Thanks to pages books and coffee for mentioning this on its Facebook page.

This event is new-to-me, and apparently to the U.S. 2012 is the first year World Book Night, an event supported by major bookstores, publishers, and the American Library Association, will be held in the United States. (It was held last year in the U.K.)

It isn’t so much about getting a bargain as it is about giving one: On World Book Night, April 23, 2012, registered “Givers” across the U.S., the U.K., and Ireland, will each have 20 copies of a book they love to give to non-readers or light readers to “promote the value of reading, of printed books, and of bookstores and libraries.”

Givers will choose one book they love and want to share from among 30 available titles. World Book Night organizers will send 20 copies of that book with the understanding that the book giver will distribute them to members of the community who don’t read much or don’t have ready access to books. Applicants must agree to distribute the books according to the purpose of the program.

The deadline to apply to be a book-giver is February 1st, so apply soon if this is something you’re excited about. pages books and coffee in Newton will be having a kick-off party that evening.

Register to be a 2012 Giver on World Book Night. See all 30 available titles.

The 17th Annual Battle of the Badges Community Blood Drive began Thursday, Dec. 15 and ends Saturday, Dec. 31. Show up to donate blood at one of the American Red Cross locations listed below and vote for your favorite “badge” — either law enforcement or fire department.

The winning group gets a big trophy and people across Kansas and Northern Oklahoma receive much needed blood products. Learn more at www.redcrossblood.org/centralplains.

The goal of the American Red Cross Blood Services is to collect 950 pints of whole blood and 230 pints of platelets during the Battle. Each person who presents to donate blood will receive a 2011 Battle T-shirt. Special giveaways will also be held on each day of the Battle.

Battle of the Badges donation locations:

• The Wichita Blood Donor Center, 707 N. Main, will be open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1p.m.

• The Northwest Blood Donor Center, 8414 W. 13th St. North, Suite 200, will be open
Dec. 20, Dec. 22 and Dec. 27 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. each day.

• Spirit AeroSystems employees are encouraged to donate at the Spirit Blood Donor Center, Plant 2 Column H-21, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.