Saturday, June 20, 2009

Northern Lights Book Signing...

Come on down to Duluth's Canal Park by beautiful Lake Superior on Saturday, July 11. I'll be at Northern Lights Books and Gifts signing books from 2-3 pm. Tell your friends and stop by...and, of course, buy a book! Yes, Northern Lights is the very same bookseller that recently hosted the Duluth stopping point for the David Sedaris National Book Tour.

It's shameless promoting, I know... but I have all these books to sell. My book, Cooler Near the Lake, is for sale in all the area book stores and gift shops and on line through Adventure Publication and Amazon. You can even buy the book by contacting me! (See my web site by clicking on the book cover located on this blog.) The book retails for just $14.95 and is filled with a special selection of 52 of my Duluth News Tribune columns printed over 34 years.

I've divided the book into sections covering life in the northland (The Lake Effect), my own unique perspectives (Outrageous Nonsense), serious thoughts on life (Slices of Life), northern ethnic humor (The Ethnic Editor), famous people visiting Duluth (The Rich and Famous Collide With Duluth) and philosophical and fun perspectives while looking back in time (Through the Rearview Mirror). It's the kind of book you can give as a gift, read yourself or have conveniently situated in a favorite reading room.

I'm taking a bit of vacation time next week... but stay tuned, I'll be back soon!
Posted by Jim Heffernan at 12:42 AM
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2 comments:

Becca said...

Jim,

It was wonderful to have my book signed. After looking into Knightfall, I'm quite interested in reading it. Thank you for the suggestion.

--Becca

July 14, 2009 8:02 PM
Jim Heffernan said...

Hi, Becca...I'm glad you picked up on "Knightfall." As I said, I'm currently reading it, and just last night realized I'm within a few pages of the end. Throughout, I've been thinking I wish I'd read it years ago, when I was active in journalism. I hope you'll give it a good read. That said, I enjoyed meeting you and very much appreciated your interest in my book.
Good luck with your continuing journalism studies.
--Jim

July 17, 2009 9:53 AM

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COOLER NEAR THE LAKE

COOLER NEAR THE LAKE
Duluth Lake Walk/ Aerial Bridge

SCROLL DOWN...

Check out the writings (below) from time to time...
as I will feature hand-picked columns from my writing days with the Duluth News-Tribune along with other of my musings. These will be positioned at the bottom of this page, unchanged, while while current posts (above) move on down the page and into older post pages at each posting. I hope to also include some Twin Ports memory pieces, more about the rich and famous in Duluth, slices of life, and…yes…outrageous nonsense. My plan is to let you know that I've added something on a post (above). Hope you'll stay tuned...

Everyone has complained about it being "cooler near the lake" this summer so thought I'd publish the poem I wrote that became the title of my book. Bring your sweater when you head down the hill 'cause it's cooler near the lake!

COOLER NEAR THE LAKE (the poem from the book by the same name)

COOLER NEAR THE LAKE
by Jim Heffernan

They say we're in God's country;
And few could argue that,
With forests tall and waters blue
And folks who’ll go to bat.
But one thing gets my dander up,
Beyond just give and take,
And that’s the report on the radio
That it’s cooler near the lake.

It happens every springtime,
And in the summer too,
Just when buds are popping
And the skies are getting blue,
When the world embraces sunshine
And our bones for warmth all ache,
It’s then you know the reports will show
That it’s cooler near the lake.

It’s only here, and nowhere else,
That such a case is true;
In nearby towns and villages,
There’s no need there to rue;
They get the balmy breezes,
They’re out with hoe and rake,
But in Duluth, you know it’s the truth,
It’ll be cooler near the lake.

Just take a ride to Hermantown,
Or Hibbing or Virginia;
Go down to Minneapolis
If you think you’ve got it in ya.
You’ll find that they are basking
In the heat, make no mistake,
But in Duluth, you know, forsooth,
It’ll be cooler near the lake.

I sometimes think the weather here
Will never get past fifty;
If it happens to rise to sixty-five
Everyone thinks it’s nifty;
By afternoon you can bet your boots,
If you don’t you’ll be a fake,
By eventide the temp will slide,
And it’ll be cooler near the lake.

We love our lake, don’t get me wrong,
Its gorgeous shining water,
But looks are only surface deep,
There are other things that matter;
Like warming bones that winter froze,
And limbs that quiver and quake,
Fat chance we’ve got to heat ‘em up
When it’s cooler near the lake.

It’s not as though we don’t get warned
By all those darn forecasters;
I swear each night, as they give our plight,
That they’re no-good dirty --------.

They say the same thing every time
When they describe our fate:
We’re sorry folks, and it’s no joke,
It’ll be cooler near the lake.

I know the day is coming when
The real God’s Country beckons,
And when St. Peter meets me there,
He’ll ask my home, I reckon.
And when I tell him it’s Duluth
He’ll say, “For heaven’s sake,
“Ain’t that the place everyone says
“Is cooler near the lake?”

“That’s it,” I’ll cry, “oh kindly saint,
And in this realm please spare,
From chilly off-lake breezes,
And winter underwear.”
“If it’s heat you want,” he’ll reply,
In the other place you’ll bake.”
“Fine, send me any place except
Where it’s cooler near the lake!”

Originally appeared in the Duluth News Tribune
on Sunday, June 3, 1979