Public Input Meetings for DeKalb Libraries

Tucker's gathering will be on Dec. 13.

The DeKalb County Public Library wants public input on its priorities for the next three years. Residents interested in helping set the strategic plan can attend meetings throughout the county in the next several weeks. Tuesday, December 11 7 - 8 p.m. Chamblee Library 4115 Clairemont Road in Chamblee Thursday, December 13 7 - 8 p.m. Tucker Reid H. Cofer Library 5234 LaVista Road in Tucker Tuesday, January 8 7 - 8 p.m. Hairston Crossing Library 4911 Redan Road in Stone Mountain For more information, call 404-370-8450 x2228

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Banned Books Week: What You Need to Know

Censorship is alive and well, as highlighted by Banned Books Week—and you might be surprised by who the most vocal challengers of books are.

The importance of the First Amendment and the concept of "intellectual freedom" might not always be readily apparent to most kids, but Banned Books Week is a great opportunity to make those lessons come alive for children—and adults. Banned Books Week is held annually during the last week of Sept. (Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2012). The week is an occasion for libraries and bookstores across the U.S. to help folks realize just how real and ongoing a problem censorship is. Tucker has the good fortune to be home to two good libraries, both of which stock most, if not all, of the "banned" books listed below.  More than 11,000 books have been challenged (though not necessarily successfully censored) since 1982, the inaugural year of Banned Books Week. …

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Frugal Family

Frugal Family: Free and Cheap Things to Do When School's Out

Keep your kids entertained without blowing your budget.

With summer vacation just a few days away, many of us are looking for ways to get out of the house without spending too much cash. Camps, swim team and playdates can keep kids happy for quite a while, but sometimes a quick two-hour activity is just what you need. Here are some ideas for activities and events happening around Atlanta that are both affordable and entertaining. 1. Lego Monthly Mini Build Where: Lego Store Discover Mills, 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville 678-847-6078 What: On the first Tuesday of every month, the Lego store hosts a free mini-build event for kids ages six to 14. Kids will get all the pieces they need in order to build a small lego model which they'll get to take home with them.  About 250 are available per…

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Jennifer Burrell

8:40 am on Tuesday, May 17, 2011

My kids love the summer reading programs at the library, at Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, and any others they can find. (What can I say - they love to read and they love free loot.) Here are a couple we found online: Borders Express at Northlake Mall - ://www.borders.com/online/store/MediaView_double-dog-dare Barnes & Noble - http://img1.imagesbn.com/pImages/kids/summerreading/2011/BN-Tear-…   more ›

Frugal Family

Discounts and free family fun for the week of March 8

Every week, I scour the cities for deals to pass along to you.  This week, we steered away from restaurants, and I found some discounted and even free activities to keep you busy nearby.  I also found a few shopping deals to help you save a little green.  Have fun! Tucker MAIN STREET SCHOOL OF ART 2323 Main Street, Tucker 770-938-7880  The Deal: All class fees are currently discounted 20%, so now is the time to sign your children (or yourself – adult classes are now available, too) up for a 6-week session.  Also, for every person you refer that signs up for classes, you’ll get a free class session for yourself.  Good Through: Indefinitely NORTHLAKE-BARBARA LOAR BRANCH OF DEKALB PUBLIC LIBRARY 3772 LaVista Road, Tucker 404-679-4408 The Deal…

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Grab & Go Kids Planner

Events and Activities for Your Family for the Week of Feb. 2-8, 2011

Print this off and keep it handy if you’re looking for ideas for this weekend.  It looks like it’s going to be damp and cold again, so I’ve found some family-friendly, indoor activities to keep everyone out of the house and, hopefully, out of each other’s hair. CANDY MAKING DEMO  Where/when: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at the Cake Art Party Store in Tucker. Why Go: See the tricks of the treats at the 123 Candy Making Demo, which covers chocolate, turtles, crunches, lollipops, peanut-butter cups and more. Pricing: $5. NORTHLAKE MOVIE TAVERN Where/when: In the Tower Festival Shopping Center on LaVista Rd. near I-285.  Every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Why Go: Flapjacks and a Flick. This weekend’s movies are Yogi Bear and Gulliver’s …

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New Tucker Library Exploding with Activity

Reid H. Cofer Library is busily celebrating its first anniversary

               In conjunction with its dynamic Friends of the Library Group, the new Tucker Reid H. Cofer Library is exploding with new ideas and projects.               Opened a year ago, the 25,000 sq. ft building designed by Leo A. Daly and built by the Hogan Construction Company is a stunning modern facility that provides a skylight filled atmosphere of comfortable contemporary furnishings with special areas for infants and young adults.  There are 82,000 volumes of books and videos, 33 access computers for adults and children, in addition to meeting and conference rooms. This library is the only one in the county with a café.             Shortly after the building was constructed, the DeKalb County Library System experienced radical …

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