Books

Another Bay Area bookstore is closing. Eastwind Books of Berkeley, an Asian American bookshop that opened in 1982, is set to shut its doors permanently April 30, as first reported by Berkeleyside . The store carries an extensive collection of Asian American literature, ethnic studies books and language learning materials at 2066 University Ave. Activists Harvey and Beatrice Dong took over the bookstore when it was in danger of closing in 1996, transforming it from a store that sold primarily Chinese language books to the more wide-reaching catalog it has today. It wasn’t the first time the couple had been in the bookstore business. Harvey Dong had helped open the first Asian American bookstore in the country in January 1970 in San Francisco, though the shop closed after it was evicted in 1977 by the building’s real estate developers. Harvey said a combination of factors led to their decision to close. He and Beatrice are in their 70s and want to dedicate time to taking … [Read more...] about Asian American bookshop Eastwind Books of Berkeley is closing

“For those who have had to shape-shift, code switch and camouflage just to survive, this one is for us.” So reads the dedication page in Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton’s debut memoir, BLACK CHAMELEON: Memory, Womanhood, and Myth (Holt, 308 pp., $27.99) . Growing up in late-20th-century America, Mouton navigates rites of passage as a Black female whose body and spirit bear the force of multigenerational trauma, racism and misogyny. But this is no typical reckoning, such as we’ve come to expect from contemporary coming-of-age memoirs. Employing “Black mythology,” Mouton aims to “fill in the gaps in literature that colonization has tried to steal,” reclaiming a cultural history and personal heritage. Not all of her stories are real, she writes on Page 1. “But that doesn’t mean they aren’t true.” When a menacing lech objectifies her 10-year-old body in a fast-food restaurant, Mouton — in a fantastical scene that satisfies even as it disorients — seamlessly morphs him into the … [Read more...] about Three Debut Memoirists Chart Paths of Chaos and Survival

0 This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own. Community Corner Students from nine Merryhill Preschools hosted book drives to benefit Pajama Program Emily M , Community Contributor Posted Reply Students from Merryhill Preschools in California – including Davis, Elk Grove, Rocklin, Roseville, Sacramento and Stockton – recently partnered to donate more than 650 new books to the Pajama Program , a nonprofit organization that promotes and supports a comforting bedtime routine and healthy sleep for all children to help them thrive. Students from the nine schools worked together to hold book drives as part of a National Reading Month initiative to provide children in their communities the access to books that they deserve. After the collections, students organized the donations for delivery to the organization, which then … [Read more...] about Merryhill Students Donate More Than 650 Books to Children in Need

Much of life in Israel came to a halt yesterday: Hospitals stopped providing nonemergency care, planes were grounded at the country’s main airport, and malls and banks closed. The disruptions were part of an escalation in protests against the government’s proposed judicial overhaul, which has plunged Israel into one of its gravest political crises ever. The interruptions to daily life were the latest sign that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had underestimated Israelis’ opposition to his government’s proposed changes to the courts. In response to the chaos, he has relented, at least in part. Netanyahu announced yesterday that he would delay the changes until later this year . “When there is a possibility of preventing a civil war through dialogue, I, as the prime minister, take a timeout for dialogue,” he said. The announcement calmed some of the protesters and unions have called off their strikes. But it remains unclear what will happen in the coming weeks — and whether … [Read more...] about A Win for Israel’s Protesters

MLB The Show has broken a video game barrier: For the first time, the franchise will insert some of the greatest Negro League players — from Satchel Paige to Jackie Robinson — into the 2023 edition of the game as playable characters. Video gamers are now able to venture into a storyline mode involving eight Negro League legends through MLB The Show 23, which releases Tuesday. The narrative experience will feature short videos about the players along with gameplay focused on the epic moments of their careers. Along with Robinson and Paige, the game also features other players including Buck O’Neil, Rube Foster, Hilton Smith, John Donaldson, Hank Thompson and Martin Dihigo. “This made sense on multiple levels,” said Bob Kendrick, the narrator of storyline experience and president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum , which is located in Kansas City, Missouri. Along with the museum, he partnered with Sony for the historic Black players’ insertion into the game. “The way … [Read more...] about MLB The Show breaks barrier with Negro League players

0 Seasonal & Holidays Want to meet the Easter Bunny? Hop over to Marley Station Mall and take your picture with Peter Cottontail. Here's when you can visit him. Jacob Baumgart , Patch Staff Posted Reply GLEN BURNIE, MD — Spring is in the air. That means the Easter Bunny is back at Marley Station Mall. Peter Cottontail returned on Friday, March 10. He is available for visits through Saturday, April 8. Catholic Easter is on Sunday, April 9. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Photo packages start at $39.99 and run through $49.99. Families can also reserve their spot now for $19.99, decide their package later and apply that money as a credit toward whatever option they select. To book your appointment, click here . Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Thank Reply Share Easter Bunny … [Read more...] about Easter Bunny At Marley Station Mall: When To See Peter Cottontail