The FLF Steering Committee has changed its name--the Leadership Team hopes to meet with a larger group of interested Friends as soon as that is possible. In the meantime, the Leadership Team continues to meet monthly via Zoom. April meeting topics included updates on the library, the work of the Park Team on developing a volunteer corps, and the Communications Team work on redesigning the FLF website. See the meeting notes here. To provide input to the Leadership Team, email feltonlibraryfriends@gmail.com.
FLF donated this new bench under the shade sails in the park
Events Outside the Library
Saturday, May 1 at 11:15 am
Tandy Beal and Company’s KEEP ON TRUCKIN’
Musicians Matt Hartle and Sunshine Garcia Becker will perform "Fun & Grateful-Driven Rock & Soul for All Ages” in the Felton Library parking lot. This series features world-famous artists in free, live 20-minute family shows, outdoors and safe on the back of a flatbed truck. See all Keep On Truckin' artists for April-June performance dates in SC City Parks here.
Saturday, May 8, 10 am-2 pm
Art Hike to Heal: Let Love Grow
County Park Friends invites the community to come out for Opening Day of a new Art Hike dedicated to Fire Survivors at Felton Discovery Park.
Along the Gushee Street portion of the loop, attendees will view an installation of photographs by fire survivor Devi Pride and quotes from other survivors. The one-way park path will feature a Storybook Walk, engaging families in a self-directed progression through the pages of the children’s book The Hike by Allison Farrell. This first Storybook Walk is a collaboration between FLF, CPF, SCPL, and SCCo Parks.
Tables outside the Felton Branch Library will offer Seed Bombs to take and toss. Kids will receive a nature sketchbook while supplies last. Multiple organizations from the Long Term Recovery Group will offer the latest in recovery support.
All necessary COVID protocols will be in place. Please bring your mask.
Library News
Computer lab service is in full swing again in the Community Room during Grab & Go hours, and lendable technology is available. For the latest SCPL news, including all virtual programs, visit santacruzpl.org.
The Felton Library now has monthly window displays. If you see a book that you like in the window, the staff is happy to pull it for you to check out. In April, there will be poetry books for National Poetry Month, and some of the Steve Dondero Environmental Collection will show up around Earth Day.
Felton Librarian Jackie Danziger is recording a lovely interactive series of “Stories for Bedtime” on the Santa Cruz Public Libraries YouTube channel. Jackie’s first video features her pal Mr. Bear and the book Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix, a true story of a Korean American chef. Other specially themed storytimes will include the April 14th Earth Day edition and May 12th Asian Pacific American Heritage Month edition. Each new “Stories for Bedtime” debuts on Facebook live every other Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. and will be available on YouTube.
Jackie has done five successful virtual class visits covering the entire eighth grade of SLV Middle School. Now these students are all set to explore the virtual library and find their next favorite book!
Meet Your FLF Leadership Team - Judi Sherman
As FLF Secretary, Judi skillfully facilitates meetings as well as takes notes. She is pleased that “over the last year, the Leadership Team has grown with the addition of committed members who bring diverse gifts.” Judi looks forward to the beginning of Community-led Learning, a pilot program at the Felton Branch in which community members design and lead programs and activities. Judi facilitated meetings with FLF and library staff to develop this program, but as COVID-19 emerged, it became clear that the pilot would be put on hold. She says, “I expect that when we meet again, and the library is able, many of our talented community members will be able to contribute their gifts to our thriving community.”
A resident of Ben Lomond for over 40 years where she raised her daughter, Judi joined the Valley Resource Center staff in the mid 90s. She now consults with nonprofits and government agencies to strengthen relationships that provide services and help communities to thrive. Judi is passionate in her belief that everyone has something to contribute to a strong community, and is committed to making a place for that to happen.
What's in a Name?
Retired SLV physician Andrew “Drew” Mihalik says he established The Carol Anicka Mihalik Fund for the San Lorenzo Valley at the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County “to give to the community that has given so much. This Library fits that purpose well.” Susan’s Discovery Zone for Kids is named in memory of his wife, Susan Mihalik. “Susan had a lifelong and deep commitment to children. For her, there was always the community. When she perceived a need in the San Lorenzo Valley, she would respond, especially if it involved children or the disenfranchised. Susan’s volunteer work was very hands-on, from sorting donations after the earthquake, to working with kids at 4-H and Boulder Creek Elementary, to baking for the Senior Center at HIghlands Park. Susan worked with Anne Gulliver to make the Boulder Creek library a reality. Now she is contributing to the Felton library.”
Beloved local musician Patti Maxine plays for volunteers at the April work party in the park. Join the next garden work party May 1 from 10 to 12 -- email feltonlibraryfriends@gmail.com.
The energetic AmeriCorps team completed their SLVWD project at the end of March, greatly enhancing the view from the Felton Discovery Park. It took them only seven days to transform the weedy area under the solar panels into an attractive chipped hillside. FLF participated in the planning process and provided funds for dinner at the Red Pearl. FLF members also did a Zoom presentation to the team on community activism in Felton. Special thanks to VWC’s Linda Skeff, SLVWD’s Carly Blanchard, and Travis Tree Professionals for more chips at the last minute.
The Discovery Park builders recently won an award from The American Public Works Association Monterey Bay Chapter in the category “2021 Project of the Year: Structures Under 5 Million.” Our park was also featured on the World Landscape Architecture industry website. Read the article here.
Park Plant of the Month
Photo by Kirsten Hill
Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana)
In the Discovery Park, enjoy the many different cultivars of the Douglas Iris blooming now. This beautiful wild Iris was named for the Scottish plant collector David Douglas (1798-1834) who roamed the Pacific Northwest to collect plants for English gardens. His adventures were recently highlighted in a book The Collector by Jack Nisbet. Douglas Iris has a primarily coastal habitat distribution, as far north as southern Oregon, but primarily in Central and Northern California. It is happy in the shade, with moisture and rich soil. It hybridizes easily and is popular in the nursery trade. The wild iris is also popular with butterflies, moths, and even bumble bees. For more planting information, see: Douglas Iris, Iris douglasiana (calscape.org).
FSCPL News
Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries has a new Executive Director, Bruce Cotter. Bruce, a Felton resident, has extensive management and non-profit experience, including serving on the FSCPL board and the Library Advisory Commission.
"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need." ~ Cicero
