Hector Tobar is a Los Angeles-born writer and journalist, and he is currently a columnist for the Los Angeles Times. Although he was born and educated in California, his parents were immigrants that came to California from Guatemala. Tobar attended the University of California, Santa Cruz and the University of California Irvine where he received a masters degree of fine arts in creative writing. Tobar won a Pulitzer Prize in 1992 for his work as a part of the team covering L.A. riots for the Los Angeles Times. 
Hollywood is the place where Tobar lived as a child, and is the setting for his story, "Ode to Cal Trans."
In his story, "Ode to Cal Trans," Tobar tells us how much the freeways in the Hollywood area have changed because of all of the work by Cal Trans. He speaks of his memories of seeing the casualty signs on the freeways that Cal Trans would display when a worker had fallen while on duty.
These are photos of the Hollywood and the Santa Ana freeways; two of the freeways that Tobar talks about in his story.
"Montalvo, Myths and Dreams of Home"
by Thomas Steinbeck
by Thomas Steinbeck
Thomas Steinbeck was born in Manhattan, New York in 1944. He began his career as a photographer in Vietnam in the 1960's. Steinbeck is not only a writer, but he is also a public speaker. In addition his novel, "Down to a soundless sea and the many screenplays that he has written, Steinbeck also gives lectures on American literature, creative writing, and communication arts. He serves as an honorary board member at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood, and is a board member of the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, California and the Steinbeck Studies at San Jose State University.
This is a Photo of the coastline in Big Sur, California. Big Sur is a sparsely populated region of the central California coast. There is a population of about 1000 people. A coastal terrain of stunning beauty,Big Sur, is the location where Steinbeck lived, and was reluctant to share with his readers in the beginning of his story "Montalvo, Myths and Dreams of Home," in the book "My California."
This is a photo of Garcia Rodriguez de Montalvo, who Steinbeck referred to as the man to first create the myth of a paradise of wealth and fortune called California in a Spanish novel that he wrote.
This photo illustrates a dance that is being performed by the Rumsen tribal peole of Carmel; a people that Steinbeck briefly talks about in his story, "Montalvo, Myths and Dreams of Home."
Steinbeck also talks about the myth that there are humanoids that live in the mountain ranges of the Big Sur area. The two types of humanoids that he mentions: are Sasquatches, and the Dark Watchers. There are links below that give an insight into the myths of these humanoids and everything else talked about above."The Last Little Beach Town" by Edward Humes
Edward Humes is a Pulitzer Prize journalist that was born in Philadelphia, attended Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, and now lives in Southern California. He is an accomplish journalist and author of 7 non-fiction books. He received his Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the military. He also received a PEN center USA award for his book about the children of juvenile court.
This is a picture of the City Hall building in Seal Beach where Humes first stopped to obtain an information booklet about the history of Seal Beach; the quiet gem of a town that Humes discovered, and came to live in.
Edward Humes is a Pulitzer Prize journalist that was born in Philadelphia, attended Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, and now lives in Southern California. He is an accomplish journalist and author of 7 non-fiction books. He received his Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the military. He also received a PEN center USA award for his book about the children of juvenile court.
This is a picture of the City Hall building in Seal Beach where Humes first stopped to obtain an information booklet about the history of Seal Beach; the quiet gem of a town that Humes discovered, and came to live in.
Seal Beach is the main focus of Edward Humes' story "The Last Little Beach Town." Seal Beach is a city located in Orange County, California, and has a population of about 24,200.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Humes
http://www.ci.seal-beach.ca.us/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_Beach,_California
"Surfacing" by Matt Warshaw
Matt Warshaw is the author of the story "Surfacing," one of the stories that I read last week in the book "My California." Warshaw was born in Los Angeles, California, and began surfing at the age of 8 years old. He grew up to become an accomplished surfer and author, and currently lives in San Francisco. Some of the books he has written include: The Encyclopedia of Surfing, Mavericks: The Story of Big-Wave Surfing, Above the Roar: 50 Surfer Interviews, and Surf-Riders: In Search of the Perfect Wave.
Matt Warshaw is the author of the story "Surfacing," one of the stories that I read last week in the book "My California." Warshaw was born in Los Angeles, California, and began surfing at the age of 8 years old. He grew up to become an accomplished surfer and author, and currently lives in San Francisco. Some of the books he has written include: The Encyclopedia of Surfing, Mavericks: The Story of Big-Wave Surfing, Above the Roar: 50 Surfer Interviews, and Surf-Riders: In Search of the Perfect Wave.
This is an Ariel photo of Half Moon Bay, the Northern California area where Maverick's point is located. Half Moon Bay is a coastal city in San Mateo County. It has a population of about 11,800, and is located about 25 miles South of San Francisco.
is the main character that Matt Warshaw writes about in his story "Surfacing." Moriarity was a professional surfer from Santa Cruz, California.
This is a picture of Evan Slater. He is referenced in the story "Surfacing," by Matt Warshaw.
http://www.arrowsurfshop.com/team/moriarty.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhE498ef2Us&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhE498ef2Us&feature=related
http://www.grindtv.com/athlete/Evan_Slater/2480/bio/
http://wwww.youtube.com/watch?v=pKb72wcvF1w&NR=1
http://wwww.youtube.com/watch?v=pKb72wcvF1w&NR=1
Comments on 10 students work
1. Aloma: In Aloma's summary of "The Big Valley," by Mark Arax, she describes how farming is becoming a thin of the past, because it is expensive and doesn't produce a big return of cash unless you are a big manufacturer. I too like Aloma chose not to plant a garden this year, because it is cheaper for me to buy my produce from the market than it is to plant and tend it.
2. Victoria: In her summary of "Cotton Candy Mirrors," by Devorah Major, she talks about Majors experiences with Play land, and how just going there was worth the trip across town. If she was lucky, she might catch a free carnival ride, or have a whole whopping $.35 to spend for the day. There really is an innocence to this story. Kids expect so much more these days when it comes to entertainment, and everything is so much more expensive. Can you imagine getting through a day at the Sonoma County fair with only forking out $.35 per person?
3. Hilary: Hilary tells us about the false pretenses that surround Beverly Hills in her summary of "Transients in Paradise." She said that "Beverly Hills is a place thought to bring about desires." In reality though, anyone who has desires can equally pursue them no matter where they live.
4. Mark: The story, "Showing of the Owens" made Mark think of the times fishing with his grandfather, and how this story has inspired him to go fishing again. I agree that Sonoma County and Northern California are the homes of some of the best fishing places. I grew up fishing with my grandfather as well from a young age, and now I fish all over Northern California with my husband.
5. Lemlem: Lemlem summarized Kathi Kamen Goldmark's story about an experience that she and her band mates had when a motorcycle gang piled into a bar that they were performing at. The only song they could sing to keep the brutes entertained was, "Why don't we get drunk and screw." I went into a biker bar once with friends, and needless to say, we didn't stay long. It was a bit to crazy in there for us.
6. Katherine: In Katherine's summary of "The Distant Cataract About Which We Do Not Speak," by Mary Mackey, she tells us of Mackey's joy of watching ducks and other animals on the American River. I've never been to the American River, but I've been to a lot of other rivers and lakes in Northern California, and one of my favorite things about each trip is discovering the wildlife.
7. Jason: Jason says, in his summary of the reading "Berkley," by Chabon, that "Berkley might not be the prettiest or the warmest, but it has the most interesting character about it and it has the most to say." I've never been to Berkley, but Jason's summary makes me want to learn what is so special about it that place.
8. Nicholas: I like the paragraph that Nick picked from the story "Ode to Cal trans," by Hector Tobar. We people for the most part do spend a lot of our time in our cars or riding on some form of transportation. I'm glad for the technology advances such as hands-free blue tooth and CD players, that make it possible for us to pass time by safely talking to our family and friends, and to listen to music that we enjo
9. Andrea: I like the paragraph that Andrea chose to highlight from "Montalvo, Myths and Dreams," by Thomas Steinbeck, that California is constantly re-inventing itself. It is true that every time you turn around it seems, that there is a new "It style". Fashions and customs are always changing...
10. Daniel: Dan's favorite paragraph from Matt Warshaw's "Surfacing," was the one about how Warshaw appreciates the fact that there is not a Starbucks or a Gap store on every street corner of Seal Beach. It's true that Starbucks chains are practically everywhere. Daniel works at Starbucks. I love those Chi tea lattes Daniel. Thanks!
1 comment:
That can't be a photo of Garci Ordonez de Montalvo (not Rodrigues)
He lived in the 16th century. The book came out in 1510
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