9th Annual Murder Goes South Featured Guest Writer Announced: Lee Lofland

The Friends of Smyrna Library and the Sisters in Crime: Atlanta Chapter announce Lee Lofland as a featured Guest Writer for the 9th Annual Murder Goes South... A Festival of Readers and Writers of the Southern Mystery. Mr. Lofland will present during the Saturday January 29, 2011 program.

BIOGRAPHY: With a career in law enforcement that has spanned nearly two decades, Lee Lofland is a nationally acclaimed expert on police procedures and crime scene investigations. During his career he held roles from Patrolman to Detective. He solved cases in areas including narcotics, homicide, rape, murder-for-hire, robbery, and ritualistic and occult crimes.

In addition to now writing books, Lee writes articles for both Mystery Writers of America and Sisters In Crime newsletters. He also writes regular features and exclusives for newspapers across the country.

He's written for The Writer magazine and has served as a consultant for Slate Magazine, Spike TV, and for many bestselling authors. Lee has appeared on BBC television, CNN, and on NPR radio's Talk of the Nation, and he's the founder of the Writers' Police Academy, a fun and exciting hands-on event for writers.

 

Woodturning by Steve Pritchard Opens in Display Gallery

Handcrafted examples of Woodturning by Steve Pritchard are featured in the display gallery through August 31, 2010.

Steve Pritchard was born in a small town in South Dakota, growing up on a farm. He developed an interest in working with wood while helping his father build pole barns, cattle sheds, and even a grain elevator. Steve graduated with a BS from South Dakota State University in 1970 and joined the Air Force becoming a pilot instructor. He also worked for the Federal Courts as an instructor of their computerized case management system. In 1995 he moved to Atlanta to become the IT manager for the US District Court and retired in 2007.

His lifetime interest in working with wood led him to consider woodturning and in 2000 he purchased an inexpensive Craftsman lathe. After making his share of bowls, boxes and weed pots, he focused in the exploration of three areas:

Hollow Forms - This involves shaping the outside of a vessel and then using specialized tools to remove the wood from the inside. The walls of the vessels are usually about ¼ inch thick or less.

Piercing - The process of using a dental drill to create holes in very thin walled vessels. The holes form patterns and shapes.

Coloring - Much of the work is finished with a clear lacquer, oil, or shellac. Some of it is painted, or pierced, or both. He uses a variety of paints including acrylic, airbrush paint, and milk paint (his favorite). Milk paint is made using the cassien from milk as the binder. Because of its thickness it is great for distressing pieces.

The process used in most of Steve's woodturning involves turning the piece twice. He starts with wet or "green" wood and produces a rough version of the piece with thick walls. After the piece dries he returns it to the lathe and produce a finished piece.

Steve's favorite woods are Bradford pear, cherry, and maple but he uses almost any wood except pine. Bradford pear heads the list because it turns easily, finishes like glass, and is a wonderful blank pallet for woodturning, painting, and piercing.

Like everything in nature, each piece of wood has its own character and also its own personality and appeal. Being able to see that personality emerge from a large wet lump of wood is very enjoyable.

Almost all of the wood that Steve uses comes from trees that have been felled due to disease, storms, or development and destined to be ground into mulch. Woodturning is one of the few ways that we, as individuals, can preserve a little of a tree that once stood tall and proud in our community.

Steve is president and webmaster for the Georgia Association of Woodturners (GAW) and a member of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW).

 

Olympic Pins Designed by Gene Ledbetter Opens in Art Gallery

For July and August the art gallery will feature a solo exhibit of framed official Olympic Pins and other pins designed by Gene Ledbetter.

Gene Ledbetter attended the University of Georgia and the University of Miami. He worked fpr 20 years as the Art Director and and partner for Harris & Weinstein Advertising Agency. In 1970 he began his own graphics company, the A La Carte Graphics, Inc. with his wife Alice.

The beautiful exhibit of pins that Gene designed covers a span of many years, from the late 1970s through 2000 when he retired. He designed Olympic pins as well as other types of pins for the Coco Cola Company as well as the American College in Atlanta and London.

Early in the Olympics history there were no pins or posters. Gene was involved in researching the history in Switzerland in order to create pin designs.

 

Friends of Smyrna Library to Host Free “Frozen Yogurt Social & Book Sale”

July 18th Event to Feature Frozen Yogurt by Pinkberry and Live Music by Peter Vogl

Friends of Smyrna Library (FOSL) announces their free summer event, “Frozen Yogurt Social and Book Sale,” taking place Sunday, July 18, 2010 from 3-5 p.m. outdoors in the Smyrna Library plaza. This special event will feature free frozen yogurt from Pinkberry, family-friendly entertainment by Peter Vogl and a book sale with incredible bargains. As with any FOSL event, all proceeds from the book sale will go to the award-winning Smyrna Library for technology, books, art, reading programs, and much more.

"The value of our library to the community goes well beyond all things related to the printed word,” says Dorothy Sibert, President of the Friends of Smyrna Library. “The Friends appreciate the donations, volunteer hours, and more that the Smyrna community has given to the library and are sponsoring this event as a thank you to the community for its support."

FOSL is really looking forward to this year's event as the world-famous Pinkberry is donating the frozen yogurt, which will be free to everyone who attends. Pinkberry will be opening its first Atlanta-based store June 25, 2010, in the Akers Mill Shopping Center on Cobb Parkway, so attendees will have a chance to be some of the first in the Atlanta area to taste their “swirly goodness.”

FOSL is also honored to have the talented Peter Vogl perform live at the event. Vogl is a guitarist, session player, and instructor who has performed on stage with Michael Bolton, James Brown, Bo Diddley, Francine Reed and many other famous musicians. Vogl currently performs around Atlanta with several local bands including The Blue Rhythm Band and Jan Smith. Not only is the entertainment free, but we're sure you will become a new fan of Vogl's music, if you're not already!

FOSL's Board of Director member Jeff Jones will be heading up the book sale and is sure to offer prices that can't be beat. It will feature a carefully vetted selection for of New York Times bestsellers and gift quality books priced at just $1, $3 and $5. This year's "Frozen Yogurt and Book Sale" is going to be an event you don't want to miss! Bring your family to the Smyrna Library for an afternoon of fun.

About Peter Vogl

Peter Vogl started playing guitar in second grade and quickly realized his calling. He played in many bands throughout high school and proceeded to study classical guitar at the University of Georgia under the tutelage of John Sutherland. In collaboration with the NARAS organization Peter is the band leader each year at the Heroes Award Dinner in Atlanta. Visit his website at http://www.petervogl.com/.

About Pinkberry

Pinkberry reinvented the frozen yogurt category when it launched in West Hollywood, Ca. in January 2005. Today it is the most talked about, best tasting, premium frozen yogurt, made with high-quality fresh ingredients. From store design to exceptional customer service to our irresistible flavors and toppings, Pinkberry provides a social experience that indulges the senses. Pinkberry’s distinctive flavors are expertly crafted to complement its daily fresh-cut fruit and premium toppings that offer an irresistibly tangy, incomparable refreshing taste. Pinkberry is certified by the National Yogurt Association and carries the Live & Active Cultures Seal. Get a taste of Swirly Goodness by visiting http://www.pinkberry.com/.

About The Friends of Smyrna Library

The Friends of Smyrna Library (FOSL) is an independent, non-profit, volunteer organization that supports the Smyrna Public Library through fundraising events and volunteer activities. FOSL is a member of the Friends of Libraries USA organization and is one of the most active Friends chapters in Georgia. Notable programs FOSL supports are the library’s Art Gallery, the “Murder Goes South” Festival of readers and writers, “The Link” newsletter and much more. Join FOSL for only $5 for an individual membership or $10 for a family membership and make a friend today. For more information, visit http://www.friendsofsmyrnalibrary.org/.

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If you would like more information on this event, please e-mail Jeff Jones at jjatlanta@gmail.com or call 770/401-3050.

  

Summer 2010 Reading List & Featured Book

Featured Book

A Painted House
by John Grishman

Other Recommended Reading Selections

61 Hours by Lee Child
A Painted House by John Grishman
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Changes by Jim Butcher
Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
Dead In the Family by Charlaine Harris
Deception by Jonathan Kellerman
Deliver Us From Evil by David Baldacci
Eight Days To Live by Iris Johansen
Every Last One by Anna Quindlen
Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
Heartburn by Nora Ephron
Innocent by Scott Turow
Jaws by Peter Benchley
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
New York by Edward Rutherfurd
Oprah by Kitty Kelley
Run by Ann Patchett
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb
Solar by Ian McEwan
Spoken From the Heart by Laura Bush
Tales of Discworld by Terry Pratchett
The 9th Judgment by James Patterson
The Death and Life of the Great American School System by Diane Ravitch
The Girl Who Chased The Moon
by Sarah Addison Allen
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
The lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver
The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
The Promise by Jonathan Alter
The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark
The Spellmans Strike Again by Lisa Lutz
The Spy by Clive Cussler
The Walk by Richard Paul Evans
Think Twice by Lisa Scottoline
This Body of Death by Elizabeth George
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
When I Stop Talking, You ll Know I m Dead
by Jerry Weintraub
Without Mercy by Lisa Jackson
Wizard Under Fire by Jim Butcher

Compiled by FOSL Volunteer

Smyrna Library Kicks Off Children's Summer Reading Program

Annual reading program chooses fun-filled
science theme for the summer.

Smyrna, Ga. - (June 7, 2010) - Smyrna Library announces the return of their free summer reading program aimed specifically at children, which began June 1, 2010. The goal of this program is to keep kids reading over their summer break, while also making it fun. Each summer, the reading club focuses on a particular subject, and this year’s theme is science. 

The nine-week program will be focused on various types of science each week. For instance, one week readers will learn about zoology, and the next week’s book might be about geology.

The program is divided into two groups: "Ready Readers" and "Rockin' Readers." "Ready Readers” is for children age four through rising first graders, and "Rockin' Readers” is for children going into second to fifth grade. With their families, children will be asked to set a goal of how long to read each day, and then they must track their reading in a log. The library suggests that each child aim to read about 30 minutes each day. Every child who meets their goal will receive a free book, a certificate and coupon from a local sponsor.

This summer every reading program participant will be able to enter additional contests and challenges, including the "The Recycled Rocket Art Contest," which gives kids a chance to be creative and help the environment by using recycled materials. The deadline for this project is June 26th, so check with the library for specific details. Also, be sure to visit the library all summer long to participate in other contests and challenges that will be offered.

The summer reading program doesn't require attendance at the Smyrna Library; therefore, children can read at home or anywhere else and still track their reading on their own. However, the library will have reading groups set up every Wednesday and Thursday for those children who would like to have more science fun through thematic story programs. The library groups will be offered twice during the week at different times to accommodate patrons' schedules. Both reading groups will meet simultaneously, which allows parents with more than one child the opportunity to visit the library only once.

At the end of the summer there will be an exciting pool party to celebrate the kids' hard work and dedication to the program with games and food. Along with "Friends of Smyrna Library," local sponsors of this year's reading program include: Carvel Ice Cream, Glazy Dazy, Rev Coffee, IHOP, Smyrna Golden K Kiwanis, Keep Smyrna Beautiful, Scamp the Cat and Karen Lightsey. Thank you to all of sponsors for the incredible generosity and support!

2010's summer reading program includes a children's movie shown every Friday afternoon at the library. All summer programs and events are FREE for Smyrna Public Library cardholders. Everyone must have their card to participate.

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If you would like more information about this program, please call Laura Boynton at 770.431.2860 Ext. 3 or e-mail at lboynton@ci.smyrna.ga.us.

  

9th Annual Murder Goes South Keynote Speaker Announced: Erica Spindler

The Friends of Smyrna Library and the Sisters in Crime: Atlanta Chapter announce Erica Spindler as Keynote Speaker for the 9th Annual Murder Goes South... A Festival of Readers and Writers of the Southern Mystery. Ms. Spindler will be the Keynote Speaker for the Friday January 28, 2011 dinner program as well as present during the Saturday January 29, 2011 morning/afternoon program.

BIOGRAPHY: A New York Times and International bestselling author, Erica Spindler's skill for crafting engrossing plots and compelling characters has earned both critical praise and legions of fans. Published in 25 countries, her stories have been lauded as “thrill-packed page turners, white- knuckle rides and edge-of-your-seat whodunits.”

Raised in Rockford, Illinois, Erica had planned on being an artist, earning a BFA from Delta State University and an MFA from the University of New Orleans in the visual arts. In June of 1982, in bed with a cold, she picked up a romance novel for relief from daytime television. She was immediately hooked, and soon decided to try to write one herself. She leaped from romance to suspense in 1996 with her novel Forbidden Fruit, and found her true calling.

Her novel Bone Cold won the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence. A Romance Writers of America Honor Roll member, she received a Kiss of Death Award for her novels Forbidden Fruit and Dead Run and was a three-time RITA® Award finalist. Publishers Weekly awarded the audio version of her novel Shocking Pink a Listen Up Award, naming it one of the best audio mystery books of 1998.

Other mystery novels include Blood Vines, Breakneck, Last Known Victim, Copycat, Killer Takes All, See Jane Die, In Silence, All Fall Down, Cause For Alarm and Fortune

Erica lives just outside New Orleans, Louisiana, with her husband and two sons and is busy at work on her next thriller.