Author Takes Personal Tack in AIDS Fight

Misinformation continues to surround the worldwide impact of AIDS. Who is at risk? Does the disease only happen to others? What exactly is HIV?

Dr. Cary Savitch of Ventura in his recently self-published book, “The Nutcracker Is Already Dancing,” warns that AIDS is presently the leading cause of death in Americans between the ages of 25 and 44, and that one in four new cases shows up in an adolescent.

Stories about people--their tragedies and triumphs--are used as lessons on how to combat and prevent this illness.

Savitch, who is assistant clinical professor at UCLA and an expert on infectious diseases, will answer questions and sign his book at 2 p.m. Saturday at Borders Books, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

Other events at this Borders: Shari Geller will kick off the new Mystery Writers Discussion Group and introduce her first novel “Fatal Convictions” at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Humorist-television producer and author of 17 books, Gene Perret, the man who writes for Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller, Carol Burnett, Bill Cosby and Tim Conway, among others, will present his new book, “Become a Richer Writer,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

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Tanya Stowe, author of “Time’s Embrace,” specializes in writing travel and romance. She will focus on “Plotting: Plain and Simple,” at the Gold Coast Fiction Writers at 6:30 tonight at Carrows Restaurant, 2401 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. The group meets monthly and welcomes guests. Call 985-2959.

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Wendy Dager will conduct a seminar on “Writing Greeting Cards” from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Learning Tree University, 72 Moody Court, Thousand Oaks. Call 497-2292.

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Meet two authors this weekend at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Diane K. Shah will sign “High-Heel Blue” at noon Saturday. And Michael Connelly is back with a new Harry Bosch adventure, “Trunk Music,” which he will sign at 1 p.m. Sunday.

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Yolanda Fintor and Carla Henry will visit three Barnes & Noble stores to present their “Souper Skinny Soups” cookbook. Meet them at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at 829 State St., Santa Barbara; at 4 p.m. Saturday, 4360 E. Main St., Ventura; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

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Richard O’Connor, author of “How to Market You and Your Book,” and Robert Sands, whose new book is “Gut Check: An Anthropologist’s Gonzo Look at Junior College Football” are among guest speakers scheduled at a meeting of Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network, Ventura chapter at 7 p.m. Sunday, Ventura TowneHouse, 4900 Telegraph Road, Ventura. Guest fee is $5. Call 643-2403.

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Victoria Locke will read her poetry at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Daily Grind, 607 E. Main St., Ventura. Open reading sign ups are at 7:30 p.m. Call 641-1679 for details.

In Santa Barbara

The artists and writers who create “The Simpsons” comic books and TV show will visit Metro Comics from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at 15 W. Anapamu St. For details on a free gift pack, call 963-2168.

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Local poet Claire Rabe will read from and sign her new collection, “Impressions,” at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Earthling Bookshop, 1137 State St.

Frances Halpern is co-host with Jon O’Brien of “Beyond Words” at 10 a.m. Sundays on KCLU 88.3 FM, Ventura County’s National Public Radio station.