By Sue Hotz

San Carlos Friends of the Library annual meeting

Local author Toni Noel was the keynote speaker at the annual San Carlos Friends of the Library general membership meeting. Noel took us down memory lane describing both the early landscape (remember the Walker Scott building?) and the movers-and-makers of San Carlos. As a member of what later became the Navajo Community Planners, Noel was designated to assist city leaders in locating a site suitable for the San Carlos Branch Library; the rest is history. Building committee chair Judy Williams also updated us on the status of the new branch library.

The meeting’s agenda included the election of the 2017 SCFOL Board of Directors and the introduction of the 2016 SCFOL Life-members Christopher Hotz, David Kotnik, Catherine Orth, and Dr. Ronald and Mickey Zeichick. Their names were added to the honor wall in the Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery. SCFOL Board Members elected for 2017 were Joan Hayes (president), Evie McGhee (secretary), Jerry Hotz (treasurer), and Members at Large: Ruth Coleman, Bobbi Dennis, Sue Hotz, Roberta Irwin, and Ron McFee. Congratulations to all. SCFOL is looking forward to an active 2017, bringing you the best used book sales which underwrite our branch’s programs, equipment, and materials funds. Numbers count. Check out a book or two, attend the programs and join SCFOL. Memberships start at $5 for seniors and $20 for families.

Thank you

Becky Green wishes to thank all who brought their photos and memorabilia to the four “San Carlos Gone By” picture parties. She will be working hard putting it all together at sancarlosgoneby.com, and creating a display to be viewed at the San Carlos Branch Library. If you missed the picture parties or have more to share, Green can be contacted at 619-251-3447 or [email protected].

We thank all of the friends of the San Carlos Branch Library who attended the October Souplantation fundraiser.

USS Midway

Nov. 18, 1–3 p.m., Rob Boyd, an “Operation Frequent Wind” participant, tells the story of the role the USS Midway played in giving sanctuary to 3,000 South Vietnamese refugees during the fall of Saigon. This story gives insight to one of the many humanitarian missions performed by our Armed Forces.

Essay Contest

The 20th annual Writing for Literacy, Essay Contest deadline is approaching. Essays must be turned in at the Library before Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. This city-wide contest originated at the San Carlos Branch Library — a dream of SCFOL past-president Jack Winer. Winer’s sons annually donate $500 toward the contest’s Grand Prize in memory of their parents. The contest is open to all fourth, eighth, and 10th grade students in the city of San Diego. Applications can be found at bit.ly/2fJchoX or ask your teacher. Four city-wide winners at each grade level will win monetary awards and a laptop computer.

Art Shows

The beautiful mixed media paintings of local artist, Mary Ellen Clapp will continue on display in the Winer Family Community Room and Art gallery until Nov. 30. Her artist reception is Nov. 19, noon–2 p.m.

They’re back! Dec. 5, 2016 to Feb. 2, 2017, we are excited to present the beautiful quilt works of the SewMates Quilters. This year, the group is displaying an assortment of individually designed quilts. SewMates is a quilt group formed in 2008 by Barbara Shepard. Several of the participants have been students of Shepard from OASIS quilt classes. SewMates meets monthly in the community room of La Jolla Village Square, and its 19 members are active in many philanthropic projects. Quilts have been donated for auction at The Catholic Worker fundraisers; given to wounded veterans through the Quilts of Valor project; and gifted to the children of deployed service members in cooperation with the Armed Services YMCA’s program Operation Kid Comfort. SewMates quilts will be on display daily in the Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery of the San Carlos Branch Library. Come and meet these lovely ladies at their Artist Reception on Jan. 21, noon–2 p.m. Many of their quilts are available for purchase.

Death Café

Death Café returns Friday, Dec. 9, 2–4 p.m. The Death Café is a safe, agenda-free place to discuss death and life over a cup of coffee and tasty treats. It is not a grief therapy group, just a friendly discussion about death, dying and end-of -life concerns. RSVP at [email protected].

Books

Dec. 8, 12:30–2 p.m., the Library Book Club is reading “Circling the Sun” by Paula McLain. McLain’s novel is the story of record-setting aviator named Beryl Markham who gets involved in a love triangle with a safari hunter named Denys Finch Hatton and a woman named Karen Blixen. McLain also authored the classic memoir “Out of Africa.” Book Club books are available near the Reserves. Please check them out at the front desk.

New adult and children titles are added to the San Carlos Branch collection monthly. The list of new media, fiction and non-fiction can be found on our website at bit.ly/2eLaVZY. New books are identified by yellow stickers on their spines.

OASIS

Take a break from the holiday rush. Join us Dec. 16, 1–2:30 p.m., for “Jewels in America’s Natural Crown—Three National Parks.” Mark Carlson sends us on a visual travelogue of three of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring National Parks: Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Crater Lake. Learn about their creation, history and legacy. Please register at the library for this free program.

Youth

City schools are on break the week of Nov. 21, and so is Homework Help at the Library. Tuesdays from 4–4:45 p.m., kids can enjoy Yoga and then Chess from 5–7 p.m.; After School Special is Wednesday from 2:30–3:30; and Pre-K Storytime is Friday from 10–10:45 a.m.

Dates to Remember

Nov. 18, 1-3 p.m.: Tales of the USS Midway

Nov. 24: Closed for Thanksgiving

Dec. 2, 1:30-3:30 p.m.: Member’s only Used Book Sale

Dec. 3, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Used Book Sale

Dec. 16, 3 p.m.: Essay Contest deadline

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