The protagonist of Naomi Hirahara's novels isn't a seasoned police detective or a private investigator -- he's a gruff, 72-year-old gardener who lives in the hills above Pasadena, Calif. The Mas Arai character was inspired by Hirahara's father and guides readers into the hidden corners of L.A.'s Japanese-American communities.

Grace Dyrness of Altadena, Calif. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, at Northwest Hills Community Church, 3300 N.W. Walnut Blvd., Corvallis. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to ...