BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

The Newport Beach Public Library and Oasis Senior Center are looking

for seniors interested in talking about books with teenagers.

START -- Students and Adults Reading Together -- is a six-week

intergenerational reading program sponsored by the California Center for

the Book, a federally-funded program.

Interested seniors must have time to attend a start-up meeting at 2

p.m. Feb. 7 at Oasis Senior Center. At the meeting, they will be paired

with an eighth-grader from Ensign Middle School based on a book they both

choose to read.

From February through March, the senior-student pairs will correspond

via e-mail and record feelings, thoughts and impressions about their

chosen book. Library officials will help participants to set up a free

e-mail address, if they do not already have one.

The program will conclude in late March, when participants will meet

face-to-face for the first time at a get-acquainted party at the Newport

Beach Central Library.

Seniors interested in participating can get sign-up forms at any of

the city’s public libraries or at Oasis. For more information, call (949)

717-3824 or send an e-mail to lmackinnon@city.newport-beach.ca.us