Blog

Pen on Fire Speaker Series and Salon
08.20.19
The next Pen on Fire Speaker Series and Salon on Tuesday, August 20 at 7 p.m. features novelists Janet Fitch and Leland de la Durantaye with their novels. Janet's new book, (Chimes of a Lost Cathedral, was just released). Both Janet and Leland are articulate about the writing process and about their novels.
For more info or to register, click here. Seats are $20 and include nibbles and sips. The event will take place at Lido Village Books. Free parking in the parking structure nearby; remember to ask for a voucher at the bookstore.
This monthly series, hosted by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, features authors, literary agents, and others involved in the field of writing. Happening at Lido Books in Newport Beach, the salon is a mecca for literary devotees who listen to readings, take part in discussions, and attend book signings.
Janet Fitch is the best selling author of the White Oleander, an Oprah’s book club pick, translated into 28 languages and the subject of a feature film; Paint it Black, widely translated and recently made into a film directed by Amber Tamblyn; The Revolution of Marina M. an epic novel of a young woman’s coming of age during the Russian Revolution, and Chimes of a Lost Cathedral, the novel that resumes the story of Marina M. Her short fiction and essays have been published in anthologies and journals such as Black Clock, Black Warrior Review, Los Angeles Noir, the Los Angeles Review of Books, and Real Simple. Her popular Writing Wednesday writing tip videos can be found on her author Facebook page. For more about Janet, check her website, janetfitchwrites.com.
Leland de la Durantaye is a writer, critic, translator, and professor of comparative literature. He has taught at the École normale supérieure and Harvard University and is currently Professor of Literature at Claremont McKenna College. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Village Voice, The London Review of Books, Bookforum, Artforum, The Believer, and other newspapers and magazines. He serves on the editorial boards of the Harvard Review and Cabinet. His first novel, Hannah versus the Tree, was published by McSweeney’s in November 2018.
Lido Village Books is at 3424 Via Oporto in Newport Beach.
Blog

Storytime at Cilek Kids Room
08.20.19
In a partnership with the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, Cilek Kids Room at SOCO is holding monthly Storytime events from now through October. These hour-long interactive activations all feature live music, dance, and storytelling with each Storytime event finishing with a parent and child activity that relates to the subject of the story told. Once Storytime is complete, families are invited to the SOCO Farmers’ Market to take part in a tasting tour with Market Bucks-tokens that can be spent on anything inside the market.
Cilek Kids Room’s second Storytime event will take place on Saturday, August 24 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. inside the showroom and will feature a Corduroy reading along with a bear ear construction craft.
All Storytime events are free to attend and registration is required. Please sign up for any and all Storytime dates by visiting: chuckjonescenter.org.
Cilek Kids Room – SOCO is at 3315 Hyland Avenue, Suite B in Costa Mesa.
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 07.02.25 – Bardega to Open in Laguna Hills with Bodega-Style Market and Custom Cocktails
- 07.02.25 – Fit Bodies by Amanda Marks 15th Anniversary With Pop-Up Celebration
- 07.02.25 – ABT’s ‘Giselle’ Returns to Segerstrom Center This Summer
- 06.30.25 – Puesto Debuts Protein-Packed Bowls and Summer Specials
- 06.29.25 – Celebrate the Fourth from Offshore 9’s Rooftop in Huntington Beach
- 06.27.25 – Luciana’s Ristorante in Dana Point Wins 2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
- 06.24.25 – Luxury Designer Pop-Up in Tustin: Up to 90% Off Now Through June 29
- 06.24.25 – Where to Celebrate the Fourth of July in Orange County
- 06.23.25 – New Chapter for Sushi Ii: Acclaimed Chefs Join MICHELIN-Recognized Kitchen
- 06.18.25 – Tender Greens Unveils Seasonal Summer Menu Inspired by Local Harvests
- 06.17.25 – Strickland’s Ice Cream Marks One Year in Costa Mesa
- 06.15.25 – Catalina Museum for Art & History Presents Work by Sonia Romero
- 06.14.25 – RJB Restaurant Group Expands Parlor and Olea Footprints
- 06.14.25 – Jan’s Health Bar Expands to San Diego, Introduces New Smoothies and Summer Menu Favorites
- 06.11.25 – Taste of Japan Brings Food, Culture and Entertainment to Anaheim GardenWalk
- 06.09.25 – Topside Roof Deck Launches Sunday Brunch Club
- 06.09.25 – Ninth Annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival to Celebrate Stories of the Sea
- 06.09.25 – Anaheim Hills Festival to Host Bubble Poppin’ Fun Event June 14
- 06.08.25 – Father’s Day Weekend at The Ranch: Steak, Lobster, Bourbon
- 06.03.25 – VEA Newport Beach Partners with Orlebar Brown for Stylish June Pop-Up
More Daily Doses
- 06.30.25 – Sip Into Summer at The District Tustin’s Cocktail Tour
- 06.25.25 – Where to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in Orange County
- 06.22.25 – Surf & Sand, Laguna Beach Unveils Property-wide Transformation
- 06.17.25 – RELISH Food, Wine and Spirits Experience Debuts in Newport Beach June 27-29
- 06.15.25 – Sweetgreen Welcomes 5th O.C. Restaurant To Laguna Niguel
- 06.15.25 – Casa de Onda Brings Modern Mexican Fusion and Coastal Cool to Triangle Square
- 06.10.25 – Step inside California Kinship at Langson IMCA
- 06.09.25 – E-Commerce Favorite Dressin Launches First OC Store
- 06.03.25 – Hilbert Museum and Pageant of the Masters Partner for 2025 Celebration of California Art
- 06.02.25 – Anaheim’s World Taste Serves Up Culture and Cuisine
- 06.02.25 – Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO in Laguna Hills – Free Kids Tickets This Week
- 05.26.25 – Chef Jason Yamaguchi to Debut Konpa Nikkei in Corona del Mar This Summer
- 05.25.25 – Lido House Launches ‘La Dolce Vita’ – A Taste of Europe in Newport Beach
- 05.21.25 – A Catalina Day Trip: Ocean Views, Island History, and Memorable Stops
- 05.20.25 – Pendry Newport Beach Kicks Off Summer with New Experiences
- 05.15.25 – Cinq à Sept Opens First California Boutique at Fashion Island
- 05.14.25 – Meet Atome Bakery: Sourdough Without the Stress
- 05.14.25 – Newport Beach TV Fest Launches June 5-8, 2025
- 05.11.25 – Cozy Earth Opens Flagship Store in Corona del Mar
- 05.09.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day at Wild Strawberry Café in Newport Beach