Press Release, 4/7/2008, SMPL - City of Santa Monica

Date: April 7, 2008

Contact: Julie MacDonald, Public Services Librarian, Public & Branch Services (310) 434-2644

Santa Monica Citywide Reads Features The Highest Tide
April 12 through May 17

Santa Monica, California – Santa Monica Citywide Reads, a community reading program that invites everyone in Santa Monica to read and discuss the same novel in book clubs and other related events held throughout the city, takes place April 12 to May 17, 2008. This year, Citywide Reads celebrates its sixth anniversary with a featured book set in a seaside community, The Highest Tide, by Jim Lynch.

The Highest Tide follows thirteen-year-old Miles O’Malley during a transformative summer, as he navigates the mysteries of his beloved Puget Sound surroundings and his relationships with family and friends. An engaging coming of age story with interesting characters and vivid descriptions of marine life make this appealing to young and old readers alike. Jim Lynch states, “I am honored and delighted that The Highest Tide will be featured in your Citywide Reads program this year. The novel I wrote was inspired by the same ocean you marvel at. I hope you find The Highest Tide to be a fun and thoughtful read that perhaps reminds you of the time in your life when the world first came into focus.”

Sponsored by the Santa Monica Public Library, with support by the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library, the Santa Monica College Associates, California Center for the Book, and community, educational and business partners, Citywide Reads invites participation in the following facilitator-led public book discussions:

Participation is encouraged for those who already belong to a book club by reading The Highest Tide and discussing it with their group using a Citywide Reads Resource Guide, available at all Santa Monica Public Library locations and on the Citywide Reads web site at www.smpl.org/cwr.

The Citywide Reads blog, www.santamonicacitywidereads.blogspot.com, contains up to date and in-depth information about the book, author, and special events, and provides community members an opportunity to respond to the book and programs and to start a dialogue with others.

Flavors of the Sea with the Too Hot Tamales - Border Grill and Ciudad proprietors, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, better known as the Too Hot Tamales, present a Highest Tide-themed seafood cooking demonstration. Sunday, April 20 at 2 p.m., Main Library, North Entry Courtyard, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

Getting to Know Rachel Carson - The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium’s Tara Treiber presents an introduction to pioneering writer, scientist and ecologist, Rachel Carson, the heroine of The Highest Tide’s Miles O’Malley. Tuesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m., Main Library, Multipurpose Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

City-TV Call-In Show - Tune in to Channel 16 for a live, moderated discussion of The Highest Tide. Wednesday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m.

The Santa Monica Bay - Learn about the unique ecology of the Santa Monica Bay. This Heal the Bay presentation focuses on the causes and consequences of ocean pollution. The audience will discover what they can do to decrease their impact on the Santa Monica Bay. Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m., Main Library, Multipurpose Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

Documentary Screening: Deep Blue - You have two chances to check out this breathtaking BBC documentary on underwater and seaside life. The April 29 screening will feature closed captions for the hearing impaired. Tuesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 3 at 3:30 p.m., Main Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

Paul Tracey’s Little Blue Planet - Accompanied by an eight-foot globe, entertainer Paul Tracey encourages children to care for our planet by using music to draw attention to saving forests, inter-cultural understanding and endangered species. Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m., Main Library, Children’s Activity Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

An Afternoon with Jim Lynch - The award-winning author of The Highest Tide presents a reading and discussion, followed by a book signing. Co-sponsored by the Santa Monica College Associates. Saturday, May 17 at 3 p.m., Santa Monica College Pavilion, 1900 Pico Blvd.


Santa Monica Citywide Reads Features The Highest Tide April 12 through May 17
Date: April 7, 2008 Contact: Julie MacDonald, Public Services Librarian, Public & Branch Services (310) 434-2644 Santa Monica Citywide Reads Features The Highest Tide April 12 through May 17 Santa Monica, California – Santa Monica Citywide Reads, a community reading program that invites everyone in Santa Monica to read and discuss the same novel in book clubs and other related events held throughout the city, takes place April 12 to May 17, 2008. This year, Citywide Reads celebrates its sixth anniversary with a featured book set in a seaside community, The Highest Tide, by Jim Lynch. The Highest Tide follows thirteen-year-old Miles O’Malley during a transformative summer, as he navigates the mysteries of his beloved Puget Sound surroundings and his relationships with family and friends. An engaging coming of age story with interesting characters and vivid descriptions of marine life make this appealing to young and old readers alike. Jim Lynch states, “I am honored and delighted that The Highest Tide will be featured in your Citywide Reads program this year. The novel I wrote was inspired by the same ocean you marvel at. I hope you find The Highest Tide to be a fun and thoughtful read that perhaps reminds you of the time in your life when the world first came into focus.” Sponsored by the Santa Monica Public Library, with support by the Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library, the Santa Monica College Associates, California Center for the Book, and community, educational and business partners, Citywide Reads invites participation in the following facilitator-led public book discussions: Monday, April 14 at 12 p.m., Main Library, Multipurpose Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Wednesday, April 16 at 7 p.m., Montana Avenue Branch, 1704 Montana Ave. Friday, April 25 at 3 p.m., Cafe Bolivar, 1741 Ocean Park Blvd. Saturday, May 3 at 11 a.m., Ocean Park Branch, 2601 Main Street Sunday, May 4 at 2 p.m., Joslyn Park Craft Room, 633 Kensington Rd. Thursday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m., Santa Monica Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk, below the Pier’s Carousel. (The aquarium will be open after its regular hours to host the discussion.) Saturday, May 10 at 1 p.m., Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd. Monday, May 12 at 7 p.m., Main Library, Multipurpose Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Tuesday, May 13 at 7:30, Barnes & Noble, 1201 3rd Street Promenade Friday, May 16 at 2 p.m., It’s A Grind, 602 Santa Monica Blvd. Participation is encouraged for those who already belong to a book club by reading The Highest Tide and discussing it with their group using a Citywide Reads Resource Guide, available at all Santa Monica Public Library locations and on the Citywide Reads web site at www.smpl.org/cwr. The Citywide Reads blog, www.santamonicacitywidereads.blogspot.com, contains up to date and in-depth information about the book, author, and special events, and provides community members an opportunity to respond to the book and programs and to start a dialogue with others. Related Citywide Reads special events include: Exploring Our Environment with Jean-Michel Cousteau - Ocean explorer and educator Jean-Michel Cousteau addresses the issues of environmental education, ocean conservation, and sustainable living. Hands-on demonstrations and informational booths, sponsored by the Ocean Futures Society, Catalina Environmental Leadership Program, and Ambassadors of the Environment, will be available after the presentation. Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m., Main Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Flavors of the Sea with the Too Hot Tamales - Border Grill and Ciudad proprietors, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, better known as the Too Hot Tamales, present a Highest Tide-themed seafood cooking demonstration. Sunday, April 20 at 2 p.m., Main Library, North Entry Courtyard, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Getting to Know Rachel Carson - The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium’s Tara Treiber presents an introduction to pioneering writer, scientist and ecologist, Rachel Carson, the heroine of The Highest Tide’s Miles O’Malley. Tuesday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m., Main Library, Multipurpose Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. City-TV Call-In Show - Tune in to Channel 16 for a live, moderated discussion of The Highest Tide. Wednesday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m. The Santa Monica Bay - Learn about the unique ecology of the Santa Monica Bay. This Heal the Bay presentation focuses on the causes and consequences of ocean pollution. The audience will discover what they can do to decrease their impact on the Santa Monica Bay. Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m., Main Library, Multipurpose Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Documentary Screening: Deep Blue - You have two chances to check out this breathtaking BBC documentary on underwater and seaside life. The April 29 screening will feature closed captions for the hearing impaired. Tuesday, April 29 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 3 at 3:30 p.m., Main Library, MLK Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. Paul Tracey’s Little Blue Planet - Accompanied by an eight-foot globe, entertainer Paul Tracey encourages children to care for our planet by using music to draw attention to saving forests, inter-cultural understanding and endangered species. Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m., Main Library, Children’s Activity Room, 601 Santa Monica Blvd. An Afternoon with Jim Lynch - The award-winning author of The Highest Tide presents a reading and discussion, followed by a book signing. Co-sponsored by the Santa Monica College Associates. Saturday, May 17 at 3 p.m., Santa Monica College Pavilion, 1900 Pico Blvd. Citywide Reads book discussions and events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Santa Monica Public Library at (310) 458-8600 or visit www.smpl.org/cwr and www.santamonicacitywidereads.blogspot.com. # # #

This page was last updated on 04/07/08.