Events

Women artists appear to be having their day. But when J.J. Wilson and Karen Petersen began their research almost fifty years ago, they were hard to find. The Sitting Room Library has a splendid collection of over 700 volumes dedicated to painters, sculptors, photographers, quilters and so much more. Join us to explore the rich bounty of women's creative endeavors. 
Please RSVP joannborri@gmail.com. Limit 10.

photo: Ich Bin Ich/I Am Me, Paula Modersohn Becker, 1907

September 21, Saturday 9 – 3pm: Cultivate your Creativi-qi – Karen FitzGerald “Fitz”. 

A writing gong, qi gong workshop designed to appeal to your Creative within – be she/he a writer, painter, sculptor, weaver, musician….  For all creatives, from beginners to advanced to masters of an art form, even if that art amounts to doing life. Writing will be the act that serves to integrate the gentle movements of a qi gong practice to one’s creative practices. Participants will be prompted to write reflectively between segments of qi gong movement. 

For additional information and to RSVP, e-mail Fitz at thinkinc@aol.com Subject: Qi Gong. Or call/text 415-246-6804. Limit 10.  

September 28, Saturday 2 – 4 pm: Reading Books about Books from the Sitting Room Collection – J.J. Wilson. 

Did you know that The Sitting Room Library has a very special collection of BOOKS ON BOOKS shelved just under the big window by the round table? They are so fun to browse for book lovers and we’ll all have a good time sharing some of the jewel-passages we find there with one another. A warning: some of the books are written by males! As they write so adorably about the books they adore, They are invited to our tea party. Here are some titles just to activate your taste buds: “Book Lust” by Nancy Pearl; “Old Books, Rare Friends” by Leona Rostenberg (one of my faves); “On Reading” by Larry McMurtry; and to get us all laughing, “The Weird Things Customers say in Bookstores” by Jen Campbell.  Attendance will be limited to five + the host, J.J. Wilson, for maximum participation by everyone. Those interested can get started by reading books from those shelves behind the kitchen table and under the big window — some fun cartoons kept there too, all about books and reading. Please RSVP by Telephone 707 795-9028 or email boxcar@sonic.net to get your place at the table. Limit 5. If more than five want to sign up, I’ll happily schedule a second Round Table. 

October 5, Saturday 2 – 4 pm: Poetry in Conversation - Patti Trimble and Helen Heal. Take a tour of the Poetry collection and beyond. As we gather, we will take some time to get acquainted with the poetry archives and the surprising ‘spineless wonders’ collection. Then, focusing on the SR poetry collection, choose a book or two and we will explore the poetry, and maybe the poet, in conversation. One of our Sitting Room librarians will be available to help us do some searching of the Sitting Room Library on-line catalogue to find out if there is more in the SR collections by or about certain poets – essays, fiction, biographies, memoirs, and more. There will be ample time for conversation, time to peruse the SR poetry resources, in and out of the Poetry Room itself, and perhaps discover something that will suggest a return visit for further immersion. Please RSVP joannborri@gmail.com. Limit 7.

October 19, Saturday 2 – 4pm: In Conversation. Karen FitzGerald “Fitz” 

Welcome to the Sitting Room’s wonderful collection of ‘In Conversation’ books and other great reads entailing interviews with some of your favorite authors. One does indeed feel an intimate connection with the writers, thinkers, artists and activists when reading the very words spoken by the subject being interviewed. We will pick a book/writer or two -- read for 20, 30 minutes; reconvene and share who said what to whom. 

RSVP Fitz at thinkinc@aol.com. Subject Line: Conversation. Limit 8.

October 26, Saturday 1 – 4 pm: ‘Write Your Own Obituary’ - Marie Thomas McNaughton. 

It’s fun and easy when you imagine your story, organize its chapters and communicate what makes you wonderful. Learn the form, then forget it if you like—or—make the whole thing up and imagine a life as yet undiscovered. 

Please RSVP to JoAnn Borri at joannborri@gmail.com. Limit 6.

These Round Tables are a new way of getting small groups in conversation using the rich resources of the Sitting Room Library. Here is how we are imagining them: no cost, no advance preparation needed. And only one meeting planned. Browse the library, select a book. Each person speaks and also listens and thus we have what we all say we are wanting: conversation. Bring your curiosity!