On the Town: Local writer launches ‘Star Trek’ compendium
Author-director-producer Marc Cushman, currently president of the Glendale Alameda Writers Group, is launching his new book into the universe of “Star Trek” enthusiasts.
“These are the Voyages, Season One,” is the last word on “Star Trek” starring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. Through hundreds of memos, production schedules, budgets, fan letters, behind-the-scenes images and TV ratings, each episode of the NBC series from 1966 through 1969 is documented in detail, all with the blessing of the late Gene Roddenberry, creator and producer of “Star Trek.”
“These are the Voyages, Season Two,” will be published in mid-November, with “Season Three” following in mid-February.
Cushman, just back from the book’s launch at the “Star Trek” Convention, attended by more than 20,000 Trekkies in Las Vegas, is in the midst of a publicity tour to promote the book. Yours truly caught up with him for lunch at Hamburger Hamlet in Sherman Oaks on Aug. 19.
“This book is a time machine that takes you back to the 1960s to witness the writing and making of what has become the most successful series in the history of television,” said Cushman. “You do not have to be a “Star Trek” fan to enjoy this book,” he assured me.
Cushman took two years to write each of the three volumes. “These are the Voyages” follows Cushman’s successful book, “‘I Spy’: A History and Episode Guide to the Groundbreaking Television Series,” starring Bill Cosby and Robert Culp.
Cushman, currently working on the Kindle editions of each “Star Trek” volume, believes the trilogy will make the larger impact than “I Spy,” thanks to “Star Trek” fans alone. According to estimates by Paramount Pictures, there are 300 million Trekkies around the world.
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Martie Petrie, Ken Guild and friends show up on the third and fourth Saturday of each month camped in front of Petco in La Cañada. Their “friends” are about a dozen “last day” dogs that would otherwise be euthanized.
On Saturday, Ken-Mar Rescue and company drew dozens of would-be rescuers. Twelve-year old Shane Johnson worked as a volunteer showing off the dogs. His favorite was Puggle, a year-old female who’s an adorable mix of pug and beagle.
According to Guild, when Puggle gets rescued, she will be the organization’s 500th dog to be rescued. Ken-Mar Rescue is a non-profit, small-dog rescue. It is foster-based, cage-free and donor-supported.
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Just in time for the waning days of summer, Mayor’s Bicentennial Park in Glendale was hit by dozens of picnickers. On Saturday, the largest group was composed of members of the Glendale second ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They brought blankets, chairs and picnic dinners. Dessert could be had from a sharing table.
Among those picnicking were Bishop Kent Lee and wife, Kathie Lee, Brian and Karen Corrigan, and Brian’s parents, David and Cary Corrigan.
Church members regularly meet at homes and public parks for fellowshipping. Single adults 45 and older will be meeting at the home of Brent and Susan Frost on Sept. 1. All are welcome.
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RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.