News from the San Carlos Library

By Sue Hotz | Friends of San Carlos Library

School help at the library

Homework help at the library is available at the San Carlos Branch on Mondays and Thursdays, 3–6 p.m., and Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 3–7 p.m. The homework help holiday calendar is available on our website.

Home-schooled students and parents work together to learn new ways of approaching math problems during the “Math Circle,” led by San Diego State University’s Dr. Chiznik on second and fourth Fridays from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Space is limited to 24 participants; please pre-register at [email protected].

In-N-Out reading program

From Saturday, Oct. 7 through Nov. 18, kids ages 4–12 who read five books can receive a certificate for a free hamburger from In-N-Out. Kids may earn up to three certificates, but they must sign up at the front desk at the library.

Fun weekly events for youth

Ages 3–8 on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. will enjoy yoga and story time. Youth under age 18 can enhance their chess skills on second and fourth Tuesdays from 5–7 p.m. On Wednesdays, our “After School Special” hour for ages 4–9 starts at 2:30 p.m. Thursdays, ages 3–8 can paint and glue to their own whims at Process Art at 4 p.m. Friday is pre-school storytime and art from 10–10:45 a.m., and on second and fourth Saturdays from 11–11:30 a.m., ages 0-8 sing and dance in Spanish with Canta y Baila Conmigo.

Youth special events

“Captain Underpants” won this summer’s Battle of the Book Characters; thanks to all who all put in their weekly votes.

Linda Hawley will present “Nature Adventures with Creepy Creatures” on Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 2:30–3:30 p.m. for ages 4–9. Hawley, Ed.M, trail guide at Mission Trails Regional Park, will teach kids about bats, spiders, insects and snakes. She has specimens you can examine, crafts for you to make, and will even teach you some new creepy critter songs.

“Trash Day at the Library” is Friday, Oct. 20 from 10–11:30 a.m., for ages 1-5 (but fun for the whole family). Meet Diego, our community sanitation driver, who will show us a trash truck up close and how it works. Storytime is at 10 a.m., followed by Diego’s demonstration, crafts, and other activities.

Challenge Island is back

Kids ages 8-12, Sept. 27, 4–5:15 p.m., can be a part of “Egg Drop Cliff.” Learn about mermaid’s purses, and create your own egg protector that includes a parachute. Registration required. Call 619-527-3430. Challenge Island encourages creativity, critical thinking, and social skills while instilling a love of science and engineering.

Artists

Have you seen Lois Adler-Roussell’s etchings? They continue to be on display in the Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery through Oct. 5. The public is invited to meet Roussell at her Artist Reception to be held in the Branch’s Art Gallery on Sept. 16, noon–2 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Oct. 10–Nov. 2, your eyes will be delighted with the many styles of watercolor and mixed media paintings by Mary Conly-Kaufman. A lover of all art forms, you might remember the October, 2016, La Mesa Courier article by our editor, Jeff Clemetson, describing how Conly gathered up a group of volunteers and transformed a two-block long portion of graffiti-ridden sidewalk near Maryland Elementary in La Mesa, to a brightly colored river of art. The public is invited to attend Conly’s Artist Reception on Saturday, Oct. 21, noon–2 p.m. in the Branch’s Art Gallery.

Books and authors

A free memoir writing class, presented by the San Diego Writer’s Inc., continues Sept. 18, 25, and Oct. 2, from 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Call 619-527-3430 to pre-register (required).

Sept. 22, 2–3 p.m., first time author Wanjiru Warama, presents her memoir, “Unexpected America.” From her first day in San Diego, this native Kenyan realized that she had to learn to live all over again in a new culture she knew nothing about; it was not at all what she had expected. Come and hear her revealing

From her first day in San Diego, this native Kenyan realized that she had to learn to live all over again in a new culture she knew nothing about; it was not at all what she had expected. Come and hear her revealing immigrant story.

Oct. 12, 12:30–2 p.m., the Library Book Club is discussing “Beartown,” by Fredrik Backman. This New York Times bestselling author develops the story of a small town on the verge of extinction, when hope for its salvation comes in the form of their junior ice hockey team.

All bets are that the team will go beyond winning the state semi-finals when the team’s star is accused of raping the general manager’s daughter and the town faces a dividing moral crisis.

The 2017 “One-Book, One-San-Diego” has been chosen: “The Sandcastle Girls,” by New York Times bestselling novelist Chris Bohjalian. The multi-generational tale spans nearly 100 years. Set in Aleppo, Syria, during World War I, it focuses on the Armenian genocide. As it appears in the novel, war-torn Aleppo exists today only in memory.

Free speaker and OASIS programs

Sept. 15, 2–4 p.m.: “Traditional Mbira Music of the Shona People of Zimbabwe, Africa” presented by Lewis Peterman from the Center for World Music. The mbira is a hand-held musical instrument that evolved in sub-Saharan Africa and produces both meditative melodies and vigorous percussive rhythms.

OASIS: Oct. 20, 2–4 pm: “Keeping Your Wits: Why Brain Function Declines and Ten Ways to Prevent it.” Did you know that most of the decline in your mental function has nothing to do with aging? In fact, some mental functions actually improve with age. There are at least 10 things that we can do to keep the brain working as long as the rest of the body. Come to this informative lecture presented by Dr. Goscienski and find out how!

Volunteers

San Carlos Friends of the Library (SCFOL) is very proud of its team of volunteers. On Oct. 18 from 6–7:30 p.m., SCFOL will honor its volunteers with an evening of fun, friendship and tasty treats following its monthly board meeting. Volunteers planning to attend should RSVP to SCFOL President Joan Hayes or Volunteer Chair Lee Ottman, so that we can plan the food.