Library Corner

Christina Brown shows off a wand made during craft time at the Ramona Library. photo by Jamey Ritter

By Avonelle D. Box

The “dog days of summer” (so-named because of the conjunction of Sirius, or the Dog Star, and the sun) continues into August, causing lagging energies and the desire of summer-end thrills before returning to the drumbeat of school and schedules.

It also means the end of the summer reading program, “Dragons, Dreams and Daring Deeds,” for 314 youthful Reading Royalty and 67 teens in the “Joust Read” program:

• Monday, Aug. 1 at 6 p.m.: deadline for turning in all reading logs.

Photo courtesy of the Julian Chamber of Commerce.

• Wednesday, Aug. 3 at 11 a.m.: Summer Reading Royalty Pizza Party, with a bag of goodies for everyone who read 10 books during the summer and a ticket for the drawing of prizes and the grand prizes — two Schwinn Stingray bicycles and four copies of the latest Harry Potter book: “The Half Blood Prince.”

Continuing youth programs during the month of August are:

• Storytime and craft programs at 11 a.m. Wednesdays, with Julie Fuller.

• Storytime and craft programs at 1 p.m. Thursdays, with Donna Anderson.

• The family fun time program, the bilingual storytime and craft program, continues through August at 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Aug. 9th and 23. Come and enjoy!

The computer-illiterate can get acquainted — or better acquainted — with their PCs at 10:15 a.m. Mondays. To take advantage of this opportunity, arrange an appointment with the docent, Mr. Spring, by calling the library at (760) 738-2434.

The Community Focus Forum, held May 14 to get a picture of programs and services performed and required in Ramona, is being reviewed along with materials gleaned from the other 34 branch libraries. Completion of this review is anticipated by the end of August. This in-depth review and comparison will establish parameters for future planning and direction of the San Diego County Library system.

The Ramona Intergenerational Community Campus has long been a vision for the center of Ramona, with a new library and much-needed community services linked together for the convenience and services for all age groups. A “Ramona Branch Library” sign was erected on the land purchased for the RICC by county supervisors on Main Street between 12th and 13th streets. However, because it wasn’t being used, it became a community eyesore until Phil Adamski had probationers clear the debris. Tom Scrio, a science teacher at Montecito High School, designed a flower garden at the corner attracting attention to the sign. Thanks to Friends of the Library president Elyse Kuhn for her tenacious support of the vision of a larger and beautiful Ramona Library!

The library, besides having volumes of books, now has a great selection of DVDs and videos, which a cardholder may borrow for seven days, with an insurance fee of $1. Renewal is free if the item has not been requested. A late fee of $2 per day per title will be required for DVD and video titles.

The Friends Mini-book sale is on the third Saturday of each month; the next sale is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 20.

Besides a voluminous collection of $1 hardback books, 25-cent paperbacks, books in most-wanted categories and a collectors’ table of items for $5, a selection of videos and cassettes can be purchased for $1 for adult items and 50 cents for children’s items.

Come early for the best selection, because the book sale has a waiting line for that 10 a.m. opening and the best bargains to be had on this side of the Mississippi!

Monday, Sept. 5, the last of the summer holidays, the library will close in commemoration of Labor Day.

JULIAN GRAPE STOMP FIESTA By Amber Ward

The Julian Chamber of Commerce presents the 9th Annual Julian Grape Stomp Fiesta Saturday, Sept. 3 at Menghini Winery. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. you are invited to take your shoes off, climb in the large vat of grapes, and stomp until your heart’s content. There is a total of three tons of grapes that need crushing so there will be plenty for everyone to participate. You will be treated to live Italian music by the “Mirage” as well as a friendly game of bocce ball. There will be plenty of great food and a whole host of beverages, including wine tasting with several of Southern California’s local wineries. Bring the whole family and prepare to have a great time. Adult admission is $10, which includes a commemorative wine glass. Children age 12 and under are $5, and children 5 and under are free.

For more information contact the Julian Chamber of Commerce at (760)765-1857 or e-mail chamber@julianca.com.