I’ve returned home for one day before heading back out on the road to California for two appearances this coming week at California State University at Monterey Bay and Pomona First Christian Church. Here’s a quick update on the tour.

This past week was a busy one for me in the Northwest. I drove to Seattle on Monday so I’d be in town for a Tuesday morning interview with Dave Ross, who has a three hour talk show on KIRO (710 AM). If you’d like, you can listen to my interview with Dave here. It begins after several minutes of Dave talking about other subjects, including “superdelegates” in the primary elections, and lasts most of an hour. Please note that this is a podcast mp3 and it may work differently on different computers, I don’t know. If you have any trouble with it, go here and scroll down to the February 12 show and download the 11am–12pm mp3.

That same day (Tuesday) I was at Elliot Bay Book Company for a reading, Q&A, and book signing. Approximately 30 people were in attendance. I want to send out special thanks to Nancy Abercrombie for inviting me into her home for two nights and shuffling me around town. Nancy was my host in Bristol in 2001 as well. She makes some fabulous Johnny Cakes…

On Wednesday I drove to Portland. I went to the Oregon Public Broadcasting studios in the early afternoon in order to record a remote interview with Colorado Public Radio. Keila was in the studio in Denver. I think the interview will air in Colorado next week sometime.

Thursday morning I was interviewed by Thom Hartman on KPOJ (620 AM) talk radio in Portland. Once again if you’re interested in listening, this link should work for you. If you have any problems, click here and scroll down to the February 14 podcast and listen to the 8-9am timeslot. My 15-segment begins about 30 minutes into the hour.

Thursday evening was Valentine’s Day, as you well know, and I had no idea how many people would want to spend the evening at Powell’s City of Books listening to me read excerpts from my book. As it turned out I had my second largest group of people so far, with more than 70 people in attendance. Many said they read the review in the Oregonian last Sunday, and several heard the interview on KPOJ. I’m pleased that so many people came for whatever reason to discuss the legacy of slavery with me and each other.