Sonoma County Poet Meg Hamill

     On Thursday, March 21, at 7:30pm The Third Thursday Poetry & Jazz Reading Series will feature Sonoma County Poet Meg Hamill. The reading will take place at the Arena Market cafe and will begin with live improv jazz and an open mic with jazz improv; the reading will conclude with more live improv jazz.

     Meg Hamill has published two volumes of poetry - Death Notices, from Factory School Press and Trillions and Trillions of Heartbeats from Resonant Books.  She currently serves as the Executive Director of California Poets in the Schools.

     Meg received her BA in Languages and Literature from Bard College and an MFA from Mills College in Oakland. She has spent the last 20 years writing poetry while working for various social justice nonprofits including Teach for America,  Save the Bay, Landpaths and California Poets in the Schools.  Her poetry is and has always been infused with critical issues of the day, including global warming, oppression and peaceful parenthood.

     Meg envisions poetry as a powerful tool for expanding self awareness and human connection amongst all people of all ages.  As Director of California Poets in the Schools,  she believes deeply that poetry has the inherent potential to change lives for the better.

     Meg lives in Santa Rosa with her husband and two children in an old log cabin at the edge of Annadel State Park. She loves to be outside, camping, backpacking and hiking. At 19 she hiked the Appalachian trail from Georgia to Maine.  She grew up on a large, back-to-the-land farm in Maine.

     Arena Market & Café will offer wine/beer/non-alcoholic beverages, paninis, soups, sandwichs, desserts and snacks for purchase, so come hungry!

Third Thursday Poetry & Jazz is supported by The Third Thursday Poetry Group, many anonymous donors, and Poets & Writers, Inc. through a grant it has received from The James Irvine Foundation.