Author Jim Lynch discusses new book at Olympia library

THE OLYMPIAN | • Published November 24, 2009

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Spend an evening with author and local resident Jim Lynch, who will read from and discuss his new novel, “Border Songs,” at the Olympia Timberland Library from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Dec. 4.

Lynch also will talk about what he describes as “the madness of novel writing and the glory of novel reading.” Books will be available for purchase and signing.

“Border Songs” is Lynch’s second novel. During its first month in bookstores in June, it was third on the best-seller list for independent bookstores in the Northwest and fourth on a national best-seller list for Canada. The book centers on a U.S.-Canada border town that has become a front line in the war on drugs and terrorism.

Lynch’s first novel, “The Highest Tide,” was set in Olympia and gained international acclaim. He lives with his wife and their daughter in Olympia. As a journalist, he received the Livingston Award for Young Journalists, among other national honors. “The Highest Tide” won the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award.

The Olympia Timberland Library is at 313 Eighth Ave. S.E. For more information, contact the library at 360-352-0595 or go to www.TRL.org.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

FRIDAY

Harlequin Productions presents “Stardust Homecoming”: Opening performance is at 8 p.m. Friday, State Theater, 204 Fourth Ave., Olympia. Step back in time to Christmas Eve 1942, and prance into the Stardust Club in New York’s Greenwich Village with this holiday musical. Performance times are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 2. Tickets are $34-$37. Call 360-786-0151 or go to www.harlequinproductions.org.

TAKE THE KIDS

Kick the holiday season off with Downtown for the Holidays. From noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, downtown Olympia will be filled with the sights and sounds of Christmas. Highlights include a holiday parade from the Olympia Farmers Market to Sylvester Park at 3 p.m.; Singing Christmas tree by Kids in Koncert at 4 p.m.; and a tree-lighting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Most events take place at Sylvester Park and The Olympian Hotel. For a complete schedule of events and locations, call 360-357-8948 or go to www.downtownolympia.com.

Today in History

In 1859, British naturalist Charles Darwin published “On the Origin of Species,” which explained his theory of evolution by means of natural selection.

In 1944, during World War II, U.S. bombers based on Saipan attacked Tokyo in the first raid against the Japanese capital by land-based planes.

In 1947, a group of writers, producers and directors who became known as the “Hollywood Ten” was cited for contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions about alleged Communist influence in the movie industry.

In 1963, Jack Ruby shot and mortally wounded Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy, in a scene captured on live television.