NORTH COAST
April 26, 2012
PAGE B3
Del Mar man has yet to meet his ‘match’ in world record • Former author owns more than 3.2 million matchbooks BY CLAIRE HARLIN
ing because it’s become a more common form of advertising for many establishments. “I’ve never really been a smoker; I’ve just always liked the matches,” he said. “It’s one of the cheapest hobbies around. The only two free hobbies left are matchbooks and beer coasters. And now places are coming out with toothpicks ... But there are still 50 or 60 places in San Diego that have matches.” For more information on matchcover collecting, visit www.matchcover.org. To find out about joining the San Diego AMCAL chapter, contact Brassard at (858) 755-2311.
EDITOR@DELMARTIMES.NET
La Jolla Cultural Partners
At the age of 16, Del Mar resident Ed Brassard got caught with matches, and his mom wanted an explanation. “I was sneaking smokes, but I told her it was a collection,” he said. “So, I started collecting them.” Thirty years later, Brassard has traveled the world collecting matchbooks and his collection has grown to more than 3.2 million. He’s held the world record in the hobby for more than a decade, having gone down in history in both the Guinness Book of World Records and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. Brassard isn’t alone in his hobby — he’s one of more than 100 who are part of a community of matchbook, matchbox and match cover collectors who make up the San Diego chapter of the Associated Matchcover Clubs of California (AMCAL). Brassard is an officer in the group and holds monthly meetings at his Del Mar home. Chapters from across the state — and worldwide — also met April 1921 in North Park for the 57th annual AMCAL convention. At the event, collectors competed for prizes such as “best display” and they went “room hopping.” “It’s like trick or treat,” said Brassard. “Everyone puts out their miscellaneous matchbooks and we grab a bag and go from one hotel room to another.” For Brassard, matchbook collecting has been one of the best excuses to travel. In his first years of collecting as a teenager, he said he went to more than 44 different countries, and he’s continued to travel throughout his life, between writing books, working as a technician at General Atomics in La Jolla, and doing some modeling and acting. One of his most memorable acting roles, he said, was standing across from Richard Gere playing a bank teller in “Pretty Woman.” His book “Body for Sale” also earned him national notoriety for exposing the medical technology industry and organ trade.
Friends of Solana Beach Library to hold author presentation May 8 World record holder Ed Brassard. Photo/Claire Harlin Ask Brassard what his favorite matchbook is and he’ll ask “What category?” He has his collection organized into at least 100 categories, and he knows where each matchbook is, he said. His favorite category is national parks and caves, but there are countless categories, ranging from bars to politics to hotels to even categories for specific hotels, like the Hard Rock. How far would Brassard go for a matchbook? “I’ve run out in the middle of the road to grab a matchbook and almost got run over,” he said. “I’ve gone from here to Yosemite just for one matchbook … Anytime we collectors go to a hotel, they tell you to take one matchbook, but we empty the whole bowl. We trade, so it’s like we are grabbing one for everyone, all the other traders too.” Unfortunately for collectors, the upswing in smoking bans across the country has caused the hobby to die down, and Brassard said he has started to take up toothpick collect-
On Tuesday night, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the Solana Beach Library, the Friends of the Library are hosting a presentation by local author Zohreh Ghahremani who will speak about her new book, “Sky of Red Poppies.” This book is a 2012 One Book-One San Diego Selection and is a stunning and poetic tale about two girls coming of age in Iran during the 1960s. Set against the backdrop of a nation forced to mute its profound identity, it is a novel about culture, politics and the redeeming power of friendships. Zohreh Ghahremani was a dentist in another life. She studied dentistry in Iran and pediatric dentistry at London University, England. After more than two decades of practicing in the Chicago area and teaching at Northwestern University, she moved to La Jolla and became a full-time writer. The Solana Beach Library is located at 157 Stevens Avenue, Solana Beach (858-755-1404). This program is free to the public.
CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING Final Weeks! John Baldessari: A Print Retrospective From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation is only on view through May 13. Don’t miss the chance to see this exhibition featuring more than 100 works drawn from the impressively rich and deep holdings of contemporary prints assembled by collector, business man, and philanthropist Jordan Schnitzer. www.mcasd.org MCASD La Jolla 700 Prospect Street
Register now!
Mark Morris Dance Group
Summer Learning Adventure Camps
Saturday, April 28 at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.
From the classroom to the seashore, our Summer Learning Adventure Camps merge scientific exploration with hands-on fun and learning. Campers investigate marine habitats, create ocean art projects, learn about careers in oceanography, combine the science and sports of surfing and snorkeling, and more, all while making new friends and memories. Camps run from June 25-Aug. 24 and are accredited by the American Camp Association.
View programs and register online at aquarium.ucsd.edu
Five Centuries of European Art and Music Presented and performed by Victoria Martino
Birch North Park Theatre
Tuesdays, May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $65, $50, $30
This lecture-concert series will take the audience on a journey through five centuries of European art and music, from the Renaissance to our time. Ms. Martino will reveal and examine the political, social and ideological factors that led to significant stylistic shifts and transformations, illuminating pivotal moments in the cultural development of Europe.
One of the world’s leading dance companies, known for its witty and highly expressive performances featuring superb live music.
Series tickets: $85/$110; Single tickets: $19/$24
(858) 459-3728 www.LJMS.org
For more information and tickets, call (858) 454-5872 or visit www.ljathenaeum.org