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Community Corner

A Poet, a Poet, a Poet: a Trio of Local Wordsmiths

The public is invited meet three acclaimed local poets and hear their work, during a free program to be presented by the Menlo Park Library on Saturday, August 2.

Caroline Goodwin is San Mateo County’s first Poet Laureate.  The Montara resident is a native of Anchorage, Alaska.  She earned her MFA in Poetry from the University of British Columbia, and was awarded the Wallace Stegner fellowship in Poetry at Stanford University.  She teaches at the Stanford Writer’s Studio and the California College of the Arts.  Her first book of poetry is Trapline. The San Mateo County Poet Laureate is a two-year post. The duties include representing the county through poetry-related activities, and opening Board of Supervisors meetings with a poem every quarter. 

Kalamu Chaché is the Poet Laureate of East Palo Alto, where she has lived & worked since the 1960s.  The Brooklyn, New York native serves the communities of East Palo Alto & Menlo Park’s Belle Haven through numerous artistic, advocacy and aid projects.  Chaché has authored two volumes of poetry: Survival Tactics and A Change of Interest.  

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Jym Marks is a poet, publisher, public speaker,  jazz musician, Army veteran, father of four and a Menlo Park business owner of over 45 years.  The Fremont resident was born in Rockford Illinois and has published 11 books of poetry, most recently Can’t Hold My Tongue in Captivity.

The poetry concert is part of the Menlo Park Library’s Adult Summer Reading program, which runs from June 9—August 9 and offers special programs and prizes to adult readers. Adults who complete the summer reading program will win a cup of coffee or tea donated by Café Zoe & a free book, and will be entered into a drawing for prizes donated by the Friends of the Menlo Park Library.  Separate summer reading incentive programs are being offered for children and teens.

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The free poetry program is presented by the Menlo Park Library, and will take place Saturday, August 2 at 11a.m. at the Menlo Park City Council Chambers, located at 701 Laurel Street. Free wheelchair accessible van service is available for Menlo Park area seniors and people with disabilities.  Call 330-2512 for van reservations.  For event details, visit www.menlopark.org/library

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