Friends of the Claremont Library: On the Same Page

Our Collective Inland Empire Voice is the topic of the panel of writers and poets from our local region who will discuss ways in which their work was informed by their experiences in the Inland Empire.  They enrich the discussion of inland Southern California that began with Claremont’s city-read Take One Candle Light a Room by Susan Straight. 

The panelists include:

Moderator:  Ellen Estilai – board member of Inlandia Institute, a collaborative group which promotes writing and creativity in inland Southern California.  She has been involved with Arts Councils in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, and is a writing teacher and author.

Panelist:  Deenez Coachbuilder – artist, environmentalist and published poet in the US and India.  She has lived in Riverside since 1981, and is a retired principal and professor at CSU San Bernardino.  Her poems have appeared in a variety of publications including Inlandia: A Literary Journey. 

Panelist:  Juan Delgado – a critically acclaimed poet and professor at CSU San Bernardino.  He has written about the immigrant experience in his book, El Campo.   His latest work, Vital Signs, co-authored with photographer Thomas  McGovern,  is a testament to the creators’ fondness for San Bernardino and its people.

Panelist:  Sholeh Wolpe – a poet, writer, and editor who was born in Iran, straddles two cultures and languages.  She is a translator of Walt Whitnan’s “Song of Myself” into Persian and is committed to translating literature from Persian into English because in her view, “people should dialogue through poetry and not their politicians.”

Our speakers will have books available and Cati Porter, executive director of  the Inlandia Institute will bring books and magazines for purchase.  Cash or checks only, please. 

The panel discussion will take place on Sunday, October 6th, at 2:00 PM at the Tranquada Student Services Building, 757 N. College Way, Claremont – at the corner of 8th Street, Dartmouth and College Way – easy street and lot parking

Reminder:   A Conversation with Susan Straight will take place on Sunday, October 13th, at 2:00 at the Tranquada Student Services Building

Community Discussion will take place on Sunday, October 20th at 2:00 at the Claremont High School Library.