By Sue Hotz

Volunteers are special people

How often have you heard, “We need someone who will … ” and a volunteer raises their hand. Was that you? Without volunteers, charities, foundations, churches, hospitals, schools, and libraries would cease to exist as we know them today. At the annual meeting of the Friends of the San Diego Public Library (FSDPL), recognition was given to outstanding volunteers from each FSDPL chapter.

San Carlos Friends of the Library (SCFOL) volunteers named were: Norma Cirello (book sales), Sue Hotz (publicity chair), Lee Ottman (volunteers chair), and Judy Williams (building committee chair). SCFOL recognized all of its active volunteers with a pizza party, thanking them for their 5,756 hours of service during the 2016 fiscal year. This is equivalent to almost three full-time employees, having an estimated value of $154,664. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) estimates that $26.87 per hour is the monetary value of a volunteer in California. Thirty-nine SCFOL volunteers donated 2,556 hours sorting and selling books for SCFOL monthly used book sales (our main revenue source for materials, programs and equipment); the SCFOL board members and chairs put in 3,200 hours keeping it all together and working with the building committee toward the realization of a new branch library. Well done! Thank you, one and all. Each active SCFOL volunteer received a SCFOL personalized name lanyard. See Lee Ottman to pick yours up if we missed you at the party. We always need more strong backs on first Saturdays to help put away the unsold used books. Contact Lee Ottman to join the fun and become a SCFOL volunteer.

Souplantation Fundraiser

On Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., let the La Mesa Souplantation (9158 Fletcher Parkway) do the cooking. Souplantation will contribute 30 percent of event sales to SCFOL. You must bring the event flyer, available at the library or on the SCFOL website. Join us for a fun time out with friends while supporting the San Carlos Branch Library.

Annual SCFOL General Membership Meeting

Mark your calendars! Wednesday, Nov. 16, 4–5:30 p.m., local author and the original San Carlos Branch volunteer Toni Noel, will be the keynote speaker at the SCFOL’s annual general membership meeting, to be held in the Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery. You are invited to hear Noel describe the history of how she assisted local and city leaders in choosing the present site of our San Carlos Branch Library. Noel will reminisce about the early days of San Carlos, the stores, people, and stories that created our community. The agenda also includes the introduction of this year’s new SCFOL life-members and the election of 2017 SCFOL board members. Refreshments will be served. Become a SCFOL member today!

‘San Carlos Gone By’ picture party

Nov. 12, 1–4 p.m., in the Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery, share your remembrances and memorabilia of the early days of San Carlos with Becky Green. Green is putting together a photo collection of your ’60s and ’70s San Carlos memories. On the spot, Green will scan whatever you bring to share. Contact Green at 619-251-3447 or [email protected].

Artists

Thank you, Tim Mountain, for your generous contribution to SCFOL from the proceeds of your art show.

Daily until Nov. 3, view the awesome drawings by the Glorious Graphite Pencil Group in the Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery.

Nov. 7–30, we are pleased to have the paintings of local artist Mary Ellen Clapp on display. Don’t miss Clapp’s artist reception on Nov. 19, noon–2 p.m.

Authors and books

Oct. 28, 2–3 p.m., local author Sam Halpern discusses his novel, “A Far Piece to Canaan.”  Halpern’s book was inspired by his own Kentucky childhood. Halpern is an internist, UCSD professor of nuclear medicine, and the legendary father of Justin Halpern, author of the No. 1 New York Times bestseller “Sh*t My Dad Says.”

For the Library Book Club’s Nov. 10, 12:30–2 p.m. meeting, read “Being Mortal,” by Atul Gawande. New members are always welcome. Book Club books can be found near the reserves; check them out at the front desk.

Nov. 18, 2–3 p.m., you won’t want to miss the story of “The Midway’s Humanitarian Missions & Evacuation of Refuges at the End of the Vietnam War.” Presenter Rob Boyd was in the Navy in April 1975 during the evacuation of Saigon and he will tell of his experiences during Operation Frequent Wind.

The deadline for local authors of all ages to submit their 2016 published book for the San Diego Public Library’s Local Author Exhibit is Oct. 24, 2016. More information is on our website.

The KPBS website lists all of the10th Anniversary “One Book, One San Diego” author events.

Youth special events

“Tech Crafting & Code Wizardry,” Saturday, Oct. 22, noon–2 p.m., ages 8–14. This free workshop is led by Microsoft Technology Wizards and sponsored by the Henry Cluster STEMM Foundation. Online registration is required at hcstemm.org/codewizardry. 

Oct. 31 is the “Pumpkin Who? Scavenger Hunt” contest deadline. All correct ballots will be entered into a drawing.

“Literature Comes to Life” will be held Wednesday, Nov. 9, 4–5 p.m. Audience members are invited to participate in the telling of an original folktale. In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, we are presenting “Roadrunner’s Dance” by Rudolfo Anaya. Selected children will act out scenes and get in character by wearing luxurious costumes. Presented by Stacey Wein, director of Literature Comes to Life. Perfect for the whole family!

“Process Art” is canceled for Nov. 17. There will be no Math Circle sessions in November. Schedules of all reoccurring adult and youth programs can be found at sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary.org

Dates to Remember

Oct. 26, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.: Library “Funraiser” at the La Mesa Souplantation

Nov. 4, 1:30-3:30 p.m.: Member’s only Used Book Sale

Nov. 5, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Used Book Sale

Nov. 8: Library is Precincts 175090 & 175110 voting site; all regular programs are canceled

Nov. 11: CLOSED, Veteran’s Day

Nov. 16, 4-5:30 p.m.: Annual SCFOL General Membership meeting & elections

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