Meet and Greet and Book Signing event with NBA player, coach, two-time champion, author and two- time cancer survivor Clifford Ray Jr.
Attention Families and NBA Basketball Lovers! The community is invited to a very special Meet and Greet and Book Signing event with NBA player, coach, two-time champion, author and two- time cancer survivor Clifford Ray Jr. and his co-author Laynie D. Weaver. The event will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 1 pm – 5 pm in front of Old Fisherman’s Grotto on Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey.
Clifford Ray, Jr. recently released his first book. “Big Clifford Ray Saves the Day”, a children’s book for kids ages 5-8 years old (52 pages, $35 retail) about the time he saved a bottlenose dolphin named Doctor Spock in 1978. For everyone who buys a copy of the book, they will receive one certificate for a free Princess Monterey Whale Watching trip at Old Fisherman’s Wharf, where they may see dolphins, whales, otters and more!
"Big Clifford Ray Saves the Day" activity books for kids (in English and Spanish) will be available free of charge for kids that come to the event along with crayons. A portion of the book sales will be donated to the Duke Cancer Institute.
Clifford Ray Jr explains, “I wrote this book with Laynie D. Weaver to share my journey in life with other young people and to encourage them to pursue their dreams while taking care of others along the way.”
Monterey Restauranter Chris Shake, who is hosting the event for his longtime friend said, “I am so pleased to have Clifford Ray Jr. and Laynie D. Weaver at the Old Fisherman’s Wharf, surrounded by marine mammals in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and available to meet our local sports fans and inspire our children to learn the importance of helping others, whether it’s a friend … or even a dolphin!”
Although the event’s goal is to sell this charming children's book for a great cause, Clifford is also available to sign Golden State Warriors merchandise, too (one item per person).
About the book, “Big Clifford Ray Save the Day”
The short biography, written as a series of poems by Clifford Ray Jr. and Laynie D. Weaver, starts with Clifford as a boy learning to fish, dreaming of the ocean, and falling in love with dolphins and other sea creatures. As Clifford grows, and grows, and grows, he becomes a very good basketball player. He played for the University of Oklahoma before being drafted by the Chicago Bulls to play in the NBA. After three years with the Bulls, Clifford moved to California to play for the Golden State Warriors. His exceptionally, nearly four-foot-long arms, were perfect for shooting, blocking, and rebounding the basketball and helping the Golden State Warriors win the 1975 NBA Championship.
A few years later, his incredibly long arms came in handy again when Doctor Spock the dolphin mistakenly swallowed a bolt. After the veterinarian failed to extract the bolt, Big Clifford Ray was called to help. Find out how Clifford saves Doctor Spock in this heartwarming, true story.
About Clifford Ray, Jr.
After three seasons with the Bulls in the Windy City, Clifford was traded in 1974 to the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, California. Often referenced as the “soul” of the team, Clifford helped the Golden State Warriors charge through the playoffs in 1975 knocking out his old team, the Chicago Bulls, in the Western Conference finals. In the final, the Golden State Warriors swept the Washington Bullets in four games to bring home the first Golden State Warriors championship. Clifford Ray is a two-time prostate cancer survivor. A portion of the book sales will be donated to the Donna A. Bernstein Prostate Cancer Fund at the Duke Cancer Institute. Check out this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
About Co-Author Laynie D. Weaver and Illustrator C. Courtney Weaver
Laynie D. Weaver is a technical writer by profession and a biographer by hobby. “Big Clifford Ray Saves the Day” is her second published book and first children’s book. She met Clifford Ray, Jr., while researching her first book, “A Most Improbable Millionaire.” Children’s books are not complete without wonderful illustrations. Laynie’s talented oldest sister C. Courtney Weaver was the perfect fit as the Illustrator. This is Courtney’s first, and certainly not her last, work of children’s book illustrations.
For those who are unable to attend the event, more information about purchasing the book can be found at www.LaynieDWeaver.com.