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Brie and I are so close that we have our own language. |
Music and Storytelling
I guess I was one of those kids who loved an audience, which first consisted of one person: my beloved Gramps who lived with my father, mother, and me in Brooklyn. I put on little shows for him, which he watched with pride and enthusiasm. I have no doubt that the love and attention Gramps showered upon me gave me the confidence to learn to play the guitar and begin writing my own songs. It amazes me that I ended up performing in Greenwich Village, hoping to become the next Bob Dylan! Okay, so that didn't happen, but years later, after moving to California, I somehow ended up with my own radio talk show in Monterey's iconic Cannery Row of John Steinbeck fame! My guests on the show came from all different walks of life, and every week I told one of my own stories. I also wrote the theme song for the show; and let me tell you, things like that just did not happen in New York. But I was in California now, and as my wife has always said, "California is the Golden State." In Carmel I entered the hospitality business, working as a waiter at il Fornaio Restaurant, one of the top Italian eateries on the peninsula. This gave me the opportunity to treat the patrons I served to an entertaining performance along with their meal. It was here that I learned the "finesse" of storytelling, all the while meeting wonderful people, who later became friends. Over the years Pat and I have enjoyed our friendships with some of the 'movers and shakers' of Carmel, and we've often been invited to their lavish parties. All well and good, but somehow I've always ended up entertaining the guests with my stories . . . causing me to wonder if I was invited with that in mind! However, these lovely evenings gave me the experience to expand my storytelling events at library and bookstore to include entertaining at fundraisers and private parties. 
The photo above was snapped during one of my storytelling events at the Cypress Inn, the legendary landmark hotel in Carmel village owned by the late Doris Day and her partner, Dennis LeVett. It was Doris's pride and joy, and of course remains to this day, pet-friendly.
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Brie and me, and my always positive wife, Pat. September 14, 2022. Carmel Foundation.
Brie loves her life in Carmel, which is known as the "Pet Friendliest town" in America. And Brie, who accompanies me to all of my storytelling events, will never, ever turn down a belly rub!
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