Thompson Peak Workshop writers celebrate National Poetry Month
The Thompson Peak Workshop Writers celebrate National Poetry Month with another Words and Music event from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at Artisan Coffee in Janesville. The event will be held outside (weather permitting), so bring your lawn chairs, sunscreen and a light jacket in case the weather is cool.
Michael Meinert is the featured writer/reader.
Michael MeinertMichael Meinert biography
In 1975, my parents traded the hordes of Southern California for the open space of Lassen County where they forged a new life for their six children at a special place we call 8M Ranch. Raised on their boundless energy and curiosity, my interest in science and the natural world led me to degrees in the geological sciences and an insatiable appetite for discovery.
After graduation, it was purely instinct to scribble thoughts about distance, landscape, towns, and people into a small three-ring notebook on the way to Alaska with my brother Austin nearly 40 summers ago. While he pounded nails, I knocked on doors with my resume and soon found myself plying the waters of the Bering Sea looking for signatures of oil under the ocean floor. Through calm and storm, I could hardly contain the thrill of it and quickly filled the notebook that became my first journal. I’ve been writing about travel adventures ever since.
Recently retired from chemistry teaching gigs at secondary schools in Samoa, Bolivia and Reno, Nevada, I spend my days exploring the outdoors, fixing fence, improving my Spanish and attempting to capture my experience with words.
I am currently working on a series of South American stories that I hope to publish by year’s end.
Thompson Peak Workshop writers
The event also offers a Gertrude Stein theme and compositions by the Thompson Peak Workshop Writers who will read works inspired by Stein.
According to a statement from the group, “The event is meant to honor two incredible women no longer with us — Jean Fruehan and Lynn Meinert — both of whom gave so much to Lassen County. Their lives matter.”
Previously announced musical guests, The Crocodilians (Tim Keesey and Michael Rivas), are unable to appear.
The event also features an open mic and possible appearances by the local Poetry Out Loud winners.
