Readers' corner

A book to watch for: I have a book recommendation: "Shantaram" by Gregory David Roberts. It's roughly a novel based on a true story about a man who escapes from a maximum security prison in New Zealand and travels to India on a false passport. However, that brief description does not do it justice. It is fascinating, detailed, worldly, profound ... this book has blown me away. When was the last time you underlined passages in a novel because the sentiment you just read was something you wanted to remember or something you had never thought about before? The richly detailed language about India made me feel as if I'd been there, but the themes of "the meaning of life" and "what are we here for" will stay with you long after you've finished the last page. Reading it, I thought this would make a great movie, but Johnny Depp had the thought before me, optioning the novel shortly after its release. He will play the lead character, Linbaba, (that's the kiwi's Indian nickname) in the film. The Web site gives you a good idea of what the book is like, including a lot of comments by the author. It's www.shantaram.com on the Web.

Project Linus & our Girl Scouts: Reader Susan Piper, the Project Linus Chapter Coordinator for Nevada County, wants readers to know the latest. "Project Linus, an all-volunteer organization providing comfort and security to seriously ill and traumatized children through handmade blankets, received their first 'bulk' donation of blankets this month from Junior Girls Scouts Troop No. 8 of Grass Valley. Troop Leader Stephanie Meyers, guided Troop No. 8 as they made nine fleece blankets for Project Linus. The Troop includes Sophia Rubino, Megan Gauthier, Ashley Levy, Chandler Meyers and Brooke Levy. Chapter coordinators Susan and Lori Humphrey are delighted to receive the blankets, which will be distributed to children in Nevada County via hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, etc. There are many opportunities to participate in the Nevada County Project Linus Chapter. For more information contact Susan at 432-7758 or Lori at 913-3544.

Friendship Club grads: Margaret Meagher, volunteer coordinator for The Friendship Club, is proud the accomplishments of the girls in the club. I wasn't able to attend their recent dinner, but Margaret told me the following: "Last week, The Friendship Club celebrated the high school graduations of six seniors at its Fourth Annual Graduation and Scholarship Dinner. These girls have been members of The Friendship Club since they were in sixth grade. When they joined, they were struggling with school, family and friendships; they were girls who needed attention and people to talk to. For seven years, they have attended after-school meetings, summer camps, and field trips. They have provided community service, made friends, learned from their Angels and Mentors, and maintained their pledges to stay in school. During this time, they have overcome many of personal challenges and have worked hard to set goals for their future ... All six girls plan to attend either college or vocational school next year. Three of them are already working part-time." If you want to help, call The Friendship Club at 265-4311.

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Dixie Redfearn can be reached at 477-4238 or by email at dixier@theunion.com, or by fax at 477-4292.