"Silicon Valley Puzzle Day is a chance for people who love crossword puzzles and Sudoku to share those interests with other people, learn tips and tricks for solving puzzles, get introduced to new types of puzzles, and test their skills out in friendly contests," said Emily Shem-Tov, Puzzle Day co-chairwoman.

Now in its third year, the event will be held the weekend of Feb. 7 and 8 at the Morgan Hill Public Library, located at the city's civic center three blocks west of downtown Morgan Hill.

The first two Silicon Valley Puzzle Day events proved so popular that organizers decided to expand it to two days to provide more time for participants to participate in as many activities as possible.

"We had lots of comments from past participants who wanted to be able to attend all of the workshops and participate in all of the tournaments," said Lisa Pampuch, Puzzle Day co-chairwoman.

Saturday Feb. 7 will be devoted to workshops run by crossword puzzle and Sudoku professionals. A Puzzle Party held that evening at the Morgan Hill Ramada Inn hotel will allow participants to make new friends in a sociable setting. Sunday Feb. 8 will feature tournaments where puzzlers divided into different age groups will compete for prizes provided by Fry's Electronics and other sponsors.

"Our participants range in age from elementary students to retirees and everyone in between," Pampuch said. "Some of our participants simply enjoy working puzzles while they sip their morning coffee while others are serious competitors. People have traveled from all over the Bay Area, all over California, and even from out of state to participate in Silicon Valley Puzzle Day."

The event started out in 2007 as a fundraiser for the Friends of the Morgan Hill Library to purchase art and furnishings. The organizers thought that Silicon Valley was a natural place to create an event that celebrates cerebral games because so many people involved in the computer and telecommunications industries enjoy crossword puzzles and Sudoku, Shem-Tov said.

"The top tech companies often give their recruits puzzles to solve as part of the screening process," she said. "It's not surprising that Silicon Valley Puzzle Day has found so many local fans in the South Bay. It turns out that some of the top puzzle constructors - such as Santa Clara University Professor Byron Walden and National and World Sudoku Champion Thomas Snyder - call this area home."

Silicon Valley's culture values logic, intelligence, competitiveness and fun - all of which are important for solving puzzles, Pampuch added.

"Solving puzzles is a great way to keep your brain sharp, which we value a lot here in Silicon Valley."

Silicon Valley Puzzle Day

February 7-8, 2009

Morgan Hill Public Library

660 W. Main Ave., Morgan Hill

10 a.m.to 5 p.m. both days

Phone: (408) 779-3196

Cost: Free to attend, suggested donation to compete in contest

Web site: www.svpuzzle.org

Marty Cheek Marty Cheek is the author of 'The Silicon Valley Handbook.' His column appears every Friday of the month. You can reach him by email.