By Bob Comenole

Beginning January 21st, the Writing Academy at Creekside Books will begin its third year of offering courses in professional and creative writing.

The Winter sessions, taught by retired literature professor and local novelist Bob Comenole, will include the following courses:

-Creative Writing 101;
-Constructing Your Novel;
-Writing Mystery & Detective Fiction;
-Writing the Personal Essay (Creative Non-fiction);
-Discovering Your Writing Niche;
-The Hero’s Journey for Storytellers (Using Myth & Archetype in your writing);

Each course is 5 weeks in length, and meets usually on Thursday evenings
(6:30 – 8:00). Creekside will be offering workshops throughout the winter.
Start dates for individual courses will be announced once registration has
completed. Classes are limited in enrollment; to reserve a seat call Creekside at 685-0379.

Please also feel free to contact the Writing Academy for any additional information. Phone: 685-1480; email: snowcap2@hotmail.com

Contributed by Rita Trent / Creekside Books & Coffeehouse

Whether you are looking for a relaxing night of music played by one of our local talents, a poetry reading, wine & cheese event, children’s book reading event or more – Creekside Books & Coffeehouse is where it’s all at! See the December events they are offering below.

POETRY & MUSIC
Thursday, December 3rd, 7-9pm
Dusty Pascal & Michael Jennings. Creekside Books & Coffee, 35 Fennell St., Skaneateles. Free

MUSIC
Friday, December 4th, 7:30pm
Dave Ball. Creekside Coffeehouse, 35 Fennell St. Skaneateles. Free.

Contributed by Christine Briel

On Thursday, December 3rd, 7-8:30PM at Creekside Books and Cafe, Michael Jennings will read from his newest book of poems, Bone-Songs and Sanctuaries, New and Selected Poems. Mike was born in New Orleans, grew up in the Middle East, and did poetry programs in most of the schools in central New York during the 1980s, including Skaneateles. He is also a world renowned breeder and judge of Siberian Huskies and the author of three books on the breed. He has lived for the past 26 years on Otisco Lake with his wife, poet Suzanne Shane, and their cats and dogs. His poems feature the places, people and animals of his life and travels.

NOTE: Singer/song writer Dusty Pas’cal will introduce with some songs.

Contributed by Rita Trenti / Creekside Books

Sunday, November 22nd, 1:00 PM
“Real Life, Real Talk” of Syracuse presents:

A parent & teen discussion about teen dating based on the newest Twilight movie, New Moon.  Facilitated by Ginger Price, Educator at Vera House.  The program will focus on parents and kids talking about what healthy teen dating relationships look like using the Twilight/New Moon movies and books to start the conversation. Call 315-685-0379 for more information.

Creekside wants to thank our fellow media sponsors Real Life, Real Talk, Vera House and PACT of Skaneateles.

Contributed by Rita Trenti / Creekside Books

Bird expert and author of The Bird Watching Answer Book Laura Erickson Presents “The Beauty & Fascination of Birds.”

Thursday, November 19th, 7:00 PM
Creekside Books, 35 Fennell St., Skaneateles
Free event, call 315-685-0379 for more info.

Laura Erickson is Science Editor at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The author of three previous books and winner of the National Outdoor Book Award, she also writes Twin Beaks, the first blog by birds and for birds. She migrates between her house and husband in Duluth, Minnesota and her apartment and job in Ithaca, New York, where she lives with her dog Photon, her indoor cat Kasey, and an education Eastern Screech Owl named Archimedes.

Contributed by Bob Comenole

This workshop will take place on the following Saturdays: December 6th, 13th & 20th at Creekside Bookstore. Please call Creekside at 685-0379 to register.

You¹ve always wanted to write a holiday tale for your children or your grandchildren, your spouse or a long lost friend! What better gift could you give than to present a loved one with an original Christmas work- whether a poem, fable, fantasy, play, reminiscence or a real-life story – written by you!

Our workshop will show you how to craft a piece of writing that you will proudly give as a unique Christmas gift to someone you love. (Who knows: you may also become the next Clement Moore, or Charles Dickens!)

In this workshop you will learn how to:

Contributed by Dr. Robert Kiltz / CNY Fertility, CNY Healing Arts, MindBodySmile.com

Dr. Rob would like to extend a warm invitation to join him at the Skaneateles Creekside Books & Coffee House upstairs in the Mezzanine on December 4th, 6pm-8pm for a thought provoking discussion on life and how to live each and every day in a positive way. Creekside Books & Coffee House is located at 11 Fennell Street, Skaneateles, NY.

Over the last few years Dr. Rob has experienced and learned from many apparent ups and downs. One of the most important concepts he has found valuable is that by merely changing one’s thoughts, you can change your understanding and relationship with others. Creating a positive outlook and seeing the gifts in every encounter can help you live a more fruitful and enjoyable life.

We can learn to let go of the drama and depression that is so prevalent in most of our lives. We will be chatting together in a discussion on life and sharing ways to live positively each and every day. We will discuss practicing a daily positive intention, and other useful tools to help us all in “Living a Positive Life”.

This meeting is free and all are welcome to share in this positive and thought provoking discussion.

**Space is limited so please register by emailing Chris Briel at events@robertkiltz.com or calling 315.378.7317.

Contributed by Laura Ponticello / Laura’s List Books for Women

Help Spread the Word!!
Laura’s List Hosts Fireside Chat
Creekside Books & Coffee
35 Fennell Street, Skaneateles, NY
Thursday, Nov. 13th at 6:30pm-8:00pm
Featuring “Sacred Spaces for Women”

Join Laura Ponticello, as she hosts intimate conversation with women, “to inspire, ignite and empower women” – the mantra of Laura’s List: Books for Women.  Laura invites women to carve time for them and create a sacred place for women to share real life stories, while sitting in an inspirational atmosphere, sipping tea, wine and hot chocolate.

Contributed by Erika Davis / Creekside Books & Coffee

Creekside Books & Coffee, an independent bookstore and coffeehouse in Skaneateles, is pleased to announce its fourth annual local author day celebration on Saturday, November 8th at 1PM.  Authors include, Dan Roche, Matthew Dunn, Thomas Phillips, Bob Molinari, Rachael Ikins, Barbara Florance and Norman O. Keim. Authors will spend 15 minutes each presenting their work. Following the presentations, enjoy refreshments and time to linger, chat with the authors and get books signed.

“Join us for our fourth annual Local Author Day venue.  It always proves to be a spectacular overview of amazing local talent,” says Erika Davis, owner of Creekside Books and Coffee.  “These people never fail to impress me and their audiences.  Central New York is home to a wide variety of  incredibly talented and giving individuals.”

Contributed by Laura Ponticello / Laura’s List: Books for Women

Laura’s List: Books for Women, Creekside Books & Coffee and Mirbeau Inn & Spa host Nourish Your Mind, Body and Spirit. Throw away your worries for a Girl’s Night Out! Thursday evening, October 23 at Mirbeau Inn and Spa.
5:00pm welcome reception and event kickoff at 6:00pm.
Help us cultivate hope … A portion of the proceeds will support Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund, Inc. given October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

It will be a night to remember, with:
Inspirational stories, spa pajama party, special guest appearance by the Baldwin family, cocktail hour
Spa tote/goody bag for each attendee sponsored by CNY Healing Arts (Dr. Robert Kiltz)
A copy of keynote speaker Jeannie Ralston’s book and featuring “The Unlikely Lavender Queen” , on Good Morning America, Southern Living, Ladies Home Journal, Fortune Small Business Magazine
Vendors with inspirational products for women
Throw away your worries- Mind-body wellness experts from Mirbeau Inn & Spa that will lead transforming exercises for women
National speaker and Motivational Humorist Yvonne Conte, with best seller Serious Laughter and Bits of Joy.