The Write Stuff: Local Author Brings Dead Sea Scribe to Life

Latitude 33 Bookshop will host local author Henry Garcia at a 4 p.m. book-signing event Saturday, Feb. 12, 311 Ocean Avenue. Garcia’s historical novel, “Matthew’s Call to Qumran” weaves a compelling story surrounding one of the most significant periods of religious history.

“Matthew’s Call to Qumran” takes readers on the spiritual journey of young Matthew, who joins the Monks of Qumran, eventually becoming a priest and one of the scribes producing the Dead Sea Scrolls.

A retired U.S. probation officer, Garcia studies theology in a seminary, and subsequently earned a master’s degree in religious education from San Diego University.

 

Wild and Beautiful, a Book Signing

The public is invited to a talk and book signing by Dr. Allan Schoenherr, author of  “Wild and Beautiful: A Natural History of the Open Spaces in Orange County” on Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Nix Nature Center, 1871 Laguna Canyon Road.

The 5:45 to 7:30 p.m. event is free, though parking is $3 and Schoenherr’s book costs $26. His talk begins at 6:30 p.m.

RSVP to 949-497-8324 and for advance book order visit www.lagunacanyon.org/Book_release.

Galvanized by a Call to Action

Stay-at-home mom Shayne Moore is calling for a movement of “global soccer moms” to change the world. She’ll talk about and sign “Global Soccer Mom: Changing the World Is Easier Than You Think,” at Laguna Beach Books on Thursday, Feb. 17, from 5-7 p.m.

Moore is a board member of Laguna Beach-based Growers First, which helps coffee farmers develop sustainable income.

Moore’s wake-up call came when she heard Bono speak at Wheaton College in her Illinois hometown. She went as a fan and emerged an activist. “Bono did something that woke up the sleeping woman and the compassion from deep within me. He called the American church to action. A non-American, non-evangelical, non-mainstream Christian stood on the stage of an elite Christian college and took the role of prophet, calling the church to action.”

Tunes & Tomes

Top sales/rentals for the week ending Feb. 6:

Sound Spectrum, 1264 S. Coast Highway

1. 2011 Grammy Nominees, V.A. (G)
2. Herbie Hancock, Imagine Project (G)
3. Gregg Allman, Low Country Blues
4. Florence & The Machine, Lungs (G)
5. Social Distortion, Hard Times & Nursery Rhymes
6. Iron & Wine, Kiss Each Other Clean
7. Bob Marley, Live Forever (Last Concert)
8. Ray LaMontagne, God Willing & The Creek Don’t Rise (G)
9. Decemberists, The King Is Dead
10. 10.  Eric Clapton, Clapton (G)

(G)=Grammy Nominee

Laguna Beach Books, 1200 S. Coast Highway

1. Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland
2. The Hand that First Held Mine by Maggie O’Farrell
3. Point Omega by Don Delillo
4. An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin
5. Skippy Dies by Paul Murray
6. First Contact: Or It’s Later than You Think by Evan Mandary
7. Cooking with Fernet Branca by James Hamilton Patterson
8. I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flag
9. Elephant’s Journey by Jose Saramago
10. 10.  Left Neglected by Lisa Genova

Latitude 33 Books’ information was unavailable.

Barnaby Rudge Videos, 1445 Glenneyre Street

1. The Social Network
2. The Kids Are All Right
3. Red
4. Inception
5. Secretariat
6. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest
7. The Town
8. City Island
9. Nowhere Boy
10. 10.  Ondine