You probably remember Odegard Books, that eminently browsable, homey independent bookstore that lived on Grand Avenue near Victoria Street for years and years. The store closed, and owner Dan Odegard went on to various careers -- literary agent, author and publisher at Hazelden Books. In January, he learned that he had multiple myeloma.
The literary community is turning out this Tuesday for a fund-raiser and tribute to Odegard at Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th St., in downtown St. Paul.
Tickets are $25 and the public is invited. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a social hour and silent auction (with free champagne!), followed by readings by Deborah Keenan and Patricia Hampl. For more information, send an e-mail to friendsofdano@gmail.com.
Also ...
• "Mitzvah the Mutt," a middle-grade book by Sylvia Rouss and Martha Rast, has been published by Yaldah Publishing of St. Paul. It tells the story of Mitzvah, a dog who likes to play with dreidels and eat "edible tennis balls" -- that is, matzo balls. Rast is a Minneapolis native.
• "Nicollet Island: History and Architecture," by Christopher and Rushika Hage, has been published by Nodin Press.
