Interested in Mars? Local history? Try these events at the Desert Hot Springs Library – Desert Sun

Sally Hedberg| Special to The Desert Sun

After two very successful author events at the new facility, the Friends of the Desert Hot Springs Library are pleased to announce the next two for February and March.

The first is about California history; the second takes us to Mars.

On Thursday, Feb. 24, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., a newly published book based on Cabot's iconic Adobe Museum in Desert Hot Springs, "The Man Who Saved a Legacy: How Colbert Henry Eyraud Preserved Cabot's Pueblo Museum," will be presented by Irene Rodriguez, the museum's executive director, and the book's author, Janice Kleinschmidt, Cabot's board chair.

Every year, thousands of visitors marvel at Cabot Yerxa's Adobe Museum, which was once his home and is now owned by the City of Desert Hot Springs. When Yerxa died in 1967, the pueblo he spent decades of his life building from recycled materials was in danger of succumbing to the decay of vacancy, vandalism and threat of demolition by the city. One man, Eyraud, had the vision to restore the property for public visitation and education, thus saving Cabot's Pueblo from disappearing from the face of the earth.

On Thursday, March 10, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., "Why Mars? Why Now?" is the topic of James Melton's latest book, "Red Planet Leadership." According to Melton, "the question of Mars has plagued humanity since we first looked up into the nighttime sky."

His presentation will explain why it is so important for humans to go to Mars, how we can work together to accomplish this, and what makes us think it can and will happen. Topics to be discussed include: What opportunities await us in the new Martian world? Are we destined to become a multi-planet species? Plus insight on who will ideally settle the red planet, what role can you play and why we can no longer remain earthbound.

Melton is a contributing columnist for the National Space Society's magazine, Ad Astra, and an ambassador for the Mars Society. His thought-provoking discussion should be of interest to anyone who is curious about technology, science and our future.

The authors' books will be available for sale and signing. Both events take place in the Community Room at the Desert Hot Springs Library, 14-380 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs, and are free and open to the public.

For more information, call (760) 329-5926.

Sally Hedberg serves as secretary and grant administrator of Friends of the Desert Hot Springs Library.

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Interested in Mars? Local history? Try these events at the Desert Hot Springs Library - Desert Sun