Wilkinson Public Library Blog!

Brief descriptions of programs held at the Wilkinson Public Library, in Telluride, Colorado.

Monday, November 27, 2006

Sixty-nine Short Story Entries!

We had 69 short story submissions for our first, annual short story competition!

Entries came from as far afield as Cedaredge, Steamboat Springs, and Golden, Colorado, with the majority coming from Telluride, Ridgway, Ouray, Montrose and Grand Junction. We had a few submissions from Norwood and Redvale.

The judges have picked up their copies and have begun reading.

The judges will have their scores ready, and the winner will be announced, on Dec. 15 at our Author Agent Conference.

Thanks to all the authors out there who responded to our challenge. We look forward to the results of this exciting competition, and to supporting the written word in 2007.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

America: Freedom to Fascism

Our next Free Film is Aaron Russo's new film, America: Freedom to Facsism, a compelling documentary about the constitutionality of the Federal Reserve, the private bank controlling national finance.

Showing at 6pm, Monday December 4th, in the Program Room.

Russo made his name in the 1980s with the hit comedy Trading Places. He managed Bette Midler, and was the first American to book a Led Zeplin gig.

In his new film, Russo explores the facts surrounding the passing of the 16th amendment, back in 1913. This 'Federal Reserve Act' gave monopoly rights to print US currency to a private bank, now known as the Federal Reserve. This move was controversial--presidents before Woodrow Wilson had systematically denied the legislation, noting that the constitution empowers only congress with the ability to mint US coin and that granting this power to private interests would work against the people and undermine the principles this country was founded on.

However, the act was apparently never passed--there were not enough states that ratified it! The supreme court has ruled against the legality of the 16th amendment. And yet, the Federal Reserve still prints US currency and the IRS enforces payment of the Federal Income Tax.

But, according to Russo's film, there has never been a law enacted that requires any American pay this unconstitutional, apporitioned tax. That means, by US law and the constitution that supports it, no American need pay the Federal Income Tax.

At first this seems crazy. Surely every American needs to pay the Federal Income tax? And yet, through the investigations captured in this intriguing film, the truth becomes apparent. The Federal Income Tax is used only to repay interest on government loans granted by the Fed. Not a dime goes to education, transportation, healthcare, or even the salaries of government officials.

The Federal Income Tax, then, is just a way to bring money back to the machine that printed it, while restricting the amount of dollars in circulation. This artificial scarcity of US currency maintains value, and it is for this reason the Fed. and national inflation are so closely bound.

When the Fed. writes a check for ten million dollars it is creating money out of thin air! It is called creating currency FIAT, the Latin for 'Let it be'.

Even more frightening, perhaps, is the fact that the dollar-gold equivalency standard, that valued the dollar against national gold deposits, was dissolved in the late 1970s under President Nixon. Ever since then the dollar has no extrinsic value as a medium of exchange, it is, simply, a promise to pay the bearer on demand another US dollar! It is backed by nothing, only belief.

As a result, since 1913, the dollar has lost more than 75% of its value. A dollar today, when compared to a 1913 dollar, is worth about 4 cents.

All this is alarming. First, the fact that something as important as a national currency can be printed by private interests, interests not beholden to elections by, and of, the people, should make everyone sit up and ask, "what?" Second, the fact that this currency is printed without any backing whatsoever, printed on the whims and fancies of secret economists, to lend to the government who pays the interest with the public's paychecks, is unconstitutional and couter to the founding fathers' ideals that forged this great country of equality and equal opportunity. Essentially, this leaves the power to manifest national destiny in hands of a few people.

Mayer Rothschild said it when he said:

"Give me control of a nation's money, and I care not who makes the laws."

Or Henry Ford, who said:

"It is well the people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning."

Or Thomas Jefferson, who refused to allow bankers the powers to create and control the national currency:

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. Already they have raised up a monied aristocracy that has set the government at defiance. The issuing power (of money) should be taken away from the banks and restored to the people to whom it properly belongs."

Or how about James Garfiled, while he was president, who noted duly that:

"Whoever controls the volume of money in any country is absolute master of all industry and commerce."

Even Woodrow Wilson, who unwittingly passed the Federal Reserve Act (if illegally) wrote:

"I am a most unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country. A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit. Our system of credit is concentrated. The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men. We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated governments in the civilized world, no longer a government by free opinion, no longer a government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a government by the opinion and duress of a small group of dominant men."

He who controls money, controls the world. This film argues that the money-controllers have their own agenda, one not consonant with the ideals and liberties of this great nation. One that is leading us from freedom to a centralized government protecting the interests of a powerful elite, set to create a digitized finance system that will be inescapable.

Russo's arguments, and the testimony of former IRS officials--including a former commissioner--come together in a powerfully persuasive film that, according to Todd David Schwartz from CBS, makes,

"Farenheit 911 look like Bambi."

Watch it December 4th, 6 pm in the Program Room and make up your own mind.

"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." Benito Mussolini

Monday, November 20, 2006

Author Agent Conference!

The deadline for submissions to our short story competition is today (Monday, Nov. 20) at 8pm! Get 'em in while you still can!

Info. re. Author Agent Conference.

Starts: 5:30 pm, Friday, Dec. 15, in the Program room of the Wilkinson Public Library, at 100 W Pacific Ave., in Telluride.



Participating agents are:

Kristin nelson, from the Nelson Agency. Nelson Website
Andy Whelchel, from the National Writers Literary Agency
Steve Sanner, from Rocky Mountain Productions

We also have a book publicity consultant, Bella Stander. Book Promotion 101

Agents will discuss their trade on the evening of Friday, Dec. 15. Sign up will then be available for a 10 minute pitching slot the following day with the agent of your choice. Agents will discuss:

Creating the best query.
How to pitch the pros.
How to market your screenplay.
How to market your book.

The Nelson Agency specializes in romance and commercial fiction, but accepts literary submissions. The National Writers Literary Agency accepts all submissions, with a focus on literary fiction. Rocky Mountain productions is interested in film proposals (short, feature, documentary) and screenplays, and potentially actors and actresses.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions:

Ben
Wilkinson Public Library
970-728-9799 x 20

Friday, November 17, 2006

Telluride Chess Championship!

Our next chess tournament is Tuesday, December 12th, starting at 6pm in the Program Room! The grand prize is $50, cash, and the coveted title of:

Telluride Chess Champion.

Games are open to ANYONE. Games are knock out games--one loss, and you're out.

To date, Telluride Chess Champion, Martin Thomas--the town troubadour--remains UNDEFEATED! Can you usurp the reigning Telluride Chess Champion? Do you have what it takes--that unstoppable mix of strategy, tactics, patience and knowledge?

Come play, and find out! $50, cash, and the title of Telluride Chess Champion!


Reigning Telluride Chess Champion Martin Thomas defends his title in June, 2006. To date he remains undefeated.

Short Sotry Competition Deadline Fast Approaching!

Three days left to submit your short story to vie for the $1,000 prize!

Deadline is MONDAY NOVEMBER 20th at 8pm!

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Free Film: Voices of Iraq

To make this film, the producers distributed 150 cameras around Iraq, giving Iraqis the ability to shoot scenes from their lives, amid the turmoil of restructuring this fledgling democracy, and to tell their own stories in their own words.

Free Showing: Monday, Nov. 20, at 6pm in the Program Room.




Find out more here:

Voices of Iraq Website

"Voices of Iraq" is a must-see for anyone still coming to terms with the chaos in Iraq.
San Francisco Chronicle, October 29, 2004

[I]f this film cannot claim to represent the political "truth" about the war - what film could? - it certainly provides a broad glimpse of daily life in Iraq.
The New York Times, October 29, 2004

In a season of political documentaries that take one side or the other on the war in Iraq, a film has emerged whose purpose is not to address American politics but the Iraqi people.
Variety, October 17, 2004

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Short Story Competition Press Release!

For Immediate Release

Contact: Ben Williams
Wilkinson Public Library
100 W Pacific St
PO Box 2189
Telluride, CO 814335

970/728.9799 x 20
bwilliams@telluridelibrary.org


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND, 2006 – November is National Novel Writing Month! In support of National Novel Writing Month, the Wilkinson Public Library is hosting a short story competition.

The first place prize is: $1,000.00
The second place prize is: $500.00

In order to enter, applicants must be at least 18 years old. Any genre is applicable. Only one submission will be accepted per person. In the event of multiple submissions from a single author, the first submission will be selected.

Submissions must:

Be no more than 25 pages.
Be standard 12 pt. Times New Roman font.
Have one inch margins.
Consist of an original, with the author’s name, and five copies without the author’s name.
Be dropped off at the circulation desk, or mailed to: Wilkinson Public Library Short Story Competition, PO Box 2189, Telluride, CO, 81435, by 8pm Monday, November 20, 2006.

Submissions will be read and rated by a panel of judges. The story with the highest rating will be selected as the winner.

The winner will be announced on the evening of Friday, December 15, 2006 at the library’ Author Agent Conference.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Author Agent Cnference Dec. 15 and Dec. 16!

We have the following agents coming to Telluride for our Author Agent Conference, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 15, 5 - 8pm and Saturday, Dec. 16, all day.

Andy Whelchel, of National Writers Literary Agency
Kristin Nelson, of Nelson Agency Nelson Website
Steve Sanner, of John Power and Rocky Mountain Productions (Hollywood, actor/screenplay agent)

And Bella Stander, a consultant and book promoter. Book Promotions site

Friday, Dec. 15. 5 pm hear agents talk about the biz.

How to write the Quintessential Query.
How to Pitch the Pros.
And why you need an Agent Anyway.

The winners of the Short Story Competition will be announced after the talks, and sign-up for the 10 minute pitching slots on Saturday will then take place. First place is $1,000.00. Second place $500.00!

Get writing!
Get an Agent!
Get Published!

This November!

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Short Story Competition!

In support of National Novel Writing Month, the WIlkinson Public Library is hosting a short story competition!

The first place prize is: $1,000
And $500 for second place.

All genres are encouraged. Adults only (18 or older). Submissions must be double-spaced, 1" margins, 12pt Times new Roman font. No more than 25 pages.

Please submit one original with your name, and 5 copies without a name.

The winner will be announced at our author-agent conference, to be held the weekend of Dec. 15th, in the Program Room.

Yes, we're bringing in agents to help get you the exposure and connections you need! Sign up for a 10 minute pitching slot Dec. 15th, after the announcement of our short story winner, and pitch agents directly, Saturday, Dec. 16th.

All at your library!

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