Happy Monday, everyone. Here's hoping you had a fine weekend amid the warm weather and cottonwood blizzards. I spent mine dropping lit, pulling weeds, and enjoying springtime in the not-so-big city.
As I noted on Friday, the 2007 Big Read has begun in Boise. A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway's 1929 book about love and war - seems like an appropriate selection for our time, as tens of thousands of American families deal with deaths, injuries, and uncertain futures caused by our nation's present-day military adventures. Here's the full schedule of events. I've also noted a few in the listing below.
As it did last year, the Idaho Statesman - a Big Read sponsor - is asking noted folks around town what's their Big Read, or which book they'd recommend to friends? (For instance, in today's paper, Dave Bieter touts The Poetry of Robert Frost.)
What about you? What's your Big Read? I challenge you to name just one book!
Bonus question for today: What about Z? Not only did Boise State quarterback Jared Zabransky not get picked in this weekend's NFL draft; he apparently didn't get any interest as a free agent, either. Is his lackluster junior year the reason, or were there just too many other good QBs this year?
Here are some events happening this week. Feel free to add others in the comments.
All week - It's Boise Music Week's 89th year, with free concerts planned all over town. Click here for the schedule.
Monday, April 30 - The North End Neighborhood Association meets at 7 p.m. today at 1520 N. 12th St., Boise.
Tuesday, May 1 - A discussion of A Farewell to Arms will happen at 7 p.m. at the Caldwell Public Library.
Wednesday, May 2 - The Eagle Library plans a discussion of A Farewell to Arms. 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 3 - The East End Neighborhood Association meets at 6:30 p.m. in the gym at Roosevelt Elementary School, 908 E. Jefferson St., Boise.
Thursday, May 3 - The Big Read presents a panel discussion on "Healing and Recovering From War" at 7 p.m. in the Boise Public Library auditorium. Participants will include returning Iraq vets, a specialist on post traumatic stress syndrome, a mother of a soldier currently serving in Iraq, and VA personnel.