Steampunk zombie western novel Kickstarter launched
WATSONVILLE — Watsonville High School alumnus Jonathan Fesmire has launched the Kickstarter for his upcoming novel, “Bodacious Creed and the Frisco Syndicate.”
This is the sequel to his novel, “Bodacious Creed: A Steampunk Zombie Western,” which also started as a Kickstarter in 2013, and reached its funding goal that August.
Fesmire uses Kickstarter for these books to cover the costs of professional editing, cover art, and his Audible narrator’s initial fee. The Kickstarter platform also allows him to get community input on the project, which he finds fun, having come from a background in improv, and to provide some unique rewards for backers.
The first “Bodacious Creed” novel takes place in an alternate version of Santa Cruz in 1876, and tells the tale of how U.S. Marshal James Creed was murdered by an outlaw, then resurrected by a brothel madam, and secret inventor, using steam-era technology. “Bodacious Creed and the Frisco Syndicate” will take him from Santa Cruz to San Francisco after a dangerous crime boss.
The Kickstarter, which can be found at bit.ly/bodaciouscreed2, is already 23 percent funded after launching on April 9. It runs through May 15.
The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History has a limited edition hardcover copy of “Bodacious Creed: A Steampunk Zombie Western” in its collection. The novel is available on Amazon, in Kindle and trade paperback formats.
For information, email jo**************@gm***.com.
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Weekly Buddhist study classes to begin
WATSONVILLE — Watsonville Buddhist Temple will be sponsoring a seven-week series of Buddhist study classes entitled “Shinran: His Life & His Teachings.”
Weekly classes will be held on Wednesdays, starting May 2 through June 13, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Watsonville Buddhist Temple, 423 Bridge St.
Classes will be taught by Rev. Jay Shinseki, resident minister serving Watsonville and Monterey Buddhist Temples. Shinseki is a graduate of CSU Monterey Bay, Institute of Buddhist Studies in Berkeley and Central College of Buddhism in Kyoto, Japan.
Registration cost is $50 (temple members will receive a discount).
Registration forms and more information can be found by emailing bu******@wb******.org or visiting the temple’s website at www.wbtemple.org. Class size is limited.
For information, call the temple office at 724-7860.
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LGBTQ+ documentary to be screened
WATSONVILLE — Marco Castro-Bojorquez’s award-winning documentary “El Canto Del Colibrí” will be screened for free on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Alianza Charter School’s cafeteria, 115 Casserly Road in Watsonville.
Alianza Charter School Social Justice Committee & The Diversity Center’s Conexiones Program are presenting the screening.
The documentary features Latino immigrant fathers discussing acceptance of their LGBTQ+ Latinx children. The documentary has been played at more than 30 international film festivals, including screenings in Ecuador, Mexico, Spain and throughout the United States.
The director, Marco Castro-Bojorquez, a longtime activist, community educator, and honoree of the White House’s Champions of Change Program, will be present to discuss family acceptance, immigration and his journey in creating this documentary.
Light refreshments will be sold to raise money for an eighth grade trip.
For information, contact Iris Barrera of the Diversity Center at co********@di*************.org.
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Tickets still available for Woman’s Club mystery dinner
CORRALITOS — Tickets are now on sale for the Corralitos Woman’s Club production of “Murder at the Earl of Grey’s Hound Manor,” a campy whodunit set in modern-day England.
The dog-themed murder mystery dinner will be held at the Corralitos Grange Hall, 165 Little Corral Way, on Saturday, April 28 at 4 p.m.
The event includes a dinner of barbecued pork loin, au gratin potatoes, salad, roll and dessert.
Costumes are encouraged (e.g., English Manor or dog-related). The club is also requesting donations of dog toys for local shelters.
Tickets are $30 and benefit CWC programs.
For ticket information, contact Patricia Oliva-Hagerty at 722-6492.
