SONYA'S SAMPLER

Local author’s sci-fi books eye extraterrestrial intelligence

Column by Sonya Ellingboe
Posted 5/31/20

After a career in journalism, local author Rich Bangs has spent the past 10 years creating a sci-fi trilogy exploring extraterrestrial intelligence: “Forgiven,” “Forgotten” and …

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SONYA'S SAMPLER

Local author’s sci-fi books eye extraterrestrial intelligence

Posted

After a career in journalism, local author Rich Bangs has spent the past 10 years creating a sci-fi trilogy exploring extraterrestrial intelligence: “Forgiven,” “Forgotten” and “Forsaken,” which are available from our local Tattered Cover, as well as online and from the author. “I had the desire to write a novel and science fiction seemed the most desirable setting.” Bangs looked at the lengths some might go to explore the subject, he writes.

Bookaholics rejoice!

Our beloved libraries in Littleton, Douglas County and Englewood have stayed in touch, as good communicators should. Curbside service is available and we still await announcements of actual openings of the facilities’ doors as health departments wrestle with the responsibility of keeping us physically safe. Englewood, Littleton and Douglas County have announced curbside pickup at specific times. Call or communicate online with requests: And, note available stories and more online ...

● Douglas County will have curbside pickup June 1-15 at Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker and Roxborough branches, including, as at other systems, Summer Reading Program titles. “Look for the purple quill,” they advise. Times: Monday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 4 to 6 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m. See website: dcl.org.

● Littleton’s Bemis Public Library will bag available books requested and place on a table outside, marked with the first four letters of your name, on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See website: bemis.marmot.org.

● Englewood Public Library says the Civic Center opened May 11, but the Library doesn’t yet have a date. See website for curbside instructions: englewood.marmot.org.

More book news

See the Colorado Humanities website for a broadcast of the Colorado Book Awards from the historic Evans School in Denver. This annual event recognizes Colorado authors in many categories, ranging from fiction and history to poetry and children’s books. You may find a treasure you’ve missed to date. See coloradohumanities.org.

Summer camps?

Check your recreation district or other location — it appears many summer camps are on, but details are still being developed by presenting agencies. Facilities are a moving target — again check online often ... Parks and trails? Mostly open but check your target before setting out. Athletic contests “await state orders,” according to South Suburban Parks and Recreation District.

Updates from Denver Art Museum

Interesting copy from Denver Art Museum on 18th- and 19th-century pandemics and their effects on the Great Plains Indian tribes. For example, between 1714 and 1919, there were 36 major epidemics recorded in art pieces, such as pictorial calendars in the museum’s collection. The Mandans were almost wiped out entirely, which means not so much pictorial material exists to speak to us about tribal history today. Also, because some tribes moved a lot and some combined forces, attribution of items is sometimes difficult. Conservators become storytellers.

●The DAM plans on opening its new building and renovated North Building in June — dates and appropriate celebration TBA. We are excited! In the meantime, enjoy virtual touring, especially of the “Natural Forces: Winslow Homer and Frederic Remington” exhibit. Spend as long as you like contemplating a single painting by one of these significant American artists, without that tall guy in the big hat moving in front of you! See the new “Museum from Home” section of the website. Also, visit “Untitled: Creative Fusions at Home” with focus on local creative folks; Nicole Anona Banowetz, Ryan Foo and Molina Speaks ... It speaks to the role of artists in these difficult times: Banowetz who found most of her trademark inflatable projects (seen at Museum of Outdoor Arts in the past), has made more-than-usually interesting masks; Foo, with Steven Sampson, “created WeAreDenver.org to build a platform for the local community of makers and creators”; Molina Speaks worked with a dozen artists to create a digital gift basket, which is found on the Warm Cookies of the Revolution’s website, and he has co-coordinated the Denver Metro Area Artist Relief Fund which has raised almost $15,000 to support artists who have lost work. More is needed ... “Creativity is my roadmap to mental and emotional health and spiritual wealth,” he said ... “Artists need to provide the blueprint for getting through this ... we need to push the social imagination for what comes next ...” See denverartmuseum.org.

● Note: We hope readers can support a favorite organization — large or small — with a bit extra.

Arvada Center

Before or collective lights dimmed, the Arvada Center Theatre announced its 2020-2021 program, “Attracting Opposites.” The musical “Kinky Boots,” about a factory owner/entertainer who creates dazzling high-heeled boots, is listed as the opener in mid-September. We’ll happily anticipate this upbeat piece and hope it can proceed ... followed by Black Box Theatre works and other programs. Nice to see, given all the cancellations that have come our way of late!

Juneteenth

The annual Juneteenth Music Festival, “DREAMBIG” will be virtual on June 18. JuneteenthMusicFestival.com.

Reminder

We have mentioned the Colorado Mask Design Challenge, but will repeat for school-aged children: All Colorado schoolchildren are invited to create a design representing the masks they want to see at their school, neighborhood or home ... Program guidelines and entry submission forms can be found at: coloradocreativeindustries.org/masks. Sounds like a good summer art project to us ... some will be featured on Colorado Creative Industries’ Facebook and a select few will be printed on a real mask by Colorado companies ...

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