July 9, 2008 > One Book One Community One Book One Community By Mona Shah At a recent City Council meeting Mayor Bob Wasserman signed a proclamation urging all Fremont residents to read "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. This is the first book that the city of Fremont will read together as a community, part of the "One Book One Community" program. "One Book One Community" programs were initiated in 1998 by the Washington Center for the Book and have become popular throughout the U.S. and the world. The non-fiction book, on the New York Times Best Seller List for over a year, highlights one man's incredible journey from mountain climber to beloved philanthropist. In "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time," Greg Mortenson, and acclaimed journalist David Oliver Relin recount this incredible journey. In 1993, Greg Mortenson became very ill when climbing Mt. K2, the world's second tallest mountain, in the Himalayas. As he recovered for seven weeks in the small Pakistani village of Korphe, he was so touched by the kindness he received from the villagers that he vowed to return to build their first school. This led to the founding of the Central Asia Institute, which has built 55 schools across rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. In order to share ideas and thoughts, readers will be invited to join discussion groups in Fremont, Union City and Newark libraries, the Fremont Senior Citizen Center, and Borders, Barnes & Noble and Half-Price book stores. There will also be an opportunity to register for lunch or dinner in several Afghan and Pakistani restaurants, sample the excellent cuisine and hear authorities talk about the book and the area. Culmination of the community reading program will be a visit by author Greg Mortenson to Fremont. "This book is moving, inspirational and an exciting adventure story all in one," said Genevieve Angelides, who represented American Association of University Women at the City Hall signing and is directing the project. "Its underlying message is that one person truly can make a powerful difference in the lives of so many in the world." Along with adults, high school students will also be reading "Three Cups of Tea" this fall and discussing it in their classrooms. For more information please go online to www.threecupsoftea.com. For questions about the program, contact Genevieve Angelides at genangelides@sbcglobal.net. Fremont Main Library Thursday, July 17 1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 19 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 10 1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. 2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont (510) 745-1400 www.threecupsoftea.com Union City Library Saturday, July 12 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. 34007 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City (510) 745-1464 Newark Library Tuesday, August 5 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. 6300 Civic Terrace Ave., Newark (510) 795-2627