I am an author, travel writer and publisher.  For 35 years I enjoyed an award-winning career in advertising and public relations. In my retirement, I write travel articles which have appeared in The Los Angeles Times, Dallas Morning News, Boston Globe, and numerous travel magazines. My late husband, Howard Kirz, took all the photographs for the articles and stories. Along the way, we created White Dog Press, Ltd., inspired by our two West Highland White Terriers.

My newest book ‘Signs of Life, Love, and Other Miracles’ chronicles my quest to find a sign of life and love from my late husband and led me to the miracles of other people’s stories. I embarked on a journey to find out how people in the United States and in other cultures deal with death. Unable to sit in one place after Howard died, I traveled to escape from grief wandering to Mexico, Thailand, Wales, Egypt, and Italy. This book explores these cultures’ traditions in the backdrop of my emotional journey to seek the unexplained.

When I started mentioning that I was writing a book and did anyone have a similar experience of seeing or hearing a sign of life from a loved one, or friend, who has passed on, miracles started happening. Out of the blue, people instantly blurted out stories of their experiences, which, with permission, are shared in this book.

Your stories are precious gifts from the universe. Please, share one with me.

I am working on a new book currrently but here are some other books of mine at White Dog Press, Ltd.:

NEWEST BOOK:

* Signs of Life, Love, and Other Miracles - A heartbroken widow journeys to five countries searching for a sign of life from her late husband and discovers that death is not the end. Signs of Life, Love, and Other Miracles delivers hope that death is not the end for both believers and non-believers. The author discovers how other cultures celebrate death and embrace the afterlife in various celebrations and ancient customs as she travels through Mexico, Egypt, Thailand, Wales, and Italy.

* The Complete Handlebar Guide to Bicycling the TransAM - Virginia to Oregon/Washington. As avid cyclists, we pedaled 4000 miles across America and wrote this popular guidebook. Stephanie Kirz, author; photos by Howard Kirz. First published in 2003; now in its fourth edition.

* The Yin and Yang of Marriage. Heartfelt and Humorous Survival Lessons from more than 30 years together. Co-authored with Howard L. Kirz. 2011.

* The Comstock Fairy Tale Cottages of Carmel. Joanne Mathewson, second edition, 2012. (Copyright acquired and published by White Dog Press, Ltd.)

* The Lost Book of Fairy Fables. 2013. A collection of ten original fables as told to a young girl by two ancient fairies concerned with the corrupt and unethical state of the world. Stephanie Kirz, author.

I continue to write, enjoy my dogs, bicycle, play tennis, and travel in search of "signs of life" from people in cultures worldwide! Contact me if you have a story to share!

Cara StLouis is a writer, teacher, activist and speaker hailing from the American Southwest, infused with the old spirit of the sovereign individual. She is committed to Waldorf School's teaching, which is centered around protecting the Imagination of the human being. She has been a journalist for Veterans Today and is the author of several books including Consolata's Companion, about the dark side or archontic presence in our lives. The Sun Thief is a thinly fictionalized thriller about the murder of her mother who had a top security Navy clearance, and a pilot who steals a chemtrail plane. With Harald Kautz-Vella, Dangerous Imagination, Silent Assimilation is the paradigm shifting book which flings the doors open to expose the vast coordinated manipulations to control and dominate humanity.

Former producer at The People's Voice, Cara has 6 titles out, soon to be 8.  Currently, she is promoting the 3rd episode on the workbook series called The Great Food Con aka Taste Buds.  Later this year, the 3rd volume of the Imagination Chronicles will be out titled, I, Magician.  She leads esoteric research journeys 2 to 3 times per year.  Her complete Sovereign Imagination Studio Workshop series is available via private lessons online.  You can find her on Facebook, YouTube, and her website link.

Lauren Selman

Lauren Selman is an American freelance film and event producer who has been creating impactful content for over a decade. She has worked with The Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Olympics, Golden Globe Awards, BlizzCon, Teen Choice Awards, Cirque Du Soliel and the Southern California Grantmakers.

Lauren a triple TEDx speaker and powerful motivational speaker who has spoken at the United Nations Association, Association of Film Commissioners International and at universities around the world.

Everyone who moves to Hollywood is trying to make it big. Lauren was no different, except she was trying to make “it” – the big screen, that is – more sustainable. Since moving down to LA from the Bay Area to green Hollywood, Lauren produced the documentary “Greenlit” about the environmental impact of the film industry. Lauren was nominated as a Woman Making A Difference by the Los Angeles Business Journal and received an Environmental Media Award for Benjamin and Peter Bratt’s “La Mission.”​ Her work has been recognized by The BBC, NPR, Business Week, IATSE, and The Hollywood Reporter.

Lauren is an honors graduate from University of California, Berkeley with degrees in Conservation Resource Studies and Theater Performance Studies. Lauren is a competitive triathlete and swing and salsa dancer who lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Phil Parlapiano is a versatile musician whose musical journey has followed several unique directions.  Born in New York City and raised by his musical parents, Phil learned to play the piano at the age of 4 from his talented grandmother, who also played mandolin and guitar.  Eventually, the road called to him, leaving to tour with folk singer Joan Baez, becoming her musical director.

Parlapiano followed his musical path as a founding member of The Brothers Figaro.  Signed to Geffen Records after a bidding war, the seminal folk rock duo recorded their critically acclaimed album, “Gypsy Beat.”  This led Phil to a nine year musical directorship with John Prine, who have him the moniker, “Mr. Squeeze,” touring and recording CD’s including the Grammy award winning releases “The Missing Years,” and “Fair and Square,” as well as co-writing “Leave the Lights On” for the CD “Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings.”  Soon after, Phil was asked to play mandolin and accordion on Rod Stewart’s pivotal “Unplugged and Seated” album, which was followed by a one and a half year touring stint with the rock icon.

Phil has continued to write and play with music luminaries as diverse as Liza Minelli and Social Distortion with a little bot of Miley Cyrus and Dave Koz mixed in.  His compositions are featured in dozens of TV shows, including “Heroes,” “Law and Order,” and “Once Upon a Time.”  He has been seen in the blockbuster film, “The Titanic,” and the TV shows, “Happily Divorced,” and “The New Girl.”

The new CD, “The Mordacious Mr Squeeze,” is a new twist on Americana.  Featuring the talents of drummers Lynn Coulter, Herman Mathews and Butch Norton (Lucinda Williams), and bassists Tad Wadhams (Sheryl Crow) and David Sutton (Lucinda Williams), the album also features guitarists Donny Kilpatrick (Rod Stewart), Bruce Watson (Foreigner), Doug Pettibone (John Mayer), Doug Hamblin (Steve Stills) and Chuck Kavooras, who also helped produced the project.  This record was done strictly on tape with no computer, no synthesizers and no drum loops.  Just the sound of two drummers, bass and a few guitars playing, picked up expertly by a ribbon mike. Armed with an UREI 1176, Mr. Squeeze and the Medicine Men planned to re-inject, though not necessarily recreate some of the best neo-afro-redneck blues that one could, in the new millennium.

Phil has dedicated the CD to musical artist, Eric Lowen, who recently lost his battle with ALS and contributes a portion of the proceeds to the foundation.

PAT BATTISTINI

The writer/director/editor of over ten short films is a native of Merrillville, Indiana. Pat began his career as an actor at the Player’s Workshop of the Second City in Chicago. He continued working in improvisation and eventually performed in over 500 improv shows. Pat suffered having to work for Club Med in their Entertainment Department in places such as St. Lucia, Thailand and Tahiti. Continuing to have fun in Asia, Pat moved to Tokyo where he collaborated with an all Japanese comedy group for two years performing in the Japanese language.

Only making sense, he moved to Miami after his Tokyo gig, where he started his filmmaking career. Pat finally made his way to Los Angeles in the fall of ’98.

In LA, he has written and produced several short films. His shorts “Sexy Seniors”, “Braggin’ Rights”, and “Three Specials” have all been nominated to at least one film festival as a finalist to their Grand Jury Award. “Lincoln Vs. Bush has been viewed over 81,000 times and has been shown, in controversy, in several other festivals. His short, “Legs To Stand On”, dealing with the disabled, received a Special Recognition Award at the Los Angeles Italian American Film Awards.

Pat’s current project is his most challenging. He shot a period piece short film in the northern mountains of Italy. Not fluent in Italian, Pat decided to shoot the film in the Italian language because he felt his story could only be told using the language of the time.

Pat resides in Santa Clarita with his wife Marnie and his two children, Maggie (10) and Burke (5).

FISHER FIFTEEN

When Fisher Fifteen walks into a room, it’s like a preacher has come to give a life changing sermon. He delivers a familiar presence like an old friend you haven’t seen in years. From the first strike of his guitar chord to the last barrage of soaring vocal melodies packaged neatly in a voice that carries a lushness and texture all it’s own. Bringing his vast background of influence and an array of thought-provoking original love songs, He has a way of speaking to your soul just where it is. Always celebrating our differences and yet forging common ground through songs like “Walls”. From his latest release.” I love the way a song takes on a life of her own. Fisher Explains, “She begins to speak to me with chords and words , then concepts and conclusions. If I don’t pay close attention, I won’t be able to complete her thought”.A native son of San Jose ,California, raised on radio of the 70’s and 80’s Fisher has a unique repertoire of covers that may surprise even the most knowledgeable history buff with classic rock anthems to memorable R&B staples. Always giving a new interpretation to an old favorite.

From the coffee house to the coliseum, Fisher can bring his performance to a very intimate place with some tongue & cheek lyrics and improvisational songs. Over the years, Fisher has played across the country,in places like California, Nebraska, Louisiana , the Carolinas, Alaska and Japan. He has shared the stage with such rock acts as P.O.D , and Switchfoot and performed with R&B sensations , ALL 4 ONE ,Drew Seeley, Brian Mcknight and Wayne Brady.

JORGE BALBAS

Jorge Balbás grew up in Madrid, Spain. He moved to the US in 1992 for professional flight training. While working as a commercial pilot and flight instructor in Southern California, he obtained a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Applied Mathematics at UCLA in 2000, and a PhD in Mathematics in 2004, also at UCLA. He spent the next three years at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor as a post-doc, and returned to Southern California in 2007 to join the mathematics department at California State University, Northridge, where he is an Associate Professor. Since August of 2015, he works as Associate Director at the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics, located in the UCLA campus.

In 2008, Jorge started competing in triathlon races. Since then, he has completed several olympic distance and long course triathlons, qualifying for the US Age Group Nationals every year since 2011. In July 2010 he swam across the strait of Gibraltar, and has also run the LA marathon in 2014 and 2016. He enjoys bike touring and has traveled over 900 miles along roads in Northern Spain over the last two summers.

Brad Warner is an ordained Zen teacher and author of the books There Is No God And He Is Always With You (2013), Sex Sin and Zen (2010), Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate (2009), Sit Down and Shut Up (2007) and Hardcore Zen (2004). He’s also a writer for the Suicide Girls website, bass player for the hardcore punk rock group 0DFx (aka Zero Defex), star of the movies “Shoplifting From American Apparel” and “Zombie Bounty Hunter M.D.,” director of the film “Cleveland’s Screaming!” and former vice president of the US branch of the company founded by the man who created Godzilla.

Born in Hamilton, Ohio in 1964, in 1972, Brad’s family relocated to Nairobi, Kenya. When he returned three years later, nothing about rural Ohio seemed quite the same anymore. In 1982, Brad joined 0DFx, famous for an eighteen-second burst of noise titled “Drop the A-Bomb On Me.” 0DFx recently reunited and has a new CD out.

While still playing hardcore punk, Brad became involved in Zen Buddhism. The realistic, no BS philosophy reminded him of the attitude the punks took towards music. He made it to Japan in 1993 where he began studying the philosophy with an iconoclastic rebel Zen Master named Gudo Nishijima. After a few years, Nishijima decided to make Brad his successor as a teacher of Zen.

WRITING CAREER: Nishijima prevailed upon him to write a book about Buddhism. But Brad knew he couldn’t write anything like the Buddhist books he’d seen. So he published his abrasive, in your face writings about the Dharma as a website. When the website became tremendously popular, he began to think again about putting out a book. So he collated his writing, sent them off, and soon he had a book out. That book sold so fast his publishers could hardly keep up with demand. A second, third and fourth book followed. In the meantime he accepted an offer from the alt.porn website Suicide Girls to write a regular column. He has also published work in the Buddhist magazines Shambhala Sun, Buddhadharma, and Tricycle as well as rock magazines such as Alternative Press, Maximum Rocknroll and Razorcake.

PUBLIC SPEAKING: Since 2004 Brad has spoken in a variety of settings from Zen centers to public libraries, from vocational high schools to university auditoriums. Though Brad’s talks always focus on the Buddhist dharma, the actual topics covered can range from the words of the ancient masters to the finer points of slam dancing, from insights to be found in the depths of marathon meditation sessions to whether Godzilla could beat up Yog the Space Monster. Lively and full of self-effacing humor, Brad prefers to respond to an audience rather than lecture them. The talks themselves tend to be more like brief introductions to free-wheeling and stimulating Q&A sessions. A large sampling of these can be seen on YouTube.