Storyteller Reaches His Goal of Stocking Library for Local Youth

Here we go, literary toilers. A new year. Time to fill our pristine calendars and date books with “should do” notations about publishing events.

Jim Woodard’s resolution to build a library for the Boys & Girls Club of Ventura has been realized. For six years Woodard has held weekly storytelling sessions for the club’s youngsters, and, along with director Ralph Velarde, he continues to work tirelessly to instill in children a love of reading.

The library now contains 2,600 books for kids, ages 7 to 14, thanks to contributions of time and money from Ventura residents, librarians and school employees.

All shelving material was donated by Ikea, and designed and constructed by architect Roy Colbert. The club is at 1929 Johnson Drive, Ventura. More assistance is always welcome. Call (805) 641-5599.

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The House of Adda Press is still offering to donate one copy of Les Cole’s “The Sea Kings: The Prophecy” to a library for each copy purchased. The offer lasts through this month. Call the publisher at (805) 659-4480 for details.

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Congratulations to Santa Barbara resident T. Coraghessan Boyle whose novel “The Tortilla Curtain” received the 1997 Prix Medicis Etranger award for the best novel published in France by a foreign author. The French translation was titled “America.” Boyle’s new novel, “Riven Rock” set in Santa Barbara, will be published next month.

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Gar Anthony Haywood signs “When Last Seen Alive” at noon Saturday in Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

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At Borders Books, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, Amy Knapp will sign her children’s picture book, “Caps and Crowns,” at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Conejo Chess Club meets every Monday night. Ann Ragle demonstrates chess for children at 6 p.m. and Mark Doyle teaches chess strategies for intermediate players at 7 p.m. Bring your own equipment.

Frances Halpern and Jon O’Brien are co-hosts of “Beyond Words” at 10 a.m. Sundays on KCLU-FM (88.3), Ventura County’s National Public Radio station.