Teen Scene: Gourmet Desserts

For our teen craft this week, we made no-cook desserts: chocolate-covered strawberries and truffles!

Desserts by Chef K.G.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
- 16 oz. chocolate chips
- 1 tbs. butter
- 1 lb. fresh strawberries
1. Prepare a cookie sheet or large plate by lining it with aluminum.
2. Wash the berries and dry them thoroughly.
3. Put the chocolate chips and butter in a bowl, and microwave until it all melts, mixing every 45 seconds. It should take about 2 minutes.
4. Holding a strawberry by the stem, dip it in chocolate, twirling it in a circular motion to cover most of the berry. Twirl it as you lift it from the bowl to get rid of any excess chocolate.
5. Place the berry on the cookie sheet and repeat with the rest of the berries.
6. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until the chocolate sets. Make sure to eat them that same day.

Truffles
- 6 oz condensed milk
- 6 oz (1.5 sticks) butter, softened
- 1.75 lbs powdered sugar, sifted
- Cocoa powder (optional)
- Wire rack
- Tea towel
1. Put the butter into a bowl and stir in the condensed milk. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Add the cocoa powder if you'd like chocolate fudge.
2. When it is mixed together, turn the fudge onto a pastry board and knead until it's smooth and easy to shape.
3. Cut/roll the fudge into shapes of your choice. Decorate with sprinkles, chocolate chips, or roll in cocoa.

Teen Scene: Duct Tape Wallets and Roses!

For our teen craft today, we made duct tape crafts! Take a look!

Fabulous wallets. Pink, silver, and black by K.G.


Gorgeous rose by G.C.

ATAC Meeting -- 7/13/09

ACTION TEEN ADVISORY COUNCIL
Monday, 7/13/09
Present: A.C., G.C., K.G., M.M., M.M., W.M., M.R., S.S.

Another Rule to Add
We really love that our service learners like working with kids. However, please make sure that you maintain a professional distance when working with children at the library. You should never be in a position where you can be held responsible for a child's safety. Always tell Miko or Kristin if there is a little kid wandering around without a parent or guardian. NEVER hold a baby or a small child who is not family while you are on your shift, even if you have permission from the baby's parents.

Renaming TAG
The Teen Advisory Council has been renamed Action Teen Advisory Council (ATAC). This acronym was suggested by M.M. and M.M.

Officers Elected!
Our ATAC officers have been elected!
President - M.R.
Vice President - A.C.
Secretary - M.M.
Treasurer - W.M.

Harry Potter Party Helpers Needed!
Our Harry Potter Party is Tuesday from 2 - 4! We will start setting up at 1pm and probably clean until 5pm! If you can come and help us, please let Miko know!

B&B -- The Graveyard Book Discussion

Meeting Minutes: 7/6/09 (2 - 3pm in the Board Room)

Present: Miko, H.B., G.B., N.C., C.E., J.G., M.M., W.M.

1. Did you read the book?
- No.
- I got a couple chapters in...
- Yes!
- No.
- I didn't know what the book was...

2. Did you like the book?
- I didn't read it...
- It was too weird.
- It was slow.
- Yes! I loved it!
- Coraline was better.

3. This book won this year's Newbery Medal. Did it deserve it, do you think?
- No. I didn't like it.
- I guess?
- Yes!

4. Do you like Newbery Medal Winners?
- Yes.
- Somewhat. It depends.
- They're boring.
- I liked The Giver.
- The Giver was really good.
- I liked that one about the girl who saves her Jewish friend in World War II...
- Number the Stars?
- Yeah, that one! I loved that book!

5. Do you believe in ghosts?
- Yes. My mom saw one once.
- I have to see proof to believe in something, so no.
- Of course.
- I think so.

5. Are you afraid of graveyards?
- Yes, when I got lost in one.
- No...not when it's daytime.
- No one's afraid of graveyards in daylight. When it's dark, you start thinking about all the dead people in the ground, and how they could reach up and grab you and stuff.
- I love graveyards. I used to have one in my backyard. I could think there.
- I've gone to a lot of funerals.

6. Are you fascinated by true crime stories? Or do they turn your stomach?
- I don't like the murder part -- I like shows about how they figure everything out after. I want to be forensic scientist.
- Yes. It's interesting to see how sick people can get.
- If it's really gory, not so much.
- It makes me feel like L from Death Note. It makes you think.

And two questions we didn't get to:

7. What do you think about the idea of revenge being a "dish best served cold"?

8. Bod's tale is one of many orphan stories. What other orphan stories can you think of? Why do you think orphan stories are so popular?