Before your first visit, please read our Parking requirements. Also check our WORKSHOPS (for writers) for even more events! Unless noted, no RSVP required. ALL ARE WELCOME!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 4-6: TEA WITH MAYA KHOSLA
Join an informal gathering to meet and converse with our Writer in Residence. Enjoy a perfect late afternoon encounter with tea of your choice.
Maya Khosla received the Dorothy Brunsman Poetry Prize for Keel Bone (2003) and awards from Poets & Writers, the Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation, and the Headlands Center for the Arts.
She's also a film maker and more. So much to explore....
Maya Khosla received the Dorothy Brunsman Poetry Prize for Keel Bone (2003) and awards from Poets & Writers, the Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation, and the Headlands Center for the Arts.
She's also a film maker and more. So much to explore....
SATURDAY, OCT 6, 9:30-12:30 :WRITING WORKSHOP STARTS
The full dates are October 6, 13, 20, 27, 9:30--12:30 p.m.
Dan Coshnear will offer his popular Saturday morning writing workshop in October. All levels and all genres welcome—an opportunity to share your work and discuss the work of fellow writers in a gentle, supportive, thoughtful, stimulating environment. Cost to enroll is 120 bucks, but no one is turned away for inability to pay. Class is capped at eight members. If interested, or if you have questions, contact Daniel Coshnear at coshn@sonic.net, or call 707-869-0329.
Dan Coshnear will offer his popular Saturday morning writing workshop in October. All levels and all genres welcome—an opportunity to share your work and discuss the work of fellow writers in a gentle, supportive, thoughtful, stimulating environment. Cost to enroll is 120 bucks, but no one is turned away for inability to pay. Class is capped at eight members. If interested, or if you have questions, contact Daniel Coshnear at coshn@sonic.net, or call 707-869-0329.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2-4: WHO IS CHARMIAN LONDON?
This fall the Jack London State Historic Park opens a new permanent exhibit at the House of Happy Walls featuring the life of Charmian Kittredge London. Iris Jamahl Dunkle has a biography in preparation, while Clarice Stasz, Ph.d. explored Charmian's writings in two books. Both were major contributors to a recent issue of Women's Studies devoted entirely to her life and works, and are advisors to the Park. Come listen to a discussion of her significance in women's history and her writings. Iris will also read original poems inspired by Charmian's life and speak about her forthcoming biography.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12, 6PM: TRAVEL TALES AND POTLUCK
If you want to enjoy an internationally themed pot luck, please join us at 6p.m. TRAVEL TALES start about 7 p.m. 15 minutes allotted each teller, to tell with aid of photos or not, a recent experience traveling, be it in a daily commute or to faraway places — like North Dakota or La Belle France or __________. We’ve already signed up two or three travellers, but would welcome another three or four. First come, first served.
Email travel-tale hungry J.J. Wilson at boxcar@sonic.net if you want to come prepared to present OR if you want to be part of the audience.
Email travel-tale hungry J.J. Wilson at boxcar@sonic.net if you want to come prepared to present OR if you want to be part of the audience.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2-4: A THOUSAND CRANES MOVIE
“A Thousand Cranes," a documentary film by Brian Kahn (former So. Co. Supervisor, 1977-1980) explores both the threat of nuclear annihilation and remarkable efforts by Soviet and American scientists, who worked together to save the beautiful Siberian crane from extinction. The film is both intimate and overarching-- demonstrating how individuals from vastly different cultures can come together out of shared love and knowledge to undo damage perpetrated by humans who unknowingly threaten other species as they struggle with their own survival. Local writer Michele Anna Jordan will introduce the film with two brief stories, one, the tale of how she tracked down its maker, and another of how she helped save 4000 ravens with just 15 minutes of work. The film is appropriate for all ages.
WED, OCTOBER 17, 2-4: ALICE MCDERMOTT'S CHARMING BILLY
Billy Lynch's family and friends have gathered to comfort his widow, and to pay their respects to one of the last great romantics. As they trade tales of his famous humor, immense charm, and consuming sorrow, a complex portrait emerges of an enigmatic man, a loyal friend, a beloved husband, an incurable alcoholic. Alice McDermott's striking novel, Charming Billy, is a study of the lies that bind and the weight of familial love, of the way good intentions can be as destructive as the truth they were meant to hide. The novel won the National Book Award and American Book Award.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 4-6: TEA WITH MAYA KHOSLA
Another opportunity to meet and converse with our Writer in Residence. A field-based biologist and a writer, Maya’s concerns for the natural world have led her through the wild, to the page and to the screen. Her first film, Searching for the Gold Spot is about the wilds of the American West after wildfire, and is being featured in festivals across the United States. She is currently working to assess the forests and rivers of California.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2-? : BAY AREA WOMEN POETS READ
The Sitting Room is proud to welcome these much lauded (and lots of fun) three poets from the Bay Area: Mary Mackey in the Sonoma County launch of her new collection of poems spanning over four decades, “The Jaguars That Prowl Our Dreams”; and Barbara Tomash, author of four books of poetry and teacher of creative writing at San Francisco State University; Barbara Jane Reyes whose “Invocation to Daughters” was published by City Lights in 2017. There will be time for conversation with the poets and book signings + of course, refreshments, showing off the bounty of Sonoma County to these visitors to our shores. No need to rsvp and you may park in the Church lot for this occasion.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1-5: WRITE YOUR OWN OBITUARY
Write your own obituary! It's fun and easy when you remember your story, organize its chapters, and communicate what makes you wonderful. Learn the form, then forget it if you like—or—make the whole thing up and imagine a life as yet undiscovered. More seriously, this is also a practical occasion to prepare for the inevitable. In time for All Hallows and Dia de los Muertos meditations, The Sitting Room's annual Obituary Workshop will unfold Saturday, October 27, from 1 to 5 p.m. Led by Marie Thomas McNaughton. FREE! To reserve your space, email J.J. Wilson at boxcar@sonic.net before Oct. 15, 2018.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 6 PM: ANNUAL HARVEST DINNER in SUPPORT OF THE LIVING ROOM
Big treat this year, with Armando Garcia, chef/poet extraordinaire, doing the cooking and a brief reading too, if we have not worn him out. (Mind you, he does not wear out easily….) SPACE IS LIMITED, so fans of Armando AND of The Living Room should phone or email right away to reserve: 707 795-9028; boxcar@sonic.net.
$$ donations especially welcome this year, but consult their website for an up to date listing of other pressing needs such as motel sample cosmetics/diapers/knapsacks/socks (kids and grownups), etc. Photos show Living Room clients.
http://www.thelivingroomsc.org/home.aspx
$$ donations especially welcome this year, but consult their website for an up to date listing of other pressing needs such as motel sample cosmetics/diapers/knapsacks/socks (kids and grownups), etc. Photos show Living Room clients.
http://www.thelivingroomsc.org/home.aspx
WED, NOVEMBER 14, 2-4: BUCHI EMCHETA'S DOUBLE YOKE
Barbara Lesch McCaffrey, Ph.d., introduces the Book Group to this short, intense novel. Double Yoke is set in Calabar University in eastern Nigeria. It tells the story of a young student Nko, torn between social demands to fulfill a traditional female role, and her own desire to be an educated woman with an independent career. As she struggles against family, religious zealots and corrupt lecturers to carry this double-yoke of cultural values Ete Kamba, her long-time boy-friend, is similarly torn. His fear and ambivalence towards modern women threaten to destroy the very thing he values most in the world. (We meet a week earlier than usual this month to avoid the Thanksgiving Holiday. Copies are at the SR or order a used copy from your favorite source. Remember, we skip December meetings.)
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 4-6: TEA WITH MAYA KHOSLA
Another opportunity to meet and converse with our Writer in Residence. Movie director and producer of documentaries on wildfire,... Book and Poetry Author, Sonoma County Poet Laureate, Biologist.
Her film on the aftermath of wildfire won several awards. We viewed it last year at the SR.
Just right for a cool winter afternoon. Tea and thoughtful discussion.
Her film on the aftermath of wildfire won several awards. We viewed it last year at the SR.
Just right for a cool winter afternoon. Tea and thoughtful discussion.