Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Festival focuses on music and art
Music and art are the subjects of November’s Diane & Barry Wilen Jewish Book Festival.
Steve Dorff has a wide range in the music industry, having written hits for Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Willie Nelson, Ringo Starr, Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles and Smokey Robinson, to name just a few. He’ll discuss his book “I Wrote That One, Too … A Life in Songwriting from Willie to Whitney” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Orlove Auditorium, David Posnack Jewish Community Center, 5850 S. Pine Island Road, Davie. Tickets are $15 for members, $18 for nonmembers.
Walter Isaacson explores one of the art world’s most creative geniuses in his book “Leonardo da Vinci,” showing the master artist’s interests, which included studying anatomy, fossils, birds, the heart, flying machines and weaponry. Those pursuits were in addition to painting the two most famous paintings, “The Last Supper” and “Mona Lisa.” Isaacson, who also wrote bestsellers on Steve Jobs and Einstein, will discuss da Vinci’s life at 11 a.m. Nov. 19 at the Orlove Auditorium. Cost is $45, which includes two tickets and a signed copy of “Leonardo da Vinci”; $35 includes one ticket and a signed copy of the book.
For information or to purchase tickets for either event call 954-434-0499, ext. 336, or visit jccbooks.com.
Miami Book Fair returns
Since it began 33 years ago, the Miami Book Fair has become one of the premier literary events in the country, and those high standards will continue this
year. The Miami Book Fair is scheduled Nov. 12-19 at Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, 300 NE Second Ave., Miami.
As usual, authors of all genres — mystery, general fiction, poetry, politics, nonfiction — will discuss their works during panels and special “Evening With” events. Highlights will include presentations by former Vice President Joe Biden, authors Megan Abbott, Russell Banks, Richard Blanco and Patricia Engel, among others. In addition, special events will be geared for children, tweens and young adult readers. Visit MiamiBookFair.com for complete schedule and more information.
Poetry workshop
The workshop “Poetry and Activism” will focus on how to write poetry rooted in activism and why effective political poetry requires more than an opinionated stance, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. Award-winning poet Marci Calabretta Cancio-Bello will moderate. Cost is $10 per person.
Palm Beach County public or private high school students who have a flair for poetry can submit one original poem (30 lines maximum) for the 14th Annual Poetry Contest. Original poems should be submitted by email before midnight on Dec. 1 to: PBPF1@aol.com. The winning poet will receive $200, four runners-up will each receive $100. For contest rules or more information on the workshop, visit www.palmbeachpoetryfestival.org.
The pride of the Delray Library
“Pride & Prosecco” sounds like a mix of Jane Austen and sparkling wine — and that’s close. The Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W. Atlantic Ave., is planning a series of events among its library stacks. The library is designing the event to be a modern twist on Ladies Night with cocktails, a dinner “by the bite” and shopping. To emphasize the library aspect, South Florida author Elaine Viets will discuss her latest novel “Fire and Ashes.” Tickets start at $60. For information call 561-266-0194.
FBI thriller
Neil Plakcy will discuss his second Angus Green FBI thriller “Nobody Rides for Free” and the research he did with the FBI in creating his character at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at Stonewall National Museum & Archives Wilton Manors Gallery, 2157 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, 954-763-8565.
A taste of history
Throughout history, food has played an important part in shaping events. (Spices were once considered as valuable as any precious metal.) Going back even further, King Solomon’s thirst for travel led him to send ships all over the ancient world seeking out new cuisines and cultures.
Cookbook author and James Beard Award winner Joan Nathan will discuss her latest cookbook, “King Solomon’s Table: A Culinary Exploration of Global Jewish Cooking and Culture,” beginning at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Miami Beach Jewish Community Center, 4221 Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach. Call 305-534-3206, ext. 214, or email Karen Sepsenwol at karen@mbjcc.org for more information.
Secrets of publishing
What exactly does a publisher do for its writers in terms of publicity? Joanne Sinchuk, manager of Murder on the Beach in Delray Beach, explains it all during the meeting of the Mystery Writers of America beginning at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 18 at the Embassy Suites, 661 NW 53rd St., Boca Raton. Cost is $25 for members; $30 for non-members. For reservations, visit mwaflorida.org or email Harriet Ottenheimer at harriet@ottenheimer.com.
The art of books
Broward County book artist and sculptor Claire Jeanine Satin will discuss her book art at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 9 during the meeting of the National League of American Pen Women, Fort Lauderdale Branch, at Galuppi’s, 1103 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach. Cost is $25; to reserve call 954-812-1860 by Monday.
Author events
Author events this month at Murder on the Beach include: Troy Amdahl and Dave Braun, “Oola: Find Balance in an Unbalanced World,” at 7 p.m. Thursday; Patricia Gussin, “Come Home,” at 7 p.m. Friday; Diane Capri, “Jack The Reaper,” at 5 p.m. Nov. 19. The mystery bookstore is a 273 NE Second Ave., Delray Beach, 561-279-7790, murdermb@gate.net.