Thursday, March 12, 2026
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Gary Kurutz, a True California Librarian, Historian and Writer
I am deeply saddened at the passing of Gary Francis Kurutz (1948-2025), after learning it first on Facebook and confirmed by BrittneyDawn Cook, Editor of the California State Library Foundation (CSLF) Bulletin.
My association with Gary is relatively short, compared with his other longtime associates and colleagues. The catalyst is Harriet G. Eddy (1876-1966), the first organizer of the California County Library System, and one of the two assistants to the 9th State Librarian James L. Gillis (1857-1917). Guided by Dr. Michael K. Buckland at Berkeley, I was researching and writing about her since 2018. Upon the completion of two years' writing, I was contemplating about its prospective publishers. Dr. Buckland advised me that the Bulletin would likely accept a paper on Eddy, if it had some new material in it. Also it was an open access journal.
At the kind recommendation of Cynthia Mediavilla, emeritus professor at University of California, Los Angeles, I contacted Gary Kurutz, Editor of Bulletin in August 2020. Gary read the manuscript and was interested. He would like to include it in Bulletin #129. Owing to the imminent COVID-19 and overlength of the manuscript, he revised his publishing plan by turning it into a special edition, with his ingenious and tireless efforts in securing the needed funding. Edited professionally by Pat Morris and Gary himself, the 2021 Special Edition is a beautiful and classic tribute to Eddy, an unsung heroine in the history of California libraries. Looking at the official publication, the quiet Gary could not help cheering loudly to Dr. Buckland, "We are very pleased for you, Michael! Harriet lives on!" (Re: Beautiful! On Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 10:51 AM)
Gary was a staunching supporter of creating and preserving early library service in California. Two years later I completed an article on Laura Steffens Suggett (1874-1946) under the close guidance of Dr. Buckland. In January 18, 2023, I emailed both Gary and BrittneyDawn, the new editor of Bulletin about the manuscript. As one of the two assistants to Gillis, Laura was a California library pioneer, and contemporary of Eddy. Gary replied three days later to unequivocally endorse the Laura project as our biblical-heroine, even though he had retired from the position of Editor of Bulletin. Little did I know that Gary and Laura both served as the Head Librarian of Sutro Library, from 1979 to 1980, and 1917 to 1923 respectively.
As a true California librarian, historian and writer, Gary guided me generously to the rich resources California State Library (CSL) housed, such as the California History Section at the CSL, his pictorial article entitled, It's a Long Trip from Headquarters (Bulletin #92), and his exhibits celebrating Early County Library Service in California.
Gary was a loving husband, caring father and proud grandfather. In March 17, 2021, he was all excited that his son, daughter-in-law, and baby granddaughter would drive from San Diego to Sacramento. Since their arrival time was at 2:00 AM, Gary and his wife were understandably concerned about their safety. He was happy again that that in July that year, the son's family would join them to spend time in South Lake Tahoe.
Gary was a true admirer of natural beauty in California. He wrote more than once to show his love for Santa Cruz where I live and work, its surfing culture, and tourists from all over the world. "Santa Cruz must be bursting with visitors. Several people in my neighborhood have told me their trips to your beautiful community. How fortunate you are," wrote Gary in August 20, 2020.
We miss you, Gary. So does California, its mountains, forests and beaches.
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Revisit Magical Capitola
Last Thursday, Paul suggested that we revisit Capitola. Even though the City of Capitola is only two miles away from our home, we had not been there since the devastating storm of 2023 that broke its Wharf midsection, and destroyed the structures of both Capitola Boat and Bait, and the Wharf House Restaurant. The monster storms also damaged many businesses along the Esplanade.
Being a stranger in our own neighborhood, we found ourselves lost the moment we parked our car at one of the three-hour metered spots in front of Margaritaville. There were no other parking spaces, but a tall sign a short distance away, indicating the area we were in, forthe ParkMoble app. To get a better cell phone signal, Paul went to the sign and entered from scratch his credit card number, and other essential data to update our seldom-used app.
Our first destination was, of course, the restored Capitola Wharf. The moment we approached the wharf, a tranquility transcended on us, along with a revelation of its refreshing modernity. The grimy portable toilets were replaced by three ultra modern bathrooms at the entrance. Going forward, we found the wharf seemed much wider than before with the bouncy and strong new boards.
The Bait Shop was open for business in a semi-tent and under-construction building, while the end restaurant was gone forever. Everywhere you could feel the pride of locals who had kept their new wharf spanking clean and well-funded. They made substantial contributions by immortalizing their families or loved ones' names in bronze plates drilled into the lookouts, benches, railings and front metal banners. The pristine telescopes installed on both sides were new, and in perfect working condition. What a magical transformation of the Wharf!
We ventured along the Esplanade. All the businesses seemed to be there, displaying a collective resilience after damage from several storms in recent years. Further down Monterey Avenue, we reacquainted ourselves with Britannia Arms, the old British red phone booth, Geisha Sushi, and Thai Basil Restaurnt.
