moonminder's TravelStream™ — Recent TravelPod.com entries TravelStream™ news feed for member moonminder on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/moonminder en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:50:44 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com Washington D. C. - SABR Convention — Washington DC, District of Columbia, United States http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1249004989/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1249004989/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1249004989/tpod.html Sat, 01 Aug 2009 21:50:44 -0400 Monica Nucciarone's Book Tour
Washington DC, District of Columbia, United States

The Society for American Baseball Research has its annual convention in D.C. this year. What a town! I've already visited the Capitol, the Library of Congress, and the Museum of American History! I was anxious to see the Capitol up close, since the last time I saw it I was only ten years old. Of course, getting in the place has changed a lot since then. The main thing that I wanted to see was the King Kamehameha statue. One is in Honolulu, which I've seen, but not as close up as this one in D.C.

The Library of Congress (Jefferson Bldg.) has beautiful mosaic ceilings. And the highlight at the Museum of History was seeing the original "Star Spangled Banner" (recently restored), which inspired our national anthem. I vaguely remember seeing it displayed when I was ten years old. Afterward I joined a few ladies from the Women in Baseball committee for dinner. Dorothy Seymour Mills is seated to my right in the photo. She wrote a blurb for the back of my book.

The presentations that I attended were well done for the most part, but my favorite one was a panel of former Negro League Players. There was even a woman among them! During the Awards Luncheon I was the announcer for three award recipients, because I was the only convention attendee from a committee I was on this past year for the Sporting News-SABR award.

On the day of my oral presentation there was a full house that attended...possibly 200 people or more. Afterward there were several people who either came up to me with questions, or complimented my presentation. Also, there were a number of people who told me that they've already read my book and that they "loved it." My book signing in the vendor room followed my presentation, and more books were sold than my editor expected! My acquisitions editor, Rob Taylor, was hopping around being very busy selling books while I signed them.

It's always great to see the friends that I've made through SABR, and make new ones too! My next possible trip (though not definite yet) is visiting the San Francisco chapter of SABR in October. I have tentative plans to visit Honolulu again in January to possibly speak at the Bishop Museum, and possibly another visit to Independence, Missouri, next April.

Upon my return from the convention, I learned that my oral presentation earned an Honorable Mention! In fact, there were three Honorable Mentions recognized, and all three were from women!!! Also, the winner of the poster presentation was a female (a high school girl)!!!!
]]> Independence, Missouri - Queen City of the Trails — Independence, Missouri, United States http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1247632740/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1247632740/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1247632740/tpod.html Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:24:59 -0400 Monica Nucciarone's Book Tour
Independence, Missouri, United States

This was actually a two-city stop. The first stop was flying to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to pick up my friend Cynthia. She and I met nearly ten years ago, and were roommates at one time when I owned my duplex. She also did part-time advising at Pierce College where I work until she moved to be closer to family members in California six years ago. She ended up meeting someone, got married, and then moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. I've seen her a couple of times since then, but this time was especially fun!

I rented a car in Tulsa and we took a road trip to Independence, Missouri, where I had a presentation and book-signing scheduled at the National Frontier Trails Museum. One man drove all the way from Topeka, Kansas! I researched at the museum five years ago for my book and promised to return for a book signing if I ever got it published. It was great to see the folks that I met there long ago, and who I saw everyday for an entire week while doing research on the California Gold Rush.

Cynthia and I had fun catching up, and with Cynthia's quick wit and great sense of humor, I found myself laughing pretty much the entire trip. We loved roaming around Courthouse Square in Independence where we had a soda at Clinton's Soda Shop. It's where former president Harry Truman was first employed. The Courthouse may look fairly new, but it actually is built over the original one from the 1800s. On the square around the courthouse are lots of cool shops and restaurants. We also went to an antique and craft fair that took place across the street from the museum on the day of my presentation.

I didn't realize it, but Cynthia and her husband Jim live just a few blocks from Route 66! So, after we returned to Oklahoma, we ate dinner one night at a diner that must have been straight out of the 1950s! I loved it!!!

Next stop is Washington D.C. for the Society for American Baseball Research convention, where I will make a presentation and have a book-signing there as well.

]]> Minneapolis - Short, but Sweet — Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1246942245/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1246942245/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1246942245/tpod.html Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:09:41 -0400 Monica Nucciarone's Book Tour
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

My visit to Minneapolis, Minnesota, was only for one day, but it was a great final stop on my way home last week.

While in Minnesota, I did a reading from my book at Magers & Quinn Bookstore, where another author also spoke. Beforehand, I had dinner with two friends involved with SABR. They gave me a quick tour of downtown and uptown Minneapolis. See photos.

I will be leaving again this week for Independence, Missouri, where I will be speaking and signing books at the National Frontier Trails Museum. That particular day at the museum is expected to be a great turn-out, and a fun day.

]]> Sister's House and Book-signings — Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1245634595/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1245634595/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1245634595/tpod.html Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:47:13 -0400 Monica Nucciarone's Book Tour
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, my sister and I had lunch with another Nebraska Press author, Lawrence A Baldassaro. He's a professor at a Milwaukee university, and his book focuses on Italian Americans in baseball, and the history of Italians in the U.S. I learned from him something that I had never heard before---that thousands of Italian Americans were arrested and hundreds were interned in military camps during WWII, especially those that lived on the west coast. I also learned that Italians were not thought of as "white" until after the war. Quite interesting!!!

After lunch, my sister and I visited my Aunt Marie in a nursing home, and we had a great conversation with her. Afterwards, we headed over to Boswell Books where a book-signing was to take place. However, a big thunder storm began, and no one came to the store. We immediately left, and as we did the lights on the entire street went out due to a lightning strike.

Last night I spoke at Chilton Public Library where 50 people came to hear me speak! I had a great PowerPoint presentation created specifically for their theme: baseball, hot dogs, and apple pie! The library volunteers made apple pie and hot dogs for everyone beforehand. Some relatives were in the audience, and even some who came up to me claiming they were my second or third cousin! Today, I spoke at Kiel Public Library where a much smaller group listened to an abbreviated talk about my book, but still a good group with good questions.

I've been at my sister's place for a few days, and I've seen a few relatives and seen a couple of interesting places since being here (including the college where my sister teaches writing). One evening I walked to the local park and heard a concert by the Kiel Municipal Band. What was interesting was hearing the song "Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler on the Roof. I had just spent the day looking at old photo albums that went as far back as 1948 when my mother was about 19 or 20 years old, and then viewed photos that were taken in her final years, as well as seeing myself as a little girl all the way to today. "Quickly go the years, one season following another".....but photographs sometimes stay as bright and clear as the day they were taken.

Another highlight of this visit in Wisconsin was visiting the Wade House in Greenbush, Wisconsin. It is several acres of historic homes, saw mill, and blacksmith. One large area of ground had an old fashioned base ball diamond laid out with canvas bases filled with sawdust. We watched a vintage baseball game there, and the guys were in vintage-looking wardrobe. It seemed like a great Father's Day event for many families. Probably about one-hundred folks came out for the game. I was sitting to the sidelines under a small tent for the booksigning. It was great fun!
]]> Brother's House & Borders Books — South Bend, Indiana, United States http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1244606400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1244606400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1244606400/tpod.html Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:43:13 -0400 Monica Nucciarone's Book Tour
South Bend, Indiana, United States

Arriving at a little neighborhood train station in South Bend, Indiana, I wasn't sure where I was. I am used to South Bend being "Notre Dame" town -- bigger than life. A couple minutes later my brother pulled up. I haven't seen my brother in three years since he visited me in WA. But, I haven't seen my nieces and sister-in-law in seven years! My eldest niece (Jennifer) is almost 28 years old, but hasn't changed in appearance one bit. My youngest niece (Theresa) is 19 years old and she is now a young woman, but I am used to seeing her as a young adolescent and prior to that a little child. It is great to get reacquainted with her, and she even wants to come visit Rhonda and me in Washington sometime!

A few days later now after the paragraph above, today was my book-signing at Borders Books in South Bend. A number of people came in, but the only sales were three books for my brother (Christmas gifts for his friends) and two others who showed up (one, a SABR member in South Bend and another friend of my brother's family). However, the store manager wanted me to sign eight more books that she will keep in stock to try and sell for Father's Day and/or in their baseball book section. After the book-signing, we all went to dinner at Rocco's Italian Restaurant.

I hardly watched any TV this past week while my brother and sister-iin-law were at work. I walked over to Notre Dame about three times this week, and worked on my computer communicating with my spring quarter online students.

Next will be a visit to Wisconsin with four booksignings scheduled there, and one in Minnesota before I head home....
]]> Cooperstown Symposium — Cooperstown, New York, United States http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1244080857/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1244080857/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1244080857/tpod.html Fri, 05 Jun 2009 23:24:19 -0400 Monica Nucciarone's Book Tour
Cooperstown, New York, United States

I am now in Cooperstown, New York, home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. My motel is within walking distance and has very reasonable rates. I am so grateful that they have wireless Internet! This week, the museum is hosting a symposium for educators who have written papers about baseball and American culture. My paper is excerpted from my book. The keynote speaker was Paul Dickson who wrote a baseball dictionary that explains and defines over 10,000 terms and expressions related to baseball, including those that are used as metaphors in everyday life.

As I write this paragraph it is now a couple of days after I wrote the above paragraph. My time in Cooperstown is winding down. Last night we had a beautiful dinner literally set in the Hall of Fame Gallery! The buffet dinner was delicious and we were entertained by a reciting of Casey at the Bat. I sat with my friends Jean Ardell, author of Breaking into Baseball, and her husband Dan, former Angels ball player (1961).

Today I gave my presentation, and all went well. I also attended many other fine presentations while here. I finally met Jim Gates in person who works for the Hall of Fame, and who assisted me via email with some information for my book.

Next, I venture by train to South Bend, Indiana, to visit my brother and his family. I haven't seen my two nieces in many years, and very much looking forward to seeing everyone. I will also be signing books at Borders Books there a week from now.
]]> New York City Visit — New York City, New York, United States http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1243816860/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1243816860/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1243816860/tpod.html Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:09:37 -0400 Monica Nucciarone's Book Tour
New York City, New York, United States

On my way to Cooperstown to speak at the Baseball Hall of Fame this week, I decided to make a "pit stop" first in New York City. I am staying at The Jane Hotel in Greenwich Village. This hotel, once called The Riverview Hotel, was built in 1907 across from the Hudson River. The Jane was completed in 1908 and was originally called the American Seamen's Friend Society Sailor's Home. William A. Boring, the architect famous for the Ellis Island Immigrant Station designed the hotel with cabin-like rooms for sailors. In 1912, the Titanic's survivors stayed at the hotel, and there was even a memorial service held in the building. The survivors of the Titanic stayed while the investigation of the sinking was taking place. Oddly enough, on my first full day here, the last Titanic survivor (Millvina Dean) died at age 97 in England. She was only two months old when she was here.

The hotel is now called a "micro hotel." For me, the room is absolutely awesome! Though the room is tiny, it has loads of great amenities! The bed is very comfortable, which has drawer space underneath. One of the drawers also has a safe. The room has a flat screen TV, air conditioner, fan, good lighting, a window, wireless internet, telephone, and a robe and slippers to walk down to the very clean bathroom. The room has fantastic oak woodwork, and vintage-looking new carpet.

The New York Times once described the 5-block-long Jane Street as having more published authors of books per block than any other place in the city, leading some to call the street "authors' row." I did not plan it this way, but chose to stay at The Jane because I heard about it on NPR (low rates!). Yet, I am definitely getting more for my money than I expected!

Yesterday and today, I walked and walked and walked!!! I saw Washington Square, which is the title of one of my favorite old films. Inside the park there is the famous Washington Arch. I also decided to walk from one end of Bleeker Street all the way to the other end. I passed by the old Nucciarone Funeral Home that was featured in the movie Moonstruck. It must either still be collectively owned between a Nucciarone and other Italian families, or they just post the former owner's name on their windows. The outside of the building says Perazzo Funeral Home (see photos).

Today, June 1, I walked all over Manhattan for several hours. I saw a house where Mark Twain once lived, and I saw the Cooper Union where my grandfather studied architecture in the early 20th century, and graduated from there in 1911. I also went to Barnes & Noble in Union Square and signed the one copy of my book they had in stock. Now I wish that I planned a book appearance there!
]]> Monica's Booksigning in Hawaii — Honolulu, Hawaii, United States http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1242481080/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1242481080/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1242481080/tpod.html Wed, 20 May 2009 01:07:20 -0400 Monica Nucciarone's Book Tour
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

The first stop on my book tour is Honolulu, Hawaii! Yesterday I conducted a presentation at the Hawaii State Library, and today I did a booksigning at the Barnes & Noble booth at the Hawaii Book & Music Festival. I also took part in a panel discussion of my book on Alexander Cartwright there. Three contributors to the research of my book were in the audience: Nanette, Phil, and Joyce. Last night Nanette and I went to the beach and had drinks at Tiki's. Tonight, I went to dinner with Phil and Patty, and another family friend Jane. It was a wonderful end to the two days of book appearances.
]]> Tenure Reception — Lakewood Pierce County, Washington, United States http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1242727200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1242727200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1242727200/tpod.html Wed, 20 May 2009 01:06:41 -0400 Monica Nucciarone's Book Tour
Lakewood Pierce County, Washington, United States

After arriving back in the Pacific Northwest at 6:30 this morning from Hawaii, I couldn't miss a different kind of celebration. Today was the final leg of a three-year tenure process. We officially became tenured last March, but today (May 19th) was the Tenure Reception. "We" equals Maritza Baida, Mike Childers, and Monica Nucciarone (me!). Chancellor Michele Johnson spoke a few words with our college president Denise Yochum looking on. Our new classification comes with a new title, Associate Professor, though our job title in Student Development is Faculty Counselor Advisor.
]]> Monica's Book Launch Event — Lakewood Pierce County, Washington, United States http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1241760900/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1241760900/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/moonminder/1/1241760900/tpod.html Tue, 19 May 2009 12:09:31 -0400 Monica Nucciarone's Book Tour
Lakewood Pierce County, Washington, United States

My Book Launch Event was at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom on April 22, 2009. A light buffet lunch was provided where I gave a presentation on the highlights of my book to an audience of about thirty of my friends and colleagues. I signed several books and personalized them with nervous delight.
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