John O' Hurley to sign books, read to area students before hosting National Dog Show

Actor and author John O'Hurley, of "Seinfeld" fame, will be in Collegeville/Oaks next weekend promoting his books and hosting the 2012 National Dog Show in Oaks. 

On Friday, Nov. 16, at 7 p.m., Hurley will read from and sign his his two dog-related books, “Before Your Dog Can Eat Your Homework, First You Have to Do It: Life Lessons from a Wise Old Dog to a Young Boy” (Hudson Street Press, 2007, 176 pp., $21.95) and the New York Times Best Seller "It’s Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump and Other Life Lessons I Learned from Dogs,” (Plume, 2006, 176 pp. $12) at Towne Book Center, 220 Plaza Drive, Suite B-3, Collegeville, PA 19426, across the parking lot from Wegmans in Providence Town Center shopping center. 

The event is free. For information, call 610-454-0640 or visit www.trappebookcenter.com/event/john-ohurley-towne

The next day, Saturday, Nov. 17, Hurley will lend his signature voice and presence to the 2012 National Dog Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks. He has been the host of Purina's annual National Dog Show every Thanksgiving since 2002.

Starting at 11 a.m., O'Hurley will give a special reading to some Spring-Ford Area School District elementary school students who are part of the Dogs Are Readers Too (DART) program as well as some therapy dogs.

Event information provided by the Spring-Ford Area School district doesn't specify what O'Hurley, who is best known for his turn on "Seinfeld" as Elaine's catalog job boss "Mr. Peterman," will be reading. I would venture that his selection will likely come directly from one of his books.

Following O’Hurley’s reading, the Spring-Ford Area Senior High School Honor Guard will open the day’s events at the National Dog Show prior to the national anthem.

WHEN: The reading at the National Dog Show will take place from 11 to 11:15 a.m. The Spring-Ford Area Senior High School Honor Guard will be featured at 12:50 p.m.

WHERE: Hall D of the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, located at 100 Station Ave. in Oaks, Pa.

BACKGROUND: D.A.R.T. introduces certified therapy dogs into a classroom setting, where the animals lie down on a blanket with students taking part in the course. From there, students read with the animals for about half an hour. Educators have learned that students struggling with reading avoid the skill because it tends to be difficult, but when they are paired with the therapy animals, reading becomes an enjoyable experience.

The National Dog Show will be broadcasted nationally on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22. 

JOHN O'HURLEY WITH HIS DOGS

About Hurley (from Wikipedia):

A native of Kittery, Maine, John George O'Hurley (born Oct. 9, 1954) is an American actor, voice actor and television personality. He is known for the role of J. Peterman on the NBC sitcom "Seinfeld"  and was the host of the game show "Family Feud"  from 2006 to 2010.

Related link:

Check out this Nov. 6 column, "BOOK BOUND: John O’Hurley’s words of wisdom go to the dogs," by Nicolette Milholin, columnist for The Mercury's sister paper, Montgomery News. 

Pre-teen author Victoria Johnson to sign book at Coventry Mall Books-A-Million Saturday

Author Victoria Johnson
(Photo by PhillyBurbs.com)

Author Victoria Johnson will be at the Coventry Mall Books-A-Million store on Saturday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m. to sign copies of her children's book, "The Lemonade Standoff."

Read a Feb. 12, 2012, PhilllyBurbs.com story about Johnson, who is now 12 (that's right, she's TWELVE) but started writing this story when she was 10. In the article, Johnson offered this advice to other aspiring young authors: 

"Don't let a challenge stand in your way. Be brave."

Johnson is now in the 8th grade and resides in Warminster with her family.

He 28-page book sells for $9.99 and is available at the Pottstown Books-A-Million, via online retailers including Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com, and through the book's publisher, Tate Publishing, as a paperback, audio CD or ebook. 

Below is the brief press release I received from Tate Publishing about the event: 

Author Victoria Johnson Book Signing Event

WHEN: 11-3-12

TIME: 2 p.m.

WHERE: Books-A-Million, 351 W. Schuylkill Road, Ste G16, Pottstown, PA 19465 
 
WHAT: Johnson, a resident of Warminster, PA, will be available to sign copies of her children's book, The Lemonade Standoff.

BOOK SUMMARY: It's finally summer, and Keenah and Shay are really excited about their lemonade stand! But when their sworn enemy, Brianna, opens a lemonade stand, their summer becomes The Lemonade Standoff. Will the girls ever stop fighting? Can Keenah and Shay save their lemonade stand's reputation? 

For more information about the book-signing, call the store at 610-323-6805.

Chester Springs author Susan Weidener to read Saturday at Wellington Square Bookshop

Below is a press release I received about an upcoming reading by Chester Springs author Susan Weidener. The free event will be held at Wellington Square Bookshop in the Eagleview Corporate Center, Exton, beginning at 11:30 a.m. 

In case you didn't make the connection, the bookstore in which she's reading is the same as the one in the book.

Susan G. Weidener will read from her new memoir, Morning at Wellington Square, at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 22.  

The reading will be followed by a book signing and light refreshments.

Morning at Wellington Square is the story of a woman searching for meaning outside traditional roles of wife, mother, widow and career woman. She journeys from Kentucky countryside to the Arizona desert and finally back home to a bookstore called Wellington Square to find passion, renewal and magic in her life.

 

WEIDENER

A former reporter with The Philadelphia Inquirer, Susan started the Women’s Writing Circle, a support and critique group for women writers which meets twice a month at Wellington Square.  In 2010 she published Again in a Heartbeat, a memoir of love, loss and dating again. Her new book is a sequel to that. She lives in Chester Springs.

Check out her blog here. 

Covered bridges expert, author to sign books at two area events

Covered bridge buffs, take note: Fred. J. Moll, author of “Pennsylvania’s Covered Bridges” (Arcadia Publishing, Images of America Series, July 9, 2012, $21.99, 127 pp.) will be promoting his book at two upcoming  events in the area.

Moll, author and covered bridge historian, will give a presentation on the covered bridges of Pennsylvania on Sunday, Aug. 25, at 2 p.m. at the Berks County Heritage Center off Route 183 in Bern Township. He will present photos of existing and demolished bridges as well as former railroad covered bridges.

Moll's book will be available at the free event, which is presented by the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department. For more information call 610-374-8839 or visit www.countyofberks.com/parks.

Additionally, Moll will sign copies of his book from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 at Books-A-Million at Coventry Mall, North Coventry. For more information about the event, call the store at 610-323-6805.

About the book (from the publisher):

Starting in the early 1800s, Pennsylvania's rich forests provided natural material for the construction of more than 1,500 covered bridges across the state. The first covered bridge was built in 1805. Pennsylvania's Covered Bridges looks at the earliest covered bridges as well as those that have survived modern progress. Images also show rare railroad covered bridges that have been saved from destruction over the years. This book invites the reader to step back in time and imagine the days when ancestors traveled through wooden spans to reach their daily destinations.

About the author:

Fred J. Moll, historian of the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, is a member of the Historical Society of Berks County and the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges. He is the author of five books on bridges and several articles for the Historical Review of Berks County, Covered Crossings, Wooden Covered Spans, and Covered Bridge Topics. Photographs in the book are from the author's personal collection, the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, several historical societies, and private collections. 

Visit the book's website.

Philly Liar’s Club to visit Trappe Book Center

"There's a real love of a lie,/Liars find ready-made for lies they make,/As hand for glove, or tongue for sugar-plum." ~Robert Browning

If you think of fiction, or a story, as a lie of sorts, then it might dawn on you why some Philadelphia-area professional writers are part of a group called The Philly Liars Club.

Eight members of that group, so-called because they "basically lie for a living," will be hosting a party called "Liars Tell the Truth about the Trappe Book Center," which will be held at the 130 W. Main St., Collegeville, store on Saturday, April 17 from 1 to 3 p.m.

This free event is and open to the public, will feature free goodies, the opportunity to meet eight authors, and will offer chances to win prizes that include book bags and signed books. There will even be a story time for kids, featuring an original picture book manuscript read by author Keith Strunk.

Visitors to the April 17 celebration will get to play Truth or Lie games for prizes, and will enjoy hanging out with the following "Liars":

Stoker and Nebula nominated fantasy author Gregory Frost (pictured above, titles include "Shadowbridge," and "Lord Tophet," Del Rey/Random House); author of dynamic forensics thrillers Jon McGoran, who writes as D.H. Dublin (titles include "Freezer Burn," Berkley); women’s contemporary fiction author Kelly Simmons ("Standing Still," Washington Square Press/Simon and Schuster); celebrated crime writer Dennis Tafoya ("Dope Thief," St. Martin’s); social media guru and magazine feature writer Don Lafferty; popular author of young adult novels Marie Lamba ("What I Meant…", Random House); best selling mystery novelist Merry Jones (pictured above, titles include "The Borrowed" and "Blue Murders," Minotaur Books); and actor, playwright and historian Keith Strunk ("Prallsville Mills and Stockton," Arcadia Publishing Images of America Series).

"We’re throwing this party to celebrate just how lucky we are to have an independent bookstore like Trappe Book Center in our area," said author Merry Jones. "Independent bookstores are special places, each with their own personality. Yet all over the country, indies are disappearing — squeezed out of business by online retailers and big chain bookstores. We want everyone to think of the indies first when it comes to purchasing a book. The truth is that they offer everything the competition does, and so much more."

I've been to Trappe Book Center, and it's all true. Great, big well-stocked store and knowledgeable staff.

Orders can be placed in person, over the phone, or by visiting http://www.trappebookcenter.com/.

"The best part is that when you buy from an indie like Trappe Book Center, you are keeping your dollars local, and benefiting your own community," said author Jon McGoran. "We all need to remember that independents are so much more than stores. They are the heart and soul of their communities."

Locally owned and operated, Trappe Book Center offers book clubs for adults and kids, free literary events, and they often work with organizations to help them fundraise for important local causes. The store has conducted a Battle of the Books to celebrate literacy, and has run an Angel Tree over the holidays to provide books for local children in need.

"We are always seeking new ways to be involved in our community," said Little, who points out that the store also works with more than 200 local schools to help with events, fundraising and special programs.

"I can’t imagine what life would be like without wonderful independent bookstores like this," saids author Kelly Simmons. "We hope everyone feels the same and comes to our Liar’s Club party to show the Trappe Book Center how strongly they support this local gem. It’s going to be a really fun celebration – honest!"

For more information, or to reserve a copy of an author’s book before the event, call the Trappe Book Center at 610-454-0640.

Biz book-signing in Bethlehem March 25

Telford entrepreneur to hold book signing March 25

The Moravian Book Shop, 428 Main St, Bethlehem will host a book signing and presentation based on the 2008 book "Grow Your People, Grow Your Business" at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 25, by author and entrepreneur Karen L. Jett, CMA. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.

Jett's presentation will cover the "secret" to growing a team of high performers. Jett will cover a four-step process to help staff work more independently, be able to create opportunities for sustained employee growth, and improve department productivity and quality.

With more than two decades of accounting and business leadership experience, Jett started her own business, Jett Excellence, in 2004 so that she could follow her passion for helping businesses and people to excel. She brings a unique business perspective to her clients by understanding the operation and financial challenges faced by leaders on a daily basis.

She has also developed an interactive ethics training system for small businesses, called “Questioning Ethics."

Jett holds associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in accounting from Montgomery County Community College and Temple University, and is a Certified Management Accountant. She was inducted into MCCC’s prestigious Alumni Hall of Fame in 2009. Jett has served as a past-president of the North Penn chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants and as a current board member of the National Speakers Association.

For more information about the book-signing, call the Moravian Book Shop at 610-866-5481. For additional information about Jett Excellence, visit http://www.jettexcellence.com/.

Philly book-signing event this saturday

Acclaimed chef Marc Vetri, a James Beard Award winner, will be stopping at the Anthropologie store in his hometown of Philadelphia for a special book signing this Saturday, June 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Customers will have a chance to chat with Vetri about recipes, techniques and his debut cookbook, Il Viaggio di Vetri (Ten Speed Press, 2008). The book was co-authored by David Joachim and features photographs by Douglas Takeshi Wolfe.

Anthropologie is located at 1801 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.

Vetri is the owner of Philadelphia restaurants Vetri and Osteria.

Vetri is known for his rustic Italian cooking. This from Osteria's website: "Trained in Bergamo, Italy, by some of the region's most noted chefs, Marc Vetri brings a bold, contemporary sensibility to classic Italian cooking. Within two years of opening his eponymous Philadelphia restaurant, Vetri was named one of Food & Wine’s Ten Best New Chefs and received the Philadelphia Inquirer's highest restaurant rating. In 2005, Vetri won the James Beard Award for "Best Chef Mid-Atlantic."

Too bad he won't be cooking...

A book-signing, workshop for the organization-embattled parent

I know a few moms (Jenn, Diane, Erica, to name a few) who juggle full-time jobs, 2-3 kids, homes, cars, vacations, on a regular basis. While keeping on top of things as a mom may at times look seamless, it certainly doesn't look effortless!

For those looking for a few ideas on how to keep things neat and tidy, Debbie Lillard, author of "Absolutely Organized - A Mom’s Guide to a No-Stress Schedule & a Clutter-Free Home," will be making a stop on May 9 at the glorious IKEA store in Conshy, where I love to go to get a little design inspiration - including organization tips - and cheap salmon dinners!

SAVE THE DATE
Hey Parents - Get Absolutely Organized!
Book-signing and organizing workshop with Debbie Lillard, acclaimed author and professional organizer
Saturday, May 9, 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Children’s IKEA department, 2nd floor.

● Lillard will explain her personal method of organizing: CPR – Categorize, Purge and Rearrange
● Hear Debbie’s best tips on time management including household chores, daily routines and seasonal activities
● Learn how to organize the home by tackling one room at a time & how to organize family “stuff” from kids’ artwork to small toys
● Debbie’s book "Absolutely Organized - A Mom’s Guide to a No-Stress Schedule & a Clutter-Free Home" will be available for purchase & signing

About Debbie Lillard
Combining her professional organizer knowledge along with her personal experience as a mother of three young children, Debbie Lillard engages audiences with her ready-to-implement tips and practical advice for all parents. Debbie is the author of "Absolutely Organized - A Mom’s Guide to a No-Stress Schedule & a Clutter-Free Home" and has appeared on HGTV’s Mission Organization. Debbie’s tips on keeping a busy family organized have appeared in national magazines such as Real Simple and Woman’s Day. She has also been a guest on radio talk shows across the country. Debbie is currently working on her second book tentatively titled Absolutely Organize Your Kids.

Author to sign copies of "As Big As My Head!" in Phoenixville

Later this month, I expect to be reading quite a few children's books when I visit my three nieces in Colorado for Christmas. However, in my normal, kid-free life I haven't kept up at all with the kid genre (I'm sure the 3, 7 and 9-year-old little girls will school me), but those of you who have might be interested to attend a local book-signing event.

Author Heidi A. Mark Book Signing Event
WHEN: 12-13-2008 (Saturday)

TIME: 3-5 p.m.

WHERE: Wolfgang Books, 237 Bridge St., Phoenixville, PA 19460

WHAT: Mark will be available to sign copies of her children's book, "As Big As My Head!".

For more information, contact Traci Jones at 888-361-9473 or traci@tatepublishing.com

Tate Publishing describes the book as:

"Eric is having a birthday and wants to take in a special snack to share with his class! What can he take that will be the best? What he wants is not what Grandma had in mind. In this true story, rhyme along with Eric and his Grandma as they figure out what would be the perfect treat. With a little imagination and a little spunk, Eric and his Grandma create a birthday treat that turns out to be a big surprise! This is an eLIVE book, meaning each printed copy contains a special code redeemable for the free download of the audio version of the book."

While you are in Phoenixville, I highly recommend La Creperie for a delicious light brunch, Steel City Coffeehouse for a liquid boost, and the beautifully restored Colonial Theatre for a film. And if you're looking for a Guinness, stop by Molly Maguire's.