Folklore for the Future

Classic tales like “Cinderella,” “Rapunzel” and “Little Mermaid” still have relevance in the closing years of the 20th century. Santa Barbara resident Jonathan Young, a psychologist and storyteller, says these enchanting adventures speak to who we are and offer guidance for contemporary living.

And writers interested in using mythic patterns in their work will find rich material in these timeless--and often spooky--stories.

Young is founding curator of the Joseph Campbell Archives & Library and creator of the Mythological Studies Department at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Carpinteria.

He lectures widely about mythology and folklore based on his book “Saga: Best New Writings on Mythology,” which includes stories by James Hillman, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Robert Bly, Thomas Moore, Toni Morrison, Allen Ginsberg and Ursula LeGuin.

Young will lecture at 10 a.m. Sunday to the Unitarian Fellowship of Conejo Valley, Old Meadow Park, 1600 Marview Drive, Thousand Oaks. For details about the free lecture, call (805) 492-8751.

*

It was November 1913 when one-quarter of the population of Ventura County--about 4,500 people--came out to watch a baseball game between the New York Giants and the Chicago White Sox. In Oxnard! Jeff Maulhardt, descendant of one of the county’s pioneer families, has written “The Day the New York Giants Came to Oxnard,” which he will sign at 7 tonight at the County Museum of History and Art, 100 E. Main St., Ventura. In keeping with baseball tradition, hot dogs and drinks will be available. Fee for adults is $3.

*

Margaret Maron’s first Deborah Knott mystery, “Bootlegger’s Daughter,” garnered an incredible four awards: the Agatha, Anthony, Edgar and MacAvity. Maron will sign “Killer Market,” the fifth book in the series, at 10 a.m. Saturday at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

*

Rochel Garner Coleman will tell the story of Nat Love, a slave born in Tennessee who went west at age 15 in search of freedom and opportunity. Also known as Deadwood Dick, Love became a roping, riding, bronco-busting cowboy legend. Hosted by Friends of the Library, the event is scheduled at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road.

*

The Computer Group of the Conejo Valley Genealogical Society will hear Leonard McDonald describe the Family Tree Maker program at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road. Call (805) 495-9659.

In Santa Barbara

Robert Erickson, professor of English at UCSB, has studied the evolving cultural interpretation of the human heart. The result of his research is “Language of the Heart 1600-1750,” which he will sign at 7:30 tonight at Borders Books, 900 State St.

*

Proceeds from the Saturday and Sunday outdoor sale at Earthling Bookshop, 1137 State St., will benefit the Santa Barbara Public Education Fund. The store also hosts a poetry night to honor the late Allen Ginsberg at 7 p.m. Monday.

*

Local author Elaine St. James will read from and sign her new book, “Simplify Your Life With Kids,” at 3 p.m. Sunday at Chaucer’s Bookstore, Loreto Plaza, 3321 State St.

Frances Halpern and Jon O’Brien are co-hosts of “Beyond Words” at 10 a.m. Sundays on KCLU-FM (88.3), Ventura County’s National Public Radio station.