In case this event has snuck up on anyone, the True/False Film Fest starts next week! Find out all about it at their main site, here: https://truefalse.org/.

So, if you’re the type who doesn’t care about being 100% proper, I found an art challenge that looks good: February Faces (https://kickinthecreatives.com/february-faces/). For those who want their challenges to count properly, I’m sorry I didn’t find that challenge sooner, but I found an interesting March challenge for you: The Quick Kick March Daily Photo Challenge (https://kickinthecreatives.com/quick-kick-march/). This one encourages you to get outside and enjoy nature. If you want someplace other than your backyard or local park, Columbia has a lot of trail mileage to choose from. If you have a dog, Bear Creek Trail would be excellent. You can always start at the parking lot by the dog park.

If you are curious about Manga, or are having a hard time finding your next book or series, then perhaps “Your Go-To Guide for How and Where To Read Manga” (https://bookriot.com/how-and-where-to-read-manga/) can help you out. I personally like how they mention libraries as a way of getting books you want to read!

For all I know, I’m the last one to really know about annotation, but I’ll readily admit I’m one of those people who does not like writing in her books and that gets even harder with e-books. So, whenever the word annotation has crossed my path in the past, I’ve just sort of slipped right back into reading about Aragorn, Shallan & Adolin, Benden Weyr and all my other favorites. Leaving annotation promptly forgotten. But then I ran across the article, “The Best Annotation Tools for Readers” (https://bookriot.com/best-annotation-tools-for-readers/), this morning.

Since this space is partly about posting book related topics I think others might be interested in, I looked at it and found out it doesn’t require one to actually write in their books. One of these kits has notebooks for writing in, and the stuff in some of the other kits, like bookmarks, sparks all sorts of ideas for me. And if nothing else, I could stand to take some notes on the Wheel of Time, Darkover and the Cosmere. So, in case there is anyone else who might now be interested in annotating what they read, here’s some extra information, 5 Steps to Great Annotations (https://davidrickert.com/5-steps-to-great-annotations/).

Having decided annotation might be a thing to start doing, I also have to point out that I work in Physical Processing and have a problem with one of the ideas presented in the first article. Post-It-Note-like products have a nasty habit of trying to become a permanent fixture in books over time. If left in too long, or poorly made, they tend to take part of the page with them. Just a warning of what could go wrong.

Here’s an event for those who have active dogs who like sniffing out things. Barn Hunting is a relatively new dog sport and you can bring your dog to learn all about it and even get in a practice run or two on Sunday, February 11^th starting at 10. If you are interested in more information including pricing, location and directions you can go to the following site: https://allevents.in/columbia/barn-hunt-practice/200026072441828 . If you want to read up more on the sport first there seems to be plenty of information online. I’ve posted two links here to get you started. Here is a link to the Barn Hunt Association’s FAQ page: https://www.barnhunt.com/faq.html and here is a link to another event page that I found informative: https://www.kios.org/arts/2020-10-29/rat-infestations-are-a-real-problem-for-farmers-barn-hunt-simulates-a-solution . Spoiler alert: It sounds like the rats are alive but no person or pooch will really come into contact with them.

“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” will be playing at the Columbia Entertainment Company throughout February. For more information including specific dates and how to buy tickets please go here: https://cectheatre.org/2023/07/28/joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat/ .

I know it’s early but I don’t know how much space they have. From March 25^th to 29^th, kids can have the chance to participate in a variety of classes that will result in a short play they put on for their families. Some day care time is available. Click on the link below for all the details.

https://www.trypskids.com/camps

For interesting thoughts on book lists and books in social media, read the article here: https://lithub.com/against-disruption-on-the-bulletpointization-of-books/ .

Curtis Pavey & Helena Hyesoo Kim will be performing together on Sunday the 28^th from 3 to 4:30 at the Sinquefield Music Center.

This is what I was told about the event)

Come explore the natural world, the various forms of water, and astronomical phenomena through the unique lens of music from East Asia and North America. In this recital, MU faculty pianist Curtis Pavey will perform with pianist Helena Hyesoo Kim in a concert of solo and four-hands piano music by composers of East Asian heritage. In total, six different composers from different places around the world will be represented.  The music, all written within the last sixty years, brings to life scenes from the harbor in Keelung, Taiwan to Zen poetry about different galaxies to the seasons in Japan.

Please go here for more information.

This unique Australian library caters to museums and universities, allowing them to check out specimens.