TLC and Plus 8 is Wrong

It's amazing that TLC, the channel that appears to know nothing about marriages, children, or how to stay neutral in a divorce is touting their new show called, The Knot:

TLC is partnering with the wedding media brand The Knot across multiple platforms to offer on-air wedding tips and advice with the goal to promote the network's Friday night wedding-themed programming and specials happening this fourth quarter. This partnership ties in with TLC's national media campaign theme "behind every dream is a scene" found on local TV, various print titles, billboard, radio and through online ads. TLC and The Knot's partnership will also highlight other TLC programs such as Cake Boss and the new Flowers Uncut with Jeff Leatham and Happily Ever Faster. TLC viewers will receive on-air advice directly from TV personality and editor-in-chief of The Knot, Carley Roney on Friday nights and also via TLC.com. More wedding-related information can also be found at TheKnot.com.

In the recent Jon and Kate Plus 8 fray TLC has shown that they actually care little about families by continuing to malign the father of the 8 little children who have been their stars for the last fews years to the tune of over 180 million dollars. The recent bad press coming from the channel about Jon Gosselin  and pictures like the one below have shown that cable is out for blood.

What's going on here? Looks like a pretty common event-- a bad divorce. But this time around  the entire weight of a cable channel is swinging for one side because they have a vested interest in their property. I think enough is enough. TLC has transformed the Gosselin's lives and not for the better, isn't it about time that they butt out? Anyone who knows anything about production knows that those young children's every move has been scripted for years. Scratch trying to blame Jon. It's time for audiences to get healthy and stop TLC in its tracks by turning off the show should it air, and boycotting TLC. Any cable channel that thinks it should be doing what TLC is doing needs a wake up call. These are real lives---television is not reality. Its time to make a stand for the family. Even if you question Jon's motive for stopping the filming of this show---TLC should know that as viewers we we refuse to participate in the exploitation of children.

So send them a postcard:

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Sexual Assault of Women in the Military

This is worth a repeat from my blog from

If you're looking for serious journalism then flip off O'Reilly and turn to the NOW series on PBS. NOW goes behind the headlines to tackle the tough, but important issues that other news programs don't cover. For three seasons the broadcast was led by Bill Moyers, but veteran journalist David Brancaccio now has the helm. On September 7th, they aired an explosive report Military Sexual Trauma on sexual assault in the U.S. Military. The facts about sexual assault in the military have long been hidden, but they have begun leaking out. After the Persian Gulf War there were first person reports from female veterans to friends, families, and women's organizations, then last year DOD statistics were released, finally in the past few months more women veterans are speaking out including those who came to the defense of Iraqi veteran, Suzanne Swift.

According to the latest Pentagon reports sexual assaults against women in the military increased by about 24 percent last year. According to the PBS investigation sexual assault and rape is widespread in the military. One study of National Guard and Reserve forces found that almost one in four women had been assaulted or raped. Last year alone, almost 3,000 soldiers reported sexual assault and rape by other soldiers. In one of the only national television broadcasts of the issue, NOW featured women speaking for the first time about their sexual assaults.

Until the Persian Gulf War sexual assault was considered by many women as a consequence of military service. According to a March 2007 report in Military Medicine. In more-recent surveys, 8% of Persian Gulf War veterans reported sexual abuse during Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm. Another 34% of female respondents reported a rape or attempted rape during active duty. Many had been raped more than once; 14% reported being gang raped during active duty. However, three-fourths of the women who were raped did not report the incident to a ranking officer. One-third did not know how to report the event, and one-fifth believed that the rape was to be "expected" in the military. Female Persian Gulf War Veterans were the first to report that rape was not expected in military life.

In June ABC News reported that over 500 cases of sexual assault had been reported among U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan since the summer of 2002.

In the ABC online forum this was one woman's story:

Deceitful and untrustworthy is how my colleagues and superiors described me for reporting a crime of sexual assault on 30 May 2002 and rape on 10 June 2002. I was only 10 days into my first duty station in Germany when the offender sexually assaulted me. 10 days after that the same offender raped me. "it's your fault", my command stated. "He done it because you look like his wife," as they laughed. "Why didn't you want to have sex with him when he is sooooooo... cute", laughing again. "Keep your mouth shut, there is too much red tape," the sergeant stated over and over again. That's only a few words that I was harrassed with during my time at my post. I never heard of so many horrific statements that could be made to one person or about one person. It took 7 days after the incidents that I was finally took to CID. After a number of attempts at reporting these crimes, a Sergeant finally took me serious and reported the crimes up the chain of command. I was immediately sent to fire my weapon. The next morning I had to take a physical fitness test when I wasn't even healed from the physical problems from the rape. After returning to the barracks, I found that the command moved the perpetrator into the same building in which I lived. When I asked about it, I was told he wasn't a dangerous man. Yet, three months prior to assaulting me he had an account of simple assult consumattd by battery and disorderly conduct. It took a Surgeon to get him removed from the building in which I resided. Next, the rapist, was placed to work in the gym-a place that he could've repeated another crime of rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and indecent assault very easily. He definitely did not need to be placed in an area where women's bodies were more exposed than usual while working out. It also caused me to lose my pivilege of working out because he worked in there. I had to face this offender on a daily basis for four months. It's not isolated incidents. Similar things are happening to the men and women who serve our country. They expect to be treated unfairly by an enemy, but not by someone wearing a U.S. military uniform, not their colleagues, nor their superiors. It will be a tremendous challenge for you to make necessary changes to protect our own men and women from our own military. Those who are wounded in war have to live with those wounds for the rest of their lives. We, too, have to live with the wounds from being raped. The incident never fades and all the revictimazation from our military doesn't fade away either.

Comments from the same forum:

Guess the little ladies should stay home where they have sufficiet lighting to do there daily routines. Posted by: Jun 27, 2006 3:32:10 PM

Why are woman in the combat theater? What do you expect men to do after being away from home and sexual contact for months. It's like women reports in pro sports men's locker rooms, why are they there? And if a man shows himself while showering the man is fined. Please, men and woman in the same location for a given length of time will start having sex, this is human nature. You can try to cover up the animal instinct any way you want but this animal instinct cannot be removed. Hoping this will end is a far fetched as hoping that the insurgents in the middle east will stop killing people. Are these items really that bad: "lack of privacy to perform daily routines; insufficient lighting in and around the tents; isolation; existence of a sexually charged atmosphere; presence of pornography; and availability of condoms for male troops." Posted by: Jun 27, 2006 4:45:11 PM

Some facts about Sexual Trauma in the Armed Forces from the PBS website

Number of sexual assaults reported in 2006: 2,947 Number of sexual assaults by service members reported in 2006: 1,167 3.5% of men have experienced military sexual assault 23% of women have experienced military sexual assault 11% of women have experienced rape 1.2% of men have experienced rape Service branch with the highest percentage of women reporting sexual trauma: Marine Corps

Resource List for Military Sexual Trauma.

Women Organizing Women:

VETWOW is an organization dedicated to the thousands of women survivors who were sexually assaulted while serving in the military and never spoke up. Women Organizing Women Purpose: Promote safety of American military troops, and Homeland Security troops (Coast Guard) by educating government officials and representatives on dynamics of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and working to change current policies, procedures, and laws regarding MST through the White House, Congressional inquiries, the Pentagon and beyond. Promote prosecution and incarceration and monitoring of active duty sex offenders through victim advocacy to include legal and media representation. Promote healing of MST victims by guiding them through the arduous process of obtaining military discharges and retirements, Veterans Administration disability compensation, counseling, and medical benefits, and Social Security disability benefits. Draft and develop supporting documentation for benefits claims. Peer counsel clients and their families on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to understand and adapt to negative behaviors created by violence to promote positive support and recovery. Obtain compassionate emergency and routine care for illnesses and symptoms secondary to MST."

Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Many veterans have never discussed the incident or their medical or psychological condition with anyone. Yet, these women and men knowthat they have "not felt the same" since the trauma occurred. Unfortunately, this is a common reaction to an incident of sexual trauma. Only 16% of rapes that occur in this country are ever officially reported. Many of the victims base their reactions on social misconceptions about those who have experienced sexual trauma. Nearly one-third of all trauma victims develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during their lifetime. Physical problems and a general feeling of "not feeling well" often accompany PTSD symptoms. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare professionals are sensitive to the aftereffects of sexual trauma and the impact it can have on a person's physical and emotional health. Our clinicians understand the feelings of fear, anxiety, shame, anger, and embarrassment that victims of a sexual trauma can experience.VA provides eligible veterans confidential counseling and treatment for the aftereffects of sexual trauma.

PTSD Among Female Veterans

PTSD (ranging from unwanted sexual contact to rape) is also a widespread problem in the military (often referred to as military sexual trauma or MST). Studies indicate that around 23% to 33% of female veterans report experiencing a MST. In addition, there is some evidence that women who have experienced MST are at high risk for  PTSD. One study found that approximately 42% of women who had experienced a MST also had PTSD as a result of the MST. Other studies have found that MST was more likely to lead to PTSD than other military or civilian traumatic events

Sexual Trauma: How To Apply for Benefits

Some veterans (women and men) suffered personal assault and/or sexual trauma while serving on active military duty. They might still struggle with fear, anxiety, embarrassment, or profound anger as a result of these experiences. If you suffer from the effects of sexual trauma in the service, VA may be able to help you. The following is a summary of sexual trauma and the compensation for those eligible."</em></div>

The PILOTS database is an electronic index to the worldwide literature on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental-health consequences of exposure to traumatic events. It is produced by the National Center for PTSD, and is electronically available to the public. There is no charge for using the database, and no account or password is required. Although it is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the PILOTS database is not limited to literature on PTSD among veterans

Miles Foundation

"The Miles Foundation is a private, non-profit organization providing comprehensive services to victims of violence associated with the military; furnishing professional education and training to civilian community-based service providers and military personnel; conducting research; serving as a resource center for policymakers, advocates, journalists, scholars, researchers and students; and serving to ensure that public policy is well-informed and constructive."</em></div>

More Statistics

20% of women seeking care at VA Facilities have experienced sexual trauma.

1% of men seeking care at VA facilities have experienced sexual trauma. .3 percentage of women report lifetime PTSD related to sexual trauma.

More than half of the incidents took place at a military work site and during duty hours. The majority of the offenders in these cases were military personnel. Factors that increase risk of sexual assault for active duty females include presence of officers who condone or allow sexual harassment and unwanted sexual attention.

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

GET YOUR WORD ON

Get Your Word On News, views and more from James River Writers September 8,  2009 In This Issue Fall Conference Writers Wednesdays News JRW Mug Shot Notable Lit Blog The Writing Show Lit Picks & Calendar "...the job of fiction is to find the truth inside the story's web of lies..." Stephen King Truth is the moment when the story resonates with its reader. It is also elusive and can be very difficult to find especially for the writer. In a month's time JRW will fill the Library of Virginia with authors who have managed to express this truth and are willing to share their knowledge. Already we have sold more than 70% of our seats, and with featured authors such as Maggie Stiefvater, whose book Shiver is currently on the NY Times Best Seller list, these are disappearing fast. Editor: Laura Jones Announcing JRW Conference 2009 Friday - Saturday, October 9 & 10, 2009 The Library of Virginia Featuring: Katherine Neville Thomas Lux Michael Knight Karen Lotz Jennifer Pooley Maggie Stiefvater Cost: $175 More information and online registration Here is what people had to say about last year's conference: Dialogue-writing and screen writing. Kirk Ellis was great! First page critiques, editors comments were note-taking material.                It's always helpful to learn from established/published folks how frustrating the process can be and how "The Rules" can always be broken. Misery enjoys company, but in a good way!        picture by Laura Jones Writers Wednesdays Please join James River Writers for this informal happy hour September 9  (5:30-7:30 PM) at Richbrau's Taphouse Grill in Shockoe Slip, 1212 E. Cary St. Discount drafts provided by Richbrau. Parking available in decks on 12the Street and Virginia Street. News   Kit Wilkinson's debut novel Protector's Honor, will have a launch party at Salisbury Country Club, September 24th 6:30-8. You are invited to attend this free event. An RSVP to Kit Wilkinson would be much appreciated. Creatures 'n Crooks Bookshoppe will be hosting a Farewell Event September 12 that will feature more than a dozen authors roaming the isles of their store between 1-4 PM. For details click here . List of author appearances are in calendar section below. September 23, 7 PM, Virginia Voice Reading Radio will air an interview conducted with Jon Kukla for its 30th Anniversary Celebrity Author Interview series. It will also be available at Virginia Voice. The Best American Short Plays 2007/2008 will include the short story birdfeeder  by Clay McLeod Chapman. What an honor to be a part of the roster of writers that includes writers such as John Guare and Neil LaBute. Congratulations! Cathy Allen is now the Cultural Events Examiner for Richmond. Check out articles on all things lit at Richmond Cultural Events. JRW Mug Shot The JRW mug put in an appearance at Maggie Stiefvater's Williamsburg book launch event for her latest novel, Shiver. Holding the JRW mugs are Shawna Christos and Katherine Herndon. Join JRW at any level and receive your mug. Whether you become a member at the Student ($20), Writer ($35), Patron ($75), or Muse ($150) level, know that your tax-deductible contributions go to implementing and sustaining our educational programs as well as realizing the mission of James River Writers.    For more details on membership and NEW membership benefits, please visit James River Writers or contact JRW Membership Chair, Kris Petroski at membersjrw@gmail.com Notable Lit Blog  Query Shark is a blog run by a literary agent who offers to publicly critique e-mail queries sent to her. The majority of the letters do not make the cut and she tells her readers why. However, once in a while they do-sometimes because they are resubmitted after many revisions. For our readers who are still working on their query letters Query Shark is a blog worth checking out. Literature Festivals JRW is announcing two festivals with which we have a connection. More than 130 authors will appear at the 11th annual Fall for the Book Festival, September 21-26 with events at George Mason University's Fairfax, Virginia Campus and throughout Northern Virginia, D.C. and Maryland. Headliners include novelists Sherman Alexie, E.L. Doctorow, and James Ellroy, and the full festival covers a wide range of genres. For complete information and a full schedule, bookmark www.fallforthebook.org. The "Life Through Literature" festival aims to encourage reading and interest in the literary arts through a variety of informative and fun activities. It will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2008, from Noon to 8PM at Poplar Lawn Park in Petersburg, and will feature author presentations, music, spoken word, food vendors, book giveaways, and activities for children. Last year's attendance was just under 4,000 people and the same level of support is expected this year. For more information contact Latryce Noel or call (804) 733-2387, x29. The Writing Show - August 27 For the August Writing Show JRW brought in three memoir writers, Rodney Lofton, Shawna Kinney, and Anne Soffee. They talked about what it means to lay your life on the line. Shawna referred to herself as a character in a book. "Even though that character is me," she had time and distance to help her see things from a more universal perspective. Anne said that she originally wanted to write her memoir as a fictionalized story but that her editor told her that the real draw of this story, the beauty of it, is that it is real, it is the truth. Rodney talked about how writing the memoir did more for him than years of therapy. It opened up his world so he could see it from another point of view. They were all very interesting people with a lot of good comments about writing and revealing intimate information about character.   The Writing Show: Novel Help From Writing Groups How a writing group can prepare writers to participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) this November or write the novel of a lifetime anytime. Featuring: Carolyn Parkhurst, author of The Dogs of Babel and Lost and Found.                Leslie Pietrzyk, author of Pears on a Willow Tree and A Year and A                Day.                 Susann Cokal, author of Mirabilis and Breath and Bones. And your host Virginia Pye, JRW Co-Chair, poet and writer.  September 24, 6:30-8:30 PM The Children's Museum of Richmond 2626 West Broad Street $10 in advance $12 at the door $5 for students   For more information and online registration visit jamesriverwriters.org Lit Picks by Cathy Allen Writing is like karate. It takes consistent training over time to earn a black belt. So keep practicing, and you will soon break that writers block with your bare hands! It would be a crime to miss Creatures 'n Crooks farewell book signing. Authors include The Usual Suspects and then some. Visit often before The Long Goodbye on Sept 30th!   Looking for a fun, kid-friendly event after the back-to-school shuffle? "Escape to Araluen" with the Rangers Apprentice characters at Richmond Public Library. Charrie Hazard's Falling Into the Sun is a poignant, inspiring story about families, addiction, mental illness, and spirituality, with vivid realism. See her Sept. 23rd at Book People. For more faces and places please visit JRW's online calendar. Events, We Got 'em   9/8/2009 12-1 PM: Professor Lucinda Roy presents and signs, No Right to Remain Silent: The Tragedy at Virginia Tech. Free and open to the public at The Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St, 804-692-3500. 9/10/2009 6-8 PM: Pamela K. Kinney signs Haunted Virginia: Legends, Myths, and True Tales at Barnes and Noble, Chesterfield Towne Center, 11500 Midlothian Tnpk, 804-794-6640. 9/10/2009 7 PM: Emyl Jenkins signs her mystery The Big Steal at Barnes & Noble, Libbie Place, 5501 West Broad, 804-282-6704. 9/11/2009 1 PM: Diane Lang and Michael Buchanan sign their book The Fat Boy Chronicles at Barnes & Noble, Libbie Place, 5501 West Broad, 804-282-6704. 9/12/2009 9 AM-4:30 PM: The Online Writer: A Two-Part Workshop on Website Design, Blogging, and Web-based Work for Writers Part 2, at WriterHouse, 508 Dale Ave, Charlottesville. Advance registration required. For program costs and details click here or call 434-296-1922. 9/12/2009 10 AM-12 PM: Virginia Romance Writers present "Scene CPR" with special guest speaker Laurin Wittig at Twin Hickory Library, 5001 Twin Hickory Rd, Glen Allen, 804-364-1400. For details click here. 9/12/2009 1-4 PM: "Farewell Event." Author signings with John J. Lamb, Ellen Crosby, Andrew Fox, G.M. Malliet, Ellen Byerrum, Tony Ruggiero, Dennis Danvers, Marcia Talley, Pamela K. Kinney, Andy Straka, and Maggie Stiefvater, at Creatures 'n' Crooks Bookshoppe, 3156 W. Cary Street (Cary Court), 804-340-0277. 9/12/2009 4-5 PM: Catch Penguin's bus tour of the interactive show "Escape to Araluen," introducing the Ranger's Apprentice characters. The first 200 kids will receive a book at Richmond Public Library, Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St. Sponsored by The Friends of RPL and Narnia Children's Books. 9/12/2009 5 PM & 8 PM: SlamRichmond's Poetry Slam Workshop and Open Mike at Artspace Gallery, 31 E 3rd St, 804-232-6464. Cost $5. For details click here. 9/12/2009 8-11:30 PM: Ryan Brosmer reads from his debut book I Will Name Them Such as Enemies at the Clubhouse, 1605 Hull St, 804-300-7178. 9/13/2009 2-4 PM: Shockoe Poets Open Mike Readings at art 6 Gallery, 6 E. Broad Street, 804-343-1406. Contact Shann Palmer for information (804-335-9403 or shannp@gmail.com). 9/14/2009 12:30-2:30 PM: Marion Moore Hill signs her mystery Deadly Will at Fountain Bookstore, 1312 E. Cary, 804-788-1594. 9/15/2009 DEADLINE for submissions to JRW Conference "First Pages Critiques." View guidlines here. 9/15/2009 Nominations deadline for The 2010 VCU Cabell First Novelist Award. Books must be published between January and June 2009. For details click here. 9/15/2009 1 PM: Marion Moore Hill signs Deadly Design at Barnes & Noble, Libbie Place, 5501 West Broad, 804-282-6704. 9/15/2009 7 PM: Kathryn Williams signs her book The Lost Summer at Barnes & Noble, Libbie Place, 5501 West Broad, 804-282-6704. 9/16/2009 6 PM: "Poetic Principles," with distinguished poet Betty Adcock author of Slantwise. Tickets $8 general public/$5 VFMA members. At VMFA, 200 N Boulevard, 804-340-1405. 9/16/2009 6:30 PM: Virginia Writers Meeting with special guest appearance by Marion Moore Hill at Barnes and Noble, Short Pump, 11640 W. Broad Street, 804-360-0103. For details click here. 9/17/2009 12 PM: Dr. Edward G. Lengel speaks on his book To Conquer Hell: The Meuse-Argonne, 1918. Part of The Banner Lecture Series at The Virginia Historical Society, 428 N Boulevard, 358-4901. Tickets $5 Adults, $4 Seniors, $3 Students, Free to VHS members. 9/17/2009 5:30-7:30 PM: Charles Bice signs copies of The Vagabond's Legacy and pre-releases of his new young adult novel What Lies Beneath at Quirk Gallery, 311 W Broad St, 804-644-5450. 9/17/2009 6-8 PM: Marion Moore Hill signs her mystery Deadly Will at Barnes and Noble, Chesterfield Towne Center, 11500 Midlothian Tnpk, 804-794-6640. 9/18/2009 6-8 PM: Dr. David Reynolds, Jr. speaks on and signs his book God's Preparations For His Heroes at Barnes and Noble, Chesterfield Towne Center, 11500 Midlothian Tnpk, 804-794-6640. 9/19/2009 8:30 AM-4 PM: Hampton Roads Writers presents their Inaugural Writers' Conference, with keynote speaker Sharyn McCrumb. Offering workshops, First Pages Critiques, and more, FEE, at Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, 4100 VA Beach Blvd, VA Beach. For program costs and information click here or contact HRWriters@cox.net or (757) 301-7734. 9/19/2009 10 AM-4 PM: The Richmond Branch of the NLAPW presents Rev Up Your Writing Seminar featuring experts Woody Holton and Douglas Jones at the Westwood Club, 6200 West Club Ln. $45 cost includes lunch. Registration must be received by SEPT 12th. For further details call 272-1976. 9/19/2009 10-11 AM: Emyl Jenkins signs The Big Steal at the Battersea Antiques Appraisal and Antiques Jamboree, admission $5, at Historic Battersea, 1289 Upper Appomattox St. Battersea Ln, Petersburg, 804-732-9882.      9/19/2009 5 PM & 8 PM: SlamRichmond's Poetry Slam Workshop and Open Mike at Artspace Gallery, 31 E 3rd St, 804-232-6464. Cost $5. For details click here. 9/20/2009 2-5 PM: Richmond Christians Who Write at Grove Avenue Baptist Church, 8701 Ridge Rd. For more information, contact Tom Lacy, 804-749-4050, revtcl@aol.com or Rebekah Robb, 804-527-0913, info@rebekahrobb.com. 9/20/2009 3-5 PM: Bend Your Ear open mike poetry at art6, 6 E. Broad Street, 804-343-1406. 9/21/2009 7-8 PM: Gigi Amateau presents and signs A Certain Strain of Peculiar. Recommended for middle and high school students and adults. Registration required or call 804-318-8668 at Clover Hill Library, 6701 Deer Run Dr, Midlothian. 9/22/2009 7 PM: The 2009-2010 University of Richmond Writers Series starts with award-winning novelist and writer-in-residence Colson Whitehead reading his works at U of R, Weinstein Hall, 804-289-8287. 9/23/2009 6:45-9 PM: The Virginia Screenwriters' Forum meets at Art Works in downtown Richmond. VSF brings screenwriters together and offers support and constructive feedback to member's scripts in progress. To attend email vsf@comcast.net. 9/23/2009 5-7 PM: Charrie Hazard discusses and signs her book Falling Into the Sun at Book People, 536 Granite Ave, 804-288-4346. Send Us Your News, Send Us Your Events Send us something concisely written (no more than 150 words) that gives us the basics your English teacher wanted from you: WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE.  Don't forget dates, times, cost (if applicable) or contact information, and include any Web URL.  Send it along to: word@jamesriverwriters.org. For events and calendar listings, see above paragraph, and send as far in advance as possible, but at least two weeks prior to the event, to: calendar@jamesriverwriters.org For general inquiries and information, e-mail Anne@jamesriverwriters.org Get Your Word On is produced twice monthly by James River Writers and is edited by Laura Jones with invaluable assistance from Anne Westrick and Emyl Jenkins. Cathy Allen edits and maintains the calendar.  James River Writers provides Event, Calendar, Opportunity and other listings as a service to the literary community. JRW does not endorse or recommend any program not produced or sponsored in part or in entirety by JRW.  Event, Calendar, and Opportunities items are for informational purposes only.  JRW reserves the right to review all submissions to determine if appropriate for GYWO and the Literary Events Calendar. Events submitted for the calendar must be open to the public to attend.

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

BOOKS IN THE PARK

Featuring Joe Tennis, Robert Allen, and Mark Hansen

 2pm-4pm Cash In A Flash: Fast Money in Slow Times  (New Release: August 25, 2009) by Robert Allen & Mark Hansen

Mark Victor Hansen is the cocreator of one of the largest bestselling book series in history, Chicken Soup for the Soul, which is now considered a publishing phenomenon. More than 112 million copies of the Chicken Soup books have been sold worldwide in dozens of languages. He is also the author of five non-Chicken Soup books.

Robert G. Allen is the author of four New York Times bestselling personal finance books: Nothing Down, Creating Wealth, Multiple Streams of Income, and The One Minute Millionaire.

Cash In A Flash: Fast Money in Slow Times In Cash in a Flash: Fast Money in Slow Times, two of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country share the recipe for wealth that will show you how to turn that dream into a reality now-no matter what your current circumstances or the economic climate.Using the bestselling "two books in one" formula of their blockbuster hit The One Minute Millionaire, Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen combine prescriptive information for developing the millionaire mind-set and building wealth on the left-hand pages with the continuation of the inspiring fictional story of Michelle from The One Minute Millionaire as she applies her newfound financial wisdom to a group of women in her community on the right-hand pages. The life of your dreams is not only possible, it's inevitable. Cash in a Flash shows how the right mind-set, the right team, and the right techniques can put you on the road to creating enlightened-and almost instant-wealth.

After a successful first year, Books in the Park is back!! This festival hosts local, regoinal, and national whose genres range from; Children, Teen, Mystery, Romance, History, Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Science Fiction The books featured at the festival will be available for purchase and authors will be on hand to autograph purchased copies. Book enthusiasts will be able to explore an expansive book village, enjoy book signings, readings, discussions, demostrations, outdoor reading rooms, and a Poet's Corner and for the the younger set, a Children's Reading Garden.

1pm-2pm Beach To Bluegrass: Places to Brake on Virginia's Longest Road by Joe Tennis

Joe Tennis is an award-winning features writer, photographer, and columnist for the Bristol Herald Courier as well as a frequent contributor to Appalachian Voice, Blue Ridge Country magazine, and Marquee magazine. He lives in Abingdon, Virginia.

 Beach To Bluegrass: Places to Brake on Virginia's Longest Road Following U.S. Route 58 for 500 miles across Virginia, this motoring guide promises a journey with stops at haunted hotels, covered bridges, lighthouses, waterfalls, mile-high mountains, Civil War sites, and seven state parks. The detailed directions and photos will lead travelers from sea level in the Tidewater region, through the Piedmont, to the Blue Ridge Highlands before they turn to the southwest. The paths of many famous Americans are explored along this corridor, including those of Johnny Cash, Jefferson Davis, Douglas MacArthur, Gregory Peck, and George Washington, and many more odd and tempting stops beckon from listings such as "Confederate Graffiti," "The Real Mayberry," and "Fake Lake." A bibliography and list of resources are included.

Festival Quick Facts

Date: Sunday September 27, 2009 Time: 12pm - 6pm Location: Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk, VA Admission: Free & Everyone is Welcome

Special Notes: Lawn Chairs, picnic blankets and coolers (no glass or alcohol permitted) are welcome! Food, alcoholic beverages, & non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase in the Park during the event.

For complete list of Authors, please click on links provided below Authors of Business, Cooking, & Fiction and Literature

Business Gregory Collins: Gregory Collins is a public speaker, certified instructor/trainer, and author of "The Radiant Powers of Success" and "The Navy Go-Getter." Also, he is an active duty Naval Officer with over twenty-two years of leadership experience. He is the recipient of various leadership, community and humanitarian service awards. www.Gregory-Collins.com

Cooking Anne Parsons: Anne Parsons & Alexandra Greeley are well-established cookbook authors and food journalists. In KITCHEN MEMORIES: A Legacy of Family Recipes from Around the World. They fight the trend of convenience foods by saving heirloom recipes that have been passed from one generation to the next. www.familyfoodmemories.com

Bobbie Williamson: Bobbie Williamson combines her years of international cuisine preparation with advice from the Edgar Cayce readings to help you create healthful, delicious meals that you, your family and your body will love.  Bobbie's years of living abroad, in places as diverse as Switzerland and the Middle East, taught her the importance of a diet rich in locally bought, organic and seasonal foods that are naturally healthy. Having lived in so many countries and her global travels afforded her the opportunity to absorb not only the distinct qualities of foreign cultures, but also to learn a wide variety of culinary techniques.  Her unique cooking style incorporates both Edgar Cayce's healthy philosophy of food combinations along with Bobbie's own favorite Mediterranean, Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines. BobbiesOrganicPlanetblogspot.com

Fiction & Literature

Teresa Bettino: Teresa Bettino has written 7 books, which include two poetry books and three inspirational books.  Teresa is a firm believer in the animal rights. Members of her family include her husband and son, birds, horses and cats, several of which are neutered feral cats and a dog.  

Nan Byrne: Nan Byrne is the author of two books. Her poetry and fiction has appeared widely in literary magazines and anthologies including New Orleans Review, Seattle Review, Potomac Review, Grove Review, and Borderlands. She has received grants from the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, the Vermont Studio Center and won awards for her screenplays. She currently works in television production. www.nanbyrne.com

Edward Curry: Fascinating-Mystical history of the amazing Maya regarding their end date of 2012, which many believe heralds the end of humanity.  Adventure, suspense and love about in this exotic Maya setting. Discover how Precession-2012 may affect you in ways you would never expect and increase your zest for living. www.2012mayaenddate.com

D.D. Delaney: D.D. Delaney is an actor, playwright, poet, journalist, and author of three published books: "Lunar Fool," two one-person metaphysical "stage tales"; "Collected Poems from the Consciousness Wars, 1973-2008," and, most recently, "In the Pastures of the Sun," a collection of seven plays based on the solar festivals of myth and legend. http://mysite.verizon.net/vzexdvxi

James Heaphey: James Heaphey has a PhD in International Relations and Organizational Behavior from Berkley. He has been a Professor and a consultant for such organizations as AID and the governments of emerging nations including Chile, Egypt, Iran, Cyprus, Korea, Indonesia, etc., before that he was an undercover agent for Air Force Security Service. He has a wife, five children, and 71/2 grand children.   www.jamesheaphey.com

Elaine Isaacson: Elaine Isaacson has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her poetry is fiction but is based on how she sees the world.  Isaacson's fourth book is her autobiography, "I'm from Jersey" which deals with growing up in a family with several family members suffering from mental illness.  They survived it because of the love they had for one another.  She writes to give hope and inspiration and because it is the one gift she has been given and knows it is supposed to be shared.  Isaacson hopes that she inspires people to use their talent, whatever it is and to inspire others as well. www.isaacspearl.com

Mendel Denise Williams: Mendel is a professional storyteller, folk artist and educator making a commitment to share the beauty and complex issues of diversity, culture and heritage.  Some of her books are based on her past stage performances.  Williams' storytelling style combines narrative, illustrations and family lore. Although, she includes auto biological material, she believes that perception affects each person's view of the world so that even when attempting to tell the truth of what is remembered, part of it will be fiction - it is unavoidable. Williams is a four country immigrant and her experiences and stories reflect the legacy of extensive travels. www.mendeldenise@vpweb.com and www.createwithus.com

Herbert Wright: DO CLONES HAVE SOULS is a book that is as intriguing as its title. It is a thinking man's novel that challenges our values and stimulates our imagination. This is the political thriller for our time.

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JAMES AND ME

The JAMES and ME Video Contest is open to middle school, high school and college students throughout the James River basin. We will accept entries beginning in August 2009, but you can start working on your video this summer.

WHAT IS IT? The James River Association is holding its first-ever video contest. Students are encouraged to submit a 20 second video that conveys their personal connection with the James River.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? The contest is open to middle and high school students as well as students who are enrolled in college as of August 2009. One enry is allowed per contestant.

WHEN IS IT? Entries will be accepted August 17 to October 2nd. The winners will be announced in early November 2009.

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES? There will be one first place winner in each group (middle school, high school and college), each receiving a cash prize of $750.

WHO ARE THE JUDGES? The videos will be evaluated by a panel of judges who have an expertise in either film production or environmental issues.

WHAT ARE THE JUDGES LOOKING FOR? The videos will be judged on originality, cinematic style, entertainment value and the emotional connection they make to the James River.

HOW WILL THE VIDEOS BE USED? The winning videos will be premiered at JRA's annual meeting and available for viewing on JRA's website, as well as aired by media sponsor FOX.

HOW DO I GET MORE INFORMATION? For more information contact Sherrie Tribble at stribble@jrava.org.

WHAT YOU NEED TO ENTER -

• Entrants will mail a complete entry to WRLH, Attn: Tracey Taylor, “THE JAMES AND ME PSA Contest” 1925 Westmoreland Street, Richmond VA 23230.
• A complete entry consists of (i) completed entry/release form signed by entrant and his/her parent or legal guardian, (ii) appearance release forms signed by anyone other than you (the entrant), who appears in the PSA and his/her parent or legal guardian if they are under the age of 18 and (iii) the PSA.
• Entries must be received by the Station by 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, October 2, 2009. PSA’s must be submitted in DVD, Beta SP or DVC Pro format only. No other format will be accepted. Any entries which are not received by October 2, 2009 will be disqualified.

COMPLETED ENTER CONSISTS OF -

• Completed entry/release form signed by entrant and his/her parent or legal guardian - one per person in the group.
• Appearance release form signed by anyone other than you (the entrant), who appears in the PSA (video) and his/her parent or legal guardian if they are under the age of 18.
• The PSA (video)

The James and Me, Video Contest Entry Form (PDF, 11.1 KB)

The James and Me, Video Contest, Appearance Release Form (PDF, 45.5 KB)

The James and Me, Streaming the James Guidelines (PDF, 56.8 KB - Revised 8/13/09)

Know someone who would be interested in this video contest? Send them a link or print out this flyer. (please recycle)

The James and Me, Streaming the James Flyer (PDF, 2.4 mb)

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THE MUSE

AltDaily

Check out www.AltDaily.com, Hampton Roads' news, arts, and culture alternative. All stories and writers are local to the 757. One of the editors, Jesse Scaccia, is teaching Writing About Local Culture this Fall (see class list below). His email for any queries: jesse@24sevencities.com.

Sign-up for a Creative Writing Class this Fall

Classes are filling up fast... Join The Muse for some exciting and enriching creative writing courses, most beginning in October. In addition to our regular offerings, we have a lot new this time around (including standup comedy, crossword puzzle making, the business of writing, and classes for kids and teens). Please see our website: www.the-muse.org/workshops.html for full descriptions, dates, and registration information.

Poetry

Continuing Poetry Workshop: Mondays, 7-9:30 p.m., an 8 week session beginning October 5. Instructor: Patti Hinson. Open to: continuing member and new members with some writing experience. Seats remaining: 3.

Craft of Poetry: Thursdays, 7-9:30 p.m., a 6 week session beginning October 7. Instructor: Daniel Pearlman. Open to: intermediate and advanced poets. Seats remaining: 5.

Fiction

Introduction to Fiction Writing: Wednesdays, 7-9:30 p.m., an 8 week session beginning October 14. Instructor: Tim Farrington. Open to: writers of all levels and experience. Seats remaining: 2.

Standup Comedy

Standup Comedy: Thursdays, 7-9:30 p.m., an 8 week session beginning October 8. Instructor: Ken Phillips. Open to: writers of all levels and experience. Seats remaining: 7 (of 10).

Visual

Screenwriting One-on-One: Thursdays, 7-9:30 p.m., a 6 week session beginning October 13 (bi-weekly, with individual sessions). Instructor: Kip Watson. Open to: writers of all levels and experience. Seats remaining: 8.

Comic Book Writing: Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m., a 6 week session beginning November 18. Instructor: T Campbell. Open to: writers of all levels and experience. Seats remaining: 8.

Crossword Making: Sundays, 2-4 p.m., a 6 week session beginning October 4 (bi-weekly). Instructor: T Campbell. Open to: writers of all levels and experience. Seats remaining: 8.

Memoir/Non-Fiction/General

Writing from Life: Thursdays, 7-9:30 p.m., a 6 week session beginning October 1. Instructor: Janine Latus. Open to: writers of all levels and experience. Seats remaining: 2.

The Riches of Everyday Life: A Memoir Workshop: Sundays, 3:30-5:30 p.m., a 6 week session beginning October 11 (bi-weekly). Instructor: Tom Robotham. Open to: writers with some experience. Seats remaining: 4.

Writing About Local Culture: Tuesdays, 7-9:30 p.m., a 6 week session beginning October 6. Instructor: Jesse Scaccia. Open to: writers of all levels and experience. Seats remaining: 7.

Narrative Travel Writing: Sundays, 5:30-8 p.m., a 6 week session beginning October 11 (bi-weekly). Instructor: Jim Morrison. Open to: writers of all levels and experience. Seats remaining: 7.

Business of Writing Seminar: Tuesdays, 7-9:30 p.m., a 3 week session beginning December 1. Instructor: Jim Morrison. Open to: writers of all levels and experience. Seats remaining: 15 (of 15).

Blogging Basics for Writers: Saturdays, 3-4 p.m., a 6 week session beginning October 10. Instructor: Deb Markham. Open to: writers of all levels and experience. Seats remaining: 8.

Open Studio: Sundays, 3:30-6 p.m., a 5 week session beginning October 4 (bi-weekly). Instructor: Lisa Hartz. Open to: experienced writers. Seats remaining: 7.

Classes for Kids & Teens

Creative Writing for Teens: Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., a 6 week session beginning October 3 (bi-weekly). Instructor: Tim Farrington. Open to: writers of all levels and experience, ages 12-18. Seats remaining: 5.

Freestyle Writing for Young Writers: Saturdays, 9-11 a.m., a 4 week session beginning October 3. Instructor: Janine Latus. Open to: writers of all levels and experience, ages 8-12. Seats remaining: 7.

Come to a Reading this September

The Muse will hold three readings in September: Sundays, September 13, 20, & 27, at the Boot in Ghent (123 W. 21st. St., Norfolk, 627-2668). They begin at 6 p.m. and will feature work from Muse students from the following Summer classes (so far): Introduction to Writing Poetry, Weekend Poetry Workshop: Remembering to Remember, Intensive Poetry Studio, Introduction to Fiction Writing, Fiction Workshop 2, Intensive Fiction Studio, The Riches of Everyday Life: A Memoir Workshop, The Language of Love, Open Studio, Nature Writing, and Meditation for Writers.  More information, and a full schedule of individual readers is available at www.the-muse.org/readings-events.html.

The Boot will be open for dinner and drinks. Reservations for tables are accepted. Come and support your friends and the local literary scene while enjoying some great words.

www.the-muse.org

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WOMEN IN THE ARTS

WOMEN IN THE ARTS NEWSLETTER 

FIND OUT ABOUT UPCOMING FESTIVAL AND FUNDING DEADLINES IN OUR SEPTEMBER 2009 THEATRE AND FILM/VIDEO FUNDING NEWSLETTERS

Dear Theatre and Film/Video Artists,

Our Funding Newsletters for September 2009 are now online. To read them, please click on the links further down on this page.  

NEW THIS MONTH - INTRODUCING OUR BLOG AND NEW FACEBOOK PAGE

Want to stay up to date on news related to women in the arts?  Check out the WomenArts Blog (blog.WomenArts.org) and the WomenArts - SWAN Day Facebook page. We have posted information about two topics this week, and we look forward to seeing your comments:

Theatre Women Seek Equality -  Women theatre artists organized a conference in New York last week to launch a new initiative called 50/50 in 2020. In response to the fact that women playwrights, directors, and designers still receive fewer than 20% of the professional production opportunities nationwide, our friends at the Women's Project, the League of Professional Theatre Women, and New Perspectives Theatre are organizing this campaign to achieve parity for professional women theater artists by 2020. Read more>>

President Obama's United We Serve Campaign - President Obama has announced a new program called United We Serve that is designed to encourage Americans to volunteer more. If your group needs volunteers, you can post announcements at serve.gov.  Also, the non-profit advocacy group Americans for the Arts is trying to document volunteerism in arts at serve.artsusa.org  We want to know what you think - when is it good to volunteer and when should we insist on being paid?  Read more>>

OUR NAME CHANGE AND WEBSITE UPDATES

We changed our name over the summer, and The Fund for Women Artists will be doing business as WomenArts from now on.  Since our website has always been www.WomenArts.org, many of you associate us with that name already. Since we now deliver most of our services through our website, we feel it makes more sense for us to use that name.

We are working on more updates to our website this month. We are trying to minimize any disruption in our services, but if you have problems accessing any pages on our site, please try back a little later. If the problems persist, please send a note to info@WomenArts.org to let us know about it. We will be introducing new software for posting SWAN Day events this year, and we hope to have that up and running by the end of this month.

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AV TECH JOB

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48 Hour Film

Teams throughout Hampton roads competed this weekend in the 48 Hour film project a contest to see who can make the best film in just 48 hours. In the challenge each team was given a prop, characters, and a line of dialogue. You can see the results of their heroic efforts and judge for yourself who should win the city award for Hampton Roads. Scurry on down to the Naro tonight for two showings. One at 7PM and the other at 9PM. See what the filmmakers had to say about the process of making a short film in 48 hours at the FILMMAKER BLOG the Hampton Roads 48HFP Filmmaker Blog,

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Gates Police Report

POLICE REPORT

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