Joe Salviejo, Westlake Village, CA

 

My father was Basque (you have heard of them, those pesky Basque separatists in Northern Spain) and my mother was French (you have heard of them also; West of Germany, Paris, fine wine, fattening cheese, the Eiffel Tower and all that). Both of their families moved to Mexico City during WWI, where later on they met and got married. However, I was conceived in Los Angeles when my parents were touring with a night club act. But, my mother wanted me to be born in Mexico City, and they returned for that happy event where I grew up.

When I was 19 and after a couple of years of College in Mexico City, Televisa (Mexican TV Network) gave a scholarship to finish studying in Los Angeles California. After receiving a Master’s Degree in Broadcasting, I joined the USAF where I served from 1965 to 1969, the last three and a half years in Rasmtein AB, Germany, where I worked in the Armed Forces TV Network. Twenty days after being discharged by the USAF in 1969, I was hired by then KNXT.

I worked there for almost 32 years, the last 28 as a Technical Director on the news, and other special projects. I was lucky enough to receive several group Golden Mikes and a couple of group Emmys, as well as one personal Emmy for Technical Directing during the Northridge Earthquake.

I took early retirement from CBS (Westinghouse, Viacom or whatever they call "that" company) December 2000, at about the same time as I got divorced after a 32 year marriage. A few months earlier my then 26 year-old-daughter and her 6 year-old daughter moved to New Jersey. Obviously three monumental changes in my life within a two month period. However, no... it did not drive me to drinking or any other type of self-destructing behavior. Instead I concentrated in writing.

After driving to work 80 miles a day for almost 30 years, now I walk exactly 42 steps from my bed to my home office. I can go in shorts and t-shirt, any time of day and I don’t pay too much attention to the "second hand" on the clock (4:58:58 is NOT an important time anymore).

I now publish "The Womans’ Journal" a newspaper geared to women, in the Malibu, Santa Monica, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Agoura, Calabasas area. I also write a column syndicated in all the other "Woman’s Journals" in about 27 other cities. I have  written two novels, a collection of short stories and a couple of stage plays; all in different stages of publication. I am also the editor of several Home Owner Association's Newsletter here in Westlake Village.

After many years of stress and split second complicated decisions, now my biggest decision of the day is; do I call my girlfriend before or after I take my morning walk?

My e-mail address is jd.salviejo@verizon.net  it would be nice to hear from some of you.

Joe Salviejo