Category Archives: Vickrey

Vickrey: The Endless Pull of Hometown Memories

(Resident Bob Vickrey wrote: An old pal of mine that I grew up with in the Houston suburbs enjoyed my take on our small town of Galena Park. As I reread the story today, I realized that I was humming … Continue reading

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My Life with Ali MacGraw

By BOB VICKREY (Editor’s note: this story appeared in LA Monthly and is printed with permission by its author. Vickrey wrote: “The recent death of Ali MacGraw’s ‘Love Story’ co-star Ryan O’Neal left us all with a nostalgic appreciation of … Continue reading

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Tom Hanks Offered the True Spirit of Giving

  BY BOB VICKREY When my friend Katie owned Village Books in Pacific Palisades, local resident Tom Hanks was a regular customer and visited the store often. One year during the Christmas holidays, Katie told him that the store was … Continue reading

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‘The Polar Express’ Christmas Classic Nears 40

  (Editor’s note: CTN received a December 22 email from Bob Vickrey, who wrote: “In keeping with the Holiday spirit, I’m sending along a story I wrote about the publication of the magical Christmas story The Polar Express which our … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Holidays, Vickrey | 2 Comments

Vickrey – Swapping Pot Pies for State Dinners

By BOB VICKREY Back in my early days as a publisher’s rep, I traveled to Dallas for a luncheon with Southwest cooking legend Helen Corbitt and Stanley Marcus, the Founder and President of Neiman Marcus, to arrange a book signing … Continue reading

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Accidental Journalist Covers Game of the Century

By BOB VICKREY One recent evening as I kicked back in my recliner after experiencing a genuinely rotten day, I chose to reminisce and write about a much better one many years ago—which turned out to be one of the … Continue reading

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Distant Reflections on a Marriage from Long Ago

Vickrey writes: Divorce usually leaves chaos and bitterness in its wake and can often take years for families to heal. But time provides perspective, which can remind us of the good things that resulted from the marriage. Such was the … Continue reading

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Jeff Brant: A Friend for Life

(Editor’s note: Bob had sent me the story of his friend. I found it moving and a remarkable tribute to someone I wished I had known. The world is filled with everyday “stars” that too few people read about, because … Continue reading

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VICKREY: A Tribute to My Pal Chuck

  By BOB VICKREY I’ve always tried to figure out how Chuck Morrell and I became such good friends. I’m genuinely cynical by nature, while he was always an eternal optimist. This gap reflected more than just the old adage … Continue reading

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Mike Hartman: The Real-Life Oscar Madison

  By BOB VICKREY At a recent informal memorial service for former Palisadian Mike Hartman, which was held on the grounds of the Palisades Recreation Center, one young man described Mike’s wardrobe when they first met. “Mr. Hartman was wearing … Continue reading

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