The family of photographer Rey Ruppel has generously donated his photograph collection to the Monterey Public Library’s California History Room and Archives. Rey (Reynold) Ruppel was a major photographer of the Monterey Peninsula in the 1940s through the mid-1960s.

Ruppel was born in December 1914 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  He developed a love of photography and travel early in life, learning photography in the darkroom he created in the basement of the family home. He soon began traveling the country during school vacations and, as soon as he finished high school, departed with camera in hand to photograph his adventures and travels during the Great Depression. Hitchhiking, driving rented cars, and jumping trains from Florida to California, he eventually arrived in Monterey in August 1935 where he worked at the Hotel Del Monte. In 1938 he started work with Monterey panoramic photographer A. C. Heidrick, fulfilling his dream of studying with an innovative photographer. Later Ruppel purchased Heidrick's panoramic-view camera and started his own photo business. He moved to Seattle in the early 1940s where he married Thelma. Although drawn to the road, Ruppel always returned to Monterey. In 1945, he worked at McKay’s photo shop on Alvarado Street, and soon opened his own business. His reputation as an accomplished photographer quickly grew as he documented our scenic land and seascapes, fishing industry, and celebrity and major events from Monterey to San Francisco. From 1947 to 1968, he assisted famed photographer Julian P. Graham in chronicling the Crosby Golf tournaments. Ruppel and his wife moved to California’s Mother Lode country when he retired from photography in 1968. Besides Ruppel’s photographic legacy, the collection features many Heidrick original prints and negatives.

For more information contact Museum, Cultural Arts and Archives Manager Dennis Copeland at 831.646.3741 or email copeland@ci.monterey.ca.us.

 
Come and meet Kathryn Otoshi, innovative children’s author and illustrator, at the Monterey Public Library on Friday April 8, at 4:00 p.m. Kathryn’s award winning book “One”, a fun, colorful book,  introduces the topic of bullying, its affect on others, and standing up for yourself in a unique and thought provoking way. Kids age 7 & up are invited.  “One” and Kathryn’s new book, “Zero” are available at the library.

Monterey Public Library presents a special event with celebrity chef and author Graham Kerr celebrating his most recent book Growing with the Speed of Life: A Year in the Life of My First Kitchen Garden on Tuesday, March 29, in Ferrante's Bayview Room at the Marriott Hotel.  Meet "The Galloping Gourmet" at a VIP Author's Reception from 5 - 5:45 p.m., an author's talk from 6 - 7 p.m., followed by a book signing from 7 - 8 p.m.

Graham Kerr is an internationally-known culinary and television personality, award-winning author and advocate of healthy living and eating. He was one of earliest chefs featured on radio and television, and his career included a PBS cooking special with Julia Child.  In his latest book, Growing at the Speed of Life, Kerr shows readers the joys of cooking from a kitchen garden, profiles sixty garden vegetables and features over 120 recipes. 

Tickets for the VIP Author's Reception and reserved seating for the author's talk are $30 per person, or two tickets for $50.  General admission is $10.  Advance tickets may be purchased or in person at the Monterey Public Library. General admission tickets will be sold at the door, payable by cash or check only.

For tickets or information, contact Sirie Thongchua at 831.646.5632 or email thongchu@ci.monterey.ca.us.

The Marriott Hotel is located at 350 Calle Principal, Monterey. The Monterey Public Library is located at 625 Pacific Street, Monterey. Visit www.monterey.org/library.

Thank you to those who voted us "Best Library in Monterey County" in the Monterey County Weekly's annual Best of Monterey County Reader's Poll, for the third year in a row!  And thank you to the Weekly for your kind comments.  Here's what you said, "Visitors of all ages sit at computers, skim the magazine rack and thumb through the music section. The first floor features a kids’ corner, an eye-catching teen-art wall and plenty of space to study or read. A catalog of Monterey’s history covers the walls of the second floor, including photos of Alvarado Street circa 1890, Steinbeck at his niece’s wedding and beauty queens from yesteryear. From free paperbacks to free Wi-Fi, the Monterey Public Library is the definitive destination place for a serious study session or a leisurely afternoon."

Wow! 

The Library is maintaining a page of links to information about the the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis in Japan, including news, advisories about possible radiation effects, how to locate people in japan, how to help, and Library resources on earthquakes, tsunamis, and nuclear power.

On Saturday, March 19, from 9 .m. until 12 noon the City of Monterey’s Parks Division will hold its annual Cutting Day & Horticultural Fair in Friendly Plaza, at the corner of Pacific and Jefferson Streets.  This is a great event which offers a huge variety of free plant cuttings culled from City parks to hundreds of eager gardeners.  The event also features booths staffed by experts from local and regional organizations who can give information and advice on every aspect of gardening. “What plants grow in the shade?” “Are there any plants that the deer won’t eat?”  There are demonstrations and exhibits on how to plant a tree, how to install drip irrigation systems, and even free seedlings of native pines and oaks to encourage homeowners to help perpetuate the urban forest. The event is festive with a new wave of excitement as each new wheelbarrow piled high with cuttings arrives at the giveaway table and lots of lively discussion.   As always, the Library will be at the information booth to share gardening books and as a reminder to plant lovers that their Library has many resources to help them with gardening tips all year round.

Author/Illustrator Jim LaMarche is visiting the Monterey Public Library on Friday March 11 at 4 pm.  Kids 7 and up (and adults) are welcome to join Jim as he talks about the stories behind his stories and pictures and shows some of his illustration techniques.  The Library owns about a dozen of his books AND we offer one online through Tumblebooks.  Go to the Kids Page and click on the Tumblebooks icon.  Look for the storybook  Lost and Found.   You can make the story play.   I noticed that the book was dedicated to Jim’s father who inspired the story of the lost dog, Ginger.  I want to ask the author to tell the real story.   What do you want to ask Jim LaMarche?  

Get acquainted with Monterey's historic past when Colton Hall celebrates its 162nd birthday on Sunday, March 6, at 2 p.m.  Join Colton Hall docent Jeff Lanzman for a talk on the history and uses of the historic Hall since it was built in 1849. View the museum exhibits and enjoy a slice of birthday cake.  Colton Hall is located at 570 Pacific Street, Monterey in the lovely park setting between Madison and Jefferson Streets. Everyone is welcome and the event is free of charge.  Happy Birthday, Colton Hall!

This is the song we played while blowing bubbles at Friday’s Baby and Me Program.

I love the way the hammered dulcimer mimics the patter of rain.

 

When the Rain Comes Down

Cathy: vocal / Marcy hammered dulcimers, guitar

A Cathy and Marcy Collection for Kids

J/CD-1437

When the rain comes down

It comes down on everyone

When the rain comes down

It comes down on everyone

No matter if you’re rich or poor

No matter if you’re great or small

When the rain comes down

It comes down on us all.

 

When the sun shines down

It shines down on everyone

When the sun shines down

It shines down on everyone

No matter if you’re rich or poor

No matter if you’re great or small

When the sun shines down

It shines down on us all.

 

When a flower blooms

It’s blooming for everyone…

 

When a baby smiles

It’s smiling for everyone…

 

When the rain comes down…

 

font color="#000000">(c Bob Devlin/Moment in Time Music ASCAP