Eight women attended our 2 hour SJF Communications Haiku workshop ‘Capturing Your Creativity With Haiku’ on January 18th, 2020 at the Poway Community Library.
We began with an interactive fun ‘ice-breaker’ – getting to know each other a bit more. Next, after introductions and a review of my work with poetry, I taught my Power Point presentation about writing Haiku and shared several of my nature photography and other photos as prompts to encourage Haiku writing. Everyone practiced writing Haiku and finally we had the opportunity to share our work. It was a delightful time with such a lovely group of creative empowered women!
Here’s a glimpse of our enlightened attendees along with photo prompts and written Haiku from that day! I also contributed a few!
Workshop leader/presenter Susan J. Farese with attendees (Back Row): Grace, Karen, Karla, Ninon, Laurie and Cheran; (Front Row): Kathy and Xochih.
1. Tahquitz Canyon Waterfall Photo by Susan J. Farese
Water tumbles down
forest leaves reach for the ground
a cool pool, respite.
-Karen
Waterfall rushing
thundering sound breaks silence
in awe of nature
-Cheran
2. Bench at Santee Lakes Photo by Susan J. Farese
A bench welcomes me-
have a seat and rest yourself
just breathe in and out
-Cheran
A bench beckons you
verdant grass and flowing
rest and contemplate
-Karen
Our summer is gone
and no one is sitting here
on the lonely bench
And in Japanese:
私たちの夏は去りました
そして誰もここに座っていません
孤独なベンチで
Watashitachi no natsu wa sarimashita soshite dare mo koko ni
suwatte imasen kodokuna benchi de
-Grace
3. Moon Rise and Yellow Traffic Light Photo by Susan J. Farese
A long day has passed
amidst the busy hustle
the bright moon greets me
-Karen
When I’m coming home
showing the same shape as moon
the yellow signal!
And in Japanese
家に帰るとき
月と同じ形を示す
黄色の信号！
Ie ni kaeru toki tsuki to onaji katachi o shimesu kiiro no
shingō!
-Grace
All of a sudden
moon rose, traffic light yellow-
serendipity!
-Susan
4. Anna’s Hummingbird Feasting Photo by Susan J. Farese
Little hummer sits
head bent prayerfully drinking-
a blessed moment!
-Cheran
5. Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Susan J. Farese
Earth and ocean meet
waves crash and rocks tumble down
the clouds bear witness
-Karen
6. Great White Egret at Santee Lakes Photo by Susan J. Farese
The water glistened
fanned plumage captivating!
Great White Egret soared!
-Susan
Legs stretched, beak pointed
wings forming mushroom bellows
ready to take flight
-Cheran
Very beautiful
the open wings are such fun
The Great White Egret
And in Japanese:
非常に美しい
開いた翼はとても楽しい
白eg鳥
Hijō ni utsukushī aita tsubasa wa totemo tanoshī shiro eg
tori
-Grace
7. Autumn Photo Credit: Unknown
Crimson foliage
flutters from the azure sky
float on silent lakes.
-Karen
Beautiful red leaves
showing us their reflection
on an Autumn lake
And in Japanese:
美しい紅葉
彼らの反射を見せて
秋の湖で
Utsukushī kōyō karera no hansha o misete akinoumi de
-Grace
8. Two Egrets at Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Susan J. Farese
Birds stop for a chat
beaks greeting in warm friendship
Oh glorious morn!
9. Trail at Pacific Highlands Ranch, Carmel Valley, San Diego Photo by Susan J. Farese
Beginning right now
feeling earth beneath my feet
starting my journey
-Karla
10. Sunset Cliffs Photo by Susan J. Farese
Jagged rocky edge
salty waves roll in and out
cares ride on the waves
-Karla
The waves foaming white
rocks sure of their position
jutting out to sea
-Cheran
The Oceans spirit
awakens my soul and heart-
quiets my deep pain
-Laurie
Rigid and solid
stone is no match for water-
time transforms all things
-Ninon
11. Joshua Tree Flowers photo by Susan J. Farese
Purple flowers stand
along the desert valley
embracing simple
-Karla
Fields of purple blooms
swaying gently in the breeze
Mother Earth awakes!
-Ninon
12. Snow! Photo credit: Unknown
Snow, ice and water
winter chill invigorates
the body and soul
-Ninon
13. Coachella Valley Preserve – Thousand Palms Oasis McCallum Pond Photo by Susan J. Farese
Here is a 2020 NEW YEARS ‘Gift’ from SJF Communications to Celebrate San Diego Area Theater! Compiled by Susan J. Farese, President of SJF Communications and many thanks to Julien Des Pres. Julien is a senior at SDSU majoring in Public Relations. He has a passion for all things sports and is pursuing a career in sports media and is Susan’s mentee.
Shows, Shows and More Shows!!!
Whether we score comp tix, buy discount tix (Goldstar, or the San Diego Performing Arts League -ArtsTix https://www.sdartstix.com/ or purchase at full price, theatre inspires!!!
This list is our NEW YEARS present to our San Diego Community! Why? Because we wanted to know what the upcoming shows were PLUS we believe in SHARING and GETTING THE WORD OUT! So take a gander!
We have listed (alphabetically) the Theatre/Production Company, Title of Show(s), Dates of Shows and Website links. It’s quite comprehensive! Let us know if there are any additions, corrections etc. We aim to please!
Backyard Renaissance (P); The Dazzle May 7th – 30th; The 4th Annual LIVE LIP SYNC FACE OFF! May 18th; Steel Magnolias June 11th – 28th http://backyardrenaissance.com/tickets/
Broadway San Diego (P); The Simon and Garfunkel Story Feb 18th – 19th; Frozen March 26th – April 12th; The Office! A Musical Parody April 8th – 9th; RENT 20th Anniversary TourMay 8th – 10th; Mean Girls June 9th – 14th; Come From Away June 23rd – 28thhttp://www.broadwaysd.com/
Broadway Vista (P); At Wits End Jan 23rd – Feb 9th; The Glass Menagerie March 5th – 22nd; Beau Gest April 9th – 26th; Brighton Beach Memoirs May 14th – 31sthttp://www.broadwayvista.biz/adult-shows.html
Community Actors Theatre (C); Bojo’s Place: A Musical Revue Jan 31st – March 1st; No Turning Back March 13 – 20; A Place in Time April 10-26; RANTS May 1st – 3rd http://www.communityactorstheatre.com/
Coronado Playhouse (C); Matilda Jan 17th – Feb 23rd; Moon Over Buffalo March 20th – April 19th; Closer than Ever Song by Song April 23 – 26; Anything Goes May 22nd – June 28thhttp://coronadoplayhouse.com/
Cygnet Theatre (P); The Great Leap Jan 22nd – Feb 16th; La Cage Aux Folles March 11th – May 2nd; Two Trains Running May 20th – June 14thhttp://www.cygnettheatre.com/
Diversionary Theatre (P): A Kind of Weather Feb 6th – March 8th; Plot Points in our Sexual Development March 26th – April 26th; Head Over Heels May 21st – June 21sthttp://diversionary.org/season32/
Lamb’s Players (P); Babettes Feast Jan 10th – Feb 16th; Alice Feb 29th – April 12th; The Belle of Amherst April 25th – June 7th https://www.lambsplayers.org/2020-shows
Lamplighters Community Theatre (C); God of Carnage Jan 10th – Feb 9th; The Hollow Feb 28th – March 29th; Company April 17th – May 17thhttps://www.lamplighterslamesa.com/
Moonlight Stage Productions (P); An American in Paris May 13th – May 30th; Something Rotten June 10th – 27thhttp://www.moonlightstage.com/
New Village Arts (P); Murder for Two Jan 24th – March 1st; Little Women: A Concert Reading Feb 16th – 17th http://www.newvillagearts.org/
North Coast Rep (P); Bloomsday Jan 8th – Feb 2nd; The Outsider Feb 19th – March 15th; The Homecoming April 8th – May 3rd; Human Error May 27th – June 21sthttps://northcoastrep.org/
Ocean Beach Playhouse (C); The Rocky Horror Show Jan 17th – March 1st; Into the Woods March 13th – April 5thhttp://www.obtheatrecompany.com/
Onstage Playhouse(C); Going to a Place Where You Already Are Jan 17th – Feb 16th; Real Women Have Curves March 20th – April 12th; Always… Patsy Cline May 8th – June 7th https://www.onstageplayhouse.org/
Patio Playhouse (C); Fun Home Jan 17th – Feb 9th; When We Were Young and Unafraid May 1st – 24thhttp://patioplayhouse.com/
PowPac Theatre (C); Nuts Jan 24th-Feb 23rd; Murder on the Nile March 20th – April 19th; Arsenic and Old Lace May 15th – June 14th http://www.powpac.org/
San Diego Musical Theatre (P); She Loves Me Feb 7th – March 8th; Rent April 17th – May 3rd; Catch Me If You Can May 29th – June 28thsdmt.org
San Diego Repertory Theatre (P); The Humans Jan 9th – Feb 2nd; House of Joy March 5th – 29th; Hershey Felder: A Paris Love Story May 7th – 31st http://www.sdrep.org/
Scripps Ranch Theatre (C); Italian American Reconciliation Jan 17th – Feb 16th; Love Song March 27th – April 26th; I Hate Hamlet May 29th – June 28th http://www.scrippsranchtheatre.org/
The Old Globe (P); August Wilson’s Jitney Jan 18th – Feb 23rd; Hurricane Diane Feb 8th – March 8th; Little Women March 14th – April 19th; Faceless March 28th – April 26th; The Gardens of Anuncia May 8th – June 14th; What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank May 28th – June 28th https://www.theoldglobe.org/
The Roustabouts Theatre Company (P); gUnTOPIA March 8th – 29th; Senorita JuliaMarch 16th; Twelve Angry Men April 6th http://www.theroustabouts.org/onstage
Trinity Theatre Company (C); Seussical Jr. Jan 30th – Feb 1st; Clybourne Park Feb 14 – March 8;https://www.trinityttc.org/
Welk Resort Theatre (P); A Chorus Line Jan 10th – March 22nd; Nunsense April 3rd – June 14th; Elvis – The Early Years April 8th – May 27th; https://welkresorts.com/san-diego/theatre/
Center Stage Children’s Theatre Aladdin Jr. March 6, 7, 8, 13. 14, 15; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee April 17-19; TBA May 29 – 31, June 5 – 7. https://www.centerstagechildrenstheater.org/
Christian Youth Theatre (CYT) Tuck Everlasting (South County) Feb. 21-23, Feb. 28-29 March 1; Matilda (East County) Feb. 21-23, Feb. 28-29 March 1; Mary Poppins (Central/Clairemont) Feb. 21-23, Feb. 28-29 March 1; Seussical (North County Inland/Escondido) TBA; Tri-City (Oceanside) Camp Rock The Musical Feb. 29, March 1, 7, 8. Spring, 2020 – TBA https://www.cytsandiego.org/
Community Players Theatre The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Jan. 17-19, 24 – 26. Shrek The Musical April 24 – 26, May 1 – 3. http://www.clcfamily.org/theatre/
J Company Mamma MiaJan. 10 – 26; Shabbat Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Feb 7-8; Matilda March 6 – 22; Fireflies The Story of the Artists of Terezin Featuring The Original Children’s Opera Brundibar May 8 – 17; https://www.sdcjc.org/jc/
San Diego Junior Theatre Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience Feb. 28 – March 8; Wake Up, Brother Bear March 14 -15; Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical April 24 – May 10; https://juniortheatre.com/seasons/
China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd. (CAEG) presented the U.S. premiere of an opera and dance theatrical musical production Lady Zhaojun Starring Chinese multi-award Singer Li Yugang and fellow performers from the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. and Monday, December 2, 2019 at the San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave, San Diego, CA 92101.
On Tuesday, December 3, 2019, Renowned Chinese Performer Li Yugang and several cast members of Lady Zhaojun from the China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater and China Arts & Entertainment Group Ltd. visited and performed at e3 Civic High School in San Diego. Dr. Cheryl Ward, CEO and Chief Engagement Officer of e3 Civic High School and staff hosted the event. According to the e3 website, “the three “e’s” in e3 represent and drive our mission to Engage, Educate and Empower”.
Special Guest was Mrs. Jin Wang, Cultural Consul of Chinese Consulate General and her aide.
San Diego State University Professor Emeritus Li-Rong Lilly Cheng (Lilly Cheng) translated for the performers.
Debra Wanger – The Resilient Actor – Photo Credit – Ken Jacques
(SAN DIEGO, September 23, 2019) – Actor, Author, Coach and Public Speaker, Debra Wanger is an often-sought-after professional actor, well known in the San Diego region. She published her debut book The Resilient Actor: How to Kick Ass In the Business Without It Kicking Your Ass in 2017 and is thrilled to announce the upcoming The Resilient Actor Audiobook and The Resilient Actor Workbook & Planner: How to Kick Ass in the Business Without It Kicking Your Ass.
“I’ve worked with Hollywood stars and actors currently working on Broadway. I have been able to utilize the secrets of their behind-the-scenes success along with my skills as a wellness coach and my own personal experience. I’ve worked mostly in live regional theatre, but also some television, film, and radio. When I left my BFA program and started working professionally, I had to learn the hard way all the life and balance skills they didn’t teach at the conservatory. There was a lot of focus on being a triple threat, on performance skills, but nothing about how to survive the challenging life of being an actor. I fought depression, loneliness, weight gain, difficulty navigating periods of unemployment, all of it. Like most actors, I had to learn how to get the rest & recovery I needed, how to master my mindset to work with me – not against me, and how to take care of myself like a performing athlete. I had to learn all these life skills beyond my BFA.” – Debra Wanger
Acting can be a crazy
profession, full of uncertainty, insecurity, and unpredictability. While there
are many books about technique, little has been written about how to pursue the
dream without compromising your health and sanity. Pulling from her decades of
experience as an actor, talent manager, and lifestyle coach, Debra Wanger
filled this void in 2016 with a must-read survival guide for the acting
professional.
Debra offers a positive, practical, playful, holistic approach to the art and business of acting that marries mind, body, spirit, and craft. In this essential handbook, which serves as a personal coach in a book, she covers all the bases–from exercise and nutrition to time management and setting goals to staying motivated from audition through performance. Her valuable, tried-and-true insights, gained from client successes, will enable the performing artist to balance and bolster a challenging creative career with a healthy, productive personal life.
At last there’s a clear
path through the madness. The Resilient Actor will lead you to the top
of your game, increase your professional staying power, and help you achieve
equilibrium in all aspects of your life.
ABOUT THE RESILIENT ACTOR’S WORKBOOK AND PLANNER:
Discover some of the secrets from Broadway & Hollywood to supercharge your career and balance your life. Debra Wanger knows how difficult it can be to pursue your dream of acting without compromising your health or your sanity. She drew wisdom from decades of working as an actor, talent manager, and wellness coach to write The Resilient Actor and give emerging and experienced actors a holistic approach to their profession that marries mind, body, spirit, and craft. Sustaining a healthy and satisfying career requires more than just talent- go beyond the skills you learned in your BFA program.
The Resilient Actor’s Workbook and Planner is filled with quick & easy exercises designed to help you plot the direction for your career from the start and avoid the pitfalls that many actors face. You’ll walk through the steps to figure out what kind of actor you want to be and the lifestyle you want to have. You’ll set goals and develop habits for your career and use the specially-designed included actors’ planner to create a step-by-step action and accountability plan for achieving them. The Resilient Actor’s Workbook and Planner will unlock longevity in your career by showing you how to find happiness and health in an industry that challenges both.
Debra Wanger – Photo Credit – Ken Jacques
BIO – DEBRA WANGER
Debra studied acting at
the nationally acclaimed Piven Theatre Workshop with such talents as John
Cusack, Joan Cusack, and Jeremy Piven. Her vocal training began at the
Northwestern University vocal department while still attending high school. She
declined an opera scholarship to Oberlin Conservatory in order to study musical
theatre at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM.) She
graduated Magna Cum Laude from Tufts University and received a Master of Fine
Arts in musical theatre from San Diego State University, where she graduated
Phi Kappa Phi as a Marion Ross Scholar.
Debra is currently in rehearsals as “Liz”- the younger version of Queen Elizabeth in Handbagged at Moxie Theatre which runs October 19th through November 17th. She has performed in regional theatres and cabaret clubs across the country, most frequently in Los Angeles, San Diego, Boston, and South Florida. In Professionally Speaking at the Off-Broadway, The Miami Herald hailed her “a comic spark plug.” Her role in Triumph of Love won a KPBS-TV Patté award. Her one-woman show My Nights With George, Kurt & Cole, (co-written and directed by comic genius, Phil Johnson) was featured at various venues throughout Southern California and won Best New Play and Best Actress at the 2003 San Diego Actors Festival, and the San Diego Playbill Billie Award for Best Actress in a musical.
She was just featured as
The Angel in Cygnet Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Angels in America, as well as A
Little Night Music, On the 20th Century, Spring Awakening, My Fair Lady, Evita,
Sweeney Todd and Dogfight on
the Cygnet stage. At San Diego Musical Theatre has been featured in Hairspray,Billy Elliot, Footloose, Sound of Music, La Cage Aux Folles, and White
Christmas. Other San
Diego theatre highlights include: God of
Vengeance at La Jolla Playhouse, Hamlet (Gertrude)
at Intrepid; Titanic & Sunset Blvd. at Moonlight; Permanent Collection at Mo’olelo; Full Monty (Vicki) at New Village Arts; Sleeping Beauty at North Coast Rep; Anything Goes! (Reno), Oliver! (Nancy) at Lyric Opera San Diego; Carousel and Sound
of Music at Lawrence Welk.
Her CD, Driving My Own Heart is
also available on Amazon and iTunes.
BOOK REVIEWS:
“This book is fantastic.
I’m a professional actor and also teach acting, and will recommend it to all my
students. It’s a topic not discussed enough! Resilience is one of the most
important qualities for any working actor–if not THE most important quality.
Highly recommended!”
-Amy Griffin
“The Resilient Actor by Debra Wanger is a valuable and refreshing resource for anyone in the acting profession who wants to elevate their career while attaining balance in their life. Wanger delivers a motivating, witty, and practical workbook that is bound to bring about positive and healthy change on the road to success.”
-C.K.
“I found The Resilient Actor to be very helpful to me as a musician even though the book was written for actors. It was a great reminder of how to be proactive instead of waiting for the phone to ring and how to keep active always working on your craft. It was a good reminder that even successful creative people never let up on getting their name and face out there and true artists know that their profession is always a work in progress. The book really gave me good solid tips on how to stay healthy mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually; especially when you are in between work projects. I would highly recommend this book to anyone in the business or that is thinking about getting in the business to get a reality check for the persistence needed as well as the care and feeding of the artist in you. Loved it and will continue to use it as a reference!”
We are thrilled to introduce our new SJF Communications client – San Diego Actor, Author and Coach – Debra Wanger. Debra’s book The Resilient Actor: How to Kick Ass in the Business (Without it Kicking Your Ass) brings the behind the scenes secrets of Hollywood & Broadway to supercharge one’s career and balance one’s life. An upcoming Audiobook as well as Workbook/Planner will be available soon.
SJF: In a nutshell…tell us about your life as an actor/performer – highs, lows, ‘aha’ moments- stressors…etc.
DW: I’ve worked mostly in live regional theatre, but also some television, film, and radio. When I left my BFA program and started working professionally, I had to learn the hard way all the life and balance skills they didn’t teach at the conservatory. There was a lot of focus on being a triple threat, on performance skills, but nothing about how to survive the challenging life of being an actor. I fought depression, loneliness, weight gain, difficulty navigating periods of unemployment, all of it. Like most actors, I had to learn how to get the rest & recovery I needed, how to master my mindset to work with me – not against me, and how to take care of myself like a performing athlete. I had to learn all these life skills beyond my BFA.
SJF: What experiences and/or people (parents, role models, etc.) in your life influenced you the most and why?
DW: My
brother used to attend an acting school in Chicago with some young actors – John
Cusack, Joan Cusack and Jeremy Piven among them. They were all clearly phenomenally
talented back then. I tagged along and was impressed. I caught the bug then
& there. My brother gave it up, but I didn’t.
I also had a boss at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) who was somehow able to be an agent, a wife, a mother and a happy human all at the same time. She was able to cut through all the B.S. and find a balance that worked for her. She was an inspiration for me.
DW: Many of my private coaching clients are actors who stumble upon the same road blocks, and that is how The Resilient Actor was born. The Resilient Actor combines my experience as an actor, coach, and Hollywood talent manager. It is part cautionary tale, letting readers know my story and all the ways I did it wrong. It is the actors’ handbook I wish someone had handed me when I left my BFA program. It is the course that was missing from my acting school curriculum.
Debra Wanger – Photo Credit: Ken Jacques
SJF: Describe your work as a health and wellness coach
DW: As a coach, I help my clients discover what their goals are: whether it be to lose 20 pounds, gain energy, make more money, improve relationships, whatever it is they want or need. Then I help them come up with an action plan to achieve those goals, identify and remove any obstacles they have to this action plan and help them with accountability. Every client is different, so I customize it to their needs. Many of my clients are actors who stumble upon the same roadblocks, and that is how The Resilient Actor was born. The Resilient Actor combines my experience as an actor, coach, and Hollywood talent manager.
SJF: Your
time working at CAA and with the Talent Manager? Stresses? Patterns seen? High
points?
DW: Creative Artists Agency in the 90’s was so exciting and crazy. I was there when super-agent Michael Ovitz still ran the place and all of Hollywood. It was like working in an emergency room, everything was high stakes and urgent and high stress, and then Tom Hanks would walk by. It was incredibly stressful, but such a fertile learning ground for how the business of the business worked. It probably took a few years off my life, but the experience was invaluable for learning how film and television work. Managing was some babysitting, some creativity and lot of phone calls, horrible scripts and hours in my car traversing LA for lunch meetings. Taking clients to Sundance or the Golden Globes was as cool as it sounds, but the grind really got to me. Ultimately, I enjoy being on the creative end more than the business side of things.
SJF: Tell us about your past year or so of musicals/shows- Describe your roles and accolades! Angels in America, etc.
DW: This year has been a breakout year for me in San Diego theatre. I was the female authority figure in Hairspray at San Diego Musical Theatre, a collection of John Waters dark-humor characters in a cracker jack cast of a huge musical comedy. I played The Angel (& several other roles) in the acclaimed production of Angels in America at Cygnet Theatre (all 7 hours of it.) It was the most challenging, most exhilarating show I have ever done. Every single element of that show came together, every single person from the director, cast, designers all brought their A game. Next, I play the Queen of England in the West Coast Premiere of the British comedy hit Handbagged at Moxie Theatre. It’s funny – I followed my own advice and had one of the best years of my career.
SJF: Tell us
about the cast of Handbagged and when is the theatrical run at
Moxie?
DW: The Handbagged cast is a ‘who’s who’ of San Diego theatre: Sandy Campbell, Linda Libby, Lisel Gorell-Getz and myself, with Durwood Murray and Max Macke directed by Kim Strassburger. Many of us are often up for the same roles and don’t get to all work together. It will be a diva-fest in the best way possible. So much talent. We play Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth running October 19-November 17. I can’t wait.
SJF: What
do you dream about?
DW: I dream
about making a difference. I dream about balance. I dream about sunny weather,
hugs from my children and using my all the wisdom I have acquired to help
others. And chocolate.
SJF: What
are your top 3 values in life?
DW: Authenticity,
love and playfulness.
Debra Wanger – Photo Credit: Ken Jacques
SJF: What
are you most proud of?
DW: I am really proud of The Resilient Actor, and upcoming The Resilient Actor Audio Book and The Resilient Actor’s Workbook and Planner, my creative babies, but I’d have to say I am really proud of my 3 kids, my human babies. They are phenomenal, loving, decent human beings.
SJF: Describe
your feelings about balancing motherhood and work
DW: Balancing
motherhood & work is a challenge. Acting tends to be feast or
famine. I don’t take every show I am offered. I have to weigh it against
tucking my kids in for those 3 months. I am pickier about what projects I
do. That is one of the reasons I love writing, coaching, and public
speaking – it allows me to work with actors and be creative without negatively affecting
my kids. They know I love being onstage and want me happy, I just attempt
to balance it as best I can.
SJF: Female
issues with males (harassment) in entertainment?
DW: Ugh.
This is a real thing. It is time that people shed light on bad behavior
in the arts and in business. There have been some individuals abusing and
taking advantage for years, many of whom were common knowledge and no one did
anything. I applaud the brave souls who are willing to speak up for themselves.
Of course, I hope that individuals who are breaking the law are brought to
justice and that attitudes change. The whole system needs to change and
awareness is the first step.
SJF: Any fears? Doubts? ever?
DW: Of
Course! I’m human. Like all actors – I doubt myself. I have
several exercises in the book to help with negativity and doubt so they don’t
get the best of you. I get insecure and doubtful like anyone, but I have
learned how to tame that beast most of the time.
Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications recently interviewed our client, JoAnn Petrie Carr, Author of the fiction novel, “Keeper of the Flame”. JoAnn is a former Astronaut wife and retired Attorney in the Houston area. Her answers were astute, honest and thought provoking.
Q & A with JoAnn Petrie Carr, Author, “Keeper of the Flame”
Courtesy Photo – JoAnn Petrie Carr
The Carr Family Courtesy Photo Top Row – left to right: Jennifer, Jerry, JoAnn and Jamee; Bottom Row – left to right: Jeff, Jessica, Joshua, John
SJF: In a nutshell…tell us about your life as a former Astronauts’ wife – a few tidbits…
JPC: My life as a former astronaut wife was in many respects business as usual with a houseful of six children. The monotony of mopping the floor was broken up with invitations to some of the River Oaks swankiendas (“swanky haciendas”) as well as invitations to the Indy 500, a week at Las Brisas in Acapulco, a week at a fabulous dude ranch in the Rocky Mountains, a trip to Cape Kennedy (now Cape Canaveral) and back in our host’s private 747 – among other less elaborate places.
This
Cinderella always knew that the kitchen floor was waiting along with the other
menial tasks that go with being the mother of six. We went to a lot of fabulous parties
locally. Lucky for me I was an expert
seamstress, so all the fancy outfits I needed were made on my handy dandy
sewing machine. A simple Vogue pattern
with a smashing fabric of some sort and I had a new outfit for every party! It was like being Cinderella, but one who was
only too well aware that the coach was going to turn into a pumpkin sooner or
later. Only the gown stayed the same.
SJF: What
experiences and/or people (parents, role models etc) in your life influenced
you the most and why?
JPC: My
maiden aunt gave me piano lessons and saw that I was involved with the local
church. I was also influenced by the fact that my mother’s cousin was a
designer for Twentieth Century Fox and I always went to the movies where her
wares were displayed. I think I tried to
emulate her. I never got to meet her
though. But she continued to be an
influence on my life. My skills also
came in handy when Halloween came around and my kids always had elaborate
Halloween costumes.
SJF: Describe your work as an Attorney – any fascinating cases? Do you miss it?
Courtesy Photo – JoAnn Petrie Carr
JPC: The
first case I ever worked on was one of the biggest cases Texas had seen for a
while. It involved a Supreme Court
Justice who had gotten elected because he had the same name as a well-known
political family in the State. I didn’t
have my license yet but worked as the lead attorney’s “gofer”. He had been the Attorney General when Kennedy
was killed. After that I had a general
practice and did a lot of family law and managed to have some interesting
divorces along the way. And no, I don’t
miss it.
SJF: Describe
your book “Keeper of the Flame” -why? Any backlash?
JPC: I
decided to write a memoir about my life as an astronaut wife for my kids but it
turned out to be so boring that I decided that I could tell more truth with
fiction. As I was watching my youngest
son play a role in Hello Dolly it just came to me that I would write a
novel and call it Keeper of the Flame.
I think they were singing “Before the Parade Passes By” and I was facing
retirement age. I am unaware of any
backlash. A few of the wives have asked me if certain incidents in the book
really happened. My reply is always
“It’s fiction”. I sent every wife a copy
of the book when it first came out and I got several very nice notes and a few
positive phone calls. Now that I think
of it there were a lot, I didn’t hear from at all. I got a very nice call from Al Bean. He was
quite complimentary. He was the only man
who had the guts to call. And I’m sure
that at least several of the men read it too.
SJF: What do you dream about?
JPC: I dream about this book becoming a movie.
SJF: What
are your top 3 values in life?
JPC: First and foremost is family. They all have each other’s back and are ready to circle the wagons at the first hint of trouble. Another is helping other less fortunate people. Christianity – but not necessarily in that order. But family is always first.
The Carr Family Courtesy Photo Top Row – left to right: Jennifer, JoAnn and Jamee; Bottom Row – left to right: Jeff, Jessica, Joshua, John
SJF: Did you enjoy the celebrity status? Describe…
JPC: I did enjoy the celebrity status. It was sporadic so we didn’t have the kind of attention that the first few groups had. It was just as well. I had too much else to do.
Courtesy Photo – JoAnn Petrie Carr
SJF: What
are you most proud of?
JPC: I’m
most proud that all my kids are good people.
We escaped the teen years with no drugs and no scrapes with the
law. They were active in their church
fellowship groups and I helped lead them.
It was a blast hanging around with those teenagers. They had a musical group and we played and
sang for other churches.
SJF: Describe your feelings about balancing motherhood and work
Courtesy Photo – JoAnn Petrie Carr
JPC: Balancing
motherhood and work is a team effort. My
kids had chores on a rotating basis.
They did their own laundry. They
helped me cook meals.
SJF: Female
issues with males (harassment) in law practice, etc.?
JPC: I
didn’t encounter much in the way of harassment.
The Texas male attorneys separated females into two categories — – lady
lawyers and women lawyers. I never did
figure out what was what but I guess I was whichever one was better because
they all seemed to like me and didn’t harass me at all.
SJF: Any
insight on the process of aging? Has it been a challenge?
JPC: Aging
is a bitch. I can’t play tennis. I can’t hike.
I can’t garden. My eyesight is declining. I can’t sew or do jigsaw puzzles. And if I don’t hurry up and get this book out
there, I am going to lose my short term memory and giving speeches will be a
challenge.
SJF: Any fears?
Doubts? ever?
JPC: The
only fears I had were that my ex-husband Jerry wasn’t going to get a
flight. He was assigned to Apollo 19 but
the last three flights (18, 19, 20) were cancelled. He was named Commander of the third and last
Skylab flight – an 84-day mission in the Skylab workshop. But we sweated it out for several weeks
before we knew about the Skylab flight.
It was a heart-breaking time for both of us. I was just as anxious for
him to get a flight as he was. So I
don’t think I ever had any doubt that he was made for the exploration of
space. It was something that was meant
to happen. And it almost didn’t.
JoAnn Petrie Carr was born and raised in Orange County, California. She graduated from The California State University at Long Beach with a degree in elementary education. She married her high school sweetheart who was later to be named as an Apollo astronaut in the ‘60s. During her life as the wife of a marine fighter pilot, she organized and taught a private kindergarten in North Carolina. She moved to Houston where she raised her six children against the backdrop of Gemini, Apollo and Skylab. She later completed her Doctor of Jurisprudence at the Bates College of Law at the University of Houston with all six children still at home. She divorced and practiced law for 30 years. During this time, she was a sole practitioner, general counsel for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and counsel for Star Station One, a 501c-3 dedicated to space education for children. She designed a distance-learning program for primary grades.
To book JoAnn Petrie Carr for media interviews
or speaking engagements please contact her publicist:
Former Astronaut Wife Re-Releases Novel about Moon Landing
In association with the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, JoAnn Petrie Carr reflects her personal experience as an astronaut’s wife in her debut novel, ‘Keeper of the Flame’
(San Diego, CA August 16, 2019) – What is it like being married to an astronaut? Author, JoAnn Petrie Carr, offers an inside view of an astronaut family as she draws from her personal experience. A fiction based on fact, “Keeper of the Flame” tells the story of an Apollo astronaut wife as she struggles to establish an identity of her own. She puts her own ambitions aside in favor of supporting her husband’s quest for the moon.
In the book, readers will follow the life of Jennifer
Davis. She is a devoted mother of four and wife of an Apollo astronaut, who had
dreamed of being a lawyer. Instead, she married and started a family. Her
husband, Evan, is a good but neglectful man who is driven by his need to excel
at whatever he does. His time and attention are focused exclusively on the moon
to the detriment of his family and his relationship with Jennifer.
Jennifer pushes the traditional envelope of her life as far
as she is able without jeopardizing Evan’s chances or neglecting her children.
An emergency on the lunar surface, endangering the crew, causes her to
reexamine her core values. She meets the tough choices that face her head on.
“Keeper of the Flame” is a metaphor for the universal story
of every traditional married woman who found herself exposed to the
possibilities offered by the changing world of the ‘60s. It will also appeal to
those younger women who struggle to combine career and family.
“Keeper of the Flame”
By JoAnn Petrie Carr
Hardcover | 6×9 in | 294 pages | ISBN 9781796031720
Softcover | 6×9 in | 294 pages | ISBN 9781796031713
E-Book | 294 pages | ISBN 9781796031706
About
the Author
JoAnn Petrie Carr was
born and raised in Orange County, California. She graduated from The California
State University at Long Beach with a degree in elementary education. She
married her high school sweetheart who was later to be named as an Apollo
astronaut in the ‘60s. During her life as the wife of a marine fighter pilot,
she organized and taught a private kindergarten in North Carolina. She moved to
Houston where she raised her six children against the backdrop of Gemini,
Apollo and Skylab. She later completed her Doctor of Jurisprudence at the Bates
College of Law at the University of Houston with all six children still at
home. She divorced and practiced law for 30 years. During this time, she was a
sole practitioner, general counsel for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and
counsel for Star Station One, a 501c-3 dedicated to space education for
children. She designed a distance-learning program for primary grades.
To book JoAnn Petrie Carr for media interviews
or speaking engagements please contact her
publicist:
Dr. Schroeter is known for her
ability to present complex ideas in a clear and entertaining way. Communication
Breakthrough shows how the brain reacts under stress and provides
powerful body techniques to easily shift moods for successful communication.
Here is a short video of Dr. Vin in action
‘Enlightening & Entertaining’
To book Dr. Vin Schroeter for
media interviews
or speaking engagements please contact her
publicist:
QUOTE from Dr. Schroeter: “I welcome speaking opportunities to share tools for
success in communicating effectively. I am skilled at adapting my material to
meet the needs of a variety of audiences, and enjoy presenting in corporate,
medical, academic or community settings.
I had a forty-two-year career as a clinical psychotherapist, focusing on body-mind psychology. I have noticed a common theme in my professional as well as personal life, which is how people suffer when they do not know how to communicate well. My current passion is to help people communicate better. My recent studies in neuroscience (mind) along with my long-term work in somatic psychotherapy (body) allow me to provide original and effective communication tools.”
Vincentia Schroeter, Ph.D. (Dr. Vin)
Upcoming Book Signings/Appearances
(subject to change):
San Diego Author J.R. Strayve Jr. is thrilled to announce his new fiction novel First Spouse of the United States: Star Athlete & War Hero Battles Societal Boundaries and Washington Elite, which is now available at https://jrstrayvejr.com or on Amazon.com.
Book Description:First Spouse of the United States: Star
Athlete & War Hero Battles Societal Boundaries and Washington Elite
parallels today’s political and social unrest. Politically controversial and
pragmatic, witness an unlikely duo in their quest for the White House. Watch
both Democrats and Republicans facilitated by a complicit media, maneuver to
eat their own.
The
first chapter introduces Marine Corps fighter pilot Lt. Ricardo Chambers – ‘Rocky’
– receiving the Medal of Honor in the White House East Room. Most would say
this is an achievement, like conquering Mount Everest. Rocky is the man most
men would like to be. He is the epitome of what many women would want in a man.
But things are not what they appear to be. The First Lady and President
callously exploit and discard our hero.
Flashback
to Rocky’s idyllic high school years as his life takes a sudden turn, a
forbidden turn. Living an inauthentic and tumultuous life, Rocky carefully
samples more of what could unmask and destroy. Heroism and prowess do not clear
a path for happy-ever-after. It only muddies the water, providing cover for
adversaries lying in wait, ready to spring to the surface and decimate what
they covet and hate.
Quote from J.R. Strayve Jr.: “When Hillary Clinton was
running in 2016 the idea that we could have a ‘First Spouse’ seemed very real.
That reality planted the seed for developing the manuscript featuring a gay
couple in the White House. Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s declaring his candidacy for
the President of the United States validated the need for such a book. I quickly moved forward with the
manuscript for ‘First Spouse of the United States: Star Athlete & War Hero
Battles Societal Boundaries and Washington Elite’.”
Bio: J.R.
Strayve, Jr. has always been fascinated with history and politics. Those
interests coupled with a vivid imagination led to the creation of FSOTUS. The
author was raised in a military household and subsequently spent ten years in
the Marine Corps. One of his first duty assignments was at HMX-1, the
Presidential Helicopter Squadron in Washington D.C. Captain Strayve left the
Marine Corps to raise three children. He now has three grandchildren and is a
Wealth Management Advisor in San Diego, Ca. Interests include politics, Special
Needs and Human Rights. The latter led to the authorship of this inspiring novel.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
First Spouse of the United States: Star Athlete & War Hero Battles Societal Boundaries and Washington Elite
ISBN#: 9781090261007
UpcomingBook
Signings/Appearances (subject to change):
I also was thrilled to be an integral part of the talented team* that coordinated and interviewed many of the authors involved that day ~ and definitely learned so much from and about each author! Here’s the link to the BLOG with author Q & A’s as well as the San Diego Writers Festival website.
We enjoyed an interesting self-guided Spring hike of two oases at the Thousand Palms Oasis – Coachella Preserve (on the San Andreas Fault, no less) in the Southern California Desert (about 10 miles East of Palm Springs).
Here’s a video with photos that captured some of our day hiking at the Thousand Palms Oasis at Coachella Preserve!
A Hike at Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve – Coachella Valley
Here are some photos from our hike at Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve!
Visitors Center at Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, Coachella Valley Photo by SJF CommunicationsEnormous palm fronds at the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, Coachella Valley Photo by SJF Communications A View of the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, Coachella Valley Photo by SJF Communications McCallum Pond at Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, Coachella Valley Photo by SJF Communications
We started our journey by stopping at the Palm House Visitors Center (the original homestead log cabin, complete with really cool artifacts) and hiking over a few boardwalks (and a bit of sand) on the flat McCallum Trail (round trip 2 miles). The amazingly tall fan palms (Washingtonia filifera – some over 50 feet) are a sight to behold!
Side giggle note: The lengthy fronds resemble ‘Cousin Itt’ from the Addams Family!
In the middle of this desert, there were two magnificent oases, as well as beautiful purple, yellow, blue and white wildflowers, and a few birds.
At the end of the trail was McCallum pond (yes indeed, a pond – with water courtesy of the San Andreas Fault) with an added bonus – the endangered Desert Pup Fish!
Susan of SJF Communications enjoying the flower fields!
Susan’s friend Ninon at the Flower Fields!
It was such a fun morning (into the afternoon) enjoying a wagon ride and strolling through the vividly colorful Tecolote Ranunculus flowers (and more) at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California.
Here’s a short SJF Communications video to share the delightfully colorful fields that seemed to go on and on!
. Prices range from $9-$18. YES, we did pay the extra $5 for the fun (and a bit bumpy) wagon ride and YES we also treated ourselves to a strawberry shake!
A special unexpected treat was smiling while observing the adorable caged dove exhibit!
A great children’s area will keep the kids happy with fun activities, gold panning plus workshops for school groups!
There were sweet pea & orchid areas, fresh lemonade, ice cream, the ‘Strawberry Shack’ with yummy drinks and sweets and overall a great way to spend time!
Our family spent a few wonderful hours hiking at Tahquitz Canyon ~ part of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Reservation in Palm Springs.
Take a look at our short video below with photos by Susan J Farese, SJF Communications and music by Ah Nee Mah: ‘Native Visions: A Native American Music Journey’.
We saw a variety of beautiful wildflowers, rock formations and boulders, crossed over two streams, and ultimately reached the gorgeous 60 foot waterfall at the end of the trail. The land was spectacular. The views magnificent. It was a bit steep, but well worth the climbing!
What a spectacular day hiking at Lake Hodges in Escondido, CA! Beautiful scenery, wildflowers blooming, birds enjoying the plentiful rain that we’ve had lately, magnificent rainbows (did we mention the larger than life rattlesnake)? Take a look at ‘art in nature’ and ‘nature as art’!
Music: If We Knew All the Laws of Nature’ by Robert Farmer.
Photos/Video by SJF Communications ‘Creative Ideas | Dynamic Results’ sjfcommunications.com
