Rien Fertel, a local author and teacher, will discuss his new book, “Brown Pelican,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 at the East Shore Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.
Fertel tells the story of humanity’s complicated and often brutal relationship with the brown pelican over the past century.
The pelican adorns the Louisiana state flag, serves as a religious icon of sacrifice, and appears in the famous farewell shot of “Jurassic Park,” but, most importantly, shines a light on our tenuous connection to the environment in which it flies, feeds and perches. — the coast of the United States.
In the mid-1960s, the state bird was declared locally extinct.
Conservation efforts saved the brown pelican, generating one of the great success stories of animal preservation. However, the brown pelican is once again under threat, particularly along the Louisiana coasts, due to land loss and rising seas.
“Brown Pelican” combines story and first-person narrative to complicate, deconstruct, and reassemble our view of the bird, the natural world, and ourselves.
Fertel is a writer and teacher who lives in New Orleans. He is the author of three previous books: “Drive-By Truckers’ Southern Rock Opera”, “The One True Barbecue: Fire, Smoke, and the Pitmasters Who Cook the Whole Hog” and “Imagining the Creole City: The Rise of Literary Culture in Nineteenth-Century New Orleans.”
NANOWRIMO: Two libraries in Jefferson Parish — one on the East Rim and one on the West Rim — will host sessions during National Fiction Writing Month in November.
Gretna Library, 102 Willow Drive, Gretna, hosts NaNoWriMo five nights, 5-7:30 p.m. on November 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29.
The North Kenner Library, 630 West Esplanade Ave., Metairie, hosts NaNoWriMo three nights from 6-8:30 p.m. November 2, 9, and 30.
POETRY AT RIVER RIDGE: Two poetry events will be held at the River Ridge Library, 8825 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge. The Haiku Society meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Monday, November 7. The River Ridge Poets meet from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, November 19.
HOME TIPS: Jewelry making and repairing is the focus of the Homehack series at the Terrytown Library, 680 Heritage Ave., Terrytown, from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday, November 7.
Guests can bring their own beads and charms or use some of the library supplies to make jewelry together. Simple necklaces, bracelets and earrings will be provided, along with relaxing music. This event is for ages 16 and up only.
PARENT CLASS: “Difficult Behaviors,” a free course offered by the Parenting Center at Children’s Hospital, helps parents and grandparents deal with common parenting challenges. The staff of patient educators come from a variety of backgrounds to help families grow from birth through adolescence. take place:
- 6-8 p.m. Nov. 3, North Kenner Library, 630 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner.
- 6-8 p.m. Nov. 10, Jane O’Brien Chatelain West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey.
NEW BOOK CLUB: The new WWI Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. at the West Bank Regional Library, usually on the fourth Tuesday of every month. The first selection is “The Return of the Soldier”, by Rebecca West.
The discussion will take place on Tuesday, November 22 at the library, 4747, avenue Napoléon Ouest, Métairie. Retired educator Wendy Rihner leads the group.
READING CLUB : The following books will be discussed in November. All book clubs are free and open to the public.
- “The Black God’s Drums” by Djeli Clark (The Interstellar Railroad Book Club) – 6:30 p.m. Monday, November 14, Rosedale Library, 4036 Jefferson Highway, Jefferson.
- “Les Miserables” (the last 350 pages) by Victor Hugo (French Literature Discussion Group) — 7 p.m. Monday, November 14, East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.
- “The Maid” by Nita Prose (Old Metairie Mystery Book Club) – 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 15, Old Metairie Library, 2350 Metairie Road, Metairie.
- “Alice in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll (Great Books Discussion Group) – 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie.
- “The Maid” by Nita Prose (Bestbank Book Club) – 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, Gretna Library, 102 Willow Drive, Gretna.
- Any Book Club—6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16, Jane O’Brien Chatelain West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey. (Participants discuss a different type of book each month. The selection is announced at the previous month’s meeting.)
- “My Favorite Thing Are Monsters” by Emil Ferris (Teen Graphic Novel Reading Club) – 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, North Kenner Library, 630 W. Esplanade Ave., Kenner.
- “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by VE Schwab – 5:30 p.m. Monday, November 21, Lafitte Library, 4917 City Park Drive, Lafitte.
- Freestyle – 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 29, Live Oak Library, 125 Acadia Drive, Waggaman. Customers discuss the books they have just read.
- “Six Wakes” by Mur Lafferty (Old Metairie SciFi and Fantasy Discussion Group) – 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 30, Old Metairie Library, 2350 Metairie Road, Metairie.
- “The Flight Attendant” by Chris Bohjalian (Jefferson Highway Book Club) – 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 15, River Ridge Library, 8825 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge.
Chris Smith is head of adult programming at the Jefferson Parish Public Library.
