Poetry Reading Honors Stafford
Paul Willis, English professor emeritus and former poet laureate of Santa Barbara, hosts the 17th annual William Stafford Reading on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 2 p.m. at the First Crossing Day Use Area in Los Padres National Forest, across from the old Los Prietos Boys Camp, 3900 Paradise Road. This is the former site of the Los Prietos Civilian Public Service Camp, where Stafford served as a conscientious objector during World War II.
Stafford won the National Book Award in 1963 and became poetry consultant to the Library of Congress in 1970 and poet laureate of Oregon in 1975. The reading features former Santa Barbara poet laureate Emma Trelles, accompanied by Nicolas Vivanco on classical guitar.
While the event is free, vehicle parking costs $10 though self-service cash payment envelopes just inside the entrance to the day use area.