Zinta Aistars's Blog, page 23
October 19, 2013
Author interview with Mariela Griffor, from The Smoking Poet
As editor-in-chief for the online literary magazine, The Smoking Poet, I enjoy the author interviews we feature in each issue. In the upcoming Summer/Fall 2013 Issue of TSP, one of the authors we interview is the incredible Mariela Griffor, founder and publisher of Marick Press, but also a powerful poet. 
Mariela Griffor is an editor, translator, and poet. She was born in the city of Concepción in southern Chile. She is the author of Exiliana (Luna Publications, 2007) and House (Mayapple...
Mariela Griffor is an editor, translator, and poet. She was born in the city of Concepción in southern Chile. She is the author of Exiliana (Luna Publications, 2007) and House (Mayapple...
October 12, 2013
Navy SEAL comes to Muskegon Heights Boxing Club
by Zinta Aistars for the Muskegon Tribune
October 12, 2013
Remi Adeleke (Courtesy of Remi Adeleke)
He was a tough kid living in the Bronx. Remi Adeleke was born in Nigeria, but moved with his mother and brother to live in New York City after his Nigerian father passed away when he was about 5 years old. The Bronx, known for some of the meanest streets of New York City, was where Adeleke learned to run favors for drug dealers. He was a kid making big money, but he was a kid out of cont...
October 12, 2013
Remi Adeleke (Courtesy of Remi Adeleke) He was a tough kid living in the Bronx. Remi Adeleke was born in Nigeria, but moved with his mother and brother to live in New York City after his Nigerian father passed away when he was about 5 years old. The Bronx, known for some of the meanest streets of New York City, was where Adeleke learned to run favors for drug dealers. He was a kid making big money, but he was a kid out of cont...
October 6, 2013
Cottage on the Hill: Featured on The Owner-Builder Network
by Zinta Aistars
Cottage on the Hill at Z Acres
The Owner-Builder Network, a network of DIY (do-it-yourself) people based in Australia, has featured Cottage on the Hill , my own little writer's retreat at Z Acres, with many, many photos on their website and on their Facebook page . Visit and enjoy!
What could this odd-shaped and many-windowed little house in the woods have possibly housed? I stood in the woods on the top of the hill with my real estate agent, gazing in befuddlement—and increasingl...
Cottage on the Hill at Z AcresThe Owner-Builder Network, a network of DIY (do-it-yourself) people based in Australia, has featured Cottage on the Hill , my own little writer's retreat at Z Acres, with many, many photos on their website and on their Facebook page . Visit and enjoy!
What could this odd-shaped and many-windowed little house in the woods have possibly housed? I stood in the woods on the top of the hill with my real estate agent, gazing in befuddlement—and increasingl...
October 5, 2013
Reinventing the Library
by Zinta Aistars
Published in ENCORE Magazine
October 2013
The days of card catalogs may be long gone, but libraries are still critical components of the community. Zinta Aistars tells you how they are adapting to meet changing times, while remaining 'the front porch of the world.'
When Marsha Meyer first entered a library as a child, she saw "the yellow pools of light on the tables between the book shelves, and I knew I had dropped into heaven."
Meyer, program and events coordinator and referenc...
Published in ENCORE Magazine
October 2013
The days of card catalogs may be long gone, but libraries are still critical components of the community. Zinta Aistars tells you how they are adapting to meet changing times, while remaining 'the front porch of the world.'
When Marsha Meyer first entered a library as a child, she saw "the yellow pools of light on the tables between the book shelves, and I knew I had dropped into heaven."
Meyer, program and events coordinator and referenc...
October 3, 2013
Parked curbside, trucks offer food served quickly, not fast food
by Zinta Aistars
Published in Southwest Michigan's Second Wave Media
October 3, 2013
TERRY BAKER, OWNER OF PIZZA VERA - ERIK HOLLADAY
Food trucks have been legal for a year now in the Kalamazoo area and the vehicles are developing a following around town. Zinta Aistars talks to those who have been bringing food to the people.
Out on the street, outside in the farmers markets, alongside parks, with no restaurant in sight, the smells of fresh food cooking waft through the air and tantalize. Tomatoes...
Published in Southwest Michigan's Second Wave Media
October 3, 2013
TERRY BAKER, OWNER OF PIZZA VERA - ERIK HOLLADAYFood trucks have been legal for a year now in the Kalamazoo area and the vehicles are developing a following around town. Zinta Aistars talks to those who have been bringing food to the people.
Out on the street, outside in the farmers markets, alongside parks, with no restaurant in sight, the smells of fresh food cooking waft through the air and tantalize. Tomatoes...
October 2, 2013
Ludington Visiting Writers bring literary culture to the lakeshore
by Zinta Aistars
Published in Mid Michigan's Second Wave Media
October 1, 2013
and also
in Northwest Michigan's Second Wave Media
September 24, 2013
George Dila
What is it about Ludington that draws so many writers from all over Michigan? When you ask that question, you'll likely be told you should have a chat with George Dila. So we did. Zinta Aistars has the story:
They all have George stories. The writers of Ludington, and the writers from across Michigan who travel to this small town on the sandy...
Published in Mid Michigan's Second Wave Media
October 1, 2013
and also
in Northwest Michigan's Second Wave Media
September 24, 2013
George DilaWhat is it about Ludington that draws so many writers from all over Michigan? When you ask that question, you'll likely be told you should have a chat with George Dila. So we did. Zinta Aistars has the story:
They all have George stories. The writers of Ludington, and the writers from across Michigan who travel to this small town on the sandy...
September 30, 2013
Poet thinks about the world of birds and the less-than-ideal life
by Zinta Aistars
Gail Martin
Now and then, I interview Michigan authors on WMUK 102.1 FM radio, the NPR affiliate station in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Love doing it. The interviews are aired on the Arts and More program, which comes on twice a week, and portions of the interview are then aired throughout the day.
On Tuesday, October 1, at 7:50 a.m., tune in to hear my interview with poet Gail Martin, winner of the Perugia Press Prize 2013, for her new poetry collection, Begin Empty-Handed. Listen to...
Gail MartinNow and then, I interview Michigan authors on WMUK 102.1 FM radio, the NPR affiliate station in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Love doing it. The interviews are aired on the Arts and More program, which comes on twice a week, and portions of the interview are then aired throughout the day.
On Tuesday, October 1, at 7:50 a.m., tune in to hear my interview with poet Gail Martin, winner of the Perugia Press Prize 2013, for her new poetry collection, Begin Empty-Handed. Listen to...
September 29, 2013
My interview with Room of Tears author Linda Merlino
I’ve been a fan of
Linda Merlino
and her work since I first came across her novel, Belly of the Whale (2008). Reading that novel was, for me, a discovery of a fresh voice in literature that should be heard. When Linda sent me the galleys for her newest novel, Room of Tears, published by Imajin Books in July 2013, I once again became immersed in the story she had created, and I wrote the book blurb for the novel: "I've just put down Room of Tears, Linda Merlino's second novel, and I am still s...
September 27, 2013
My radio interview with Great Michigan Read's author Steve Luxenberg, "Annie's Ghosts"
by Zinta Aistars for WMUK 102.1 FM radio
Kalamazoo, Michigan's NPR affiliate station
Arts & More program
September 27, 2013
Annie's Ghosts: A memoir of uncovered family secrets by Steve Luxenberg
My author and artist interviews at WMUK 102.1 FM radio in Kalamazoo, Michigan, for the Arts & More program, play regularly on the radio and online. Listen on your radio or listen online for the full version at www.wmuk.org
The book Annie’s Ghosts was picked as this year’s the Great Michigan R...
Kalamazoo, Michigan's NPR affiliate station
Arts & More program
September 27, 2013
Annie's Ghosts: A memoir of uncovered family secrets by Steve Luxenberg
My author and artist interviews at WMUK 102.1 FM radio in Kalamazoo, Michigan, for the Arts & More program, play regularly on the radio and online. Listen on your radio or listen online for the full version at www.wmuk.org
The book Annie’s Ghosts was picked as this year’s the Great Michigan R...
September 26, 2013
Going the (short) distance to make a difference
by Zinta Aistars
Published in Southwest Michigan's Second Wave Media
September 26, 2013
TOM JAGER ORGANIZED THE IDEA OF THE FIRST ANNUAL ULTIMATE EXTREME ULTRA .1K RACE with event planner Sarah Kerry - ERIK HOLLADAY
How far would you run to help hospice? Well, the good news is you don't have to run far to help raise funds for hospice programs such as grief support for adults and children, massage therapy, and music therapy. Zinta Aistars has the story on the zany event with a serious purpose...
Published in Southwest Michigan's Second Wave Media
September 26, 2013
TOM JAGER ORGANIZED THE IDEA OF THE FIRST ANNUAL ULTIMATE EXTREME ULTRA .1K RACE with event planner Sarah Kerry - ERIK HOLLADAYHow far would you run to help hospice? Well, the good news is you don't have to run far to help raise funds for hospice programs such as grief support for adults and children, massage therapy, and music therapy. Zinta Aistars has the story on the zany event with a serious purpose...
