Local Authors for Libraries!

Today's Book Fair at the Barnyard was a huge success! 60 authors were scattered around the gardens: their presentations and book displays as colorful as the surrounding flowers.
Pagrovians were in full force. Everywhere you turned someone was wearing an "I Love PG Library" button. One Friend was wearing 4!

Several Pacific Grove Library Supporters were lending a hand selling raffle tickets.Other Pagrovians were on hand to sell their wares.

Diane Grindol's table featured her delightful Haiku poem collections: Dogku, Haiku, Catku.

Patrick Flanigan was busy at his table selling When Sunflowers Speak.

Walter Gourlay represented authors in Monterey Shorts and Monterey Shorts II.There were thought-provoking and humourous presentions. Belle Yang spoke on her creative process and journey.

Elliott Ruchowitz-Roberts shared a "library" poem by Billy Collins: Marginalia.
And Patrice Vecchion put out a call for a collaborative poem by the Monterey Peninsula: Why I Love Libraries. To send her your contribution visit her website.

A huge round of applause to the Local Authors Live! Committee for a wonderful afternoon. Thank you Phil Bowhay, Dick Burns, Patricia Hamilton, Michael Hemp, Flo Snyder, and May Waldroup.

And Thank you authors. Thank you library volunteers.Thank you to all who came. (For those of you who missed it, I have a feeling it will be happening again next year!)

Local Authors Live!

50 Authors from Monterey County will gather at the beautiful Barnyard Shopping Center Saturday, July 24th to celebrate story, memoir, poetry, illustration and song.

There are truly books for every interest: Biography, Business, Children, Cooking, Design, Education, Essay, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Health, History, Photography, Poetry, Politics, Reference, Science Fiction, Self-Help, Short Stories, Sports, and Sustainable Living.

In addition to over 30 tables, hosted by authors and heaped with books, there's a Raffle, Merchant Specials, and special presentations:

1-2 p.m. KSBW's Dan Green, Emcee,

"Celebrity Author Roast" Special Guest Belle Yang

12 & 2-4 p.m. Sidesaddle & Co.

12:30-12:50 p.m. Bay Belles

2-2:30 p.m. Patrice Vecchione & Friends

Proceeds will be equally distributed to benefit LIBRARIES in Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey, Pacific Grove and Seaside. So come join the celebration!

Some of the familiar faces you'll see from around the Library and P.G. include: Cheryl Block, Phil Bowhay, Susan Cantrell, Dan Cort, Cynthia Fels, Patrick Flanigan, Laurie Gibson, Walter Gourlay, Diane Grindol, Patricia Hamilton, Linda Johnston, Samuel Kier, Bill Minor, Bob Muson, Flo Snyder, and Kerry Wood.

Have You Seen....? Update

After checking our sources in the Library, talking to several Pagrovians, posting the question on this blog and the Library's Facebook page, we have been unable to locate the whereabouts of a quote something thought was inscribed on a building in P.G.

We had a promising lead to a location by Lake El Estero in Monterey... but to no avail. Our source double-checked and discovered it was no longer there. So this remains an unanswered question. If you come across it, let us know. Meanwhile we leave you with this poem by Basho, discovered on a small plaque alongside Lake El Estero.

Awake! the sky is light!

Let us to the road

Again...

Furry caterpillar

Shall we meet again

Here at your flowering

Grave...

Two white butterflies?

Feast of Lanterns Royal Court Visits the Library

The Royal Court of the 2010 Feast of Lanterns

will visit the Library

Wednesday, July 21st

11:15 am.

Come meet and collect trading cards from:

Jenna Hively, Queen Topaz

Lindsey Morgan, Princess Ruby

Celeste Torres, Princess Amethyst

Jennifer Winter, Princess Garnet

Courtney Lyon, Princess Turquoise

Allison Naylor, Princess Citrine

Lauren Thuesen, Princess Pearl

Katy Ohsiek, Princess Sapphire

If you're curious who else has been on the Royal Court, click here for a list of Pagrovian royalty from 1935-2010.

If You Liked The Help....

Without a doubt, The Help by Kathryn Stockett has been one of the most popular books of the year. Every week someone asks if there anything else like it.

It's such a great read, it's difficult to find something "just like it." But the following titles have all been noted for their story and style, and most of them are set in the South.

If you have other favorites you would like to add to the list, please let us know!

Berg, Elizabeth We are All Welcome Here
Briscoe, Connie A Long Way from Home
Fairbairn, Ann Five Smooth Stones
Flagg, Fannie Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
Gaines, Ernest J. The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
Hoffman, Beth Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
Jordan, Hillary Mudbound
Kidd, Sue Monk The Secret Life of Bees
Lee, Harper To Kill a Mockingbird
Lent, Jeffrey In the Fall
McCullers, Carson The Member of the Wedding
Morrison, Toni Sula
Naslund, Sena Jeter Four Spirits
Neilson, Melany The Persia Cafe
Nicholas, Denise Freshwater Road
Walker, Alice The Color Purple

Special Evening Summer Reading Program

It's a "Splish-Splashing Singalong"

with Greta Pedersen Wednesday, July 14th

7 pm

Splish Splash with your favorite storybook characters,

imagine Slimy Mud,

create the sounds of rain storms,

and more.

Greta's lively and interactive program includes songs, sign language, and percussion instruments, plus ideas on how to create your own water-inspired instruments!

Fun for all ages!

New Database - Career Transitions

Are you, or someone you know, looking for a job?

If so, the Library has a new database for you.

has been designed to help job seekers:

• Discover Occupational Interests
• Explore Career Paths
• Prepare Resumes
• Find Educational Opportunities (to enhance job skills)
• Find Jobs

Career Transitions is a database freely available, for anyone to use at the Library. Pacific Grove Public Library cardholders may also access it from home. To do so: visit the Library website, click on Databases, Jobs, then Career Transitions. (You will need to enter your library card number and PIN.)

For more information, click here. Or stop by the Reference Desk, pick up a brochure, and log on.

Poetry on the Playa

Come spend a special summer evening,

listening to and writing poetry,with

Patrice Vecchione

The evening will begin with a poetry recitation at Lovers Point, followed by a writing workshop at the Library.

Thursday, July 8th

6-9 pm

(meet at the Library)

$25 per person (all proceeds go to the Pacific Grove Library Book Fund)

Summer Reading Club Program

Local author, Linda Johnston,

joins us

to read her book

My Day with Dad

Wednesday, July 7th at 2 pm

Reminder: Pre-school Storytime continues all summer long, Wednesdays at 11:15 am.

Have You Seen...?

Where in PG is the following quote inscribed:
A man never stands so tall as when he leans over to help a child.

The patron attributed the quote to Abraham Lincoln, but variants of the phrase abound.

We're checked our tried and true sources, but no one has been able to pinpoint the whereabout of this quote to confirm it is inscribed on a building, bench or plaque in PG.

If you've seen this quote around town, please let us know!