New teen books – Summer 2010

We had a perfect day for making ice cream this Wednesday! As promised, here is the recipe we used.

This recipe was adapted from a Family Fun recipe and a Howtoons recipe.

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Mix:

• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup of dairy
• We used 1/2 cup of whole milk and 1/2 cup of cream. You could also try half and half. You can play with the ratios as long as it equals one cup in the end.
• Flavorings
  • Our flavorings included
  • Fruit (Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries, Peaches)
  • Extracts (Peppermint, Lemon, Almond, Maple)
  • Spices (Cinnamon)
  • Syrups (Coffee flavoring)

Pour into a heavy-duty pint-sized bag. (You can also carefully mix your ingredients directly in the bag, but watch out for leaks). We double bagged our ice cream mix.

Fill a heavy-duty gallon bag half full with ice. Add 1/2 cup salt (rock salt or kosher salt works best, but table salt will work). Throw in your bags of ice cream mix. We also double bagged our gallon bags.

Toss your bag around for about 10 minutes, or until the ice cream mixture hardens.

The bag of ice will get very cold, so you may want to wear gloves or wrap the bag in towels or a pillowcase.

Rinse the salt water off your pint bag before enjoying your ice cream!

Come to our college planning and financial aid programs.

Presented by Ada Gonzalez from Great Lakes as part of the College Access Challenge Grant Program.

All programs are free; no registration required.

What Every Parent Needs to Know About Getting Their Kid Into College

• For all parents of high school students
• Wednesday, August 4th
• 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

For parents of students in grades 9 through 11, this workshop explains what they can do to help their children prepare for college. Topics covered include: setting expectations, preparing academically, aiming toward a career, researching and applying for colleges, financial aid, and adjusting to college.

Understanding Financial Aid Letters: Before You Sign on the Dotted Line

• For college-bound high school seniors and their families
• Wednesday, August 4th
• 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

The goal of this workshop is to preview the types of award letters students and parents might receive, and show them how to interpret and compare them to ensure they are making the most informed financial decision. Attendees will also be provided with information about how to fill the gap between the cost of college and the financial aid offered.

Plan Your Collegeland Adventure Early

• For all 9th and 10th graders
• Thursday, August 5th
• 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

In this workshop, 9th and 10th graders are given an early look at what it takes to get to–and get through–college. They’ll learn what they can start doing immediately to help them prepare as well as receive an overview of what they can expect between now and their first day of college.

From Good Grades to Skateboarding, There’s a College Scholarship for You

• For all college-bound students
• Thursday, August 5th
• 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

There’s a lot of free money available to all kinds of students, and this workshop provides students and parents with details on how to search for scholarships and tips on completing the applications. The importance of scholarships when it comes to affording college is also covered.

(photos of this year’s teen henna workshop on Facebook)

For those who would like to try doing henna on their own:

Last year I used the “Create” kit from Henna Caravan and purchased a set of applicator bottles, also from Henna Caravan. These jacquard bottles are actually used for other crafts and can also be purchased from other craft sources. The kit had enough henna paste for everyone who attended last year. I had some paste left over, which we froze and used this year.

However, all you really need from the kit is the henna powder and the essential oil. This year I bought the 20 oz. bag of henna powder and a bottle of the essential oil (I used the “Arabian Wind” tea tree oil blend). I mixed the powder with 1/4 cup of lemon juice 24 hours ahead of time and then added in the oil 12 hours ahead of time. I made cone applicators by rolling triangles of plastic cut from quart-sized freezer bags and sealing them with packing tape. These worked better than the jacquard bottles for holding smaller amounts of henna.

Henna Caravan also has good information about applying henna and information about the practice of henna.

My favorite library book about henna is Mehndi: the Timeless Art of Henna Painting by Loretta Roome. She talks about a variety of cultural traditions involving henna, typical patterns from different regions, and has lots of information about mixing and applying henna.

We also have a variety of books at the library with designs from different cultures, including:

• 500 Tattoo Designs
  Ferguson, Henry (391.6 Fer)
• Traditional Chinese Designs
  Appelbaum, Stanley (745.4 App)
• Celtic and Old Norse Designs
  Davis, Courtney (745.4 Dav)
• 5000 Indian Designs and Motifs
  Mookerjee, Ajit (745.4 Moo)
• Islamic Designs for Artists and Craftspeople
  Wilson, Eva (745.4 Wil)
• North American Indian Designs for Artists and Craftspeople
  Wilson, Eva (745.4 Wil)

Summer programs for teens entering grades 7-12.

Check the summer programs page for more information about each activity.

To register,  stop by the Information Services desk (it’s next to the computers)  at the Platteville Public Library at 65 S Elm St or call 348-7441, ext. 4.

Book Bingo
June 14 – August 31

Writers’ Workshop
June 21 – July 26
Mondays 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Surfer Jewelry
June 16, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Beach Apparel: Reverse Tie-Dye
June 23, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
*Bring a solid colored t-shirt

Minute to Win It
June 30, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Across the Waves: Henna Body Art
July 7, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
*Signed permission slip required

Across the Waves: Japan
July 14, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Frozen Waves: Ice Cream
July 21, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Pirate Treasure Hunt
August 4, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Summer Wrap-up (aka Food & Games)
August 26, 6:00-7:45 p.m.

Stop by the library for contests throughout the summer!