By Sue Hotz

As the school year ends, campus doors burst open to the cheers of youngsters as they envision three months of fun and entertainment. The San Carlos Branch Library is here to help you when those cries of joy become whines of “We’re bored!” The Summer Reading Program runs from June 15 through Aug. 15 and is open to all ages. Sign up at sandiego.gov. Prizes are earned along the way as you reach designated reading goals. Our Used Book Sale offers a great opportunity to refresh your family’s stock of reading material.

This year’s theme is “READ for the WIN” and honors the Summer Olympics. On Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., activities will be replaced by our Summer Reading Program Family Fun Series. It is the perfect activity to break up a ho-hum-we’re-bored-what-can-we-do-now week.

• June 22, be amazed by the magical prowess and comedy of Amazing Dana; he always asks the audience to assist him.
• June 29, Mad Science presents “Science of Sport.” You will sweat, bounce, and shake your way through experiments designed to show you what you never knew about the human body and sports equipment. Learn to create spin when throwing a basketball, test the pH of your stinky sweat, or discover how a ball can float in mid-air!
• July 6, ventriloquist Joe Gandelman entertains young and old alike. His show features a big cast of characters and comedy from beginning to end while stressing the importance and joy of reading!
• July 13, Full Spectrum Education presents “Reptiles and Bugs.” Do you like creepy-crawlies? Interact with and learn about the habitat and environment of scorpions, tarantulas, turtles, iguanas, mealworms, and hissing cockroaches!

More youth summer programs

Tuesdays at 4 p.m., ages 3 – 8 can enjoy yoga that entwines scarves and movements with stories and songs. “Storytime for Toddlers & Preschoolers” on Fridays at 10 a.m. continues all summer, as well as “Learn to Play Chess for Kids and Teens” every second and fourth Tuesday from 5-7 p.m.

Kids’ Science Series-Challenge Island presents “Gold Rush Mountain” on Wednesday, July 13, from 4 to 5 p.m. for ages 8 – 12. In this session — which promotes creativity, critical thinking, and social skills while instilling a love of science and engineering — kids will travel back to the California Gold Rush in 1849 by making a runaway mine train ride with drops, jolts, and directional changes. Space is limited. Call or come in to sign up.

All summer, kids can join in the “Battle of the Funny Books.” Here’s how it works: We have pre-selected 16 picture books chosen for their universal popularity. Via your votes, the 16 books will be narrowed down to eight, then four, then two, and finally to the one Grand Champion that voters think is the funniest book of all. Will it be “Stinky Cheese Man” or “Pigeon” or “Elephant and Piggie” — who tickles your funny bone more? Follow the summer sillies on the wall in the children’s area, and don’t forget to vote!

Artists

The “Memories in the Making” paintings of Allied Gardens and Stellar Care resident James J. Flynn are on display through June 30, in the San Carlos Library Community Room & Art Gallery. An artist reception, hosted by his wife Dr. Roberta Flynn, will be June 18 from noon to 2 p.m. and will include information about this art program for those with dementia.

July 5 through Aug. 4, enjoy the paintings of award-winning artist and our library’s neighbor, Mike Hefner. Hefner takes pleasure in capturing the feel of California’s scenery using a variety of media. His artist reception is July 16 from noon to 2 p.m.

Books, authors and speakers

Del Cerro resident and author Lillian Belinfante Herzberg will speak about her fourth book, “The Past is Always Present,” on June 24 at 2 p.m. Herzberg’s books tell factual stories about real people.

The OASIS program on July 15 at 1 p.m. covers “Ten Estate Planning Goofs that Could Cost You a Fortune,” presented by Sharon Ann Hamilton.

The Library Book Club July 14 at 12:30 p.m. is reading “Sycamore Row” by John Grisham.

SCFOL remembers

In 1983, Lesley Frazer was our first SCFOL Newsletter editor. Started as a one-page quarterly, it grew in size and frequency. Ben Seplowin followed Frazer as editor. Lois Dissinger took over the position from 1990 to 2006 assisted by Linda Gidlund. Sue Hotz accepted the challenge in 2006 and today SCFOL sends out electronic newsletters to keep you updated with our branch’s happenings. Note: the corner lot is fenced off as mitigation continues — this is good; it brings our dreams of a new branch library closer to fruition. Sign up for newsletters, join or donate to SCFOL at sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary.org.

New book titles

New titles routinely replace old ones at our libraries. Books become damaged, contain outdated information or are no longer relevant for the modern reader. The SCFOL website publishes an updated list monthly of the San Carlos Branch’s new titles for adults under “Library Services-Available Titles,” and for youth under “Youth Activities-Youth Corner.”

Peruse the lists—see what’s new. Yellow tape on a book’s spine indicates it is a new title and can be found in the library’s “new titles” section for about six months before joining its friends on the general circulation shelves.

New adult titles may be found shelved against the front wall of the library to your right as you enter the library from the right side; new youth titles are in the children’s section and new picture books are on the top left shelf under the “Battle of the Funny Books” bulletin board. Enjoy your summer reading!

Dates to remember

June 20 & 27: Tai Chi has been canceled

July 1 from 2-4 p.m.: SCFOL Members-only Used Book Pre-sale

July 2 from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Monthly Used Book Sale

July 4: Libraries are closed

July 7: Last day to enjoy “Shakespeare’s First Folio” events; firstfoliosandiego2016.org.