By Sue Hotz

And the funniest book is…

The new school year is well underway. We’ve enjoyed the first school holiday and parents’ night, but there are still a few summer loose ends we’d like to share. “Chickens to the Rescue,” by John Himmelman, was officially declared by the San Carlos Branch Library patrons as the winner of the Funniest Book Contest. Runner up was “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywait. Nearly 500 patrons participated in our Summer Reading Program, and over 300 completed it — earning free books and prizes.

Pumpkin who?

During October, kids can join our Pumpkin Who? Scavenger Hunt. First, pick up your entry form in the children’s area. Here’s how it works: hiding throughout the library are 12 pictures of carved jack-o’-lantern faces that Pumpkin is considering for his Halloween costume. Draw the face on your entry form as you find each picture. Forms must be turned in before Halloween night. Completed and correct forms will be eligible for a random prize drawing.

Youth special events

Enjoy the family Piñata Workshop, Sept. 17, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. On Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 4 to 5 p.m., Introduction to Drama series for Tweens (ages 8–12) continues with a hands-on workshop in Reader’s Theatre. Presented by Stacey Wein, director of Literature Comes to Life, tweens will engage in oral reading, and learn to convey meaning using their voice, facial expressions and gestures. Both events require pre-registration; call 619-462-2155.

Homework help at the library

Modern math involves more than just working out numerical equations. At Math Circle for ages 8–18, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of every month, Dr. A. Chiznik from San Diego State University will teach students new ways of approaching math problems. Concepts will be grade level appropriate. This program is perfect for home-schooled students. Pre-register at mathcircle@cfspoway.org.

Do Your Homework @ the Library is back in session, led by certified teachers. Hours are Monday and Thursday, 3 to 6 p.m., and Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 3 to 7 p.m.

Memberships count

The first San Carlos Friends of the Library Life-member was Marion Spicer who joined in 1993. Today, we proudly recognize 95 Life-members. Each November SCFOL holds its annual General Membership meeting. 2016 Life-members, who join before Oct. 20, will be recognized and their names added to the SCFOL Honor Wall, which is located in the Winer Family Community Room & Art Gallery. Life-memberships are only $250. Annual Memberships start at $5. New Annual Memberships submitted after Oct. 1, will be valid until Dec. 31, 2017. All SCFOL members enjoy our member-only pre-book sale from 2-4 p.m. on the afternoon before our first Saturday Monthly Used Book Sale. Join at sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary.org/application or pick up a membership envelope in the library.

“San Carlos Gone By” picture party

Becky Green had a great turn out for her first two “San Carlos Gone By” memories picture parties. Folks brought photos, stories and memorabilia of San Carlos in the 1950s through 1970s eras. One person even shared an original 1965 sales brochure of my house! Oct. 8, 1 to 4 p.m., is her next scheduled memorabilia party at the library. Please join us and contribute items to this project which will be scanned or photographed during the event. Help preserve the memories of old San Carlos. Contact Beck Green at 619-251-3447 or becky.green1202@gmail.com to set up a private meet with her.

Artists

Beautiful drawings by artists from the Colored Pencil Society-DC202, are on display through Sept. 29. Their artist reception is Sept. 24, noon to 2 p.m. in the Winer family Community Room and Art Gallery. It’s awesome what they created with colored pencils!

Oct. 4 to Nov. 3, our Art Gallery will be turned over to “Glorious Graphite.” A group of very experienced, award-winning artists in a variety of other media, including Hazel Waters, Gary Dyak, Scott Trimlett, Drew Bandish, Marty Armstrong and Loaretta Deszynski, will show us what they can do with lead pencils. These drawings are all in black, grays and white. We hope you will enjoy this unique visual experience as much as they enjoyed creating it — and all they needed (plus amazing talent) was a pencil and paper. Wow! Their artist reception is Oct. 15, noon to 2 p.m.

Authors, books and speakers

The Library Book Club, for their Oct. 13, 12:30 to 2 p.m. meeting, is reading “Night Circus,” by Erin Morganstern.

Our August author spoke to an overflow audience so arrive early to ensure a seat on Sept. 23, 2 to 3 p.m., when fictional crime writer Corey Lynn Fayman, author of the P.I. Rolly Waters Mysteries will discuss his third book in the series, “Desert City Diva.” Fayman is locally well known as a keyboard player, an award-winning Old Globe Theater sound technician and designer, and college instructor. His earlier titles in this series are “Black’s Beach Shuffle,” and “Border Field Blues.”

Oct. 21, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Kevin McAninch (BSW, ACSW, CCM), CEO and Founder of Age Well Care Solution of San Diego, will discuss, “How to Age in Place: The True Costs of Long-term Care and How to Prepare.”

This is the 10th anniversary of “One Book, One San Diego” sponsored by KPBS, the San Diego County Library and the San Diego Public Library. The 2016 selection is “Waiting for Snow in Havana,” by Carolos Eire. The Central Library’s website lists this year’s special events highlighting the previous “One Book, One San Diego” authors.

Dates to remember:

Sept. 24 and Oct. 15, noon-2 p.m.: Artists Receptions

Sept. 30, 2-4 p.m.: SCFOL Members-only Pre-Used Book Sale

Oct. 1, 9:30-3 p.m.: Monthly Used Book Sale

Oct. 7: CLOSED, Library Staff Development

Oct. 8, 1-4 p.m.: “San Carlos Gone By” memorabilia party

Oct. 19, 6-7:30 p.m.: SCFOL Volunteers Thank-You Pizza Party

—Sue Hotz is publicity chair for the San Carlos Friends of the Library. Reach her at publicity@sancarlosfriendsofthelibrary.org.