SURF'S UP…A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW

On July 10, Lou read from GIMME SHELTER and followed up with a Q & A for the juvenile probation students at Camp Miller. While they know him as a motivational substitute teacher, this gave the boys a chance to ask about the book, the writing process and his battle with anger. Afterwards, he visited the classrooms and talked about the opportunities available via KDP and CreateSpace to self-publish for no, or very little money. He tossed out a few intriguing story lines and offered to 'give' them to any student willing to run with the ideas. His presentation went so well that he was invited to do an encore this week at Camp Gonzales. In the fall, both camps will be using Gimme Shelter as part of a scholastic unit on the theme of 'Discovery'.

Tanner & Lola ("'She Was A Show Dog..") Mazza

Switching hats on the fly, Lou went from speaker/writer to concerned citizen when he addressed the Malibu City Council, urging them to put an initiative intended to control local retail development on theNovember's ballot. While he's rarely at a loss for words, Lou admitted to being taken aback when he was asked to follow actor/writer/director and producer and Malibu resident Rob Reiner (All In The Family, Princess Bride, This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally), who sponsored the initiative with his wife. In classic 'dad' style, Lou joked about having to "one-up the famous guy". Then he made an earnest, humorous appeal to the council to honor the democratic process.

Rob Reiner

While most of our news involves dogs, books and related matters, we're happy to give a hearty 'Bravo!' to our dear friend, John Mazza. A lifelong surfer who has amassed an impressive collection of boards, John generously loaned 15 of his vintage 'sticks' to the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park in San Diego for an exhibit on Surf Craft. Richard Kenvin designed and organized the show which continues through December.

John Mazza, surfboard collector and historian

Here's a YouTube tour of John's Collection at the Pepperdine University Library. Below are some of the reviews and media coverage of the Balboa show: 

KPBS news (radio broadcast, 7/15/14) 

Union Tribune, San Diego (newspaper, Art + Culture section, 7/13/14)

Fox News, San Diego (tv interview, 7/8/14)