October 11-16 is Restaurant Week in Pagosa – a unique opportunity created to benefit your library when many of our community’s finest restaurants will feature menu items dedicated to this event. You can explore new restaurants or revisit old favorites, dine in or take out – all while contributing to your library’s campaign to raise funds to expand and renovate your library.
The idea came from local restaurant owners Shelly Cox and Audrey Bliss. Both are big fans and regular patrons of the library, and Shelly serves on the Foundation’s campaign committee.
You can find a full list of participating restaurants at https://pagosalibrary.org/library-foundation/pagosa-restaurant-week/. Among the first restaurants to sign up were Alley House Grille, Chavelo’s Mexican Restaurant, Gustavo Ristorente Italiano, Higher Grounds Coffee Company, The Lost Cajun, Meltdown on Main, The Neon Mallard Cocktail Lounge, Ole Miner’s Steak and Chophouse, Pagosa Baking Company, Riff Raff Brewing Company and Riff Raff on the Rio, Rosie’s Pizzeria, Colorado Roadhouse and Two Chicks and a Hippie.
We expect even more restaurants to join this important fundraising effort by the time you read this. Each restaurant is choosing their own way to participate and give to the library. For example, one restaurant will donate $1 for every bowl of Cajun classic sold.
You do not need to sign up in advance or bring a coupon. Just go to the restaurant of your choice and ask them what on their menu is part of the Restaurant Week event for the library. And please thank them for helping us all support this important fundraising effort to expand and renovate your library.
Fall Lifelong Learning lectures
An all-new free Lifelong Learning lecture series begins October 13 and runs every Thursday through November 17 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. – our first in-person LLL series since the fall of 2019, before COVID.
You’ll hear from Scott Graham, the Durango author of a popular National Park mystery series, on October 13; Dr. Jean Strahlendorf discussing the pros and cons of Initiative 58 that would legalize the uses of psychedelics in clinical settings for treating some medical issues, on October 20; Paula Woerner, head of the Wolfwood Refuge for rescued wolves in LaPlata County, on October 27; C. Neal Johnson offering information on Business with a Mission (BAM), on November 3; April Holthaus and Dan Senjem on the Archuleta County Genealogical Society, on November 10 and Mott Hoover from the Colorado Avalanche Center, on November 17.
Go to https://pagosalibrary.org/adult-services/ or pick up a brochure at your library for more details on all these presentations.
No PALS/GED adult education in October
There will be no PALS sessions in October as Mark, the instructor, will be out of state working one of his other jobs.
Online author talks continue
There will be three more events this month in our free online virtual series featuring New York Times bestselling authors and thought-leaders giving live, professionally moderated book discussions you can view on your computer, tablet or smartphone with internet access. You also have an opportunity to ask questions.
Next Thursday, October 13 at 2 p.m. we’ll hear from Dr. Aziz Gazipura, author of “Not Nice: Stop People Pleasing, Staying Silent & Feeling Guilty.” On Tuesday, October 18 at 5 p.m. we’ll meet with Zain Asher, author of “Where the Children Take Us.” On Tuesday, October 25 we’ll gather with Kate Quinn, author of “The Diamond Eye.”
Go to https://pagosalibrary.org/adult-services/ to learn more.
Dungeons & Dragons today
Today, Thursday, October 6 from 4-6 p.m. join our virtual Dungeons & Dragons game free for teens and young adults on Discord. Next Tuesday, October 11 from 4-5:30 p.m. is an in-person game. Space is limited and registration is required. Contact claire@pagosalibrary.org to join.
Children’s Spanish class tomorrow
Join us Friday, October 7 from 2-3 p.m. for a Spanish class for kids aged six to 11 to help youngsters learn and improve their Spanish.
Adult book club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club meets in person from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 11 to discuss “The Lost Apothecary” by Sarah Penner. Copies are available at your library. This book club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Spanish conversation
Next Tuesday, October 11 from 4:30-5:30 p.m., we will gather at the library to practice speaking and listening skills together at this free session. No minimum skill level is required to attend. You also can learn Spanish and many other languages using the Transparent Language Learning database available at https:pagosalibrary.org/online-resources/
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 2-4 p.m. Thursdays. Judy will help you with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets and also provide assistance in accessing any of the library’s online resources. You do not need an appointment for these drop-in sessions.
Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge will be posted October 10 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free activity.
Library hours
Most of our programs happen in person and curbside service continues. Also, our hours are back to pre-COVID levels – and even more on weekdays:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays open 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturdays open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
DVDs
“Eddie Murphy” is a collection of 14 movies starring the comedian. “1883: A Yellowstone Origin Story” is a prequel to the popular “Yellowstone” TV series. “Minions: The Rise of Gru” contains two mini-movies. “Happening” features a bright young student in France
Spanish-language books about the sea
“En el Corazon del Mar” (“In the Heart of the Sea”) by Nathaniel Philbrick is the tragic tale of the crew of a ship attacked by a giant whale. “El Alma de Los Pulpos” (“The Soul of Octopuses”) by Sy Montgomery is an explanation of the intelligence, personalities and problem-solving skills of these amazing creatures.
Large print
“Gunman’s Pass” by Ralph Cotton is a Will Summers western. “The Last to Vanish” by Megan Miranda is a mystery set in a inn in a North Carolina town. “The Big Dark Sky” by Dean Koontz is a murder mystery that takes place on a ranch in Montana. “Fairy Tale” by Stephen King is a story with a lot of heart and some of the author’s signature horror. “Reckoning” by Catherine Coulter is an FBI thriller. “The Return of the Pharaoh” by Nicholas Meyer is a Sherlock Holmes-Dr. Watson adventure in Egypt.
Donations
We are grateful to Sherry and Keith Spears for their generous monetary donation in memory of Jimmy Neumann of Texas, and to our anonymous donors for their materials donations. Material donations are accepted for the Friends of the Library at the front desk (not down the outside returns slot at the library or the dropbox at City Market, please) when we are open. The Friends take fiction published in 2012 or newer and nonfiction that is 2017 or newer. Limited workroom space means we can only accept one or two small boxes at a time.
Quotable Quote
“For the great storms of our past will challenge us; they will shape us or break us. We can succumb to the fear and bury ourselves in the wreckage they leave behind. Or we can dig up the courage from within us and fight for our future. Because having courage doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid; it means you persist despite your fear.” – Celia Bell, American photographer who describes herself as “a dreamer, adventurer and destination photographer.”
Website
For more information on library books, services and programs – and to reserve books, e-books, books on CD and DVDs from the comfort of your home – please visit our website at https://pagosalibrary.org.
The Ruby Sisson Memorial Library has been located at 811 San Juan Street (corner of S. 8th and Hwy 160) since 1989. The library is overseen by the Upper San Juan Library District, a tax-funded special district in Archuleta County.