Eddie Lopez, a pioneer California Hispanic newspaperman who began his career in 1947 as a 17-year-old, sold papers for a nickel on Oakland (Calif.) street corners when he was 13. His journalistic career (1947-1991) included being on the staffs of the Santa Ana Globe, Santa Ana Independent, Madera Tribune, Madera Daily News, Bakersfield Californian and Fresno Bee. He also freelanced for Senior and Plus magazines. He was president of the Fresno Press Club and a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and the California Chicano News Media Association. He was commended by the California State Legislature with a State Resolution in 1987 and was honored with the 1987 Community Recognition Award by the Fresno chapter of the Chicano Media Association. He has published two other books, "Ink in My Veins" (2005) and "Marching to the Sound of Mariachis" (2007). He lives in Los Osos (Calif.) with his wife Angie. Gilbert "Gil" Gia is a former Bakersfield teacher. He is a diligent researcher and a dedicated historian in addition to being a fine writer and exemplary editor.