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Seltzer to share derby book

Jerry Seltzer, a Sonoma resident for 20 years, has lived a lot of lives. He founded BASS Tickets, spending hours backstage with some of the world’s leading rock-stars. Upon moving to the Valley, he help found the Sonoma International Film Festival. But his life truly began on the roller derby track.

Seltzer will share his new book, “Bay Area Roller Derby” co-authored by Keith Coppage, on Tuesday, Sept. 4, at 7:30 p.m. at Readers’ Books. The book includes photos from the sport’s history as well as memories from Seltzer’s life growing up around the sport. Modern day derby girls will be in attendance at the reading, which is free and open to the public.

Jerry Seltzer father, Leo Seltzer, created the game in the 1930s. Many of Jerry’s earliest memories are of skaters whizzing around the track, the sound of wooden skates whirring by. When he grew up, he took over the effort and became a major promoter of the sport. He left the derby when the sport collapsed in the 1970s, but returned as the game’s commissioner when it was reborn in the 21^st century.

The book is available at area bookstores, Amazon.com, or through Arcadia Publishing at 888-313-2665.