Boisverts' refurbish Galveston See-Wall mural

Friendswood library patrons Joe and Linda Boisvert were recently featured in a Galveston Daily News article entitled Community Comes Together to Paint by Galveston Island Beach Patrol chief, Peter Davis.  The article details the Boisvert’s effort to refurbish the See-Wall mural that runs on the seawall from 61^st to the Pleasure Pier at 25^th Street. This 15 year old mural is two and a half miles long, covers 65,000 square feet and is the largest painting by numbers on the planet.  14,000 people shared in the original painting of the See-Wall mural. Vic Maceo and article author Peter Davis initiated the project and had the original vision 15 years ago. Joe and Linda Boisvert are currently working on a section around 54^th street.

Speaking with Linda, she described how the elements had really diminished the original artwork.  She described her husband’s ability to step back and visualize the original work, tracing with magic marker the outer lines where the paint is completely gone. She said that she got to meet people from all over the country who were staying at nearby hotels. Both locals and guests showed great interest in their work and wanted to find out more about what they were doing.  The pictures below are from their first refurbishing effort.

 

 

How to Become a Mummy: Classic Movie Night

Our very own Michelle Farthing got mummified to introduce our Classic Movie Night feature, Boris Karloff’s The Mummy. The Friendswood Public Library hosts Classic Movie Night every other Thursday at 6:30pm. Our next feature is Adam’s Rib starring Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn on Thursday, November 8 at 6:30pm.  Arrive 15 minutes early for an introduction by UHCL Film Curator, Sonia Hernandez. Visit the Adult Programs Schedule found from the Friendswood library’s home page to learn about upcoming Movie Night features.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erica Lehrer and Dancing with Ataxia

 

 

After majoring in English at Princeton University, Erica Lehrer got her J.D. from NYU School of Law.  She practiced law for a number of years before turning full-time, to writing.  Her life turned upside down when she was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy, a neurodegenerative disease. 

 

What they are saying about Erica Lehrer’s Dancing With Ataxia:

Visions of struggle and triumph, told with a clear, powerful, evocative, voice that can lead us into waking dreams.  I highly recommend this book, and commend Erica Lehrer for her hard, glittering work.

-Luis Alberto Urrea, Latino Literature Hall of Fame

In Dancing with Ataxia, Erica Lehrer allows us into her brilliant mind and an existence that has become a mixture of loss, humor, doubt, hope and discovery, as she comes to grips with the effects of an inexplicable disease.  The poems are like little messages found in bottles sent out to the world and fill the reader with insights and revelations that may only come from living on the island of her personal journey…

-Dave Parsons, 2011 Texas State Poet Laureate

 

 

The following poems come from her book Dancing With Ataxia.
 

The Friendswood Public Library carries a copy of Dancing with Ataxia. It can also be found through Amazon with all proceeds going to medical research. 

 

 

Minnows and Koi

By Erica Lehrer

Your eyes are dark bottomless lakes

 

reflecting light from others while seemingly

generating little light of their own; yet I suspect,

were I to tilt back your head and look deep,

deep within (as I might were I to kiss you)

I'd see speckled minnows and golden koi darting

to and fro amidst sea-green ferns, undulating

grasses, inexplicable currents of electricity.

Let us, at least, give it a try.

 

 

THE RIO FRIO

 

By Erica Lehrer

 

For Francine Ringold

 

On the hottest day in July

when even the cedars are shriveled and scorched

she heads to the river

and there

amidst the boulders

she finds five

smooth stones

and one by one

she skips them

with a flick

of her tiny wrist

watching them skim

through the crystalline water

and though she will grow up

and live for many years

in faraway cities

she will never forget

this perfect afternoon

 

 

Wimberley

 

By Erica Lehrer

 

On hot days you could find him
down by the river and up a tree,
enjoying its cool. If she stood on tiptoe,
arms stretched skyward and he reached
his hands through the branches,
he could lift her into the leafy treehouse
where they’d be hidden from view.

Too young to work, too old to play,
they’d stare at each other wordlessly
smiling like maniacs, eating green
grapes, a breeze lifting the damp hair
off their foreheads, arousing in them
a restlessness they didn’t yet understand.

That boy is dead now. The tree, too.
Today, by the river, even the wind is still.

 

 

Chappaqua

 

By Erica Lehrer

 

was the way a single

gnarled branch

from a half-dead tree

would scrape

against the loose strung outdoor lights

on cold winter nights

and twist in the wind –

creaking, groaning –

casting shadows on the wall

above my sleeping love

while I marveled

at the beauty of it all.

 

 

 

Erica Lehrer with members of Net Poets Society at a recent FPL Poetry Series Reading.

 

 More poems by Erica Lehrer:

The Road to Chimayo



 

Essay Readings: Upcoming Programs at FPL

Five wonderful essayists participated in our second essay reading program at Friendswood Public Library. Essayists were Adriana Babiak Vazquez, Luis Vazquez, Katherine Sanger, and Oscar Peña. This event was hosted by essayist Barbara Carle.

 

l to r: Luis Vazquez, Adriana Babiak Vazquez, Oscar Peña, Katherine Sanger, Barbara Carle

 

 

 

 

Thursday, November 1 from 6:30 – 8:30pm: An Evening of Art at the Library with local, award-winning and juried artists, Ruby Allen, Glena Schlehuber, and Billie Morris. Come meet these artists and enjoy their artwork on display. Also enjoy music of the harp by Mariah Foreman.

Ruby Allen is an elite member of the Houston Watercolor Society and The International Society of Artists. Ruby has participated in many juried competitions and exhibits, winning numerous awards. Her paintings are in collections throughout the United States and in many countries.

Glena Schlehuber has been recognized in one woman and group shows; the most recent were The Art Alliance of Clear Lake 2011 Summer Open Exhibition and the TAACL August 2010 High Fiber and Raw Materials Exhibition in which she participated as an invitational artist.

Billie Morris has shown work in the Charles T. Doyle Convention Center in Texas City, College of the Mainland Art Gallery, and most recently had her works displayed in the College of the Mainland Administration Building.

 

Monday, December 10 at 7pm: Christmas Music Concert - Hope Lutheran Handbell Choir with Music Director Stephanie Poyner and special guest vocalists Amanda Gonzales and Carol Chew present Christmas Bells - music to celebrate the Season.

 

Wednesday, January 30th from 7 - 8pm: FPL Poetry Series presents a reading with featured poets Richard Peake and John Gorman. A native Virginian, Richard Peake became a Texas resident after retiring from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. He published early poems in Impetus alongside John Ciardi and in The Georgia Review. Collections of his poetry include Wings Across… and Poems for Terence published by Vision Press, which also included poems of his in A Gathering at the Forks. He published Birds and Other Beasts in 2007. A member of The Poetry Society of Texas he is published in numerous books and journals including the Pushcart Prize nominated Shine Journal. A life-long naturalist, a father and grandfather, he teaches birds, Shakespeare, and writing in OLLi. Dr. John Gorman lives in Galveston, TX and teaches literature and creative writing at UH-Clear Lake. His poems, gathered in three chapbooks, have appeared individually in dozens of Texas publications with more nationally and in Canada. Dr. Gorman is in demand as a poet and speaker at venues across the region.

 

Wednesday, February 20 at 7pm: Emmy nominated singer/songwriter ellen cherry performs at Friendswood Public Library. ellen cherry (lowercase letters intentional!) is a full-time touring and working performer based in Baltimore, MD. In 2012, ellen released a piano-based album produced by Caleb Stine, entitled "Please Don't Sell the Piano". Throughout 2012, ellen was a Strathmore Artist-in-Residence and co-founded MOBTOWNmoon, a new collaborative project for Baltimore musicians. ellen also wrote, performed and recorded an original song commissioned by the FOX Networks that was nominated for an Emmy in 2010.

 

 

 

Local Artists at FPL: November 1st

An Evening of Art at the Friendswood Public Library with local, award-winning and juried artists, Ruby Allen, Glena Schlehuber, and Billie Morris.  Meet these artists and view their artwork on Thursday, November 1 from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Music of the harp by Mariah Foreman.

 

Ruby Allen was born and educated in Plymouth, England and has had a fervent interest in art since childhood.  She became a serious and dedicated professional artist in 1976, working in her own inimitable, impressionistic painting style. Watercolor is her favorite medium because it offers a formidable challenge with unique opportunity to apply her talents and creativity.

 

 

Ruby Allen is an elite signature member of the Houston Watercolor Society and The International Society of Artists.  Ruby has participated in many juried competitions and exhibits, winning numerous awards including a State of Texas competition where she won first place resulting in exhibiting her painting at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City along with the winners from each state. She also had two paintings in a juried show where twelve artists’ works were selected for use in a Houston calendar and was one of 25 artists to have their work exhibited in Stevanger Norway, Houston’s sister city. Her paintings are in collections throughout the United States and in many countries. Ruby also designed a book cover for novelist William Hayes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Among the prominent artists that Ruby has studied with are Edgar Whitney, Frank Webb, Glenn Bradshaw and Robert E. Wood.

 

Ruby maintains a studio and gallery in Friendswood, TX.

 

 

 

Glena Schlehuber is a Friendswood artist who began her painting career during her mid- life years.  She paints a variety of subject matter but has focused primarily on landscapes and seascapes for the last several years.  Her work has been recognized in one woman and group shows; the most recent were The Art Alliance of Clear Lake 2011 Summer Open Exhibition and the TAACL August 2010 High Fiber and Raw Materials Exhibition in which she participated as an invitational artist.

 

 

 

Glena Schlehuber Artist’s Statement:  I began a new venture several years ago in which I determined that I would produce a series of landscapes and seascapes while incorporating new media into my work.  In addition, I would have no reference material (photos, sketches, etc.) which might have served as a catalyst for each piece.  These paintings are the outcome of my endeavor.

 

 

 

Billie Morris is an artist that resides in Santa Fe, Texas with her family.  She was always interested in art, and started taking formal instruction in the mid 90’s. She uses multiple forms of mediums to produce her work, which is almost always inspired by nature. She has shown work in the Charles T. Doyle Convention Center in Texas City, College of the Mainland Art Gallery, and most recently had her works displayed in the College of the Mainland Administration Building.

 

Billie Morris Artist Statement: I truly believe that each person sees something different in art and that they should be allowed the privilege to see what they want to see and decipher the piece and view it in the manner which best suits them. Art is to the viewer what the viewer is to the art. That said, I will be showing varied pieces I’ve done with diverse mediums and subject matters.

 

FPL Poetry Series and other reading events

Our FPL Poetry Series held a wonderful reading last night with host and poet John Milkereit, and featured poets Vanessa Zimmer-Powell, Carrie Kornacki, and Kelly Ellis.  As our host for the evening stated, these poets displayed a great depth of imagination, sound, texture, and tone throughout the reading. Also in attendance was poet Glynn Monroe Irby who is finishing a new book of poetry and essayist and playwright Margaret Symmank. Many of these writers have work found here at from the reference desk.

John Milkereit will be reading at the Poetry Out of Bounds Reading at Barnes & Noble (Webster) at around 3pm this Saturday, October 6 as part of the Houston Poetry Fest. Event hosted by the Gulf Coast Poets.



l to r: Carrie Kornacki, Kelly Ellis, Vanessa Zimmer-Powell, John Milkereit

On Tuesday, October 9th at 7pm, the Friends of the Friendswood Public Library Book Club will meet to discuss Fieldwork by Mischa Berlinski. Book Club meets the 2nd Tuesday each month at 7:00 p.m. Refreshments are provided. The library has several copies of the book.

On Wednesday, October 17th at 7pm, the Friendswood Public Library will present Personal Essay Readings with host and author of New York Rhapsody, Barbara Carle. Essayists include Adriana Babiak Vazquez, Luis Vazquez, Katherine Sanger, and Oscar Peña.

On Wednesday, January 30^th at 7pm, FPL Poetry Series presents a reading with featured poets Richard Peake and John Gorman.

A native Virginian, Richard Peake became a Texas resident after retiring from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. He published early poems in Impetus alongside John Ciardi and in The Georgia Review. Collections of his poetry include Wings Across… and Poems for Terence published by Vision Press, which also included poems of his in A Gathering at the Forks. He published Birds and Other Beasts in 2007. A member of The Poetry Society of Texas he is published in numerous books and journals including the Pushcart Prize nominated Shine Journal. A life-long naturalist, a father and grandfather, he teaches birds, Shakespeare, and writing in OLLi.

Dr. John Gorman lives in Galveston , TX and teaches literature and creative writing at UH-Clear Lake. His poems, gathered in three chapbooks, have appeared individually in dozens of Texas publications with more nationally and in Canada. John Gorman remains in demand as a speaker and poet in venues across the region.

Flint by poet Carrie Garns

Carrie Garns will be a featured poet at our FPL Poetry Series reading on Wednesday, October 3 at 7pm. This reading will be hosted by poet John Milkereit and will include poets Vanessa Zimmer-Powell and Kelly Ellis.

 

Carrie L. Kornacki (Garns) has a B.S. in Journalism from Ohio University and a Certificate of Education from Bowling Green State University.  She taught English Language Arts and Reading for nine years in Ohio; English As a Second Language in Suzhou, China; British Literature in Galveston and currently teaches at Westfield High School in Spring, Texas. In addition to her experience as a teacher in public and private schools, Ms. Kornacki worked for over 12 years as a copywriter and executive in print and broadcast advertising where she won regional CLIO awards for freelance radio campaigns. She has also worked in public relations and has performed her original poetry in Ohio as part of a community therapy team to assist the mentally ill. In addition, Ms. Kornacki has taught Sunday school and has worked with kids in summer creative writing programs. She lives in Spring, Texas with her husband and three dogs. She is currently working on a children’s fantasy Middle Reader, and performs her original work throughout the Houston area.  

 

 

FLINT                                                                                    

 

Red Lobster’s a great place to find the truth.  But I admit

I’m not here for that.  I’m here for a better reason… lobster pizza.

And it’s taking way too long, so I feel like a piece of flint

stuck in hard.  Feel like the ground just foamed up like peroxide

and sea, bubbled 1000 invisible rings around me then… fossilized.

So here I’m trapped, still as a rock.  Here I’m a sundial,

a cold shadow, a fire starter, a totem that should not be.

But really I’m just a squatter waiting to see the world’s show.

 

A square globe with the sound turned down floats in space.

It’s a pulsating mishap of sea and sky and land that has stolen

the rights to broadcast the beat, to tell it like it is.

And then it happens; the world spits itself out live from the globe.

It crazy wires in hot strands of gold plated licorice, shooting in angles,

dividing the air like money, pounding like humpback dancers,

unfettered with everything to prove…Ta-ta’…Ta-ta’…Ta-ta’…Ta-ta’…

 

I watch and I listen to the beat.  I feel its filigree of spittle surround me

and in the center of it, I hear an unfamiliar sound.  My own heart beats

from everywhere, beats a metallic pebble, beats air whooshing in and out,

beats straight from the front, the way it should.  I don’t want to stay here.

If I turn around once, I’ll be lost.  But my every molecule is push pinned to a spot.

And everything here is authorized like a backward smile.  I have no choice.

I’ll stay.  But I refuse to be part of this.

 

And now I’m holding my stool.  It’s moving and the pictures start hitting the air.

There are spidery gadgets and electrical hums… technology gone wild.

They hit the registers, zap out the lights and cell phones.  But no one notices.

The air eats itself, and people start to choke.  There are buzzing jump ropes that make

everyone fight.  And someone gets out a gun.  But no one notices.

There’s high-throttle phlegm all over the place, hits and slides and fast moving lips.

There are flowers floating; the air is their bowl; the guy with the gun shoots them

and they shut tight and hold.  Their passion’s gone.  And people start to hide in their clothes.

But no one notices.

 

I search the room for hills and sky; look under my seat, in my glass.

I look at my fingers pressing for a new root language where I can dot and cross

my own way, where I can get away from the beat.  And then logic tremors

everywhere in the room, in every mind, on every tongue.  And I can see

more and more of it crack as the shaking gets stronger.  Then most of the room is dust.

But the beat still pounds…Ta-ta’…Ta-ta’…Ta-ta’…Ta-ta…Ta-ta’…

 

“Look,” I say to the bartender, “you can have your pizza!”

And I turn around to leave.  Then stop.  I’m terrified.  Inside me is something…

something… a tiny rift in the center of my rock, a gash, an unwelcomed nomad,

a sort of ringworm in action, my cupid of doom… the beat calling me to dance…

Ta-ta’…Ta-ta’…Ta-ta’…Ta-ta’…Ta-ta’…

 

So I freeze for a minute, a rock god ready to take the plunge…

 

 

Carrie Kornacki (Garns)