The Briefly column will appear every weekday and on Saturdays at www.chqdaily.com. It is intended to provide space for announcements from Institution-related organizations. If a meeting or activity is featured that day in a story, it should not be repeated in the Briefly column. Submit information to Cloey Olkowski, editorial office manager, at daily@chq.org. Please provide the name of the organization, time and place of virtual event, and one contact person’s name with phone number. Deadline is 5 p.m. three days before publication.
Open Mic
The Friends of the Chautauqua Writers’ Center (formerly the Chautauqua Literary Arts Friends) encourages Chautauqua writers over the age of 18 to share their work at 5 p.m. EDT this Sunday, June 28, and every Sunday via Zoom. Plan on reading for no more than five minutes or just come and listen. Find more information at www.chq.org/fcwc. Direct any questions to friendsofthewriterscenter@gmail.com.
Literary Arts Contests
Writers of all ages are invited to submit their poetry or prose by Aug. 2 to the writing contests sponsored by Friends of the Chautauqua Writers’ Center. Prizes are awarded in the adult, young adult, and youth categories. For more information and submission instructions, please go to www.chq.org/fcwc. Please direct any questions to friendsofthewriterscenter@gmail.com.
Robert Pinsky Favorite Poem Project
At 5 p.m. EDT Wednesday, July 29, via Zoom, selected Chautauquans will be given the chance to read their favorite published poem and briefly explain why it is their favorite. This event, sponsored by the Friends of the Chautauqua Writers’ Center, is modeled on the initiative introduced to Chautauqua by the former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky. If you would like to read at this event, please apply at www.chq.org/fcwc by Friday, July 24. Applications must be submitted online. Questions should be directed to 4normarees@gmail.com.
Smith Memorial Library
The Smith Memorial Library is now loaning physical and digital materials, with an expanding selection of both. Patrons are invited to search, hold and download at catalog.smithlibrary.com, where updates on the library’s phased reopening can also be found.
Virtual Old First Night Run/Walk
Sign up for the virtual “Around the World” Old First Night Run/Walk on Saturday, Aug. 1. Run or walk your own 2.75-mile race course and receive a race T-shirt. Proceeds benefit the Chautauqua Fund. To register for the race, please visit https://forms.chq.org/oldfirstnight/
Week One Post-lecture Conversations on the Virtual Porch
Following the morning’s Chautauqua Lecture Series program, join others at 12:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday, June 30, and Thursday, July 2, on the Virtual Porch to discuss this week’s lectures on “Climate Change: Prioritizing Our Global and Local Response.” All are welcome. The conversation will be facilitated by Tereza Jezkova, assistant professor in Miami University of Ohio’s Department of Biology.