SKETCHBOOK MAIN STREET SALINAS is an addition to my series of books meant to inspire you to make them your own. Whereas my sketchbooks usually contain some fictional stories to help inspire your creativity, for this book, I worked with three community members to write the included non-fiction stories-one for each of the three blocks depicted. I thank these friends for their generous participation. This collection of sketches was compiled over nine months. I take you inside a few locations with multiple sketches. I have immense gratitude for those places that are kind enough to encourage me to hang out with my sketchbook and laptop. With grand apologies, I wasn't able to include everyone that make our City Center special. ¿ Maybe next time...¿¿¿¿ I travel the world with my fictional chef character, creating not only a novel, but also SKETCHBOOKS for this collection. For this one, I stayed close to my home in downtown Salinas. I have also two other local sketchbooks, one titled SKETCHBOOK CENTRAL COAST CALIFORNIA and another, SKETCHBOOK CHERRYBEAN COFFEE, a collection from a couple of years of drawing within one local coffeeshop. For twenty years, I owned and operated Pajaro Street Grill with my wife Lisa, R.I.P. my darling Nar. It was just a hop, skip and a jump from these blocks of Oldtown Salinas. I still live in the rear of the building, though I can often be found out sketching and writing in town. I discovered that my writing skills are enhanced feeding off the energy of being out in public. In 2022 I released SKETCH/COOKBOOK, PAJARO STREET GRILL, a most unusual cookbook that you can also make your own. In case you haven't heard, coloring books for grown-ups are quite the rage. As of the publication of this book, I have also published seven Omar T, travel fiction, culinary adventure novels. They are independent, you do not need to read them in order, though there are some recurring mentions for those who do. The first in the series, Omar T in Monterey California is a Central Coast story. Omar and his family travel to a different location for each of these culinary adventures. The travel fiction aspect is enhanced with descriptions of actual sites, restaurants, bookstores, galleries and shops-including sketches, favorite lists and recipes. Diversity in race, religion, culture, language and sexual orientation not only exists within Omar's family, it is celebrated in these tales. I call this story telling "Mystery Lite" because it is not centered on murder and violence. Any mystery is based on an intriguing aspect of a place's actual history. Omar T novels are meant to be comfort reading, filled with the best of life, romance of the heart mind and soul. Come join the journey. Whether you take it along or you allow it to take you...
California is rich in diverse landscape blessed with some of the world's best weather. This combination along with its history of attraction and fertile growth of many cultures, has fostered a style of cooking and eating of its own. The coastal center of the state has a special food identity that I've labeled CENTRAL COAST CUISINE. Our fishing industry was founded by predominately Italian and Portuguese fishermen. This history lives on within our menus, with pasta offerings and in how we handle our fish. The Monterey Bay is unique in that not far from the shore the sea drops into a deep-sea cavern. This geographical anomaly gives the gift of incredible seafood variety. A fresh fish special is a nightly happening, in homes and restaurants of our area. The Salinas valley is perhaps the greatest agriculture valley in the world. It is not only a land of rich soil, the daily marine layer, creates micro-climates from the artichokes near the sea to all the wine grapes of the warmer inland. In between, we grow just about everything, with some of the world's greatest quality for us to enhance our plant-based menus. History brought the Chinese, the Japanese, the Swiss and most recently those from south the border, all enriching how we cook and flavor our food here. What a joy to study and experiment with the food stuffs of this region, along with the influences of so many rich cultures. In this book, I share the recipes and experiences of the twenty-years of Pajaro Street Grill, home to Central Coast Cuisine, live-music Fridays, bellydance, and the romance of living.
NEW YORK where the whole world seems just around the corner... DEAMER Sketchbooks hope to inspire the creative child in you. In case you haven't heard, coloring books for all ages are becoming quite a passion. Perhaps our ever-complicated world and its demands on our attention are fueling this trend. I think that we all wish that we had more time for reading. For many, perhaps a little coloring can still feed a passion for getting into a book and more easily allow the satisfaction of finishing something. Not only is this book designed to be fun as a coloring book, it is also laid out in a journal format. By leaving you a blank page with each drawing, the idea is you can add your own thoughts, ideas and images. Why settle for a blank book to keep track of life when you can associate your thoughts with an image-a sketch that you can also add your own color to? The idea is that this is a book that you can make your own. This series also hopes to be a supplement for travel. Whether you take it along or you allow it to take you.
Omar and his family travel to a different location for each of these culinary adventures. The travel fiction aspect is enhanced with descriptions of actual sites, restaurants, bookstores, galleries and shops-including sketches, favorite lists and recipes. Diversity in race, religion, culture, language and sexual orientation not only exists within Omar's family, it is celebrated in these tales. I call this story telling "Mystery Lite." It is not centered on murder and violence. Any mystery is based on actual culture and history. Rather than relying on the perverse, these stories are meant to appeal to the enlightened-someone inspired by the creative arts and those who overcome adversity. Each Omar T book is independent, you do not need to read them in the order of their publication, though there are some references for those who do. Omar and his family head to New York City to create a second Restaurant Beat, after successfully launching one in San Francisco. Their vision of centering the restaurant around a performance stage, expands as they get introduced to all the talent of New York musicians, drag queens, comics and eclectic performers. All the fun is tainted by Omar's inadvertent crossing with a Yale secret society.
Omar and his family travel to a different location for each of these culinary adventures. The travel fiction aspect is enhanced with descriptions of actual sites, restaurants, bookstores, galleries and shops-including sketches, favorite lists and recipes. Diversity in race, religion, culture, language and sexual orientation not only exists within Omar's family, it is celebrated in these tales. I call this story telling "Mystery Lite." It is not centered on murder and violence. Any mystery is based on actual culture and history. Rather than relying on the perverse, these stories are meant to appeal to the enlightened-someone inspired by the creative arts and those who overcome adversity. Each Omar T book is independent, you do not need to read them in the order of their publication, though there are some references for those who do. In Omar T in Havana, the young American chef and his sister are recruited to participate in a collaboration of international chefs in Havana. They find everything and everyone they encounter a bit mysterious, as they interact with this unique island and its special deities, the Orishas
MOMA NYC, the Museum of Modern Art, New York City. Sometimes the manner and passion that people look and enjoy art is as interesting as the art itself. Join this adventure by making this book your own.DEAMER Sketchbooks hope to inspire the creative child in you. In case you haven't heard, coloring books for all ages are becoming quite a passion. Perhaps our ever-complicated world and its demands on our attention are fueling this trend. I think that we all wish that we had more time for reading. For many, perhaps a little coloring can still feed a passion for getting into a book and more easily allow the satisfaction of finishing something. Not only is this book designed to be fun as a coloring book, it is also laid out in a journal format. By leaving you a blank page with each drawing, the idea is you can add your own thoughts, ideas and images. Why settle for a blank book to keep track of life when you can associate your thoughts with an image-a sketch that you can also add your own color to? The idea is that this is a book that you can make your own. This series also hopes to be a supplement for travel. Whether you take it along or you allow it to take you.
Omar and his family travel to a different location for each of these culinary adventures. The travel fiction aspect is enhanced with descriptions of actual sites, restaurants, bookstores, galleries and shops-including sketches, favorite lists and recipes. Diversity in race, religion, culture, language and sexual orientation not only exists within Omar's family, it is celebrated in these tales. I call this story telling "Mystery Lite" because it is not centered on murder and violence-the mysteries are based on an intriguing aspect of a location's actual history. Rather than relying on the perverse, these stories are meant to appeal to the enlightened-someone who prefers stories that revolve around the resolve of the human spirit and the creative arts that such a spirit inspire. Each Omar T book is independent. You do not need to read them in the order of their publication, though there are some references for those who do. Omar and family head to Hong Kong in January 2020 to be the food caterers for the film crew that are remaking the iconic 1960 movie, "The World of Suzie Wong." Omar witnesses the democracy demonstrations, as well as facing a threat of some mystery virus spreading in Wuhan China.
HONG KONG is changing, yet it remains one of the greatest meetings of the East and the West. My month in Hong Kong and Macau in February 2020 had the overlay of the beginnings of what would become the pandemic. Events and certain venues were being cancelled, everyone was in masks, the people of this crowded city did their best to social distance. Under any conditions, Hong Kong is visually stunning. In sketching the populous in this fateful time, I left some masks on, took others off with the magic of my pencil. This is a city that consistently takes your breath away, as it peels off the mask of your heritage. DEAMER Sketchbooks hope to inspire the creative child in you. In case you haven't heard, coloring books for all ages are becoming quite a passion. Perhaps our ever-complicated world and its demands on our attention are fueling this trend. I think that we all wish that we had more time for reading. For many, perhaps a little coloring can still feed a passion for getting into a book and more easily allow the satisfaction of finishing something. Not only is this book designed to be fun as a coloring book, it is also laid out in a journal format. By leaving you a blank page with each drawing, the idea is you can add your own thoughts, ideas and images. Why settle for a blank book to keep track of life when you can associate your thoughts with an image-a sketch that you can also add your own color to? The idea is that this is a book that you can make your own. This series also hopes to be a supplement for travel. Whether you take it along or you allow it to take you.
The Central Coast is not only one of the most beautiful regions in the world, it is stocked with diverse and interesting beings. From the cliffs and redwoods of Big Sur to the farmlands of Salinas, this is an inspiring and productive land. Join my journey within this special spot of the world by making this book your own. As a Journal/Coloring Book:Not only am I not opposed to you turning this book over to a child or the kid in you, I would find it endearing that these drawings would inspire you to play with adding color. My paintings and even my writing, often start with the black and white of a sketch. In case you haven't heard, coloring books for adults are becoming quite a passion. Perhaps our ever-complicated world and its demands on our attention are fueling this trend. I think that we all wish that we had more time for reading. For many, perhaps a little coloring can still feed a passion for getting into a book and more easily allow the satisfaction of finishing something. Why settle for a computer created coloring book when you can add life to images created as a celebration of human richness? Families could find this book as a source for good conversation. How we all interact with each other is not only interesting, discussing this could be educational.Not only is this book designed to be fun as a coloring book, it is also laid out in a journal format. By leaving you a blank page with each drawing, the idea is you can add your own thoughts, ideas and images. Why settle for a blank book to keep track of life when you can associate your thoughts with an image-a sketch that you can also add your own color to? The idea is that this is a book that you can make your own.ENJOY!
One could argue that the farmers' markets of America are the showplaces for what is the best about our country. Join me on this journey of appreciation of those who make this market happen and those of us who take pleasure in enjoying the products and special service of this wonderful neighborhood of San Diego. As a Journal/Coloring Book:Not only am I not opposed to you turning this book over to a child or the kid in you, I would find it endearing that these drawings would inspire you to play with adding color. My paintings and even my writing, often start with the black and white of a sketch. In case you haven't heard, adult coloring books are becoming quite a passion. Perhaps our ever-complicated world and its demands on our attention are fueling this trend. I think that we all wish that we had more time for reading. For many, perhaps a little coloring can still feed a passion for getting into a book and more easily allow the satisfaction of finishing something. Why settle for a computer created coloring book when you can add life to images created as a celebration of human richness? Families could find this book as a source for good conversation. Farmer's markets have proven to be an interesting place for children. Not only for all the wonderful cookies and cupcakes, the interaction also seems to be on a scale that enables them to participate as equals.Not only is this book designed to be fun as a coloring book, it is also laid out in a journal format. You can add comments and notes for venders or your life. Why settle for a blank book to keep track of life when you can associate your thoughts with an image-a sketch that you can also add your own color? Venders come and go, including some in this book. Perhaps your notes will help you to find them again. The idea is that this is a book that you can make your own.
In the tradition of a light-hearted contemporary mystery novel, enter the son of a restaurateur and an artist, Mr. Omar T Black. He is a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none, with passions for women, food, adult beverages, art, and adventure. Part travel book, part mystery, part literary reference, these stories are fun and culturally descriptive. Chef Omar enlightens readers to local cuisine with detailed descriptions and recipes. Art and literature aficionado Omar is drawn to the mysteries of creativity and thought. Omar T, the man, falls in love, and/or lust, rather easily. All Omar T novels carry a guarantee of lifting your spirits as well as feeding your appetite for good food and great living! These Mystery "Lite" stories, concentrate on something intriguing, rather than violence. Omar's investment minded father, creates a partnership for a new San Francisco restaurant with a Beat Generation theme. Omar's whole family gets involved in this adventure, where ghosts of the past swirl around Omar, along with legends from the fifties and sixties San Francisco. Jack Kerouac leads a cast of many Beat writers who rise to color the pages of this modern mystery.
In the tradition of a light-hearted contemporary mystery novel, enter the son of a restaurateur and an artist, Mr. Omar T Black. He is a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none, with passions for women, food, adult beverages, art, and adventure. Part travel book, part mystery, part literary reference, these stories are fun and culturally descriptive. Chef Omar enlightens readers to local cuisine with detailed descriptions and recipes. Art and literature aficionado Omar is drawn to the mysteries of creativity and thought. Omar T, the man, falls in love, and/or lust, rather easily. All Omar T novels carry a guarantee of lifting your spirits as well as feeding your appetite for good food and great living! These Mystery "Lite" stories, concentrate on something intriguing, rather than violence. Readers are Omar's canvas as he takes us along on his Umbrian adventures. Chapters are organized around each Umbria hilltown that is featured in this book. This allows easy reference for you Umbrian travelers to use this novel also as a guidebook to this special part of Umbria!
In the tradition of a light-hearted contemporary mystery novel, enter the son of a restaurateur and an artist, Mr. Omar T Black. He is a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none, with passions for women, food, adult beverages, art, and adventure. Part travel book, part mystery, part literary reference, these stories are fun and culturally descriptive. Chef Omar enlightens readers to local cuisine with detailed descriptions and recipes. Art and literature aficionado Omar is drawn to the mysteries of creativity and thought. Omar T, the man, falls in love, and/or lust, rather easily. All Omar T novels carry a guarantee of lifting your spirits as well as feeding your appetite for good food and great living! These Mystery "Lite" stories, concentrate on something intriguing, rather than violence. Omar's San Diego and Tijuana adventures are fed by the insights of Dr. Seuss, the regions craft beer and its food culture as well as the unique history of these two border cities.
In the tradition of a light-hearted contemporary mystery novel, enter the son of a restaurateur and an artist, Mr. Omar T Black. He is a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none, with passions for women, food, adult beverages, art, and adventure. Part travel book, part mystery, part literary reference, these stories are fun and culturally descriptive. Chef Omar enlightens readers to local cuisine with detailed descriptions and recipes. Art and literature aficionado Omar is drawn to the mysteries of creativity and thought. Omar T, the man, falls in love, and/or lust, rather easily. All Omar T novels carry a guarantee of lifting your spirits as well as feeding your appetite for good food and great living! These Mystery "Lite" stories, concentrate on something intriguing, rather than violence. His Monterey adventures are fed by the literature of John Steinbeck, the eccentricities of Salvador Dali and the amazing beauty and foodstuffs of California's Central Coast.
What is more adventurous than looking for and starting a romantic relationship? Especially with all of the new tools and avenues that the Internet has brought to the tips of our fingers. Clark and Ronda's generation began to date before there was a World Wide Web. As they are drawn inside this new magical world, they bring the perspective of experiencing dating before and after the Internet. Two friends in their forties, Clark and Ronda, take us along on their adventure to meet, start and incorporate relationships into their already mature lives. Clark alternates with Ronda in telling their first person accounts. The story opens with Ronda as a veteran online dater, while Clark reluctantly joins a practice that he sees as belonging to younger generations. What starts as casual fun soon develops into more serious adventure, romance, disappointment and even danger. In a reflection of our time of quick messages, tweets and texts, the chapters are short. They bounce back and forth from the male and female perspectives of Clark and Ronda. This is a story of two people, who are in the timeless pursuit of love, during a time of fascinating changes.Winner, one of best romance novels of 2016 Los Angeles Book Festival
Strength and Graceis the story of a young Mexican woman who stumbles into becoming a bullfighter. She so excels that she becomes a great Matador. The catch is that all but a few think that she is a man. It is a story of female empowerment within the Mexican male culture of the bullfight. There are also coming of age aspects to the story as the reader follows her growth from being a fifteen-year old tomboy to a twenty-five year old woman who spends the majority of her time being a man. This duality creates gender identity issues that she must face along with all of the dangers of her profession and the tension of her masquerade.Winner, one of the best fiction novels of 2015, Southern California Book FestivalWinner, one of the best fiction novels of 2015, Great Midwest Book Festival Also available in EspañolFUERZA y GRACIA
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