This evening\, the Library is delighted to welcome Verna Gates\, author of "100 Things to Do in Birmingham Before Yo u Die." This book features the best of the Magic City\, from high cuisine to gas station BBQ\, from the opera to the hiking trail\, from history to hipster. Verna delights in sharing the rich culture of food\, music and st ruggles of Birmingham\, along with its striking natural beauty. \; Mar k your calendars for this evening of fun and storytelling about our beauti ful state. Doors at 6\, program begins at 6:30pm. For more information\, c ontact Holley at hwesley@eolib.org \;or 205.445.1117.
\nVerna Gates began her career as one of the original 50 employees of CNN who worked to launch the network\, conti nuing on as a writer/producer there for four years.
\nAlways a touri st in her hometown\, Verna has worked with \;Alabama Tourism\, as well as publishing articles in \;Birmingham Magazine \;and \;Desot o Magazine. She has traveled the world writing travel stories about destin ations from beaches to art openings to historic sites.
\nShe formerl y \;reported \;for \;TIME Magazine \;and the world's large st news organization\, Reuters\, which reaches 1 billion readers and 417\, 000 media outlets. In 2009\, she was awarded a lifetime achievement award from the National Federation of Presswomen\, the Communicator of Achieveme nt Award. She has won \;numerous national awards for her articles. She has covered some of the nation's top stories including the Eric Rudolph b ombing\, BP Oil Spill\, Hurricane Ivan\, and the underage sex trade. She h as interviewed President Barack Obama\, Secretary Hillary Clinton\, the Da lai Lama\, Dolly Parton and many more fascinating people.
\nIn 2006\ , Verna turned her concern about nature deficit disorder in children and f ounded \;Fresh Air Family\, a statewide organization dedicated to outd oor science education. The non-profit offers more than 400 outdoor educati on programs across the state and served 1\,164 kids in its 2016 summer pro grams. This year\, the Ruffner Mountain-based organization is expecting 5\ ,000 school children on field trips.
\nAs an \;ethnobotanist\, s he has appeared on NBC NightSide\, National Public Radio in Canada\, Voice of America\, Pulse of the Planet\, FOX 6 News and many more. For her cons ervation work\, she has been named Alabama Conservationist of the Year by the Alabama Environmental Council\, "An Alabama Treasure" by the Huntsvill e Times\, and "One of Alabama's Unforgettable Faces" by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism. She has taught botany at Miles College\, the University of Al abama at Birmingham\, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and other education al institutions.
\nA gifted \;speaker\, Verna tells big stories\ , having twice been awarded the tall tale tittle of Biggest Liar in Alabam a\, lies being Southern-speak for stories. She has been selected by VISA a s an official storyteller in the Southern region as part of their literacy program. The Alabama Bureau of Tourism named Verna "One of Alabama's Unfo rgettable Faces for 2003" and The Huntsville Times named her "An Alabama T reasure." A nationally-known folklorist\, her stories have appeared on NBC 's Nightside\, CNBC National Radio in Canada\, Worldwide Television Networ k\, Pulse of the Planet\, Voice of America and others. She wrote and voice d her CD\, \;Renegade Squirrels and Other Nut Cases.
\nThe Emmet O'Neal Library is joining libraries around the state in commemorating Ala bama&rsquo\;s 200th anniversary of statehood with a celebration of our sta te&rsquo\;s natural beauty\, diverse people\, and \;rich history. Chec k out our calendar for other Alabama Bicentennial Celebration events this year!
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