Media Contact: Leanne Ingle, Timberland Regional Library Communications Specialist, 360-704-4508.

This October and November, four Thurston County Timberland libraries will host a series of enlightening, often entertaining, Humanities Washington Inquiring Mind presentations. These programs for general audiences will include a living history characterization of a citizen of ancient Rome; an in-depth discussion of immigration policy and immigrants’ experiences in the South Sound; discussions and demonstrations of world music; music and stories of the Oregon Trail pioneers; and mythic stories of the Puget Salish Tribes. Each presentation will include an open discussion period in which the speaker interacts with the audience. All programs are free of charge and open to the public.

Humanities Washington is a non-profit organization and public foundation that develops cultural and educational programming for the people of Washington State. It is affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Inquiring Mind is the organization’s bureau of speakers presenting a wide range of topics including history, literature, music, philosophy, and public policy. Timberland Regional Library presents selections from the series in the fall, winter and spring at libraries throughout the five-county system.

Library telephone numbers for more information: Lacey, (360) 491-3860; Olympia, (360) 352-0595; Tumwater, (360) 943-7790; Yelm, (360) 458-3374.

Brian Pertl demonstrates the didjeridu and explores its role in Australian Aboriginal society and in contemporary music around the globe. With audience participation, he shows what goes into great didjeridu playing.

Costumed in authentic period clothing, Tames Alan provides glimpses into the daily lives of people living in imperial Rome during the time of Augustus.

Margaret Hopstein, who emigrated from Uzbekistan in 1990, discusses the changing demographics of immigration to the U.S. She analyzes U.S. policy, the concept of "refugee," and the economics of immigration. She also describes immigrants’ experiences in the Puget Sound.

Ethnomusicologist Sean Williams discusses the musical diversity of Islam, examining the basic relationship between Islam and music and the rules regarding the arts. She will play short pieces of Islamic music from around the world.

Roger Fernandes of the Lower-Elwha Band of S'Klallam Indians tells mythic stories of the Native tribes of Puget Sound, providing insight into the Native view of the world and how human beings are supposed to live in their environment.

Phil and Vivian Williams play the Oregon Trail pioneers’ hoedowns, waltzes, reels, and schottisches. Between the tunes, they weave the stories of the old Pacific Northwest.