Hollywood HS, Classes of 1961

Claudia Heller (Coco Garrett, Class of 1961) and Alan Heller (Class of 1962) announce the launching of their book entitled "Life on Route 66", personal accounts along the Mother Road to California, published by HistoryPress.

In 2010, the Hellers, at age 66, quit their professional jobs, bought an 18-foot trailer, and took off for Chicago. The book chronicles their travels and encapsulates a 15-month weekly series, written by Claudia for the San Gabriel Valley News Group.

It features stories from readers keen on sharing their memories of traveling America’s Highway during its heyday. Claudia, a journalist, wrote the text, while Alan graced the book with his professional photography.

The book sells for $19.99 and may be purchased through Amazon, bookstores, from the publisher at HistoryPress.net, and is available on Kindle.

To obtain a signed copy, mail a check for $23.00 payable to Claudia Heller, P.O. Box 1251, Duarte, CA 91009.

For details, see their blog.

Steve Hershorn worked in Hollywood in many roles, and one role, that of using his hands, earned him The Hands of Hollywood title.

See his story in a video, The Hands of Hollywood, The true story of the meteoric rise and fall of Steve Hershon, Hollywood’s go to hand insert model, by Ryan Palmieri, released in April of 2012.

The video has won the Best Short Film at the Los Angeles International Underground Film Festival, and Mr. Palmieri will be receiving his award at a screening on Saturday, June 23rd, 2012.
NewFilmmakersLA has an interview with the filmmaker, Ryan Palmieri.

Click on photo to see it full-sized

The house was built in 1884. I purchased it in 1969 from the daughter of the original owner for $40,000. I owned it until 1974.

It is now owned by The Bridge Restoration Ministry, which ministers to men who have a substance abuse problem and/or living skills problems.

For more information on the Bridge Restoration Ministry, including some more photos, please check out the following Monterey Herald Article

The Bridge Restoration Ministry

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Here you will find news about Spring 1961 Graduates, who called themselves Surfers:

Surfing is a surface water sport in which the participant, referred to as a "surfer", rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave, which is carrying the surfer towards the shore.

Waves suitable for surfing are found primarily in the ocean, but are also sometimes found in lakes and rivers, and also in manmade wave pools.

Josh Loya Going Big by Frank Quirate
Click on photo to see it full-sized

Many variations of the sport may exist in certain areas and the definitions of what constitutes a suitable wave, and craft has expanded over the years. Bodysurfing involves riding the wave without a board, and is considered by some to be the purest form of surfing.

Other variations that have existed for centuries include paipo boarding, stand up paddle surfing, and the use of boats or canoes to ride waves. More modern craft that are used include bodyboards, inflatable mats (surfmatting), and foils.