VENICE COMMUNITY LEADER PUBLISHES FIRST NOVEL Jeffrey Solomon's "Like It Had Eyes" Takes Readers on Wild Ride LOS ANGELES, CA - Los Angeles native Jeffrey A. Solomon has published his first novel, "Like It Had Eyes," taking readers on a wild ride from 1950s and '60s Los Angeles to Las Vegas to the East Coast and beyond. Solomon conveys the story of Chip Sullivan -- a tale of unspeakable loss, the intoxicating cycle of risk and reward, desperation, ravenous appetites and unimaginable challenges - transporting readers into a world unlike any they may have known. The protagonist was born in the middle of World War II in an idyllic suburb of Los Angeles. Chip is just 14 when his mother dies of breast cancer and his life takes a series of dramatic turns. He experiences his first bi-polar episode and embarks on a long journey to survive a life-long mental illness, with his successes and failures mirroring the highs and lows of his personal life. Chip's story is ultimately one of hope, survival and a life fully realized. The author brings to bear his own wide-ranging experiences - star basketball player, craps dealer on the Vegas strip, tour operator, mental health advocate and peace proponent. Raised in Westchester, California, Solomon was a standout basketball player at Westchester High School, and was later scouted by the Los Angeles Lakers. A resident and community leader in Venice Beach for more than thirty-five years, he is currently the founder and owner of Venice Beach Walking Tours.