By Frans Leppanen, San Diego County Library

September 25, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) -- Six San Diego County authors will appear at a two-hour Author Event, Saturday, October 7 at 2 p.m. at the Rancho San Diego Branch of the San Diego County Branch Library, located at 11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, CA 92019.  Authors Oyuki Aguilar, Renee Barnes, Sarah Bates, Dr. RH Gutierrez, Suzette Valle, and Wanjiru Warama will discuss their books. A book signing and reception will follow the authors’ presentations, with copies of the books available for purchase.

Update September 29, 2017 :  Jorgina Soto, San DIego County Library, advises that a soft ribbon cutting is now scheduled for October 16th, with a ribbon cutting slated for early December at a date to be arranged.

By Paul Kruze

Photo:  The San Diego County Library’s new and shiny library kiosk sits in the dark with a heavy cover until further notice.

September 22, 2017 (Boulevard) -- It is back to the drawing board for San Diego County Library officials, who had intended to debut a 24/7 automated library kiosk in front of the old Boulevard fire station at 39923 Ribbonwood in September. But due to unforeseen circumstances, a heavy cover will remain on the kiosk and residents are going to have to wait at least until mid-December before it will be operational.

The New Whistleblower’s Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Doing What’s Right and Protecting Yourself, by Stephen Martin Kohn, ESQ (Lyons Press, Guilford, Connecticut, 2017, 550 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

“You can’t fix something if you don’t know it’s broken. That’s just common

sense.”

-          Senator Charles Grassley, July 30^th 2015 – Whistleblower Day Celebration

August 29, 2017 (San Diego) - Stephen Martin Kohn, nationally acclaimed expert on whistleblower law, has written a provocative book on an issue that seems timely in this day and age; The New Whistleblower’s Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Doing What’s Right and Protecting Yourself.

This book resonates with me for a number of reasons, most notably, as Kohn indicates that he dedicates the book to one of his “extraordinary teachers”, A. Leon Higginbotham Jr., whom I met many years ago at an event in my hometown of Chicago, and Mr. Higginbotham signed and autographed his book to me stating; “Keep fighting for justice!” Also, my earlier personal involvement in a whistleblower and retaliation case.

By Sam Warren, copyright 2017

August 19, 2017 (San Diego) – From a happy hour adventure with a New York Times best-selling author to the San Diego Festival of Books, you’ll find many local events for literary lovers coming up across our region.

Copyright 2017 by Sam Warren

August 13, 2017 (San Diego) -- This week we have monsters, robots, goddesses, etc. to keep you occupied. Scroll down for a full list of local readers and writers’ events.

East County News Service

August 8, 2017 (Alpine) -- The quarterly potluck meeting of the Alpine Historical Society will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 20^th at the Alpine Woman’s Club, 2156 Alpine Blvd. The speaker, Rochelle Lynn Gaudette, will discuss new the exhibit titled Coast to Cactus in Southern California and the accompanying book Coast to Cactus: The Canyoneer Trail Guide to San Diego Outdoors. If you have ever been curious about the geology, ecology and biodiversity of San Diego County this is a great opportunity to learn from an expert.

East County News Service

Longtime Mission Trails Regional Park docent and author of the new book Nature Adventures! will sign books at Maxwell’s House of Books Thursdays, July 13^th and 20th

July 10, 2017 (La Mesa) -- She’s not originally from around here, but New York transplant and lifelong educator, Linda Gallo Hawley, can school most San Diegans on the region's native flora, fauna and even cultural history. In fact, she’s made her own mark on the culture of the region through her monthly “Nature Adventures!” programs at Mission Trails Regional Park, where she guides primary school children through the park’s many trails, pointing out unique and interesting plants and signs of wildlife along the way, all while singing catchy tunes like “The Ecosystem Song” and the “Big Brown Bats Song.” Now visitors to the La Mesa Classic Car Show have two chances to meet the captivating teacher in person.

Copyright 2017 by Sam Warren

July 1, 2017 (San Diego) -- If you are going to lie around on the beach this summer season, at least bring a good book. The way to find a good book is to visit an author's book signing. There are signings of everything from self-help to graphic space novels. Also, for you writers and would be writers, there are job openings and classes to take. This week we have Words to Live By by local author Lee Silber.

Scroll down for a full calendar of local events for readers and writers.

East County News Service

June 15, 2017 (Lakeside) - The Barona Cultural Center & Museum invites kids in grades K-2 and their parents to listen to the book Way Out in the Desert and take an exciting musical tour of the Sonoran Desert as part of the latest Keyip! Kechuw! (Listen! Make!) Native American themed story time and craft event on Saturday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Keyip! Kechuw! is a free monthly program designed to inspire young children to read, have fun learning, and get creative. The events are held at the Lakeside Library located at 9839 Vine Street.

By Miriam Raftery

May 25, 2017 (San Diego)—“Coast to Catcus: The Canyoneer Trail Guide to San Diego Outdoors” by Diana Lindsay has received first place in the Outdoor Writers Association California’s 2017 Craft Awards Media Competition. Judges felt that the design and visual appeal of the entry was “Inspiring, intriguing and compelling.”

Chuck The Rooster Loses His Voice, by Sigal Haber (Amazon, 2017, 32 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

May 15, 2017 (San Diego) - After many years as a university professor, teaching and researching entrepreneurship and management, Sigal Haber asked herself how to introduce the concept of entrepreneurship to young children?

How does one introduce the concept of entrepreneurship to young children? Teach them in a fun way what does it mean to be a leader in a community and to take responsibility in a humorous way? These questions brought Haber to write the book Chuck the Rooster Loses His Voice.

POLITICS: ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE – Commentary and Analysis on Race, War, Ethics and the American Political Landscape in the Age of Obama, by Wilmer J. Leon, III, Ph.D. (AuthorHouse, Bloomington, Indiana, 2016, 332 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

May 10, 2017 (San Diego) - Wilmer J. Leon, III, PhD., has written a provocative and well researched book on politics and race relations; Politics: Another Perspective – Commentary and Analysis on Race, War, Ethics and the American Political Landscape in the Age of Obama. When I read Dr. Leon’s book it is like “preaching to the choir”, particularly his take on the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright in my hometown of Chicago. I am well aware of Dr. Wright’s place in history, and especially as it regards the ascension of Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States. Former President Barack Obama was actually a member of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright’s church at one time prior to becoming president, as well as Oprah Winfrey.

By Dennis Moore

By Sam Warren, copyright 2017

April 8, 2017 (San Diego) – Whether you’re looking to write your first novel, meet a novelist, or hear from the White House insider who disclosed President Nixon’s secret taping system, you’ll find a trove of events for readers and writers in San Warren’s literary calendar this week.

East County News Service

March 21, 2017 (El Cajon) - The El Cajon branch of the San Diego County Library at 201 E. Douglas Avenue in El Cajon will host its second annual Family Play Day on Saturday, April 1 at 12:00 p.m. There will be crafts and activities for kids of all ages, as families learn how to make play items from common, everyday materials.  It’s fun, inexpensive, and teaches kids how to be resourceful.  This event is sponsored by the Friends of the El Cajon Library.