The weather was slightly foggy, but aside from that it was a marvelous evening in Fresno on December 4. Susan and I, along with the publisher of A Cafe in Boca, Mifanwy Kaiser, arrived at just about sunset for a lovely dinner with our hosts for the evening, Chuck and Dianne Hanzlicek, along with the remarkable poet and dear friend of many years, Peter Everwine.

From the dinner, we went to the Fresno Art Museum, which was the location for my reading. After a terrific introduction from Pete, I stepped up to the microphone. An hour or so later, I was signing a few books for some of the folks who came out to the event, all of them charming and kind.

We drove back afterward, only to be greeted at the door by our Bichon Frise, Sonny, who did his best to show his excitement by giving us a perfect iambic pentameter bark. The work of a poet's dog is never done.

The University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth's Center for Portuguese Studies and Culture will be re-issuing my first book, The Marriage of the Portuguese in an expanded edition, sometime in late 2010. In addition to the original manuscript, it will include a rather large offering of related work done since that time. Stay tuned.

Fresno is where it all started for me. Back in the late 60s and early 70s, I was lucky enough to have encountered the likes of Philip Levine, Peter Everwine, and C. G. Hanzlicek as teachers and friends; also, many other lifelong friends--all writers, too--a list too long to go into here.

On Thursday night, December 4, I will be giving a reading in this terrific city in the San Joaquin Valley, reading from my latest book, A Cafe in Boca, as well as many newer poems. The reading is sponsored by the Fresno Poets Association and will take place at the Fresno Art Museum at 7:30 P.M. Come join us if you are in the area. Chuck Hanzlicek has said that this will be his last year of running the FPA readings, so I am especially honored to be a part of things this year.

To Make the Master Laugh

--for George Carlin

What's wrong with this pic?
A glass raised in his honor,
Pointing to the sky.

--Copyright © 2008 by Sam Pereira

A lovely day in Monterey...they are all pretty much lovely here; no thoughts of anything except visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium and having a terrific lunch there with my magnificent Susan. We discussed what it might feel like being writers amidst this landscape; waking up each day to the Pacific calling our names. I relish such thoughts, as does Susan. She took this picture...a rare shot of Sam smiling at the world, which happens every time I'm around big water.

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2008

It was 92 degrees in Los Angeles last weekend, but Pereira read anyway! A slight breeze and a lovely crowd sitting in the shade on the UCLA campus made everything seem quite cool.

The time is now locked in place. I will be reading at 2:45 p.m. on the Poetry Stage Sunday afternoon, April 27. On stage, prior to me, Carol Muske-Dukes; Chris Abani follows my reading. Check out the entire program here! Hope to see some of you out there!

Next stop: City of Angels. I have been asked to be a participant in the fabulous Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, taking place this year at the end of April on the UCLA Campus. Many marvelous writers over a sunny weekend, presenting their thoughts and ideas, as well as, hopefully, selling their books! More info in the near future. If you are in the area, check it out.

It was a beautiful afternoon at California State University, Stanislaus yesterday. The reading in the library lounge was terrific...many students and faculty on hand; all seeming to care very much about poetry. Thanks again to Dr. Anthony Perrello and all who helped bring me to town. Now, Susan and I are looking forward to readings in the Los Angeles area sometime very soon. Stay tuned!

There's a new poetry anthology out, containing every possible way known to Man of speaking about the great Sinatra! It's edited by Gilbert Gigliotti, Professor and Chair in the Department of English at Central Connecticut State University. My poem "Swagger with Microphone, 1963" is included in the grouping. Here's more on this very entertaining and enlightening book:

Sinatra...but buddy, I'm a kind of poem

The evening had been long anticipated. The Fresno Art Museum crowd of nearly 200, with many having been turned away at the door, seemed ready to hear poetry from several of Philip Levine's former students, friends, and colleagues. This was a celebration of Phil's 80th birthday. Each of us read a poem of Phil's, followed by one of our own. My wife, the lovely SusanRG, took this unposed shot of the group--missing the man of the hour, alas--just after the reading had ended.

top row: Blas Manuel de Luna, Jon Veinberg, Dixie Salazar, Lawson Inada, Dewayne Rail, unknown photographer, Sam Pereira, David St. John, Glover Davis
front row: C. G. Hanzlicek, Sandra Hoben, B. H. Boston, Peter Everwine, Connie Hales, Suzanne Lummis, Jean Janzen

Poem just out in the new Salt River Review. Animals matter! This one is for Sonny *

I am honored to be among the 16 presenters at Philip Levine's 80th Birthday bash (West Coast version), taking place in the Bonner Auditorium of the Fresno Art Museum on February 7th at 7:30 p.m. Here's the web site:

Fresno Poets' Association

The first reading in what will, hopefully, be many in and around the country to promote A Cafe in Boca, is set for February 27th in the library at California State University, Stanislaus. I'm delighted to be able to share my work with students, faculty, and other interested people from the area on that afternoon. For more information, here is the web site:

Valley Voices