I’m back, happily back, from an unexpected trip Outside, attending to the death of a loved one. It was my first trip to the Midwest since Palinmania began, and it saddened me to discover that in those parts – an hour or so from Sarah’s last Right-to-Life jaunt – Alaska is now synonymous with Palin. He held off for a few days, but by the time the visitation rolled around, even the funeral director couldn’t keep from asking what it was like, living here with Sarah. The setting was an all-too appropriate backdrop for my reply.
But our guv has a book deal, and if you haven’t checked out the title contest at Mudflats, you’re missing some great laughs. The poll is open through Saturday; good luck trying to pick. After you’ve voted, hop over to the write-up of last week’s party celebrating Alaskan author Helen Nienheuser’s fifty years in Alaska. Helen’s a great friend, and I’m sorry to have missed her celebration.
May must be the month for good food and friends. On Wednesday, May 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Alaska Sisters in Crime will hold a potluck at the home of Dee Ford, 11001 Hideaway Lake Circle, Anchorage 99507. Please bring your favorite dish to share. For directions, call 346-1135.
As part of the Anchorage Public Library’s Community Plan development, Special Collections librarian Michael Catoggio invites you to share your ideas and opinions about the Alaska Collection in a community focus group discussion on Monday, May 18th from 6:15pm to 7:45pm in the Loussac Public Conference Room (1st Floor). Because the number of participants in the session is limited, please contact Clare Stockert at 343-2983, or email me catoggioML@muni.org if you plan to attend.
It’s not too soon to pick up your copy of Miranda Weiss’s new memoir, Tide, Feather, Snow, which is this quarter’s 49 Writers book club pick. Our online discussion will be in late June. Miranda’s book is a May Notables in the Indie Next List, where you’ll not find Sarah’s upcoming book, regardless of how hilariously it’s titled.