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Photo via Drink Philly

Quick! Gather your sweaters about you and tuck a pencil behind your ear. It's the bookish events roundup!

Tonight, Friday, October 3. If you're not heading over to the Pigeon Presents Philly Poetry Slam for a high-energy duel of words, then go to the historic backroom of Snockey's, a centenarian oyster restaurant, for the release of Philly poet Ryan Eckes' funny, wry, and elegant new book *VALU-PLUS*. Dinner and drinks at 7:00 p.m., poetry reading at 8:30, after-party to follow. 2nd and Washington.

On Saturday, October 4, the Musehouse writing center in Germantown welcomes Kristina Moriconi, 2014 Montgomery County Poet Laureate, to read from her recent poems created in response to art. Free! 7 p.m.,  7924 Germantown Avenue.

If that's not rad enough for you, then maybe you need to attend the Zine Brunch at 4:20 p.m. on Sunday, October 5, with a BBQ and Brunch "at the same damn time." New zine releases by Black Quantum Futurism and Mother Moor Goddess. If you make zines, bring one to add to the Black Quantum Futurism Library! 3213 Turner Street.

On Tuesday, October 7,  at 7:00pm. the Monthly Writers' Group for Caregivers with Kathy Roberson (poet, social worker, caregiver) meets at Big Blue Marble Books in Mount Airy. If you The group gives members an opportunity to tell their own stories, in their own words, and support one another as both writers and caregivers. If you or someone you know could use an outlet like this, then come on by to Big Blue Marble.

Fiction writers, rejoice: on Thursday, October 9, the TireFire reading series is back to ply you with beer and stories in bumper cars. Never stuffy, always a great variety of readers, this is a great entry point to the lit scene. Paula Bomer, Christy Crutchfield, Mecca Jamilah Sullivan, Ph.D. Mike Ingram, and Lillian Dunn at Tattooed Mom. Doors open at 7 p.m. and readings start at 8 p.m.

And mark your calendars for Friday, October 10. The Red Sofa Reading Series run by poet Hila Ratzabi at IndyHall is back for its one year anniversary. Bringing poetry to the geek crew on N3rd Street, this diverse lineup includes Patrick Rosal, Yolanda Wisher, and Chloe Martinez and is followed by a dance party with DJ Krishna! Plus wine, plus book signing, plus cupcakes by Whipped Bakeshop. Be there: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., IndyHall.

Photo via Drink Philly

Quick! Gather your sweaters about you and tuck a pencil behind your ear. It's the bookish events roundup!

Tonight, Friday, October 3. If you're not heading over to the Pigeon Presents Philly Poetry Slam for a high-energy duel of words, then go to the historic backroom of Snockey's, a centenarian oyster restaurant, for the release of Philly poet Ryan Eckes' funny, wry, and elegant new book *VALU-PLUS*. Dinner and drinks at 7:00 p.m., poetry reading at 8:30, after-party to follow. 2nd and Washington.

On Saturday, October 4, the Musehouse writing center in Germantown welcomes Kristina Moriconi, 2014 Montgomery County Poet Laureate, to read from her recent poems created in response to art. Free! 7 p.m.,  7924 Germantown Avenue.

If that's not rad enough for you, then maybe you need to attend the Zine Brunch at 4:20 p.m. on Sunday, October 5, with a BBQ and Brunch "at the same damn time." New zine releases by Black Quantum Futurism and Mother Moor Goddess. If you make zines, bring one to add to the Black Quantum Futurism Library! 3213 Turner Street.

On Tuesday, October 7,  at 7:00pm. the Monthly Writers' Group for Caregivers with Kathy Roberson (poet, social worker, caregiver) meets at Big Blue Marble Books in Mount Airy. If you The group gives members an opportunity to tell their own stories, in their own words, and support one another as both writers and caregivers. If you or someone you know could use an outlet like this, then come on by to Big Blue Marble.

Fiction writers, rejoice: on Thursday, October 9, the TireFire reading series is back to ply you with beer and stories in bumper cars. Never stuffy, always a great variety of readers, this is a great entry point to the lit scene. Paula Bomer, Christy Crutchfield, Mecca Jamilah Sullivan, Ph.D. Mike Ingram, and Lillian Dunn at Tattooed Mom. Doors open at 7 p.m. and readings start at 8 p.m.

And mark your calendars for Friday, October 10. The Red Sofa Reading Series run by poet Hila Ratzabi at IndyHall is back for its one year anniversary. Bringing poetry to the geek crew on N3rd Street, this diverse lineup includes Patrick Rosal, Yolanda Wisher, and Chloe Martinez and is followed by a dance party with DJ Krishna! Plus wine, plus book signing, plus cupcakes by Whipped Bakeshop. Be there: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., IndyHall.

Excerpted from our Making Dough cookbook by Russell van Kraayenburg.

YIELD: 6 biscuits  |  PREP TIME: 30 minutes  |  BAKE TIME: 12 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound Biscuit Dough, prepared as at left

3 ounces cold, chopped duck fat

2 ounces (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter

½  small white onion, sliced

1 ounce all-purpose flour

2 cups whole milk

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 teaspoons fresh tarragon, diced

2 teaspoons chives, thinly sliced

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Prepare biscuits as described, but replace butter with duck fat. Bake as instructed.

2. While biscuits bake, make the gravy: melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring constantly, for about 8 minutes, until translucent. Reduce heat to low and add flour. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes so that the flour flavor cooks out.

3. Pour in milk while stirring. Increase heat to medium and bring mixture to a boil. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, until thick. Remove from heat and add salt, pepper, tarragon, and chives.

4. Serve biscuits with warm gravy.

Variation

Bacon Fat Biscuits

Using a different fat can dramatically affect the flavor of a biscuit. See for yourself: Substitute bacon fat for the duck fat and omit the chives and tarragon. This variation makes a more traditional biscuits and gravy dish.

Excerpted from our Making Dough cookbook from Russell van Kraayenburg.

YIELD: 1 (9-inch) closed pie  |  PREP TIME: 30 minutes  |  BAKE TIME: 30 minutes

Ingredients

2 pounds prepared Pie Dough (double the recipe on page 50)

2 ounces (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature

6 pounds Pink Lady apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 8 wedges each

3 ounces granulated sugar

3 ounces brown sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground allspice

¼ teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon salt

1 ounce (¼ cup) cornstarch

1 egg, beaten (egg wash)

Directions

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 400°F. Divide prepared pie dough into 2 (1-inch-thick) disks, wrap tightly in parchment paper, and refrigerate. Heat butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add apples and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until they begin to soften. Add sugars, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and salt. Stir until evenly mixed. Cook for another 10 minutes, until apples are soft and juices begin to thicken.

2. Mix 1/2 cup water and cornstarch in a small bowl. Stir into apple mixture. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently, until filling comes to a boil and thickens. Cook, stirring constantly, for another 30 seconds. Set aside.

3. Place one dough disk on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a circle about 14 inches in diameter. Transfer dough to a 9-inch pie dish and press into the bottom of the dish, taking care not to let dough stretch. Lightly press dough down around the edges of the dish and cut off any excess. Pour in filling, creating a mound in the center. Set aside.

4. Place second disk of dough on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a circle about 14 inches in diameter and place on top of pie dish. Press edges to seal pie shut. Cut 4 tear-drop holes in the center of the pie to let steam escape during cooking. Cut excess dough from edges. Create a rope edge (see page 54). Lightly brush dough with egg wash. Bake for about 30 minutes, until crust is golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack before serving.