The inaugural Waterston Desert Writing Prize Award reception and ceremony honors winning author Rebecca Lawton and three finalists. Lawton will read an excerpt of her proposed book project, “The Oasis This Time.” Selected for its quality and meaningful contribution to the body of desert literature, her book will focus on California palm oases and their role as barometers of the effects of falling groundwater levels in communities around the American West. Hosted wine bar and hors d’oeuvres will precede the awards ceremony and readings which begins at 6:30 pm.