By Sue Hotz
May is our anniversary
May brings flowers and memories of some of life’s watershed events like proms, graduations and weddings.
In 1982, May 15 marked the first meeting of the San Carlos Friends of the Library. It was founded with the expressed mission of “focusing public attention on the library’s services, facilities and needs; to strengthen and expand library services; and to stimulate the use of the library facilities as a cultural resource center for the community.”
One year later, the Navajo Canyon Golf Course restaurant was the site of the first anniversary dinner for the Friends’ 174 members. Do you remember managing librarians Ruth Gardner or Verna Stewart and youth services librarian Heather Reed? Betty Sherman was SCFOL’s first president; other first board members were Diana Mattershaw, treasurer; Leola Robinson and June Jamieson, secretaries; Lesley Frazier, newsletter; Beryl Levine, membership; and Betty Sherman, book sales.
We thank the San Carlos Community for its continued support over the last 34 years as we continue the mission of the SCFOL founders and work toward the branch’s expansion.
Congrats to Victoria Crisologo
Patrick Henry High School’s Victoria Crisologo was named a city-wide grand prize winner in this year’s “Writing for Literacy Library Essay Contest.”
Her essay was one of the top 14 chosen from this year’s 1,197 essays submitted city-wide. Each of the 12 grand prize winners received a laptop computer donated by Computers 2 SD Kids and other prizes donated by Lloyd’s Pest Control.
We are super proud of Victoria, and congratulate all of this year’s participants.
In memory of John Pilch
The San Carlos Friends of the Library have lost another friend. John Pilch passed away on May 3.
Pilch was an avid supporter of our branch library and a very involved volunteer. He was also active in many other San Carlos activities and organizations. He will be missed at many community venues. Our sincerest condolences are sent to his family and friends.
Artists
Over 150 attended our two-day “Show In Living Color.” Kudos to the San Carlos Garden Club members who created gorgeous floral displays that emulated the artists’ beautiful paintings. The art gallery never looked so grand.
May 10 through June 2, Sam Lee’s lovely oil paintings will adorn the walls of our gallery. Don’t miss his artist reception on May 21, from noon to 2 p.m.
June 7 – 30, Dr. Roberta Flynn will be showing the paintings of her late husband, James J. Flynn, whose art gives us an insight into the minds of those with dementia. Mr. Flynn was an opera singer for 35 years and a 42-year resident of Allied Gardens who developed Lewy Body dementia following a brain injury. At Stellar Care, a compassionate assisted living facility for people with dementia, he participated in “Memories in the Making” art classes supported by the Alzheimer’s Association of San Diego.
Dr. Flynn will be available at the June 18 artist reception from noon to 2 p.m. to answer questions about the art programs at Stellar Care and the Alzheimer’s Association. Mr. Flynn’s paintings have been paired with Del Mar artist Mark Sherman and sold at auction.
Youth corner
The “After School Special” Wednesday programs from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. continue through June 15. During the same time slot starting June 22, they will be replaced by our Summer Reading Program’s family-friendly special events; the first of which is “Amazing Dana, the Magician.” The Summer Reading Program is open to all ages. This year’s theme in honor of the summer Olympics is “Read to Win.” More details next month.
June 2 is the last day to “Do Your Homework @ the Library” for this school year. Thursdays’ “Process Art” is taking a summer hiatus, but all other youth programs will continue during the summer months.
Our Challenge Island Science Series for ages 8-12 meets on the second Wednesday of every month from 4 – 5 p.m. This special series encourages kids to take on exciting challenges that promote creativity, critical thinking, and social skills while instilling a love of science and engineering. Signup is a must as space is limited. June 8, Challenge Island presents “Pyramid Peak.” In this session, kids will travel back to 2,500 B.C. when pyramids were being built in ancient Egypt. They will be challenged to build pyramids, make mummies, and write their names in hieroglyphics.
May 31 is the deadline to turn in your “Name that Character” identifications. Entry forms can be picked up at the youth service desk. How many popular children’s book character silhouettes you can name?
Books and speakers
June 9 from 12:30 – 2 p.m., the Library Book Club is discussing “Center of Everything” by Laura Moriarty.
On May 27 from 2 – 3 p.m., local author Toni Noel will give budding authors publishing hints during her lecture “My Journey to Publishing.” In the early 1970s, Noel was the San Carlos Community Council’s representative tasked with finding the site for the current San Carlos Branch Library. We hope you will also join us in November at the annual SCFOL meeting when she recounts that process.
OASIS programs include Dave Selak’s lecture on May 20 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. about the “Demure and Defiant — San Diego’s Historic Women.” On June 17 from 1 – 3 p.m., lecturer Erica Macht will teach us about “Healthy Habits for Adults: Eat Your Fruits and Veggies.” Sign up at the library.
Dates to remember
May 30: Closed for Memorial Day
June 3 from 2 – 4 p.m.: SCFOL members-only pre-book sale
June 4 from 9:30 – 3 p.m.: Used book sale
June 4 – July 7: First Folio events; all events require a free ticket which are available at firstfoliosandiego2016.org.
June 7: San Carlos Branch Library is a polling location; the library is open but all branch library programs are cancelled.
—Sue Hotz is publicity chair for the San Carlos Friends of the Library. Reach her at [email protected].
