Author Loewen to speak at library tonight as part of Big Read events

James Loewen, author of "Lies My Teacher Told Me," will speak at Lewis & Clark Library today at 7 p.m., as part of this month's Big Read Under the Big Sky events.

Loewen inspires teachers and students to challenge their history textbooks, rather than memorize them, said Patricia Spencer, public information officer for the library.

Loewen taught race relations for 20 years at the University of Vermont. He also taught at Tougaloo College in Mississippi.

His book, "Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism," was named a Distinguished Book by the Gustavus Myers Foundation.

Among other awards, he won the American Book Award for "Lies My Teacher Told Me."

On Friday at 5:30 p.m., Loewen will discuss the treatment of Native Americans in history books. The presentation is at the Helena Indian Alliance, 436 N. Jackson,

The Big Read Under the Big Sky is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts to promote literary reading and is based on successful "one book, one community" programs.

The Lewis & Clark Library selected Harper Lee's Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" as the focus for a series of community events

For a complete schedule of events, visit the Lewis & Clark Library Web site at www.lewisandclarklibrary.org.

JeffCo ghost tour on Saturday

A tour of Comet ghost town and Jefferson County's historic courthouse, as well as ghost stories by Ellen Baumler at Boulder Hot Springs are among the offerings of Saturday's Historical Ghost Tour.

The event is a benefit for Boulder Elementary School's 21st Century Community Learning Center Program, which provides both after school and summer programming.

The tour bus departs 9 a.m., from Montana Historical Society, 225 North Roberts, in Helena. Tickets for the tour and lunch are $45.

For tickets, call Mary Ellen Earnhardt at 225-3316 ext. 100 or at 457-0833 or email maryellen.earnhardt@bgs.k12.mt.us.