Check out the Bestbank Holiday Party from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at the West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey.
The Porta-Puppet Players will kickoff the event at 1 p.m. with a production of “The Toymaker’s Helper.”
The play will be followed by events including a cookie-decorating station, a hot cocoa bar, an ornament-decoration station and other crafts and activities for kids, teens and adults. All crafts and activities will open at the end of the performance.
The Jerusalem Shrine Jazz Orchestra will perform from 2 to 3:30 p.m., playing a collection of holiday standards.
For more information, stop by the library or call (504) 364-2660.
ABOUT STEAMBOATS: Derby Gisclair, author of a new book titled "New Orleans Steamboat Stories — The Brief Lives of Mississippi Riverboats," will discuss the book at two East Bank libraries.
- 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at the River Ridge Library, 8825 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge.
- 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Old Metairie Library, 2350 Metairie Road, Metairie.
"New Orleans Steamboat Stories" contains stories of a handful of the boats and the people who lived and worked on the Western rivers.
The average life of a steamboat was short, but their impact culturally and commercially, esthetically and economically, made a lasting impact on the development of America.
MAHJONG: Diane Schleifstein, the immediate past president of the Friends of the Jefferson Public Library, will lead a series of four classes on mahjong at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.
The sessions will be held in the Jefferson Room from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 19, 26, Jan. 2 and Jan. 9.
Mahjong is a tile-based game that was developed in the 19th century in China. It has spread throughout the world since the early 20th century. It is commonly played by four players. Mahjong is a game of skill, strategy, and luck.
MUSIC EVENTS: The following concerts occur at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.
7 p.m. Dec. 13: The Trombone Choir of the New Orleans Concert Band, consisting of a dozen trombones, performs traditional and contemporary music.
7 p.m. Dec. 14: The Jefferson Parish Community Band, composed of 50 musicians, returns with a full program of music for every age.
1 p.m. Dec. 20: Memory Lane's Jean, Richard and Sam perform holiday music and popular tunes.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Did you know that The World Book Encyclopedia is the only general reference encyclopedia still published today?
Every Jefferson Parish Library has a copy on its shelves, but more importantly, World Book is available to patrons who go to the library’s website, then to the Online Databases tab at the top of the page, and by scrolling down the page. Several sections are available:
- World Book Student
- Encyclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos
- World Book Mobile
- World Book Timelines
- World Book Kids
- World Book Advanced
The World Book Encyclopedia 2023 provides authoritative content on almost every topic to learners of all ages, from school-age readers (9-18) to adults.
Whether you're trying to understand a subject or checking a fact for a homework assignment, tens of thousands of index entries make it easy to find information. Abundant colorful photos, illustrations and maps supplement the easy-to-read text.
BOOKS BY MAIL: Books by Mail is a free program that provides library materials through the mail to homebound residents. Materials that can be borrowed include: Books (including large print); DVDs; CDs; audiobooks; and magazines. For more information about this program, contact Lisa Ciravolo at lciravolo@jplibrary.net or (504) 849-8816.
Chris Smith is manager of adult programming at the Jefferson Parish Public Library.