Local Authors to Host Fundraising Book Signing Event

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Local author and filmmaker Cali Gilbert and her father, Joe Gilbert, will host a book signing and fundraiser at Mystic Journey Bookstore in Santa Monica on Saturday, July 19, from 12 to 2 p.m.

The event will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, which was created by Cali through her nonprofit, Tower 15 Productions, to “support female entrepreneurs who lost homes and businesses in the devastating January fires.” The fund will receive 10% of all proceeds from book and art sales at the event.

“Cali Gilbert’s newest release, ‘A Second Chance with Dad,’ is a deeply personal memoir chronicling her experience as a full-time caregiver for her 83-year-old father following the loss of her mother,” read a statement about the event. “The book explores themes of healing, forgiveness and finding unexpected beauty in late-life connection.”

Joe will be signing copies of his memoir: “The Nine Lives of Joe,” which “reflects on his journey as a Vietnam veteran, artist and storyteller.” The event will also feature “Siri’s Seaside Adventure,” Cali’s first children’s book.

Those who attend the event, which is open to the public, will have the opportunity to meet both authors, purchase signed copies of the books and view original artwork.

“This is more than a book signing,” Cali said. “It’s a celebration of resilience—through story, through art and through community. We wanted to use this special moment to give back to the women in our neighborhood who lost so much earlier this year.”

Cali came up with the concept of the 325 for the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, which represents the following: a three-year fundraising campaign with two missions (support entrepreneurial sisters and rebuild the Palisades) with five women/businesses that are initially supported.

“We’ve launched the 325 Campaign in hopes of reaching 325 women to donate $1,000 each to the campaign over the course of the next three years,” Cali previously told the Palisadian-Post.

Mystic Journey Bookstore is located at 2923 Main Street in Santa Monica.