Author to Discuss 'Old Magic' by Daniel Slota - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

AUGUST
S M T W T F S
26 27 28 29 30 31 01
02 03 04 05 06 07 08
09 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Author to Discuss 'Old Magic'

By Daniel Slota, Community Writer
April 15, 2015 at 09:10am. Views: 93

What: Author Nicholas Clapp will speak about his book, Old Magic: Lives of the Desert Shamans, at the A.K. Smiley Library, 125 W. Vine St., on April 28 at 6 p.m. Documentary filmmaker and author Nicholas Clapp has explored, filmed, and written about the deserts of the world. He has won over seventy major awards for his documentary work. As an author, his distinguished previous publications include: The Road to Ubar: Finding the Atlantis of the Sands, Sheba: Through the Desert in Search of the Legendary Queen, Who Killed Chester Pray?: A Death Valley Mystery, Gold & Silver in the Mojave: Images of a Last Frontier. His latest book, Old Magic: Lives of the Desert Shamans, fulfills a lifetime interest in archaeology and anthropology. He lived with the Zapotecs of southern Mexico (which earned him a Brown University scholarship), participated in the excavation of the Great Temple of Petra in Jordan, and was leader of a team that discovered the lost city of Ubar in the Sultanate of Oman. About Old Magic: For a thousand generations, desert shamans of the far West sought order in the stars and in the mysteries and wonder of their grand, if unforgiving landscape. When summoned, they doctored the stricken, be they stoic elders or frightened little children. They conjured rains. Taking leave of reality, they rode whirlwinds and soared in magical flight. They epitomized a native American ability “to relate to the land in ways beyond a Western way of thinking.” They’re gone now. But there remain telling accounts of how, day-to-day, they lived: how omens foretold a shaman’s destiny, how he learned his craft, how he could exercise his power for both good and evil. How a shaman could travel to the land of the dead and (hopefully) return. Drawing on the lore of a dozen tribes, Old Magic conjures the year-to-year life of a shaman – a life of service to his people, a life fraught with torment and danger, a life often taking a man or woman to the edge of madness. The event is free to attend.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT.

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

August 5, 2026 at 09:01am. Views: 209

San Bernardino urban forest, tree planting, San Bernardino parks, environmental sustainability, urban canopy, shade trees, community beautification, Inland Empire environment

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Miles Thornton, Community Writer

August 4, 2026 at 08:25am. Views: 256

Bottle caps filled with miniature photos become unique magnets that turn memories into functional décor.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Celia North, Community Writer

August 4, 2026 at 08:25am. Views: 224

Light-filtered shade cloth illustrates how simple coverage can shield plants from intense summer sun and heat.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

August 5, 2026 at 09:02am. Views: 174

Grand Terrace High School Senior quarterback Jaden Montano prepares to lead the Titans into the 2026 football season. Montano is this week's Athlete Spotlight, recognized for his leadership, dedication, and success both on the field and in the classroom.

Photo Courtesy of: Carl M. Dameron

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

August 5, 2026 at 09:02am. Views: 225

 “Brandy's story exemplifies what's possible when we look beyond the immediate crisis and focus on what truly matters, keeping families together," said Mercedes Pacheco, director of social services for the Salvation Army. 

Photo Courtesy of: the JW Vines Medical Society

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

August 5, 2026 at 09:02am. Views: 249

The 2026 Elma Vines Summer Health Academy summer interns (L to R): Sibonginkosi “Charity” Ncube, Kindall Walsh, Nyla Criego, Kamie Taylor (Program Director), Saafir Moore-Muhammad, Thaila Jenkins and Jessica Ojukwu.

Photo Courtesy of: AI Generated by ChaGPT

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

August 4, 2026 at 08:25am. Views: 243

street improvement scene with paving crews working in a San Bernardino neighborhood beneath the mountains

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

August 4, 2026 at 08:25am. Views: 236

Students arrive ready to begin a new school year as San Bernardino schools prepare to welcome thousands of learners back to campus.

Photo Courtesy of:

By William Cortez, Community Writer

August 5, 2026 at 09:02am. Views: 232

The couple exchanges wedding vows during a uniquely themed ceremony, with the ARC Josie Gonzalez as the officiant leading the service inside a rustic chapel featuring Halloween-inspired décor that reflects the couple's shared love of the season.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

August 5, 2026 at 09:02am. Views: 176

Children laugh and explore a modern playground while parents watch nearby, highlighting the important role community parks play in keeping families active throughout the summer.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By William Cortez, Community Writer

August 5, 2026 at 09:02am. Views: 162

Community volunteers work together to plant trees and improve a neighborhood green space, demonstrating how local service projects help beautify Moreno Valley.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

August 5, 2026 at 09:02am. Views: 181

Local business owners exchange ideas and establish new partnerships during a Multi-Chamber Summer Mixer, highlighting the importance of collaboration in supporting Moreno Valley's thriving economy.

--> -->