Mission possible — Paul Rogat Loeb mortared together a sturdy book about hope in The Impossible Will Take a While. Subtitled A Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear, Loeb's 2004 publication is an anthology of poets, memoirists, essayists, fiction writers and others who loosely fit under a progressive umbrella. The writings of Howard Zinn, Martin Luther King Jr., Václav Havel, Nelson Mandela, Pablo Neruda and Diane Ackerman are among those included. Each, in some sense, addresses what it means to strive for a better world, how one might overcome feelings of isolation, despair and futility. "I decided to create this book to remind readers that they belong to a community of like-minded souls stretching across the globe and extending backward and forward in time," Loeb wrote in his introduction. The author speaks to the Huntington Woods Peace, Citizenship and Education Project at 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Workman's Circle, 26341 Coolidge, Oak Park; 248-545-0985.

Forgo foreclosure —With the economy the way it is, many area homeowners are facing increased chances of foreclosure. Fellowship Non-Profit Housing Corporation is hoping to lower the odds a bit. The group will conduct a half-day seminar educating homeowners on how to prevent foreclosures on their property and how to overcome difficulties they may have in making mortgage payments. Registration required. 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at Fellowship Hall of Greater Christ Baptist Church, 3544 Iroquois, Detroit. 313-924-6900.

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