tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39774186753086665642024-03-13T10:41:59.656-07:00Spin-a-WebsiteWendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-91811679686154149292011-05-07T07:39:00.000-07:002011-05-07T07:48:27.238-07:00Really have to get back to blogging!!Two weeks into my new job at <a href="http://www.bitesizepr.com/">Bite Size PR</a> and I'm almost used to the schedule. Of course, there are only 3 weeks left of school and what happens when the children are home and we are swimming every day remains to be seen. <div><br /></div><div>What I haven't gotten back to yet is the blogging (duh). Or the spinning. I have knit half a mitt. I knit more during the <a href="lafellows.org">LA Fellows</a>!</div><div><br /></div><div>By the way, your (perhaps but I hope not) last chance to become an LA Fellow is approaching! They are having one more orientation for Cohort 4 on Wednesday, May 11th at 10am at Los Angeles Valley College. If you are a highly experienced professional on a job search, this could be the program for you! Very high level career coaching, interview technique, critical thinking, entrepreneurship, confidence building and--best of all--support from other professionals in the same boat. If you want to hear my take on the program, read my graduation speech <a href="http://spin-a-website.blogspot.com/2011/03/graduation-speech.html">HERE</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kids are crazy busy with getting ready for their spring dance recital (next weekend), finals, field trips, swim and French lessons. I think we are all ready for a break. At least they will get one! We are also preparing for tryouts for Swim Team and Water Polo Team and starting to gear up for this year's Vacation Bible School, at which I will attempt to volunteer in the early mornings, sigh.</div><div><br /></div><div>I must manage to spin today. For my mental health!</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-37201459782049609512011-04-23T20:47:00.000-07:002011-04-23T20:51:49.744-07:00A New BeginningI've been gone a while, I know, and busy, crazy busy for a while, too. But good things are starting to happen!<div><br /></div><div>On Monday, I start as a Media Relations Associate with Bite Size PR, a marketing firm in Chicago. I'm very excited about this opportunity to move into my new career. </div><div><br /></div><div>The LA Fellows turned out to be a real watershed period for me, a time to regroup, refine my goals, strategize and plan for the future. The things I learned there will stay with me for the rest of my life, whatever roles come now and later. They tell us we have three or four more careers ahead of us, that is so exciting!</div><div><br /></div><div>On this Easter Eve, I wish all of my friends and family a beautiful new life. Every day is a new opportunity to grow, to learn, to love. Take it and run with it and leave everything on the road!</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-90395642412004994302011-03-30T14:25:00.000-07:002011-03-30T14:44:41.836-07:00If I Were Editor of the Burbank Patch: March 30, 2011Some days I really wish I had time to cover all the events in my wonderful town! I spent some time covering Central LA this last week, but Burbank is my pride and joy!<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxRDkLqyg7M8Dr-vFA_Yy4v7hL8kpBzb5oQ5SabZOjgr-j3czL1tgTfE5F9iJGJ0z6inpg-T_ygFvECahMkgd9b6GuJjTKfTxVOHLTJGw8NIlRq3ymF7E9CYtCLfpDKlaiy5Zpt3-n_Gw/s1600/buena+vista+library.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxRDkLqyg7M8Dr-vFA_Yy4v7hL8kpBzb5oQ5SabZOjgr-j3czL1tgTfE5F9iJGJ0z6inpg-T_ygFvECahMkgd9b6GuJjTKfTxVOHLTJGw8NIlRq3ymF7E9CYtCLfpDKlaiy5Zpt3-n_Gw/s200/buena+vista+library.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589991484306448658" /></a>This afternoon there is a MadLibs Workshop at the Buena Vista Library at 4pm. Have you ever played MadLibs? This is pretty much the funniest game EVAR! I would love to attend this Workshop and report on some of the funny stuff these 3rd and 4th graders can come up with (except for the scatological answers that they always try)!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPK3g-JglPg1kT5SotuUSP6afeG6NHzE9_d3KSzEOZZYaQ1ln7qnGa8MzF22sU5FXF18cCe9oFAqf3VHTzqJymib8WRc8RzaU68Otj16cUuwgEH7NEJ2qwWR7JkJmQ-zEoTF0qTkoJ6w2/s1600/castaway+view.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPK3g-JglPg1kT5SotuUSP6afeG6NHzE9_d3KSzEOZZYaQ1ln7qnGa8MzF22sU5FXF18cCe9oFAqf3VHTzqJymib8WRc8RzaU68Otj16cUuwgEH7NEJ2qwWR7JkJmQ-zEoTF0qTkoJ6w2/s200/castaway+view.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589991488096444562" /></a>Tomorrow night there is a Trivia Challenge at the Castaway Restaurant that sounds like fun, too! I wonder which team will win...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwL2f3g9Y2TKocEgI8IB5YxxX2cgC1X26s4SVgPyVkD9R33-nSALkWC1qdsT3C7I_TA5AszCL-msQQdADAssK6zVZja-qxzsbsBody41fVQ1ZsitD-OS8m6RkEwtPPipQ7pBZrpR5r_br8/s1600/chandler+bike+path.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwL2f3g9Y2TKocEgI8IB5YxxX2cgC1X26s4SVgPyVkD9R33-nSALkWC1qdsT3C7I_TA5AszCL-msQQdADAssK6zVZja-qxzsbsBody41fVQ1ZsitD-OS8m6RkEwtPPipQ7pBZrpR5r_br8/s200/chandler+bike+path.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589991480348560354" /></a>On Saturday (I really might go to this one) is the annual Magical Magnolia Bicycle Tour. We've been invited to this event by friends for the last couple of years, but have never gone. I bet there will be some great photos to be had! Pick up a treasure map, decorate your helmet and you bike and go off on a tour of this vibrant neighborhood!</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm still looking for news about what sounded like gunshots last night in my neighborhood, but nothing yet. If I had a police scanner, I would know the scoop for sure.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Burbank Temporary Aid Center shelves are still suffering, both from fewer donations and more needy families. I would go over and ask if any of the local organizations are upping their normal donations (my church is, for example) and what they especially need. This is a great place to give in your own community!</div><div><br /></div><div>Something I am attending is a Seminar on Social Media and your business at the Community Services Building in Burbank taught by Dr. Virginia Green, an expert in entrepreneurship. Dr. Green is an amazing instructor with whom I have prior experience and I know she will encourage and educate us all toward success in our entrepreneurial endeavors. </div><div><br /></div><div>Whew! That was enough alliteration for today!</div><div><br /></div><div>And that's what I would be covering...</div><div><br /></div><div>If I Were the Editor of the Burbank Patch!</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-78535929643920499362011-03-28T16:25:00.000-07:002011-03-28T16:58:43.606-07:00LIVEBLOG: President Obama's Speech on LIbya, March 29, 2011The President will begin in a few minutes.<div><br /></div><div>I don't know how I feel about the Libya situation and am eager to get a clear statement from President Obama on what is happening and what the plans are. </div><div><br /></div><div>I do feel that, as much as I would like him to go to Congress in these kind of situations, the circumstances, especially in the House, are not conducive to quick action, which was probably necessary here.</div><div><br /></div><div>4:32pm PST: Begins by paying tribute to the troops. Laying out all of the places we are involved, Japan, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc. </div><div><br /></div><div>U.S. has played a unique role in the world. We are naturally reluctant to use force? Oh. Libya, Tunisia and Egypt are one region. Quadaffi has been terrible. It looked like he was going to give way to the calls of the public for him to step down. But his response was to attack his people. </div><div><br /></div><div>We froze his assets, sanctioned him with the UN. Quadaffi had lost the confidence of his people and the President called for him to step down. Quadaffi escalated his attacks, hospitals, ambulances, civilians, journalists were attacked. Food and water were stopped. </div><div><br /></div><div>We and our European allies appealed to the world to save civilian lives and we joined with the UNSC to stop Quadaffi's air attacks and protect the Libyan people. </div><div><br /></div><div>When Quadaffi continued and attacked Bengazi, the world faced a choice. Quadaffi declared "no mercy" and threatened to punish everyone. We know what he is like. We knew that if we waited one more day, Bengazi would be decimated.</div><div><br /></div><div>4:39pm PST: 9 days ago we decided to move in to stop the looming tragedy. Tonight I can report we have stopped Quadaffi's deadly advance on Bengazi. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our coalition includes the UK, France, Canada, Demark, Norway, Italy, Spain, Greece and Turkey as well as Arab partners like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.</div><div><br /></div><div>This response came together incredibly quickly. It took us only 31 days to accomplish our goals. We have used no ground troops and on Wednesday we hand over power over the arms embargo and the no-fly-zone to NATO. </div><div><br /></div><div>The US will continue to play a supporting role in the intervention. </div><div><br /></div><div>The US has done what we said we would do. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow Sec. Clinton will attend a summit in London to discuss the political efforts in Libya and what to do in the future to help Libyan people control their own country.</div><div><br /></div><div>4:45pm PST: The debate in Washington has been over whether we should intervene at all, since we cannot intervene everywhere. But this is a false argument. We were faced with the prospect of terrible violence, we had the capability to stop it without putting American troops on the ground. We have responsibilities to our fellow human beings. "I refuse to wait for images of slaughter and mass graves before taking action." </div><div><br /></div><div>Failure to act in Libya would carry a far greater price than intervention.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some suggest we should not only protect the Libyan people but also pursue regime change. I would like if Quadaffi were out of power, but this would be a mistake. The task of our forces is protection and carries international support. Also the Libyan opposition asked us to. Our coalition could not survive a goal of regime change and many more people would be killed, both Libyan and American.</div><div><br /></div><div>"We went down that road in Iraq."</div><div><br /></div><div>We cannot afford to repeat that mistake.</div><div><br /></div><div>What we can and will do is support the aspirations of the Libyan people. We will maintain their safety. We will work with other nations to hasten the day that Quadaffi leaves office. It should be clear that history is not on his side, but now there is time and space for the Libyans to determine their own destiny.</div><div><br /></div><div>4:51pm PST: I will never hesitate to use our military when necessary. Sometimes the course of history threatens our common humanity: natural disaster, genocide. These may not be our problems alone, but they are important and worth solving. As the world's most powerful nation, we will be called up on to help. We should not be afraid to act. </div><div><br /></div><div>American leadership is not just "going it alone." Real leadership creates the conditions where others can step up as well. That is the kind of leadership we have shown in Libya. </div><div><br /></div><div>The risks are high. But the Libyan people are our friends. This change will complicate the world, change will come differently in different places. Egypt has inspired us. Iran still has difficulties. </div><div><br /></div><div>The US will not dictate the pace and scope of change, only the people can do that. But we can make a difference. We must stand with those who have the same principles as we do. Universal rights, governments that are responsive to the people. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We welcome the fact that history is on the move and that young people are leading the way. Wherever people long to be free, they will find a friend in the United States.</div><div><br /></div><div>We know that our own future is brighter if more of mankind can live with the bright light of freedom and dignity.</div><div><br /></div><div>A pretty good job, if I may say so.</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-76120809435691475962011-03-28T14:50:00.001-07:002011-03-28T14:50:56.503-07:00LIVEBLOG: President Obama's Speech on LibyaJust to let you know, I will be liveblogging President Obama's speech tonight on the intervention in Libya.<div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-60769236272219605192011-03-24T11:27:00.000-07:002011-03-24T11:44:20.431-07:00March 24, 2011: If I Were the Editor of the Burbank PatchWe are having a bit of a break this morning in the rain, which is welcome, but will continue to have weather here in beautiful Burbank through Sunday, they say. <div><br /></div><div>Have you seen <a href="http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/">Wundermap</a>? It shows the current weather almost down to the raindrop so you can figure out when it's a good idea to get the dog out or run your errands. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbDojtu9_9CtL8NyzJSsEY6edsdsfFD-BlCy-VBzPOroPziyFYwfDsZ2AbgkfhC_a2Nsc97XAXCgaEUV9o-uzsub9fZCq0Dvq8mU5aGBQt82x7gekxK3zc5LFfehtl11fOroLUUT3OAae/s1600/LibertyBelle-FP.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbDojtu9_9CtL8NyzJSsEY6edsdsfFD-BlCy-VBzPOroPziyFYwfDsZ2AbgkfhC_a2Nsc97XAXCgaEUV9o-uzsub9fZCq0Dvq8mU5aGBQt82x7gekxK3zc5LFfehtl11fOroLUUT3OAae/s200/LibertyBelle-FP.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587716815619931266" /></a>This weekend in Burbank we have a visit from<a href="http://www.libertyfoundation.org/index.html"> The Liberty Belle B-17 Flying Fortress</a> to Bob Hope Airport. They are offering flights Saturday and Sunday. I would love to go over and interview people before and after or maybe even take a flight myself!</div><div><br /></div><div>We also have a production of "Murder Takes the Stage" from the John Burroughs High School Drama Club opening tonight and running through Sunday afternoon, Students $8 and Adults $10. Sounds like fun!</div><div><br /></div><div>The Stough Canyon Nature Center often featured here turned 10 years old last weekend and will be holding Saturday Night Alive! as usual on the 26th: $5 per family for a hike, snacks and a nature activity. Sunday they will host a Wild Creatures Hike at 11:30am.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, the choirs from Jordan Middle School received Superior Ratings in competition, congratulations to the kids and their teachers!</div><div><br /></div><div>I am off to visit the Farmer's Market on Central Avenue in Los Angeles this afternoon for another story which I will link to when it is posted. Hope it doesn't start raining...better check the Wundermap!</div><div><br /></div><div>But that's what I would be covering...If I Were the Editor of the Burbank Patch!</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-42182849914166204302011-03-22T08:28:00.000-07:002011-03-22T10:02:27.646-07:00A Break in the Clouds: Today's Edition of...If I Were Editor of the Burbank Patch<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Isn't it nice to see the sun again? Don't get used to it, the rain will be back tomorrow, but according to the <a href="http://dpw.lacounty.gov/wrd/forecast/file/mud4cast.pdf">Los Angeles Department of Public Works</a>, there is no danger of mud or debris coming down in the foothills due to the huge storms we have had the last few days.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span">They also anticipate that the coming 2 inches of rain expected starting tonight can be handled by debris basins. This storm won't be as bad as the previous one, thank goodness!</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZdYhiPerfvrBK_MoXCFK972UI6WQxj-uxApt1Jn19naLiPRKEihr_KFYRDPrPzKN5vjNByAci7aP1z2s1Ho5WaCB2FwL561soio4Gvc_OUAj17JAZ1hzvMaYNOhhu4QDAZD3R7psDRjw/s1600/glendale+civic+aud.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZdYhiPerfvrBK_MoXCFK972UI6WQxj-uxApt1Jn19naLiPRKEihr_KFYRDPrPzKN5vjNByAci7aP1z2s1Ho5WaCB2FwL561soio4Gvc_OUAj17JAZ1hzvMaYNOhhu4QDAZD3R7psDRjw/s200/glendale+civic+aud.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586950383896273458" /></a>There will be a SELPA Family Transition Forum at the Glendale Civic Auditorium tonight at 5:45pm. Over 30 agency providers will be in attendance and students with special needs and their families are invited. Make reservations <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.nhildalgo@gusd.net">HERE</a>. You are invited by the Burbank, Glendale and La Canada School Districts.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Burbank business <a href="http://www.encompass-m.com/">Encompass Digital Media</a> was awarded honors by the Los Angeles Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth last night. They were awarded Strategic Deal of the Year for their acquisition of Crawford Communications, Inc. Congratulations, Encompass Digital Media!</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Apparently Burbank has signed off on the plan to demolish the <a href="http://www.burbankleader.com/news/tn-blr-0319-freeway,0,5030177.story">Burbank Boulevard Bridge</a> (which in my mind was just renovated) in order to be able to add carpool lanes to the I-5 freeway. Yes, readers, this bridge is two blocks from my house and is basically my route everywhere except school. Is this another silver lining to not driving up to the church every day? 14 months. Ho hum. Link is to the full article in the Burbank Leader. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">Having a bit of a day today but that is what I would cover...</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">If I Were the Editor of the Burbank Patch!</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; ">Peace.</p></span>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-25693710985876526442011-03-17T07:26:00.000-07:002011-03-17T07:49:55.255-07:00St. Patrick's Day: If I Were Editor of the Burbank PatchIt's weird to have St. Patrick's Day when the kids are not at school. I don't think that's ever happened since we started lo so many years ago. Wear green or get pinched!<div><br /></div><div>Since we were last together met, the <b>Burbank City Council</b> met to discuss Redevelopment funds and Middle School after school programs, among other things. I would have been there reporting in real time. There was a lot of support voice from parents for the Boys & Girls Club and I would have interviewed some of them (both sides if there were two). The Redevelopment money is something I need to do more research on and I certainly would!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Gas prices</b> having gone up so astronomically, I would report the lowest price in Burbank: $3.93 (!) at Arco, Glenoaks and Verdugo; $3.93 also at Shell, Buena Vista and Magnolia. Highest is $4.03 at Chevron, Alameda and Main St. The last time it went over $4, we started walking to school. Unfortunately, Middle School is just too far and too early.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are some regular weekend events coming up, but there is actual news about the <b>Burbank Farmer's Market</b>. Customers regularly bring their dogs to the Market, but officials are saying that they are a health hazard. Since they cannot ask the customers to leave, however, they are thinking of citing the people who run the Market. If you love the Farmer's Market, it would be better to leave your non-service dog at home.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is a hike at <b>Stough Canyon Nature Center</b> on Saturday at 10:30 (I have a feeling there is more exercise in my future--that's good!) called Verdugo Mountains Explorations.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcdygWABEvsGIwal-5F7C9O-hSVLotu2cwtLC0gyPLcQvNWAjH3Ex1bBdJZmIuoFsNbVoh3KE52m8BHgZ4X3767aGRrK45pf6GOLHjvc-p85SrD9_qDfF-w1wi-P1TzIpBIZSAYMZLirG/s1600/temple.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcdygWABEvsGIwal-5F7C9O-hSVLotu2cwtLC0gyPLcQvNWAjH3Ex1bBdJZmIuoFsNbVoh3KE52m8BHgZ4X3767aGRrK45pf6GOLHjvc-p85SrD9_qDfF-w1wi-P1TzIpBIZSAYMZLirG/s200/temple.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585061007785923618" /></a><div>This one sounds super fun: the <a href="http://www.templebethemet.com/">Multi-Language Purim Festival</a> on Saturday at Temple Beth Emet at 7:30pm. Here is their description:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><blockquote style="color: rgb(115, 117, 115); ">The carnival-like atmosphere of Purim, wearing of costumes, and bringing gifts of food door-to-door sometimes leads to it being referred to as the "Jewish Mardi Gras" or "Jewish Halloween" by non-Jews. Annually, at Temple Beth Emet, we celebrate the reading of the Megillah in as many as 8 different languages including, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Gaelic, Persian, Arabic, French and German. Bring your own groggers [noise makers] or share ours to drown out the nasty Haman's name and join us for delicious Hamantaschen [pastries made in a triangular shape representing Haman’s ears] following the reading.</blockquote>I am building up my sources and really wishing I had time to attend all of the events in my City! Hope Patch.com expands to Burbank soon!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div>And that's what I would be covering...If I Were the Editor of the Burbank Patch!</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div><p></p><p></p>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-9502866078384650632011-03-17T07:23:00.000-07:002011-03-17T07:25:58.502-07:00Training is fun!I spent yesterday in Ventura with Ellen Pearson at the First United Methodist Church of Ventura and we had a lovely time finding answers to almost all of her questions. One was a stumper and I am eager to hear the answer from the host company! Lucky I'm not afraid to say "I don't know, that's a good question!" <div><br /></div><div>At any rate, great thanks to FUMC Ventura for having me out!</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-21387441191025754272011-03-14T07:54:00.000-07:002011-03-14T09:15:01.214-07:00If I Were Editor of the Burbank Patch: March 14, 2011<b><span class="Apple-style-span">If I were Editor of the Burbank Patch today, what would I cover?</span></b><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">It is <b>Spring Break</b> here in beautiful Burbank, California! We are going to have a lovely day your friends on the East Coast and in the Midwest would envy so give them a call! High of 76<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">° and sunny, just the kind of day to take off school!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">There are <b>Spring Break drop-in activities </b>at the Ovrom Community Center, </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">601 South San Fernando Boulevard. <iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=601+s+san+fernando+blvd+burbank&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=601+S+San+Fernando+Blvd,+Burbank,+Los+Angeles,+California+91502&gl=us&z=14&ll=34.176972,-118.303915&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=601+s+san+fernando+blvd+burbank&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=601+S+San+Fernando+Blvd,+Burbank,+Los+Angeles,+California+91502&gl=us&z=14&ll=34.176972,-118.303915&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>There is a $5 fee but if your kids are already starting with "I'm bored!" you might want to consider today: Shamrock Fun, Pattern Placemats, Edible Dirt and Lucky Windsocks.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">The <b>Stough Canyon Nature Cente</b>r is open from 1:30-5pm today if you would like to stop by and see the Tarantulas, Snakes and other native flora and fauna. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikja7iftFDdn8HwWJ5CAlKJTH9UxuwKgGoMxyMUTZoZmFEwyZ00g5khqLRcKdQ6TVOfzrV5C_m7g3P2tkWAHQk6RdOzQS8K7c1Zk6GHuqvMTTqBcIYzL3PPRRTDuIWAQUwKmNHwklFVynF/s1600/burbank+city+hall+IK.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikja7iftFDdn8HwWJ5CAlKJTH9UxuwKgGoMxyMUTZoZmFEwyZ00g5khqLRcKdQ6TVOfzrV5C_m7g3P2tkWAHQk6RdOzQS8K7c1Zk6GHuqvMTTqBcIYzL3PPRRTDuIWAQUwKmNHwklFVynF/s200/burbank+city+hall+IK.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583957862562609634" /></a>The big day this week is Tuesday, when there will be a <b>City Council </b>meeting, on the <a href="http://burbank.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=6&event_id=27">agenda</a> of which are some proposed funding cuts to Middle School after school programs. Attend if you can and let your voice be heard! If you cannot attend, you can watch it on Channel 6.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">At last week's City Council meeting, in a 4-1 vote, the City Council decided to put sidewalks in on the 1800 and 1900 blocks of Screenland Boulevard, against the objections of some residents. These sidewalks would improve safety of children walking to and from Luther Burbank Middle School and Bret Harte Elementary School as well as help secure federal funding for infrastructure improvements sorely needed in Burbank. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Photo by IK's World via Flickr Creative Commons.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">Of course, if I <i>really </i>were the Editor, I would be following the Police Scanner as well, but let's hope there's no real news there on this lovely Monday morning!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">This is what I would cover today...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>If I were the Editor of the Burbank Patch!</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Peace.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 20px; "><br /></span></div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-75697962674277908182011-03-12T13:32:00.001-08:002011-03-12T13:48:07.916-08:00Graduation Speech<span class="Apple-style-span">My colleagues at the <a href="http://lafellows.org/">LA Fellows</a> elected me (along with Fellow Jay Bernard) to speak at our Graduation Ceremony on March 11, 2011.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Here is the text of my speech:</span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Thank you to the Job Training staff, the Faculty and Administration of LA Valley College, Program Partners, our guests and representatives from our nonprofits for being here with us today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">I feel like I’ve been writing this speech for seven weeks. And I guess I have. On Facebook, on Twitter, on LinkedIn, on the LA Fellows Blog and my own and in my journal, I have tried throughout to think about what has really been going on and what the impact of the LA Fellows program has been on me...so far. I say “so far” because the journey isn’t finished yet. And even when we all have fabulous new jobs, the journey will continue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">We all came into the LA Fellows missing something. What, you ask? A job, I would have said. That’s what’s missing in my life. But what were we really missing? A lot...and then again not so much.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">So I will say thank you to our instructors both for showing us what we brought with us and for what they gave us that we needed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">We came here with our spirits. Thank you to Jim Marteney for showing us that the spirits we have and bring to our work are important and valuable and then how to tap into those spirits and put them to good use.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">We came here with our brains and our bodies. Thank you to Larry Braman, a special reconnection for me from long ago and far away, for showing us the skills and energy we have and bring to our work are amazing resources for ourselves and our employers. And for showing us that any way we connect with one another and the world is significant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">We came here with dreams. Thank you to Dr. Virginia Green who taught us to only accept the best from ourselves, from our team, from our lives, from our time. Some of us didn’t know what our dreams were, some of us even found that our dreams were different from what we thought. Wherever we are in our journey today, all of us have gained clarity and if we don’t yet know what we want, we do know what we need.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">We came here with an idea of what job search was. Thank you to Tony Jaramillo for giving us concrete skills to deal with what we have to go through to reach our goals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p>We came here thinking we knew about group dynamics and communications. Thank you to Michael Tompkins for reminding us that listening can always be improved and that openness to others is a huge asset in any situation. And thank you for being there for us after the program ends.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">We came here feeling powerless. Great thanks to Roberto Guitierrez for giving us a safe place to find the power within us and proclaim it to the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">And for the things we needed: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Thank you Doug Card for getting us up to speed on the computers with such good nature, humor and patience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Thank you to Andrea Mitchel, who made “nonprofit” into a reality for us, a place where we can learn and grow and thrive. And for giving us a whole new skillset that will serve us well as we move on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">And to Lynette Ward, thank you for giving us so many things we really did not have at all through her immense knowledge and generosity: what to do, what to use, what to bring, what to say, what to ask, and what to do when we land.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">And Allison, our bright shiny penny, our touchstone, our confidante, our mentor. I cannot imagine anyone doing this better than you do, working harder, being kinder. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">But, sorry everyone, my biggest thank you has to be to my colleagues. Thank you for connecting with one another, for supporting one another, for becoming a family, for crisis counseling and for laughter. I don’t think any of us knew we were missing each other, but we were and now we’re not. And thank goodness, we never will be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">I will finish with an Irish blessing:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; ">May the road rise up to meet you.</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; color: black; "><br /><span class="apple-style-span">May the wind be always at your back.</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span">May the sun shine warm upon your face,</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span">and rains fall soft upon your fields.</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Until we meet again.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Thank you.</span></span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Great thanks to all of my friends at LA Fellows Cohort 2 for trusting me to speak. I am humbled by your confidence.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Peace.</span></span></p></div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-28816351060724095552011-03-12T07:06:00.000-08:002011-03-12T07:46:29.752-08:00New Feature: If I Were the Editor of the Burbank Patch!I have a dream. That dream is to take my hyper-local journalism and webmaster experience and turn it into a career.<div><br /></div><div>And so I present to you my new daily feature: </div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">If I Were the Editor of the Burbank Patch!</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">The Burbank Patch doesn't exist yet...but when it does, watch out!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVVToh2pspWbZeFFkWmfS0lN3_YYyDkJvpFBDnyirSphkhPUd2vP8VjyeknUErI0ZI96WQ9HsuhiZjJKZoQ9gke2I0Xkg8Vyk45FJnzXOHkngcuHcqO4cHnSfqGbxcEXZKR2BKlw9_NXg/s1600/stough+canyon+bridge.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVVToh2pspWbZeFFkWmfS0lN3_YYyDkJvpFBDnyirSphkhPUd2vP8VjyeknUErI0ZI96WQ9HsuhiZjJKZoQ9gke2I0Xkg8Vyk45FJnzXOHkngcuHcqO4cHnSfqGbxcEXZKR2BKlw9_NXg/s200/stough+canyon+bridge.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583219498993159650" /></a>On this beautiful Saturday in Burbank, California, I would remind parents that there is a Bird Walk tomorrow morning in Wildwood Canyon, as there is every Second Sunday of the month. It's the perfect time of year to hike up there, as it's not too hot and the plants are in their spring burgeoning time. Great day to take some pictures!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">It's also a wonderful day to go to the Burbank Farmer's Market, where each week I would feature a different vendor and try their wares: good blog-fodder and also lovely photos.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">[I wish I had time to do this NOW!]</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQ0l8WD65OhfVGmSEQqjzaxLUCbuE6P5p4jtZrUcLnQ0w1h8Lj0WEsfv_ll-FdzJO-IO3eKuQ0XkiCH3RvAoHXpB-Xyjkm0Rojw95r_8F97RsRG7BrAVJ06XqOLqhc38dLM6B3ZxZNIGs/s1600/hearse.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQ0l8WD65OhfVGmSEQqjzaxLUCbuE6P5p4jtZrUcLnQ0w1h8Lj0WEsfv_ll-FdzJO-IO3eKuQ0XkiCH3RvAoHXpB-Xyjkm0Rojw95r_8F97RsRG7BrAVJ06XqOLqhc38dLM6B3ZxZNIGs/s320/hearse.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583217303350991186" /></a></span></div><div>Okay, get this one: Professional Cars International is going to attempt to break the World Record (Guiness Book and all) for the WORLD'S LONGEST HEARSE PARADE starting at the top of the parking structure at the Burbank Holiday Inn at 9am! I can hardly stand not to be there!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Photo via FlickrCreativeCommons by Mr Littlehand</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgWbUY91FMz6daM_0tr3k3jHTd4ofYUHzdSViTf0eWyGSHPXMB3owABmqA7w93GOEK2QvyBYxY2xPAGjR9CPTlTV1vIpyKABEmDs6tiWDfWsNOlrQ3wai5mzD0LRi9t_FACe0TwpRdfFK/s1600/puppies.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgWbUY91FMz6daM_0tr3k3jHTd4ofYUHzdSViTf0eWyGSHPXMB3owABmqA7w93GOEK2QvyBYxY2xPAGjR9CPTlTV1vIpyKABEmDs6tiWDfWsNOlrQ3wai5mzD0LRi9t_FACe0TwpRdfFK/s320/puppies.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583218703543870290" /></a></div><div>The Burbank Animal Shelter is having a Pet Adoption day today at 11am. I could easily go over and take heart wrenching pictures of the kittens and puppies! Come on, dogs is wonderful!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Photo via FlickrCreativeCommons by Kiwi NZ</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div>Sounds like I would have a busy--and FUN!--day ahead...</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>...If I Were the Editor of the Burbank Patch!</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Peace.</span></div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-36011343666887003302011-01-30T04:33:00.001-08:002011-01-30T05:08:19.138-08:00LA Fellows: Week One<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLSLbvrPfO-Vc1Na07xEW5fDvSX0wYw4xADR-wey7pDaDZiXY9eLxArbdsbOSy0tEaffV8SBJQ_92-fZOH3v3mzqWeLQzJCDalLG8YA4bt_T5E3oqGkfgJwYmMKfxpF8mMFVgeu2HaNBm/s1600/LA_Fellows_Color_RGB.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLSLbvrPfO-Vc1Na07xEW5fDvSX0wYw4xADR-wey7pDaDZiXY9eLxArbdsbOSy0tEaffV8SBJQ_92-fZOH3v3mzqWeLQzJCDalLG8YA4bt_T5E3oqGkfgJwYmMKfxpF8mMFVgeu2HaNBm/s320/LA_Fellows_Color_RGB.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567963217898926866" /></a><br />So we've had the first week of the LA Fellows program and, boy, was it intense! It feels to me like we've been there forever. We got so much information and the instructors were amazing, but it was a lot. And the days off didn't feel so much like days off as days to work by myself instead of with my friends. Facebook is becoming a fixture. LinkedIn is a whole new world. How do I use that properly? Twitter your job search? Really? Guess I'll find out on "Social Networking" day! <div><br /></div><div>This week we will receive our book of non-profits from which we choose 3 that we would like to work with. I'd love to add American Public Media (Southern California Public Radio) and the USC Foundation to the list, but don't really know who to call to talk to about it. That's a conversation for our facilitator, though!</div><div><br /></div><div>After Friday, I feel like writing grant proposals is definitely within my abilities and after yesterday, the whole website consultant thing is looking good, as well! </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuMQcCfTQsc6L6Bp1TOzEegbylF36rXwWbEIh87WefkQe_KA-Blz4y0D91-pz4BnDCIwHZc-pUPCVJryDTGIaUxq9SPki1vYxbhHNk8eCOrt273EYCh6O_cvrfsKxvzhzcUBmf5P0IaC1/s1600/cal+pac+logo.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 62px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuMQcCfTQsc6L6Bp1TOzEegbylF36rXwWbEIh87WefkQe_KA-Blz4y0D91-pz4BnDCIwHZc-pUPCVJryDTGIaUxq9SPki1vYxbhHNk8eCOrt273EYCh6O_cvrfsKxvzhzcUBmf5P0IaC1/s320/cal+pac+logo.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567963777036940754" /></a></div><div>Yesterday was my 4-months-in-the-planning Website Development Workshop with the California-Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church. I was not alone! I was part of a team that included Rev. Johan Dodge, Pastor of St. Paul's in Tarzana and Charles "Capp" Cappleman, retired CBS Communications guy and Lifetime Emmy Award recipient. His keynote speech was inspiring in the context of church web presence: here is a guy from the Greatest Generation, telling us all that websites are necessary for church growth and laying it all out there. I totally agree! </div><div><br /></div><div>The Workshop was a great success! I ended up doing a whole section that was not anticipated, but is one of my competencies: working with the website interface that many of the churches are using or will be using soon. The afternoon was all about Content: now you have your domain and your host, what do you put up there? Thanks to such skilled presentations all week from Allison and our instructors at LA Fellows, I had a feel for pacing and when to involve the audience that I'm sure I didn't have a week ago. Seven churches attended, they all took my card and I think I had better add "Trainer" to my list of core competencies! 'Cause that's what they want, training. Cool!</div><div><br /></div><div>I end the week feeling a sense that I am moving in the right direction, that I am indeed following my passion into the internet world, that non-profit work will bring great satisfaction to my life and that I can really be in the zone in this business. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you would like to take a look at the church website I created for teaching the class, click <a href="https://sites.google.com/a/spin-a-website.com/burbank-first-united-methodist/">HERE</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you need consulting, training, writing, or design help, click <a href="https://sites.google.com/a/spin-a-website.com/spin-a-website/">HERE</a>. You can also see my Powerpoint for the Workshop there.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you need to hear why websites are absolutely necessary for churches in the 21st Century, what they can do, who they speak to and how to make them speak, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/Wstackhouse@spin-a-website.com">send me an email</a> and we can talk! Or read my blog post, <a href="http://www.burbankfumc.com/templates/System/details.asp?id=47104&PG=xCast&LID=5395&CID=43826">Web Ministry 101: Into the Future</a>. The world is your parish!</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-4887398753783342942011-01-27T17:19:00.000-08:002011-01-27T17:28:18.858-08:00Website Development Workshop on Saturday!I will be a presenter at a Website Development Workshop with the Pasadena District of the United Methodist Church this Saturday, covering the subject of Content.<div><br /></div><div>I'm very excited about it! The workshop has been in the planning stages since October of last year and my presentation has been tweaked, the PowerPoint is ready to go, as is the sample church site. 7 area churches are sending representatives. I'm going to look around and see if they have anything they're starting with, but it's my job to get them excited and comfortable with the kind of content they should be putting on their websites and for whom.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope I'll be in the zone; I expect to be.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's my PowerPoint:</div><div><br /></div><object xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" height="355" id="__sse6677044" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=websitedevelopment-110123190706-phpapp02&stripped_title=website-development-6677044&userName=wendystackhouse"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="355" name="__sse6677044" src="http://static.slidesharecdn.com/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=websitedevelopment-110123190706-phpapp02&stripped_title=website-development-6677044&userName=wendystackhouse" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425"></embed></object><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><br /><p></p><p>What do you think?</p><p>Peace.</p><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script><script src="http://b.scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js?c1=7&c2=7400849&c3=1&c4=&c5=&c6="></script>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-74942595518697934182011-01-27T09:55:00.000-08:002011-01-27T09:59:42.265-08:00A New HomeI'm starting a new blog, cleaner, more focused and welcome you to my new space!<div><br /></div><div>Many posts from the old blog have been migrated over, so you still will find knitting and spinning, family updates and photos from the past.</div><div><br /></div><div>The idea here is to talk about what really matters to me right now: career, family, crafting, the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>Being a new <a href="http://lafellows.org">LA Fellow</a>, I am having to spend a lot of time evaluating my interests, my skills, and the things about which I am passionate. We have been encouraged to think about what is important to us <i>now, </i>what is non-negotiable in our work and personal lives. </div><div><br /></div><div>This blog is about the non-negotiables.</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div><div><br /></div><div>(oh, yeah, that's one of them!)</div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-88405706806122499782011-01-12T06:58:00.000-08:002011-01-27T10:04:01.232-08:00Would you like to see?My new (unofficial) church website? <div><br /></div><div>Click <a href="https://sites.google.com/a/spin-a-website.com/burbank-first-united-methodist/">HERE</a>!</div><div><br /></div><div>Next week, I will get the business website up and running, but today is my interview for LA Fellows. </div><div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-6082394526161804272011-01-10T10:26:00.000-08:002011-01-27T10:04:02.045-08:00I'm an entrepreneur!I've started a new business in Website Design and Content Management, Spin-a-Website!<div><br /></div><div>Not quite live yet, I've got a sample site up that I will publish in the next week or so and the business website has to wait until Google Sites lets me make another one, but my graphic designer is working on the logo (thanks a million, J!) and my business cards are printing as we speak.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wish me luck!</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-46615499994447564572011-01-01T09:16:00.000-08:002011-01-27T10:04:02.062-08:00Things I Learned Last YearFibery Stuff:<div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Spin up wool in colorways I'm not terribly fond of into worsted weight singles IMMEDIATELY. Takes an hour or two, and then I will have loads of yarn for quick gifts later in the year. </li><li>It is possible to make something for all of the Middle School teachers for Christmas. Luckily, DD has one teacher for two subjects, but still. What I will do when they each have 6 I do not know. [I did not knit for them all, some got cranberry bread, which is FINE.]</li><li>Starting the Christmas knitting Thanksgiving weekend is a good idea. But see the first lesson, as I had planned to spin more yarn for the gifts while knitting and that would have been impossible. I only spun 2 new yarns during the process.</li><li>Commercial yarn is also FINE. Load up on single skeins of workhorse wools when they are on sale. Someday you will be glad you did! </li><li>Wensleydale is not soft, but it is silky. Don't eschew the longwools.</li><li>Socks go quickly when you're underemployed!</li></ul><div>Non-Fibery Stuff:</div></div><div><ul><li>Be fearless!</li><li>Ask for help.</li><li>Ask if someone needs help.</li><li>The slow-cooker is amazing!</li><li>It's okay to take a stand. Money isn't everything. </li><li>It's okay to have high expectations. It's also okay to keep track of when people don't live up to them. Forgive, but know whom to trust with how much. Don't take big chances on the wrong person.</li><li>Do your best work every day!</li></ul><div>2010 was not the best year ever, but it had its high points. And a lot of fulfillment and joy! The bad parts are being left behind and we have a lot of great stuff to anticipate: DD in "Bye-Bye, Birdie," new adventures in work and education, time to focus on family and fiber and friends!</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Happy New Year!</div><div><br /></div><div>May peace prevail upon the earth.</div><div><br /></div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-20240627676060540562010-12-31T08:46:00.000-08:002011-01-27T10:04:02.067-08:00Happy New Year's Eve!The fall always seems more like a new year to me, but this year, with the job ending and all, I guess it does feel like a new beginning more than usual.<div><br /></div><div>My resolution is only to go forward without fear. That's it. I will continue to do everything I can, every day, to support my family, to nurture my children, to love my husband, to stay healthy, to help my friends, to foster peace. </div><div><br /></div><div>Looking back on the last two years, they have certainly been dramatic! And not in a good way! But I have learned a tremendous amount, made many new relationships that I am lucky to be able to maintain, gained confidence in myself and my skills and found realms of interest that are entirely unexplored, very exciting! I would like to work in social justice, environmental activism, peace, civil rights, politics. I could not do any of that without the experience that I garnered at the church. For that, I say Thank You.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wish them success and health. I wish them more connection with one another, more understanding of each other's point of view and freedom from fear.</div><div><br /></div><div>And in fact, I wish the same to you, dear readers, wherever you may be.</div><div><br /></div><div>May peace prevail upon the earth.</div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-19608368971286852692010-11-10T15:39:00.000-08:002011-03-08T05:21:46.108-08:00Oh, dear, that was a long time!You can probably guess at the level of busy going on here in lovely cold-hot-cold SoCal these days. I was just telling my mom it feels like we have increased our activities by a factor of 5. It may not be true, but it's definitely truthy.<div><br /></div><div>DD's school play rehearsals have increased from once a week to twice. The Cub Scout Den is trying to get their Webelos Badge before Christmas (I need to get DS to plan a week of meals and such). Two activities have fallen away (skateboarding and drawing) but other things involve homework and such.</div><div><br /></div><div>And so, dear reader, we are not going out East for Christmas this year. Which makes me wistful. But we really need a break from EVERYTHING and will take one. I have quite a store of overtime saved up and won't have to use any vacation days (saving them for Spring Break). Time to hang out, to play games, to stay in our PJ's, to bake together, put a log in the fireplace, all sounds really good. I will miss the people, but not the frenzy. Next year, peeps! And see you for a good long summer vacation!</div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of summer, it looks like I'll be furloughed again and my freelance job has sold the business to someone in Long Beach so who knows what that will mean. I'm certainly not driving to Long Beach to pick up DVD's! I will make a big effort to ingratiate myself with the new owner, though.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the potentially more money front, however, I am involved with a group which is going to offer some Website Development workshops in the area, some possibly even to organizations which are seeking someone to provide and post their content for them, which would be something I would LOVE to do on a freelance basis, so any good thoughts that way would be very greatly appreciated!</div><div><br /></div><div>Today was DS's 4th Grade play, "Geology Rocks!" He did a great job! <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78541549@N00/5165530118/" title="DSC_0069 by wlashbrook, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/5165530118_de95d53c30.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="DSC_0069" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Great thanks to all the teachers and parents who worked so hard! My contribution this year was very minimal, but at least visible to the human eye. DD's year, I had my friend J to help me make 14 black vests for the costumes, which was very intimidating but with help totally doable. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am knitting along on a semi-secret project and another totally secret project so no pictures so far of that but I did spin some pretty yarn: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78541549@N00/5148806531/" title="Troublemaker 1 by wlashbrook, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1107/5148806531_93479ccc25.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Troublemaker 1" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>IMPORTANT NOTE: <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Both of the above photos were taking with my well-beloved Stepfather's Nikon D50 DSLR, for which I am extremely grateful!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-14038509294079090042010-09-15T11:57:00.000-07:002011-03-08T05:22:45.992-08:00Our Screenplay"Forsaken", a spaghetti western/horror feature written by my husband Jeffrey and me has made the Finals of the <a href="http://pageawards.com/past-winners/2010-winners/2010-finalists/">2010 Page International Screenwriting Competition</a>!!<div><br /></div><div>OMG!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Congratulations, Sweetheart!!</div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-61559159335495083082010-09-12T18:48:00.000-07:002011-03-08T05:23:09.477-08:00Remembering 9/11I just read the story of a guy who survived, who tried to help and did help in a tangible way, taking an Orthodox Jewish woman home to Brooklyn. And it brought back some of the feelings I had even from the West Coast.<div><br /></div><div>I was home with my 5-week old son and his 2 year old sister, my husband had been listening on the radio to Howard Stern and came out to tell me that the first Tower had collapsed. My first thought was that there was some sort of terrible structural problem. Then we turned on the TV. And didn't turn it off for days. We were watching when the second Tower came down. We were watching it over and over and over. What I remembered so vividly tonight is all the people who had lost someone wandering around downtown with pictures of their loved ones, "Have you seen this woman?" "Have you seen my son?" </div><div><br /></div><div>We all waited breathlessly, stunned, for someone, anyone, to come out, to be rescued, to be found alive under all that rubble. For someone to show up at a hospital hurt but alive. For one of those lost to be found. But we were disappointed. </div><div><br /></div><div>That Friday we had a special church service where I sing and I stood and sang "America, the Beautiful." To this day, when I get to that last verse I cannot help but tear up, no matter where, no matter when. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is hard to let our dream of America be "undimmed by human tears" when we think of this terrible tragedy that happened to all of us, some more than others. But we must. We must continue to be a country of laws, a country of tolerance and acceptance, a country of love and diversity. A country of true freedom and liberty based on our Constitution.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>Oh, beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years.</div><div>Thine alabaster cities' gleam undimmed by human tears.</div><div>America, America, God mend thine every flaw.</div><div>Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law.</div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div>Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-45783573535393851012010-09-04T06:50:00.000-07:002011-03-08T05:24:04.510-08:00Don't make a sound!9-year-old just turned off the TV on Saturday morning to READ. <br /><br />Move along, nothing to see here...<br /><br />Peace.Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-80494393029185917002010-08-29T18:57:00.000-07:002011-03-08T05:25:03.616-08:00What do I do now?So I'm confronted (in a nice way) with a sort of request that I figure out what the hell I want to do next.<br /><br />And I don't really know.<br /><br />Over the course of my life so far, I've wanted to be a lot of things, some more practical than others. Sign language interpreter, opera singer, a bunch of things. Lately, since my job is partly a webmaster position, I've thought about being not a website designer but a content provider, a writer for sites, something like that. But it has been brought home to me that I really don't KNOW anything. I'm a decent writer and high-information political junkie with a little experience with CSS and HTML but nothing huge. I do plan to take a course in HTML in the next year, but that doesn't seem like a dream, you know?<br /><br />I would like to write for maybe a radio station website (I love radio) or a political campaign or political website (Talking Points Memo internship sounds really great right now; unfortunately it would involve getting an internship at my advanced years and moving my family to DC with no visible means of support). There are certainly areas I am excited about and would like to write about. But, again, I don't have a PoliSci degree or anything, I'm just a self-taught occasional political blogger that no one reads.<br /><br /><br />And yet I feel as though this might be my chance to choose something new to do, something that would keep me interested and passionate until the end of my working life. Which isn't that far away, realistically speaking. Relatively. <br /><br />So is now the time to go back to school? To look for an internship or training program? To throw everything up in the air (again) and see where it falls? The last time we did that it was for my husband to come out to L.A., which has had its ups and downs, but the kids are incredible and we are at least functional at this point. <br /><br />In my heart of hearts, I would like to be able to stop struggling so hard and spend a few years becoming a Master Spinner, write a book and teach spinning and spin forever and ever. Yeah. I know. But that is because I have always wanted to stop doing anything tedious and just do interesting fun things. I'm basically lazy, after all. <br /><br />Perhaps it's time to decide what I DON'T want to do and at least eliminate some options. I do NOT want to be a lawyer. I do NOT want to go back to secretarial work unless it's a dire emergency. I do NOT want to choose what I'm doing just to make money and not to feed my soul. Which argues for staying with what I do now, as although it is not perfect, does offer a path to some fulfillment most of the time. I do NOT want to go into the ministry (ha!). <br /><br />I think I need to think some more...Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3977418675308666564.post-21858669335463484632010-07-19T13:47:00.000-07:002011-03-08T05:25:36.154-08:00Vacation 2010I shall refer to it that way to encourage the Multiverse to not make me take a furlough again next summer.<br /><br />At any rate, having a lovely time!<br /><br />We started out in Essex, Vermont for my brother's wedding:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78541549@N00/4791303790/" title="DSCN1534 by wlashbrook, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4791303790_84a4226550.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSCN1534" /></a><br /><br />It was luxurious, fun, cold, hot, relaxing, nourishing and wonderful!<br /><br />Congratulations, C and M! Hope you're having a fabulous honeymoon! And great thanks to my father for the amazing experience, especially the chance to get us all together. What a gift!<br /><br />Then we moved on to New Jersey where I took no pictures, what is the deal with that? Oh, one: <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78541549@N00/4809509701/" title="Kids and NJ grandparents by wlashbrook, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4809509701_5128748b9b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Kids and NJ grandparents" /></a><br /><br />Hope somebody took pictures later...mom? Doug?<br /><br />Then the kids went to Pennsylvania with dad, where they still are and I came home to my (hopefully? possibly?) annual recharging time at home with the dog. I'm about ready for some people now, you can come back!<br /><br />However, uninterrupted time to work on big projects--Girl Scout Troop film, cleaning out dressers, reorganizing spinning fiber and catching up with Doctor Who--really great!<br /><br />Taking the summer off from most of my job is a mixed bag, certainly, especially for the bank account, but it's only money, right? Time with family, time with spouse, time with children, time with dogs? Priceless.<br /><br />May peace prevail upon the earth.Wendy Stackhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11662889669104869797noreply@blogger.com0