On Tuesday, March 1, Greg Mortenson, author of the bestselling “Three Cups of Tea” and “Stones into Schools,” will be in Longview for the day. Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 and 2010, Mortenson has inspired people the world over by his commitment to literacy through the building of more than 140 schools in rural and war-torn parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He will be meeting with students during the day, and at 7:00 pm in the evening, he will be speaking to the community at RA Long High School auditorium. Tickets are available at www.lowercolumbiacap.org for $35, or can be purchased at CAP, 1526 Commerce Ave., in Longview.

In honor of his visit, WordFest will not occur that night, and people are encouraged to attend Mortenson’s address at RA Long.

WordFest will resume on the first Tuesday of April (5th).

Castle Rock writer Jim LeMonds will be presenting at next Tuesday’s WordFest on February 1. Jim is the author of two books, South of Seattle and Deadfall.  After teaching for 30 years, he started his own business, WriteTek Northwest, which handles a wide range of editing and marketing projects. As the editor of the Cowlitz Historical Quarterly since 2006, Jim will be discussing his approach to editing the CHQ and read several selections from recent issues. 

Local poet Janice Haupt will be reading from her first book of poetry, The Profile of a Thin Woman. The poems span three generations and are about “joy and pathos and all kinds of human experience.” Copies will be available for purchase for $8.00.

WordFest regular Chuck Taylor will be reading a short story titled, “Gebediah,” set in the early 1940s, about a road trip crossing the desert. Chuck describes himself as “an antiquated retiree who still writes for the joy of creating and who believes it’s not too late to see something in print, now or posthumously.”

Following the presentations there will be an open mic time.

WordFest is a gathering of readers and writers who meet on the first Tuesday of each month, 6:00-8:00 pm, at The Brits Tea Shoppe, 1427 Commerce Avenue in Longview.

Doors open at 5:30. The Brits owner Alice Dietz will offer a new menu and choice of wines for those who wish to enjoy a meal and beverage with the readings.