I love that number 60 was in my wheelhouse. Teaching a writing workshop. That’s it. Pretty simple. Class – 6 High school kids. Who should be worried about going to college and picking up classmates. Unfortunately these kids, as KIDSAVE ambassadors, had to worry about finding families and convincing others to look beyond blood and do the same. How to convince aka seduce someone with the written word? In two words – “Yes, and…” “Yes, and…” is my writing motto. It keeps... [Read more]
Extreme weather conditions fueled by climate change will increase food insecurity across the globe. Scientists and humanitarian groups point to events like this summer’s record breaking heat in Russia and floods in Pakistan and Canada as examples of how food stocks are likely to be affected in the coming years. “Climate change will lead to different weather patterns, and that is what we are already seeing in many places like Pakistan and Russia. It doesn’t rain the way it used to,”... [Read more]
No Kid Hungry I got the call from Share Our Strength on Friday requesting volunteer help on Sunday for the LA Times Celebration of Food and Wine benefit at Paramount. Regardless of the late notice, I got butterflies. Maybe even a bit lightheaded. Some people go weak over movie stars – I lose my mind over gourmet-handcrafted food. To prep for the large amount of yum I would inhale (for charity yada yada yada) I ate nothing but fruit and veggies for two days, lived at the gym, and fasted the last... [Read more]
Map of Mariner and Deepwater Horizon Located 100 miles south of Vermillion Bay, LA the Mariner Energy Inc. platform is in relatively shallow water only 320 feet vs. the mile deep water of the BP’s notorious Deepwater Horizon Rig (which is only 200 miles east of the M.E. Platform). 13 crewmembers miraculously escaped the platform by jumping into the ocean wearing “gumby suits.” All are currently safe on terra firma. One person was reported injured. Mariner Energy, Inc., who owns the platform,... [Read more]
“No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities – always see them for they’re always there.” – Norman Vincent Peale Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans five years ago flooding 80% of the city, destroying homes, stores, schools, churches, and lives. When the levees broke the Lower Nine, one of the poorest areas of the city, found itself under 15 feet of water. The predominately African American community was almost... [Read more]
