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Silicon Valley Reads 2021: "Connecting" - Upcoming events!
The COVID-19 pandemic took its place in our lives at the beginning of 2020, and changed life as we know it. Silicon Valley Reads picks a...
Jan 22, 20212 min read


Pelicans!
What a magnificent bird is the pelican. This limerick by Dixon Lanier Merritt captures the wonder of the bird. A wonderful bird is the...
Jan 21, 20211 min read


Jessie's Message (for Captain Margaret L. Putman)
Once upon a time, I had a dear friend named Maggie. She taught herself calligraphy, sitting at a drafting table and painstakingly writing...
Dec 30, 20202 min read


A Year of Found Friends
Sometimes, the universe is kind. In a time of anxiety, even terror that you might lose those you love, it gives you back people you lost....
Dec 30, 20205 min read


Suguna
In cold months, I wear The sweaters, caps and scarves you knitted, Feeling your love In their warm embrace. I picked the yarn, We picked...
Dec 29, 20201 min read


Shyamala's Daughter, India's Granddaughter. Madam Vice President-Elect.
“And one day, like a miracle, he’ll be gone.” This was my favorite yard sign during the months leading up to the 2020 presidential...
Nov 8, 20203 min read


"Purple Lotus" by Veena Rao
I have an image of two women. One walks down a path with strong, bold strides, taking in everything around her. There seems to be no...
Oct 10, 20204 min read


California Burning
Agni, the Hindu god of fire, once came in disguise and approached Krishna and Arjuna as they were resting near the Khandava forest. Once...
Sep 30, 20202 min read


"Alpha Girls" by Julian Guthrie (Silicon Valley Reads 2020)
“Women – Making It Happen. Celebrating 100 years of women’s achievements.” This was the 2020 theme for Silicon Valley Reads, in honor of...
Aug 15, 202010 min read


The Show Must Go On! (COVID-19 and the Art of Zoom)
The COVID-19 crisis has dealt a staggering blow to the performing arts. Theaters have had to close. As have concert halls, including...
Aug 8, 20209 min read


Black Lives and the Journeys to Racial Justice (Part III: Protests After the Murder of George Floyd)
On May 25, 2020, a teenaged girl filmed a crime on her cellphone. The murder of George Floyd. The video recorded by 17-year-old Darnella...
Jul 24, 20203 min read


COVID Times, Virtual Living and Counting our Blessings
The world as we know it has changed. We are suddenly in the midst of a pandemic. Covid-19. Four syllables that have thrown our world into...
Apr 19, 20206 min read


"The Henna Artist" by Alka Joshi
I had been looking forward to a book event planned for March 31 at Kepler’s bookstore in Menlo Park. Author Alka Joshi was to speak about...
Apr 6, 20205 min read


Black Lives and the Journeys to Racial Justice (Part II: Non-fiction & Art)
In this America, Miles Davis, Trumpeter, composer, jazz innovator, While standing outside a jazz club in New York where he was performing...
Mar 17, 202013 min read


The Desi Glitterati of Silicon Valley! ("Rumors" by Naatak)
The world itself seems to have turned into a farce. When I fire up my computer and click on my web browser, the news blurbs seem more...
Feb 26, 20205 min read


"Triumphant Music": the Marcus Shelby Quartet and "Black History Life!"
The Marcus Shelby Quartet performed a special concert called “Black History Life!” at the California Jazz Conservatory on Addison Street...
Feb 2, 20204 min read


Black Lives and the Journey to Racial Justice (Part I: Literature)
Smart phones, video recordings and social media. With these, the daily injustices and mortal dangers faced by Black Americans have come...
Feb 1, 202018 min read


Magic in the Moonlight: Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona
Towering saguaro cactii, the blush of a gorgeous sunset in the blue desert sky, and a crescent moon greeted us as we entered the Desert...
Dec 31, 20191 min read


Musical Instrument Museum (MIM): Connecting the World Through Music
What an amazing place! The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona has been touted by tripadvisor.com as "Phoenix's #1 attraction...
Dec 23, 20192 min read


Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: the Play
Harry Potter is huge in this household. I mean, HUGE! Back in the day, when each book first came out, my friends and I would devour it in...
Nov 26, 20197 min read
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