Bookmarks: Author events, book signings and virtual events
Brandy Hilboldt Allport
On the road
Mary Kay Andrews continues her tour for her new beach adventure, “The Newcomer.” She will be at The BookMark, 220 First St., Neptune Beach, at 6 p.m. Friday, and at The Book Loft, 214 Centre St., Fernandina Beach, at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Signing
Children’s book author Sharon Goldman presents “The Land of No: A Story of Positivity,” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at San Marco Books and More, 1971 San Marco Blvd.
Virtual events
Author Stacey Abrams discusses her thriller “While Justice Sleeps,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, Barnes & Noble online, ticketed, bnwhilejusticesleeps.eventbrite.com.
Author: Anna Kang
Two Lions, $17.99; ages 4 to 8
Hudson, the dog, and Tallulah, the cat, live next door to each other, and they are opposites in every way. It is their differences that make a new picture book “Hudson and Tallulah Take Sides” a rollicking good time. When the story opens, Hudson is digging his way under a fence. Tallulah remarks that “fences keep us safe.” Hudson insists that “fences keep me trapped.”
When Hudson frees himself, Tallulah decides to follow. They walk by a cafe where a worker is throwing out a trash bin full of half-eaten sandwiches and soggy fruit. “Breakfast,” Hudson comments. Tallulah merely rolls her eyes and says, “Garbage.”
Garden Help: Why does soil pH matter?
Larry Figart
When we are having problems with our lawns or plants, the first thing that comes to mind is often that they are caused by a pest or disease. We often overlook that it could be a problem with the soil. One of the first questions that I ask when folks come to me with a plant problem is “Do you know what the soil pH is? Most folks know a little about pH, but not why it is so important.
Soil pH is measured on a scale from 1 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, while a pH below 7 is acidic and a pH above 7 is alkaline. Most plants grow well with a slightly acidic pH range between 5.8 and 6.3. It is no wonder that the average soil pH in Florida is almost right in the middle at 6.1.