You are invited to join the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) Puget Sound Region in a Gala event. On Sunday, June 22, 2014, we will be gathering in the historic Women’s University Club, a beautiful building reminiscent of an 18th century salon. There will be an elegant luncheon, a presentation on the homes of the Regency, quizzes and prizes. Iris Lutz, current president of JASNA, will speak on ‛...in proportion to their family and income’:  Houses in Jane Austen’s Life and Fiction.”

The reservation deadline is June 16, 2014.

Date:  Sunday June 22nd
Time:  11:30-3:30
Place:  Women’s University Club of Seattle

More details, including how to reserve your spot for the gala, are in the document below.

Hello Janeites,

We have extended the deadline for turning in Tribute Grant applications until May 28! 

Several people have expressed an interest in entering this contest, so if you are one of those people, please read the grant FAQs here, then download the application, fill it out, and email it as directed. 

Kim Higgins, Regional Coordinator

In memoriam:

Longtime member of our region, Dr. Kathleen McCann, passed away on April 27, 2014 at her Lake Oswego home surrounded by family and friends. Kathleen was born in the Philadelphia, PA area and moved to Oregon some thirty years ago. She pursued her dental career in Salem working for the State of Oregon. Always on the go, Kathleen was also an active member of the Portland Dragon Boats. She enjoyed the racing challenges and the camaraderie of the members.

Kathleen was an enthusiastic, welcoming, and knowledgeable member of our region. She frequently invited us into her home for our Reading Group meetings. She was also the inspiration and energy behind our online lending library. Just before she passed away, she generously donated her complete collection of Georgette Heyer novels to our group for all of us to enjoy. Kathleen will be remembered for her hard work at the Portland AGM in 2010, and was instrumental in the success of the event. We will all miss her very much, and will always remember her for her charm, friendliness, and devotion to JASNA.  

If you would like to contribute more personal memories of Kathleen, please click the add comment link at the bottom of this post to share your thoughts.

Our delightful spring event was attended by 45 members and friends. They entered a beautiful room, which had been transformed into a spring garden, complete with potted herbs as centerpieces. After a sumptuous pot luck meal and lots of conversation, the attendees made their way into an adjoining room to hear a presentation by Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, a professor of literature at Linfield College. He spoke about Jane Austen as the prose Shakespeare. He was dynamic, humorous, and very interesting-truly one of the best speakers we have ever had. The raffle basket winner’s name was drawn and the guests left with light hearts and much to think about.  

If you have more photos from this or other events -- or to add to or correct a photo's caption -- please contact Web Manager Jennifer Snoek-Brown directly.

Last August, we shared news that production had begun on a new Jane Austen documentary, "Jane Austen:  Overcoming Pride and Prejudice," by Fuschia Films. 

This year, some of the footage from that documentary is showcased in a short film entitled "In Love with Jane Austen," which is being screen at Cannes at this year's festival. Below is information about the short film, as well as details of its Cannes debut. 

So exciting! More news about the feature-length documentary is available here online at http://janeaustenproductions.com/1/production-news/ .

There's still time to apply for the regional AGM tribute grant! Entries must be e-mailed on or before May 15, 2014. A tribute grant is to be awarded by the JASNA Oregon/SW Washington Region for attendance at the Montreal AGM, October 9-12, 2014. 

Download the application and read the FAQs about the tribute grant on our 2014 AGM Tribute Grant page.