Barrio denizen struggles to make it in Duke City

AT BOOKWORKS: Rudy Miera will talk about “The Fall and Rise of Champagne Sanchez” at 3 today. Trouble always came for “Champagne” Sanchez, this time, the law was on trouble’s side. Whether it is his attempts to make a living selling fireworks, vacuum cleaners or burritos, things can, and do, go terribly wrong. “The Fall and Rise of Champagne Sanchez” is a fast-paced modern story set in Albuquerque. It is a “rags to riches to rejection to redemption” story.

Shirley Melis will sign “Banged Up Heart” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28.

The book is an intimate and clear-eyed account of finding love late and losing it early and of the strength it takes to fall madly in love a second time.

“Wave Rider” is a poetic reflection of author Rebecca Fitton’s long journey to heal from sexual abuse, abandonment and neglect, building a new world based on wholeness of body, mind and spirit. Her journey has taken a lifetime.

Bookworks is at 4022 Rio Grande NW. Call 344-8139.

AT TREASURE HOUSE BOOKS: Author and former University of New Mexico President Richard E. Peck will sign his

New Mexico crime novels “Dead Pawn” and “Jackalope Ca$ino,” as well as his collection of newspaper columns “Traveling at My Desk” from noon to 3 today.

Judy Alderete Garcia will discuss and sign “Memories of Torreón, New Mexico” from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.

Treasure House Books & Gifts is at 2012 South Plaza . Call 242-7204 .

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO ZIMMERMAN LIBRARY: Collections in Focus, “Engraved in Memory: A Showcase of Historical Book Illustration Processes” from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28.

For more than 500 years, printed images have been used to bring books to life. Michael Taylor will showcase items from the CSWR collections in the Frank Waters Room.

The Zimmerman Library is at the University of New Mexico.