Here is a listing of times and locations:

Yakima (Downtown) Library, 4 p.m. January 11. 102 N. Third Street, Yakima. 509-452-8541.

Granger Library. 3 p.m. January 12. 508 Sunnyside Ave., Granger. 509-854-1446.

Buena Library, 3:30 p.m. January 13. 801 Buena Road, Buena. 509-865-3390.

Southeast Library, 11 a.m. January 14. 1211 S. Seventh Street, Yakima. 509-576-0723.

Summitview Library, 11 a.m. January 15. 5709 Summitview, Yakima. 509-966-7070.

Zillah Library, 3:30 p.m. January 18. 109 7th, Zillah. 509-829=6707.

Sunnyside Library, 4 p.m. January 20. 621 Grant, Sunnyside. 509-837-3234.

White Swan Library, 3 p.m. January 24. 391 First Street, White Swan. 509-874-2060.

Wapato Library, 3 p.m. January 26. 119 East 3rd Street, Wapato. 509-877-2882.

Selah Library, 3:30 p.m. January 27. 106 South Second Street, Selah. 509-698-7345.

You can also visit yvl.org or call 509-452-8541 for more information.

It’s time to have a ball!

Really.

The local Kiwanis Club is hosting its annual Father-Daughter Ball on Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Clarion Hotel. This year’s theme is “A Night in New Orleans.”

Dads, now’s your chance to take your daughter or daughters out for a glamorous evening of dressing up, eating a nice meal and dancing the night away.

Russ Roberts, a Kiwanis Club committee member, said the event is more like a “fun”raiser instead of a fundraiser. He has been to the annual ball for the past two years with his three daughters, and they love it because they get to “doll up.”

A silent auction will also be held during the event, with items for girls and dads.

The cost is $65 for dad and daughter (ages 4 and older), and $15 extra for each additional daughter. The price covers dinner, dessert and entertainment that includes a DJ, a dance floor and a smoke machine. Dads can also have a picture taken with their daughters and will receive an 8×10-inch copy in the mail.

Three princesses will be awarded randomly per age group, 4-11 years, 12-18 years, and 18 and older.

Roberts said 150 people attended last year’s event, and the cap will be at 200. Most daughters are in the 7- to 11-year-old range, he said, but many 4-year-olds were there, and even one 72-year-old woman attended with her 90-year-old dad.

The ball runs from 5:30-11 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 1507 N. First St., Yakima.

Tickets go on sale in December. For more information, e-mail Steve Emhoff at steve@emhoffgroup.com, or Karl Capron at kcorp@charternet, or you can check out the event’s website at dancewithdad.com.

All that’s needed to start the fun is a blanket on the lawn (or living room floor). Invite the children to bring their fuzzy friends to lunch.

With just a little extra effort, a teddy bear picnic becomes a sweet birthday party for tots. Just remember to keep it simple: Young children are easily overwhelmed by crowds and strict schedules. The classic rule of thumb is to invite only as many guests as your child’s age — or their age plus one. (Bring as many bears as you like.)

BEAR NECESSITIES

Set up a backdrop for photos, which can be tucked inside thank you cards for your guests. Fill a picnic basket with bears and tie on a few balloons to set the scene.

For the girls’ hats, we used a hot glue gun to dress up simple sun hats with artificial flowers and berries. For boys, use fishing hats and lures. Older children might enjoy designing their own. We bought our hats and flowers at the Dollar Tree. Cost: $2.50 each.

BEARY GOOD TREATS

Berries, of course. Gummy bears are great, too.

To create a fun Bear Party Mix, we combined Teddy Grahams, Honey Maid Bees and mini marshmallows. Raisins and other dried fruit would be tasty, too.

Use a bear-shaped cookie cutter to make peanut butter and honey sandwiches. For a breakfast party, pour teddy bear pancakes.

BEARLY PLAYING

A picnic is more fun with games to play. Don’t overdo it, but try these activities if the kids need a little direction:

• Toss the Bees into the Honey Pots: Decorate small flower pots or buckets to look like honey pots. Have kids toss bean bags into the pots to win a prize.
• Teddy Bear Hot Potato: Play some music (perhaps “Teddy Bear’s Picnic” — download a version on iTunes that suits your style). Have children sit in a circle and pass around a bear. When the music stops, the child left holding the bear is out but gets a small prize.
• Read a bear story. There are lots of classics like “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” or the Berenstain Bears and Paddington Bear.
• Cut fun bear shapes with cookie cutters and dough.

Story and ideas by Sara Bristol. Photos by Destiny Williams.