altares personales en miniatura .

Ofrenda

La ofrenda o altar es un elemento fundamental en esta tradición, la cual es cuidadosamente creada en honor de los familiares o personajes ilustres fallecidos. Este año contaremos con una ofrenda diseñada e instalada por Ludy Rueda, quien representa al distrito bibliotecario. Dicha ofrenda estará en exhibición del 16 de octubre al 4 de noviembre en el Museo Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (408 Mason Ct.). La exposición de altares comunitarios estará en el museo Global Village (200 W. Mountain Ave.) hasta el 2 de noviembre.

Es importante señalar que cada familia o individuo crea una ofrenda que es personal, compleja y que utiliza detalles y elementos que tienen un gran significado. En la siguiente imagen encontrará un breve resumen de algunos de estos elementos y sus significados.

La celebración comunitaria del Día de los Muertos es presentada por el Distrito Bibliotecario Poudre River, City of Fort Collins Parks and Recreation, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, Global Village Museum, el Distrito de Salud, The Colorado Trust, Poudre River Friends of the Library, La Luz Mexican Grill, Las IV Américas y Taquería Los Comales.

Altares en miniatura para niños y familias

Es fácil crear un altar en miniatura del Día de los Muertos inspirado en los altares más grandes que verán en las celebraciones tradicionales. Con este proyecto de “hágalo usted mismo”, podrá construir un altar incorporando los elementos tradicionales de una ofrenda con su toque personal, pero en un espacio más pequeño como una caja de zapatos.

Lleve su altar miniatura a la celebración comunitaria del Día de los Muertos al Northside Aztlan Center el viernes 1ᵒ de noviembre de 5:00 a 7:00PM.

Material:
• Caja de zapatos
• Papel construcción o papel de envoltura para cubrir su caja
• Marcadores, crayones o pintura
• Tela
• Tijeras
• Pegamento, cinta adhesiva o engrapadora
• Vela
• Flores / Cempazuchitl
• Papel Picado
• Calaveras de Azúcar
• Fotografía de su ser querido
• Vaso con agua
• Algo para comer
• Objetos de especial interés para su ser querido

Si no tiene estos artículos, ¡deje volar su imaginación! Haga sus propias flores con papel y dibuje sus decoraciones.

PASO 1
Utilice tela, papel construcción, marcadores, etc. para decorar la caja de zapatos en colores como morado, rosa mexicano, naranja y rojo. Cubra el interior y el exterior de la caja de zapatos.

PASO 2
Coloque una foto del ser querido que está honrando en el centro de la caja. Llene la caja con artículos que le recuerden a esa persona. Cualquier elemento puede ser una ofrenda – fotos, objetos de especial interés de su ser querido, pertenencias, etc.

PASO 3
Decore los espacios vacíos de la caja y añada alimentos o dulces.

PASO 4
Decore la orilla de la caja con flores, velas, papel picado y un pequeño vaso de agua. Estos elementos representan los cuatro elementos: la tierra, el fuego, el viento y el agua.

Gracias a Camila Rivalcoba por realizar un altar en miniatura como muestra. Fotos cortesía de Captura Adventure Portraits por Yamel Alfaro.

From Narnia to Nepal, a Library Takes You Places

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Katie Auman in Library Blog, Library Programs

Anyone who’s found themselves absorbed in a book, transported to another time or place, knows just how powerful stories can be. Our greatest writers have taken us to fantastical places – to Narnia and Middle Earth and 20,000 leagues under the sea. But they’ve also taken us along on trips around the world, to faraway countries like Nepal and to areas just down the road.

Let the Library take you on armchair travel adventures, or prepare you to actually visit new places.

Films, Documentaries, and TV Series

If “a picture is worth a thousand words” then the scenery in movies and TV shows might be ten times that. Experience new countries and cultures using Kanopy to stream foreign films and unique documentaries that serve as part travelogue and part global studies. Enjoy titles like “Young Lakota” and “Who is Dayani Cristal? Tales of Crossing the Border,” among thousands of others.

The Library also offers DVD collections of great travel films and TV series like “Anthony Bourdain, No Reservations” and fictional stories set in real-life places like “Outlander.”

Language Learning

Mango Languages has more than 70 world languages available to learn online or through the Mango app. It provides a self-paced learning program that teaches languages through relevant and topical dialogue using the four key components – vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and culture. There’s bound to be a language to help you on your travels.

Travel Magazines

Whether you’re looking for travel inspiration or just want to learn about the world, the Library’s collection of print and digital magazines have a lot to offer. Be sure to check out the newest eMagazine service, Flipster, and download and read eMags like National Geographic Traveler and Conde Nast Traveler. Or grab a printed magazine like Travel + Leisure or Afar.

Travel Opportunities

Okay, the Library isn’t checking out airline tickets, but we do offer great gadgets and things to get you on the road and exploring. Try the Colorado State Park Pass and adventure kit, a star finder kit, or the bird watching kit, just to name a few. See the entire selection of gadgets and things online.

Events and Programs

Community events and programs like Día de los Muertos celebration and the International Night series are among the many cultural events the Library hosts or participates in. Other programs with an international flair include the Antarctic Lecture Series, World Language Storytime, Bilingual Storytime, and many others. All of the Library’s events can be found online at www.poudrelibraries.org/events/.

Travel Writing and Travel Guides

You might already be familiar with famous travel writing like Wild and Under a Tuscan Sun, so why not try one of these books suggestions?

Various Travel Guides from Lonely Planet

Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders by Joshua Foer

To Shake the Sleeping Self: A Journey to Patagonia, and a Quest for a Life with No Regret by Jedidiah Jenkins

Best American Travel Writing – Various years, editors

An Arabian Journey: One Man’s Quest Through the Heart of the Middle East by Levison Wood

Spying on the South: An Odyssey Across the American Divide by Tony Horwitz

The Sun is a Compass: A 4,000-Mile Journey into the Alaskan Wilds by Caroline Van Hemert

Northland: A 4,000-mile Journey Along America’s Forgotten Border by Porter Fox

Open Mic Night in Moscow: And Other Stories from my Search for Black Markets, Soviet Architecture, and Emotionally Unavailable Russian Men by Audrey Murray

What are some of your favorite books about travel? Share with us in the comments!

A Hedgewitch, a Yeti Viking, and Noodle Soup…Is This a Book Festival?

Posted on October 3, 2019 by Katie Auman in Library Blog, Library Programs, Local Happenings

Bailey Cates introduces you to Katie Lightfoot, a hedgewitch who is a baker and owner of the Honeybee Bakery. Jereme Zimmerman, a traditional brewing revivalist and self-described “Yeti Viking,” returns to ancient brewing practices and ingredients. And Ken Albala shares his obsession with noodle soups from around the world.

Yes, this is the 2019 Fort Collins Book Fest!

Under the theme, “Food for Thought,” this year’s festival showcases 40+ authors, poets, chefs, and food experts as it takes on important social and cultural topics around food. It’s a literary feast for the foodie in all of us!

The free, two-day event takes place on Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19 at venues throughout downtown Fort Collins. As with previous years, no festival tickets are necessary to attend, but the writing workshops do require registration as space is limited.

Expect the unexpected this year: cooking demos at Ginger and Baker, a storyteller’s portrayal of Julia Child, unique topics like the history of Colorado’s apple industry, and even tea and food tastings with Happy Lucky’s Teahouse.

The full author lineup, event schedule, and description of sessions is available on the FoCo Book Fest website.

Here’s just a taste of what you’ll find at the festival.

Keynote Presenters

In Saturday’s opening keynote presentation, acclaimed author Rick Bass shares anecdotes from his book, “A Traveling Feast: On the Road and at the Table with My Heroes.” Rick is an iconic American writer with more than 20 books to his credit. He will also participate in the reading session “Literary Tapas” and the panel discussion “Everyone Eats: Exploring Our World Through Food.”

The festival’s closing presentation, “The (R)evolution of Indigenous Food Systems of North America,” features chef Sean Sherman, Oglala Lakota, James Beard Leadership Award winner, and author of “The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen.” He is internationally renowned in the culinary movement of indigenous foods and is redefining North American cuisine through the understanding and use of indigenous food knowledge.

Earlier in the day, Chef Sean sits down with Esquire food and drink editor Jeff Gordinier for a conversation about food systems and culture. Jeff also shares his latest work, “Hungry: Eating, Road Tripping, and Risking It All with the Greatest Chef in the World.”

Politics and Ethics of Food

“Food for Thought” continues the festival’s tradition of bold discussions of important social issues.

Featured author Stephanie Anderson advocates for moving beyond sustainable practices and embracing regenerative agriculture with her book “One Size Fits None: A Farm Girl’s Search for the Promise of Regenerative Agriculture.”

Colorado State University researchers also join the conversation about food systems and the future of food production. Michael Carolan shares his insights into “The Food Sharing Revolution: How Start Ups, Pop Ups, and Co-ops Are Changing the Way We Eat.” Mark Easter discusses the environment with “The Blue Plate: A Food Lover’s Guide to Climate Change.” And Joshua Sbicca examines food inequality with “Food Justice Now! Deepening the Roots of Social Struggle.”

Cooking Demos and Cookbooks

A food-focused book fest wouldn’t be complete without great culinary experiences!

Ginger and Baker’s Teaching Kitchen will host four cooking demos open to all ages. These free sessions include “Sabores de Nuestra Tierra” with chef Ana Mario Benavides, a baking demo with Ginger and Baker staff, “Fast & Easy Vegan Cooking” with chef JL Fields, and “Noodle Soup: Recipes, Techniques, and Obsession” with Ken Albala.

Award-winning author and food writer Toni Tipton-Martin shares her book, “The Jemima Code: Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks” along with her journey discovering the true role of black women in the creation of American cuisine.

A Literary Menu

Author readings are always a popular part of the FoCo Book Fest, and this year will be no different.

Friday evening’s “Literary Amuse-Bouche” helps kick off the festival and features readings by Octavio Quintanilla, Poet Laureate of San Antonio, Texas; poet Adam Dickinson; and Colorado writer Ramona Ausubel.

Saturday’s readings will have you enjoying selections from Molly Reid, Keetje Kuipers, Iris Jamahl Dunkle, and Bill Tremblay. There is also an opportunity to hear from 20 local writers at the FoCo Writers Read event.

New York Times bestselling author Bailey Cates shares the latest in her Magical Bakery Mystery series, “Cookies and Clairvoyance,” and award-winning young-adult author Laura Resau talks about “Tree of Dreams.”

Craft Beer and Brewing

Finally, what would a Fort Collins Book Fest be without craft beer?

In addition to Zimmerman’s talk about his book, “Brew Beer Like a Yeti,” you can a meet Christina Marie and hear about her adventures “Cooking with Beer in Colorado.” Plus, there’s a panel discussion about current brewing trends and craft culture that includes Equinox Brewing’s Colin Westcott and Horse & Dragon Brewing’s Tatum Cochran.

Sprinkle in additional discussions, performances, and presentations and you have a weekend filled with authors, activities, and “Food for Thought.”

What Fort Collins Book Fest: Food for Thought
When All day, Friday, October 18 and Saturday, October 19
Where 10 venues in Downtown Fort Collins
Cost Free
More info www.FoCoBookFest.org

Focusin’ on Yer Health and Wellness

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Katie Auman in Captain Cache, Captain Cache Podcast, Library Blog, Library Services

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Ahoy mateys! Sorry ye haven’t heard from the ol’ Capt’n Cache in a wee bit. But I be recoverin’ in me ship’s cabin from a bit of an illness. I won’t be goin’ into the details of what kept me from the seas, but it be enough to tell ye that I promise to be takin’ better care of me-self from now on. I don’t want to be headin’ down to Davy Jones’ Locker before me time.

My recent respite just be underscorin’ how important it is to be takin’ control of me health and makin’ sure I’m up on me basic medical knowledge. If ye be anything like yer pirate here, health care can be leavin’ you confused and scratchin’ yer head. Especially when yer physician be usin’ unfamiliar medical jargon or don’t quite be explainin’ information in a way ye can understand.

Fortunately, yer Library District can be helpin’ you out. When I first be visitin’ me doctor to get a diagnosis, I made sure to also be doin’ me own research. Those scallywags at the library – I mean, those librarians – be pointin’ me in the right direction to find reliable, up-to-date medical information. This way I can be actively participatin’ in me own care and workin’ with the doctor to make decisions and get better.

I be consultin’ a few of yer Library’s online health and wellness resources that be in the Answer Cache. One of the resources I be likin’ almost more than I be likin’ treasure is Consumer Health Complete. Like its title be suggestin’, this digital resource be for consumers like you and me. Its designed to support yer needs with a variety of health-related topics from yer common cold to that ol’ pirate curse, scurvy.

Plus, the Consumer Health Complete be offerin’ a quick search to find information and current research on yer disease, condition, injury, or even yer upcomin’ procedure. And not only that, but it be coverin’ both yer mainstream medicine along with ye complementary, holistic, and integrated medicines.

How’s that fer comprehensive coverage?

Now one of the other research databases I be usin’ is called Medline Plus. This source even has a Spanish-language version that ye can be accessin’ called Medline Espanol. Both of these be a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and yer National Institutes of Health. I be researchin’ loads of information in Medline like the latest treatments, current research and clinical trials, definitions of those big terms me doctor be usin’, and even information about me prescription drugs and supplements. And, all of that data be provided in a language I be understandin’.

Of course Consumer Health Complete and Medline arrrren’t the only health and medicine resources at yer Library. The Answer Cache also be includin’ the Gale Virtual Reference Library for Medicine and a General Health database. All of these be offerin’ great information as well as guides for talkin’ with yer doctor and understandin’ yer health history.

Blimey! Medical info can be overwhelmin’. Especially when it be changin’ so quickly. But when you be accessin’ useful research and data, then you can be makin’ good decisions about yer health and medical care.

I be continuin’ me recovery from the comfort of me cabin and not be goin’ off on any adventures fer awhile. Those be the doctor’s orders! So until our next parley, I hope ye be takin’ care of yerself and the pirates at home.

Books and Beyond: The Unexpected Perks of a Library Card

Posted on September 19, 2019 by Katie Auman in Library Blog, Library Programs, Library Services

Guest blog by Christian Knoll

September is Library Card Sign Up Month, and there is no better time to become a member of the Poudre River Public Library District! Being a library cardholder allows you to do more than just check out books; it enables you to freely access a multitude of online resources, streaming services, and materials you would normally have to pay for.

In the spirit of Library Card Sign Up Month, here are some cool and unexpected things you can do simply by having a library card.

Online Access to Films, Music, and Audiobooks

The Library District offers its cardholders free access to an immense amount of online content and digital streaming services that normally require a paid monthly subscription. Many of these services can be accessed remotely through your personal computer or hand-held devices. In order to utilize these services, simply type in your library card number through the online portals found on the Library District’s website. Some popular services include:

Kanopy: An on-demand digital streaming service that offers users access to award-winning films and documentaries.

Your library card gives you access to a variety of digital downloads, streaming videos, and much more.

JSTOR: A online database that includes scholarly journals and other primary resources on a variety of topics including life sciences, arts and culture, and history.

Mango Languages: An online language learning resource that offers courses in more than 71 different languages.

Learning a new language (even Pirate!) is easy with Mango Languages and a library card.

For a complete list of services available online resources visit the Library District’s website.

Discounts with Local Businesses

Library card carriers also get benefits with many Fort Collins-based businesses through the Library District’s ‘Flash Your Card Program.’ As a cardholder, businesses that participate in the Flash Your Card program gives discounts on goods and services to library members. It is as easy as showing your library card! Popular business that participate in the Flash Your Card Program include Mary’s Mountain Cookies (Old Town location), The Bean Cycle, and Joy Organics.

More than 40 businesses participate in the Library’s Flash Your Card program.

Borrow Books, Gadgets, and Useful Materials

The Library District allows its cardholders to borrow more than just books; members may also check out useful equipment through their ‘Gadgets and Things’ collection. This initiative allows Library members to pursue fun new hobbies and interests through their collection of free-to-use equipment. Some cool and unique items you may borrow include telescopes, GoPros, musical instruments, baking pans, portable projectors, and Colorado State Parks Passes. Some of these gadgets (and things) are in limited supply and tend to fly off the shelves, so remember to reserve your item in advance by placing a hold online (some items are not available for holds).

How Do I Sign Up?

Becoming a member of the Poudre River Public Library District is easy and, best of all, free! In order to sign up for a library card, you must visit one of the three Library locations with a valid form of photo ID and proof of a Colorado address. Anyone over the age of 12 can sign on freely, but younger library-goers must have a parent or guardian present before they sign up for a library card.

For more information on becoming a member of the Poudre River Public Library District visit their website or call the Answer Center at 970-221-6740.

About the author

Christian Knoll is a media specialist with a passion for creative storytelling. He possesses a multitude of interests including photography, videography, graphic design, and writing. His work has been featured on several online platforms, namely Colorado State University’s SOURCE news outlet.

Christian currently volunteers with the Poudre River Public Library District as a digital media specialist. His goals aim to inform the public about many programs and amenities the Library District offers. When he is not working, he spends his time traveling, hiking, or talking with close friends over a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

To see more of his work, visit his online portfolio.

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