Rickey E. Pittman, storyteller, author, and folksinger

Saturday, October 10th    1 to 3 PM

Along the banks of the mighty Rio Grande River lies the heart of Southern Texas—the Rio Grande Valley. Steeped in tradition at the crossroads between the United States and Mexico, the Valley’s residents have established a unique way of life, honoring their past and reaching for their future.

Brought to life through rhyming text and vivid illustrations, the sights and sounds of the Rio Grande Valley fill every page, from the flight of the aplomado falcon to the ride of Antonio Zapata and everything in between.

In addition to the shared history of Mexican and Texas battles and triumphs, author Rickey Pittman details daily life in the Magic Valley, displaying the delight of a daughter’s quinceañera and the spirit of mariachi music. Illustrator Julie Dupre Buckner captures the hues of Valley life, from the bright butterflies gracing the grasslands to the clear night sky shining with stars.

The history and the heart of the Valley and its inhabitants, both human and animal, fill every page of this informative and essential book.

Pittman strives to find and share the forgotten and neglected stories and people of history and legend and bring them to life before his audiences. Whether you seek a song to touch your heart, a book to instruct your children, or a motivating and entertaining program, this bard of the South has good things to share.

Rickey E. Pittman was the Grand Prize Winner of the 1998 Ernest Hemingway Short Story Competition, and is originally from Dallas, Texas. Pittman presents his stories, music and programs at schools, libraries, organizations, museums, Civil War Reenactments, and Celtic festivals throughout the South.  Pittman has a BA in New Testament Greek and an MA in English Literature from Abilene Christian University and currently teaches college level freshman composition and literature.

This event is free and open to the public.

Paragraphs On Padre Boulevard

5505 Padre Blvd. South Padre Island, TX For information call us at 956-433-5057

Meet the Author Series at Paragraphs

Saturday, October 3^rd     1-3 PM

        Book signing, discussion and reception with author, Timothy Woodward

Sixteen-year-old Sean Jackson’s summer is off to an inauspicious start. The only place hiring in his small New Hampshire hometown is the local ice cream shop owned by the “Fabulous” Renée, who has a reputation for being tough on employees. Donning a pink t-shirt to scoop sundaes for tourists and seniors promises to be a colder, stickier version of hell.

On his first day of work, Sean meets Becky, a wickedly funny New York transplant with a sarcastic attitude and a taste for mischief. The store manager, Jay, is eighteen, effortlessly cool, and according to Becky, “likes” Sean the way Sean’s starting to like him. But before Sean can clear a path to the world that’s waiting, he will have to deal with his overprotective mother and come out to his sweet, popular girlfriend, Lisa. And just when he thinks he has it all figured out, Sean’s absentee father shows up unannounced. Over the course of one unforgettable summer, Sean must deal with the uncertainty of being gay in a small town, the excitement and danger of his first gay kiss and the difficulties of coming out to the people closest to him.

Tender and achingly funny, IF I TOLD YOU SO will resonate with anyone who is—or has ever been—a teenager, when the only thing you can count on is how little you really know, and the next glance, or touch, or breathless night can be the one that changes everything.

Timothy Woodward grew up in a small town in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where Saturday evening trips to the local ice cream shop were a town ritual. Later he moved to the city where he was a high school teacher and an advocate for GLBT youth with Greater Boston PFLAG.  In the city, ice cream shops have been replaced by frozen yogurt stores, but Timothy still goes back to his hometown for their ice cream.

Timothy has BAs in film and writing from the University of Southern California and an MFA in Writing from Southern New Hampshire University.  He currently lives in Las Vegas.

This event is free and open to the public.

Paragraphs On Padre Boulevard, 5505 Padre Blvd. South Padre Island, TX

For information call us at 956-433-5057

Meet the Artist Series at Paragraphs

Wednesday September 23rd    4-6 PM

              Painting demonstration and reception with artist, Daniel Adams  

Join us at Paragraphs while Daniel sets up his easel and paints for us live in the store.  His favorite subject is Hummingbirds but we will have to wait to see what he has in mind to paint for us. Check out his web site to see the quality of his work or stop in Paragraphs. www.danieladams.artistwebsites.com

I paint what I love and what I know, what is around me and my surroundings. I feel the energy of the subject, the moment and time. That energy stays with the painting. One can feel it! Some visitors feel it the moment they come into the gallery. It hits them head on...they smile, grin, and tears of joy just happen. It still amazes me when that happens. Sometimes my art is healing and heals people, or gives them peace. It's a healing energy process that is put into the work while I am creating it.

Daniel Adams is an accomplished and renowned artist with fans in 48 countries. He is now living in the beautiful Hill Country of Texas. Living on a lake for the past few years he wakes up to a different view each day. Cloudly, sunny or foggy, the views are inspiring to his creative process. He thanks God for the glory of it all, knowing it is not a permanent moment he is in, but one that is filled with changes each day, and each day is a new one. One that perhaps can be made a little better by understanding and protecting the natural world.

He has won hundreds of awards including many Best of Show awards across the United States. He was head of an art department for Walt Disney Productions. He has drawn over two hundred thousand people. Taught different art processes and techniques, juried art shows, and designed the Challenger license plate for the State of Florida, the millions of dollars that idea generated built the Astronaut's Memorial at Cape Canaveral. He also designed the Official Flag for Orange County, Florida. He is a founding member of "The Open Arts Alliance." An Art Gallery owner. Winner of the "Idea of the Year" at Disney World. An Art Director for Metrovision Motion Picture Studios. Winner of poster design competitions. He also received the "Ambassador's Award" from the Astronauts' Memorial Foundation, their highest honor to bestow.

This event is free and open to the public.

Paragraphs On Padre Boulevard, 5505 Padre Blvd. South Padre Island, TX

For information call us at 956-433-5057