Richard Simon

Winner of the 2015 National Jewish Book Award for Children's Literature A young immigrant from Nazi Germany recieves small acts of kindness while exploring New York City in this heartwarming, timeless picture book, Oskar and the Eight Blessings. A refugee seeking sanctuary from the horrors of Kristallnacht, Oskar arrives by ship in New York City with only a photograph and an address for an aunt he has never met. It is both the seventh day of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve, 1938. As Oskar walks the length of Manhattan, from the Battery to his new home in the north of the city, he passes experiences the city's many holiday sights, and encounters it various residents. Each offers Oskar a small act of kindness, welcoming him to the city and helping him on his way to a new life in the new world. Richard and Tanya Simon's text matched with Mark Siegel's elegant illustrations makes for a wonderfully heartfelt read.

Turn off your phone and turn on your life with step-by-step instructions and success stories from dozens of people who've set healthy boundaries with their devices. The average American spends the equivalent of a full 60 days a year looking at their phone. It can become an all-consuming addiction that puts a strain on virtually every facet of our existence from the way we sleep, eat, and exercise to our ability to focus and make new memories. Most importantly, it takes us away from our lives, our relationships, and the real world. But although it may seem impossible, there is always a way to overcome digital distraction: you can always turn off your phone. In Unplug, Richard Richard Simon lays out a plan to detox from your phone, including different breakup styles, things to do with your newfound time, lightly reintegrating a smartphone into your life, and finally, helping others quit. These tips and strategies are interspersed with success stories, including Simon's own story of turning off his phone for a whole year, plus those of 29 others, including a professional baseball player (Nick Castellanos), bestselling authors on digital usage and addiction (Cal Newport and Ed Spector, respectively), physicians who specialize in digital wellness, as well as ordinary folks including a principal, a pastor, and a couple who quit their phones together.

The first Ridiculous Theatrical Company production by outside playwrights brims with irreverent wit. Horror show host Marius Mintsingue is killed on the air much to the dismay of would be detectives Buddy and Bob (pubescent boys played by women) who are his biggest fans. Mintsingue's cross dressing lover finds herself the head of Mintsingue Manor a Gothic mansion in postwar suburbia. While the murderer stalks she struggles to support the household without implicating herself by collecting on the will or insurance to protect Mintsingue's live in protege (a half man/half woman sideshow veteran) and to keep at bay the forces of authority. Bob and Buddy's sleuthing unintentionally brings this mystery to its shattering conclusion.

Ray Scapio is Ventura County's top homicide prosecutor; he has been assigned the case of his career. A local Tennis pro murdered his ex-girlfriend. The case seems obvious until a high-priced defense attorney hires an expert with a record of creating reasonable doubt. After a stunning cross-examination the trial concludes. Soon after, Scapio gets an even bigger case. When beautiful Daisy Guzman is abducted the race is on to find her. Brilliant Detectives Davon Washington and Chris Whatley's investigation takes them to a local hospital where a young woman lies comatose with bandages covering severe burn injuries. Jack Maclin, a paroled rapist is certain that he killed Daisy and will get away with her murder. But when Daisy's bandages are removed the case takes a shocking twist and Jack Maclin has no clue how the tables are about to turn.