Just found out that Continuum had to push back the book's release a week. That means it's coming out on Oct. 13 – a Friday. Good thing I'm not superstitious!

That caused a ripple effect, starting with my first scheduled book signing, at Barnes & Noble's, which had to be rescheduled from Oct. 14 to Nov. 4.

Meanwhile, I've added another book signing, at Fireside Books in Spring Meadows on Oct. 22, the only locally owned bookstore in Toledo. Owner Dennis Fennelly and Fireside really are supportive of local authors and are a pleasure to work with.

I've now got a book-release party scheduled at Murphy's Place on Oct. 19. I've known the club's owners, Joan Russell and Clifford Murphy, for a few decades now and when Joan found out I had no plans for a party, she offered to host one herself. How kind of her. I'm looking forward to it because I covered the Toledo music scene for so long and Murphy's Place is an oasis for world-class jazz. I hope to see many of the good friends I made over the years when I was covering music for The Blade.

I sure will be making the rounds in the local media when the book comes out… radio, TV, weekly papers, etc. I'll also have signings and talks coming up at the public library and two churches, Cornerstone and my own church, Calvary Assembly of God, and possibly at the University of Toledo.

I was afraid I might be overdoing it, but I've learned that an author can never do too much promotion. That's the advice of Christine Brennan, a Toledo native, award-winning sports columnist for USA Today, and best-selling author.

Christine, whom I called out of the blue, told me she gives talks and signs books everywhere she can, and even though she started feeling like she was "sick of hearing myself," it really is the best way to promote a book. And she should know. She's been there, done that. Christine was very gracious – said she's been reading my stuff for years -- and seemed to take a genuine interest in me and my little book. So go buy her new book, "Best Seat in the House."

A&E is airing a program this Saturday at 9 and Sunday at 1 a.m. with a segment on the Father Robinson murder trial, called "Unholy Toledo." Court TV also is working on a program about the case and will be in Toledo next week – at my house, actually, on Sept. 20 – for some taping. They are looking for more background and profile information on Father Robinson.

I found out today that Father Robinson has been moved from Lebanon Correctional Facility to Hocking Correctional Facility, a smaller and gentler Ohio prison in southern Ohio. Hocking is not a maximum security facility, has only 800 inmates, and is 80 percent Caucasian… More suitable for murderous priests, I guess.

To wrap things up for now, I went to Jon Hendricks' 85th birthday party tonight. Jon is a five-time Grammy Award winner, the inventor of Vocalese, a multifacted genius, and one of Toledo's real treasures. He's flying out to L.A. and to Oakland on Sunday for a small concert tour. Jon is one of my heroes and always an inspiration to me. Happy birthday Jon, and many, many more.

Sept. 13, 2006, Sylvania, Ohio