Saturday, October 8, 2011
Emmy-nominated television show creator, writer and producer Gerry Renert offers an engaging digital story about "fitting in."
It’s no fun being the new kid at school, but imagine being the only normal 9-year-old boy at a school for superheroes. That’s the premise of Brave Rooney, a new interactive book for children written by Palisadian Gerry Renert. “I’ve always fantasized about an elementary school for superheroes as a fun backdrop for something,” said Renert. “Then I thought, ‘What about having an ordinary kid be a part of that school? Talk about having a tough crowd to fit into.’" Rooney, the main character in the story, impresses his classmates with his literary gift, which makes up for his lack of superpowers. Renert also has a gift for writing. His first picture book, Nathan Saves Summer, received a “Mom’s Choice Gold Award." He also co-created the …
Friday, July 8, 2011
Residents gather June 30 to bid farewell to the store that was a staple on Swarthmore Avenue.
On June 30, Palisidians said goodbye to Village Books, a place where many locals met great authors and even better friends. Owner Katie O'Laughlin opened the store 14 years ago on the Fourth of July. And on closing night she said she wasn't sure how she was going to leave a place she began to call home. "It is totally overwhelming because the whole experience of closing the store … I can't even wrap my head around it," said O'Laughlin. Pacific Palisades Honorary Mayor Sugar Ray Leonard kicked off the evening with a book signing. Loyal Village Books customers Joan Rivers and Melissa Rivers were also in attendance. The rest of the night belonged to O'Laughlin and the many memories held in the little bookstore at the corner of Monument …
34.04819
-118.52472
Village Books
1049 Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA
/articles/video-palisadians-share-fond-memories-of-village-books
1297843
/locations/4799860
The honorary mayor shares stories from his autobiography 'The Big Fight.'
Throughout his spectacular career, Sugar Ray Leonard was the biggest draw in boxing. He was that marquee attraction in his sport, the pugilist fans most wanted to see, and he was involved in some of the richest and most memorable bouts of all time. Now he's long retired, but Leonard can still pack the fans in like no one else, as he showed June 30 when he discussed his new autobiography "The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring" in front of a standing-room only audience during a closing night celebration at Village Books. "Working on this book is the most difficult thing I've ever done in my life--well, except dancing," Leonard said, referring to his recent appearance on "Dancing with the Stars," a reality TV show pairing celebrities …
Friday, July 1, 2011
After 14 years, Village Books closes its doors on Swarthmore Avenue in the Palisades.
When Village Books owner Katie O'Laughlin walked into her then-brand new bookstore 14 years ago, she thought, "Today, my life will change." This week when she walked into the store, the shelves were almost empty. Once again she said, "Today, my life will change." On Thursday, Palisadians said goodbye to Village Books, a place that many had relied on not only for great literary advice but also as a sign of stability. Many people who attended the closing night events along Swarthmore Avenue said Village Books was a place to come in from the rain, to meet friends and find the perfect gift. Thursday night's events kicked off with a book signing by Pacific Palisades Honorary Mayor Sugar Ray Leonard. Copies of Leonard's book, The Big Fight, were…
34.04819
-118.52472
Village Books
1049 Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA
/articles/village-books-closes-with-heartfelt-farewell
1297843
/locations/6846931
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Local color inspires jazz man's 'Palisades Panoramas' now on display at Antioch Street hub.
Gregory Alper has done it all musically, from recording jazz records to scoring such movies as 1999's Random Hearts and the video game WarCraft: Orcs and Humans. Now he's drawing on some local color for Palisades Panoramas, the name of his latest group of paintings as well as a companion book. The paintings will be on display through March 30 at Cafe Vida. The Chicago-born saxophonist, best known as the eponymous member of the Greg Alper Band (the album Fat Doggie spawned jazz-disco fusion tunes such as Hole in Your Pocket), has created art since the age of 4, when he took crayons and drew on the wall (to his parents' simultaneous delight and horror). Among the 12 panoramas of Palisades beach scenes including sunset, sunrise and other …
34.046985
-118.52613
Cafe Vida
15317 Antioch St, Pacific Palisades, CA
/articles/musician-alper-exhibits-fine-art-at-cafe-vida
1297919
/locations/3521196
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Trial lawyer by day, John Sharer packs his debut thriller with moral ambiguity.
Appearances can be misleading. Huntington Palisades resident John Sharer looked snappy in a black pinstripe suit and tie as he arrived Thursday morning at the Village Pantry, completely overdressed for breakfast at the casual, Swarthmore Avenue deli. As it turned out, this was no casual day for the semiretired trial lawyer, who had a case to mediate that afternoon. What many of his colleagues at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher may not realize is that last year, at the age of 77, Sharer became a first-time novelist. His debut book, Honor Knows No Borders, also addresses appearances. Set in 1941, Honor takes place against the backdrop of World War II and centers on Tom Sloan, a Jewish boy who discovers downed pilot Leuzinger. The German insists he …
34.047796
-118.525447
The Village Pantry--CLOSED
1035 Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA
/articles/no-borders-novelist-on-a-life-less-ordinary
1298498
/locations/2979795
34.04819
-118.52472
Village Books
1049 Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades, CA
/articles/no-borders-novelist-on-a-life-less-ordinary
1297843
/locations/2979796
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The titular character of the children's book “Christmas with Norky” recently paid a visit to the Palisades' farmers' market
On Sunday, Dec. 19, a visitor from the south––not the South Pole but Santa Monica––strutted his stuff up and down Swarthmore Ave., bringing much mirth and merriment to Pacific Palisades' farmers' market: Norky, the fine, feathered star of Steve Allgeier's 2007 children's book, Christmas with Norky: The Adventure Begins. Norky was in town to spread the word that Santa Monica resident Allgeier's debut children's book was available at Village Books. In Christmas, Santa Claus appoints Norky to be in charge of his Naughty/Nice list. Norky just doesn't go out before Christmas to accomplish this, he checks on kids all year around. If a child has a problem, Norky distributes a Fix-It Card. Once the problems are systematically fixed and approved by…
Samuel
7:58 pm on Friday, July 8, 2011
If enough loyal patrons had bought books, the store wouldn't be closing. more ›