OCTOBER 12, 2017 // 19
Biographer tells of ‘Union Jack’ Kennedy Frighten your readers
SEASIDE — At 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 19, as the
Friends of the Seaside
Library welcomes author
Christopher Sandford, who
will speak on his new book,
“Union Jack: John F. Ken-
nedy’s Special Relationship
with Great Britain.” The
event takes place in the
Seaside Library’s Commu-
nity Room, and there will
be book sales and signings.
President Kennedy
carried on a lifelong affec-
tion for England and the
English people. From his
speaking style to his tastes
in art, architecture, theater,
music and clothes, his per-
sonality reflected his deep
interest in a certain kind of
idealized Englishness.
In “Union Jack,” Sand-
ford, a noted biographer,
tracks Kennedy’s exploits
in Great Britain between
1935 and 1963. He delves
into the unique way Britain
shaped JFK throughout his
adult life and how Kennedy
charmed British society.
This mutual affinity took
place against a backdrop of
some of the 20th century’s
most profound events,
including the Great Depres-
sion, Britain’s appeasement
of Hitler, World War II and
(in a good way)
the proliferation of weap-
ons of mass destruction.
The book is based on
extensive archival work as
well as firsthand accounts
from former British ac-
quaintances, including old
girlfriends. “Union Jack”
charts Kennedy’s struggle
to escape the shadow of his
father, who was the former
ambassador to Great
Britain, and his pro-British
rhetoric that was rivaled
only by Winston Churchill.
In the centennial year of
his birth, this unique and
enduring portrait gives us
a glimpse into another side
of JFK.
Sandford is the author
of 19 books and has written
for a variety of publications
including the Times of
London, The Daily Tele-
graph, Cosmopolitan and
Rolling Stone. His biogra-
phies of Mick Jagger, Kurt
Cobain and Sting have
been bestsellers. Born in
London, Sandford splits his
time between Seattle and
England.
The Seaside Public
Library is located at 1131
Broadway St. For more
information, call 503-738-
6742 or visit seasidelibrary.
org.
ASTORIA — Just in time
for Halloween, local author
Melissa Eskue Ousley will
share secrets to writing scary
stories at a free workshop
at the Astoria Library (450
10th St.) 3 p.m. Saturday,
Oct. 14. The workshop is
open to teens and adults.
In the “Writing Scary”
workshop, Eskue Ousley
will cover topics including
sensory details, charac-
ter-driven fiction, point of
view and foreshadowing.
Participants will learn tech-
niques for writing spooky
and suspenseful scenes and
engaging readers.
Registration is recom-
mended but not required.
Contact library staff at 503-
325-7323 or comments@
astorialibrary.org to reserve
a spot.
Eskue Ousley is the
author of five novels, two
of which — including her
latest, “Pitcher Plant” — are
set on the Oregon Coast and
feature murder and restless
spirits. Her short stories
have appeared in Rain
UPNE.BLOGSPOT.COM
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Author Melissa Eskue Ousley
Magazine and The North
Coast Squid. In addition to
writing, Eskue Ousley en-
joys mentoring new authors
and leads Writers@Work, a
group that meets monthly at
the Seaside Public Library.
Connect with her at Melis-
saEskueOusley.com.
The Astoria Library is
a department of the City
of Astoria, guided by the
mission statement: “Explore
ideas, engage minds, excite
imagination.” For more
information about library
programs and services, con-
tact 503-325-7323 or visit
astorialibrary.org.
Coaster Theatre Playhouse
‘Write Astoria’ showcases works in progress
ASTORIA — Enjoy an
evening of readings by
local writers 6 p.m. Thurs-
day, Oct. 19, at the Astoria
Library (450 10th St.). The
free event will showcase
works of fiction and non-
fiction from participants of
Write Astoria, a local writers
group.
Write Astoria was found-
ed by facilitator and Library
Advisory Board Chairwom-
an Kate Deeks as an open
forum where writers read
from works in progress and
offer each other constructive
feedback and support. The
group meets 5 to 7 p.m. on
the first and third Wednes-
day of the month in the
library’s Flag Room.
The Oct. 19 event will
be the first at which Write
Astoria participants will
read from their own work
publicly. The writers will be
available to answer ques-
tions at a reception follow-
ing the readings.
The Astoria Library is
a department of the City
of Astoria, guided by the
mission statement: “Explore
ideas, engage minds, excite
imagination.” For more
information about library
programs and services, con-
tact 503-325-7323 or visit
astorialibrary.org.
Sept. 22 - Oct. 28, 2017
Tickets $20 or $25
Shows begin at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday shows start at 3:00p.m.
Sponsored by Becker Capital Management
Tickets: 503-436-1242 or coastertheatre.com
108 N Hemlock Street, Cannon Beach, OR