VBHEC to Host Reading, Lecture by English Department Faculty Members

The Virginia Beach Higher Education Center will host a reading and lecture by two members of the Old Dominion University English department faculty on Feb. 16 and 17.

Jon Pineda, an adjunct faculty member, will read from his memoir, "Sleep In Me," at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16. The book, published last year by University of Nebraska Press, is about the struggles of losing his sister and the transformation it brought to his family and their Chesapeake community.

Pineda is also the author of "The Translator's Diary," winner of the Green Rose Prize for Poetry, and "Birthmark," winner of the Crab Orchard Award Series in Poetry Open Competition. A discussion, book signing and reception will follow the reading.

Delores Phillips, assistant professor of English who specializes in postcolonial literature and theory, will give a talk titled "The Black Atlantic" at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17. She will discuss the cultural and socioeconomic implications of foods from the African Diaspora, including collards, okra and Hoppin' John. A question-and-answer session and taste-testing reception will follow.

Both presentations will take place in the lecture hall (room 244) and are free and open to the public. The Virginia Beach Higher Education Center is located at 1881 University Drive. For more information call 368-4100 or go to www.odu.edu/vbhec.