por Sue Hotz
ADA renovations not quite complete: The San Carlos Branch Library reopened on April 3. We thank the Benjamin and College/Rolando Branches for taking on the extra workload during our closure. While construction continues, the west entrance remains inaccessible; restrooms are not available — but port-a-potties are available for staff and patrons; the temporary handicapped parking and only entrance is located in the parking lot’s northeast back corner. For those who can, please park in the lower lot; do not travel through the fenced off areas. The main southeast entrance and after-hours book drop are not open. The only Community Room entrance is located through the children’s area of the library. Just keep thinking how nice it will be when completed. There will be no May book sale.
Comics and Ron McFee: National Free Comic Book Day is May 2, and Ron McFee, our used book sale co-manager, is assisting IDW Publishing in distributing 3,000 free comic books to San Diego Branch Libraries. Each participating library will give away about 100 free comics, on a first-come basis. Comics, a literary form read worldwide, were introduced in America in 1842, and reached their Golden Age with the publication of the first comic books in 1934 and the 1938 introduction of Superman. As a kid, Ron became hooked on comic books. He loved the picture and story combination found in comic books and credits his immersion into the stories of superheroes to his early advanced reading level and ultimate career choices. At the age of 12, Ron was brought to the then fledgling Comic-Con by a Lemon Grove comic store owner.
In 1992, Ron joined the Comic-Con Committee and helped in the development of the now famous sell-out Comic-Con International held every July at the San Diego Convention Center. This year, chosen from over 350 CCI Committee Members, Ron will represent comics’ fan base as one of five judges who will choose the Will Eisner Awards finalists. The award winners, in 29 categories of these “Oscars of the Comics world,” are announced during Comic-Con. We congratulate Ron, who began his SCFOL volunteering days in 2010. His organizational skills and knowledge of books are invaluable to us.
Adult Programs: Art by Pam Nolan and Teresa Rutledge adorns the Winer Family Community Room and Art Gallery through April 30. Their artist reception is April 18 from noon – 2 p.m.
May 5 – June 4, Maria Louisa Dominguez, Hazel Ross, Loretta Decrynski, Barbara Stewart and Sam Lee will supply the art that will be matched with beautiful floral arrangements created by the San Carlos Garden Club for their May 22 and 23, “A Show in Living Color.”
April 24 at 2 p.m., Raymond Wong, author of “I’m Not Chinese, the Journey from Resentment to Reverence,” discusses how, after visiting China, he evolved from running from his Chinese heritage to embracing it.
May 8 at 2 p.m., the Alzheimer’s Association presents, “Healthy Habits for a Healthier You: Maximizing Your Brain Health.”
Mario’s “Self Defense” classes are May 5 and June 18 at 10:30 a.m. Librarian’s Book Club is reading “Wives of Los Alamos,” by TaraShea Nesbit for May 14 at 12:30 p.m.
Youth Programs: Essay Contest: Congratulations to all our local winners. Good luck to Dailard’s fourth grader Nicolette Hay, and PHHS’s 10th grader Lina Zavala, who will represent us in the citywide contest. Winners will be announced on April 30, at 6:30 p.m. at the Balboa Park Club award ceremony. One $500 prize will be awarded in memory of our own Jack and Carolyn Winer for the best overall essay. STEAM2 on April 22 discusses “Farm Science,” and “The Science of Fairy Tales” on May 12 and 26 at 3 p.m. We also offer four storytimes, and daily homework help at the library.
Stay updated on the latest library happenings at sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary.org.
—Sue Hotz is a board member and the publicity chair for the San Carlos Friends of the Library.
