Fire Safety with the El Paso Fire Department

October is Fire Prevention Month, and while this is a serious topic, the Dorris Van Doren Library will host a fun program for kids. Local firefighters will visit the library next week to teach us about fire safety.

On Thursday, October 10 @ 10 am, a fire engine will be parked at the east section of the library's parking lot. Kids will get to tour the fire engine and ask questions. After the tour, we'll head to the auditorium for storytime by the firefighters. Every child will receive a firefighter hat, pencil and coloring book. There is a chance that the visit could be interrupted and cut short if the firefighters are called to a job. If this happens, there will still be storytime in the auditorium.

If you can't make this program, be sure to visit our lobby to view current and historical items, as well as safety tips on display.

Don't miss out on this important display!

EPFD at a glance:

• January 18th, 1882: El Paso Fire Company No. 1 was organized. El Paso didn't have a water system at the time.
• February 1909: Firefighters were mostly volunteers up to this point. This was the year they became a fully paid department.
• View historical photographs here
• View pictures of the training academy here
• As of October 1, 2013, there are 36 stations and 31 engines.
• EPFD responds to 70,000 emergency calls annually.
• Home safety checklist forms are available here 
• If you don't have a smoke detector in your home, EPFD will give you one for free. More info here

Information was taken from the EPFD site: elpasotexas.gov/fire

Food Day @ Your Library

Food Day is a nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. This annual celebration is in its second year, and the Dorris Van Doren Library is excited to participate this year! Food Day is officially on Wednesday, October 24, but that happens to be the day of our annual Halloween party for children. The Halloween party will be at 4:30 pm and feature a "spook alley," crafts, and fun!

Our Food Day festivities kickoff this Saturday, October 20 at 2 pm at our monthly Cook the Book Club. We've selected Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything: The Basics. It's one of the cookbooks on the Food Day suggested reading list. If you haven't signed up for the Cook the Book potluck, there's still time if you sign up by Friday! If you're curious about the club, stop in on Saturday to see what it's all about.

On Thursday, October 25, the Vegetarian Society of El Paso is sponsoring a special event during our usual Teen Hangout time, but all ages are welcome to attend. At 4:30 pm we will have a sampling of quick, easy, and healthy snack ideas. At 5:30 pm we will screen the documentary Vegucated. Vegucated is part sociological experiment and part adventure comedy that follows 3 meat- and cheese-loving New Yorkers who agree to adopt a vegan diet for 6 weeks. The movie is 1 hour and 17 minutes.

If you can't make it to either event, stop in the library during the week to view our Food Day display, which will consist of books from the reading list that will be available for check out. Information from various local organizations such as the El Paso Master Gardeners, Mountain View Market, the Vegetarian Society, and more will also be available to take home.