Forestiere Underground Gardens

This summer after my movie THE CORTEX KEY wrapped, I went to San Diego Comic-Con, Universal Studios, and Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno, California. Forestiere Underground Gardens is an amazing place! Sicilian immigrant Baldassare Forestiere spent decades carving his subterranean home by hand.

The staff at Forestiere Underground Gardens is friendly and the tour guide is knowledgeable, providing details about how Forestiere created his unique home. The guide also efficiently answers visitors' questions. I recommend visiting Forestiere Underground Gardens.

The Cortex Key

This year I am producing and directing a sci-fi/tech thriller short film titled THE CORTEX KEY, starring Michelle Bauer (GRANDMA), Debbie Rochon (VIEW FROM THE EDGE), and Brinke Stevens (DOROTHEA). I wrote the script about a neuroscientist (Stevens), a biology teacher (Bauer), and a tech executive (Rochon) who race to complete a technology that could save humanity. Meanwhile, a disgraced scientist (played by Mars Homeworld) launches a sabotage that threatens not only their work, but the future of mankind.

Pre-production is going well: we have had a successful script reading; a superb score is being composed by Amoreena Ford (ROAD 29), who is also our cinematographer; and we have a terrific location for the shoot.

Oak Park Black Film Festival

This weekend I attended the Oak Park Black Film Festival in Sacramento, California. I watched several unique movies. Two that stood out to me the most are ABO starring Jenifer Lewis, and GOOD NIGHT, MY LOVE with Marla Gibbs and Hal Williams.

ABO is about how a drama teacher handles an active shooter situation while the middle school is on lockdown. ABO is Oscar-qualified for the 2026 Academy Award Best Live Action Short. The movie's writer/director is Sam Henderson, who was in attendance at the Oak Park Black Film Festival.

GOOD NIGHT, MY LOVE is about a 90-year-old woman reflecting on her 65-year marriage. The writer/director is Chyna Robinson.

Prisoner of War

Over the weekend, I attended the Sacramento International Film Festival and watched the movie PRISONER OF WAR starring Scott Adkins.

If you enjoy watching action films, PRISONER OF WAR will not disappoint you. The movie is set during World War II in a Japanese prisoner camp where prisoners are forced to fight in matches for the entertainment of their captors. Overall, the cast is very good, the film is shot well, and the sound design is outstanding. The movie is directed by Louis Mandylor.

PRISONER OF WAR opens in theatres in the United States on September 19th and the United Kingdom on November 10th. The movie will stream on an online platform after its theatrical release, according to producer Marc Clebanoff, who co-wrote the screenplay with Adkins and attended this weekend's screening.

Lowell Observatory

This summer I visited the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. Sky watchers will love this place! The Lowell Observatory is known as the Home of Pluto because its founder, Percival Lowell, worked with Clyde Tombaugh who discovered Pluto with one of the observatory's telescopes in 1930. (Now Pluto is considered to be a dwarf planet.) If you visit the Lowell Observatory you will see the telescope that was used to discover Pluto.

Ongoing discoveries continue at the Lowell Observatory by current astronomers. Lowell scientists are internationally recognized as experts about every planet, star, and galaxy. I recommend attending presentations in the Lowell Universe Theater. Also, the exhibits are educational and there are hands-on activities for children in the Orbits Curiosity Zone. In addition, visitors can attend stargazing events at night.

The Lowell Observatory is definitely a place one can visit multiple times.

Allensworth

I visited Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. Allensworth was the first town in California founded, governed, and financed by African Americans. Colonel Allen Allensworth was a chaplain of the United States Army who escaped slavery during the Civil War. You can watch my web series, California Life, travel-lifestyle series Episode 16, Allensworth here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-gCRZPPeKw. 

To learn more about Allensworth State Park, visit the Web site: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=583. If you visit in person, guided tours and self-guided tours are available. The Web site also includes a Calendar of Events. You may camp at the park.

The Forge

The right mentor is an outstanding guide. In the new movie, THE FORGE, Isaiah Wright (played by Aspen Kennedy) is a 19-year old whose mother (played by Priscilla Shirer) wants him to grow up and start taking on responsibilities, including finding a job. Out of respect he looks for work, but his attitude is not good. Fortunately, Isaiah finds a job and, inadvertently, the life coach he needs.

THE FORGE is written, produced, and directed by the Kendrick Brothers who brought us the movie WAR ROOM. In addition to Shirer, other cast members from WAR ROOM include Karen Abercrombie and T.C. Stallings. The acting and writing in THE FORGE are outstanding.

For more information about THE FORGE, visit the Web site at https://www.theforgemovie.com/.

TCM Warner Bros. Classic Films Tour

This week I went on the TCM Warner Bros. Classic Films Tour located at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. In addition to supporting independent films, I appreciate classic films. They are the foundation of inspiration for many filmmakers.

The tour is outstanding, showcasing a comprehensive history of Warner Bros. films, television series' and animation. The tour starts with delicious refreshments. Then visitors walk to a theatre to watch a video featuring the Turner Classic Movies (TCM) hosts explaining the tour. Afterwards, the guided tour begins and includes a ride and walk through the backlot, Property Department, etc. Some of the tour is self-guided.

The backlot has streets with buildings that look like New York City and a neighborhood of houses, schools, and a church. The Property Department has items that have been utilized in movies and television programs, and are still available to use in current and future productions.

Short Videos Premiere on 'California Life, travel-lifestyle series' Channel

This week new short videos (Season 5) were posted on the 'California Life, travel-lifestyle series' YouTube channel. We made quick trips to San Diego, Los Angeles, and Truckee. You may watch them here: https://youtube.com/@californialifetravel-lifestyle?si=1SokbuwxSRLvJ2yQ.

If you missed Season 4 of 'California Life, travel-lifestyle series,' here are the episodes:

Episode 14: Williams

https://youtu.be/LLq98mQscsc

Episode 15: Redding

https://youtu.be/t65S7VAlWcQ

Pacific Northwest

Happy Summer! Previously, I posted photos from my vacation in Washington state and British Columbia. Here is a video, which also includes some views of my Amtrak train ride through Oregon. You may watch it here: https://youtu.be/oQ720R7f2XQ.

In addition, thank you for purchasing my novel, THE TWO SISTERS! If you have not bought THE TWO SISTERS yet, you can order it here: https://a.co/d/0dYL0Jrj. It is a story for those of you who enjoy crime, drama, and mystery.

My next novel is a suspense story titled, AFRAID FOR YOUR LIFE. It will be available later this year.

New Novel: THE TWO SISTERS

My new novel, THE TWO SISTERS, is available for purchase: The Two Sisters by Terri Dawn Arnold. The story has crime, drama, and mystery. Lannie and Kellie suffer from manic depression. They are unable to manage the mental health problem, and clash with university classmates.

Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse

Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites are located in Victoria, B.C. in the Colwood community. They are two miles (three kilometers) from Royal Roads University. Both places offer gorgeous scenery and are ideal for walking and learning history.

This post concludes photos from my vacation in the Pacific Northwest. Soon I will start editing a video showing places I visited, and then post it here. Currently, I am almost finished writing my next novel. It will (hopefully) be available by the end of 2023.

Royal Roads University

Hatley Park and Hatley Castle are both located at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC in the Colwood community. It is the only university in Canada located within a national historic site, and the historic charm is grand. Touring the park and castle could definitely relieve stress from studies!

It was nice visiting Hatley Park in June because the flowers were in bloom. Twelve years ago I visited in April and they were not.

Hatley Castle

Victoria, BC

Victoria, British Columbia on Vancouver Island is a beautiful place that has become even more popular, since I visited 12 years ago. It appears more people have moved to the city and the population increases on the weekends with tourists. Nevertheless, spending the day at Fisherman's Wharf is enjoyable. There are stores, great food and ice cream, and a quaint boathouse community.

The Royal British Columbia Museum is an excellent way to learn history of the province. The museum exhibits are educational, well done, and some are massive.

I attended High Tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, which is an elegant building inside as well as outside. At High Tea, the teas are remarkable and the treats are exquisite.