March 2006
Keep on Bookin'
New on the Border Book Shelf
Southwest Book Awards -- The annual Border Regional Library Association Awards Banquet will be Saturday, Feb. 25, at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing, One Ardovino Drive in Sunland Park. The event honors the latest works of outstanding area authors, and also awards scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students pursuing degrees in library/media. The BRLA librarian and library staff member of the year will also be honored. Cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Cost: $30. Information: brla.info/ or cwilliams36@yahoo.com.
Winners of the 2005 Southwest Book Awards are:
-- Cacti of the Trans-Pecos & Adjacent Areas (Texas Tech University Press, 2004).
by A. Michael Powell and James Weedin.
-- Child of Many Rivers: Journeys to & from the Rio Grande (Texas Tech University Press, 2005) by Lucy Fischer-West.
-- Mark Simmons of New Mexico: Maverick Historian (University of New Mexico Press, 2005) by Phyllis S. Morgan.
-- Old Las Vegas: Hispanic Memories from the New Mexico Meadowlands (Texas Tech University Press, 2005), collected and translated by Nasario García.
-- Texas Rangers and the Mexican Revolution: The Bloodiest Decade, 1910-1920 (University of New Mexico Press, 2004) by Charles Harris III and Louis R. Sadler.
Noveno Congreso de Literatura Mexicana Contemporánea -- The 11th conference on Mexican literature is Thursday-Saturday, March 2-4, at the Tomás Rivera Conference Room in the UTEP Student Union. More than 120 literary critics and writers from Mexico, the U.S. and throughout the world meet at UTEP to analyze current literary trends and their impact on Mexican literature and culture. Opening ceremony is 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Admission is free. Information: 747-7030, 747-6511 or 747-7043.
Web: utep.edu/rlmc/
Keynote speaker is renowned Mexican writer, essayist and poet Alberto Ruy Sánchez, editor of Artes de Mexico. Sánchez will present “México Mudéjar: Exploraciones del Mestizaje” at 5 p.m. Thursday.
A special Artes de Mexico presentation is 6 p.m. Friday at UTEP’s Stanlee and Rubin Center for the Visual Arts.
El Paso Writers’ League -- The league will host the writing workshop “Very Short Fiction as a Building Block to Larger Fictional Forms” with Lex Wiliford, 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Dorris Van Doren Regional Branch Library, 551 Redd Road. Wiliford is author of “McCauley’s Thumb” and coeditor of the Scribner “Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction,” and teaches bilingual creative writing at UTEP . Admission: $5 (free for league members). Information: 585-0068.
The Bookery -- 10167 Socorro Road, Socorro. The Bookery, inside the Mission Trail Trading Post about a half-mile past the Socorro Mission, specializes in children’s books, storytelling puppets, teacher’s resources and regional
interest books. Information: 859-6132.
-- Local authors Susan and Denise Gonzales Abraham and Donna Munch will host a book signing 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 4.
Sisters Susan and Denise will sign copies of “Surprising Cecilia,” follow-up to “Cecilia’s Year,” inspired by the life of their mother Cecilia Gonzales Abraham. The first book was named Best Book for Young Adults in 2004 by the Texas Institute of Letters.
Munch will sign copies of her new suspense story, “Dark Tales of the Tower.” Twelve-year-old Chloe and her 11-year-old brother Luke visit their uncle, who guards the Tower of London.
-- Author and publisher Struan Forbes will sign copies of his book “Tarim Cypher” 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 11.
Tumblewords Project -- The writing workshops are 12:45 to 2:45 p.m. Saturdays, at La Fe Cultural & Technology Center, 721 S. Ochoa (rear building). Workshops are free, but a donation is accepted. Information: 328-5484.
-- March 4 --Ken Kenyon, “Writing From Extremes to Find the Middle.” Ken Kenyon is a long time El Paso resident, businessman, poet/philosopher who is currently editing over 40 years of his written works.
-- March 11 and 18 -- Lucy Fischer-West, “Child of Many Rivers.” Fischer-West has led workshops on memoir writing and journaling. Her new book, “Child of Many Rivers,” published by Texas Tech Press, won a Border Regional Library Association Southwest Book Award.
-- March 25 -- Yolanda Chávez Leyva, “Returning to the Mother: The Power of Transformation.” Born and raised in Juárez and El Paso, Chávez Leyva has written articles on the history of Mexican women and children on the border. She is working on a book that traces the history of Mexican and Mexican-American children in El Paso from 1880 to 1940. A second project deals with intergenerational trauma, teaching, writing and healing. Her poetry most recently appeared in IXHUA, a creative writing journal in Austin.
Branigan book sale -- Friends of Branigan Library will host a book sale 1 to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 10-11, in the Branigan Library’s Dresp Rooms, 200 East Picacho in Las Cruces. Information: 521-4845.
Barnes & Noble (Las Cruces) -- 700 S. Telshor in Mesilla Valley Mall. Information: (505) 522-4499.
-- A book signing by Megan Timothy, author of “Let Me Die Laughing! Waking From the Nightmare of a Brain Explosion” is 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 11. The 62-year-old author is bicycling from California to Washington D.C., to promote literacy and celebrate her recovery from a brain injury.
-- Alan Riehl will sign his book “Angel Falls” 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 12. This fictional book examines a small, idealistic community hidden in the mountains of Hudspeth County, near El Paso.
-- Dewey Johnson will sign his book “Summer of Champions” 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26. Roswell will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Lions Hondo All-Stars winning the Little League World Series this summer, and Johnson has written a fictional story about the coming of age of a young boy surrounded by the events of that miraculous summer.
Children’s storytimes are 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. special events include Read Across America and Dr. Seuss’s birthday (March 1) and a visit from Biscuit the Dog (March 17).
Young Adult Poetry Contest -- Friends of the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library is accepting entries of poems in grades 6 though 12 through March 13. Each poet may enter two poems. Each poem must be typed on 8 1/2” x 11” white paper and have a completed entry form (available at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, 200 E. Picacho) attached. Information: Marian Elzi (505) 528-4103 or Sandra Cowan, (505) 528-4049 or scowan@las-cruces.org.
Winners will be announced Friday, April 14. Each participant will receive a certificate. First-place winners in each category will receive a $25 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble. Second-place winners will receive a $15 gift certificate.
The winner will be invited to read their poem at the 2nd annual April poetry reading at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 30, at the library.
Branigan Library book reviews -- The Friends of Thomas Branigan Memorial Library host a book review of “Once a Nurse” by Sunnie Bell at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, in the Dresp Room, 200 E. Picacho. The review is given by the author. Reviews are free and open to the public. Refreshments provided after the review. Information: (505) 528-4000.
Bell writes from the vantage point of her own early days as a student nurse in the sixties to her observations of nursing practice today. Bell is a registered nurse and recipient of the State of New Mexico Medical Society Journalism Award 2000 for her four-part series on diabetes and its impact on patients and families published in the Las Cruces Sun-News.
El Paso Museum of Art Book Bunch -- The book group meets 1:30 to 3 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the museum’s seminar room to discuss art-related books. Cost: $10 per session (free for museum members). Participants must provide their own books. Space is limited, call to hold a seat. Information: 532-1707 ext. 32.
The March 16 book is “Spiral: A Novel” by Joseph Geary.
BorderSenses Literary Journal -- Submissions are sought for the Spring 2006 issue. El Paso’s premier bilingual journal seeks poetry (65 lines or less), fiction and non-fiction (1,500 words or less), and black and white photos and art. El Paso’s premier bilingual magazine seeks artists and writers, of the border or the Southwest U.S./Mexico, both emerging and established. Deadline is March 31. For complete guidelines or to purchase an issue, go to bordersenses.com/submissions. E-mail: info@bordersenses.com.
Open mic poetry -- Monthly open mic poetry readings are held the second Thursday of the month at The Bean coffeehouse, 2011 Avenida de Mesilla in Old Mesilla. Sign-in begins at 7:30 p.m. The events are emceed by local poet Wayne Crawford. Admission and participation is free. Information: The Bean, (505) 523-0560 or Crawford, 541-8073.
First Sunday Library Readings -- Sin Fronteras/Writers Without Borders, in cooperation with the Branigan Library hosts a reading series for poets and fiction writers at 3 p.m. the first Sunday of every other month in the Dresp room of the Branigan Library, 200 E. Picacho, in Las Cruces. All readings are free and open to the public. A reception and book signing immediately follows. Information: (505) 521-9314, (505) 528-4049.
The April 2 reading features poet/fiction writer Gwendolyn Mintz of Las Cruces and poet Leo Romero of Santa Fe.
Border Book Festival -- The 12th annual Border Book Festival is April 21-23 at Cultural Center of Mesilla and other area venues. The event features readings, panels, workshops and literary and storytelling events from authors from all over the United States and other nations. Information: (505) 524-1499 or borderbookfestival.org.
This year’s theme, “Re-Imagine La Frontera,” is part two of a three-year project that will look into the theme of world borders. It will specifically look at the U.S./México border, that 2,000-mile area that is the place of constant change, growth, devastation and empowerment.
The “Libros y Más” trade show is all day Saturday and Sunday on the plaza in Old Mesilla. The show features national, regional and local presses and authors, as well as book signings and a storytelling tent.
Barnes & Noble (East Side) -- 9521 Viscount. Information: 590-1932.
-- Little Ones Storytime: 10 a.m. Wednesdays, for pre-K and toddlers. Read stories, dance the Hokey-Pokey, make a fun craft and have a special treat.
-- Pajamarama Storytime: Come dressed in pajamas for this event at 7 p.m. on Fridays.
Branigan Library book clubs -- Book clubs hosted by Branigan Library meet at public locations throughout the City of Las Cruces. Copies of the books discussed will be available at the library. The March book is “Mary Mary” by James Patterson.
Web http://library.las-cruces.org
-- The Branigan Book Club meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at Thomas Branigan Memorial Library’s Terrace Gallery, 200 East Picacho Ave. Information: Mark Pendleton, (505) 528-4001 or mpendleton@las-cruces.org. Voice: (505) 528-4000. TTY: (505) 528-4008.
-- The Munson Book Club meets at 10 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month, at the Munson Center Branch Library, 975 South Mesquite. Information: Mark Mumper 528-3406 or mmumper@las-cruces.org.
El Paso Public Library branches
Each branch is open about 40 hours a week. Call each library for days and hours. All libraries offer computer and internet access; call for availability. Minors need signed parental consent for internet access.
Main Library -- 501 N. Oregon in Downtown El Paso. Information: 543-5421. Currently undergoing expansion.
Armijo Branch -- 620 E. Seventh. Information: 533-1333.
Preschool Children’s Programs, with stories and crafts, are at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays.
“Teen Hangout” meets 4–5:30 p.m. Tuesdays for study and homework help, 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays for movies and 4-5:15 p.m. Fridays for Fun Day.
ESL classes offered 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
Citizenship classes are 1 p.m. Saturdays in English, and 5 p.m. Tuesdays in Spanish.
Friends of the Armijo Library meet at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month.
Cielo Vista Branch -- 8929 Viscount. Information: 591-6812.
Preschool Children’s Programs are at 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Children’s stories and crafts are at 3 p.m. Saturdays.
The Friends of the Library Bookstore is at 3025 McRae, open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Information: 779-6916 or 591-6812.
Clardy Fox Branch -- 5515 Robert Alva. Information: 772-0501.
Preschool children’s programs are at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Teen Hangout is 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Native Language Literacy Class is 6 p.m. Wednesdays.
Citizenship classes are 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays.
Knitting Group is 1-4 p.m. every Tuesday.
Friends of the Library Book Sale is the last Saturday of every month. The group meets at 2:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month.
Dorris Van Doren Branch -- The West Side’s new library is at 511 E. Redd Road. Information: 875-0700.
Preschool children’s storytimes are 1 p.m. Saturdays.
Teen Game Nights are 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
Irving Schwartz Branch -- 1865 Dean Martin (off Trawood and George Dieter). Information: 857-0594.
Preschool storytimes are at 11 a.m. Thursdays.
Teen Chess and Game Days are 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Chess and game night is 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays.
La Leche League meets at noon on the second Tuesday of each month.
Free Citizenship classes are 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays.
Friends of the Irving Schwartz Branch Library Bookstore is at 1605 George Dieter, open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; 593-0015 or 857-0594.
Jenna Welch & Laura Bush Community Library -- EPCC Northwest Campus, I-10 at Transmountain exit. Information: 831-8840.
Lower Valley Branch -- The branch has reopened at its new building, 610 N. Yarbrough (at Sao Paulo). The library has a 20-station computer lab, a multi-purpose room with capacity for up to 100 people, a private conference room, a quiet reading area, a bookstore and a Teen Hangout area. Information: 591-3391.
Preschool storytimes are at 10 a.m. Thursdays.
Children’s programs are at 3 p.m. Saturdays.
Bilingual Introduction to Computer classes are 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays.
Lower Valley Craft Club (embroidery, crochet and sewing) meets at 3 p.m. Wednesdays.
Adults Mystery Book Club meets at 5:15 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
Friends of the Library Book Sale is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month. The monthly Friends meeting is 1 p.m. the second Friday of the month.
Memorial Park Branch -- 3200 Copper. Information: 566-1034.
Children’s storytimes, with stories and crafts and refreshments, are at 3 p.m. Saturdays.
Chess Club is at 4 p.m. Saturdays for 3rd graders and up.
Richard Burges Branch -- 9600 Dyer. Information: 759-2400.
Storytime and crafts are at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays.
Movies for teens are shown at 1 p.m. Saturdays.
ESL classes offered 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Citizenship classes are 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
Alzheimer’s Northeast Support Group meets at 1:30 p.m. every 2nd Saturday of the month. Information: 544-1799.
Diabetes Support Group meets at 3:30 p.m. every 4th Tuesday of the month, Information: 532-6280.
Northeast Knights Chess Club meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays.
Needle Group meets at 1 p.m. Tuesdays.
Friends of the Northeast Library Bookstore is at 9300 Diana Dr., open 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Information: 751-2838. The group’s monthly meeting is at 3 p.m. on the 4th Friday of the month at the library.
Westside Branch -- 125 Belvidere. Information: 581-2024.
Bedtime storytime is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
Preschool storytime is at 11 a.m. Thursdays.
Spanish storytime is at 5 p.m. Thursdays.
Free ESL English classes are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
Chess club for teens meets 4 to 5:30 p.m. Fridays, and adult chess club meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays.
The Bookmark, operated by the Friends of the Westside Branch Library at 7348 Remcon, is open 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays, 3 to 8 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Information: 833-2342. ESL classes offered 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
Ysleta Branch -- 9321 Alameda. Information: 858-0905.
Preschool children’s programs are at 10 a.m. Thursdays, with stories and crafts.
Children’s programs are at 2 p.m. Saturdays.
ESL classes are at 10 a.m. Saturdays. Citizenship classes are at noon Saturdays.
New on the Border Book Shelf
The following are recent additions of interest to El Paso area readers:
New on the Border Book Shelf
“Brides and Sinners in El Chuco,” short stories by Christine Granados. For those of us who live along the border, Granados’ tales are all too familiar. Like the tales in the best seller “Woodcuts of Women” by fellow former border resident Dagoberto Gilb, these stories portray an unrelentingly real look at Mexican American struggles and strengths in “El Chuco” (El Paso). Granados’ book, however, has something Gilb’s lacks -- a stubbornly strong feminine touch. From the first story, “The Bride,” Granados’ El Paso raising is evident as she captures the life changing sorrow caused by one moment of bad decision with a soulful empathy. She successfully adds a touch of sentimentality without saccharine sappiness. Although Granados no longer lives in “El Chuco,” she has kept the spirit of the border city with her. Her tales may be filled with heartache, but they by no means lack heart. The University of Arizona Press.
“Surprising Cecilia” by Susan Gonzales Abraham and Denise Gonzales Abraham. After the popularity of “Cecilia’s Year,” sisters Susan and Denise continue to chronicle the life of their mother Cecilia Gonzales Abraham with the second book in their “Cecilia” trilogy. Set in the 1930’s southern New Mexico, this book tells of Cecilia’s struggles to adjust to high school life where everyone comes from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds than herself. Written in easily flowing, conversational “Spanglish,” the Abrahams weave family photos and bilingual proverbs gracefully through the book. Like the first book, “Surprising Cecilia” ends with a promising gesture from a young man in Cecilia’s life leaving the reader awaiting the next chapter. Cinco Puntos Press.
— Lisa Tate
“Footprints of Heroes: From The American Revolution to the War in Iraq,” by Robert Skimin. The book is full of biographies, stories and anecdotes about those who selflessly served in times of war. As a retired army officer, Skimin maintains a noticeable appreciation and knowledge for the trials and triumphs faces by American military personnel. He is best known for novels such as “Chikara!” and his detail-laden alternate histories, but his new book gives the reader a sort of “time travel” experience of times of war through the eyes of very real people. Skimin is careful never to glorify warfare, but is never vilifying or accusatory of those who served their country. It also doesn’t place emphasis only on those who gained historical celebrity in the spotlight, as well-know American legends such as Sitting Bull and John J. Pershing share the spotlight with the more unknown enlisted men such as retired Fort Bliss post engineer Joseph “Chuck” Rodriguez. El Paso artist Nacho Garcia contributes portraits of some of the individual celebrated in this book. Prometheus Books.
“Zone of Tolerance,” by David E. Stuart. This second volume of Stuart’s “Guaymas Chronicles” memoirs has some big shoes to fill as the first volume “La Mandadera” was named Southwest Book of the Year in 2003. It focuses primarily — but not exclusively— on the girls of Guaymas’s red light districts, Zona de Tolerancia. Stuart’s book describes these seemingly unspeakable areas in the Mexican port town in the 1970s with a tone of compassion, humor and forgiveness, but not justifying them. Everyone from the “working girls” to the bouncers, taxi drivers and high-visibility patrons is described, giving a very human, very everyday perspective to the story. However, it doesn’t hold back from the tragedies and lost hopes attached to these areas, with teen pregnancy, betrayal and especially the sad fate of a young woman named Marta, with whom Stuart felt particularly close. With frank language and casual description of life in the Zone, Stuart’s book may be a bit offensive to some, but will open the eyes, and hearts, of most readers. Includes a foreword by famed Western author Max Evans. University of New Mexico Press.
Young adults
“Double Crossing” by Eve Tal. The novel is about the struggle of a Russian Jewish man and his 12-year-old daughter, Raizel, to enter the New World (America). The story combines many real-life elements and facts from Tal’s own life and family. The setting begins in 1905 Russia, when being drafted into the Czarist Army was nearly inevitable. Although this book chronicles the very real desperation, disappointment, sorrows and celebration felt by these immigrants, it is written in a very endearing style easily digestible by young readers. Tal, a New York native who has also published four children’s books in Hebrew, lives on Kibbutz Hatzor in Israel with her husband and children. Cinco Puntos Press.
“Dark Tales of the Tower,” by Donna G. Munch. This young reader’s tale with a twist of the supernatural by El Paso Writer’s League President Munch is much more than it first appears. What initially seems to be another tale of British haunts and magic, the true spirit of the book lies in the young American Chloe’s own self-discovery and growth. The surprising dark secrets of the Tower of London may keep the reader turning pages, but it’s i the warm humor of the American vs. United Kingdom culture and dialect that give it a soul and Chloe’s struggle to control her molten temper that give it its heart. Infused with several cultural and historical references, it has the potential to entice young readers to continue their literary travels. Like the ghostly companions of Chloe, this book might be just what one needs for a little encouragement to learn and grow. One Night Books/WordWright.
El Paso Scene MONTHLY
This month's listings,
stories and columnsFeature story
Roundup
Music
Dance
Here's the Ticket
Program Notes
On Stage
Sports
Southwest Art Scene
At the Museum
History Lessons
Nature
Film Scene
Keep on Bookin'
Becoming Bicultural
Liner Notes
Stage Talk
Gallery Talk
Better ParentingCopyright 2006 by Cristo Rey Communications.