How many people have a holiday named after them? My dad does. On January 14, 1986, the city of Los Angeles proclaimed it: “Stephen J. Cannell Day.” That was the day he got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

I was pretty young back then, but kinda remember it. He was honored at a roast at the Roosevelt Hotel, and then joined the ranks of some Hollywood’s biggest stars out on the Walk of Fame.

It’s rare for a writer to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, that honor usually goes to actors or singers, but my dad has had a pretty long career; he’s created or co-created 40 shows!

His first big hit was the Rockford Files. Few people remember, but the Rockford Files actually started off as an episode of a police show called “Toma.” My dad wanted to create a private detective unlike any other on TV at the time.

He wanted to write a detective who had flaws and wasn’t perfect. Jim Rockford asked for money up front, if your check bounced, he would take the pink slip on your car, and if the going got tough, he gave up. The network hated it, but audiences loved it.

The Rockford Files was a huge hit in the ratings and also won several Emmys. The success of that show would help my dad create his own TV production company, have more hit shows, and eventually get his star on the Walk of Fame.

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Centuries ago, average citizens didn’t have access to knowledge, and thus, were easy to control. When the masses are educated, they ask questions; they keep the government in line. This is why public libraries are crucial for a free society.

Libraries level the playing field, they give everyone a chance to learn about the world and possibly change it. From mystery novels to history books, libraries offer an escape from today and a dream for tomorrow.

The next time you pick up a book in a library, you might be solving a crime with Shane Scully in Los Angeles, or learning about the struggle for civil rights in Selma , Alabama. The library is not for the timid or meek, this is where the action is.

When a library opens its doors, it’s opening up opportunity, knowledge and, ultimately, empowerment. One-hundred years ago, the LaSalle Public Library opened its doors, giving people a chance to travel wherever their imaginations could take them. That’s more than just public service, that’s changing lives.

I congratulate the LaSalle Public Library on its first hundred years and wish it many more.

Sincerely,

Stephen J. Cannell

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My friend Laura has been nagging me to go contra dancing for over a year. Besides my inherent fear of dancing in public, the word “contra” worries me. I’m a little hesitant to do the dosey-do with a Nicaraguan terrorist. “I hear that all the time,” laughs Jeff Spero, one of the “callers” for the California Dance Cooperative’s monthly contra dance in Brentwood.

“The name comes from the French contra dance,” Jeff explains, “Contra may be derived from the American word ‘country’.” Indeed, contra dancing is very similar to country square dancing (which I loathe), but without the cowboy hats, straw on the floor and Toby Keith songs urging the U.S. to kick another country’s ass for no reason whatsoever.

For the past two years, dancers have been coming from as far away as Santa Barbara and San Diego to kick up their heels at the Brentwood Youth House. These traveling two-steppers include computer techs, video editors, construction workers, electricians and even a rocket scientist. So what draws these folks to Brentwood every month?

“It’s really a community, it’s a wonderful group of people,” says Jeff. “Also, the dance is somewhat flirtatious. There’s a lot of eye contact. It’s a safe place to flirt.” As he recounts meeting his wife at a contra dance, it suddenly dawns on me, could this be why Laura has been bugging me all this time? Is this a covert matrimonial effort? Now I’m really nervous.

Before the dance begins, I take the instructional class to learn basic steps like the Dosey-Do. Jeff assures me, “If you can walk, you can dance.” Well, I haven’t quite mastered walking yet, so that’s not very reassuring. Laura takes the class with me, smirking at my ineptitude.

Half an hour later, the regulars start filing in and a band from the Bay area called “Bog” sets up to play. In contra dancing, I’m told some couples move up the line while others move down. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, but Laura informs me that it is “fun.”

With about 20 dancers on the floor, there are more opportunities for collisions than during rush hour on the 405 highway. As the music starts, it’s amazing how everyone weaves in and out of their lanes with ease and precision. Well, almost everyone.

As I try to steer my way through the different arms, legs and feet, I keep bumping into my fellow dancers. In the beginning, everyone is genuinely nice as we collide. But as the evening progresses I can tell they are making great efforts to smile when I come their way.

Finally, I do get the hang of it, sorta. The dance moves quickly and I realize that it’s not so much a matter of skill, but rather stamina. Sweat pours down my face like weary prizefighter in the 11th round as I try to keep up with an 89-year-old woman who is not even out of breath.

I’m grateful for the halfway break when everyone gets to chow down on some tasty snacks, like chocolate brownies. If only they had brought an oxygen tank, the night would have been complete. I decide the halfway mark is my time to bail, but first I ask Laura how I did on the floor. “You looked like you were prancing,” she sighs, rolling her eyes.

Apparently we will not be getting married anytime soon.

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King of The Hill (Book)

Don’t Forget the Pepper Spray (book)

Co-Writer of this Trade Paperback

How I Got the Gig (book)

Co-Writer of this Trade Paperback

Pets Across America (book)

Co-Writer of this Trade Paperback

Armchair Reader: The Gigantic Reader (book)

Co-Writer of this Trade Paperback

Monthly Magazine – Westside Today, Los Angeles, CA

Press Releases

Product Copy – OnAbout Australia Wine Tasting Kit

Catalog – Pali Adventures Summer Camp

Copywriting 18 pages

Co-Creating Some New Camp Programs

Supervising Graphic Design

Catalog – Pali Institute Learning Center

Copywriting 18 pages

Research

Supervising Graphic Design

Medical Newsletters

Writing

Research

Interviewing Doctors and Patients

Flyers

Various Clients

Writing

Graphic Design

Media Alert

Warner Bros.

Writing

Graphic Design

Print Ad

Advertorial

Writing


Graphic Design

Press Kits

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Those services include: web copywriting, graphic art, e-newsletters, viral marketing, contests, press releases, SEO (search engine optimization), social media, wordpress instillation/customization, blogging, photography, uploading content and journalism.

Copywriting/SEO

Blogging

Writing Articles

Writing Articles

Writing Articles

Writing Reviews of Reviews

Writing Ad Copy for Flash Ads

Writing and SEO

Writing and SEO

Writing and Editing Articles

Editing Articles

Copywriting

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When: Saturday, April 12 from 8:00am.- 4:00pm.
Sunday, April 13 from 8:00am. – 4:00pm.

What: The Warner Bros. 2005 Screenwriting Conference and Seminar. This year’s two day event will feature Hollywood A-list writers, producers, development executives, and agents giving inside tips and valuable advice on breaking into film and TV screenwriting. Many of these industry pros will be available for one-on-one consultations.

Where: Warner Bros. Studios Burbank, California

Who: Some of the top Hollywood screenwriters, agents, and executives scheduled to appear include:

•Robert Kosberg, author of “How to Sell Your Story to Hollywood.”

•Stephen Gaghan, Academy Award-winning screenwriter “Traffic”

•Bruce Joel Rubin, Academy Award-winning screenwriter “Ghost”

•Mike Medavoy, President of Phoenix Pictures.

•Emil Gladstone, Agent, The Endeavor Agency

•Karen Barnes, Development Executive, Dreamworks

•Peter Guber, President, Mandalay Pictures

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2006 Davey Awards : Silver
Category: Print and Collateral – B2B Campaign
Client: OnAbout

OnAbout Wine Cards: Copia Creative (copywriting by Michael Allen of San Vicente Media) and OnAbout raise their glasses to toast their award-winning success. This time, the award goes to the Wine Assessment postcards, a series of teasers created to communicate OnAbout’s value to wine distributors and retailers. OnAbout is a wine tasting adventure that encourages the consumer to understand their wine preferences.

Wine Tips – Coaster Booklet

Wine Game Cards

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