Those Were the Years
For reasons beyond my control, I will not be there. But when this summer’s version of the “Culver City Reads” program concludes, starting in the late afternoon on Saturday at Vets Park, it sounds as if it is going to be an old-fashioned picnic where families and singles feel equally minglable. Think 1900 yesterday, which I invoke because pastoral, idyllic scenes no longer are live. They exist only in old books. Impressionist artists who sketched in the latter half of the 19th century portrayed the kind of daily life I still yearn for. Listening to Dr. Zeitlin’s soothing tones and rapturous descriptions of what she envisions for Saturday evening brought Impressionist memories back to life. I shrugged several years ago when the Culver City Reads program was introduced. It was yet another nice-sounding concept that would attract three children to the Julian Dixon Library on Saturday mornings, and isn’t that cute? Soon it would be forgotten. But when the energetic Dr. Zeitlin took over as the very hyperactive, deeply committed President of the Friends of the Library, with her friend the Vice Mayor Alan Corlin at her side, the group shook off its sleepiness and shook up the community. These days, the Friends of the Library sounds like The Music Man, like 76 Trombones marching down the boulevard. With a zeitz to the ribs, they force people to notice them whether the people want to or not.
Taking Reading Seriously
Before Dr. Zeitlin became President of Friends, an event as elaborate as Saturday’s Under the Stars picnic/live entertainment/Peter Pan movie was unthinkable. This is what community is about, stretching the imagination. On their website (ccfol.org), the Friends (also at 310.559.1676)introduced this summer’s Culver City Reads program: “Culver City Reads is a community-wide reading fest sponsored by the Culver City Friends of the Library to promote reading, education and literacy. This program encourages people of all ages throughout Culver City to read the same book. The book selected for this year is Peter Pan. Over the next several months, the Friends will hold a series of Peter Pan events and activities designed to show children and adults alike how books come alive and to raise money for the Library. The program will culminate in an Under the Stars showing of the Peter Pan movie at Veteran’s Park (on Saturday, Aug. 19). These events will make this year’s Culver City Reads program one to remember. We welcome your participation.”
Dressing up or Dressing Down?
Everything that happens throughout Saturday evening will be Peter Pan-themed, starting with the Costume Parade and ending with the classic Peter Pan movie. The city’s most dignified leaders, including all five members of the City Council, will be there in costumes that may/not be terribly dignified. Councilman Steve Rose as Tinker Bell? Mr. Corlin offered $100 if Mr. Rose dresses up as Pete. I think I heard Councilwoman Carol Gross bid $200 if he doesn’t. Finally, as Dr. Zeitlin noted, the fundraising Peter Pan Costume Party ($10 adults, $5 children) may be the only place in town where you can buy peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.