Strawberry Days tells the vivid and moving tale of the creation and destruction of a Japanese immigrant community. Before World War II, Bellevue, the now-booming "edge city" on the outskirts of Seattle, was a prosperous farm town renowned for its strawberries. Many of its farmers were recent Japanese immigrants who, despite being rejected by white society, were able to make a living cultivating the rich soil. Yet the lives they created for themselves through years of hard work vanished almost instantly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. David Neiwert combines compelling story-telling with first-hand interviews and newly uncovered documents to weave together the history of this community and the racist schemes that prevented the immigrants from reclaiming their land after the war. Ultimately, Strawberry Days represents more than one community's story, reminding us that bigotry's roots are deeply entwined in the very fiber of American society.

Beginning modestly in 1977, the Troy Strawberry Festival now attracts more than 100,000 people for food and fun. The dream of one man grew into one of the largest festivals in the Midwest and has been named the best summer festival in the state by Ohio Magazine. With events like the strawberry pie eating contest and Strawberry Queen pageant, the festival has long signaled the start of summer. Lifelong Troy resident and former journalist David Fong presents the story of the sights, sounds and tastes of this popular annual event.--

It's About Forgiveness by Albi Gorn. A delightful comedy about a man who seeks out his wife in heaven to ask for forgiveness. When The Cherry Blossoms Bloom by Steven A. Shapiro. Two joggers who meet in a park breathe life into each other's lives. Do Us Part by Alan Lutwin. Sometimes forgetfulness can be the best tonic for soothing the stress of a long-term relationship. Love-This Game Is Real by Tremane Hickman. A poetic story about a girl and a guy anxiously waiting to play the game of love without getting played. Cause And Regret Loss Of Sanity by Frank Tamez. A woman at a Bus Stop contemplates regret and guilt while life interjects in this surreal world of love, loss and lust. Other plays include: About The Rabbits by Frank O'Donnell; Summer's Time by Michael Alvarez; Virgin Rock by Kevin Christopher Snipes; Loyal Companion by Joseph Wohlgemuth; The Upside Down Mirror by Emanuel Fleischmann; Protect The Crotch by Tim J. MacMillan; Madrid by Paul M. Buzinski; Requiem For A Life by Tony Macy-Perez; Fun On The Bayou by Vivian Neuwirth; Grave Concerns by Susan E. Sneeringer; Cut Short by Jonathan Zungre; The ABC Slump by Ernest Curcio; and many more!

From its beginnings around 1880, Gardena was noted for its cultural mix. Its Spanish rancho-era name perfectly described the community's regionally famous vegetable and strawberry fields, which were primarily tended by settlers of Japanese descent, in Los Angeles County's South Bay area. The city of Gardena, incorporated in 1930, remains one of the nation's most ethnically balanced communities, drawing visitors worldwide to its diverse cultural activities. For nearly 40 years, Gardena was the only place in the county to have legalized gambling, and the city's unique history includes the fact that more public poker tables once existed here than in the rest of the United States combined. Located at the nexus of four major freeways, the "City of Opportunity" thrives today with more than 60,000 people on six square miles only a short distance from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Orange Coast Magazine is the oldest continuously published lifestyle magazine in the region, bringing together Orange County¹s most affluent coastal communities through smart, fun, and timely editorial content, as well as compelling photographs and design. Each issue features an award-winning blend of celebrity and newsmaker profiles, service journalism, and authoritative articles on dining, fashion, home design, and travel. As Orange County¹s only paid subscription lifestyle magazine with circulation figures guaranteed by the Audit Bureau of Circulation, Orange Coast is the definitive guidebook into the county¹s luxe lifestyle.

This must-have third revised and newly expanded edition of the only single reference source for information about state symbols features over 300 information updates plus three new chapters, updated license plate illustrations, and a newly formatted design for ease of use. Libraries that hold earlier editions of this work need this edition to keep their information on the states and territories current. With the addition of new chapters on state and territory universities, state and territory governors throughout U.S. history, state professional sports teams, and a complete revision of the chapter on state and territory fairs and festivals, the work now totals 17 chapters of essential information that is a treasure trove for students. This completed redesigned reference work features chapters on state and territory names and nicknames, mottoes, seals, flags, capitals, flowers, trees, birds, songs, legal holidays and observances, license plates, postage stamps, miscellaneous designations, fairs and festivals, universities, governors, professional sports teams, and a bibliography of state and territory histories. The work features full-color illustrations of every state and territory seal, flag, flower, tree, bird, commemorative postage stamp, and license plate (updated for this edition).