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Travels: Event for Book Lovers, Children, and all Readers

BookFest Solano, April 11-12, 2015 in Vacaville, CA

BookFest Solano, a free-to-the-public, family-friendly festival, will be held on April 11-12, 2015 at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Vacaville, Ca. The hours are 9:00 to 4:00 on Saturday and 10:00 – 4:00 on Sunday.  This festival is hosted by the Solano County Library Foundation, a nonprofit  corporation.  It is for readers, aspiring writers, and for sharing ideas with the theme “Growing Readers, Growing Writers.” An exhibit hall will feature booksellers,  authors, and people with book-crafting and marketing skills showcasing their products and services.  Local and regional authors will be recognized, have opportunity to network, improve their skills, gain knowledge, and promote their work.  Funds raised through BookFest Solano will aid the libraries and their literacy programs.

Workshops, presentations, and activities will nurture readers and writers of all ages. In the Jan Brett Corner for Kids there will be story times and activities based on her picture books.  Local children’s authors will read aloud from their books.  Peter Blueberry, children’s poet, will share his work and talk about illustrating his books.  A session for people who want to write children’s books will have opportunity for would-be authors to ask their questions. 

The schedule of workshops and author presentations includes Jennifer Basye Sander, author of The Complete Idiots Guide to Getting Published, and many other nonfiction books.  Her presentation will be entitled  “Could Hemingway Get a Book Deal in Our Time?”  Michael Stribling, Art Director at LeapFrog Enterprises, and well-known comic book artist will lead a session on “Working with Illustrators” and another on comic books.   Judith Michaels Simon leads a workshop on “Writing Memoirs.”  Author Jeff Dwyer, Ghost Hunter series, will talk about his books, including  Ghost Hunter’s Guide to the Wine Country.  He will also talk about his latest book, Passages Home, a novel about an Iraq war veteran and his struggles to overcome PTSD.  David Corbett will speak on his latest crime novel, The Mercy of the Night.  Writers will benefit  from the “Workshop on Editing”  by Wendy VanHatten, author and editor.  From the Bok-In-Hand Roadshow there will be two presentations: “How to Win a Book Award” and “Miffed by the Book Parts” on book layout.  Kathryn Reiss will lead a session on “Writing Suspense Fiction.”  The schedule is subject to change.  Look for the full schedule in mid-March on our festival website at www.BookFestSolano.com

Although BookFest Solano is free to the public, it does incorporate two activities with admission charges.  On Saturday afternoon from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., there will be Read and Romp activities.  The $10 charge for kids (adults are free) will benefit the national program “Reach Out and Read”.

On Saturday night, April 11, “An Evening with Todd Borg” will feature this author of twelve Tahoe thriller / mysteries featuring Owen McKenna, detective.  It starts with a wine and cheese reception at 6:00 p.m.  There will be book signing and opportunity to talk with Todd.  This will be followed by Todd’s presentation.  This event is ticketed and will be held at Epiphany Episcopal Church, located at the corner of Buck and West Streets in Vacaville.  Tickets ($15 for Foundation Members, and $20 for nonmembers) are available through the Foundation website, www.SolanoLibraryFoundation.org.  BookFest Solano Book Contest winners will be announced during this evening.

Even then the fun doesn’t end.  Barnes & Noble is doing a Book Fair in their Fairfield store on April 18-19 in conjunction with BookFest Solano and the Solano County Library Foundation.  During this weekend they will donate a percentage of their sales to the Library Foundation to benefit the libraries and literacy programs.  To make this happen, mention at the checkout when you make your purchases that you want to support the Library Foundation. 

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Travels: Amador Four Fires Wine and Food Festival

This new concept of a wine and food festival is being celebrated May 2 at the Amador County fairgrounds in Plymouth.

What is it? The Four Fires refer to the four wine making regions which inspire Amador winemakers and winegrowers: Southern France, Italy, Iberia, and heritage California. This event will be spread out across a 10 acre site, divided into those regions.

Star chefs will showcase spectacular dishes cooked over an open flame…hence the Four Fires. Everything from a whole pig roasted over an open spit to huge paella pans to barbecue.

Tickets and more information can be found at www.amadorfourfires.com.

Sounds like a good time…

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Travels: Hints

Do you check airline seating? If you haven’t, check out Seat Guru.

When getting ready to stand in the security line, do you check to see which is the shortest line? What if it really isn’t the quickest line? Instead, check to see how the security screener is working. Is that person in training or is he or she zipping right along?

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Travels: Getting Ready to Leave

Before you leave home, combine the addresses of places you will be, such as hotels, museums, restaurants, etc. Then send yourself an email with these addresses. That way, you will have them all in one place. No wi-fi? Send yourself a text message.

Before you walk away from your parking place at the airport, take a photo of it with your smart phone. You could also leave a voice mail for yourself or a text.