Kwanzaa

So many holiday books for children! Which ones to choose?Ask a librarian.Calls to Enoch Pratt Free Library branches in Baltimore and library branches in Baltimore and Howard counties produced an eclectic list to fill children's holiday reading times -- and stockings or gift boxes.Or, you could just borrow a few, with the possibility that a visit to the library may turn up holiday activities or story sessions.Recommended by more than one librarian were such Christmas classics as "Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg, various editions of " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement C. Moore, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss, and "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson.

There was a time when almost no one in America -- black, white or other -- knew what Kwanzaa was or even how to pronounce it.Now, 33 years after its inception, the annual African-American cultural celebration is almost run of the mill. Well, almost.When Donald F. Wallace, a Columbia consultant who develops self-esteem programs for African-American youths, began celebrating Kwanzaa in 1966, "no one was into it. The fact that it's made it onto TV now and into the big retail stores is a testament to how mainstream it's become," he said.

Kwanzaa (KWON-zah) is one of the world's newest holidays. It's the seven-day African-American celebration, created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, that starts Dec. 26. It's about knowing yourself, finding your purpose and helping others. The first Kwanzaa was celebrated in California in 1966. In Swahili, Kwanzaa means the "first fruits" gathered at harvest time.Here's what you can learn from each day of Kwanzaa.Nguzo Saba (En-Goo-Zoh SAH-bah) is Swahili for the seven principles, or values, by which people should live.

THE CRITICAL racial issue for Americans in the 21st century will not be race, but class.There. I said it and I'm glad I did.It is not hard to think it. Many of us Americans, particularly us African-Americans, have known it and felt it with great certainty for years.But, it has been quite difficult to say out loud or write in public without subjecting yourself to the slings and arrows of critics.That's how sociology professor William Julius Wilson, then at the University of Chicago, was greeted by many when he titled his very important book, "The Declining Significance of Race," 20 years ago. Many of his fellow liberals accused him of selling out to the enemies of civil rights when he dared write something that already was becoming quite obvious: In the wake of civil-rights reforms, economic class was becoming a more important predictor than one's race of one's economic chances in life.

Kwanzaa is a feast for the senses.Red, green and black candles are lighted during the seven-day holiday that began Saturday. Motivational stories draw in listeners. And principles such as unity, self-determination and faith inspire discussion.But food also plays a major role in the holiday that started in 1966 to encourage cultural identity among African-Americans. After all, Kwanzaa means first fruits of the harvest in Swahili.Tomorrow, a lavish celebration called the Kwanzaa Karamu will be shared in many homes around the country.

Editor's note: In her bi-weekly column, award-winning children's author Jerdine Nolen today provides suggestions for a seasonal holiday booklist.So many wonderful family traditions are connected to all the many holidays that meet in the months of December and January. You probably have your favorites. Here is an abbreviated list of familiar titles and some you may not know yet for sharing or giving as gifts.Animal* "Time Flies" by Eric Rohmann* The "Frog and Toad" series by Arnold Lobel* The "My Father's Dragon" series by Ruth Stiles Gannett* "Old Turtle" by Douglas Wood* "Gila Monsters Meet You at the Airport" by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat* "Flossie and the Fox" by Patricia McKissack* "Stellaluna" by Jannell Cannon* Books by Dr. Seuss* Books by William Steig Concept Books, Board Books and Pop-Up Books* "Mouse Paint" by Ellen Stoll Walsh* "Charlie the Chicken" by Nick Denchfield* "Blue Hat, Green Hat" by Sandra Boynton* "Dressing" by Helen OxenburyL * "Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?"

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- Although Texaco turned over 43,000 pages of documents to black employees who were suing for race discrimination, it withheld crucial items, a lawyer testified yesterday in the government's case against retired Texaco treasurer Robert Ulrich and former personnel executive Richard Lundwall."

How did this happen? Suddenly it's Dec. 20, and you're still working on your holiday gift list. At this point, you don't just need gifts, you need inspiration! Our suggestion: Get off the beaten track. Here are some last-minute gifts from some lesser-known shops, where you just might find the perfect present for that hard-to-buy-for person.Comforts of homeOld-fashioned, handmade comforts of home abound at the Woman's Industrial Exchange shop, 333 N. Charles St. A double-bed quilt in bright primary colors and pastels in the traditional log-cabin pattern is $400.

Sandi Mallory was a college freshman in 1972 when she attended her first Kwanzaa ceremony, and she found the experience so moving that she has celebrated the festival every year since. Yesterday, Mallory sought to teach others about the African-American cultural observation by staging a Kwanzaa celebration at Mondawmin Mall."My first Kwanzaa celebration made such an impression on me because of the energy and the principles Kwanzaa represents," said Mallory, who organized the event with her husband, Joe Cooper.

As a holiday, Kwanzaa is in its infancy, yet in its 31-year history, it has blossomed from a small observance by dedicated black nationalists into an event that serves as a cultural touchstone for some 13 million members of the African-American community.Kwanzaa is based on seven principles that are the focus of the celebrations. From Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, each evening is devoted to one of the principles, beginning with unity and ending with faith. Kwanzaa was designed as both a time for introspection and a forum for reinforcing the virtues of home and community.

Keturah Stovall, 9, turned to a small mirror and admired the African-inspired pink and orange designs freshly painted on her face. "I like my face," she said softly to her mother, Monique Fitzgerald of Baltimore. "It's beautiful." Stovall and her mother were among those yesterday who visited the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture for its fourth annual Kwanzaa celebration. Organizers said they expected 1,000 people for the daylong event. Yesterday was the second day of Kwanzaa, a seven-day holiday that honors African-American people, history and culture.

The Howard County chapter of African American Culture will offer a countywide celebration of Kwanzaa from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 26. at the East Columbia 50 Plus Center, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. The public is invited. To reserve a seat: 410-313-7680. Mentors sought A-OK (Assist Our Kids) Mentoring/Tutoring Program is recruiting volunteers to work with Howard County elementary and middle schools. Volunteers are needed during school hours and after school until 6 p.m. Volunteers should be able to dedicate an hour a week for a school year.

I've come aboard as the new editor of UniSun at a time of great promise and strong pride for people of color. Indeed, it's been an inspiring year for black Americans, many of whom never thought they would live to see a black man in the White House's Oval Office. With Barack Obama's amazing and historic triumph on Nov. 4, we now have a president-elect and first family who look a lot like you and me. I know it took a lot of sacrifice and struggle to get to this moment of change. But as a daughter of the South, too young to have participated in the civil rights movement, I see it as a beginning, not an ending.

Kwanzaa, which means first fruits of the harvest in Swahili, is a celebration of family, community, African heritage and great food. The weeklong holiday, which begins on Dec. 26 and ends on New Year's Day, is based on seven guiding principles, with each day's observance starting with the lighting of candles. The centerpiece of the Kwanzaa festivities is the feast of Karamu, which is observed on Dec. 31. It's modeled after traditional African harvest celebrations, at which villagers gave thanks for their bountiful harvest by sharing it at a huge communal feast.

DEC. 19 In a new documentary, The Black Candle, director and Morgan State University professor M.K. Asante Jr. (right) gives audiences an in-depth look at the pan-African celebration of Kwanzaa, from the holiday's cultural beginnings to its impact on the African-American community since its inception in the 1960s. Narrated by Maya Angelou and featuring rap legend and activist Chuck D, the film visits Kwanzaa revelers across the globe, exploring the holiday's effect on their lives. A free screening is set for 6 p.m. at the Druid Heights Community Center, 2140 McCulloh St., 410-523-1350.

The Chesapeake Children's Museum helps children learn about Kwanzaa, the holiday that celebrates African-American family, community and culture, with a program on Thursday. Kwanzaa dates to 1966.

RAVENS-STEELERS PREVIEW --See Jamsion Hensley's preview of Sunday's Ravens-Steelers game, at baltimoresun.com/ravens ALSO ON baltimoresun.com Kwanzaa quiz Take our interactive quiz about Kwanzaa, at baltimoresun.com/kwanzaa Find a movie Man was found with a gunshot wound to the head at Twin Lakes Court and Vosges Road in Pikesville.

KWANZAA TRADITIONS See a dance by the group Kulu Mele -- which performs to a mix of music from Ghana, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Senegal, Nigeria and Guinea -- at the Baltimore Museum of Art's Kwanzaa Family Day on Sunday. In addition, there will be storytelling from Charlotte Blake Alston and a workshop with Nigerian artist Jimoh Buraimoh. ....................... The Kwanzaa celebration runs 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at the museum, 10 Art Museum Drive. Admission is free. Call 443-573-1832 or go to artbma.

"I hope you have a Merry Chri - uh, merry ... I mean, um ... merriment, yes, that's it. I'm wishing you merriment of, uh... this cold, er ... time period!" Big toothy grin as I flush with embarrassment. What is it about this time of the year that makes expressing good wishes so difficult? Many people are celebrating their religious holy days. Others are going through the motions of celebration - materialistic consuming led by commercial sensationalism - appearing to observe some religious or secular event without actually having any feeling about doing so. And still many, many more are celebrating for no particular reason at all, other than it's this time of year.

BALLET 'RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER' See the Moscow Ballet's presentation of the Great Russian Nutcracker tonight through Saturday at the Lyric Opera House. The ballet company's 15th anniversary tour features dancers from Perm, Vaganova, Moscow State Academic Choreographic and Kiev schools, and ballet master Vladimir Troschenko and chief choreographer Anatoli Ememliaov are the company directors. .................... Showtimes are 7:30 tonight through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Lyric Opera House is at 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. Tickets are $35-$65.