St. Louis Public Library

Photo by John Koniak, St. Louis Public Library Title: St. Louis Public Library logo celebrating 150th anniversary
Source: John Koniak, St. Louis Public Library

ST. LOUIS PUBLIC LIBRARY'S MARCH AUTHORS @ YOUR LIBRARY SERIES FEATURES TWO BESTSELLING AUTHORS

The St. Louis Public Library is proud to present Eric Greitens and celebrity chef Rick Bayless as part of the March installment of its popular Authors @ Your Library series.  The events are FREE and open to the public.

* Eric Greitens discusses and signs his new book, Resilience: Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life. The event takes place in Central Library's Auditorium, 1301 Olive Street, on March 16 at 7 p.m.

(PLEASE NOTE:  This is a ticketed event.  A portion of the proceeds will go to support the Library's mission to enhance individual, family, and community life. Tickets are $31 per person ($36 for two) and includes one copy of Resilience.  If desired, $5 of the $36 charge can be applied toward the purchase of a second copy of the book at the event. Tickets available online.)

Resilience appeals because it is real. It begins with a clear-eyed look at life: we all face pain, loss, difficulty, and doubt. But this is a profoundly hopeful book. As Greitens writes, fear doesn't have to cripple us; it can make us more courageous. Suffering doesn't have to destroy us; it can make us stronger. Pain doesn't have to break us; it can make us wiser. Resilience is what makes the difference.

Greitens' letters are deep, yet practical. He offers advice that leads to clear solutions. By building resilience through the choices we make, we can lead vital, flourishing lives.

Eric Greitens earned his Ph.D. from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. Later, he served as a U.S. Navy SEAL, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was named the U.S. Navy's Officer of the Year and served as a White House Fellow. A bestselling author, he is the founder of The Mission Continues, a national organization that empowers veterans to serve and lead in communities across America. In 2013 ,Time magazine named him to its list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. In 2014, Fortune magazine recognized him as one of 50 Greatest Leaders in the World

Co-Sponsored by Left Bank Books.

Books available for purchase courtesy of Left Bank Books.

* Celebrity chef and author Rick Bayless caps off a mouthwatering month of Food for Thought with a Keynote Address in Central Library's Auditorium, 1301 Olive Street, on March 24 at 7 p.m.  The American master of Mexican cuisine discusses and signs his books, Mexican Everyday and Margaritas, Guacamoles and Snacks.

Most people know Rick Bayless as the winner of Bravo's Top Chef Masters and from his highly-rated PBS series, Mexico–One Plate at a Time, which is in its ninth season. In 2012, he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Best Culinary Host.

Bayless is the author of eight cookbooks. His second, Mexican Kitchen, won the Julia Child IACP Cookbook of the Year award in 1996, and his fourth book, Mexico–One Plate at a Time, won James Beard Best International Cookbook of the Year award in 2001. Fiesta at Rick's was a New York Times bestseller.

His side-by-side award-winning restaurants are in Chicago. The casual Frontera Grill was founded in 1987 and received the James Beard Foundation's highest award, Outstanding Restaurant, in 2007. The 4-star Topolobampo served its first meals in 1991. And the wildly popular, LEED GOLD-certified, fast-casual Xoco has been around since 2009, serving wood-oven tortas, steaming caldos, golden churros, and bean-to-cup Mexican hot chocolate. His quick-service Tortas Frontera have changed the face of food service at O'Hare International Airport, while Frontera Fresco has brought Frontera flavors to several Macy's stores and Northwestern University. His award-winning Frontera line of salsas, cooking sauces, and organic chips can be found coast to coast.

Rick and his staff established the Frontera Farmer Foundation in 2003 to support small Midwestern farms. Each year, grants are awarded to farmers for capital improvements to their family farms, encouraging greater production and profitability. To date, the Foundation has awarded 128 grants totaling more than $1.3 million. In 2007, Bayless and his team launched the Frontera Scholarship, a full tuition scholarship that sends a Mexican-American Chicago Public School student to Kendall College to study culinary arts. Also in 2007, Rick was awarded the Humanitarian of the Year by the International Association of Culinary Professionals for his philanthropic endeavors.

Books available for purchase courtesy of Barnes and Noble.

MAKE AN EVENING OF IT!  Before the events, stop by Urban Eats Café Central in the Locust Street Atrium for mouthwatering food and drinks with an ethnic twist. It's the perfect way to satisfy your early evening appetite!

For more information, call 314.880.8759.

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