By Sam Warren, Copyright 2019 http://Bookwarren.com

"A good editor understands what you're talking and writing about and doesn't meddle too much." — Irwin Shaw

January 24, 2019 (San Diego) – Books and bingo, a writer’s conference, author appearances, book discussion groups and writer’s classes are among the literary happenings on the horizon locally.

CLICK TO SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF BOOK EVENTS

East County News Service

January 8, 2019 (Santee) -- The Santee Historical Society announces San Diego Trolleys, a presentation and book signing by Douglas W. Mengers on Saturday, January 19 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Santee Historical Society and Museum, 9200 Magnolia Avenue in Santee.

Starting with the first horse-drawn trolleys introduced by the San Diego Streetcar Company in 1886, San Diego’s history includes the growth and decline of several transportation systems. After electricity arrived, San Diego was the site of early experimentation for electric trolleys on the West Coast.

By Sam Warren © 2018

“The secret of good writing is to say an old thing in a new way or a new thing in an old way.” —Richard Harding Davis, journalist and author (1864-1916)

December 12, 2018 (San Diego) – From a year-end wrap-up at the Book Catapult to book discussions, author signings and a holiday writers’ potluck, here are the upcoming local literary events in late December.  

Click to scroll down for a list of book events.

Copyright 2018 by Sam Warren

“Finishing a book is just like you took a child out in the backyard and shot it.”  —Truman Capote 

December 8, 2018 (San Diego) – From a writers’ and editors’ holiday potluck party to author book signings, writing classes and library events, there’s a lot happening in our local literary community.

CLICK TO SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF BOOK EVENTS

East County News Service

November 9, 2018 (La Mesa) - The public is invited to Soroptimist International of La Mesa's  61^th Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Community Breakfast, which will be held from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at the Handlery Hotel & Resort, 950 Hotel Circle North in San Diego’s Mission Valley.  Admission is $45 per person.

East County News Service

October 31, 2018 (Lakeside) - East County’s own Mr. Ed, a horse named Jackson Day, has a book titled I'm Jackson Day and I'm here to Stay.  On November 10th, you’re invited to come meet and dance with Jackson at Selah Ranch, 11314 Morena Ave. in Lakeside, from 1-3 p.m.

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (Lemon Grove) - During the month of October, the Lemon Grove Library is hosting a free series of bilingual parenting workshops to empower families in the area. The workshops are offered in partnership with the Lemon Grove School District and address a variety of topics of interest to families with school-aged children in the district.

Updated January 24, 2021 with a link on ABA therapy for autism. 

By Andy Tolley, County of San Diego Communications Office

August 31, 2018 (La Mesa) - A simple suggestion from a parent at the La Mesa Branch Library has initiated a new program for kids with autism.

“It’s one of the best things I’ve heard about in a while for kids on the spectrum,” said Matthew Wion, a dad with two kids on the spectrum who has been taking advantage of the new program.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Author and historian James D. Newland with his book, Grossmont Hospital: A Legacy of Community Service

August 19, 2018 (La Mesa)—Author and historian James D. Newland’s latest book, Grossmont Hospital: A Legacy of Community Service, provides a fascinating look into the colorful history of East County as well as the hospital itself and the evolution of healthcare in our region.

Newland was honored Thursday at the Grossmont Healthcare District headquarters with a reception attended by the district’s board of directors and community VIPs. Following appetizers and brews served up by Burning Beard brewery, the district’s CEO Barry Jantz and board president Michael Emerson gave welcoming remarks. 

Newland signed copies of his book, noting that the biggest challenge in its creation was handling the controversy over the hospital merging with Sharp Healthcare, a move that kept East County’s major hospital financially viable at a time when rising costs drove some other healthcare facilities under.

The Artist Portrait Project: A Photographic Memoir of Portrait Sessions with San Diego Artists, 2006 – 2016, by Jennifer G. Spencer (She Writes Press, Berkeley, CA, 2018, 117 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

“All photographs are memento mori. To take a photograph is to participate in another person’s (or thing’s) mortality, vulnerability, mutability. Precisely by slicing out this moment and freezing it, all photographs testify to time’s relentless melt.”

• Susan Sontag

August 17, 2018 (San Diego) - There is an old adage that says “A Picture is worth a Thousand Words!” Jennifer G. Spencer, a painter/photographer who creates images using alternative photographic processes and digital imagery, exemplifies that old adage in her groundbreaking memoir; The Artist Portrait Project: A Photographic Memoir of Portrait Sessions with San Diego Artists, 2006 – 2016.

By Miriam Raftery

August 17, 2018 (San Diego) – Language expert, author, columnist and radio personality Richard Lederer will be a special guest at our East County Fest 10-year anniversary party of the decade on Saturday night, August 25. (Tickets are going fast! Get tickets and learn more.)

In addition to speaking and signing copies of his latest books, Lederer has generously donated two special auction prizes – an entertaining and educational appearance by Lederer for your group, and a poker lesson by Lederer, whose skills enabled his two children to become world and national poker champions.

Lederer is the author of 50 books about language, history, and humor, including his best-selling Anguished English series and his current books, Amazing Words, Lederer on Language, and The Joy of Names. He is a founding co-host of “A Way With Words” on KPBS.

Dr. Lederer’s syndicated column, “Lederer on Language,” appears in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States, including the San Diego Union-Tribune. He has been named International Punster of the Year and Toastmasters International’s Golden Gavel winner.

By Sam Warren

"A synonym is a word your use when you can’t spell the other one." — Baltasar Gracián

July 20, 2018 (San Diego) – Author signings, book clubs, writers’ classes and more are coming up in our region.

CLICK TO SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF BOOK EVENTS

By County News Center, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by Andy Tolley

June 2, 2018 (San Diego) - Summer is officially underway at the San Diego County Library. Residents of all ages are invited to take the Summer Reading Challenge. Participants are awarded prizes based on the number of activities they complete. The more they read, the better their chance at winning prizes.

Source: County Library branch in El Cajon

Photo by Miriam Raftery: Pacific Crest Trail in Campo

May 29, 2018 (El Cajon) -- Local hiking enthusiast Dana Law will share his adventures and tips for hiking the legendary Pacific Crest Trail at a special presentation on June 16^th at 2:00 p.m. at the El Cajon Branch Library located at 201 E Douglas Avenue.