HONORS

Mike Tuggle of Monte Rio, a published poet who also has hosted radio shows and emcees live readings for other poets, has been named Sonoma County poet laureate for 2008-2009.

Tuggle, 68, was born in Tulsa, Okla. He majored in art and literature at Texas Christian University and received a master of fine arts from San Francisco State University. His most recent publication is "Absolute Elsewhere" from Philos Press. He and his wife, poet Susan Kennedy, co-authored "Cazadero Poems," published by Floating Island Press.

Tuggle was chosen by a committee made up of representatives from each of the county's five supervisorial districts -- Sonoma State University, Santa Rosa Junior College, the Sonoma County Library, the Literary Arts Guild and the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. The county's four previous poet laureates also participated in the selection process.

A public reception for Tuggle will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Sonoma County Library, Third and E streets, Santa Rosa.

-- Dan Taylor