Shari Huntington, Independent Stylist for Stella & Dot

Los Angeles County

Jamie Gatlin

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

Calabasas

California

Los Angeles

Chris Lindahl

Woodland Hills

Agoura Hills

Pacific Palisades

Encino-Tarzana

Malibu

Northridge-Chatsworth

Brentwood

Sherman Oaks

Scott Snowden

Santa Monica

Westwood-Century City

Author will Delve into A Cold Case in a Cold Place: Murder Mystery in Alaska is Like No Other 
 
The San Fernando Valley branch of the California Writers Club (serving Los Angeles and Ventura counties) is pleased to welcome award-winning author and journalist James T. Bartlett as the keynote speaker on Saturday, November 7 at 1 pm. Bartlett will be speaking at the Motion Picture and Television Fund Wasserman Campus (Saban Center) at 23388 Mulholland Drive, Woodland Hills, 91364 with a presentation titled “Murder in Alaska and Tragedy in Hollywood: The Story of the Alaskan Blonde.” Lectures are free for CWC members. Guests can purchase admission for $10 at the door. 

“I was born in England,” says Bartlett, “and I never imagined that one day I’d be travelling to the center of Alaska to investigate a murder from the 1950s. It reminded me of ‘The Postman Always Rings Twice or Double Indemnity,’ but it was a real-life film noir.”
The facts were that in the early hours of October 17, 1953 in Fairbanks, Alaska, local businessman Cecil Wells was shot in his bed and his wife Diane badly beaten before two intruders escaped with money and jewelry. Or did they? 
Someone dropped a dime to the police, suggesting that Diane was having an affair with Johnny Warren, a local Black musician. In the time of Jim Crow, this scandalous element made the story go national, and it was covered in Life, Newsweek, Jet, Ebony and many of the pulp detective magazines.
Diane – blonde, attractive and 20 years younger than Cecil – was his fifth wife, and local gossip quickly guided the police towards a theory that she conspired with her lover Warren to kill Cecil for his fortune, and both were charged with first-degree murder. But was that true? 
A sex and money mystery that happened in territorial Alaska and ended up in the hotels of Hollywood, the Cecil Wells murder was investigated for years, but never officially solved. Over five years of research, Bartlett interviewed witnesses and family members, and re-examined the FBI and police files to determine what actually happened on that fateful night in October 1953. 
“The Alaskan Blonde” is the winner of the National Indie Excellence Award and is also Anthony Award nominated. Bartlett’s presentation will feature never-before seen photos and diaries, official documents, and other artifacts related to the case. For additional information, visit <a href="https://www.gourmetghosts.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.gourmetghosts.com</a>. 
Other books written by Bartlett include the “Gourmet Ghosts”, an alternative guide to Los Angeles which has appeared on “Ghost Adventures” and “The UnXplained,” and “True Crime Burbank.” He has also written many radio programs and podcasts. As a travel and lifestyle journalist and historian, he has written for the Los Angeles Times, BBC, SFGate, LAist, AARP Magazine, National Geographic Traveler, Hemispheres, Westways, Frommers, Crime Reads, American Way, Atlas Obscura, The Guardian and ALTA California, among others.
Learn more at <a href="https://www.thealaskanblonde.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.thealaskanblonde.com</a>
and <a href="https://www.gourmetghosts.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.gourmetghosts.com</a> by emailing the author at <a href="mailto:jbartlett2000@gmail.com">jbartlett2000@gmail.com</a>.

Local Event: Author will Delve into A Cold Case in a Cold Place: Murder Mystery in Alaska is Like No Other

Author will Delve into A Cold Case in a Cold...

Author will Delve into A Cold Case in a Cold Place:  Murder Mystery in Alaska is Like No Other  
 
The San Fernando Valley...

Author will Delve into A Cold Case in a Cold Place: Murder Mystery in Alaska is Like No Other

Ventura County Fairgrounds and Event Center

VENTURA PET &amp; REPTILE EXPO&nbsp;-&nbsp;November 7–8, 2026 at&nbsp;Ventura County Fairgrounds. Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of reptiles, pets, and birds! From snakes and chameleons to frogs and tarantulas, plus furry friends, feathered companions, pet supplies and more, there’s something for every animal lover. One building is dedicated to pets and another to reptiles — and your ticket gives you access to BOTH buildings for the price of one!
REPTILE BUILDING 
Explore hundreds of exotic species, including snakes, geckos, lizards, turtles, tarantulas, frogs, scorpions, bearded dragons, chameleons, millipedes and more!
• Shop with trusted breeders and vendors 
• Bioactive supplies 
• Terrariums, tanks, dry goods &amp; feeders 
• Reptile accessories and essentials 
• Hands-On Tropical &amp; Desert Terrarium Workshops — build your own habitat with expert guidance and take it home!
PET BUILDING 
Find everything you need for your pets all under one roof!
• Pet adoptions — cats, dogs &amp; more 
• Birds available for purchase 
• Food, treats &amp; toys 
• Leashes, collars &amp; beds 
• Pet accessories and essentials
🔥 EXCLUSIVE EXPO DEALS! 
Don’t miss exclusive expo-only deals, discounts and special show pricing from participating vendors throughout the weekend. Stock up, save and discover something new for your pets!
BONUS FEATURES 
LIVE ANIMAL SHOWS — Get up close with amazing animals, including a Coati, Patagonian Cavy (Mara), Alligator and more!
🎟️ ONE TICKET. TWO BUILDINGS. TWICE THE FUN! 
Whether you’re a dedicated reptile enthusiast, an animal lover or a devoted pet parent, the Ventura Pet &amp; Reptile Expo is your one-stop destination for animals, shopping, education, entertainment and family fun!
November 7–8, 2026 
🕙 Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM 
🕙 Sunday: 10 AM–4 PM 
📍 Ventura County Fairgrounds 
10 W. Harbor Boulevard, Ventura, CA 93001
🎟️ GET YOUR TICKETS: <a href="https://www.CVRExpo.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">CVRExpo.com</a>
Admission: 
🎫 Kids 3 years and younger get in FREE! 
🎫 Discounted Two-Day Passes &amp; Family Packs are also available online!

Local Event: Ventura Pet & Reptile Expo - Nov. 7-8, 2026

Ventura County

San Buenaventura

Ventura Pet & Reptile Expo - Nov. 7-8, 2026

VENTURA PET & REPTILE EXPO - November 7–8, 2026 at Ventura County Fairgrounds. Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Shari Huntington, Independent Stylist for Stella & Dot, Neighbor

Posting Activity

Author will Delve into A Cold Case in a Cold Place: Murder Mystery in Alaska is Like No Other

Ventura Pet & Reptile Expo - Nov. 7-8, 2026