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Around Town: Open-air Book Fair in Menlo Park

by Jane Knoerle

A tradition since 1953, the Friends of the Menlo Park Library's annual Book Fair takes place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18 and 19, outdoors at the Menlo Park Civic Center.

"Close to 40,000 books for all interests will be for sale," says Tim Goode of the Friends of the Library. "The books will be available at bargain-basement prices, often as low as 50 cents. Patron book donations have been so generous that we are inundated with books of quality and in record numbers."

The Book Fair is open both days from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be half-price sale Sunday morning or patrons may fill a shopping bag with books for $5.

Cashier stations have been added to assist patrons and workers will help deliver books to cars.

The book auction, which was not held last year, has returned. Written bids on a list of "collectible" books will be taken all day Saturday, and until 11:30 a.m. Sunday in the City Council chambers. The oral auction, led by Bruce E. MacMakin of PBA Galleries in San Francisco, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Auction items include "Shadows in Paradise" by Erich Maria Remarque, New York 1972. The first edition, second printing, is signed by his wife, Paulette Goddard Remarque. "Tales of Mystery and Imagination" by Edgar Allan Poe, N.Y. Tudor 1933, is illustrated by Harry Clarke. There is also a first edition of the children's book, "From Evening to Morning," Switzerland, 1954.

All funds raised will be used to support the Menlo Park Library programs and events.

Wine, roses benefit

St. Francis Center Auxiliary will hold its third annual "Wine and Roses" benefit from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, at the Sullivan estate and vineyard in Woodside.

Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be provided by several vineyards and local restaurants. There will be a silent auction. Prizes for the champagne raffle will include a tanzanite slider pendant and a flat screen high-definition television.

Tickets are $75 per person, benefiting St. Francis Center in Redwood City. For more information, call Lynda Connolly at 592-7714.