Photographer Brian Vanden Brink will give an illustrated talk on his newest book, Iconic, at the Camden Public Library on Tuesday evening, December 4, at 7:00 pm. An award-winning photographer, Vanden Brink, of Camden, is well known for his exquisite work capturing images of architecture. His previous five books include Porch, At Home by the Sea, and Ruin.

The Portland Museum of Art will host award-winning Maine photographer Brian Vanden Brink on Thursday, December 13, 2012, to celebrate the launch of his new book Iconic: Perspectives on a Man-Made World, published by Down East Books. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is free to the public. There will be a brief presentation in the PMA’s Bernard Osher Foundation Auditorium with a reception to follow. This book will be available for purchase in the PMA Store.

Get in the spirit of football with a good old-fashioned tailgate party. Play football games, make football inspired crafts and eat food you might find at a typical tailgate party. Also at this event, the library will be displaying a brand new series of Football books. Come be the first to check them out. All ages are welcome.

University of California at Davis Professor Alan Taylor (Colby Class of 1977) won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize, Bancroft Prize, and Beveridge Award for his book "William Cooper's Town." "The Civil War of 1812: American Citizens, British Subjects, Irish Rebels, and Indian Allies" is the title of Alan Taylor's latest book (see Colby magazine review) and the topic of his talk. A book signing will follow.

Residing on Maine’s Islesboro Island, Sandra Oliver is a revered food historian with a vast knowledge of New England food history, subsistence living, and Yankee cooking. For the past five years she has publisher her weekly recipe column “Tastebuds” in the Bangor Daily News. The column has featured more than 250 recipes—from classic tried-and-true dishes to innovative uses for traditional ingredients.

Who doesn’t fantasize about starting a chocolate shop? How about living on a beautiful Maine island? Kate Shaffer did both when she moved to Isle au Haut and eventually opened Black Dinah Chocolatiers. From the island community to the difficulties of getting precise ingredients to the shop by ferry, you’ll experience island life through Shaffer’s essays. And she’ll also share delicious recipes not only for chocolates themselves, but for incorporating chocolate into a variety of sweet and savory dishes.

Friday, November 2nd, 7PM, Standard Baking Co. Pastries, Alison Pray and Tara Smith signing books at Longfellow Books, One Monument Way, Portland, ME as part of Portland’s “Foodies First Friday”. Contact: Chris Bowe, 207-772-4045.

Meet Maine Home Cooking author Sandra L. Oliver as she signs copies of her new cookbook!

Who doesn’t fantasize about starting a chocolate shop? How about living on a beautiful Maine island? Kate Shaffer did both when she moved to Isle au Haut and eventually opened Black Dinah Chocolatiers. From the island community to the difficulties of getting precise ingredients to the shop by ferry, you’ll experience island life through Shaffer’s essays. And she’ll also share delicious recipes not only for chocolates themselves, but for incorporating chocolate into a variety of sweet and savory dishes.

Thursday October 25th, 5:30PM, Desserted, Kate Shaffer talk & book signing at Newport Cultural Center, 154 Main Street, Newport, ME. Book talk and signing! Sample some chocolate, enjoy refreshments, and glean some baking tips from this top-ten chocolatier! Kate will also have copies of her chocolate cookbook available for sale and signing – it would make a great gift!