By Sue Hotz

Happy New Year

Everyone at the San Carlos Branch Library would like to wish for you a healthy, happy, and productive new year.

Jan. 9 marked the 42^nd Anniversary of the San Carlos Branch Library, so please help us celebrate this milestone by joining us in the many activities during 2016 that have been chosen to exercise both your mind and body.

New branch manager

We start 2016 with the best present ever –– David Ege joined us as our new branch manager on Jan. 4. Ege comes to us with over three years experience as the branch manager at the Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Branch Library and an additional three years at the Carmel Valley Branch Library where he wore two hats; one as Youth Services Librarian, and the other as acting Branch Manager.

In 1997, Ege and his wife Eileen, a science teacher at Kearny High, relocated to San Diego from Long Beach where they met in elementary school. As the saying goes, “The rest was history.” Their two sons attend Pershing Middle School. The entire family is into all sports, but ice hockey is the surprising favorite of this Southern California family. They all own the required ice hockey gear and can be found skating at Kroc Center Ice. Crusaders soccer also occupies their leisure time.

Fun fact about Ege: Like book sale manager Ron McFee, he digs pop culture; he worked at a comic book store in the 1990s; and he loves Comic-Con. Ege is excited with his new assignment and looks forward to working with youth services librarian Erin Moore to increase the library’s connection with our local schools and add even more youth programs. Join us in welcoming Ege to our branch and San Carlos family.

Extended library hours

The San Diego City Council and Mayor Faulconer stuffed our Christmas stocking with another surprise –– an increase in the San Diego Public Library’s hours of operation, including an extension of Saturday hours. All branches are now open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Our website lists the new hours of operation at the San Diego Central Library and all San Diego branch libraries.

Adult programs

We have added new activities for the young at heart. On Thursdays Jan. 21 and Feb. 18 at 11 a.m., our T’ai Chi instructor Sifu Mario Mayorga will be offering a new, non-impact stretching exercise class in Qi Gong.

Friday, Jan. 29 at 1 p.m., Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood will give an illustrated presentation with tips on how to protect yourself against “Fraud, Scams, and Identity Theft.” Refreshments will be served. Sign up at the library or call 619-527-3430.

On Saturday, Jan. 30 at 11 a.m., speech and language pathologist Ryan Landinguin is discussing “A Parent’s Guide to Speech and Language Development” in children from birth to 4 years. She will cover language milestones and when speech therapy might be indicated.

On Wednesday, Feb. 10 from noon to 1:30 p.m., Patricia Burns will discuss her experiences and suggestions about living with a chronic illness during her “But Your Don’t Look Sick…” talk.

On Feb. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m., OASIS presents “Healthy Habits for Adults: Eat Your Fruits & Vegetables.”

Registration is free for all of these programs.

Art exhibits

Thank you SewMates for showing your beautiful quilts during December and January. In February, third generation native and Del Cerro resident Tina Fries-Miller shares her “milestones in life” paintings in the Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery. Meet her at the Artist Reception on Saturday, Feb. 20 from noon to 2 p.m.

Books

On Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m., the library offers a free walk-in service where library personnel are available to teach you how to download the library’s eBook collection onto your new eReader. The San Diego Public Library has a new electronic catalog which allows users to browse the city’s collection of titles by award-winners, bestsellers and staff picks. Through the San Diego Public Library and SCFOL websites, you can connect to Bibliocommons, where you can contribute reviews, share your reading lists with friends and family, check out eBooks and eAudiobooks, add tags, and save your searches. Check it out at bit.ly/1TA6Feu

The Librarian’s Book Club is reading, “They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky,” by Benson Deng for its Thursday, Feb. 11 meeting from 12:30 to 2 p.m. New members are always welcome. Books are available at our branch.

Author Margaret Dilloway will be discussing her new book, “Sisters of Heart and Snow,” on Friday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m.

Youth activities

The next special event for ages 4-9 is on Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 2-3 p.m., when The StoryBox Theatre presents ”Kamishibai Folktales.” This is a traditional Japanese storytelling show presented by Walter Ritter of Write Out Loud. Afterwards, the kids will be making masks inspired by naughty ogres.

Schools are closed on Friday, Feb. 12 and children ages 5-10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. can kick off the celebration of Chinese New Year by welcoming in the Year of the Monkey with the presentation of “A Dragon’s Tale,” by the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum. Afterwards, they will join in making paper lanterns, painting, Chinese calligraphy, and much more.

For grades K-3 on the second and fourth Wednesdays from 2 to 3 p.m., STEAM2 makes science fun. Storytime and Crafts entertains them on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Ages 3-8 get moving on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. with Kid’s Yoga and Stories and they can create masterpieces at 4 p.m. on Thursdays with Ms. Megan during Process Art. Preschool Storytime and Crafts is on Fridays at 10 a.m. Luke continues giving chess lessons for those under 18 on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 5 to 7 p.m.

Book sale

The SCFOL members-only Pre-Book Sale is Friday, Feb. 5 from 2 to 4 p.m., and our monthly Used Book Sale is Saturday, Feb. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Keep informed about the library at sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary.org. All libraries are closed on Monday, Jan. 18 and Feb. 15.

––Sue Hotz is board member and publicity chair for the San Carlos Friends of the Library. Write to her at [email protected].