Page 64 - Sonoma County Gazette July 2018

Unstoppable: It’s a choice
Ongoing
Call to All Writers Book Launch
Series - All genres will be considered. Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental, 707- 874-9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org
2nd and 4th Tue ~ Readers
Theatre Group - Reading a script adapted from literature. FREE, 7p, Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental, 707-829-2176, Judith or Joan, occidentalcenterforthearts.org
Writers Helping Writers~ Enjoy the support and camaraderie of other writers. Redwood Writers, redwoodwriters.org
By Date
Thru Aug 1 ~ Become a Reading Ranger at Camp Copperfields - Get a map, earn badges, get a certification. FREE, Any Copperfields Books Location, copperfieldsbooks.com
Thru Sep 1 ~ Fiction Writing Contest - Inspired by Charmian Kittredge London - $25-$35, Jack London State Park, 2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen, 707-938- 5216, jacklondonpark.com/charmian- writers-contest-2018.html
Jun 29 ~ iRead Stories - Outdoor, literary adventures, ages 0-6 and their families-caregivers. 10-1p, Hallberg Butterfly Garden, 8687 Oak Grove Ave., Sebastopol. 707-544-7284, landpaths.org
Jul 3,10,17,24,31 ~ iRead Stories - Outside in the Garden. FREE, Pre-registration required, See website for times, Bayer Farm, 550 West Ave., Santa Rosa, 707- 544-7284, landpaths.org
Jul 8 ~ Redwood Writers Author Launch - New books by members. FREE, 2-4:30p, Flamingo Hotel, 2777 4th St., Santa Rosa, redwoodwriters.org
Jul 9 ~ Petaluma Women Who Write - Supportive forum where constructive criticism inspires and uplifts. FREE, 6 - 8p, Aqus Cafe, 189 H St., Petaluma, Carole Coates, aqus.com
Jul 10 ~ Do Tell Story Swap - Keep the oral tradition of storytelling alive. FREE, $3-5 suggested donation 7-9p, Sonoma Academy, 2500 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa, 707-539-3642, dotellstoryswap.org
Jul 11 ~ Meet & Greet - The story of Inga Lizdenytė, a woman who transformed her life after a tragic car accident. 6-8p, Barnes & Noble, The Rosenburg Building, 700 4th St., SR, 707-490-5145, admin@BecomingUnstoppable.org, becomingunstoppable.org
Jul 13 ~ iRead Stories - Outside at the Ranch. FREE, Pre-registration required, 10-1p, Duckworth Ranch, directions emailed after registration, 707-544-7284, landpaths.org
By Diane McCurdy
Unstoppable by Inga Lizdenyte is many things: an autobiography, an
epistolary piece, a spiritual/inspirational guide and a tragic love story. It encompasses so many genres that it is 500 pages long! Initially it was my intention to do some heavy
duty skimming but I was
Jun 15 ~ Book Launch Series
drawn in. The author’s down to earth, chatty style made
me feel as if she were relating certain information as we were sitting down having a cup of tea together or maybe a glass of wine.
Two titles by Patrick Fanning. FREE, donations gratefully accepted, 7p Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Ct., Occidental, 707-874- 9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org
The narrative begins in
Lithuania where Inga is a
19-year-old manager of an
airport business lounge. She
is gregarious and vivacious
and after a night of drinking
and partying her boyfriend
gets behind the wheel and
while driving way too fast his
car skids on black ice and he
is killed instantly. Inga’s legs
are severed and her left arm is
paralyzed. What follows is an
excruciatingly detailed account of her recovery including numerous surgeries and unspeakable pain. Throughout, Inge never blames or wallows in pity. Her attitude is positive and she has unshakable religious faith. Her goal is to walk again. Through social media she connects with a California prostheses maker who was shortly to be in Turkey on business. They agree to meet and he is the miracle worker who gives her the ability to walk. What follows is a passionate affair. Up to this point my compassion, empathy and both pity and admiration had been with the author nor do I stand in judgment of her affair with a married man. She had suffered grievously and maybe she needed and deserved a little joy in her life. What I was uncomfortable with was she freely socialized with his wife and family who liked and trusted her. References to the deity at this point made me cringe. She feels terribly guilty and is totally disgusted with herself but it is not she who breaks off the relationship. There are more ups and downs and trips to the United States and returns to Europe before she settles down in northern California where she is not only a life coach but has a career in disability services.
The structure of this book has the unrequited love story as its heart. Other chapters are long, ruminating letters to her brother with whom she is very close. Still other are dissertations on the significance of scriptural passages as they would apply to life choices. Interspersed are black and white pictures many depicting her achievements. There is even one of her in Santa Rosa where she had given a speech. It appears Inga has found peace. Her life’s journey is a fascinating read. becomingunstoppable.org/
64 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 7/18
Jul 16,30 ~ Seminar with Dr. Jon Jackson
Poetry and Discovering Yourself. $8- $10, Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 N. High St., Sebastopol, 707-829-2440, sebastopolseniorcenter.org
Jul 19 ~ Writers Forum presenter Frances Rivetti - Layering Fiction and Non- Fiction Without Losing the Plot. 6:30p, FREE, Copperfield’s. 140 Kentucky St. Petaluma
Jul 20 ~ iRead Stories - Outside in the Redwoods. FREE, Pre-registration required, 10-1p, Rancho Mark West, 7125 St. Helena Road, Santa Rosa, 707-544- 7284, landpaths.org
Readers Books 130 East Napa St., Sonoma, 707-939-1779, readersbooks.com
Jul 12 ~ Arlene Balin presents The Shimmering Face of Evil - Her newest mystery. 6:30-8p
The Sitting Room 2025 Curtis Drive, Penngrove, sittingroom.org
Jun 30 ~ Tribute to Dorothy Bryant - FREE, call 707 795-9028 to reserve, 2p
July 18 ~ McCarthys The Group - Written with a trenchant, sardonic edge. 2-4p
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