| | Published April 29th, 2009
| Former KTVU Co-anchor Mark Curtis Featured at Library Reading Festival in May
| | By Moya Stone |   | | Mark Curtis Photo provided
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Lamorinda citizens save the date - May 7, 2009, 7pm. You won't want to miss the opportunity to hear local author and broadcast journalist, Mark Curtis discuss his new book, Age of Obama: A Reporters Journey with Clinton, McCain and Obama in the Making of the President 2008 (Nimble Books). As part of the Contra Costa County Library Reading Festival, May 3-9, Curtis is featured among many library activities celebrating this year's theme - stories.
"The 2009 Reading Festival in Lamorinda is all about stories," says Caroline Gick, Senior Community Library Manager. "Tell a story, write a story, share a story. At the Orinda Library, we're pleased to have Mark Curtis join us to share his own story of life on the 2008 presidential campaign trail."
In 2008, Curtis traveled with all the presidential candidates reporting and documenting this historic election year. Curtis' resulting book offers his insights into the presidential campaign as well as stories, thoughts, and opinions of average Americans he met along the way.
Curtis says that after being on the road with the candidates and among the crowds, he now has an even greater respect for the democratic process. "To see it played out first hand was really exciting," says Curtis. "Our democracy is stronger than ever." Curtis says he was struck by how engaged the American public was in this election, particularly young voters, and he hopes that interest in politics continues to grow in the coming years. "We have the California Governors' race coming up and that has the potential to be every bit as dramatic," says Curtis.
As a big advocate of reading, Curtis is pleased to be a part of the Library Reading Festival.
"Reading is the gateway to every subject," says Curtis. "Everyone must learn to read to be able engage in our democracy, in politics and elections." A doctoral student at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, Curtis makes use of his local library in Danville to study and is impressed with the Contra Costa Library system. "We have such great libraries; I'd like to see more people using them."
The 2009 Reading Festival brings community and libraries together to celebrate books and reading. All 25 Contra Costa Libraries will offer free events throughout the week for children and adults. In addition to the Mark Curtis book event, the Orinda Library will also feature a marionette puppet show and a performance of William Saroyan's, My Name is Aram by the Berkeley group Actors Reading Writers. The Moraga Library is offering a memoir writing workshop with educator and writing coach Les Rae. Jane Knowles Lindsey, President of the California Genealogical Society will conduct a class at the Lafayette Library on researching family stories.
For a complete list of events visit the Reading Festival website at: ccclib.org.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA