Series continues to be distinguished

June Casagrande

Libraries should be places that nourish the mind. That idea guides

the Newport Beach Public Library’s Distinguished Speakers Lecture

Series.

Now in its sixth year, the lecture series continues to pursue its

goal of bringing thought-provoking discussions home.

“We try to raise the bar a little above just entertainment,” said

Melissa Adams, community services coordinator for the city. “The

library is the cultural, educational and informational heart of

Newport Beach, and this series really supports that.”

The four headliners for this year’s series are author Jeremy

Rifkin, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Halberstam, former

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner David Kessler and TV and

radio news correspondent Ray Suarez.

Rifkin, author of 16 books on technology’s influence on modern

life and current president of the Foundation on Economic Trends, will

give a talk titled “Petroleum, Politics and the Hydrogen Economy.”

The lecture, taking place on Feb. 21 and again Feb. 22, will look at

the future of the oil-based world economy on the wane.

Halberstam is author of “The Best and the Brightest,” “War In A

Time of Peace: Bush, Clinton, and the Generals” and “Firehouse.”

The Pulitzer winner will discuss “New Challenges in a Time of

Uncertainty,” a broad-based perspective on the current global

climate, on March 21 and 22.

Kessler is best known for his longtime fight against the tobacco

industry. From the broader perspective of public health, Kessler will

talk about the role of the Food and Drug Administration in Americans’

everyday lives -- from biogenetically modified foods to nutritional

labeling. His talk will take place April 25 and 26.

“Jim Lehrer NewsHour” senior correspondent Ray Suarez will

conclude the series with a presentation titled “On the Border: Are We

Still a Melting Pot.” This talk on immigration issues, border patrol

and national security policies will take place May 16 and 17.

Each talk takes place at 7 p.m. on a Friday evening and is

repeated at 2 p.m. the next Saturday afternoon. Tickets for evening

events are $55 and include dinner. Tickets for the Saturday afternoon

talks are $18 and include light refreshments. Information is

available online at www.newportbeachlibrary.org or by calling (866)

301-2411.