”
We must be dreaming!
”
my husband exclaimed.
”
Is this really a bookstore?
”
I asked with wonder in my voice.
“We must be dreaming!” my husband exclaimed. “Is this really a bookstore?” I asked with wonder in my voice. “I can’t believe we’re in Gilroy!” my husband said, shaking his head. “It’s been over four years since I stood in a real bookstore here in Gilroy.” Ahhhh … I breathe it in, that new book smell. On our way to a great rib dinner at the new JR Brewski’s Restaurant, we inadvertently stumbled upon The Wize Owl, Gilroy’s new independently-owned bookstore. It’s in an excellent location on the northeast corner of First and Santa Teresa in the new complex being built next to a bank and South Valley Church. Gilroy has a new party store, a new restaurant, a new New Age store, a new clothing store, a new Costco about to open – and now this? Let’s all go buy a new book and show our support.
Owners Michele and Duane Campbell are optimistic about the future of a bookstore in Gilroy. “Gilroy is the fastest growing community in the Silicon Valley. We are already working with regional and local authors and publishers to come for readings and to promote their work. We will form a relationship with Gilroy, and I think customer service will become our backbone.” Book signings are planned, and Michele is taking community suggestions for local authors you’d like to see speak at the store. On Wednesday night, the American Association of University Women held their meeting at The Wize Owl and were treated to a tour of the new bookstore and conversation with the owner. Michele is still stocking the shelves, and she plans to add a tree house to the kids’ corner of the store. Connecting with the community is her top priority. In the future: “We already have plans to work with the public schools in Gilroy and the churches to provide story hours and cooperative programs.” She is also selling cards and a line of deliciously fragrant candles, with names like “Apple Orchard” and “French Market.”
Literacy is being emphasized this week in honor of Martin Luther King Day, and school children in Gilroy are learning not just about MLK but about the accomplishments of other black Americans as well. One of the most accomplished black Americans alive today is Dr. Ben Carson. In 1987, Dr. Carson gained worldwide recognition for his part in the first successful separation of Siamese twins joined at the back of the head. Carson was raised in inner-city Detroit by a mother with a third-grade education. One of 24 children, she had been raised in the foster care system and was married by the age of 13. Only later did she discover that her husband had another family. After her divorce, she raised her sons as a single mom. Ben’s future didn’t look bright. He lacked motivation. He had terrible grades.
But Sonya Carson had a vision for her son, and she told him, “You’ve got a brain; use it. Bennie, you can do it! You can do anything you want, and you can do it better than anybody else. I believe in you.” She began requiring that he read two books per week and write a book report on each of them or he couldn’t go out to play. He didn’t know that she really couldn’t read. As he began to read more, his grades improved, and he began to think of himself as smart, not just the dumbest kid in class. As he learned, he was able to impress others with what he knew. A strong determination to succeed catapulted him from failing grades to the top of his class and eventually his career. Carson won a full scholarship to Yale and graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School. At the age of 33, he became director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
Ben has created the Carson Scholars’ Fund, Inc., to enable kids like himself who show promise to go to college. This week in honor of Martin Luther King, Gilroy children studied the accomplishments of notable black Americans, including inventors. Here are just a few of the things invented by black Americans: airplane propeller, railroad car coupler, rotary engine, pace maker controls, street sweeper, ironing board, and the disposable syringe. Where would we be without the home security system, the automatic fishing reel, ice cream, the radiation detector? Or the train alarm, door stop, door knob, the golf tee, blood plasma, the guitar, bicycle frame, traffic signal, thermo air curlers, sugar refinement, dust pan, pencil sharpener, the super soaker, clothes dryer, mop, elevator, refrigerator, pressure cooker, blimp, cell phone, fire escape ladder, and helicopter? One could compile a list like this for any ethnicity in our country; a Korean American list of inventors, female inventors, German American inventors – you name it. That’s one thing that makes this country strong: pooling the ideas and creativity of so many different people from all corners of the globe as they come together here. Let’s celebrate the opportunities we have here; let’s go buy a book at The Wize Owl!
