The Rotary Club of Alpine will host the WAY OUT WEST TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL to benefit the Alpine Public Library and its Marathon branch.

The multifaceted event is scheduled for August 8-9 at the Sul Ross Espino Conference Center. Participants will gather at 7 p.m., Friday, August 8, for a Chuckwagon Supper and Songfest on the grounds of Kokernot Lodge, where singer/guitarist/author Mike Blakely will perform, and special invitees will be introduced. This ticketed event will require reservations.

Programs throughout the day Saturday, August 9, will feature authors who have written books on Western Fiction, Texas Rangers in Fact and Legend, Natural History of the Big Bend, and other such topics. These programs are free and open to the public. Some sessions will feature panels of authors hosted by a moderator, while others will highlight one or two authors.

On Saturday, August 9, authors and publishers may rent booth space in the reception area of the conference center to sell their books to the visiting public.

A Grand Silent Auction will take place during the day in a designated area of the Espino center. In order to bid, attendees must have purchased tickets for either the Chuckwagon Supper or the Saturday Night Banquet Finale, a dressy affair with a gourmet menu with the evening entertainment provided by Kinky Friedman and guests. The auction will end just as the banquet begins at 7:00 p.m., and guests will claim their auction items before they leave.

To date, authors Elmer Kelton, Jim Glendinning, Mike Blakely, Sharon Spinks, Joaquin Jackson, Bobby Byrd, Lee Merrill Byrd, Tim McKenzie, Denise Chavez, David Carlton, Joe Nick Patoski, Roy Morey, Benjamin Saenz, Sarah Bird, Cyndi Hughes, Larry Thomas, Mike Cox, James H. Evans, Bob Kinford, The University of Texas Press, Texas Tech University Press, Cinco Puntos Press, Iron Mountain Press, have made plans to attend.

“We expect a great deal of enthusiasm for this event,” said Festival Committee Chair Wanda B. Morgan. “We have just begun to fill in the dots in what we hope will become a premier literary festival for the entire state.”

Committee members Jean Hardy and Arlene and Steve Griffis round out the planning group, which is actively seeking volunteers and participants. Authors, publishers, journalists, and other publishing professionals, as well as those individuals with interest in supporting the Alpine Public Library, are encouraged to contact Arlene Griffis at info@wowtxbookfestival.com(or 432-386-4695) or any member of the committee.

For more information visit: http://wowtxbookfestival.com/1.html

Come enjoy three days of fun, live music, children’s activities, and presentations on green activities like solar energy, rain water harvesting, alternate transportation and more. This event is being produced by volunteers and sponsored by Blue Water Natural Foods as a fund raiser for the Alpine Public Library and the Marathon Community Center.

The Festival will also feature Buffalo Ranch tours, arts and craft vendors. More events and activities will be announced as they are scheduled.

If you or your business or organization would like to be a part of the Living with Nature Festival pick up a registration form at the Alpine Public Library (before July 1^st for pre-registration) or contact Bennett Jones at 837-3008 for more details. Volunteers are also greatly needed for everything from ticket sales to clean-up.

Many fund raisers have taken place to benefit the library. People of all ages have participated. However, one of the most unique participants has been Lydia Nell Jones, age 10. By May of 2008, she had already donated $300 to the Capital Campaign! But, that was not enough for Miss Jones. On Saturday, May 31, with the help of her parents and others, she hosted a large yard sale. Events included the sale of snow cones and even a silent auction. Though Lydia has a mature outlook on helping the library, it was nice to see her youthful vigor while she held the donated funds in her Fischer Price cash register.

How much did Lydia raise, you ask? The total was a whopping $623.15. When Lydia and her mother presented the donation to the Director, she was asked why such a young person is so involved in fundraising for the new library. Her reply was: “I like to read.” “And you guys offer her books,” added Ms. Jones. Thanks Lydia , it’s nice to know that future generations are interested in the future of our local library.

Here’s how it works:

1. Kids (in grades 1-6) read any 8 books.

2. Kids use the Summer Reading Journal to tell their favorite part of each book. A parent/guardian signs it when it’s complete.

3. Children bring their completed journal to a Barnes & Noble store between May 29th & September 2nd, 2008.

4. They will get a coupon for a FREE book! They choose from a list of exceptional paperback titles.*

Find more information and download the Summer Reading Journal on the Barnes & Noble webpage:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/?cds2Pid=21148

Our program includes a reading time, crafts, puppet shows, and fun from 1-2 pm, Wed. during the month of June and July. Our end of summer program party date will be scheduled sometime in August. Come join the fun at the Marathon Public Library. We welcome parents to join the fun and anyone that would like to volunteer to help. marathonlib@yahoo.com Please come by and register for the program. 432-386-4136 Donations are being accepted to help with the funding for the older grades.

Marathon Public Library

106 N. 3rd Street East

Marathon, Texas 79842

Be prepared to provide the following information:

A link to the specific irs.gov webpage can be found on the library’s main website, in the links section.

Contact the Alpine Public Library if you need additional assistance.

A bedtime story-

A song, a rhyme-

It’s a Special Pajama Story Time!

Attention all children ages 6-10 years old:

Don your pajamas, grab your teddy bear and your mom or dad, and join us at the Alpine Public Library on Saturday, May 31, at 7:00pm for an evening of fun! This program will feature our great NEW BOOKS from the Libri Foundation. Enjoy stories, crafts, and an

explosive demonstration!

This is a good time to sign up for our summer reading program and our summer reading club. Be sure to wear your pajamas!

*Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club & the Friends of the library*

Dear Students:

The Alpine Public library knows how much kids your age enjoy listening to music, so we have decided to have a free drawing for a boom box! The boom box is a Coby portable CD Player with AM/FM Stereo Radio. It has a digital LED display and a full-range speaker system.

How do you get your name into the drawing for the CD Player? Here’s how: Go to the Alpine Public Library and find the display of books entitled “We The People.” This display is located in the junior room directly beneath the “hanging anchovies.” Select three books within your reading range and pick up a reading log. Read the books, fill out the reading log and return it to the library. Your name will then be placed in the drawing for the boom box. The drawing will be held August 15, 2008. You will be contacted by telephone if you win.

As you already know, we are continuing our book review program throughout the summer. Reviews of books from the “We The People” display will be given top priority for placement in the library newsletter.

Reminder: Due date for book reviews for consideration in the summer issue of the library newsletter is June 30. You may turn them in at the front desk of the library. Reviews submitted after this date will be considered for the fall issue of the newsletter.

Good luck and see you at the library!

Mary Beth Garrett

Children’s Services

Alpine Public Library