Making Memories

It was a year full of commemorations, celebration and much reflection. The Monterey community came together in traditional grand fashion to commemorate two important Sesquicentennial moments: the 150th anniversary of the State Constitutional Convention held in our very own Colton Hall and the 150th anniversary of the first public library in California – the Monterey Public Library.
Thanks to the community’s hard work, 1999 was packed with educational exhibits, exciting entertainment, lectures, parades and just plain fun.
We hope this photo collage will remind you of special moments and memories made during our Sesquicentennial year.

Seeing Monterey, Half a World Away
There’s Fisherman’s Wharf and a downtown shopping zone. People from all over the country travel there to take in the beauty and serenity of this coastal town out west. There’s even a Monterey Jazz Festival event.

Where’s the place? Nanao, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, Monterey’s Sister City.
Nanao, which means seven mountain peaks, has been our Sister City for four years. More than 700 Nanao residents – children and adults alike – have visited Monterey. Nearly 300 people from Monterey have made the trek to Nanao, located on Honshu Island on Japan’s west coast bordering the Sea of Japan.
The Nanao-Monterey relationship began more than 13 years ago when a research group from Nanao toured the U.S. West Coast looking for ways to build a Fisherman’s Wharf. They chose to model it after Monterey’s in creating a tourist destination as well as a viable restaurant and shopping spot for local residents.

The Monterey Peninsula-Nanao Friendship Association was established in 1994 to ensure that the growing relationship between the two areas would stay strong and healthy. Ten organizations in Monterey have signed sister agreements or friendship pacts with groups in Nanao.
From organizations like the Rotary, Soroptimist and Chamber of Commerce to architects, the hospitality industry and business associations, many have joined with the City to form the Friendship Association.
And there is plenty for kids too! Students from both cities have exchanged ideas and experiences through a Rotary home-stay program as well as “Jr. Wings,” a Soroptimist International program. Students stay with local families, take courses and travel throughout the area.
Jr. Wings are scheduled to travel to Nanao again this summer.
From student and employee exchanges, to festivals, professional seminars, study groups and social visits, Nanao and Monterey have developed an extensive and beneficial relationship. We’ve learned about different customs and philosophies, exchanged ideas about business and design practices and made lasting friendships.

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Books Discussed on Local Radio

Local reviews of new books and old favorites are now available on your FM radio dial; and you’re invited to participate.
Tune in to KAZU 90.3 FM on the last Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., when Monterey Public Library staff members
Kim Bui-Burton and Susan Hoffman appear on the “On the Road” portion of KAZU’s popular “Roadside Café” show.
During the segment, the Library’s “Radio Readers” promote libraries and literature by hosting the only local book discussion group on your FM dial!
Call in during the program at 375-3082 to share your views on reading selections.
For more information, call the Library’s Readers’ Services at 646-3477.
Radio Readers Kim Bui-Burton and Susan Hoffman make reading fun! They’re on the air (90.3 FM, KAZU) the last Tuesday of each month.

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Become a Friend of the Library

Will you be a Friend?
As a member of the Friends of the Monterey Public Library, you can help support and strengthen our local Library.
“In today’s increasingly complex society, libraries are more important than ever,” says Gerald T. Fry, President of the Friends of the Library. “It’s an increasingly critical educational resource, helping us gather and process information to cope with daily life.
“It’s a community cultural center, offering programs and events to inspire, inform and illuminate.”
As a City department, the Library has solid support; however, there are always special needs that can’t, or shouldn’t, be met with public funding alone. To address these needs, a group of community leaders helped form the Friends of the Monterey Public Library.
The Friends raise money for projects such as the California History Room, “Stories for Adults” and the children’s Summer Reading Program. The Friends also recruit Library volunteers and reach out into our community to make sure as many people as possible are informed about Library services.

As a Friend, you will:

• Support the Library with your donation
• Receive regular info about upcoming programs
• Be part of a group that believes in the enduring value of public libraries

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Rev. 02/19/08 L. Huelga http://www.monterey.org/focus/winter2000/features.html