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NEWPORT — Check out the local libraries in the Pend Oreille River Valley on both sides of the state border for Banned Books Week.
This year, Banned Books Week 2026 takes place Sunday–Saturday, Oct. 4–10. The annual weeklong event celebrates the freedom to read and highlights the dangers of censorship.
Join the Pend Oreille Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. for a discussion of “They Called Us Enemy” by George Takei at the Newport Library. The book is based on Takei’s experiences as a child in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Takei is the honorary chair of Banned Books Week this year. The Priest River Library will have a display of banned books throughout the week available for patrons to borrow. For more information, go to www.bannedbooksweek.org.
Catch Biblio Mania at Create
NEWPORT — Book lovers, head to Create Arts Center Saturday, Oct. 17 for Biblio Mania: A Craze for Collecting Books, Saturday, Oct. 17. This is a chance to meet local authors and talk about books. For authors who would like to participate, there’s a $15 fee and registration is due Saturday, Oct. 3. The event is free to the public and refreshments will be served. For more information, go to www.createarts.org
Free Night Science this Saturday
NEWPORT — The public is invited to a free science education event featuring two piggy-backed presentations Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Indian Creek Community Forest, located at 1802 Indian Creek Road, Newport.
Beginning at 8 p.m., Healani Johnson, assistant wildlife biologist from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, will speak about local bat species and how bats are identified by their unique sounds. At 9 p.m., local amateur astronomers will provide views of the night sky objects through their telescopes. Laser-guided tours of major constellations will also be conducted.
For both presentations, red-lens flashlights will be available on loan to see in the dark by preserving natural night vision. White-light flashlights are discouraged because they cause the eye pupil to contract instantly and take several minutes to restore night vision for the holder and neighbors. Children are welcome but should be accompanied and controlled by an adult.
If weather conditions are unsuitable, indoor presentations may substitute for one or both outdoor ones.
The Marquis Crossing Ladies Society’s First Attempt at Murder
NEWPORT — What could possibly go wrong when a group of ladies decides to write and perform their very own murder mystery?
Quite a lot, as it turns out. Northwoods Performing Arts presents “The Marquis Crossing Ladies Society’s First Attempt at Murder,” a comedy by Pat Cook, beginning Friday, Oct. 9, at the Circle Moon Theatre in Newport.
Performances are Oct. 9–10, 16–17, 23–24. The theatre’s dinner show option is $35, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m., dinner served at 6:30 p.m. and the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. It’s just $14 for show only. Senior and children’s tickets are $12. The final performance on the Oct. 24 is a matinee, with doors open at 1 p.m. and the show start at 2 p.m. No meal is served.
The production is directed by Joseph Chantry and Jennifer Miles.
In Cook’s fast-moving comedy, the Marquis Crossing Ladies Society for the Arts decides to create its own murder mystery after discovering that producing someone else’s play means paying royalties. Their conclusion is simple: “Anybody can write a murder.”
The ladies set out to create an elaborate, operatic murder-mystery dinner theater production. But their plans take a decidedly unexpected turn when two actual fugitives on the run arrive on the scene and become entangled in the group’s theatrical ambitions.
Before long, the distinction between the play they’re creating and the trouble unfolding around them becomes increasingly difficult to maintain.
The result is a comic tangle of murder plots, mistaken identities, theatrical egos, unexpected guests and the sort of escalating confusion that makes a good farce so much fun.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.northwoodsperformingarts. com, by calling 208-448-1294, or in person at Seeber’s Pharmacy in Newport. Circle Moon is located at 3645 Highway 211 in Newport.
Leadership expert talking democracy at Create
NEWPORT — Create Arts Center and Responsible Growth * NE Washington are hosting speaker, consultant and civic leader Dr. Lunell Haught for a public presentation on “The 12 Indicators of Democracy” Sunday, Oct. 11, from 1–3 p.m. at Create, located at 900 W. Fourth St., Newport.
Dr. Haught holds a Ph.D. and teaches within Gonzaga University’s Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Leadership. She is also a Certified Management Consultant and owner of Haught Strategies, and has contributed to the fields of leadership, conflicts resolution, organizational governance and civic transparency.
Community members, local business leaders, nonprofit organizers and anyone interested in effective leadership and organizational collaboration are encouraged to attend this event.
This event is open and free to the public, with donations accepted at the door. Refreshments will be served. Create is handicapped-friendly and accessible; If special accommodations are required, call 509-447-9277 or 509-447-7985.
