Chinatown Dreams Book Tour 2003

Under the guidance of the dynamic and effervescent publicist Nan Hohenstein (who has come out of retirement to work on this project!), the Chinatown Dreams dream team has hit the road in 2003. Beginning with the book's debut to a crowd of over 400 on December 11 at the Holy Cross Parish Hall in Santa Cruz, audiences have been mesmerized by the co-authors as they criss-cross the land. Below are a few captured moments.

Watsonville Premier, February 16, 2003

On Sunday evening, February 16, 2003, the Chinatown Dreams Dream Team made a presentation to eighty of the Pajaro Valley's finest citizens. The intimate setting of the new Cabrillo College Watsonville Center was a perfect venue for the presentation and the amazing photographs of George Lee.

Co-author and editor Geoffrey Dunn shows his technical expertise as he sets up the projects and arranges the slides for the evening's performance.

Co-author Tony Hill, foreground, flashes displays his feeling of confidence prior to the performance. George Ow Jr., seated behind, awaits his call to the stage.

You can almost hear the buzz of excitement as the crowd of the Pajaro Valley's finest citizens files in for the presentation. Three of Watsonville's ex-mayors were in attendance, including Dennis Osmer (seen here in the lower left), Chuck Carter and Ann Soldo. Notice also that Pajaro Valley residents are like everyone else, filling the room from back to front.

Co-author George Ow Jr., relating his experiences growing up in Santa Cruz's Chinatown.

Co-author Mort Marcus reading his dramatic tribute to the Chinese immigrants titled "The Photographer Remembers."

Heidi Gottfried and Elias Alonzo did their usual professional job setting up the Capitola Book Company's wares for sale at Watsonville that evening. Heidi Gottfried is pictured here awaiting the flood of customers that descended upon her table following the performance. The exact number of books sold that evening is proprietary information closely held by the Capitola Book Company, however, it can be noted that many fewer books were loaded back into Heidi's car at the end of the evening.

Big-Time AM Radio - KGO February 20, 2003

Chinatown Dreams hit the airwaves when Nan Hohenstein was able to arrange a thirty-minute interview on the wildly popular Pete Wilson Show. Co-authors Sandy Lydon and Geoffrey Dunn kept the listening audience riveted as they responded to the informed questions and comments of Pete Wilson. It must be noted that Pete Wilson and his producer Sandra Firpo were gracious hosts, and Pete was exuberant in his praise of the book, calling it "remarkable" and "beautiful." At that very moment, co-author George Ow Jr. was driving south on Highway 101 over 200 miles distant from San Francisco, yet was able to hear the interview "loud and clear."

In the KGO green room prior to going on air at 3:30 PM, co-author Geoffrey Dunn can be seen in the left hand of this photograph gazing out the window and gathering his thoughts. Meanwhile, Nan Hohenstein gives some final instructions to co-author Sandy Lydon who is taking the photograph.

Co-author Geoffrey Dunn (left) and Talk Show Host Pete Wilson just prior to going on air at 3:30. Pete Wilson was extremely well prepared for the interview, having read the book prior to the session. It should be noted that Pete Wilson is even more handsome and smart than he appears on the KGO-TV evening news, and is truly a gracious and engaging man. Both Sandy and Jeff felt that the 30 minutes just "flew" by, and many of those who heard the broadcast agreed.

More Big Time San Francisco Radio
Wednesday February 26, 2003

George, Tony and Sandy did two radio hits on February 26, 2003, leaving Santa Cruz very early in the morning to make a 9:30 AM pre-interview meeting at KQED 88.5 FM.

KQED FM, Michael Krasny's Forum Show, February 26, 2003

George and Tony in the lobby of KQED. We arrived fashionably early.

Tony and George being prepped by Nan Hohenstein in the Green Room at KQED.

Tony Hill working the microphone on KQED. Tony did a wonderful job in outlining the new version of Homeland Security where cultures learn about each other rather than the government learn about us individually.

Sandy, Michael Krasny and Tony at KQED. Michael Krasny proved to be just as erudite and informed in person (surprise?) as he is on the air. He is celebrating his 15th year on KQED this year, and if the calls and responses that we've gotten in connection with this show are any measure, he has a huge following.

KALW FM, Sandip Roy's "Up Front" radio show,
taped February 26, 2003.

The studios for KALW are located on a high school campus in San Francisco. Apparently the studio suffered some vandalism, because this sign was posted in all the building's blacked-out windows. Nan was so intrigued by the sign that she copied it to make one for her own house. We found no evidence of razor blades on the insides of the windows once in the studio, nor has the studio had any vandalism since they were put up.

George and Tony reading the KALW program guide in the station's Green Room in preparation for the interview.

George with Sandip Roy in the studio of KALW. Mr. Roy is the Associate Editor for Pacific News Service and he was extremely well prepared for the interview. Sadly the interview lasted only 30 minutes.

Order Chinatown Dreams Here