Literary Branch
CURRENT EVENTS
Legendary Ojai Artist & Writer: Dennis Shives
Sun., March 13th, 2:00 p.m.
The inimitable Dennis Shives is an artist, writer and storyteller extraordinaire, and he will deploy all these skills to great effect at the Art Center this Sunday, March 13, when he shares images and stories from his two recently published books.
In “Makin’ Faces,” Dennis has collected photographs of the faces he creates while on his daily walks in the wilderness, using stones, pebbles, sticks, leaves, etc. that he finds in his path. In “More Great Stories to Read Aloud,” the latest in his popular series of short story collections, Dennis presents 52 new yarns, most of them very short, and all of them crafted with his unique blend of wit and whimsy. This Sunday at the Art Center, Dennis will show slides of some of the faces and read several of the stories aloud, and afterward he will sign copies of his new books, both of which will be available for purchase.
The event, hosted by the Literary Branch, begins at 2 p.m. $5 suggested donation. For more info., contact Mark Lewis.
In “Makin’ Faces,” Dennis has collected photographs of the faces he creates while on his daily walks in the wilderness, using stones, pebbles, sticks, leaves, etc. that he finds in his path. In “More Great Stories to Read Aloud,” the latest in his popular series of short story collections, Dennis presents 52 new yarns, most of them very short, and all of them crafted with his unique blend of wit and whimsy. This Sunday at the Art Center, Dennis will show slides of some of the faces and read several of the stories aloud, and afterward he will sign copies of his new books, both of which will be available for purchase.
The event, hosted by the Literary Branch, begins at 2 p.m. $5 suggested donation. For more info., contact Mark Lewis.
PAST EVENTS
ATTICA 50 Years Later
Video credit: Stephen Adams
Fifty years ago the deadliest prison riot in U.S. history erupted at the Attica Correctional Facility near Buffalo, N.Y. Longtime Ojai attorney Len Klaif began his career by representing one of the inmates charged in connection with the inmate uprising, which claimed the lives of 43 people. (Most of the victims were shot by state police and Attica guards when they retook the prison.) Klaif will join Literary Branch chair Mark Lewis to discuss the uprising, the court proceedings that followed, and prison conditions and racial justice.
When the Attica uprising took place in September 1971, Klaif was just starting his senior year of law school at the University of Iowa. After getting his degree, he returned to Buffalo, where he had lived while an undergraduate, and was sworn in as a member of the New York Bar. The next day he was appointed to represent one of the inmates charged in the uprising. Over the next three years, Klaif spent countless hours working with the Attica Defense team, until Governor Hugh Carey granted pardons to those charged, ending the prosecutions. Klaif and Lewis also will discuss some of the books that have been written about Attica, including “A Time to Die” by Tom Wicker. See video above for full interview.
When the Attica uprising took place in September 1971, Klaif was just starting his senior year of law school at the University of Iowa. After getting his degree, he returned to Buffalo, where he had lived while an undergraduate, and was sworn in as a member of the New York Bar. The next day he was appointed to represent one of the inmates charged in the uprising. Over the next three years, Klaif spent countless hours working with the Attica Defense team, until Governor Hugh Carey granted pardons to those charged, ending the prosecutions. Klaif and Lewis also will discuss some of the books that have been written about Attica, including “A Time to Die” by Tom Wicker. See video above for full interview.
