Tehachapi: land of artists, authors

Thanks to several local galleries, most people are aware of the plethora of talented artists in the Tehachapi Valley, but many don't realize that we have published authors among us as well. Healthy Hippie Trading Co., is proud to carry books written by several of those local authors.

Hippie owner, Sarah Rose, is excited to not only carry the books but to also be the host for an author Meet and Greet.

"Our first author Meet and Greet will be next month on Feb. 10 with author Michelle Fulton and her new book, 'You're Not Alone,'" Sarah said. "Michelle is a wife, mom, singer, writer and friend of mine. Her book was born of the pain of losing her baby Cole just days before he was due to be delivered. As stated on the back cover of the book, 'the traumatic and devastating experience compelled her to speak out to promote awareness about pregnancy loss.'"

The book is a composite of beautiful stories of loss and survival with contributions from dozens of other mothers and fathers.

As to the book event, Michelle says, "This book release will not just be a book release...it will be about community and healing, the journey through grief and abundance of love. We will have midwife, Tesa Kurin, there to speak as well as therapist, Susan Harris and Noel Alexandri, founder and story contributor, Trinity Brown. Nikki Echabarne, a post-partum doula with a focus on grief, will lead us through a thought exercise and Justina Engen, a contributor and a staple in Tehachapi, will lead us on a workshop on creating a memorial keepsake. If you have experienced pregnancy loss or you know someone who has, please put some time aside on Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. to join us to assuage pain with understanding, gain comfort from community and share the undying love we have for our little ones."

The next author Meet and Greet will be in March with Tehachapi newcomer, Shane McGarrett. Shane is the author of "Out of Service: Coming of Age. The Military. A Fight for Life and Justice." The book is a personal memoir of Shane's service in the USAF in the early 70s when she is suddenly arrested and faced with a court martial for being gay. More information will follow regarding the actual date and time of the meet and greet.

Two other local authors also have their books at the Hippe: Tehachapi staple and past owner of the Treasure Trove, Mel White (Makaw) and self-published local mama, Lorena Para. Mel's two books are, "On The Bright Side, a collection of columns" and "Woman Proud, Woman Strong," a collection of woman pride and lesbian pride writings. Lorena's books are a stand-alone, space pirate adventure, "The Fera" and the futuristic, four book series, "The Lenore Monroe Series."

The Healthy Hippie Trading Co., located in Old Town at 20418 Brian Way, is open 6 days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sundays.) You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram.