Shopping experiences abound in Anza this May with swap meets, craft fairs

Writer rummage sales, craft fairs and swap meets, Anza’s shopping season is off and running this May.

Free Food organizers

Victor and Christy Foster have partnered with Mr. Happy’s Mercantile and Mavis Alo to present weekly vendor fairs to help raise funds to continue to bring free groceries to deserving residents in the Anza Valley.

Mr. Happy’s Mercantile hosted this month’s Spring Vendor Faire, complete with fresh pop-up burgers and grilled chicken, a DJ spinning tunes and lots and lots of deals on different items. The event was held May 6 and 7 and planned for all the remaining weekends in May.

A portion of the proceeds from items sold in the garage area of the Faire will be donated to Anza Free Food Inc. to help with gas expenses to move the food

Groups assisting with the weekly Faire event are Friends Uniting Neighbors, see SHOPPING, page D-4

Chick-Chick-Chickens program at Anza Valley Community Library provides ‘cheep’ thrills for youngsters

Car tires without rims will be accepted at the free tire collection event in Anza Saturday, May 13. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo

The collection of waste tires will only be available to Anza and

Diane Sieker Staff Writer answering questions, laughter and many smiles.

Children sit mesmerized as librarian Kay Mackay reads a chicken book to them at the Chick-ChickChickens story time at the Anza Valley Community Library Saturday, May 6. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo event at the Anza Transfer Station Saturday, May 13, from 8 a.m. until noon.

As one of their many weekend programs, the Anza Valley Community Library hosted ChickChick-Chickens story time for children Saturday, May 6. The event included day-old chicks for the children to see and touch. The little birds were hatched in an incubator by library staff in anticipation of the weekend program.

Librarian Kay Mackay read chicken-themed books to a gathering of preschool and elementary children, while mothers and fathers listened just as intently. Her animated style, limitless patience for questions and warm reading style brought the books to life for the curious children.

The Anza Valley Community Library continues to provide books, services and inspiration to the mountain communities. Upgrades to the facility, fun activities, new services and updated reading material availability are ongoing at the local literary reference center.

It is an interesting, inspirational see TIRES, page D-2 see CHICKENS, page D-3

Visitors to the library during the story time were greeted by chick peeps, youngsters asking or