The Fourth Friday Readings will celebrate its fifth anniversary at The Lodge media room, 660 Evergreen Farm Road in Sequim, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24.

Ruth Marcus is the featured writer for February and will present a multi-media viewing and reading of her new book “Haiku &Mandala: The Wedding of Ancient Art.”

Author, poet, columnist and nationally recognized source of inspiration, Marcus loves inspiring people to turn life challenges into meaningful lessons.

For seven years, Marcus wrote one-line daily inspirations and emailed them to a national readership. Her book “Inspiration to Open Your Heart, Awaken Your Mind and Touch Your Soul” contains 365 of over 3,000 inspiring aphorisms she has written.

Marcus earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology and a doctorate degree in religious studies. She was an entrepreneur in San Francisco and Sausalito, Calif., for 30 years, founding two graphic design businesses, a clothing design and mail order business, and a creative art center offering classes for adults. In addition, she taught at the Academy of Art in San Francisco.

After moving to the Olympic Peninsula in 1999, she hosted the grief group for Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County and provided individual and group counseling services.

Her current passion is writing and hosting writing groups. She was instrumental in the founding of Writers on the Spit and the Fourth Friday Readings. Every third Monday morning of the month she hosts a free Spontaneous Writing Group at the Sequim Library.

She also offers design and consulting services to those interested in self-publishing.

Arrive early for this special anniversary of the Fourth Friday Readings. Enjoy a coffee and snack from the Espresso Bar in the entrance of The Lodge. Then, take the stairs or elevator to the second floor for the readings.

Writers are welcome to sign up for the 5-minute open mic readings. Rehearse in advance as readings are timed.