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Community Speaker Series: “Romantic Comedy” with Curtis Sittenfeld

In bestselling author CURTIS SITTENFELD’s much-loved new novel, she explores – with her typically keen observations and trademark ability to bring complex women to life on the page – the neurosis-inducing and heart-fluttering wonder of love, while slyly dissecting the social rituals of romance and gender relations in the modern age. Sittenfeld sits down with Sun Valley Writers’ Conference Literary Director JOHN BURNHAM SCHWARTZ – a former professor of hers at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, as it happens – to discuss what makes Romantic Comedy a romantic comedy, her approach to genre and craft in previous novels such as American Wife, Rodham, and Eligible, and other stories from her literary journey. Presented in partnership with the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference, the Community Speaker Series welcomes speakers from the annual conference to The Community Library for a free community event. This year’s series features Javier Zamora on July 19 and Curtis Sittenfeld on July 25. Registration is required. Events will be livestreamed, and a book signing will follow each event. Curtis Sittenfeld is the bestselling author of six novels, including Prep, American Wife, Eligible and Rodham, and one story collection, You Think It, I’ll Say It. Her books have been selected …

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Community Speaker Series: “Solito” with Javier Zamora

In 1999, a nine-year-old boy left his tiny village in El Salvador to join his parents who had emigrated to America some years before. His astonishing nine-week, 3,000-mile journey, without friends or family, is the heart of JAVIER ZAMORA’s riveting memoir.  Zamora writes in the pitch-perfect voice of that child as he makes his perilous way, on foot and by boat and bus and truck, recalling moments of true terror and of unexpected tenderness. In conversation with executive director of The Community Library JENNY EMERY DAVIDSON, Zamora will speak about the book, about how he was finally able to write it, about trauma and healing and hope, and about becoming the celebrated poet and writer that he is. Presented in partnership with the Sun Valley Writers’ Conference, the Community Speaker Series welcomes speakers from the annual conference to The Community Library for a free community event. This year’s series features Javier Zamora on July 19 and Curtis Sittenfeld on July 25. Registration is required. Events will be livestreamed, and a book signing will follow each event. Javier Zamora was born in El Salvador in 1990. His father fled the country when he was one, and his mother when he was …

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Together We Read: “The Big Burn”

The Community Library’s Together We Read book club is hosted the third Tuesday of every other month and led by a diverse range of library staff. Books cover all genres from new fiction to classics to nonfiction, young adult, graphic novels, and everything in between. Join us for one discussion or many! April’s pick is “The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America” by Timothy Egan. The discussion will be led by programs and education director Martha Williams. Copies of “The Big Burn” are available for checkout. Please come in or talk to our librarians about reserving a copy.

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“One True Sentence: Writers & Readers on Hemingway’s Art”

Join us for an in-person and virtual event with Jennifer Haigh, The Community Library’s Writer-In-Residence at the Hemingway House, and contributor to the new book “One True Sentence: Writers and Readers on Hemingway’s Art.” Jennifer joins us in person, and we’ll connect virtually with writer and fellow “One True Sentence” contributor Andre Dubus III and the book’s editor, Mark Cirino, who will be in person at Porter Square Books in Boston. A streaming link for those wishing to join virtually is available. Registration is required to attend in person at The Community Library. Presented in partnership with Porter Square Books, Godine (publisher of One True Sentence), and Grub Street Creative Writing Center in Boston.

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“To Taste Life Twice” Seminar

Join The Community Library and Story Forward for three days of writing, reading, and connecting over words. All events are free! Some events require pre-registration. The seminar opens at the Library on Thursday evening, May 18, at 6:00 p.m. with “Reader’s Corner,” a talk by Bob Kustra, the host of Reader’s Corner on Boise State Public Radio and BSU President Emeritus & Professor of Public Service. Reader’s Corner is a weekly radio show and podcast featuring lively conversations with leading writers, including many winners of top literary prizes and best-selling authors. Kustra will discuss his interviews and their issues and ideas that matter today. All are welcome, through registration is recommended to save your seat. On Friday, attendees can register to attend one of two afternoon breakouts: “Capturing the Unsung Power of Point of View in Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry” with Christian Winn, or “Untangling the Difficult Narrative: Using Form, Language, and Self-Care to Access Our Wounds” with Rebecca Evans. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required. Both breakouts run 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 19 at the Library. Saturday morning, May 20, at 10:30 a.m. the seminar’s breakout instructors–Idaho writers Christian Winn, Rebecca Evans, CMarie Fuhrman, Alan Heathcock, and …

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TEEN NIGHT: Clay Creatures

Join SVMoA Interns for an evening of creative fun! Using air-dry clay and acrylic paints, we’ll be making small sculptures of creatures both real and imaginary. Drop in anytime – no experience necessary. Snacks and all materials will be provided. Open to all teenagers.

FREE COMMUNITY PROGRAM: Afternoon Art

Play, create, discover and have fun! Families and friends are invited to visit SVMoA’s Hailey Classroom, explore various art materials and craft away. Project suggestions will be provided and change weekly. Age & Ability: all ages, families encouraged to attend together

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Mayme Kratz: Shadow & Substance

Mayme Kratz is a mixed media artist whose work suspends found natural objects in resin. An observant investigator of her surroundings, Kratz collects these objects while hiking, camping, and even walking by the railway behind her studio. From native grasses to animal bones, her delicate handling of fragile materials create formal designs that elude to the cosmos. Materiality is both heightened and diminished as the earthen matter transforms into a macro ecosystem of its own.

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Stella’s Kentucky Derby Party

Join us Saturday May 6th for the annual Stella’s Shelter Fund Kentucky Derby Party at Barrio 75!! Starts at 2p.m. Raffle prizes, Tito’s & Topo Chico Drink Specials, Games, DJ Loco spinning on the 1’s and 2’s, awards for best dressed male/female attendee. Break out your best Derby costume and come help raise money for an amazing cause! For more information or to donate directly to Stella’s Shelter Fund go to: www.stellasshelterfund.org

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10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s causes changes in memory, thinking and behavior that are not normal aging. Join us to learn about: The difference between normal aging and Alzheimer’s. Common warning signs. The importance of early detection and benefits of diagnosis. Next steps and expectations for the diagnostic process. Alzheimer’s Association resources. Gini Ballou has been a resident of the Wood River Valley for over 40 years. Since her mother’s death in 2008, Gini has been an advocate for those with Alzheimer’s and the families that care for them. She regularly speaks with leaders at the Statehouse and is the Alzheimer’s Association’s Ambassador to Congressman Simpson. This program is presented in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association®. The program will be livestreamed and available to watch later. Vimeo link forthcoming.