lively
Where the wild things are — Zoom
Writer, geologist and adventuress Ruby
McConnell will lead an online “Writing
the Wild” workshop in partnership with
Manzanita’s Hoffman Center for the Arts
this Saturday, May 30.
The class will begin with an instruction
session followed by writing prompts.
Participants will then find their nearest
wild spot to observe and write to the
prompts. After their time in the wild,
members will return to the Zoom Room to
share their observations and thoughts, as
well as the results of their writing effort.
This workshop relies on Thoreau’s
notion of ‘sauntering’ as it applies to
writing about the natural world in fiction
and nonfiction. Participants will learn to
create a framework for their field work
that helps open pathways of memory, free
association and curiosity as well as the
fundamentals of deep, scientifically-driven
observation. Particular emphasis will be
placed on advanced skills of observation
and questioning as well as accessing and
mastering the language of the wild. Writers
will be encouraged to share their work.
McConnell’s work focuses on nature,
the environment and the relationship
between landscape and the human
experience. Her experiences as a researcher,
activist and explorer in the wild lands of
the western United States led her to write
“A Woman’s Guide to the Wild” — the
definitive outdoor guide for anyone who
identifies as, or loves, women (or just wants
to learn how to read a map).
She believes that positive outdoor
experiences are the key to healthy living
Mari-
time to
open up
The Garibaldi Maritime Museum
will open its doors to the public
this Saturday, May 30, offering
appointments every hour on the hour
from 10 am to 3 pm.
The museum will be observing
and protecting the environment and is
committed to breaking down barriers
that prevent all kinds of people from
being outside. Her writing has appeared
in publications such as Grain Literary
Journal, Oregon Humanities Magazine
and Mother Earth News. She was awarded
an Oregon Literary Arts Fellowship
social distancing and catering to
individuals or family groups only. The
exhibit area will be cleaned in between
each visit.
In compliance with state guidelines,
visitors will be required to wear a
mask while in the building, and are
encouraged to wear gloves as well.
Located at 112 Garibaldi Avenue,
the museum will be open from 10 am
to 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays
until further notice. To make an
appointment, call 503-322-8411
or send a message via Facebook
Messenger with the time and dates
requested as well as a name and contact
phone number or email.
in 2016.
The May 30 workshop will run from
11 am to 4 pm, followed at 4:30 pm by
a reading that students can attend at no
additional charge.
Tuition is $75 per person and includes a
copy of Ruby’s new book, “Ground Truth.”
To register, go to https://hoffmanarts.org.
• The Lower Nehalem Community
Trust invites participants to check out the
Elk Meadows for their walk in the wild.
Turn off Highway 101 at Bayside Gardens
Road and turn left at Neptune Way.
Parking is available along the large gravel
shoulder on Neptune Way, just before it
veers right and becomes Creekside Drive.
Curb for enthusiasm
Toledo Public Library has begun
offering curbside service, allowing guests to
order items from the library catalog online
or by phone
Appointments for pickup will be made
for Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from
10 am to noon and 3 to 5 pm. Patrons
are asked to not get out of their car. They
should call the front desk to let staff know
they have arrived if possible.
This service will include social distancing
strategies as well as the wearing of
wearing of gloves and masks by staff. Staff
recommend that patrons wear masks as well.
Requests should be limited to Toledo
Public Library materials only, as the courier
service has been discontinued for now
The book drop has remained open
during the pandemic, but items deposited in
the drop will be quarantined for three days
before handling.
The library will continue to offer all its
online service and will continue to promote
and manage its Summer Reading Program
online.
For more information, contact the library
at 541-335-3132 or email librarydirector@
cityoftoledo.org.
oregoncoastTODAY.com • facebook.com/oregoncoasttoday • May 29, 2020 • 7