Hi all, Save March 8 for the kick off of VALLEYWOOD II -- A Celebration of the Digital Arts in the Pioneer Valley. Here's the promo below. Many of you remember Valley Goes to Hollywood, which was my favorite of all the HT programs I developed with our PR/Programming committee. In fact, it was staged on my 50th birthday party. This program is not a HT program, but will involve many members down the line in the digital arts (also called "new media"). I will ask the board if they want to co-sponsor, but for now I wanted you all to save the date as seating is limited at the Jones Library in Amherst. Hope to see many of you! Amy Zuckerman Hidden-Tech Founder The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce and Reader to Reader Inc., with support from A Z International Associates, is announcing VALLEYWOOD II A Celebration of the Digital Arts in the Pioneer Valley. The opening program features John Katzenbach, Amherst resident and the acclaimed author of numerous books that have been turned into film, including Just Cause and Harts War. Katzenbachs talk, entitled THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY Why I Love Hollywood and Why I Hate Hollywood, is scheduled from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8. VALLEYWOOD II is planned as an ongoing series of afternoon weekend lectures by regional writers, screenwriters, film-makers, animators, special effects, sound and others who are developing content for Hollywood, television and a wide range of mobile devices all of whom fit into what is commonly called the digital economy or new media. The aim is to schedule one, mid-afternoon lecture per month during the school year on either a Saturday or Sunday in the lower level large meeting room of the Jones Library, or other locations in Amherst to be announced. Other speakers this spring include Dan Giat of Pelham (Saturday, April 12), author of Path to War, which was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2002 after airing on HBO. David Shepherd (Saturday, May 10), is an improv theater and video master, founder of Compass (the granddaddy of Saturday Night Live) and Group Creativity, as well as the author of That Movie in Your Head. Katzenbach, who was once a criminal court reporter for The Miami Herald and Miami News has been published in a wide number of newspapers. Previous novels include In the Heat of the Summer, adapted for the screen as The Mean Season, and The Shadow Man. He is also author of the New York Times bestseller The Traveler, as well as Day of Reckoning. Filming of the script he wrote based on The Madman's Tale is schedule to start filming this spring. Having ones work adapted for film is a bittersweet affair. There are many positives and many negatives, and Ill talk about both. The one thing you learn is why you love Hollywood and why you hate it. But from the novelists point of view its a terrific adventure, Katzenbach said.. Admission at the door is $10 for the general public; $8 for Chamber members. Seating is first come, first serve. No food will be served, but the audience is welcome to bring snacks.