FRED B Block:  

Since June 1964, I hitchhiked to Venice(L.A.) California the day after graduation. Got two jobs, enrolled as an out-of-state student at Santa Monica City College. Lived on Speedway in Venice, around the corner from the original, Gold's gym(Cal Governor Arnold) famous workout place, and the Venice West Cafe where Jim Morrision and Ray Manzerek hung out and formed "The Doors". I played congas in kiosk above beach in Santa Monica, teaching fellow roommate, Steve Smith who became a pro in Philly during disco days. I dropped out of SMCC near 60 units, got married on my 21st B-day, honeymooned driving my motorcycle partly to Mazatlan, MX, baby girl 11 months later, divorced at 25, given custody of 4 yr old daughter, rasied her as bachelor dad. In Nov. 1967 reported for induction to service in L.A., given a 3A deferment. I started an incense factory, still at 21, the 1st to make fruit flavored incense in the world back in 1967, in 1975, I expanded it to include operations in Costa Rica (1975-80) and Mexico in the 1990-2000s. Lucky to traveled the world, on daylight on business, by night jamming on percussion at night spots with bands worldwide. I have been married 4 times, the 3 & 4th times the same beautiful island princess, businesswoman, and actress(minor roles). Lived in Malibu, Ca 1972-1988, Oxnard, CA 1988-1992, Yuma AZ 1992-2007-, and the Philippines 2007, however in 2016 Cambria, CA, until January 2022, moved to Winterhaven, CA changed to 50%-50% Asia... Played professionally congas with the Giorgio Pretti Brasilian Beat, Brazz Jazz(1977-1979), Boys from Brasil(1980-83) , Giorgio Pretti & the Brasilian Beat CD "Cuidado Mano" 2005...Live performances in mostly in So Calif . Giorgio Pretti won at least 11 international music competitions at FIDOF Music Festivals in Europe and Curacao. he was named top performer of the decade 1990-2000 by FIDOF. Attended Cannes, France Music Festival 2004. In the Philippines, Hedi & I executive produced the 2019 Dumaguete Independence Day Jazz Festival on June 12, 2019. I have been a percussionist with the band "BarkadasJazz"(youtube---Dumaguete Jazz & Blues), and Barkadas Jazz since 2013. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Barkada Band was formed in 2023, led by guitarist, Nicko V. Infante. This band plays more pop tunes and less jazz. I am a caregiver to my wife Hedi . In November Hedi suffered a major stroke in Yuma, Arizona. So serious that a helicopter flew her to Phoenix to save her life. A miraculous recovery as she spent 48 days in St Joseph Hospital, the busiest hospital for brain surgeries in the USA annually. With another 7 months of Speech, Vision, Occupational, and Physical therapies she has recovered much of her capabilities. Hedi & I are founding members of the non-profit "Dumaguete Jazz and Blues Society". In 2019 we executive produced the 2019 Independence Day Jazz Festival(June 12, 2019 please see YouTube. "Dumaguete Jazz & Blues" a video of the one-day 5-hour event has been edited for the viewer's enjoyment. Since 1990 involved in Olympic-style amateur boxing, as a founder of nonprofit organizations at Oxnard, CA, and Yuma AZ. The La Colonia Boxing Club has produced Fernando Vargas an Olympian in 1996 Atlanta), Roberto Garcia(former pro champ and 2 X Boxing Coach of the Year. These were pro-world champs in their heyday. Robert and Fernando continue to extend themselves by running gyms and coaching kids and pros. Robert coached his younger brother, Mikey Garcia to the World Boxing Championship in multiple weight classes and top professional to championships, while Fernando is coaching his three sons to professional greatness, I became a grant writer and spearh...Expand for more