UKIAH, CA., 10/16/26 — Jack Crimmins, author of seven books of poetry, reads at the LOBA Poetry Series at the Ukiah Branch of the Mendocino County Library at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. Crimmins’ books include Wilderness and Time and Jazz Midnight, a collection of poems about jazz and jazz musicians. Crimmins’ first book, Kit Fox Blues, was published by Beat poet Diane di Prima. Di Prima is of special interest to Melissa Eleftherion, Ukiah’s branch manager and the host of the LOBA Poetry Series, as well as Ukiah’s Poet Laureate Emeritus.
Writes Eleftherion, “Named for the feminist epic poem by famed Beat poet and mystic Diane di Prima, LOBA Poetry Series is now in its 12th year of fostering inclusive and multiculturally diverse access to poetry. Each month features an invited local or globally recognized poet to share their work with our kind audience of poets and poetry enthusiasts.”
Poets from the Bay Area, Sonoma County, Chicago, New York and elsewhere have read in the series over its 12 years. Eleftherion was a longtime student of di Prima’s. The Ukiah Valley Friends of the Library sponsors the series.
After Crimmins’ reading, adults and teens can participate in an open mic reading of their poems. The event is Saturday, 3 p.m., at the Ukiah Branch of the Mendocino County Library, 105 N. Main St., Ukiah.