Former San Mateo mayor Claire Mack will talk about her life and new novel, "Sister Samms and Sister Johnson, The Neighborhood," at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Menlo Park Council Chambers, 701 Laurel St. in Menlo Park.

The book is the story of two women who love and take care of their community. Ms. Mack characterizes the women as "saucy black women who weave tales about their suburban neighborhood and their lives."

Ms. Mack was the first African-American woman elected to the San Mateo City Council. She served three terms as councilwoman and three terms as mayor. She retired in 1998 from KCSM-TV after almost 30 years in television and radio broadcasting.

The free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Menlo Park Library and the East Palo Alto Library. Free wheelchair-accessible van service is available for Menlo Park and East Palo Alto seniors and people with disabilities. Call 330-2512 for van reservations.

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