Chicken Ranch anniversary: Marvin Zindler's birthday

On this date in 1921, KTRK consumer affairs reporter Marvin Zindler was born.

Zindler, of course, is forever linked with the Chicken Ranch, as his series of exposés on the brothel directly led to its closure. Marvin clashed with his father (who owned the well-regarded Zindler's clothing store in Houston) growing up and went on to try his had at a host of different career options. He was a drum major (briefly) at Tarleton State, served in the Marines (again, briefly) before being discharged as 4F, was a radio reporter for defunct Houston radio station KATL, was a reporter for the defunct Houston Press, ran for mayor of Bellaire, was fired by one TV station because he was "too ugly for television" and was a Harris County deputy sheriff for year, where he worked in civil fraud and fugitive extradition before setting up the consumer fraud division.

Had he not died of pancreatic cancer in 2007, Zindler would've been 95 today.

In other news, I've got some more signings coming up! For anyone in Houston who missed my signing at Murder By The Book, worry not! I've got another signing right down the street at Brazos Bookstore at 7 p.m. August 23! And then there's this weekend's extended engagement in Bryan/College Station, where I'll be in the lobby pre-show and during intermission for the Theatre Company's production of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." That's 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 3 p.m. on Sunday. It was a great deal of fun to do this in San Antonio at the Playhouse, and I expect we'll have just as much fun in Aggieland! Come on out and say "Howdy!"

Inside the Texas Chicken Ranch: The Definitive Account of the Best Little Whorehouse is now available from both Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com. It's also available as an ebook in the following formats: Kindle, Nook, Google Play, iBooks and Kobo.

Title: Inside the Texas Chicken Ranch: The Definitive Account of the Best Little Whorehouse
Author: Jayme Lynn Blaschke
ISBN: 978.1.46713.563.4

Ghosts of the Chicken Ranch is still available:

Ghosts of the Chicken Ranch by Jayme Blaschke & Lisa Blaschke

Now Playing: Talking Heads The Name of This Band is Talking Heads
Chicken Ranch Central