February 21:

1:30–3:00 PM

THE HOME FRONT: MEMORIES OF WW II SALINAS

Local World War Two veterans and community members share stories and personal experiences of Salinas during World War II.

LIFE DURING THE WAR: LIFE IN WW II SALINAS

From rationing and Victory gardens to blackouts and dancing at the USO we'll hear what life during wartime was really like in Salinas from people who were there.

3:30–5:00 PM

THE JAPANESE INTERNMENT AND SALINAS

Stories about the Japanese internment and the Salinas Assembly Center, where American citizens of Japanese ancestry were held on their way to internment camps. Featuring Japanese-American internees sharing their memories of their lives before, during, and after their internment experiences.

February 19, 6:30–7:00PM
Cesar Chavez Library

Scenes from “The World of the Word,” an original play about the founding in1909, and growth, of the Salinas Public Library

Written and performed by The Alvarez High School Thespian Society. Everett Alvarez High School, Salinas, CA

The Great Depression and Okie Migration in Salinas

Hi everyone!

Please enjoy this short video. It's the first of many we plan to make available online to the public. It's a few minutes of a Community Conversation we had on February 15, 2009 at Cesar Chavez Library in Salinas. 

This conversation was moderated by one of our program managers, Lori Wood, and featured our honored guests: Al Baguio, past president of the Monterey Historical Society, Bill Ramsey, longtime Salinas resident, Jim Gattis, longtime Salinas resident & realtor, Joe & Doris Bragdon, longtime Salinas & Monterey residents, and Salinas born singer/songwriter Larry Hosford. 

All of them have many memories of "The Alisal" and Salinas that date back to the great depression. 

Enjoy!

CONVERSATION: BOOKS

February 22,  2–3:30 PM
Cesar Chavez Library
Book Discussion:

"North From Mexico: The Spanish speaking People 

of the United States" by Carey McWilliams

This classic 1949 survey of Chicano history is a major influence on studies of the Mexican-American experience today. Carey McWilliams defined southern California the way Newton defined physics. People credit his writings for sparking the Chicano movement, foreshadowing the film Chinatown, and inspiring Cesar Chavez to found the United Farm Workers. Join us for another exciting Conversation: Books!

Visionary California author Carey McWilliams. (Photo Credit: Carey McWilliams (1990.0024.0326.0033), Will Connell Archive

The Californian talks about us!

Exhibit lets residents peek

into Salinas' past

-The Californian  Thursday February 12, 2009

CONVERSATION: BOOKS

FEBRUARY 17, 6:30–8:00 PM 

John Steinbeck Library

                         

Book Discussion: 

On The Road

by Jack Kerouac 

 

This 1957 cross-country bohemian odyssey penetrated the deepest levels of American culture and influenced a generation. Join us for a conversation about the book and it's effects on our culture, then and now.

FEBRUARY 15, 2–3:30 PM 

Cesar Chavez Library

COMMUNITY STORIES:

THE GREAT DEPRESSION  & THE OKIE MIGRATION IN SALINAS  

Hear community stories of Salinas and Alisal during the Great Depression from residents who lived throught it. Join us for a greater understanding of what our parents and grandparents went thru and how it relates to us today. 

Plus you can enjoy Depression-era snacks & music!  

Book Group and Haiku Reading

FEBRUARY 11, 6:30–8:00 PM

El Gabilan Library

Book Group and Haiku Reading:  

May Sky: There is Always Tomorrow; An Anthology of Japanese American Concentration Camp Kaiko Haiku and Poetic Reflections of the Tule Lake Internment Camp 1944

 

by Violet Kazue de Cristoforo 

In these collections Salinas Poet Violet Kazue de Cristoforo recounts her experience of Japanese American internment camps through the sparse but beautiful poetic form known as Haiku. Join our librarians as we celebrate and explore the life and times of Mrs. de Cristoforo thru her writings and her poetry. In her honor we will read her Haiku in Japanese and English, and there will be Japanese tea and desserts available for all to enjoy.

Poet Violet Kazue De Cristoforo

Poet Violet Kazue De Cristoforo

with Congressman Sam Farr

FEBRUARY 7, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Conference: Recordings: The African American Legacy Project Conference

Explore African Diaspora histories and California regional histories of African American communities and contributions.

Keynote speaker:

Dr. Quintard taylor, Jr., Professor of American History, University of Washington, who will speak about “The African American Search for the California Dream.” This conference will highlight the work of CSUMB scholars, as well as community leaders.

9:00 AM Coffee & morning pastries

10:00 AM Keynote speaker

1:30 PM Afternoon panel

@ The National Steinbeck Center. The conference is included with Museum Admission and Free with Student I.D.

Africano Cultural Day

FEBRUARY 8, 10 AM – 5:00 PM
National Steinbeck Center

Africano Cultural Celebration & Community Free Day

Learn about Africano culture of our region as vendors sell African-influenced clothing, art, textiles and soul food from Noon to 5:00 PM, with a special performance at 1:00 PM of Africano art & music.

-free admission for Monterey County residents-

STORYCORPS at the National Steinbeck Center

FEBRUARY 23–MARCH 22

With the help of a trained facilitator, ordinary Salinas residents can record a 40-minute conversation in this nationally touring MobileBooth. Salinas community members are invited to record a conversation, in any language, with their loved ones—a friend, family member, mentor or co-worker. Stories will be archived in the Library of Congress, the Salinas Public Library and the National Steinbeck Center.

Starting February 12, 2009, you can make a reservation to participate in StoryCorps by logging on to www.storycorps.net, by visiting www.kazu.org, or by calling (800) 850-4406

FEATURED STORY:

Gus Hernandez and Siddiqi Hansoti



“I just needed a little bit of help...”

Gus Hernandez (R) talks about how he met Siddiqi Hansoti (L), owner of the El Dorado Motel in Salinas, CA, after losing his house to foreclosure.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD BOOK

FEBRUARY 7, 2–4:00 PM
John Steinbeck Library

The Neighborhood Book: A Book-Making Workshop for Families

Explore the importance of honoring our neighbors and our neighborhoods.

Here is our calendar of IMLS grant events thru March 2009. Please click here if you would like to download and print out the calendar in english. Click here for a spanish language version!

Gallery Opening & Reception

FEBRUARY 6, 5–8:00 pm  

National Steinbeck Center  

(Show extends through April) 

Renderings: The African American Legacy Project Exhibition 

Early California art works, memorabilia, family and archival photos and reflections from oral history narratives from our regional community. Also presents student work from CSUMB focused on local African American history.  

Opening concurrent with Salinas ArtWalk. Reception is free for National Steinbeck Center members and invited guests. 

 

To become a member, call (831) 775-4729.   

FEBRUARY 2009 – Online Book Group

FEBRUARY 1-28, 2009  

Invisible Man

by Ralph Ellison  

This 1952 classic chronicles the travels of a young, nameless black man as he moves through the hellish levels of American intolerance and cultural blindness. Join the conversation by posting your comments on the book. Share your thoughts with the community, and hear what others have to say. To check it out, and post your comment, just click on the link below: 

www.salinasstories.wordpress.com