Capital City Reads: Three Cups of Tea was made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded through the Nevada State Library and Archives. Please help us fulfill the requirements of this grant and increase the library’s chances of receiving future grants by filling out a brief survey. Capital City Reads Survey  Your responses and suggestions for future programming are truly valued.

Tuesday, April 13th, view the Oscar-nominated film Charlie Wilson’s War, based on the outrageous true story of the congressman from Texas who joined forces with a Houston socialite to assist Afghanistan in its fight against the Soviet Union. 

Wednesday, April 14th, meet Marine Corp Capt. John Roth from the Mountain Warfare Training Center.  Capt. Roth will describe the mission of the MWTC, pointing out the similarities of terrain and climate that make the Eastern Sierra an ideal location for training Marines who will deploy to Central Asia.

Thursday, April 15th will conclude Capital City Reads with an encore presentation of Greg Mortenson’s celebrated March 9th visit to Carson City.  The program at the Carson Nugget was filmed by BAC TV and will be shown simultaneously in the library auditorium and on Charter Cable channel 210 at 6:30 p.m.  Don’t miss the final opportunity to watch this memorable event!

Students from Carson Montesorri served tea and traditional foods of Afghanistan at the Carson City Library last night. They had studied Afghanistan and its culture while reading Greg Mortenson’s Three Cups of Tea. The assignment inspired 11 year-old Patrick McAllister to do a Pennies for Peace project, raising money for Mortenson’s schools in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Other students shared poems they had written using words selected from the book.

At 5:30 a private reception was held for those who helped the library purchase copies of Three Cups of Tea for local schools and the Capital City Reads committee members who worked for months to plan and execute ten weeks of programming. Mr. Mortenson, shy by nature, graciously mingled among the guests. He moved from table to table, making sure to speak with everyone and posing for pictures on request.

As the reception was taking place downstairs, throngs of people were queuing up on the landing outside the ballroom. The doors were scheduled to open at 5:45, but some had arrived two hours early to ensure a good seat.  The crowd consisted of people of all ages, from elementary-school-age children to seniors walking in with canes. Most were Carson City residents, but some came long distances for the opportunity to hear Mr. Mortenson speak. At least one woman had traveled from as far away as Tuscon, Arizona; another was from Aptos, California. Once the doors opened the room filled rapidly.

At 6:30,  the program began with introductions by Sara Jones, director of the Carson City Library, and Steve Neighbors, president of the Carson City Nugget. Both spoke of the need for a new library in Carson City. When he took the stage Mr. Mortenson whole heartedly endorsed the idea, relaying his love of libraries, speaking of the struggle it took to build a new library in his hometown of Boseman, Montana, and pledging to lend his support to the project.

Once Mr. Mortenson took the stage the audience was riveted to his presentation. He spoke of his childhood in Africa, his return to life in the U. S. as a high school student, his father, and his beloved sister Christa, who died of epilepsy in 1992. It was in her memory that Mr. Mortenson made his fateful trip to Pakistan, intending to place her favorite necklace on top of K2, the world’s second hightest peak. He described how his failed attempt changed the course of his life, when he was rescued and nursed to health by the small mountain community of Korphe. When he discoved that the town had no school, that its children were scratching their lessons into the dirt with sticks, he vowed to repay their kindness by building one for them. That was the birth of the Central Asia Institute and Mr. Mortenson’s life-long journey to bring education to the rural regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Mr. Mortenson repeatedly made the point that the education of girls brings huge rewards to impoverished communities. He also addressed political events in Pakistan and Afghanistan and how his experience in working with the mountain tribal leaders is influencing U. S. military leaders and politicians. Mr. Mortenson has gained the respect of both, and they seek his advice.

The audience was engaged and responsive throughout the pragram. Mr. Mortenson directly addressed the room, espcially the children. He asked questions and spoke of his own daughter and son.

Following his talk, Mr. Mortenson was available to sign copies of his books. The long line snaked through the room, but he took time with each person, asking and answering questions and posing for pictures. He seemed to especially enjoy talking with the children. He also gave away many copies of his books and a DVD made for teachers on the Pennies for Peace initiative. The line continued for two hours, with each and every person leaving with a smile. Toward the end of the signing, Mr. Mortenson was over heard saying how patient, polite and kind the group had been. Mr. Mortenson is truly a generous, gracious human being.

Mr. Mortenson had intended to spend the night in Carson City. But due to his schedule and weather conditions, he flew immediately to his next destination in California. He expressed disappointment in not being able to visit Carson City schools. If we’re lucky, he will be back.

Last night mountain climber, photographer, and founder of the Lake Tahoe Adventure Film Festival Todd Offenbacher enthralled an audience of 71 people with pictures and stories of his adventures in the rural mountains of Pakistan. His presentation provided a visual context for the world Greg Mortenson describes in Three Cups of Tea. Todd’s personal experiences with local villagers reinforced the message of Three Cups of Tea: peace through understanding and education.

"What Page Are You On?" flies over Carson Street