“Chaotic, dusty, loud—and perfect.”

That’s how writer Mariano Velez describes life in Calexico in his short story collection, “Mostly Made-Up Stories from a Small Town Nobody,” based on his own upbringing in the region during the 1970s and 1980s.

Thursday on Midday Edition, we hear from Velez about the inspiration behind the book.

Then, KPBS' Beth Accomando sits down with comics curator Caitlin McGurk to talk about her Eisner Award-winning book detailing the legacy of cartoonist Barbara Shermund.

And finally, in your weekend preview, KPBS' Julia Dixon Evans shares her top event picks and pays tribute to San Diego musician Tim Lowman, who passed away late last year.

• Mariano Velez, author, “Mostly Made-Up Stories from a Small Town Nobody”
• Caitlin McGurk, curator of comics and cartoon art at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum, author, "Tell Me a Story Where the Bad Girl Wins: The Life and Art of Barbara Shermund"
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and "The Finest" host, KPBS