John went from carefree bachelor to father of four in 13 months after marrying a single mom and then quickly learning that not one, not two, but three babies were on the way. His book, Tales from the Trips, chronicles the emotional, hilarious and life-altering transition. To promote it, he began blogging, drawing up to 600 page views per day and raising the brow of Hollywood A-listers.

Tracy didn’t always have her life mapped out, but she says, “As a kid I used to break out the atlas and just start drawing.” Thumbing through National Geographic one day, Tracy saw a map and realized “someone” had to create it. Inspired, she earned a Masters in Geography and landed an internship with “Nati G.” Now a freelance cartographer she admits, “National Geographic has come full circle.

yourself to a tail-wagging evening at Weim & Cheese, Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue’s largest annual fundraiser with live music, hors d’oeuvres catered by Pimento’s Café and Market, and a silent auction. The evening’s proceeds support rescue efforts for Weimaraners, several of which will make an appearance during the evening. March 13, 5pm at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. $30.

With four sisters, four daughters (from left, Nora, Hazel, Grace, and Willa) and a dog named Rosie, it was high time the author/historian tackled a women’s adventure story. Out this month, Dean’s long awaited Unbound: A True Story of War, Love, and Survival, retraces China’s Long March. Thirty women were among the 86,000 Communists who embarked on the treacherous 4,000-mile journey in 1934. One year and 4,000 miles later, fewer than 10,000 soldiers—and all 30 women—survived.