Oceanside library celebrates Women's History Month

The Oceanside Library has planned a number of events in celebration of Women's History Month, from a series on famed chef Julia Child to an open-mic poetry night led by recognized female poets.

Program Director Michelle Young has been been planning events for Women's History Month at the library for the past eight years. “It has been my pleasure coming up with unique and interesting ways to acknowledge women's contributions to society while providing the community with a new, fresh perspective,” Young explained. “Each year, the library does a series of cultural programming events aimed at both saluting and recognizing the unique achievements of women in all subject areas, including literature and the arts.”

To that end, Young reached out to pastry chef Lisa Basini, founder of The Baking Coach, Inc., to round out this month's “Julia on Julia” series. Young explained that the idea was not only to examine Child's life through film and literature, but to also offer participants a unique perspective on Child's life through a cooking demonstration.

The three-part series begins on March 8 with two screenings of the movie “Julie & Julia.” The film stars Meryl Streep as Julia Child and Amy Adams as Julie Powell, a young woman who decides blog about her experience preparing every recipe in Child's famed book “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” The library will screen the film at 1:30 and 7 p.m. At 2 p.m. the next day, Barbara Krupit will lead a book discussion on Julia Powell's book, “Julie and Julia.” The series will conclude with Basini's cooking demonstration, “Tasting: Baking with Julia Child,” at 7 p.m. on March 23. Basini will create cinnamon apple crepes with whipped cream.