Several Holiday Happenings are Set for BPL in December

The Birmingham Public Library will host several free events in December 2012. Check the list for details.

Sunday, December 2 - Open house and tablescape competition, 3 to 5 p.m., Springville Road Library, 1224 Old Springville Road. Friday, November 30, is the deadline to register for competition.

This is the first time the branch has hosted a tablescape contest. "We'd like to give the community an opportunity to display their creativity, while also kicking off the holiday season,'' Sandi Lee, eastern region coordinator for the Birmingham Public Library system.

Teams can decorate on Saturday, December 1, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voting will start on Sunday at 3 p.m. The table with the most votes will win. Call Kelly Laney at 226-4083 for more information about the contest.

Also on Sunday, adults can decorate a bookmark, an ornament, or ribbon notebook with beads and ribbons. In the Children's Department, young ones can decorate ornaments, which they can take home or put on the Christmas tree in the Children's Department.

There will be drawings for two rosemary trees. Books for children, teenagers, and adults will be distributed.

Monday, December 3 - Festival of Lights with Santa and Mrs. Claus, 6 p.m., North Birmingham Library, 2501 - 31st Ave. North. Enjoy an evening with Santa and Mrs. Claus, crafts and refreshments. Call 226-4026 for information.

Tuesday, December 4 - Catch Birmingham Public Library employees and volunteers in Birmingham's annual Christmas parade, which starts at Kelly Ingram Park at 5 p.m., goes past Linn Park, and ends at Kelly Ingram Park. The library will have a table full of information in Linn Park, too. The city will have caroling, children's arts and crafts, Santa, a 6:05 p.m. tree lighting, and more in Linn Park. The event ends at 7 p.m. Call 254-2391 for more information.

Wednesday, December 5 - Santa's Missing Mail, 4 p.m., Springville Road Library, 1224 Old Springville Road. Have a good laugh with puppeteer David Stephens as he puts on a funny play with Santa, his reindeer, and others. Call 226-4085 for more information.

Wednesday, December 5 - A Christmas Memory with Dolores Hydock, 12 p.m., Central Library, 2100 Park Place. Hydock, a Birmingham storyteller and actress, has gained quite a following for her annual performance of A Christmas Memory. Presentation is part of the library's Brown Bag Lunch series. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Birmingham Public Library.

Friday, December 7 - "Fashion Friday," 12 p.m., Central Library, 2100 Park Place. Look party perfect this season with style tips from Birmingham fashion blogger Alexis Barton of www.samechicdifferentday.com. Door prizes from Belk, Betsy Prince, designer Roxy Rabb, and others. Birmingham magazine will be one of the presenters.

Tuesday, December11 - A Christmas Memory with Dolores Hydock, Central Library, 6:30 p.m., 2100 Park Place. Hydock, a Birmingham storyteller and actress, has gained quite a following for her annual performance of A Christmas Memory, which is by Truman Capote. Presentation is part of the library's Brown Bag Lunch series. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Birmingham Public Library.

Tuesday, December 11 - "Around the World in 30 Instruments," 6:30 p.m., Springville Road Library, 1224 Old Springville Road. Husband and wife duo Aodh Og O'Tuama and Christy Martin will use different instruments from around the world to perform traditional music from various cultures. Call 226-4083 for more information.

Wednesday, Dec. 12 - Gospel concert with Katrinia Pigler, 4 p.m., North Birmingham Library, 2501 - 31st Ave. North. Pigler will use her God-given talents to bring hope and inspiration through song. Call 226-4025 for more information.

Monday, December 17 - December Family Night, North Birmingham Library, 6 p.m., 2501 - 31st Ave. North. Make reservations for a light dinner, art, and family fun. Call 226-4026 for more information.

Various dates for Holiday Christmas Cooking with Chef E. Join Birmingham Chef E as she shows how to make creative and fun dishes for the holidays.

Tuesday, December, 4, 10:30 a.m., Southside Library, 1814 - 11th Avenue South
Wednesday, December 5, 1 p.m., Eastwood Library, 4500 Montevallo Road
Thursday, December 6, 1 p.m., North Avondale Library, 501 - 43rd Street North
Monday, December 10, 6 p.m., Avondale Library, 509 - 40th Street South
Wednesday, December 12, 6 p.m., Five Points West Library, 4812 Avenue West
Thursday, December 13, 10 a.m., Smithfield Library, 1 8th Avenue West
Friday, December 21, 10 a.m., Powderly Library, 3301 Jefferson Avenue SW