Communitywide Events Using
My California

A number of cities and their libraries have used My California as a unique way to engage their communities in literary issues. They have collaborated with many different community groups, businesses, and city departments to create great events that provided their community with many opportunities for individuals and neighborhoods to define their identity, celebrate their sense of place, explore their idea of California, express themselves, and just have fun.  

Here is a listing of the author readings, library celebrations and special events related to My California which are done in this context for the five cities that adopted My California for Communitywide Reads. See what creative events have contributed to a vibrant, broad-reaching celebration of the book in various communities. What can your community do?

Benicia (March/April 2008)

  • April 14: Community Book Discussion.  Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Dona Benicia Room.  7:00pm. More info or call 707/746-4343.
  • March 18: Author Presentation. Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Dona Benicia Room. Daniel Weintraub, author will speak about his involvement with My California and will also discuss his new book, Party of One.” In addition, Patty Milich, Public Awareness Coordinator, California Arts Council, will speak about the creation of My California and the program it funds. 7:00pm. More info or call 707/746-4343.
  • March 19: Author Presentation and Reading. Benicia Public Library, 150 East L Street, Dona Benicia Room. Mary Mackey, Gerald Haslam and Kathy Kamen Goldmark, My California authors, will speak about their involvement with the creation of the book. 7:00pm. More info or call 707/746-4343

Whittier (February 2007)

  • February 2007: All information subject to change.  See http://www.whittierpl.org/  for the latest information.
  • February 5, 2007: Coffee and Conversation. The Senior Center, 13225 Walnut. Get together for a chat about these California stories and tell some of your own, or just come and listen. 1:00pm
  • February 8: “Road Trip” at the Historic Whittier Train Depot, 7333 Greenleaf Ave. Featured speakers are authors Patt Morrison, Edward Humes, Veronique de Turenne and Donna Wares. 7:00 pm
  • February 10: Guided Tour of Los Angeles. See the heart of downtown Los Angeles as you’ve never seen it before. Join us for a guided tour by chartered bus, with a stop for lunch in the café at the beautiful, historic Los Angeles City Library. 9am-4pm
  • February 12: Write Your California Story. First Friends Church, 13205 East Philadelphia. Veronique de Turenne, in person, on how to write the story of your “California Journey.” 1:00pm
  • February 15: Coffee and Conversation. Dr. Java, 15590 Whittwood Lane (Whittwood Town Center). 7:00 pm
  • February 20: Tea and Talk. At the Whittier Central Library, 7344 South Washington Ave. 7:00 pm
  • February 22: Lunch at the Library. Whittier Central Library, 7344 South Washington Ave. Special guest appearance by screenwriter and journalist Veronique de Turenne. Noon
  • February 24: Celebrate California. Parnell Park Community Center, 10711 Scott Ave. An unforgettable evening featuring fine California wine and food, with lively California music and entertainment. Author, poet and historian D. J. Waldie, publisher Paddy Calistro and Patty Milich of the California Arts Council will tell the fascinating back story of the genesis of this book. 6:00 p.m

Sacramento (October 2006)

  • October 7, 2006: Novelist and poet Mary Mackey discusses the My California anthology at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 S. Land Park Drive, Sacramento. During October, Sacramento is reading My California as a community book.  This event is sponsored by the Sacramento Public Library. Info: http://www.saclibrary.org/one_book_2006/one_book.html; www.marymackey.com
  • October 10: Gerald Haslam appears at the Carmichael Library, 5605 Marconi Avenue, Carmichael at 7:00pm.  Haslam has won wide acclaim as the "voice" of the Central Valley's working class, and is the author or editor of 27 books. The San Francisco Chronicle named his book, Coming of Age in California, as one of the West's 100 most important non-fiction 20th-century books.  See:  http://www.saclibrary.org/one_book_2006/one_book.html
  • October 17:  An evening in conversation with My California contributing writers Mary Mackey and Daniel Weintraub at 6:30 p.m. at Bella Bru Café, 4680 Natomas Boulevard, Sacramento.  Weintraub, The Sacramento Bee public affairs columnist, has covered three California governors and has written extensively on state fiscal issues, education policy, health care, and energy.  His essay, The Un-California, is published within the My California companion book. http://www.saclibrary.org/one_book_2006/one_book.html

Santa Barbara (September/October 2006)

  • September 30, 2006: Santa Barbara is reading My California, starting today at the Santa Barbara Book and Author Festival. Thomas Steinbeck, Edward Humes, Chryss Yost and Donna Wares join a panel discussion from 1 to 2 pm Saturday at the Central Library, 40 East Anapamu Street. The "Santa Barbara Reads" program continues through Nov. 4. More info: http://www.sbplibrary.org/sbreads/index.htm
  • November 1, 2006: Wrap-up of this year's community-wide read. Chyss Yost, local author and one of the contributors to My California: Journeys by Great Writers will be joined by some of the top contestants in the "My Santa Barbara" writing contest held in conjunction with the Santa Barbara Book and Author Festival. Community members are invited to join the conversation for this closing event whether they have already read My California or plan to read it later. The authors will read short passages from their stories, and talk about writing about "place." Audience members are encouraged to ask questions and offer their take on any of the stories. Copies of the book are available from all the library branches, and it is an excellent book club choice. Place: Faulkner Gallery of the Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 East Anapamu Street; 7:00pm.

Long Beach (March 2006)

Long Beach Press-Telegram's Invitation to the Essay Writing Contest
"Write to Us about Your California"
by Tom Hennessey, Long Beach Press-Telegram