
Check out Las Cruces Digest covering the Southern New Mexico Book Festival, here.


Las Cruces Village (formerly Good Samaritan) in the Creative Arts Room, 3011 Buena Vida Circle. Enter through the main administrative building entrance (parking is to the east of the building) and GO DOWNSTAIRS to reach the meeting room.
2:30-4:30 pm, Saturday September 12th, 2026
We will be doing our first LCW Book Club meeting tomorrow after the meeting, from 4:30-5:00 PM. If you are interested, please join us and bring a recommendation for our first read!
As announced in last month’s meeting, we will be voting on two Bylaw changes, as follows:
If you have not yet, please bring $25 cash or check to renew your membership for the year.
1. Welcome & Sign-In (2:30 PM)
2. Treasurer’s Report
3. Member Accomplishments:
4. Business & Announcements:

Las Cruces Writer and biologist Fenton Kay is at it again, teaching the child in all of us about the biology of sensory systems in his new children’s book, What If I Had The Eyes of a Cat or The Ears of a Bat? Now available on Lulu, the book takes me back to Thomas Nagel’s classic paper, “What is it Like to be a Bat.” that kicked off a greater appreciation of the conundrum of phenomenal conscious experience. Only now, I have to imagine not just holographic sonic terrain maps, but also enhanced night vision as I stalk through the tall grass. The child within me is fascinated!
Here’s a synopsis:
…Children are fascinated by how the natural world works. This book introduces sensory biology at a preschooler or kindergartener level. The story is about a boy and his grandfather, but it could be a girl and her grandmother. It depends on who is reading the book and for whom.
The American Dream by George Pintar explores one of the most enduring ideas in American life: the belief that through freedom, hard work, determination, opportunity, and perseverance, people can build better lives for themselves and their families. The book examines how this ideal developed from America’s founding principles and how it has influenced generations of Americans, immigrants, families, workers, entrepreneurs, and dreamers seeking a better future.
George recognizes that the American Dream has never meant the same thing to everyone. For some, it means owning a home, achieving financial security, or providing a better life for their children. For others, it means freedom, education, meaningful work, creativity, community, or the opportunity to pursue personal goals. Regional differences, cultural backgrounds, economic circumstances, and changing generations have all shaped how Americans understand and pursue the Dream.
At the same time, the book examines the challenges that can make the Dream difficult to achieve. Rising living costs, wage stagnation, economic inequality, discrimination, changing employment patterns, and unequal access to education and opportunity can create barriers. The authors also consider how technology and artificial intelligence may transform the American Dream—creating new opportunities while potentially disrupting traditional careers and increasing economic divisions.
Ultimately, The American Dream examines what America promises and what Americans continue to hope for. Pintar argues that the Dream is not a fixed destination, but an evolving ideal shaped by changing times and each generation’s experiences. Its future depends on preserving opportunity, encouraging individual initiative, strengthening communities, and keeping the possibility of …
Charmayne has the following exciting events coming in the next several months. Here they are, straight from her newsletter:
Major Mata Ortiz exhibition, trunk show, powerpoint presentations, wine reception, and pottery demo and firing at the San Antonio Museum of Art.
I am honored to be attending this event with the world-famous Master Mata Ortiz potters, Hector Gallegos, Laura Bugarini, Paula Bugarini and Yetito Bugarini.
An opening wine/cheese reception on Friday with pottery and books, and on Saturday I will be sharing the unbelievable story of how it all began! Details in the flyer below. Pottery Sales and Book Sales!

I will be attending with my books ready to autograph for you, and I will be leading a workshop. This will be the second year for this event, and it was hugely successful last year. Authors from all over the Southwest will have their books for sale, and there will be other special events.

I am very excited to launch the Spencer MacCallum biography En Espanol in Mata Ortiz, Mexico and will be attending a book signing event while there for the world-famous Concurso, competition of the potters. It is a fun and exhilarating weekend full of amazing art, delicious food, and wonderful friends!…

Las Cruces Village (formerly Good Samaritan) in the Creative Arts Room, 3011 Buena Vida Circle. Enter through the main administrative building entrance (parking is to the east of the building) and GO DOWNSTAIRS to reach the meeting room.
2:30-4:30 pm, Saturday August 15th, 2026

Today’s meeting has been rescheduled to next Saturday, August 15th, in the downstairs meeting room. More to come!…

SNMBF needs your help! If you love books, share your love with others at Southern New Mexico Book Festival.

Las Cruces Village (formerly Good Samaritan) in the Creative Arts Room, 3011 Buena Vida Circle. Enter through the main administrative building entrance (parking is to the east of the building) and GO DOWNSTAIRS to reach the meeting room.
2:30-4:30 pm, Saturday July 11th, 2026