Labor journalist Mike Elk to speak at Albright College Oct. 1

Below is information I received in a press release from Albright College. The event doesn't really have to do with books (the topic of my blog), but it does involve a writer/journalist/activist I might be inclined to go see if he wasn't speaking at 4 p.m. on a workday. 

Labor Journalist Mike Elk to Discuss Journalism and the World of Work

MIKE ELK

Reading, Pa. – Mike Elk, one of the country’s leading labor journalists, will present a lecture, “Journalism and the World of Work,” on Monday, Oct. 1, 2012, at 4 p.m. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held in Masters Hall, room 207.

Elk, a third generation labor organizer from Pittsburgh, Pa., is a staff writer for In These Times. Elk will discuss the media’s propensity to not pay attention to American workers. He will also touch on his own personal experiences of covering labor struggles

Masters Hall is located on the Albright College campus at 13^th & Bern Streets, Reading. For more information or disabled assistance, please contact the College Relations office at 610-921-7526.

Bestselling author Bob Spitz to give commencement address at Albright College

BOB SPITZ

 The information below comes from a press release issued by Albright College:

Bob Spitz, author of the bestselling biography "The Beatles," is scheduled to address graduates at Albright College’s 153rd Commencement on Sunday, May 20.

Approximately 300 traditional graduates and 13 master’s degree graduates will receive diplomas at the 10 a.m. ceremony to be held outdoors in Gene Shirk Stadium, located on 13th Street in Reading, PA.

Spitz, a musician, screenplay writer and bestselling author of several books including his definitive biography "The Beatles," will speak to the graduating seniors during the morning ceremony. Spitz, a 1971 Albright College graduate, is also a member of the 13th Street Gang. Spitz attended elementary school through college on 13th Street in Reading.

Spitz is a longtime musician who managed Bruce Springsteen and Elton John early in his career before deciding to pursue his love of writing. He is the author of seven books, including "Barefoot in Babylon," the eye-opening documentary of the Woodstock Music Festival, and "The Beatles," his definitive bestselling biography of the phenomenal supergroup. Spitz’s screenplay, "The Silent Victim," was made into a movie, and his articles have appeared in major magazines, including The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, Esquire, GQ, Rolling Stone, Conde Nast Traveler, and O the Oprah Magazine.

His biography, "Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child," will be published in August 2012. He is currently working with Graham Nash on the singer’s memoir, and will begin work, in 2013, as the biographer of President Ronald Reagan. 

Spitz resides in Connecticut.