Author of Boo Boo Bear's Mission to speak

Soldiers with the Cloquet-based Crazy Troop 1-94 Cavalry Unit of the Army National Guard are about to be deployed for a year to Kuwait and Iraq. Before they leave, the soldiers and their families, along with all interested others, are invited to a free Boo Boo Bear's Mission "Connecting Hearts" workshop at the Cloquet Library.

Mary Linda Sather, author, Boo Boo Bear's Mission The True Story of a Teddy Bear's Adventures in Iraq, will give a program at 6:30, Thurs., May 19. Sather will read the story she wrote about how her son and granddaughter stayed connected during a recent deployment. The retired educator will also discuss ways other families can stay connected when they have to be apart for a long time.

The real Boo Boo Bear, who went along on several missions while in Iraq, will be at the event. Original artwork from the book, created by the children of military families from throughout the Northland, will be on display. Books will be available for purchase. For more information, call 879-1531.

Folk Dance traditions at the library

American folk dance caller and musician Terrence Smith will be at the Cloquet Public Library at 3:30 p.m., Thurs., May 5, after performing a Maypole dance at Washington Elementary School. Smith will be available to share information on music traditions and the instruments that he uses for dances and Maypole events. For more information, call 879-1531.

Friends of Library Spring Book Sale

The Friends of the Cloquet Public Library will host their annual Spring Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sat., April 30, 2011. Everyone is welcome to come and browse through our ample selection of discarded library books as well as area donations, ranging in quality from used to next-to-new. Proceeds from sales will go to library programs and new book acquisitions. Join your friends at the Cloquet Public Library’s Spring Book Sale. For more information, call 879-1531.

Workshop in Digital Photography

Learn the techniques of digital photography in a workshop presented by John Gregor of ColdSnap Photography and Waterfront Gallery of Two Harbors. This five-hour workshop will be held at the library on Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a half hour lunch (not provided). The workshop will combine classroom instruction in theory and technique as well as outdoor instruction and shooting. Bring your digital camera. If you do not have a camera, please mention that you would like to borrow one for the class when you call to register. The class is open to all skill levels and is offered free of charge. There is a limit of 15 adults; advance registration is required. Call the library at 879-1531 to register.

ColdSnap’s photography has appeared in Fine Gardening, Minnesota Monthly, and Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, among other publications and organizations. For more information, see John Gregor’s website at: http://www.coldsnap.com/. This workshop is made possible through funds provided by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Wanted! Minnesota Crime Wave

There's little truth to the rumor that the three authors comprising the “Minnesota Crime Wave” met because they have the same parole officer. Established in 2000, these three specialists in fictional crime and mystery have toured the country several times. Among them, they have published more than 30 novels and have received nearly two dozen local, regional and national book awards. The three writers will talk about their work at the Cloquet Public Library on Saturday, April 2, at 10 a.m.

"Minnesota Crime Wave" members are Ellen Hart, Carl Brookins and William Kent Krueger. Hart is author of the "Jane Lawless" mystery series, which features a culinary detective (Hart is also a trained chef). Her newest book in the series is Cruel Ever After, which was published last December.

Brookins is a former academic--and an avid sailor--who has authored three mystery series. The "Tanner-Whitney" series features a married pair of sailing sleuths. Devil’s Island is his latest mystery.

William Kent Krueger writes the "Cork O'Connor" mystery series, set in the Northwoods and featuring a protagonist who is part Ojibwe and part Irish. His stories often deal with the clash of cultures. Krueger’s latest Cork O’Connor book is Vermilion Drift.

The authors will have their books for sale and will autograph copies. The event is free and open to the public.

“Minnesota Crime Wave” is sponsored by the Arrowhead Library System, the Minnesota Library Legacy Fund, and the Cloquet Public Library. The program is funded by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

One Book, One Community Read for 2011 is Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is an extraordinary story of commitment and enduring hope. Author Jamie Ford depicts the heartwarming friendship between Henry Lee and Keiko Okabe, a Chinese American boy and a Japanese American girl—both American citizens—whose ethnic backgrounds impact their destinies in drastically different ways during World War II. When the United States government orders all persons of Japanese ancestry to evacuate their homes and submit to voluntary internment, Keiko and her family are forced to leave Seattle and live in an internment camp in rural Idaho. In Keiko’s absence, Henry must come to terms with what it means to be Chinese, an obedient son, a trustworthy friend, and a loyal American.

One Book, One Community events in Cloquet:

The Best of Jazz from the 1930s and '40s
Thursday, April 7, 2011 6:30 p.m.
Encore Performing Arts Center and Gallery, 2035 S. Hwy 33, Cloquet
Check out free tickets at the library to hear Twin Cities jazz singer Christine Rosholt and her band celebrate the best of jazz from the 1930s and '40s.

Funded by the Minnesota Regional Public Library System (MRPLS) and the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) made possible by MRPLS’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Funds.

Brown Bag Lunch with Jamie Ford

Thursday, April 14, 11:30 a.m.

Cloquet Public Library

Bring your lunch and listen to Jamie Ford talk about his book, The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. The Friends of the Cloquet Public Library will provide dessert and refreshments.

Funded in part by Minnesota's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund, Friends of the Cloquet Public Library, Friends of the Duluth Public Library, Duluth Library Foundation, and Arrowhead Reading Council.

Basic computer classes at library

Interested in learning to use a computer but don't know where to begin? Or have you been using a computer but still haven't mastered the basics? We will explore the basics of computer technology in this free class. Open to beginners and all skill levels. Attend one session or all four. Presented by e-folio Minnesota. Basic Computing Skills: Thursdays, March 17, 24, and 31, 6-8 p.m. Class size is limited to 10. Registration is a must. Call 879-1531.