WORDS AND IMAGES : Who Reads? : A group of students gets current events information from TV or radio but rarely from a daily newspaper or magazine.

A group of high school students were interviewed recently on television about their reaction to the presidential debates. They were also asked where they get their information about current events. Among the 12 students who answered, one read a local newspaper and another Newsweek magazine. The others complained they were too busy to read and said they listen to the radio in their cars or watch news on television. Need more cheering up? I addressed 20 communications majors at a college career seminar and asked how many read a daily newspaper. One hand went up. They want to be television anchors and were surprised to learn that the best television reporters and commentators all came out of print journalism.

Of course, images are seductive, but how do we analyze and synthesize the images without words? When we look at a picture, moving or still, we interpret its meaning via the language we’ve learned. But when we read we can conjure up any picture we want.

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Beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday, the Earthling Bookstore in Santa Barbara will celebrate the first anniversary of its new location at a reception and literary fair featuring dozens of local authors who will read from works in progress. Among them will be Harry Ashmore, Barnaby Conrad and Sue Grafton. Writers with manuscripts take note. Numerous publishers will set up booths outside the store at 1137 State St. to display their wares.

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The ancient/modern story of star-crossed lovers from different cultures condemned by their communities is played out in “Mississippi Masala,” starring Academy Award winner Denzel Washington and newcomer Indian actress, Sarita Choudhury. The film will screen at 4:30 p.m. Sunday in the Ojai Playhouse, 145 E. Ojai Ave.

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The Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library are fielding the three-man team of Kevin Judge, Merv Kopp and Brad Miller to compete in the annual Trivia Challenge sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ventura-South and the Oxnard Radisson Hotel. About 20 teams funded by organizations and businesses will compete for trophies and prizes in an effort to raise money for Ventura County’s Library Reading Program for Adults. The teams will answer questions about literature, sports, current events and politics.

The public is invited to attend the event at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Radisson Hotel, 2101 W. Vineyard Ave. A $5 donation is requested, and refreshments will be served. There may still be room for more team challengers. Call chairperson Jean Kellner at 650-1970 for details.