In a climate of culture wars and economic uncertainty, America is often reduced to simple dichotomies: red state versus blue state, left versus right. Journalist Dante Chinni and political geographer James Gimpel – the team behind the book, OUR PATCHWORK NATION: The Surprising Truth About Real America, reveal their surprising “12 community” hypothesis about American society, and what it means for our culture now, and in the future.

Using on-the-ground reporting – much of it conducted here in Philadelphia – and statistical analysis, they get beyond the generalizations and talking heads to reveal a rich picture of our nation’s political and social predilections, and will analyze November’s election results to show what influenced the results and where America may be headed politically.

Brunch with popular cookbook author Joan Nathan and hear about her latest culinary adventure- exploring Jewish cuisine in France. Traveling through the kitchens, market stalls and spice shops of Alsace-Lorraine, Provence, the Cote d’Azur, and Paris, Nathan researched the eclectic history of Jewish-French cooking for her new cookbook, Quiches, Kugels and Couscous. Her exploration revealed the influence of sophisticated French cuisine on Jewish traditions, as well as the mark left by the influx of North African Jews into France.

Nosh on Jewish and Moroccan delicacies from Argan Moroccan Cuisine, Hershel’s East Side Deli and Zahav, and explore America’s own Jewish food heritage.

Military deaths, roadside bombs, politics- this is what we hear when Afghanistan is on the news. We seldom see the faces, hear the stories or learn about the lives of Afghan women.

Join Heather Metcalfe for a visual journey through Afghanistan that reveals glimpses of the struggle, resilience and hope of its women. Hear how Muzdha, Ferishta, Dr. Najia, and other women overcome victimization despite such obstacles as illiteracy, domestic violence and forced marriage. Metcalfe weaves their stories with her own tale of travel to Afghanistan in June 2009, resulting in the film/book Voices of Afghanistan, which she will share at this event.

The only thing harder than being a parent of adolescents is being an adult child watching your parents’ health decline. Both of our guest authors are members of the Sandwich Generation, but each brings a unique perspective and artistic approach to sharing that experience.

Beth Harpaz, author of 13 is the New 18, initially assumes there won’t be a Generation Gap when her 12 year-old son becomes a teen. But suddenly she finds herself navigating a new world of MySpace pages, foot gear that costs more than her first semester of college, odd odors from his bedroom, and too many phone calls from the principal’s office. Her quick wit helps Harpaz (and her readers) get through the “terrible thirteens.”

In the graphic memoir Special Exits, Joyce Farmer chronicles the decline of her parents’ health, their relationship with one another and with their daughter, and how they cope with the day-to-day emotional fragility of the most taxing time of their lives. It’s a brutally honest look at transitioning into the role of caretaker for the loved ones who always took care of you.

Sandwich Generation attendees will enjoy a lunch of bánh mi (Vietnamese hoagies) from Bridget Foy’s.

Beth Harpaz will run a memoir workshop immediately following this program.

Special thanks to Bridget Foy’s.