Fans Of Waters’ Poetry Raising Funds

When Spokane poet Mary Ann Waters died two years ago, there was talk of unpublished work. Now, her colleagues and friends want to put Waters’ still-unprinted words to paper.

So they’re holding a benefit book fair and spaghetti feed at West Valley High School on the eve of Bloomsday.

From 1-7 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, as many new and used books as can be collected between now and then will be put up for sale. From 4-6:30 p.m., the pre-Bloomsday spaghetti will raise more funds.

“We need people to donate books,” says co-coordinator Cathy Wolfrum, a West Valley Spanish teacher. “But we also would like for them to come.”

Wolfrum says that the fair already has enough volunteer help. But, she adds, any unwanted books will be more than welcome.

“We’re not looking to make a whole lot of money,” she says. “We would just like to make enough to pay for the book as kind of a tribute to her.”

For further information, call Wolfrum or Nancy Cartwright at 922-5488.

Bring your books

The friends of Mary Ann Waters aren’t the only ones interested in spare books. The Spokane Public Library is inviting anyone with unwanted new or “gently used” books to drop them off at any branch through Saturday.

Specially marked red bins will be available for the task.

The library is acting as a clearinghouse for the books, which will be donated to a variety of organizations, including Success By 6 Book Bank (for needy children) and the Spokane area COPS Shops.

For further information, call 626-5312.

A look at the Holocaust

As part of the national observance of Holocaust Remembrance Week, the South Hill branch of the Spokane Public Library is presenting a special Holocaust-themed display through Saturday.

The display is centered on an award-winning school project created by Northwood Junior High seventh-grader Molly Pinch, 12.

Branch librarian Marshall Shapiro says Pinch’s display will be augmented by several book-length Holocaust studies, including “Bearing Witness” by Hazel Rochman and Darlene Z. McCampbell, “The World Must Know” by Michael Berenbaum and “Atlas of the Holocaust” by Martin Gilbert.

The library also has compiled a book list of some 50 titles, says library spokeswoman Dolly Richendrfer. That list should be available by Monday.

“It’s really well done,” Shapiro says of Pinch’s stark display of black and white photos, which includes a map of Auschwitz, a red swastika and a representation of the yellow stars of David worn by death-camp inmates. “I could never have done anything like that in junior high.”

For poets only

For a chance to earn $1,000 and maybe get published in the process, hungry poets might want to enter a contest sponsored by the Berkeley Bards.

The contest, which is free, has few requirements: poems may be on any subject, using any style, but must be original and no longer than 21 lines. Deadline is May 29, and winners will be announced by the end of June.

For further information, write to: Free Poetry Contest, 1678 Shattuck Ave., Suite 101, Berkeley, CA 94709.

Trolling for a honor

The Washington State Library once again is looking for individuals or organizations who have “made a unique contribution to the literary culture of Washington state.”

The intent? To find a person or group worthy of winning a Nancy Blankenship Pryor Award.

If you know of a worthy nominee, contact Gayle Palmer of the state library for a nomination form. Phone her at (360) 753-4024.

The reader board

Richard Bates, author of “Children’s Medication,” will sort through the many child-targeted medicines available on today’s market at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington.

Spokane writer Rand Clifford, author of “Castling,” will sign copies of his novel from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Hastings outlet at 1704 W. Wellesley.

Christopher Howell, author of the poetry collection “Sweet Afton,” will read from his work at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Auntie’s Bookstore. Howell, director of the creative writing program at Emporia State University, has been published in such literary journals as the Antioch Review, Denver Quarterly and the Hudson Review.

, DataTimes