By Sue Hotz | San Carlos Friends of the Library

SCFOL welcomes new life members

At our San Carlos Friends of the Library (SCFOL) annual meeting, the 2017 board of directors was approved to continue in their present positions for 2018.

A big thank you to Ann McDonald for bringing us up to date on the foundation’s activities, and we were pleased to introduce 2017’s SCFOL life members — Jason Benesch, David Ege, Joseph and Lesley Frasier, Dr. Stuart Karasik, Barbara Morgan, Barbara Turner, and Jenean Unkefer.

Another 2017 life member wished to remain anonymous, bringing to 107 the total number of life members since 1993 when Marion Spicer was our first. At year’s end, we also boast 204 annual members, and give thanks for and to all our friends, volunteers, staff and patrons.

Artists

Nov. 8–30, the Foothills Art Association is presenting “The Masters” in the San Carlos Branch Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery. The artists have created “copies” of famous paintings originally created by “Masters” such as Rembrandt and Monet. Don’t miss this fabulous display. Meet the artists at their reception, Nov. 18, noon–2 p.m. in the branch’s art gallery. Refreshments will be served.

Our art gallery, Dec. 5–Jan. 4, will be decorated with photographs of Balboa Park, taken by our friend and neighbor, Roger Scott. His last San Carlos Branch display of award-winning photos was of our National Parks. Take time out of your busy holiday schedule to see this heartwarming display.

Books for your reading list

Earlier this year, our book club was discussing “Waiting for Snow in Havana,” when a neighbor, Lou Grande, spoke up and commented that as a child, he fled his native Cuba during what was known in 1960-62 as Operation Peter (Pedro) Pan. Grande has agreed to tell his personal story, which parallels the 2017 One Book One San Diego selection, “The Sandcastle Girls,” and its theme of the resilience of families and individuals displaced and forced to emigrate, not by choice, but by events not in their control. Dec. 8, 2–3 p.m.

On Dec. 14, 12:30–2 p.m., the Library Book Club is discussing “Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman. Ove’s a bitter, set-in-his-ways, demanding old neighbor from hell until a talkative, rambunctious family moves in next door. You’ll love this comical, heart-warming story. An American film version of this award-winning book and foreign film is in the works.

Remember to check the website every month under “Library Services-Available Titles” to see what new adult and youth titles have been purchased for your reading pleasure. Your SCFOL memberships provide the funds to purchase books, programs, and equipment.

Free speaker and OASIS programs

Nov. 17, 2–3 p.m., Cindy Stankowski from the San Diego Archaeological Center reviews “10,000 years of San Diego History.”

OASIS: Dec. 15, 2–4 p.m., bring your iPad and iPhone to the library. Barbara Smith will give us a sampler of “Gadgets, Gizmos, and Fun Apps” we can’t live without.

Youth special events

Saturday, Nov. 25, 11 a.m.–noon: Become a junior archeologist in this hands-on program! Learn about the field of archaeology, the tools that archaeologists use, famous archaeological sites, and handle real artifacts such as grinding stones and arrowheads. We’ll discuss what they were used for, and think of modern-day counterparts. The class is presented by the San Diego Archaeological Center for ages 4-10.

Challenge Island

Nov. 29, 4–5:15 p.m., at “Blow Cart Beach,” ages 8-12 will learn how the size and shape of a shark’s tail makes it a fast swimmer. Kids will design a wind-powered car, and race their creation around a track with a few puffs. Registration required, call 619-527-3430.

Fun weekly events for youth

Ages 3-8 on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. enjoy yoga and storytime. Youth under age 18 can enhance their chess skills on second and fourth Tuesdays from 5–7 p.m. Wednesdays, our “After School Special” hour for ages 4-9 starts at 2:30 p.m. Thursdays, ages 3-8 paint and glue to their own whims at Process Art at 4 p.m. (No class on Nov. 30). Friday is pre-school storytime and art from 10–10:45 a.m. Canta y Baila Conmigo and Math Circle have been canceled.

Message from SCFOL President Joan Hayes

Another year has flown by and the San Carlos Branch Library continues to be a very busy center of our community. I continue to be amazed by the number of attendees at our programs, and thank those who arrange these events.

David Ege, branch manager, finds interesting speakers and works with Ruth George to bring excellent Oasis programs to our Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery on the third Friday of each month. Barbara Stewart schedules local artists to present their unique talents for our monthly changing Art Gallery exhibits. You can meet the current artists at our third Saturday art receptions and perhaps purchase a piece for your home.

Carleen Hemric selects exciting local authors who discuss their books on the fourth Friday of each month. Youth librarian Erin Moore continues to guide our area children in many fun and educational programs.

Pick up a monthly calendar of all of our branch’s activities at the library, or download it from our website which Sue Hotz keeps up to date with in-depth descriptions of all of the library events. Find it at sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary.org.

Each year, we select outstanding volunteers to be honored at the Friends of the San Diego Public Library’s annual meeting. We love our volunteers! They are the many who have created our successful monthly used book sales by sorting your donated books, and then setting up/taking down, and cashiering the sales.

Lee Ottman, our volunteer co-coordinator, has done a fantastic job of gathering together the sale volunteers. Ron McFee and Roberta Irwin lead this important event.

I am looking forward to another fun and exciting year as president of the San Carlos Friends. The board members we have are a talented and supportive group; without each and every one of them, we would not be able to be so successful. SCFOL meets every third Wednesday at 4 p.m. Come, join us, and I’ll see you at the library!

—Joan Hayes

Dates to remember

• Nov. 18: In-N-Out reading program for ages 4-12 ends
• Nov. 22, 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m.: early hours at all branch libraries
• Nov. 23: Closed for Thanksgiving.
• Dec. 1, 1:30–3:30 p.m.: Friends of the Library only, Used Book Pre-sale. Join SCFOL at the sale!
• Dec. 2, 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.: SCFOL Monthly Used Book Sale

— Sue Hotz is board member and publicity chair of the San Carlos Friends of the Library. Reach her at [email protected].