Newporter Went From Solo Act to Researcher in the Meet Market
Monica Michaels figured she’d spend a comfortable New Year’s Eve at home alone. After dinner, she pampered herself with a hot bubble bath. Then she curled up on the living-room sofa, reading fashion magazines until she drifted off to sleep.
But at midnight when revelers in a neighboring Newport Beach apartment began celebrating, Michaels awoke with a sad revelation: “I did not have someone special in my life.”
Increasing her chances of meeting someone special became her New Year’s resolution. That was two years ago. Now she’s written and self-published a book on the subject.
“Single in Orange County: A Resource Directory and Guidebook” (Page Publishing; $19.95) is billed as a guide to more than 120 services, groups and resources for singles. It is a combination of her personal experiences and information she gathered in researching the subject.
“There are alternatives for things to do regardless of age,” says Michaels, a human-resources executive for a distribution company.
“Loneliness is, I think, something everybody struggles with. By being involved--and having activities--it certainly helps that. And it allows us to make more wise decisions when it comes to selecting a partner.”
Michaels says she especially enjoys involvement in recreational groups, such as the Bicycle Club of Irvine and the Orange County Ski Club. She has also met a lot of interesting people through her membership in two dating services.
So, does she have a current relationship?
“No, but if you know anyone, let me know,” Michaels says, laughing, “and if your readers know anyone, they can let me know.”
Maybe she’ll meet someone special at a bookstore next weekend.
She’ll be signing copies of her book at 10 a.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble in Fashion Island, 953 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.
Also this week
* Mark Stark, author of “Amazing Jewish Cookbook for the Entire Family,” will share recipes and tips at 10:30 a.m. today at the Jewish Community Center of Orange County, 250 E. Baker St., Costa Mesa.
* Bruce Alexander, author of “Person or Persons Unknown,” will speak and sign at 12:30 p.m. today at Coffee, Tea & Mystery, 13232 Springdale St., Westminster.
* Kathy Shields Guttman, author of “Whop Biscuits and Apple Pie: Cooking with Gatlinburg’s Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community,” will sign and offer a tasting at 2 p.m. today at Barnes & Noble, 26751 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo.
* Audrey Wood and Robert Florczak, author-illustrators of “Birdsong,” will speak and sign at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Whale of a Tale Children’s Bookshoppe, 4187 Campus Drive, Irvine.
* Barbara Saltzman, whose late son, David, wrote and illustrated “The Jester Has Lost His Jingle,” will sign at 10:45 p.m. Wednesday at Barnes & Noble, 901 South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa.
* Sheila Burgener, co-editor of “Twang!: The Ultimate Book of Country Music Quotations,” will sign at 7 p.m. Thursday at Barnes & Noble in the Huntington Beach Mall, 7777 Edinger Ave.
* Laurey Venn and Bev Gillett, authors of “One Day Self-Guided Tours of Southern California,” will speak and sign at 2 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble, 26751 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo.
Send information about book-related events at least 10 days before event to: Dennis McLellan, O.C. Books & Authors, Life & Style, The Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626.