Lake Oswego Reads Brochure
with the Schedule of Events

Click here to download the presentation as a .wmv file

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, is the book selection for the 2nd annual citywide 2008 reading program, Lake Oswego Reads. The book selection steering committee, comprised of community leaders and librarians, selected the book. The Library asked the community last March to suggest books for the 2nd annual Lake Oswego Reads.  The Lake Oswego Reads Steering Committee thanks the community for the many book suggestions and was pleased to select Three Cups of Tea from the list of submissions. 

Lake Oswego Public Library would like to invite the entire community to participate in the second annual Lake Oswego Reads program!  The success of last year’s program demonstrates our community’s love of books, intellectual pursuits, and thoughtful discussion. During the month of February the Library, local schools, businesses and organizations will offer special programs and festivities connected with the Lake Oswego Reads book selection.

The Lake Oswego Reads 2008 program is presented by the Lake Oswego Public Library and sponsored by West Coast Bank and the Friends of the Lake Oswego Library. The program is also made possible in part by a grant from the Oregon Council for the Humanities, a statewide nonprofit organization and an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, which funds OCH’s grant program.  The Oregon Cultural Trust, which invests in Oregon arts, humanities and heritage, also helped fund OCH’s Grant program. Other sponsors include: the Lake Oswego Review, Lake Oswego Rotary Club , Excelsior Management, and Fred and Shirley Baldwin.  For more information, contact Cyndie Glazer at 503-675-2538 or cglazer@ci.oswego.or.us.

Party at the Library!  On Tuesday, January 8, from 6:30-9:00 pm.  What better way was there to kick off Lake Oswego Reads than to distribute 800 complementary copies of Three Cups of Tea?  The copies of the book were courtesy of the Friends of the Lake Oswego Library. Everyone enjoyed music and food from Pakistan, and a great time was had by all!

The excellent Pakistani food at the kick-off party was prepared by Tasneem Rahman!  For information about Pakistani catering and cooking classes by Tasneem, contact: Tasneem777@aol.com
For more Pakistani cooking classes, contact Laila at: Laila_Sheikh@hotmail.com

Here is the most requested recipe from January 8th event:

Chana Chat

(Garbanzo Salad)

Garbanzo – 1 can

Potato – 2 small

Cilantro – ½ bunch

Apple – 1

Pomegranate – ½ fresh

Lemon juice – fresh, 2 tbsp

Brown sugar – 1 tsp

Spices

Cumin – ground/crushed ½ tsp.

Anardana – pomegranate dried ground 1/3 tsp, optional

Black pepper – sprinkle to taste

Garam Masala (All Spice) sprinkle 1/3 tsp

Mix together and enjoy!

Back to Top

Pennies for Peace:

Pennies for Peace was conceived by the students and teachers at Westside Elementary School, in River Falls, Wis.  Originally called, “Pennies for Pakistan”, it became Pennies for Peace in 1996.  Since then, over 16 million pennies have been raised by over 700 schools in all 50 states, including over 10 million pennies in the past year.

Lake Oswego Reads will offer the “Pennies for Peace” at all nine Lake OswegoElementary Schools from January 21 to February 1. Help bring global peace by donating pennies to bins stationed in any of the elementary schools in Lake Oswego.  Thanks to West Coast Bank for counting the pennies and for the check for the total amount of money raised in the elementary schools which will be presented to Greg Mortenson on February 6 when he speaks in Lake Oswego. 

 “A penny in the United States is virtually worthless, but in Pakistan and Afghanistan a penny buys a pencil and opens the door to literacy.” Pennies for Peace is an educational program which does more than raise money for educational materials shipped to impoverished countries around the world. The program, run by the Central Asia Institute, raises awareness about illiteracy around the world to American children. By educating young students, Pennies for Peace shows how anyone can make a positive impact on a community just one penny at a time. Education opens the door to life opportunities like no other skill can and by raising awareness, the chance for a better future for all children is greater.

After February 1, bins collecting pennies will be located at local businesses and the Lake Oswego Library through the end of February.  An additional check will be sent to Greg Mortenson’s organization in March.

Shailini Pandya from Lake Oswego High School and Amy Guillotte from Lakeridge High School coordinated the Pennies for Peace program in the nine elementary schools in Lake Oswego.  They have done assemblies at some of the schools, distributed flyers, created displays, delivered the decorated jugs to each school and created orange bracelets as reminders.

The Lake Oswego Public Library is happy to announce that both Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin spoke at the Lake Oswego High School Auditorium, 2501 Country Club Rd. in Lake Oswego on the evening of Wednesday, February 6, 2008 at 7:00 pm. The event was for high school age, college age and adult citizens.

The number of people who came to the presentation was 1,315!
The total amount raised for Pennies for Peace by the nine Lake Oswego
elementary schools in less than two weeks was $6,360.63!!! 
Great work Lake Oswego!

Greg Mortenson with Carol Hickman from the Oregon Council for the Humanities
and Cyndie Glazer from Lake Oswego Public Library

Back to Top

Greg Mortenson signing books after the presentation

Greg Mortenson with Dr. Bill Korach and Dr. Ricky Korach

Back to Top

Greg Mortenson with the Pennies for Peace Council at Westridge Elementary School

Pennies for Peace program at Westridge Elementary School

Back to Top

Back to Top

LO Arts Foundation's Three Cups of Tea Reception:

Friday, February 1, 5:30-7:30 pm
Location: Former US Bank, 120 N. State Street

Reservations: 503-675-3738

Due to limited parking, please plan to park in one of the many public parking lots or downtown streets.

Three Cups of Tea takes on extraordinary colors, shapes and textures, when professional artists including: Lois Larson, Hank Weber, Linda Rothchild Ollis, Anna Mastellos Morris, Susan Cowan, Kathy Bethurum, Patricia Schmidt, Kara Pilcher, Lynne M. Taylor, Sally Bills Bailey, Lee Baughman, Dyanne Locati, Jan Rimerman,  and local high school art students showcase their interpretations of this unique book.

On Friday, February 1, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm join the artists, students and other guests at a party at the former US Bank to kick off a month of Lake Oswego Reads activities.  This reception features the artwork of the regional Splash artists and art students from Lake Oswego and Lakeridge High Schools.  Special appetizers, wine, and of course tea, will be served. Please RSVP to 503-675-3738 or email cbrock@ci.oswego.or.us.

Art Exhibitions during the month of February :
Student art at Umpqua Bank:
201 B Avenue, Suite 100, hours 9:00 am to 5:00 pm weekdays

Splash Artists at Graham's Book and Stationary:
460 2nd Street, hours 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 5:00 pm on Sunday

Presented as a partnership between Lake Oswego Reads and the Lake Oswego Foundation for the Arts (LOFA), the exhibitions described above can also be viewed throughout the month of February.

Back to Top

Local Grocers Add Flavor:
Saturday, February 2, 12:30-3:30 pm

Location: Wizer’s Lake Grove Market

16331 Bryant Rd.  Ph. 503-636-8457

Wizer’s Lake Grove Market will be participating in the Lake Oswego Reads program by offering tastes of food from Central Asia and of course, tea.  Stop by for complementary samples and don't forget to get your "passport" stamped.  Library staff and members of the Library Advisory Board will be on hand to answer questions and talk about the book.

Next scheduled Taste of Central Asia event

Back to Top

Music and Tea:

Hear Dan Balmer and sip on tea!

Tuesday, February 5, 7:00 pm   

Location: Lake Oswego Library

Described by the Los Angeles Times, as “the model of what a contemporary guitarist should be,” Dan has performed with an impressive line of talented musicians including Andy Narrel, Jim Pepper, David Friesen, Airto, Joey Defrancisco, and the late Red Mitchell.  He is best known for his collaboration with keyboardist Tom Grant, with whom he toured and recorded for over ten years.

Currently, Dan leads groups around the Northwest and is a member of drummer Mel Brown’s quartet and quintet, and bassist David Friesen’s trio and quartet.  Dan is also on the faculty at Lewis and Clark College.

In performances across the country, Balmer’s playing has consistently won enthusiastic praise.  The Palm Beach Post wrote “. . . guitarist Dan Balmer played exceptionally fast-fingered runs and twisting figures that were arresting.”  The Seattle Times proclaimed, “Blamer’s top fuel solos and tasty octave work . . . were most satisfying.”  The Anchorage Daily News stated, “Balmer turned in a top notch, unstinting performance.”

When not performing locally, touring, or recording, Dan focuses his energy on composing.  His works have appeared on television, in movies and have been choreographed by Ballet Oregon.

Greg Mortenson & David Relin Speak:

Wednesday, February 6, 7:00 pm

Location: Lake Oswego High School Auditorium

2501 Country Club Rd.  Ph. 503-534-2313

Reservations: Tickets Required

The Lake Oswego Public Library is happy to announce that both Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin will be speaking at the Lake Oswego High School Auditorium, 2501 Country Club Rd. in Lake Oswego on the evening of Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 at 7:00 pm.  This event is for high school age, college age and adults.  Admission is free but a ticket is required for this event.  Tickets will be available at the Lake Oswego Public Library starting at 2:30 pm on Saturday, January 12. There will be a 2 ticket per person limit.  Note: the tickets will be valid until 15 minutes before the event begins on February 6.  We expect a waiting line and suggest that you arrive early.  Seating is first come, first served. 

Back to Top

Panel Discussion:

Our Role and Impact in History Through Promoting Education Globally
Presented by the Oswego Heritage Council - 3 speakers

Thursday, February 7, 7:00 pm- 8:00 pm

Location: Oswego Heritage House, 398 Tenth Street
Ph. 503-635-6373

The Oswego Heritage Council will present an exciting panel of experts discussing "Our Role and Impact in History Through Promoting Education Globally.”  The panel will consist of four people deeply involved in education and care of children in third world countries; Barry Childs from Africa Bridge in Tanzania, Sharon Starr and Lynne Wintermute for Children of the Golden Triangle and Mohammad Kharoti (a Phastun Physician) with the Green Village Schools, building a future in Afghanistan.  Like Greg Mortenson of Three Cups of Tea, these presenters are deeply committed to helping children get an education that will enable them to provide for themselves and their families.  $5 for nonmembers.

Back to Top

Book Discussion:

Friday, February 8, 1:00 pm  

Location: Adult Community Center, 505 G Ave.

Reservation: 503-534-5665

Book Guide and Discussion Questions

Click here for next Discussion Session

Click here for a list of all Discussion Sessions

Local Grocers Add Flavor:

Friday, February 8, 4:00-7:00 pm

Location: New Seasons Market
3 Monroe Pkwy. Ph. 503-496-1155

New Seasons Market will be participating in the Lake Oswego Reads program by offering tastes of food from Central Asia and of course, tea.  Stop by for complementary samples and don't forget to get your "passport" stamped.  Library staff and members of the Library Advisory Board will be on hand to answer questions and talk about the book.

Next scheduled Taste of Central Asia event

Saturday, February 9, 10:00am-5:00 pm  

Location: Graham’s Book and Stationery,
460 2nd Street, Ph. 503-636-5676

Wrap yourself in art! Warm to exotic fibers imported from Nepal, India, China and other neighbors of Pakistan. Unique designs, colors and weaves reflect the cultures of the peoples who have made them.  Affordable, fashionable, wearable art that you won’t want to miss. 

Back to Top

Pakistani Cooking Class:

February 9, 6:00 pm

Register at www.lakeoswegoparks.org

Location: Randall Test Kitchen

Instructor Barb Randall spoke with Julia Bergman, Chair of the Central Asia Institute and received many ideas for recipes, cultural and food. Here are the details for the cooking classes related to the Lake Oswego Reads Program:

It is a ‘pairs’ class, so two adults attend for one fee.

You and a friend deserve a night out!  Participants prepare the food and then share the gourmet feast together. Price is per session, per pair (spouse, friend, family member):

Ages 18+                Randall Test Kitchen

Residents $106       Non-Residents $117

Three Cups of Tea Pakistani Cuisine

This delicious and exotic menu includes: samosas (a snack filled with potatoes, minced meat or lentils) Bihari Kabab (thin sliced marinated beef), raita (yogurt with cucumber, tomato and onion), channa masala (chickpeas in tomato sauce), chapatti (bread), Kheer (a sweet rice pudding) and Baisin Ki Tukriyan (a sweet made with almonds, cashews, pistachios and ground cardamom) .

Class Number: 1327001    6-10 pm      Sat.   2/9

 Back to Top

Speaker & Slides:

The Challenge of K2 and the Baltoro Glacier:
Where Continents Collide in Baltistan

Monday, February 11, 7:00 pm

Location: Lakewood Center for the Arts
368 S. State Street,  Ph. 530-635-6338

Steve Boyer, a local ER physician and climber, was a member of an American Karakoram expedition attempting a new route on K2 in 1986, seven years before Greg Mortenson’s fateful encounter with the Balti of Korphe. He will show slides of Baltistan from that era, comment on the geology and glaciers of the region, and discuss the disastrous summer on K2 where thirteen climbers on nine expeditions lost their lives. Steve shares Greg’s belief in the importance of education and has been involved, himself, with school projects in Afghanistan and Guatemala.

Back to Top

Book Discussion:

Tuesday, February 12, 10:00 am

Location: Chuck’s Cookies & Coffee, 430 5th Street

Reservation: 503-534-5665

Book Guide and Discussion Questions

Click here for next Discussion Session

Learning about Cashmere:

Friday, February 15, 11:00 am

Location: Tangle Knitting Studio, 440 1st Street

Ph. 503-636-KNIT

Cashmere – What Makes it Extraordinary?  We all love cashmere.   What makes it so special and why do they have to charge so much? Whether you are a knitter or not, this is a fiber we lust after.Come learn about this fiber, the history, quality and how it is manufactured.  The more you know, the more you will love and appreciate it.  Presentation given by Alice Burnham, owner of Tangle Knitting, a certified Cashmere addict.

Book Discussion:

Friday, February 15, 1:00 pm

Location: Adult Community Center, 505 G Ave.

Reservation: 503-534-5665

Book Guide and Discussion Questions

Click here for next Discussion Session

Back to Top

Local Grocers Add Flavor:

Saturday, February 16, 12:30-3:30 pm

Location: Palisades Market

1377 McVey  Ph. 503-636-4666

Palisades Market will be participating in the Lake Oswego Reads program by offering tastes of food from Central Asia and of course, tea.  Stop by for complementary samples and don't forget to get your "passport" stamped.  Library staff and members of the Library Advisory Board will be on hand to answer questions and talk about the book.

Special Three Cups of Tea Dinner:

Monday, February 18

Location: Five Spice Bistro, $$,
315 1st Street,  Ph. 503-697-8889

The Chefs of Five Spice Bistro will infuse food with the flavors of tea . They have created a four course menu featuring Duck and Scallops that incorporate the unique aromas and flavors of teas from around the world, in honor of the book Three Cups of Tea. There will also be teas and wine available, from France and the Northwest.  Fixed menu and pricing. Call 503-697-8889 for reservations.

Back to Top

Speaker on Pakistani History & Culture:

Tuesday, February 19, 7:00 pm

Location: Lake Oswego Library

Professor Masoud Kheirabadi from Portland State University will speak about
peoples, cultures, and history of Pakistan to provide readers with background to better understand the events in Three Cups of Tea. Professor Kheirabadi has his doctoral degree from the University of Oregon in the field of Cultural Geography. His research interest deals with issues and problems of development in less developed countries especially in the Middle East. He has written several books dealing with Middle Eastern and Islamic studies.

Speaker at Lake Oswego Women’s Coalition Luncheon:
Building on Both Sides of the Atlantic: One Woman’s Journey
from Pakistan to America

Wednesday, February 20, 11:45 am

Location: Oswego Lake Country Club
20 Iron Mountain Blvd.  Reservation: 503-636-3634,  $15

Tasneem Rahman will share her experiences and what she has learned about enriching and engaging one’s family and community. She will share her story of a life lived on both sides of the Atlantic, of the cultural challenges she has faced, and of the challenges of motherhood. She will also discuss the ways we can address challenges in our individual lives through shared goals and dreams, to build a good future.

Tasneem Rahman was born in Karachi, Pakistan. As a young woman she earned her Bachelors of Science in Psychology before moving to Lake Oswego in 1984. While raising her three children in Oregon, Mrs. Rahman continued to observe and work towards meeting the needs of the Muslim community and beyond. In particular she was driven to address issues concerning poverty, education and community building.

In 1999, she and her husband Mohammad suffered the loss of their son Mustafa, who died six days before his 12th birthday. In response to their loss and in memory of their son, they founded a non-profit, the One Ummah Foundation. Beginning with the goal of helping to end the cycle of illiteracy and poverty in underdeveloped countries, the foundation has been able to assist programs and build schools in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Pakistan and India. Mrs. Rahman has been involved in projects ranging from new school construction, existing school refurbishment, and the donation of food and textbooks to families in need. Soon One Ummah Foundation will be beginning a microfinance program which uses profit-and-loss sharing rather than debt-based finance to assist the poor.

Back in Portland, Mrs. Rahman works with young women of the Masjid Al-Saber, The Islamic Center of Portland. She has overseen projects including a middle school art project done in conjunction with Portland’s Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) Program. Through that project Mrs. Rahman saw the successful completion of a mural in Jackson Middle School and further integration and understanding between young Muslims and their peers. With over 20 years of community service, focusing on social services, refugee programs and work with other organizations like Portland Public Schools, Mrs. Rahman continues to dedicate herself to improving self-confidence, knowledge, and cultural and spiritual worth on both sides of the Atlantic.

Back to Top

Himalayan  Teas:

Thursday, February 21, 2:00 pm

Location: Lake Oswego Library

Veerinder Chawla, the owner of the Tao of Tea in southeast Portland, will talk about the types of  tea, the people who nuture it and how to brew a proper cup of tea. He will bring several varieties of tea to taste. He started The Tao of Tea with a love for the leaf. While traveling with his family in the Himalayan mountains of India in 1997, he dreamed about the possibilities that tea offered. The dream evolved into a business and the love grew even more.

Travels to the source, friendships with tea people and living with wellness have been very rewarding. Over the years, he has been fortunate to be joined with people that share a similar love and philosophy about tea.

Book Discussion:

Thursday, February 21, 7:00 pm

Location: West End Building - Santiam Room, 4101 Kruse Way, Ph. 503-697-6500

Reservations: 503-534-5665

Book Guide and Discussion Questions

Book Discussion:

Friday, February 22, 1:00 pm

Location: Adult Community Center, 505 G Ave.

Reservation: 503-534-5665

Book Guide and Discussion Questions

Click here for next Disussion Session

Back to Top

Pakistani Market:

Saturday, February 23, 10:00 - 5:00 pm

Location: West End Building, 4101 Kruse Way, Ph. 503-675-3985

Browse through unique treasures of the east, from rugs and scarves to jewelry, clothing & more. You can feast on authentic Pakistani foods and desserts all day, have a complementary henna tattoo applied from 11 am to 1 pm, and enjoy Pakistani/North Indian music from 1 to 3 pm by Rose Okada and Friends. Make sure to bring the youngsters along as we also have puzzle and kite making craft projects planned for them!

You can learn about the foods of the region as you sample samosas (a very popular snack filled with potatoes, minced meat or lentils) and Badam Pak (a sweet made of rosewater and almond barfi) and Kheer (a sweet rice based dessert). Chef Barb Randall will share with you from 10 – 11 am what she learned about Pakistani cuisine from members of the Central Asia Institute. Hoda's Middle Eastern Cuisine will also be serving a variety of delicious foods from the region.

Complete your shopping trip to the bazaar by stopping for a visit at Patty Kay’s Tea Garden…Whether you choose a single cup of fine tea, or a pot of tea and plate of savory treats, be sure to take time to take tea at the Pakistani Market… New and Vintage accessories and quality teas will also be offered for sale from this local Lake Oswego Vendor. See you at the tea party!

Back to Top

Tuesday, February 26, 7:00 pm

Location: Lakeridge High School Auditorium

Three Cups of Tea Up Close:  David Oliver Relin will provide an inside look at the reporting and writing of Three Cups of Tea. He will show slides of his trips to the Karakoram Himalaya and discuss current events in Pakistan.  Celebrate Three Cups of Tea and hear the author, David Oliver Relin at the final community event of Lake Oswego Reads.

The Final Chapter event will also feature a Quiz Bowl with local students answering questions about the book, and a fashion show of authentic clothes from Pakistan.  Bring a friend to the Lakeridge High School Auditorium at 7 p.m. for an evening of fun and festivities.

David Oliver Relin lives in Portland, Oregon. He is a graduate of Vassar and was awarded the prestigious Teaching/Writing Fellowship at the Iowa Writer's Workshop. After Iowa, he received a Michener Fellowship to support his groundbreaking 1992 bicycle trip the length of Vietnam. He spent two further years reporting about Vietnam opening to the world, while he was based in Hue, Vietnam's former imperial capital. In addition to Vietnam and Pakistan, he has traveled to, and/or reported from, much of East Asia.

For two decades, Relin has focused on reporting about social issues and their effect on children. He is currently a Contributing Editor for Parade. He was Senior News Editor for react, an award-winning weekly with a circulation of five million launched by Parade. His investigative features on school shootings, ecstasy abuse, and teenagers in prison for Teen People helped that publication win the National Magazine Award for General Excellence.

Relin has won more than 40 national awards for work as both an editor and writer. His stories about child soldiers have been included in Amnesty International reports. And his investigation into the way the Immigration and Naturalization Service abused children in its custody contributed to the reorganization of that agency. He spends several months each year reporting on, lecturing about, and raising money for the ongoing child hunger crisis in America. Relin is currently at work on a novel about Vietnam.

Back to Top

Rock Climbing:

Thursday, February 28, 7:00 pm

Location: ClubSport 18120 SW Lower Boones Ferry Rd.

Reservations: 503-968-4555

Grab a hold of life!  Explore the world of climbing at ClubSport Oregon and share the thrill, challenge, and adventure that inspired Three Cups of Tea author Greg Mortenson to his awesome task.  Adventure Center Staff will be on hand February 28th at 7pm to help age 12 and older climb up our indoor rock climbing walls.  Experience first-hand at Clubsport the difficult and inspiring world that brought Greg Mortenson to the Himalaya.  Limited space, reservations required by calling 503-968-4535. 

Book Discussion:

Friday, February 29, 1:00 pm

Location: Adult Community Center

Reservations: 503-534-5665

Book Guide and Discussion Questions

Click here for a complete list of Event Locations and Addresses!

Back to Top