Words on the Water offers wealth of words

The days are longer, bulbs are beginning to poke their green heads through the cool soil in some lucky gardens, and Christmas is off the radar for another year. For this avid reader, that combination means only one thing: it’s soon Words on the Water time again. This year’s event is Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20 at the Maritime Heritage Centre.

This year’s lineup  promises to be another winner. Campbell River is fortunate to welcome the following authors:

* Annabel Lyon,  author of The Golden Mean, which was a finalist for the 2009 Rogers Writers’  Trust Fiction Prize, the 2009  Scotiabank Giller Prize, and also in 2009, the Governor General’s Literary Awards – Fiction. The interview I heard on CBC Radio in the fall was compelling and I’m so looking forward to hearing about Aristotle and Alexanders the Great from the writer who brought them to life. Oh yeah – The Golden Mean won the Rogers Writers’  Trust for fiction.

* Gabor Mate, author of In the Realm of the Hungry Ghost – Close Encounters with Addiction. It was published in 2008.  He’s a doctor at a harm reduction facility in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

* Children’s author Kit Pearson, who wrote the brilliant Awake and Dreaming as well as the Guests of War trilogy that tells the story of Nora and Gavin, a brother and sister pair who are sent from England to live in Canada during WW2. I can’t wait to meet her.

* Andreas Schroeder has been a freelance writer for more than 40 years. He’s published poetry, literary critcism, and and and. His most recent book is Renovating Heaven.

* Current Haig-Brown Writer-in-Residence Harry Thurston, whose most recent book is A Place between the Tides, A Naturalist’s Reflections on the Salt Marsh.

* Ronald Wright is the author of What is Amerca, a BC Book Prize finalist. He’s published in more tan 15 langueas. His first novel, A Scientific Romance, was a Globe and Mail Book of the Year.

This ninth annual event gets underway on Friday night. Throughout Saturday, enjoy readings by all the authors and ask questions. Books will be available for sale and you can have them signed too! (I love that).  Saturday night is always tons of fun – it’s the literary cabaret, featuring  the guest writers, music by local musicians, laughter, and gourmet appies.

Be sure to get your Early Bird Pass quickly – they’re bound to sell out. At $65, it gets you into all events and is a terrific deal. They go on sale at the Tidemark theatre Tuesday, February 2. Find out more at www.wordsonthewater.ca . Get ready for a literary bounty that Campbell River hasn’t seen since last year’s Words on the Water!

Coho Books hosts Mountain Timber author Richard Mackie

If you missed Vancouver Island author Richard Mackie’s appearance at the museum on Saturday, there’s a final  opportunity to buy his newest book, Mountain Timber, and have it signed, all in time for giving to the local history buff on your Christmas list.

Mountain Timber is a most welcome follow up to Richard’s book Island Timber. It’s well written and full of wonderful photographs that help to further the story of the Comox Logging Company.

Meet Richard on Saturday, December 12 from noon until 2:00pm at Coho Books, at 1074 Shoppers Row, in the same block at Cheddar and Co. Contact Pirkko Anderson at 250-287-2336 or email  info@cohobooks.com if you have any questions.

Check out this link for book details from publisher Sono Nis: http://www.sononis.com/book145.stm

Library welcomes feedback on its vision

The Campbell River library is looking for your contributions to its strategic planning process. Come on down to your branch on Tuesday December 8th starting at 7:00 pm at 1240 Shoppers Row.

Library borrowers living in Campbell River, Cortes Island, Quadra Island, Sayward, Tahsis, Gold River and area are all welcome to attend.
 
This is an opportunity to bring together the public, the library board and staff to develop a common vision and direction for the next three years.

If you have questions, please call Elaine Julian at 250-287-3655.

Busy day for our new Writer-in-Residence Dec. 5

There are two upcoming chances to meet Harry Thurston, our new Writer-in-Residence, both this Saturday, December 5, 2009. 

The first is at a meet-and-greet at Haig-Brown House from  1:00pm to 3:00pm at Haig-Brown House, 2250 Campbell River Road. It’s organized by the Museum at Campbell River, which is also the sponsor of the Writer in Residence program. Call 250-287-3103 for more information.

And then that evening, catch Harry at a reading from 7:30pm to 9:00pm at  Still Water Books and Art, #120-1260 Shoppers Row, between the library and PhotoTech. This literary event is sponsored by The Writers’ Union of Canada. Phone 250-850-3103 or email info@stillwaterbooksandart.ca for more information.

For more information about Harry Thurston, check out    http://www.writers.ns.ca/Writers/hthurston.html

Global crafts, baking, and an old-fashioned tea make Christmas a ton of fun

One of the things I love about this time of year is the multitude of Christmas related events sponsored bya variety of groups, including non-profit organizations. They feature funky gifts as well as opportunities to socialize with friends and neighbors and meet new peeps. Here are some suggestions:

The Fair Trade Global Craft Fair is an event unlike any other. It’s a chance to browse through a host of fun, environmentally sustainable gift ideas from around the world. Beaded jewellry, journals, brightly colored textiles, handcrafted wooden carvings, musical instruments, and food are just some of the items on offer. Coffee, snacks, and lunch will be provided by students involved in the International Co-op Program. See you at Timberline this Saturday, November 28 from 10:00am until 4:00pm. Give Brenda a call at 250-287-8198 if you need more information.

The Sportsplex in Willow Point is where the Toy and Craft Show is happening this weekend, Saturday, N0vember 28 and Sunday, November 29 from 10am to 4:00pm both days. Call Parks, Recreation and Culture at 250-286-1161 with your questions.

 This weekend is a popular time for Christmas events. Step back in time to the Victorian era with the Order of the Eastern Star, Chas Maria Chapter, for their Candlelight Tea at the Masonic Hall at 2:00pm.  There will be home baking and door prizes. The Masonic Hall is just over the bridge at 2905 North Island Highway. Cost is a modest $10 for dainty sandwiches and tea served in a fine bone china tea cup. Wear a hat and gloves and get into the spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas. Monies raised support Eastern Star’s cancer projects.

And coming up early in December -

Homemade baking and crafts are the focus for the SPCA Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 5 at Campbell River common. Check it out between 9:30am and 5:30pm. Crafts can be dropped off at the shelter on Merecroft Road. Due to the lack of space at the shelter, please drop off your baking on the morning of the event at Campbell River Common. For further info call the shelter at 250-286-6131.

Book signing features “Mountain Timber”

Do you have a local history buff on your Christmas list? Have I got a top-notch book suggestion for you.

Join author Dr. Richard Mackie for a presentation and signing featuring his new book, Mountain Timber, on Saturday, November 28 at the Campbell River Museum from 1pm to 3pm. 

Get a glimpse of the lives of loggers, families and the communities that were employed by the Comox Logging Company. Dr. Mackie’s  slide show presentation reveals never before seen images of Vancouver Island’s logging heritage from over 60 private collections

Check out a review in the Times-Colonist at  http://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/This+book+sees+forest+trees/2225735/story.html

Call the Museum 250-287-3103 to reserve your spot. Cost is $5 per person.

Art Gallery’s Christmas Arts and Crafts Market offers cool gifts

Let the Art Gallery’s Christmas Arts and Crafts Market help you this Christmas shopping season. 

Last Christmas there was one person on my gift-buying list who was a particular challenge. I wanted something fun but without a hefty price tag, to be honest. I was doing errands one afternoon when the Christmas Market sign at the Art Gallery/Visitor Info Centre building caught my eye. I made a quick detour and came out a few minutes later with a huge smile on my face.

I found the most funky handmade magnet that included local driftwood. The recipient was absolutely thrilled and I was pleased to give a gift that was so genuinely well received.

The Christmas Market is now open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5:00pm until Christmas Eve. Enjoy late shopping until 9:00pm on Saturday, November 28 as part of the Downtown Starlight Shopping evening.
They’re located at 1235 Shoppers Row, in the Tyee Plaza, right beside the spiffy new Spirit Square. Call 250-287-2261 or visit online at www.crartgallery.ca.

When you shop at the Gallery‛s Christmas Arts & Crafts Market  you get a classy handcrafted gift that reflects
our local arts and culture community. You support not only your local artisans but Art Gallery programs too. You can’t beat that for value!

An adventurer’s life brought to you by Erika Grundmann

Join author Erika Grundmann for a slideshow, reading and discussion at Stillwater Books on Saturday, November 21 at 1:30pm about George Dibbern, described at georgedibbern.com as a ”controversial, free-spirited vagabond, visionary sailor-philosopher, author of Quest, friend of American writer Henry Miller…” 

Dark Sun is Grundmann’s biography of German-born Georg Johann Dibbern.

Dibbern’s book Quest is his compelling account of breaking free from the constraints of society and from the beginnings of Nazism. It was first published in 1941 in the US and England. 

Both books will be available for purchase – perfect gifts for the adventurer on your Christmas list.

Stillwater Books and Art is at 1260 Shoppers Row, beside Photo Tech. Call them at 250-850-3103 or drop an email to info@stillwaterbooksandarts.ca. Check out www.georgedibbern.com for more on Dibbern.

Local artist Jill Paris Rody speaks

Join Stillwater Books Artist in Residence Jill Paris Rody on Wednesday, November 18 at Stillwater Books for an evening of art and conversation.

Jill will be speaking about “The Artist’s Connection to the Land through Word and Vision”. She works in mediums such as watercolor, acrylic, watercolor pencil, and oil pastels.

A variety of Jill’s work will be displayed for your enjoyment and purchase. Light refreshments will be served. The evening gets underway at 7:30pm. 

Jill’s website is www.jillparisrody.com and Stillwater’s website is www.stillwaterbooksandarts.ca. Call them at 250-850-3103. They’re located at 1260 Shopper’s Row, beside Phototech.

Talking about poetry and fiction at library

Help get the Friends of the Library’s “Let’s Talk about Books” monthly series off to a positive start on Saturday, October 24.

Trevor McMonagle, a poetry fan, will recite his favorites, and then lead a discussion focusing on his insights and interpretations of what he’s read. “Finding Mentors in Fiction” is the topic for another McMonagle – Ruth – the friendly face around the corner at Stillwater Books. Ruth has chosen Zane Grey’s Riders of the Purple Sage as a focal point.  

 The event runs from 1:30pm to 2:30pm in the multi-purpose room of the library on Shopper’s Row. Donations are gratefully accepted.