Brazil cistern program up for major prize

In The End of the River, I describe the "Million Cisterns" program of the Government of Brazil. Its aim is to build a million low-tech, 16 million litre concrete cisterns for rural families. I think it's a fantastic program: for $500, a family gets clean, free water.

Now the Million Cistern Program is up for a prestigious award in Brazil - the linked article is in Portuguese, but you'll get the idea.

Beating bushes

Back from a mini book tour, and I have this observation: try not to schedule an evening reading to coincide with the first big southeast gale of the season (the kind with horizontal rain and power outages). Weather aside, readings in Courtenay, Campbell River and Powell River were a lot of fun, and audiences pitched in with plenty of good comments and questions.

Before the tour, an event at the Vancouver Aquarium was well attended, and Joao Zinclar's slides of the Sao Francisco River looked spectacular on the big screen. An article in the Epoch Times describes the book and the event - although I'm described as a professor at the University of Victoria, something I've never been!

Upcoming events, readings, talks

The week of November 17 will be a busy one. Following the launch and slide show at the Vancouver Aquarium on November 18, I'll drive to three B.C. coastal communities to do readings, show pictures and listen to what people have to say about some of the local fisheries issues (and we have many!).

• On Thursday, November 20, I'll be at Breakwater Books in Powell River, at 7 PM. Address is 6812A Alberni Street. Tel 604-489--0010
• On Friday, November 21, I'll be at Coho Books in Campbell River, also at 7 PM. Address is 1074 Shoppers Row, 250-287-3336. Paul Rudan wrote a great accompanying story for the Campbell River Mirror.
• On Saturday, November 22, I'll do a reading, slide show and talk at Bean Around the World cafe in Courtenay (379 Fourth St.). This one is at 2 PM, and is organized by Laughing Oyster Bookshop, where there will be sales and signings after the talk (250-334-2511).

These are all great places, with a rich maritime history; I've visited them all, many times, by car or by boat. Going with new book in hand will be fun.