At the Monterey Public Library?  

Our Summer Reading Kick-off party started the week off with a SPLASH as hundreds of kids, teens and adults braved the heat last Saturday to sign up for summer reading, watercolor paint, enjoy musical performers, learn about water conservation and chat with a pirate.  And the Friends of the Library monthly book sale added to the fun.

Sunday was much more sedate, with a lovely fundraising tea in a historic Monterey garden, catered by the talented Friends to raise money for the Ruth Vreeland Fund - and more folklore materials and programs for kids and adults in the Library.  Amy Krupski provided wafting harp music; just perfect for finger sandwiches and tea sipped from delicate china cups. Over $3,000 was raised in memory of dear Ruth.

Tuesday night the tireless Friends sponsored an author's reading for a crowd of over 50 writers, poets and community members.  Phyllis Theroux's new book, The Journal Keeper, enthralled the audience; her voice brought her words to life and touched her listeners.

And on to Thursday - "Tree Frog Treks" made their way to the La Mesa Bookmobile stop and the Library Community Room. That's where the large and lovely banana-colored python made its appearance, along with other exotic and sleepy-eyed reptiles, delighting scores of kids young and old.

You never know what adventure might await you - in the lines of a book, the lilt of a song, the quiet of a cozy reading nook - or the aargggh of a pirate, the smile of a friend, the smooth stretch of a scaled python - at the Library!