Art in Your Inbox
A monthly e-publication of the Cultural Arts Commission highlighting cultural activities in the City of Coronado.
2019 Coronado Community Read
The Practice House by Laura McNeal
February 22 – April 5, 2019
Laura McNeal grew up in small towns near U.S. Air Force bases and holds an MA in fiction writing from Syracuse University. She has been married to the novelist Tom McNeal for more than 25 years, collaborating with him on four critically-acclaimed young adult novels and two boys. She has published three solo novels--Dark Water, The Incident on the Bridge, and The Practice House, and an anthology of three true crime novellas called You Can't Leave Me Now.
Message from the Coronado City Council
Planned in partnership between the Library and the Cultural Arts Commission, the Community Read is a program aimed at uniting our community in conversation while promoting literacy and vibrant literary culture. Through informative and entertaining programming, the Community Read introduces and draws people to our Library and other cultural organizations; and brings residents together with shared experiences related to the book. We are proud to support this new Coronado tradition and hope that many of our residents will participate in reading the book and joining the conversation.
Message from the Literary Arts Commission Lei Udell
Welcome back to the annual Coronado Community Read. With 2019’s selection, The Practice House, we explore the subject of newcomers and “home”-making, in its broadest sense. We also celebrate the written word and the power of story! Now in its third year, the Community Read draws its strength and energy from you, the community. We hope that you will enjoy The Practice House and plan on participating in this year’s programs.
Message from the Interim Library Director Cynthia Smith
I invite you to join me and others in our community as we read, discuss, and share our thoughts on The Practice House: A Novel by local author, Laura McNeal. Coronado’s Community Read brings us together in a unique way, as only a book can. We join together to share impressions about the book’s characters, their decisions, ideas about family, self,
Message from the President of the Friends of the Coronado Public Library Marsi Steirer
I was raised in a family of readers. As a child I was read “Golden Books,” and always had books around me. Growing up there were several occasions where my mother was so engrossed in the book she was reading that she read through the night, realized it was morning, and got ready and went to work without sleeping. The neighborhood where I was raised was visited weekly by a bookmobile. I recall reading all Laura Ingalls Wilder books one summer that I checked out from the bookmobile. My spouse and I give each other books as presents and our two adult sons, who are also avid readers, maintain lists of books that they want to read. One has the list on his phone and the other on a spreadsheet. When our sons were old enough to read by themselves we read Harry Potter together. It was a great way to stay connected during the teenage years and sparked many discussions about the novel’s characters. We still share books with each other, as well as what we are currently reading, and the books on our respective lists.
The Coronado Community Read is like my family of readers but on a larger scale. We all have the opportunity to read the same book at the same time and talk about it with each other. There will be programs and presentations to attend
The Coronado Public Library & Cultural Arts Commission
We are pleased to introduce the 2019 Coronado Community Read selection, The Practice House by Laura McNeal. In this third year of the Coronado Community Read, we hope to broaden and deepen the appreciation of reading and literature by recommending a title that stirs conversations and brings us closer together as a community through shared experiences.
Tuesday, March 5, 3:30 pm (Ages 11-18)
Teen Book Club, Coronado Public Library Winn Room
Thursday, March 7, 12 pm
Coronado Community Center Abalone Room, 1845 Strand Way
Saturday, March 9, 1 pm
Saturday Book Club, Coronado Public Library Conference Room
Thursday, March 21, 6 pm
Coronado Public Library Winn Room
Saturday, March 30, 3 pm
Calypso Café, 505 Grand Caribe Causeway rsvp@coronado.lib.ca.us
Thursday, April 4, 11 am
Coronado Public Library Winn Room
Coronado Public Library Winn Room, 640 Orange Ave
Friday, March 1 at 6:30 pm in the Winn Room
The Harvey Gils Opportunity Bound (Not Rated) (57 minutes)
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, more than 100,000 pioneering young women left home to work as waitresses in restaurants located on train platforms along the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. The Harvey Girls: Opportunity Bound explores the lives, experiences, and contributions of the women who worked for the Fred Harvey restaurant empire in its earliest days.
The documentary tells the story of the Harvey Girls through interviews with the few surviving participants, their friends, and family. Filmmaker, Katrina Parks will be on hand to provide further insight on this lesser known part of American history. Join us for the screening, talk and midwestern desserts possibly served at the Harvey Houses.
Tuesday, March 5, 6:30 pm
Surviving the Dust Bowl (Not Rated) (55 minutes)
In 1931 the rains stopped and the "black blizzards" began. Less well-known than those who sought refuge in California, typified by the Joad family in John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath," the Dust Bowlers stayed and overcame an almost a decade of unbelievable calamities and disasters, enduring drought, dust, disease-even death-determined to preserve their way of life.
Tuesday, March 19, 6:30 pm
The Harvey Girls (1942) Not Rated (103 minutes)
On a train trip West to become a mail order bride, Susan Bradley meets a cheery crew of young women traveling out to open a Harvey House restaurant at a remote whistle stop to provide good cooking and wholesome company for railway travelers. When Susan and her bashful suitor find romance daunting, Susan joins the Harvey Girls instead. The saloon across the street with its alluring worldly-wise women offers them tough competition, fair and foul, and Susan catches the eye of the Ned Trent, the distant but intense proprietor of the bar. Starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, and Angela Lansbury.
Tuesday, March 26, 6:30 pm
Blonde Venus (1932) (Not Rated) (93 minutes)
Venture into the world and time of Aldine and the Price Family as we screen Blonde Venus a picture show starring Marlene Dietrich. This epic film of the 1930s follows the story of Helen Faraday and her struggle to save her husband when inevitably leads her down a dark path. Will she prevail, or will she succumb to the lies and deceit that have darkened her reputation?
For more information about any event or to sign up for any event, call (619) 522-7390 or go to CoronadoCommunityRead.com
Saturday, February 23, 1-4 pm
Hometown Jamboree
Coronado Public Library Winn Room & Library Lawn
Bakers, we’re having a pie contest to kick off this year’s Coronado Community Read. Join us at our Hometown Jamboree to play games of the 1930s, show off your pie-baking skills, and concluding with the Scottish Highland Dancers performing at 3 pm. See flyer for Pie Contest Rules and entry.
Thursday, March 14, 7 pm
An Evening with Laura McNeal
Coronado Playhouse, 1835 Strand Way
Doors open at 6:30 pm
Join us for an interview with author Laura McNeal, author of The Practice House. Conducted by Dr. Dean Nelson, founder of the Writer’s Symposium by the Sea, the conversation will share the stories behind the author’s writing and introduce you to your new favorite author! Includes audience Q &A and author book-signing; refreshments and books available for purchase. Ticket required ($10). Visit CoronadoPlayhouse.com to buy tickets. This event is limited capacity and will sell out.
Friday, March 15, 10 am
The White Plague: Tuberculosis, Yesterday, and Today
Sharp Coronado Hospital Auditorium, 265 Soledad Place
As vaccinations decline, diseases we thought we had conquered are returning. In collaboration with Sharp Coronado Hospital, join us as we present Marti Brentnall, San Diego County’s Coordinator for Tuberculosis Outreach and Education, in a fascinating program on the basics of TB, personal stories of TB survivors, and the experience of San Diego’s 1950s sanatorium in Hillcrest, the Vauclain Home. Includes coffee & pastries, audience Q&A. R.S.V.P. encouraged Coronado Public Library, (619) 522-7390.
Saturday, March 16, 11 am
Kids' Hands-on History Program
Coronado Historical Association, 1100 Orange Ave.
Did you know we have some very special murals righty here in Coronado? During the 1930s, the federal government-sponsored artists who throughout the country. Ours can be found at Coronado High School. You may even see Donal Hord's The Legend of California, a set of seven panels carved from limestone when you drive by the school. Children are invited to learn about the murals and make their own take-home artwork. Kids will have fun using many different mural techniques from painting to mosaic during this hands-on program. Ages 4-12. R.S.V.P. encouraged. www.coroandohistory.org or (619) 435-7242.
Saturday, March 23 10 am
Cooking Demo & Workshop: Pies
Location TBA
Cooking for others can be an act of entrepreneurship as well as an act of love and nurturing. Whether you’re looking to bake someone happy or to open your own café, you’ll find the essential instruction you need to bake the perfect pie in this demonstration and hands-on workshop. Led by
Wednesday, March 27, 2 pm
Curatorial Workshop: Scrapbooks
Coronado Historical Association, 1100 Orange Ave.
Preservation Workshop about how to preserve scrapbooks.
Join the Coronado Historical Association curators as they share the secrets for caring for your family's scrapbooks. Participants are encouraged to bring scrapbooks from home. Each scrapbook will be analyzed for the best way techniques for its unique care. The curators will also share some very special 1930s scrapbooks from the Association's collection and highlight how museums care for these items. R.S.V.P. required. www.coroandohistory.org or 435-7242.
Friday, March 29, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
1930s Wine & Lecture: Coronado & Fallbrook
Coronado Historical Association Lecture Hall, 1100 Orange Avenue.
Come enjoy wine and cheese and learn a little bit more about our local history. A panel will speak about the challenges of the 1930s and how they were met in both Coronado and Fallbrook. Although the experiences were very different at times, there are many interesting connections of experience.
$15 for CHA Members and Community Read Participants, $18 for Non Members
Your ticket includes food and drink. Purchase tickets at www.coroandohistory.org, by calling (619) 435-7242, or visit the Museum Store.
Friday, April 5, 6 pm
Coronado Big Band Plays Music of the 30s
Venue TBA
Immerse yourself in the music of the 1930s as we wrap up the 2019 Community Read with a toe-tapping swing concert featuring the Coronado Big Band. This 17-piece jazz orchestra will play swing, jazz, and big band standards of the era for your listening and dancing pleasure. Delight in an outdoor evening performance as the days grow longer and the weather grows warmer. Free. Bring your own chairs, blankets, picnics and your dancing shoes.
While adults and teens are reading Laura McNeal’s The Practice House. We encourage parents to engage the young’s ones with Albert Marrin’s book Years of Dust.
Years of Dust: The Story of The Dust Bowl
Before global warming, there was dust. In the 1930s, dangerous black storms swept through the Great Plains. Created by drought and reckless farming, these lethal storms were part of an environmental, economic, and human catastrophe that changed the course of American history. In riveting, accessible prose, an acclaimed historian explains the causes behind the disaster and explores the Dust Bowl's impact, from a rich cultural legacy to the visionary conservation that would finally offer hope to the Plains.
Free your inner scientist, engineer, and artist at the Library. Check out these special Tinker Tuesday programs to learn more about the Dustbowl in support of the Community Read.
Tuesday, March 5, 3:15 pm
Make Dirt Cups
Practice your cooking skills and make dirt! Make your own “dirt” cup with chocolate pudding, graham crackers, Oreos and gummy worms.
Tuesday, March 26, 3:15 pm
Dustbowl Throwback Art Project
Play with toys as kids did in the 1930s. Make tops and decorate paper dolls to put on a show.
Coronado High School Community Read Book Club
Are you a Coronado High School student who is interested in reading The Practice House? Join the CHS Community Read Book Club. Students will meet at lunch in the CHS Library to discuss the book in segments on February 13th, February 27th, and March 13th. Participating students will receive a free copy of the book. See Ms. Rickards in the CHS Library to sign-up.