Friends of the Solana Beach Library
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Flower Workshop
Learn the art of flower arranging with local resident Kelli Pease, founder of One Million Flowers Foundation, as she demonstrates the joy, comfort and hope that can be shared with a simple flower.
Space is limited, so sign up today!
A Pair of Aces Book Tour with Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
Join the Friends of the Solana Beach Library and event partner Camino Books for an author talk and book signing with Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, the acclaimed co-authors of The Personal Librarian. They'll present their new novel A Pair of Aces — the Reese's Book Club pick for June 2026 — a gripping tale of mob intrigue and courtroom drama told through two extraordinary historical women. Tuesday, July 21 at 6pm at Earl Warren Middle School Multipurpose Room, Solana Beach. Free and open to the public.
Civic Series
Join us for the Civic Series — a free, three-part program sponsored by the Friends of Solana Beach Library to demystify local government and build community engagement.
| Apr 21 | Jump into Local Government |
| May 19 | Think Global, Act Local |
| Jun 16 | Show Me the Money |
All sessions: 5:30 – 6:45 pm · Solana Beach Library · Free & open to all
Poetry and Collage Art at Solana Beach Library
April is National Poetry Month! Join us for an evening of finding your poet within and setting it to collage artwork. Led by local published poet, Annette Friend & local artist, Judy Langhoff
Recommended for ages 6+
A Century of Books, a Future of Possibilities
100th Anniversary Celebration
Save the date! We will celebrate 100 years of the Solana Beach library with live music, crafts, face painting and a community art project. Details are coming soon.
AGING IN PLACE YOUR WAY: Safely, In Your Own Home
Panel Discussion featuring:
Home Instead-North County, offering home care services
- PACE (St. Paul’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), offering medical, social and home care
- YANA (You Are Not Alone) by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, offering free safety checks in areas served
Is India the World’s Largest Democracy Or An Authoritarian State in the Making?
India is the world’s largest democracy and the most populous country on earth. But recently its political system has been tending towards authoritarianism. Come hear a discussion about India by Dr. Saiba Varma, an Associate Professor of Anthropology at UCSD as she describes India’s challenges as the world’s largest democracy on Tuesday, April 15.
Kintsugi Pottery and Rediscovering Joy
Come and learn from Alex Welsh as she describes Kintsugi, the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold.
Musical Performance by Dean Ratzman
Friends of the Solana Beach Library present: Swingin’ With Dean, Musical Performance by Dean Ratzman
2nd Annual Coast and Ranch Book Crawl February 8-15, 2025
Visit all 4 participating friends of the library bookstores to be entered into a drawing for great prizes. Store Specials offered to Crawlers! Saturday the 8th, the library will be open for in-person services.
The La Jolla Playhouse... From San Diego to Broadway with Debby Buchholz
La Jolla Playhouse has garnered a total of 42 Tony awards and sent 36 productions to Broadway, including Come From Away, The Who's Tommy, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jersey Boys and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.
What makes the Playhouse a special incubator of new works? How do projects develop and move on to productions throughout the USA and the world?
Debby Buchholz is the Managing Director of the La Jolla Playhouse and a Solana Beach resident. Join her for a conversation about how the Playhouse helps make San Diego one of the most exciting theater towns in America.
Adult Crafternoons: Decoupage
Join us on January 10th at 1pm for an Adult Crafternoon session at your library. Supplies are limited. Please arrive early to reserve your spot.
Holiday Concert
Adrienne Nims & Spirit Wind Holiday Concert
GET READY FOR THE SOLAR ECLIPSE!
Neil Farber will discuss the history of solar eclipses, what causes them, what makes the several different types different from one another, and how to safely observe the sun during an eclipse. Farber is a retired internal medicine physician, listed as one of the Top Doctors in San Diego five times during his 40-year career. Since retiring he has served in the docents program at San Diego Air & Space Museum, and as a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm about real-life space exploration.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION WITH JAIME LEVINE AND CALEB LOGAN, ATTORNEYS WITH THE GROUP “ELDER LAW & ADVOCACY.”
We’ll be “getting in the weeds,” says Levine, on what we’re facing, what law enforcement and civil litigation can accomplish, and what we ourselves can do to protect our financial well-being.
THE VILLA MUSICA COMMUNITY ENSEMBLES PROGRAM ENGAGES A BROAD RANGE OF MUSICIANS
Emerging professionals, keen amateurs, and lapsed high-school band players come together for the joy of making music. For our holiday program, ensembles from Villa Musica will sing some of their favorite holiday songs, with opportunities for the audience to sing along, or just sit back and enjoy.
Dr. David G. Victor on “The Policy and Politics of International Climate Change”
Professor Victor, of UCSD’s School of Global Policy and Strategy, is co-director of the campus-wide Deep Decarbonization Initiative, which focuses on real-world strategies for reaching zero emissions of warming gasses.
Dr. Branislav Slantchev Returns to Update on the War in Ukraine
Professor Slantchev will provide an update on what has happened in the Ukraine/Russia conflict since his previous presentation last September, 2022.
Music by Mariachi Serenata San Diego Dance by Jaliscience Folkloric Group
Music by Mariachi Serenata San Diego Dance by Jaliscience Folkloric Group
How to Grow, Nurture, (and Love) Succulents!
How to Grow, Nurture, (and Love) Succulents!
Climate Change: Impact on Our Water Supplies and How We Adapt
Alex Tardy, Senior Meteorologist at NOAA Al Lau, General Manager, Santa Fe Irrigation District
Hospice Care Explained (It Isn’t So Scary)
Does hospice really mean the end of life is around the corner? Sharon and Gin Lao have 23 years of combined experience working with children and adults, using religious and non-religious spiritual care to support their clients in the search for hope, meaning, and inner peace. Learn about the holistic care offered to those suffering from a life-limiting illness. Their expertise provides education, guidance for loved ones, life review, music, and a dash of humor.
Villa Musica Chorus and Classical Guitar Ensemble
Holiday Music Presented by the Villa Musica Chorus and Classical Guitar Ensemble
Aging Well in the 21st Century
Aging Well in the 21st Century with Jonathan Schwartz Founder, Partner in Aging
Why the War in Ukraine
Professor Branislav Slantchev - An International Relations Specialist in Security
“THE SPIRIT OF CHICANO PARK / El espíritu del Parque Chicano” BY BEATRICE ZAMORA
This family-friendly program, appropriate for all ages, will present the inspiring story of how the people of Logan Heights / Barrio Logan built San Diego’s uniquely beautiful and internationally famous Chicano Park. Together they stood their ground and reclaimed their neighborhood, all the way to the bay / hasta la bahía.
“George Washington, America’s Indispensable Founding Father” by Blaine Davies
Despite a mediocre military record, George Washington became commander of the Continental Army. He did not write the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution, and yet he not only became our first President, but is also justifiably recognized as the Father of Our Country.
WALKING THE WALL: LIFE BEHIND DEL MAR’S “SNAKEWALL” WITH BRIER MILLER MINOR
“The ‘Snakewall Property’ is one of the two features people ask us about the most,” says Del Mar Historical Society president Larry Brooks. So what is the story of this 22-acre walled estate that extends from the northern end of the Del Mar ridge eastward into the San Dieguito River Valley? Was the high concrete wall that surrounds the estate really built to keep snakes out, or for something else entirely? Who built it, why, and when? Join us as author Brier Miller Minor answers these questions and more.
Coral Reef Curiosities: Intrigue, Deception & Wonder on the Reef & Beyond with Chuck Weikert
Whether you’re a diver, a snorkeler or an armchair traveler, join author Chuck Weikert as he reveals the fascinating secret lives of the world’s coral reef animals in pictures and story. He’ll also explore the cultural, historical and scientific importance of these fascinating creatures — past, present, and looking ahead to the future. Weikert spent 13 years of his career developing programs for visitors to Virgin Islands National Park. More recently you may have seen him hosting the Kelp Forest Dive Show at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. For all ages. Mask, snorkel and fins optional. Sense of wonder and curiosity required.Indulge your curiosity by typing questions into the Q&A box, to be answered at the end of the show. (Your microphone and camera will not be activated during the webinar. So you can attend in your PJs if you like, with your dog snoring softly in the background.)
Russia, Ukraine, and Crimea: Why the Conflict?
What is the reason for the current territorial disputes between Russia and Ukraine?
The Rockin Cranberries
The Full Measure Carolers have been providing holiday entertainment throughout San Diego County for over 25 years. The Rockin’ Cranberries is the company’s lively jazz quartet ensemble which adds just the right amount of pop and spirit to the holidays by playing holly, jolly handchimes to accompany their beautiful singing. It’s a most joyous way to put everyone in the holiday spirit.Become a Member
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Our Mission
The Mission of the Friends is to aid and support the Solana Beach branch of the San Diego County Library.
- To maintain a membership of persons interested in the Library
- To focus public attention on library services, facilities and needs
- To enhance the Library’s resources by receiving contributions
- To make donations to the Library in order to encourage literacy, the love of reading, and lifelong learning
- To increase the community’s access to information and knowledge
- To provide a diverse cultural gathering place