How time flies! I've been busily preparing lessons for English Conversation Group, a new year of Bilingual Café, and the next session of Spanish for Beginners when I realized it's almost September!

For Muslims around the world, August was a time of fasting and reflection during the month-long holiday of Ramadan. To teach my daughter a little about Ramadan, I checked out the children's book Ramadan Moon, as listed at the bottom of this post. Today marks the end of the observance and many Muslim communities have gathered to celebrate Eid. For some personal reflections about the meaning of Ramadan, listen to this NPR story about favorite childhood memories of the holiday: http://www.npr.org/2011/08/29/140032974/reflections-of-ramadan-from-childhood

Marching into September, Lexington will have several events to celebrate. The annual Roots & Heritage Festival starts on Friday, September 9th. Although the downtown opening festivities last from the 9th-1th, festival events take place in Lexington through September 29th.

September 15th also marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month in the US. In Lexington, the community is invited to celebrate Latin culture and heritage at the annual Festival Latino from Friday, September 16th - Sunday, September 18th at the Courthouse Plaza. The dancing, food, and music is not to be missed!

For several years now, local social justice organization Central Kentucky Council for Peace and Justice (CKCPJ) has hosted a series of events called Voices. In collaboration with other community groups, CKCPJ chooses a topic to highlight throughout the series. This year, they are celebrating Latino culture in the Bluegrass and discussing issues around immigration.

LPL will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month through stories, live music, and film. On Wednesday, September 21st the Village Branch Library will host a bilingual Hispanic Heritage Month storytime for families from 6-6:30pm. On Thursday, October 13th from 6:30-8pm, the Central Library will host a screening and discussion of the film Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness. On Saturday, October 15th, the Village Branch will host the Cuban duo Legna and Joisel for what promises to be a great concert celebrating Latin music. I hope to see you at some of the upcoming events!

Ramadan Moon

Author: Na'ima B. Robert

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books (2009)

Binding: Hardcover, 32 pages