Noon Speaker Series
NOTE: All programs are held at 12 noon in the the library’s Beecher Community Room
Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00pm
Speaker: Joanne Neft
Joanne Neft is a visionary and Auburn has been the beneficiary of her visions. Her creative thinking and boundless energy have resulted in local landmark events including the Farmers Market, the Agro-Arts Festival, the Mandarin Festival and Destination Dogwood.
In addition, Joanne played a lead role in the Placer County Legacy Program which is responsible for protecting countless acres of land from development.
Joanne supports the ARTS in Placer County and undoubtedly owns the largest collection of art created by Placer County Artists. She blended her passions for agriculture, arts and real food into two beautiful cookbooks that were created by hosting weekly dinners using in season Placer grown produce and meats served on dinnerware created by the local sculptor Anthony Maki Gill and photographed by the talented local photographer, Keith Sutter.
Friday, October 16, 2026 at 12:00pm
Speaker: Bill Poindexter
Hear his favorite Auburn stories, and enjoy an entertaining look at the people and places that make our town special.
After more than 40 years in journalism and newspaper management, Bill Poindexter is not retiring—he’s just changing the way he tells Auburn’s stories!
Bill has served as editor of several local newspapers, including the Auburn Journal, Loomis News, Placer Herald, Lincoln Messenger, Press Tribune Roseville, and Folsom Telegraph. Most recently, he spent six and a half years as editor of the Auburn Journal and Gold Mountain California News Media.
Now, Bill is stepping into a new role as Auburn’s city beat reporter while continuing to teach journalism at Sacramento State and with the California Department of Corrections.
Please join us as Bill shares highlights, memories, and stories from his years covering our community. Come meet Bill, hear his favorite Auburn stories, and enjoy an entertaining look at the people and places that make our town special.
Friday November 20, 2026 at 12:00pm
Speaker: Joseph Shanahan
Interpreter 1 Auburn State Recreation Area
Join Auburn State Recreation Area Interpreter, Joseph Shanahan, on a virtual tour of Hawver Mine. Located in Auburn SRA about 1.5 miles above the confluence of the North and Middle Forks of the American Rivers is a limestone mine active from 1912 – 1964. It is now closed to the public. The educational talk will explore the origins of the limestone lens, the Pleistocene remains preserved in its breccia, and several generations of mining history.
Joseph Shanahan grew up recreating in the American River Canyons and returned to Auburn to work for State Parks after graduating from Humboldt State in 2020. As an interpreter, Joseph translates nature, science, culture, history and safety to visitors of the American River Canyons. The goal of interpretation is to spread knowledge of the earth, air and water so that educated people will cherish and care for our beautiful natural resources.
These presentations are part of the Friends of the Library’s speaker series addressing topics around community well-being and civic engagement. Suggestions for programs can be made to Bob Snyder at snyder@jps.net.