Greg, aka Fast Eddie, a Total Control Instructor, shares his vision to inspire motorcycle riders to wear full gear, take courses, and practice in order to reduce crashes on public roads.

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IN THE WORDS OF GREGORY WIDMAR
My vision is to inspire riders to wear full gear, take courses, and practice in order to reduce crashes on public roads. I'm accomplishing this vision by sharing the insights I've acquired as a Total Control Instructor, attending 22 motorcycle courses, and riding over 200,000 miles since 2013. 

I spent 11 years in the Marines before becoming a Total Control Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Riding Clinic Instructor. I have a BA in Psychology, MA in Human Behavior, and a MS in Forensic Science. I’ve created over 200 motorcycle videos available on YouTube where you can find information on cornering, managing your fear, advice for new riders, low-speed control, and much more!

GREGORY'S BIO

After 11 years in the Marines with 2 deployments in Iraq and becoming an instructor of drill instructors, Greg left the military to chart a new course in his life. What followed was the pursuit of his enjoyment of motorcycle riding, combined with his passion for teaching.

He became an MSF RiderCoach & a Total Control Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Riding Clinic Instructor, and personally attended 22 different motorcycle courses. While teaching, one of the questions he heard the most from students was "what should I practice in-between courses?"

With that, Greg conceived the MotoJitsu system, inspired by martial arts, and designed to help street riders become more proficient and confident in their daily riding. After suffering his own serious accident early in his riding career, Greg is a passionate advocate for riders to wear full gear, take advanced courses, and to practice skills that could help save their lives on public roads.

Practicing what he preaches, Greg meets with fellow riders in quiet parking lots, twisty mountain roads, and local tracks helping others master their skills.

Greg has created hundreds of educational motorcycle videos available on his YouTube channel, which has over 184,000 subscribers.

Find videos and more at motojitsu.com.

https://www.motojitsu.com/

World-renowned picture-book maker of many beloved children’s books, Oliver Jeffers, talks about his NEW book, WHAT WE’LL BUILD

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WHAT WE’LL BUILD is the exquisite new title from Oliver Jeffers, world-renowned picture-book maker of many beloved children’s books including Here We Are and Lost and Found, and illustrator of the #1 bestsellers The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home. Written and illustrated by Oliver for his young daughter, WHAT WE’LL BUILD is an enchanting story of a father and a daughter who set about laying the foundations for their life together, building memories to cherish, a home to keep them safe and love to keep them warm. WHAT WE’LL BUILD is set to be another publishing masterpiece that not only showcases Oliver’s inimitable style and spectacular illustrations but also his hopes and ambitions for his own family that will, no doubt, resonate with parents everywhere.

What shall we build, you and I?
We’ll build a watch to keep our time.
I’ll build your future
and you’ll build mine.


This rare and enduring story is about a parent’s boundless love, life’s endless opportunities and challenges, and the tools needed to build a together future. The book is the perfect companion to Oliver’s million-copy bestseller, Here We Are, which published in 2017 and was inspired by the birth of his son.

Oliver said “When my son was born, Here We Are was written for him as I tried to make sense of the world for both of us. Not long after our daughter was born, I realized I’d never hear the end of it if she didn’t get a book too, so it’s a good thing I was experiencing a not-dissimilar internal dialogue of transition with new parenthood. For one thing, contemplating the importance of raising a daughter in what will hopefully soon no longer be a man’s world, but more than that, this poem contemplates what home is, the importance of family, but also the strength of the invisible bonds of any loving relationship through thick and thin. It is all about the pure potential of what will come, both good and bad, and how, ultimately, people need each other. Even if that is just for someone to listen to all your plans.”



ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Oliver Jeffers makes art and tells stories. From his highly acclaimed debut, How to Catch a Star he has gone on to create a collection of bestselling picture books that have been translated into many languages all over the world, winning multiple awards including the Nestlé Children's Book Prize Gold Award, Blue Peter Book of the Year, and CBI Book of the Year, and he has been shortlisted for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal five times. Lost and Found was made into a BAFTA-winning animated film. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Oliver now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and young children.

Coming up soon on KUCI 88.9fm! Katherine May, author of Wintering

“Wintering is every bit as beautiful and healing as the season itself. Katherine May thoughtfully examines the emotional, spiritual, and geographical reality of the cold times, the dark days, and those periods of our lives when things are neither soft nor easy.

This is truly a beautiful book.”

—#1 New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert



An intimate, revelatory book exploring the ways we can care for and repair ourselves when life knocks us down.

Katherine May is a gorgeous prose writer with several books out in the UK, and an astute observer of the natural world. In WINTERING, May addresses those times of life when unforeseen circumstances derail you (think: an abrupt illness, the death of a loved one, a job loss, or a global pandemic NBD). She calls these periods of dislocation wintering. What if, May asks herself, instead of feeling so much shame around “failing” during these times, instead of hustling so hard to keep up appearances, we gave ourselves permission to fall through the cracks and rest? Imagine it: a deep, full season of rest and retreat.

Drawing lessons from literature, mythology, and the natural world, Katherine weaves the story of her own personal wintering with extraordinary science, cultural history, philosophy, and fable. You’ll meet hibernating dormice, learn about human sleep patterns before electric light existed, and encounter pagan rituals to mark time that still get practiced today.


Unclassifiable, original, and full of unexpected pleasures at every turn, WINTERING could not be coming at a more perfect moment. It is a luminous, vulnerable, and dryly funny look at a season of life that, right now, we all have in common. May models an active acceptance of sadness and finds nourishment in deep retreat, joy in the hushed beauty of winter, and encouragement in understanding life as cyclical, not linear.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katherine May is a writer of both fiction and nonfiction. Her journalism and essays have appeared in a range of publications including The Times (London), Good Housekeeping, and Cosmopolitan. She lives by the sea in Whitstable, England and is an avid lover of the outdoors.

Coming up on KUCI 88.9fm! Janeane speaks with award winning writer-director Sean Michael Beyer

Award winning writer-director Sean Michael Beyer knew there was always a national “something” to celebrate, whether it be Tacos, Postal Workers, or Step Children, he created a podcast to celebrate, and occasionally educate, in his own style of sardonic humor. National Day Riff combines each of the day’s celebrations into a single humorous presentation, delivered as a slick podcast with music, sound design, voice characterizations and an opinionated host with a mind of his own.

Each dose (episode) averages 7:00 minutes in length, with some as short as :90 seconds and the more epic doses as long as 17:00 minutes. Each begins with the Host introducing the day’s celebrations, then it takes off in a variety of different directions: Character Interaction, First-Person Narrative, Laundry List, The Rants, The Voice of Reason (keeping Sean and the various characters in check), or an assorted Potpourri of two or more. Above all, it’s in the best of fun!

In addition to their podcast doses, they also offer video “microdoses” via their YouTube channel and social media. These microdoses are less than a minute and offer a quick fix of laughter on a more frequent basis. According to creator and host Beyer, National Day Riff began as text messages to his friends to start their day with a laugh, evolving into over 350 (and counting) written “riffs” which are being morphed into podcast doses as you read this. With “Celebrations every day of the year, as well as National Weeks, National Months and International Celebrations with new ones frequently added, there is no shortage of material. Most of us have heard of Talk Like a Pirate Day; but how about Lima Bean Respect, Lost Sock Memorial, and one of our personal favorites, Sneak some Zucchini into your Neighbor’s Porch Day?!”

Beyer studied voiceover under Charlie Schlatter (voice for numerous Disney and Nickelodeon animated series) and was mentored by Michael David McGuire (the voice of McDonalds for many years). He’s also lent his vocal talents to Hyundai, Mountain Dew, and Kodak commercials as well as a wide variety of regional & local spots, political campaigns and industrial projects. A compact, humorous look at the plethora of celebrations throughout the year; think “Adam Ruins Everything” meets a Saturday Night Live Sketch — for your ears.

His past film work as writer/director includes the award-winning Down the P.C.H. starring Guillermo Diaz (Scandal, Weeds, Half Baked), Elaine Hendrix (The Parent Trap, Joan of Arcadia) and Lin Shaye (Insidious, There’s Something About Mary), Resurrection Mary starring Golden Globe-winner Sally Kirkland and character actor Richard Riehle (Office Space, Casino), the dance-centric rom-com Another Tango currently in release for Hallmark, and the award-winning Randy’s Canvas, a touching romantic drama about an aspiring young artist with autism who falls in love for the first time; winning Best Film at the 2018 AutFest International Film Festival. Beyer was also honored with Best Director at the 2018 Glendale International Films Festival and was recognized by the CA State Legislature and Senate for his contribution to the arts.

Along with Beyer, other members of the creative team include Adam Carbone, Nick Pasqual, and Angela Hicks. All three have have worked together on numerous projects, including the coming-of-age dramedy Randy’s Canvas, with Carbone playing the title role and producing; winning Best Actor at the 2018 AutFest International Film Festival. Pasqual’s TV guest appearances include CBS’s How I Met Your Mother, One Dollar, and NBC’s GONE. Pasqual also played the “villain” hotshot real estate broker in Beyer’s Another Tango. Hicks has been doing professional voice over for nearly a decade and has also made episodic TV appearances including Disney’s Jonas. NATIONAL DAY RIFF is available on Apple Podcasts, GooglePodcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, SoundCloud, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and Pandora. T


The RSS feed is delivered by SoundCloud. YouTube Video Trailer: https://youtu.be/0-P_MdC0nVE A sampling of their more than 40 doses (episodes) and 24 video micro-doses, with more on the way: Everything Golf including a caddy named Mulligan The first 4th of July celebration back in 1777 and fornication in the barn A Father’s Day BBQ and drunken threelegged race An historical debate like no other.

To interview Sean Beyer or more information, please contact Deborah Gilels at gilelsdeborah@gmail.com


Trailer:
Here’s the video version:

What the Hell is National Day Riff and Why Do We Care?

Coming up on KUCI 88.9fm! LA Based writer BJ (Beverly) Graf’s debut novel GENESYS X

Los Angeles, CA

LA Based writer BJ (Beverly) Graf’s debut novel GENESYS X is available now at www.fairwoodpress.com, www.amazon.com, www.b&n.com, and any independent bookseller near you.

Part noir science fiction and part twisted new take on Greek myth, GENESYS X is a page-turning police procedural featuring Eddie Piedmont, the youngest Homicide Special detective in LAPD history. L.A. is under siege from a gang war which has flooded the streets with a powerful drug called green ice. And there’s a new plague; Alzheimer’s has spawned a virulent new strain, Alz-X that attacks children. No one knows why.

When Eddie takes on a case of fatal overdose, he is drawn into the nefarious world of cutting-edge reproductive technology, only to discover terrible secrets at the heart of his identity and family history that will pull him much closer to the murderer than he could ever have imagined.

Some early reviews have come in and agree that the novel is a winner!

“Clever, twisty, and entertaining. A remarkable debut.”

Matt Coyle, Author of the RICK CAHILL SERIES

"From the opening page, readers will love Eddie Piedmont and Shin Miyaguchi, ace homicide investigators in a vision of future Los Angeles we've never seen before. Miraculous technological advances run parallel with the cracks threatening to crumble society, and every move Piedmont and Shin make hammers those fractures a little more. GENESYS X is brilliant, thrilling, and filled with twists that will leave fans gasping. B.J. Graf has made a spectacular debut."

Glen Erik Hamilton, Author of THE VAN SHAW SERIES

“Action-packed, futuristic and unpredictable. Crime fiction has a new voice.”

John McMahon, Author of the P.T. MARSH SERIES

“A noir-thriller with a hefty dash of future technology. Witty and well-written. Looking forward to more from B.J. Graf!”

Louisa Morgan, Author of THE SECRET HISTORY OF WITCHES

B.J. Graf (aka Beverly Graf) lives in Los Angeles with her family and a menagerie of four-footers. Her near-future-mystery-novel, GENESYS X, featuring Detectives Piedmont & Miyaguchi, will be published 11/10/2020 by Fairwood Press and is available for pre-orders now at www.fairwoodpress.com, www.amazon.com, www.b&n.com, and an independent bookseller near you. She also has 4 short stories already published including Deus ex Machina, which follows in the wake of Sandman, Blood Shadows and Shikata Ga Nai. In her alternate identity Dr. Graf is an Adjunct Professor who teaches Film Studies and Classical Mythology at Pepperdine, UCLA, and CSUN. Previously, she worked as V.P. of Development for Abilene Pictures where they produced several features and television projects including Primal Fear, Frequency, Fallen, Fracture and NYPD 2069.

To learn more about the author check out her website: www.beverlyjgraf.com

To interview BJ Graf please contact Deborah Gilels, LA Media Consultants, at Deborah@lamediaconsultants.net

Multi-Emmy-nominated TV host, author, speaker, and social entrepreneur (Discovery, BBC, CNN, Travel Channel) pours his passion for wildlife and exploration into his latest release for young readers, The Endangereds

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PHILIPPE COUSTEAU speaks with host Janeane Bernstein about his new book, 

The Endangereds

On Sale September 29, HarperCollins; Illustrated Edition, Hardcover

Age Range: 8 - 12 years | Grade Level: 3 - 7

Multi-Emmy-nominated TV host, author, speaker, and social entrepreneur Philippe Cousteau (Discovery, BBC, CNN, Travel Channel) pours his passion for wildlife and exploration into his latest release for young readers, The Endangereds. The first book in a science-backed, high-action series, this adventure of a spunky group of endangered animals has an important environmental message for young audiences. Through twists and turns, underground caverns, sneaking through private buildings, and a villainous kidnapping, four daredevils will stop at nothing to save the animal kingdom that they love.


"Exaggerated character traits and a complex plot contribute to the appealing concept of hyperintelligent animals engaging in heist like rescues. Heaps of information about geography, climate change, humanity’s impact on animals, and species reintroduction is shared, appealing to readers who are interested in these subjects."
– Kirkus Reviews

ABOUT

It’s time for animals to take fate into their own paws! The Endangereds is the first book in a thrilling new adventure series by world-renowned environmentalist and Emmy-nominated host of Xploration Awesome Planet Philippe Cousteau and award-winning TURBO Racers author Austin Aslan.

Innocent animals are in trouble: temperatures are climbing, tides are rising, and nature is suffering. Someone needs to step in to rescue animals from extinction. Someone needs to turn this mess around, before it’s too late.

And that someone is . . . the Endangereds, the unlikeliest heroes you’ll ever meet—a superstrong polar bear, a pangolin with a genius for engineering, an extremely sarcastic narwhal, and an orangutan with a big dream.

Together, these four daredevils are determined to save endangered species across the globe, no matter what the risk. Rappelling into an underground cavern to save the day? No problem. Looping video footage to sneak through buildings unnoticed? Got it covered. Opening a doorknob? Okay, pretty hard without thumbs. But don’t worry. No matter what it takes, the Endangereds will get the job done.

But when two of their friends get kidnapped by a villain with a dastardly agenda, the team finds themselves up to their snouts in trouble. Can the Endangereds save the day? Or will this villain put humans and animals alike on the extinction list?

The A-Team meets the animal kingdom in the first book in the thrilling new adventure series from the host of Xploration Awesome Planet Philippe Cousteau and award-winning author Austin Aslan.

A Few Sample Talking Points:

Your latest novel focuses on endangered animals. How has your work as a television host for Discovery, BBC, CNN, and Travel Channel inspired the characters and themes?

How do you feel that the novel best teaches young audiences about such an important theme about the Earth and conservation? 

What is the greatest takeaway that you’d like your readers to have after finishing The Endangereds?

In addition to being an author, you founded EarthEcho International in 2004. Please tell us more about this organization and it inspires future generations? 

This Fall, you are partnering with EarthEcho International, Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants and the World Wildlife Fund to host a series of free virtual events for middle school educators, caregivers and students – can you tell us more about these?

How do you continue the legacy of your late grandfather of Jacques Cousteau in your day-to-day life?

What are some of the most fascinating things that you’ve learned as the host and executive producer of Awesome Planet?


THE ENDANGEREDS

By Philippe Cousteau, Austin Aslan

Illustrated by James Madsen

Also available via audiobook

HARPER, an imprint of Harpercollins

Age Range: 8 - 12 years

Grade Level: 3 - 7

ISBN-13: 978-0-062894182

352 Pages


More About Philippe:

Inspired by the legacy of his grandfather Jacques Cousteau, Philippe Cousteau is a multi-Emmy-nominated TV host, author, speaker, and social entrepreneur. He has hosted numerous TV programs for Discovery, BBC, CNN, Travel Channel and more. Currently he is the host of the syndicated television show Xploration Awesome Planet and producer/narrator of a new Virtual Reality experience Drop in the Ocean. Philippe is the author of several award-winning books and is a sought-after speaker having keynoted events for the United Nations, Harvard University, and more. In 2004 he founded EarthEcho International; the leading environmental education organization dedicated to inspiring youth to take action for a sustainable planet. Philippe and his wife, fellow explorer and TV host Ashlan Gorse-Cousteau reside in Los Angeles.

Jeff Foster, AP Government teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, shares details on his new book, For Which We Stand

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Jeff Foster, AP Government teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for 20 years, brings a non-partisan guide to the basics in an honest, inspiring, respectful way. It could not be more timely! 

"Mr. Foster is an incredible teacher, one who helped me, and all his students, by teaching us to understand how the government actually works, how we could work it, and how we could become active citizens who stand up for what we care about."—Emma González, a former student and gun control advocate.

How Our Government Works and Why It Matters

By Jeff Foster

The AP Government teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for 20 years, Jeff Foster is a true expert on the subject, and responsible for teaching teen activists like Cameron Kasky, David Hogg, Delaney Tarr, and Emma González. Now, just in time for the 2020 presidential election, Foster puts his knowledge to the page to educate a much broader swath of readers and to inspire a new generation of activists. 

A highly designed, nonpartisan guide to the United States government, FOR WHICH WE STAND: How Our Government Works and Why It Matters (On sale September 1, 2020; Scholastic Inc.) presents information in a format that’s high interest and easy to digest, helping to fill a hole in the institutional market. Featuring infographics, maps, extensive back matter on how young people can get involved, and a foreward from youth activist Yolanda Renee King, the granddaughter of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. FOR WHICH WE STAND provides kids with the knowledge, skillset, and steps to rise up and right the wrongs in their world.

Now more than ever, it's so important for everyone to understand our government: where it came from, how it works, and how we can bring about change. And, after all, in the words of author and government teacher Jeff Foster, "If you don't participate, you can't complain."



FOR WHICH WE STAND is a comprehensive and highly accessible guide that answers questions like: 

What are the branches of the government? 

What is the Electoral College? 

What are the political parties? 

What are the different responsibilities of the city, state, and federal governments? Plus, discover the complete backstory on some of our government's most important moments, like why we wrote the Declaration of Independence, and how people since then have worked with—and protested against—the government to improve the lives of all Americans.

JEFF FOSTER is an Advanced Placement Government and Politics teacher at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. After the tragedy that occurred at his school in February 2018, many students credited “Mr. Foster” with giving them the tools that inspired the Never Again movement and spawned the March for Our Lives. Jeff continues to motivate and inspire his students to become active participants in government. He believes that one person can make a difference, no matter their age. He lives in Boynton Beach, Florida with his wife Loren and two daughters.

FOR WHICH WE STAND by Jeff Foster