Although the city has received a great deal of public input about the downtown redevelopment plan, the process is by no means over, according to Diana O'Dell, associate planner. More meetings have been scheduled for public input on the downtown conceptual plan. The next public meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 25 at Fair Oaks Park at 540 N. Fair Oaks Ave. For more information, call O'Dell at 408.730.7452.


Library encourages readers to pick up 'Grapes of Wrath'

In order to commemorate the life of the Nobel Prize­winning American author John Steinbeck, who was born 100 years ago this year, the Sunnyvale Public Library is designating October as The Grapes of Wrath Month. There will be book discussions, a movie screening, lectures and presentations to honor the author's works, according to Sharon Kornhaus, publicity contact for the library.

A few of the activities include the following.

Oct. 12 at 2 p.m.—Spanish language book discussion.

Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.—William Wong, writer and journalist, will speak about the Asian immigrant experience and relate it to the Oklahoma migrant experience in the book.

Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.—Chinese language book discussion.

Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.—English language book discussion.

Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.—Steinbeck scholar Susan Shillinglaw will speak about the author's life.

Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.—Ross Altman, folk singer, will sing Woody Guthrie songs about the Dust Bowl.

Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m.—The library will screen the movie starring Henry Fonda.

All events are free to the public. The Sunnyvale Public Library is located at 665 W. Olive Ave. For more information, call the library at 408.730.7300 or visit www.ci.sunnyvale.ca.us.


Friends of library holds used-book sale Oct. 5

Sunnyvale residents will have an opportunity to purchase books, audiocassettes, videocassettes and CDs at bargain prizes at the spring book sale on Oct. 5. The sale will be held at the Raynor Community Center, located at 1500 Partridge Ave. in Sunnyvale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to Robert E. Harms, of the organization Friends of the Sunnyvale Public Library. The bargain bag sale will start at 2:30 p.m., he said, during which time people can fill a large grocery bag with the remaining materials and take the bag home for $2.

The books in the sale have been donated to the library by members of the community or are contributed by the library.

For more information, call Robert Harms at 408.736.9128.


City seeks public input for housing program

City officials want the public to give them input on Sunnyvale's Below Market Rate Housing Program. According to Christine Cannizzo, assistant planner, the program will undergo an in-depth study to determine whether it needs revisions. With feedback from the public, the city will be able to assess the program and make necessary changes, she said.

The public is invited to attend all the scheduled meetings. A planning commission public hearing will be held on Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. A housing and human services commission public hearing is set for Sept. 25 at 7 p.m., and the Sunnyvale City Council public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. All the meetings will be held at Sunnyvale City Hall.