Tag: local interest

Author Talk with Ellie Lopez, author of Chillona

Written by Raquel on January 30, 2026.

Come join us for an evening celebrating the debut poetry collection, Chillona, by local author Ellie Lopez! In Chillona, Ellie Lopez discusses their personal experience as the eldest daughter in a Mexican American family and navigating life in the Bay Area. Their book covers many themes such as identity, healing, and family. Lopez will be joined by other performers listed down below.

List of performers opening for Ellie Lopez:

Tara Rico
Mia Catherine
Dina Klarisse
Stephanie Hernandez Jarvis

Ellie Lopez (she/her) is a storyteller from Tracy, CA. Her poetry has been featured in numerous publications most recently Mobile Data Mag and KALW BAY POETS. Ellie has released a BuiLit Zine “While in Mourning” via Sampaguita Press. “Chillona” is her first full length poetry collection and was released October 2025.

Gayme Night (hosted by SMC Pride Center)

Written by Raquel on September 10, 2025.

San Mateo County Pride Center Gayme Night at Peninsula Books – a free community event!

Instead of being bored, join the Pride Center at Peninsula Books for a fun night of board games! From party games to trivia, we will have as much variety in games as we do in our community. Plus, we will even have prizes! You have nothing to lose (except for every game you play). Join us on Thursday, October 16 from 6:00-8:00 PM!

Registration is encouraged, but not required. Register in advance to be entered to win a drawing prize. There will also be some prizes for some of our game winners as well.

This event is free and open to the public. Light snacks will be provided.

Peninsula Books is located at 441 Westlake Center, Daly City, CA 94015. For accessibility and parking information, please use this link: https://peninsulabooks.org/shopourstore/

Unearthed: Author Chanchal Garg with Mansi Goel

Written by Raquel on August 2, 2025.

Join author Chanchal Garg in conversation with Mansi Goel to discuss Chanchal’s new book “Unearthed” and her journey of healing. Hope to see you here.

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Chanchal Garg is a speaker, executive coach and facilitator at The Stanford Graduate Business School. She is also the author of Unearthed: The Lies We Carry & The Truths They Bury.

Previously Google’s Global Head of Product Policy, Mansi Goel is now ranked among the Top 5 Executive Coaches in Silicon Valley. Her core passion is to rewild herself and this earth.

Junk Poetry Workshop

Written by Raquel on June 29, 2025.

Words, scraps, a bit of glue, and magic!

Inspired by blackout poetry and mixed media collage, junk poetry is all about finding and creating meaning out of scraps. Join local poet Dina Klarisse for an evening of creating poems from the unexpected!

Materials will be provided, but feel free to bring and share collage material.

About the presenter:

Dina Klarisse is a Bay Area-based writer and editor whose work delves into the intersections of language, history, and identity. Her writings have appeared in publications such as ASU’s Canyon Voices, The Daily Drunk Mag, Chopsticks Alley, and Kalopsia Literary Journal. She is the author of the poetry chapbook Handspun Rosaries (2022). Beyond her writing, Dina serves on the Board of Directors for Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc. (PAWA) and is a member of the organizing committee for the Filipino American International Book Festival.

Poetry Reading with Amanda Saeed

Written by Raquel on March 20, 2024.

Join us in April for Poetry month with a reading and discussion by local poet and artist, Amanda Saeed. She is a lyrical poet from San Francisco, with her poetry centering on hurt, processing, and healing in today’s tech-addicted, vain age.

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