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28 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | FEBRUARY 2020 | Joan Didion, the subject of this month's California writer tribute, is the ultimate California native; native as in native of California not an actual native. Raised in the San Joaquin Valley, Joan has written extensively about our amazing state. Her book, Where I Was From, is a mix of both journalism and memoir. She won the National Book Award for Nonfiction and in 2012 received the National Medal of Arts as well as the National Humanities Medal from President Obama. In 1991 she wrote the first article suggesting the Central Park Five had been wrongfully convicted. Joan Didion is an outstanding example of a tough no-nonsense journalist and nonfiction writer. Usually she is pictured with a cigarette dangling from her lips. Today we picture her in a cute hat. Born in 1934, Joan is still alive and kicking at 85. Now that we have your attention, let's talk about the Sun Lakes Creative Writers group. If you haven't yet guessed, we love to write. Whether you want to write nonfiction like Joan Didion or a bit of fantasy or a memoir or even (this sounds condescending) poetry, come and check us out. We meet on the first Monday of each month (Feb. 3) and the third Wednesday (Feb. 19) in the Main Clubhouse Multipurpose Room from 3 to about 5 pm. If you want to do some writing, bounce it off the group for a gentle critique, or just to get it off your chest, come join us. For more info, please call Roger Smith at (951) 769-2808. Genealogical Society The Sun Lakes Genealogy Society meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 1 pm in the Main Clubhouse Multipurpose Room. Our goal is to provide professional speakers and programs that will benefit our members in their efforts to find their ancestors in the archives of history. You are the beginning twig of your vast family tree. Starting with you and working backward we will help develop that tree. Our yearly dues are $20 per family. Your first visit is free. Come and see what we have to offer. Our speaker this month is Leslie Williams. She will be speaking on using the "Life Story" tab on Ancestry.com to document and bring to life your ancestors' history in story form.