Boulevard Bites

by Tracey Rolandelli

### On June 6, the Dimond Branch Public Library held a book launch and celebration for Words on Fire! An Anthology of Teen Voices, published by Wordrunner Press in Petaluma. An award presentation, poetry reading session, and book signing recognized the work of 39 teens. The book has 20 art illustrations as well as 71 poems, with topics ranging from light-hearted and whimsical to brutally honest and raw. Subjects include nature, heartbreak, introspection, hopes and dreams, and community. The book's four sections are arranged according to topics of identity, life experiences, passion, and need for change. I found some of the poems simply amazing, with voices that seemed far older than the authors' years. This particular one had me captivated and smiling:

Today I Will Be Something Else

Teens read their poems at Dimond Branch Public Library for a book launch on June 6. Photo by Nick Lostracco.

I am the Burger Buddy

I am the ketchup

I am over-applied on my host

dripping over the sides.

I am the liveliness of my Burger Buddy.

—Joaquin Mejia

The book was made possible with donations given in honor and memory of John R. Pichotto, a longtime supporter of the Dimond Library and a former Oakland Public Library Commissioner. Many volunteers were involved in the project. Giovanna Capone, a graduate student at San Jose State University's School of Library and Information Science, is editor of Words on Fire!, and taught a poetry class for teens in the summer of 2006. Some of the poems in this book are products of that class. You can purchase the book for $12 at the Dimond Branch Library (3564 Fruitvale Avenue), or borrow it at various Oakland Public Library branches. Our Dimond branch will continue to support and encourage teen artists in the future. Look for upcoming classes and opportunities for youth in the Teen Area.

### Opera Piccola, a theater company that brings the arts to all types of communities, has moved its headquarters to our Dimond district. The new address is 2946 MacArthur Blvd., next door to Ron Guidi's Oakland Ballet Academy. People can check out upcoming traveling shows and performances at www.opera-piccola.org. Opera Piccola collaborated with Stagebridge Senior Theatre previously, with "Being Something: Living 'Young' and Growing 'Old' in Oakland," and I would love to see this production for myself.

I didn't intend this edition to be the "Italian American Heritage Month" at Boulevard Bites, but for some odd reason it has turned out that way. Enjoy your August, everyone, and I'll see you on the boulevard.