Here's a chance to meet Mark Twain - or as close to him as you're likely to find - and enjoy an afternoon in Old Sacramento.
Mark Twain, you will recall, has been in the public consciousness since the release of his bestselling autobiography in November. Then, in March, it was announced at the Sacramento Public Library-sponsored Authors on the Move fund-raiser that Twain's "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" was chosen to headline the library's One Book Sacramento program. That annual event will run Sept. 29 through Oct. 31.
As part of it, the Sacramento Bee is working on a program in which well-known local people - from politicians and restaurateurs to media personalities and authors - will read chapters from "Tom Sawyer." The readings will be posted online at www.sacbee.com and Access Sacramento. More about that in the weeks to come.
Now there's another Twain-centric event, one that also welcomes the public. The U.S. Postal Service has chosen Old Sacramento as the launch site for its new postage stamp honoring the author. A USPS representative will deliver the dedication and present the anniversary stamp to Twain avatar Jon DeCles, who will "pontificate" to the audience in his best Twain style.
Guests can buy stamps and enjoy skits by costumed characters who will be in theatrical rehearsal for Old Sacramento's Time Travel Weekends program, to run July 2 through Labor Day. There also will be a performance by a local Boy Scouts color guard.
The free event will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in front of the Central Pacific Passenger Train Station, on Front Street between I and J streets. Information: (916) 808-7059 or www.historicoldsac.org or www.usps.com/shop.
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