A Latvian-American artist in Massachusetts has released the second in his series of independent comic books.

Ansis Puriņš received a grant from the Xeric Foundation to self-publish Zombre #2: The Magic Forest, according to a press release.

“The 48-page comic tells the story of the blundering park ranger Martin Elvis, mysterious ranger Jones, and the well-intentioned Zombre, who are all inhabitants of the Magic Forest,” according to the press release. “Interwoven throughout is the story of young Acorn and her father, who are on a camping trip to the Forest. After an interaction with Zombre, father realizes he’s been too overprotective of his daughter.”

Zombre #2 is a follow-up to Zombre #1: Zombre vs. Slappy Megathunder Showdown, a 12-page comic released in 2009.

The Xeric Foundation, started by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Peter A. Laird, supports comic book artists as well as charitable and nonprofit organizations.

Puriņš attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where he focused on illustration and printmaking. He has published a number of comic book titles and has exhibited his work in the Boston area. For his illustration work Puriņš counts such clients as Holgate Toys, Ska Brewing Co., and the Boston Phoenix.

For more information about Puriņš and his work, visit www.ansis.tv.

The Bank of Latvia in recent weeks has released three new coins: one silver-niobium commemorative coin called the “Coin of Time III,” as well as two circulation one-lat coins with images of horseshoes.

The one-lat ““Coin of Time III” was released Dec. 2. The obverse of the coin features a rose in tribute to the discoverer of niobium, German chemist Heinrich Rose, who launched his career in Latvia. The reverse has the phases of the moon.

The coin contains both silver and niobium, is of uncirculated quality and has a mintage of just 7,000. The coin was designed by Laimonis Šēnbergs and modelled by Jānis Strupulis, and was struck by Münze Österreich, Austria.

This is the third “Coin of Time.” The first was released in 2004 and the second in 2007.

Additionally, the Bank of Latvia on Dec. 2 released two special one-lat circulation coins, both with horseshoes, with one coin having the horseshoe pointing upwards, the other downwards.

The horseshoe has long been a symbol of good fortune. In Latvian beliefs, if the horseshoe ends are pointing upwards, good fortune will come from the heavens, but if the horseshoe ends are pointing downwards, good fortune will come from the land. The designers were Frančeska Kirke (graphic design) and Laura Medne (plaster model). The coin was minted by Staatliche Münze Berlin, Germany.

Circulation of the two horseshoe coins is 500,000 pieces each.

For further information, visit the Bank of Latvia website at www.bank.lv.

Latvian composer Imants Kalniņš hasn’t always just penned popular and symphonic music. He also has taken to the stage as a rock musician, most notably with his group Turaidas Roze.

Although Kalniņš left the group three years after starting in 1985 and Turaidas Roze began to fade, the band has come back together this year to tour around Latvia. On Dec. 2, Turaidas Roze released its first compact disc on the MICREC label, compiling 17 of the group’s best-known songs on a self-titled album.

Fronted by singers Olga Rajecka and Uģis Roze, and featuring Kalniņš on keyboards, the group was among the most popular musical efforts of the late 1980s National Awakening period. Given Kalniņš’ composing talent, Turaidas Roze distinguished itself with an “art rock” sound.

The current concert tour features Rajecka and Roze, as well as original group members Juris Helvigs on drums and Aivars Gudrais on guitar, according to a press release from MICREC.

Among the group’s best-known songs is “Nelaid, māte, bērnus mežā,” which along with “Kas dzīvo tanī pusē”
appears on the CD as a new studio recording.

Tracks on the CD include:

1. Apvij rokas
2. Kas jūs esat?
3. Svētku diena
4. Rīta serenāde (Trubadūrs)
5. Balāde par viņu un viņu (No rīta mazā gaismiņā)
6. Saulgriežu cikls – Variācija Nr.1
7. Saulgriežu cikls – Variācija Nr.2
8. Saulgriežu cikls – Variācija Nr.3
9. Balāde par Tevi mākoņos
10. Uz nakti atkal durvis vaļā
11. Notikums
12. Sonets (Sweet Love)
13. Upei pāri (Ai, māsa Lietuva)
14. Vējš un liepa
15. Pūt, vējiņi (koncertieraksts)
16. Kas dzīvo tanī pusē (2010)
17. Nelaid, māte, bērnus mežā (2010)

The group’s final concert of the tour is scheduled Dec. 18 in Rīga, according to the ticket service Biļešu paradīze. An additional concert is set June 30 in the Dzintari Concert Hall in Jūrmala.