Calvin Borel, Terry Thompson to Appear at GCL Racing Program

Three time Kentucky Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel, along with Arkansas Derby winner Terry Thompson and some of Oaklawn’s best riders will appear at the Garland County Library, 1427 Malvern Ave., March 1^st at noon. The event is part of a continuing series of lunchtime discussions about racing at Oaklawn Park.

“We had a great turnout for last week’s discussion about the history of Oaklawn, so I’m sure people will be as excited as I am to learn more about the life of a jockey. We’re thrilled that these guys are taking time out of their hectic schedules to come visit with us,” John Wells, Library Director, said.

“I like riding at Oaklawn. It has always been a lucky track for me,” Borel has said.

Borel reached both his 3,000^th win and 4,000^th win milestone at Oaklawn Park. Borel grew up in Louisiana and started riding at bush tracks as a child. He earned the nickname “Bo-rail” for his courage taking horses through tight spots along the inside.

Terry Thompson, a Nebraska native, has scored over 2500 wins, including the 2003 Arkansas Derby on Sir Cherokee.

“This is a lunch time event, so people are encouraged to bring a bag lunch, but it’s not required. Time permitting, the jockeys have agreed to sign some autographs, so if people have memorabilia they want signed, they should bring it,” Wells said.

Due to limited seating, registration is required. To register or for more information, call the Garland County Library at 623-4161 or 922-4483. For a list of upcoming events in this series, visit the “Happening Here” page at http://www.garland.lib.ar.us/.

Free Tax Help and the Garland County Library

From now until April 15, tax volunteers from AARP will be offering free tax help at your Garland County Library. Their hours of operation are Monday-Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm and they also have evening sessions on Tue-Wed-Thu from 3 pm to 7 pm. To use this service, you'll need your W-2s and a copy of last year's tax return. If you have rental or farm property, you are ineligible for this service. The service is first-come, first-served and can be hectic at times. If you're traveling from a far corner of the county, call before you come and we can ask if they are still taking people. They do not, however, take phone calls or give tax advise over the phone.

While you wait, the library has a number of ways to occupy your time. We are showing daytime movies during the week(check the schedule at http://www.garland.lib.ar.us/new/movies.html), you can read a book, use the internet, take in a book discussion or relax and enjoy a cup of coffee. The AARP volunteers do a great service to this community, so come by and get your taxes filed.

GCL Presents Black History Month Discussion

Garland County Library is commemorating Black History Month with a book discussion and movie event Sunday, February 20^th at 2 pm. Hot Springs resident Deborah Wright will lead a discussion of Clifton Taulbert’s memoir “Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored” followed by a screening of the movie adaptation.

According to Wright, the book, published in 1989, and film, starring Al Freeman, Jr. and Phylicia Rashad, “examine the delicate issue of racial segregation at a time when the civil rights movement was changing the ways in which Americans engaged in cross cultural interactions.”

“The story revolves around four generations of people who form a nurturing community that enables its members to navigate their way through the landmine of challenges, setbacks, and joys that made up small town live from the 1940s to the 1960s.”

Wright, a former broadcast journalist who holds a Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies from Wheaton College, may be familiar to those who have seen her perform “Journeys: The Legacy of Harriet Tubman,” a one woman re-enactment of the abolitionist’s inspiring story.

“I invite you to read the book, see the film and join us for a thought provoking discussion,” Wright said. The book is available for check out at Garland County Library.

Seating is limited. Light snacks will be served and door prizes will be awarded. For more information or to register for the event, call the Garland County Library at 623-4161 or 922-4483.

Love Your Library Month Party @ GCL Valentine's Day

February is Love Your Library Month and Garland County Library is hosting a celebration on Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14^th, from 9:30 to 11 am, featuring coffee, sweets, a musical performance and “green” Valentine making.

“This will be a very informal morning get together, but we’re hoping to make the library a little more romantic for the occasion,” Circulation Supervisor Karen Covey said. “One of our employees, Tony Webb, who plays in the band Adayas, has agreed to serenade us with his classical guitar.”

The party will also feature the talents of Erin McKenzie, staff member and artist, who will be on hand to help make “green Valentines,” or Valentines from recycled materials.

“We’ve been saving scraps and collecting old magazines and picture books to cut up, so if you want to make a unique Valentine to give to your sweetheart, or to the library, then this should be a fun time to do it,” Covey said. Party goers are welcome to bring their own scraps or items to incorporate in their Valentines, but the basic supplies will be provided.

If you are interested in expressing your love for the library but don’t want to cut, glue, and paste, the library is providing another option.

“We have slips available for people to fill out telling us why they love their library,” Covey said. “We’ll display them during February so everyone can read them. Of course, if you don’t love your library, that’s fine, too. We’ll just have to sweep you off your feet with music, chocolates and Valentines.”