Community Corner

How to Help a Local Storyteller Finalize His 'Wild in Spirit' Dream

Miramar resident Michael Powers, longtime photojournalist, filmmaker and wilderness guide, is in the process of raising funds to publish a book of adventure photography and words of wisdom.

Many Coastsiders may know him as the visionary and builder behind the Sun Center for Well Being. Miramar resident Michael Powers, from his fairytale cottage by the sea, is also the co-founder of Ocean Studio, an "alliance of award-winning writes, composers, photographers and filmmakers working together through the media to nurture a deeper understanding and empathy for the natural world."

Their projects are many but most recently the group is in the process of realizing Power's lifelong dream by publishing their first book, "Wild in Spirit," Photographs and Words of Redemption for the Natural World.

The 250-page hardcover, full-color coffee table book is bound with page after page of photographic images gathered over decades of time from many of the extraordinary travels of the members of the Ocean Studio alliance.

"Our purpose in gathering our pinnacle images together for the first time was to recount the universal stories and wisdom of humankind that storytellers have always passed down to their people, in a compelling new way," writes Powers.

The book is peppered with inspiring quotes from celebrities, world leaders, poets, prophets, indigenous peoples and passionate "defenders of the natural world":

"The quieter you become, the more you hear." — Ram Dass

"I must be a mermaid, Rango. I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living." — Anais Nin

"We have little to risk the adventure alone, for the heroes of all time have gone before us. The labyrinth is fully known." — Joseph Campbell 

The group has organized a Kickstarter campaign to publish this book of "pinnacle images and universal stories from the natural world."

All that remains to be done before the book becomes a reality is the final editing, proofing, printing, and binding. The alliance needs $23K to do it. So far they've raised $11K with 65 backers.

"It is through your Kickstarter pledges that this beautiful and inspiring book will come to life. Our heartfelt gratitude for your generous support," states Powers.

All supporters will receive an invitation to the book launch party in Half Moon Bay and updates about the project. All pledges above $50 include at least one Wild In Spirit book. Additionally, here is a summary of many unique and limited rewards:   

• Pledge $1 RECEIVE OUR THANKS 

• Pledge $10 WILD IN SPIRIT PDF PREVIEW 

Find out what's happening in Half Moon Baywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

• Pledge $25 WILD IN SPIRIT DIGITAL SLIDESHOW

• Pledge $35 THE GOOD FIGHT DVD by Mark Fraser 

Find out what's happening in Half Moon Baywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

• Pledge $40 CONFESSIONS OF A WAVE WARRIOR book by Eric Soares

• Pledge $50 A FIRST EDITION SIGNED COPY OF WILD IN SPIRIT 

• Pledge $100 TWO 1ST EDITION SIGNED COPIES OF WILD IN SPIRIT

• Pledge $100 A FUN MINI-ADVENTURE IN THE HALF MOON BAY AREA

• Pledge $150 THREE 1ST EDITION SIGNED COPIES OF WILD IN SPIRIT

• Pledge $350 LIFETIME FAMILY MEMBERSHIP IN THE MIRAMAR BEACH KAYAK CLUB 

• Pledge $500 TEN 1ST EDITION SIGNED COPIES OF WILD IN SPIRIT

• Pledge $525 A NIGHT IN THE OCEAN STUDIO GUEST COTTAGE WITH DINNER FOR TWO

• Pledge $500 YOUR PERSONAL CELEBRATION OR CEREMONY AT OCEAN STUDIO 

• Pledge $550 SEA KAYAK WITH OCEAN STUDIO & TSUNAMI RANGERS

• Pledge $1,000 A PERSONAL INVITATION TO JOIN A FUTURE OCEAN STUDIO MEDIA EXPEDITION 

• Pledge $10,000 HAVE US CREATE YOUR OWN PERSONAL ADVENTURE VIDEO!  

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