Writer/photographer Chris Cozzone has inked a two-volume book deal with McFarland Press on the history of boxing in New Mexico. In between his work with WriteShot and covering boxing, Cozzone has spent the last six years in heavy research. He inherited the project in 2005 from the late Jim Boggio, who will share the byline. Boggio began his research in the ’80s, logging in over 400 fight cards throughout N.M. history. Cozzone has brought brought that number to 2,300.

Volume I of the two-book set will cover 1868 to World War II and Volume II, from the ’40s to modern era. Featured fighters in the book include Johnny Tapia, Danny Romero, Bob Foster, Benny Chavez, Eddie Mack, Benny Cordova, Abie Chavez, Larry Cisneros, Art Aragon, Emilio Martinez, Julio Chiaramonte (pictured) and dozens more. Hall-of-Fame matchmaker Bruce Trampler will write the foreword.  Cozzone expects Volume I’s completion later this year and to hit the sands in 2012. Stay tuned.

Albuquerque’s Hotel Andaluz is the oldest hotel in the city. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the hotel recently underwent a 34-million dollar renovation that included much more than a property’s standard updates. WriteShot’s book will detail the history of the hotel and the story of the entrepreneur with a vision who breathed life back  into it, transforming the property into the only USGBC silver-level LEED certified building on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Commencing with the hotel’s creation by Conrad Hilton in 1939 and ending in the present day with Gary Goodman’s vision of a sustainable luxury property, WriteShot’s book will tell the building’s entire story.

We’ve just completed Priscilla and Zack’s book and it’s off to the press. Chris and I spent four days with the couple, their friends and family. We loved getting to know them, especially since they have two rescue dogs and we do, too. It was great working with wedding planner Mary Dann, and wonderful to witness her magical transformation of Pasadena’s historic Castle Green. Priscilla’s pre-wedding events allowed us to experience not only the yummy BBQ at the Barn Burner, where the rehearsal dinner was held, but also the delightful treats at Glendale’s Berolina Bakery, just a few doors up from Jobyna’s Bridal Shop, from where Priscilla’s gorgeous Rivini gown came. Truth be told, though it’s nowhere near Jobyna’s, Chris and I also sampled the savory Cubano sandwiches at Porto’s Bakery, too. We hope to return to Pasadena soon. Click here for online version of the book

Recently, I was asked what was the craziest thing I’d ever seen at a wedding, or during the days leading up to a wedding. The answer was an easy one.

It was during the night of a casual rehearsal dinner for our clients, Salina and Mike, who were hosting a family BBQ at their house on the west side of Albuquerque, two days before their wedding. Upon answering the door, the bride-to-be exclaimed, “My dog! She ate my ring!”

The night – and next two days – were spent following Bailey, a lab cross, around, in the hopes that the ring would be recovered. It wasn’t to be, however, though a replacement was given to the couple by the bride’s mother, who came up with her mother’s ring, from the 1930s. FYI, the original ring is still missing, although Salina and Mike plan to excavate their backyard.

The dog and missing ring story became a prominent subplot in the book we created for Salina and Mike. (Click here)