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Cheryl Holdridge, R.I.P.
Tribe Matters:
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Cavs vs. Celtics — live as it happens
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Browns may interview ex-Broncos GM
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Mangini takes command
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Gameblog: Cavs vs. Celtics
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The Countdown Begins - Cavs v. Celtics
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Five things you should know about Miami
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Ignatius’ Kyle has busy offseason
Kent State Sports:
Volleyball players earn All-Academic honors
Car Chase:
January is auction time
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Chicago Chic?
All Da King's Men:
Obama's Economic News Conference
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Why Israeli Leaders Terrorize Palestinians
HRLite House:
The Psychology Channel, Interesting Videos, Jobs in I-O, and Happy Birthday Elvis
Akron Gamer:
Games in '09: Resident Evil 5
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Does Ohio have an Andy Warhol Museum?
Sound Check:
Axl Rose speaks on Guns & Rose(s)
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 Extended
Published on Sunday, Oct 21, 2007
Jim Roetzel lets his photographs do the talking in his beautiful new book, Birds of North America. In his introduction, Roetzel explains his decision to keep descriptive text to a minimum: That information (migration, habitat) is readily available elsewhere, and ''there [are] few books available . . . that simply focus on communicating the joy of birds.''
Although quite a few of the photos are taken close to his Cuyahoga Falls home, such as those in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Roetzel traveled to Nome, Alaska, for his shot of a Lapland longspur and a northern wheater; the horned lark, which the caption says is the only true lark native to North America, was found in Manitoba.
The book is divided into sections not by geography but by the birds' form and role in nature: birds of prey, open country or woodland, duck-like or gull-like, wading and shore birds. Roetzel notes with a ''CC'' which photos have been taken under controlled conditions, such as that of a pink flamingo in the San Diego Zoo.
To anyone familiar with Roetzel's work, it need hardly be said that the photos are masterful. The birds that seem most drab achieve dignity: See the little brown winter wren from St. Paul Island, Alaska, its feathers a little ruffled, its yellow-and-orange beak giving it a haughty look.
The color reproduction is superior. Birds of North America (160 pages, hardcover) costs $26.95 from Twin Lights Publishers, http://www.twinlightspub.com.
Ohio's fossil history
Ohio University Press is crowing about its first book for young readers, but adults can learn plenty from Under Ohio: The Story of Ohio's Rocks and Fossils, a refreshing, noncondescending look at the prehistoric events that shaped our state.
Michigan geologist Charles Ferguson Barker describes the Ice Age, tells about a mountain range called the Greenville Mountains (they're gone now) and, in bright, precise crayon drawings, shows how Ohio was south of the equator 300 million years ago. There's a glossary and an appendix of sites to visit: With permission, you can look for fossils at Lodi City Park in Medina County. Under Ohio (56 pages, hardcover) costs $17.95 from http://www.ohioswallow.com.
Tale of Kelleys Island
The 350-some people who call Kelleys Island their full-time home may know all about its history, but the thousands who visit every summer and want a souvenir will be pleased with Kelleys Island: An Island Story, an overview by Claudia M. Brown.
Brown tells of the island's pre-history, early industry (wineries, quarries, fishing) and how residents get mail, education and access to health care. There are plenty of color photos.
Kelleys Island (80 pages, hardcover) is available from publishers Don and Sandy Alexander, former Brimfield Township residents whose Kelleys Cove gift shop will mail-order the book for $38; call 419-746-2622. The author, Brown, is an island resident and painter/ceramist.
Meet the author
Cookbook author Bev Shaffer will give a chocolate demonstration and sign her books from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Highland Square branch of the Akron-Summit County Public Library, 807 W. Market St. Seating is limited, and reservations are required; call 330-376-2927.
Cleveland journalist Michael Heaton will sign Truth and Justice for Fun and Profit: Collected Reporting on Tuesday at Joseph-Beth Booksellers at Legacy Village in Lyndhurst. On Thursday, Dario Castagno will sign A Day in Tuscany: More Confessions of a Chianti Tour Guide; and on Friday, North Royalton ''Ghost Whisperer'' Mary Ann Winkowski will talk about being a paranormal investigator and sign When Ghosts Speak: Understanding the World of Earthbound Spirits. All appearances are at 7 p.m.
Our Lady of the Elms Alumnae Association continues its 21st season of Author! Author! on Wednesday at the high school auditorium, 1375 W. Exchange St. Featured authors are Robert Olmstead (Civil War novel Coal Black Horse), Russ Musarra and Chuck Ayers (illustrated essays Walks Around Akron: Rediscovering a City in Transition) and Betsy Carter (Swim to Me, a novel about a ''mermaid'' at Florida's Weeki Wachee Springs). They will begin speaking at 11 a.m.; lunch ($25) starts at 11:30. Call 330-867-9974 for reservations.
Peg Bobel will visit the Blue Heron Bookstore on Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. with the third edition of Trail Guide to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which includes maps and photos. The shop is at 1593 Main St., Peninsula.
A.D. Adams will sign his mystery Death on Lake Ice and fantasy The Dragon Healer of Tone from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Borders Express in Chapel Hill Mall. Barbara McIntyre Special to the Beacon Journal
Send information about books of local interest to Lynne Sherwin, Features Department, Akron Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309 or lsherwin@thebeaconjournal.com. Event notices should be sent at least two weeks in advance.
Jim Roetzel lets his photographs do the talking in his beautiful new book, Birds of North America. In his introduction, Roetzel explains his decision to keep descriptive text to a minimum: That information (migration, habitat) is readily available elsewhere, and ''there [are] few books available . . . that simply focus on communicating the joy of birds.''
Get the full article here.
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