INFO from The National Steinbeck Center and “Steinbeck Country United”:
The National Steinbeck Center is proud to present “Steinbeck Country United”, a virtual and interactive global festival, August 1st and 2nd. “Steinbeck Country United” will feature an exciting array of musical acts, including Matt Costa, Zakiya Hooker (John Lee Hooker’s daughter), Atta Boy (featuring Eden Brolin, Josh Brolin’s daughter, on vocals and Lewis Pullman, Bill Pullman’s son, on drums), J.D. King and a local Monterey Peninsula artist showcase.
Additionally, “Steinbeck Country United” will feature engaging panels with some of the top Steinbeck scholars around the world, including Pulitzer prize nominated authors, as well as photographers and videographers from National Geographic, international panelists from Mexico, and fantastic cultural performances from “Festival Internacional Cervantino”, one of Mexico’s most celebrated international artistic festivals. And it wouldn’t be a full festival experience without an interactive vendor area filled with incredible virtual booths! The fun continues with engaging cocktail hours, amazing silent auctions and electrifying interactive games, so get your tickets today!
Expo Attendees can visit the vendor booths and request a meeting (via Zoom), view vendor/company details, obtain offers/discounts, view/purchase products and visit vendors social media platforms.
I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Ranch in Carlsbad during June, 2020. I heard about it several months ago and couldn’t believe that after 10 years of living in San Diego I had never heard of it.
Leo Carrillo was an entertainer on Broadway, in films and became famous for playing ‘Pancho’ in the 1950’s TV Show ‘The Cisco Kid’.
The poem ‘A Light Dimmed’ by Susan J. Farese is included in the 2019-2020 San Diego Poetry Annual which is now available for purchase at a discounted rate of $15 plus shipping.
Excited to announce that my poem (in Haiku format), ‘A Light Dimmed’ about my Aunt Pam, who sadly passed away 6 months ago, is published in the Veterans section of the 2019-2020 San Diego Poetry Annual (page 294).
This is the second year that my poetry has appeared in the San Diego Poetry Annual anthology. Last year my poem ‘Flashbacked Life’ was included and I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the many live poetry readings and presentations around the San Diego area. Unfortunately, all public readings for the 2019-2020 anthology are now on hold due to the current situation with Coronavirus/Covid-19.
A recap of our workshop w/connection, creativity and sharing!
Our 4/5/2020 Zoom class: ‘Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku’ Top – Left to Right: Bonnie, Susan, Millie Bottom – Left to Right: Janice, Mary Jean, Lori
Five lovely women attended our 2 hour SJF Communications Haiku workshop, ‘Capturing Your Creativity With Haiku’ through San Diego Writer’s, Ink via Zoom on April 5th 2020. Once I figured out the system (video, sound, muting, unmuting, locking, etc.), it was a blast!
It was my first time teaching with Zoom and now I am hooked! In fact, I am planning another virtual Haiku workshop via San Diego Writer’s, Ink tentatively on June 7th from 10-12 noon. Stay tuned for details TBA.
We began with a review of my professional history and experience with Haiku and Poetry. After that, we did an interactive interesting and most of all 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 (16) of my nature (and other) photography 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 written Haiku along with photo prompts they chose that day!
Anna’s Hummingbird – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
A simple creature
Delving into his sweetness
Bringing joy to all
– Lori
~
Hummingbird hornets
This Spring when hope hides from us
Kids drink from sippies
– Millie
Snowy Egret “Bad Hair Day” – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
A morning outlook
Wind ruffling my feathers
What to do today
-Lori
~
Eager and ready
Able with wings to take flight
Planted feet instead
-Mary Jean
~
White feathers ruffle
Lake reflections wrinkles
The visible wind
-Bonnie
Coachella Valley Preserve – Thousand Palms Oasis McCallum Pond Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
New discovery
A promise of refreshment
Flies! They found this too
-Mary Jean
Waterfall at Tahquitz Canyon Trail – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Water falls steady
From granite to constant lake
Upstaged by frailty
-Mary Jean
Joshua Tree Flowers –Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Lupine violet
Rises above dusty green
Poking the still air
-Millie
Coachella Valley Preserve – Thousand Palms Oasis Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Palm trees like bear hugs
Only my hairless arms wrap
Tomorrow your gaze clears
-Millie
Sunset Cliffs, Point Loma Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Whirling eternal surf
Salty water splashes ashore
No virus in sea
-Janice
Moon Rise & Yellow Traffic Light Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Stop full moon overhead
Secrets hide the dusky light
Car horn, now mundane
-Janice
Julian Leaves Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Crunchy leaves crackle
Sun comfort through bare branches
Seasons change, do I?
-Janice
Tahquitz Canyon Overlooking Palm Springs Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Puffy clouds hover
Gentle wind rustles leaves on trees
City sleeps, no danger.
-Janice
Plus, Lori and Mary Jean wrote some additional Haiku without photo prompts! Way to go!
The Armed Forces Film Challenge is a 60 Day challenge, (extended a bit due to the coronavirus pandemic and Covid-19) during which VetPics Productions selected one of several stories offered by the Challenge management, wrote a screenplay (by Tommy Anderson), filmed (with 2 assigned elements), edited (by Floyd Strayer) and submitted to the Challenge management.
Based on the Story Oblivion by Adam Stone
The story we chose is Oblivion by Veteran Adam Stone. It is about a Marine Sniper returning from Afghanistan and the ghosts that come with him. It focuses on a singular event that tends to stick out amongst the many he has experienced. It stands out with our team as a phenomenal opportunity to show the world a snippet of what our veterans struggle with when they come home.
Life After Oblivion – Photo by Tommy Anderson
About the Producing Team
The VetPics Productions team includes:
Floyd Strayer (Chula Vista, CA) ~ (Team Leader/ Producer/ Director/Veteran) works withSurvivors of Suicide Loss in San Diego, supporting those that have loss to suicide. He acts as the military and Veteran Chair to reach out to our veteran community offering our support. Daily, 22 veterans have struggled with PTSD, mental illness, depression or ghosts of some sort that drove them to take their own life. Twenty-two a day! Floyd’s IMDB;
Tommy Anderson (Norco, CA) ~ (Producer/Screenwriter/Veteran) www.haboobwind.com, is a PTS survivor and has worked with veterans’ issues including suicide prevention for both veterans and public safety personnel. He is on the board of directors of the US For Warriors Foundation in San Diego and has been recognized by both the Los Angeles County Board and the Riverside County Board for with work with veterans.Tommy’s IMDB;
Susan J. Farese (San Diego, CA) ~ (Producer/Casting/Publicist/Veteran)is the owner of SJF Communications and is a veteran Army and Navy Nurse.Susan’s IMDB;
Shar Yonan (Bakersfield, CA) ~ (Producer/Location Scout) is a strong child advocate for abused children in foster care as well as an advocate for children who have attempted to take their own life. Shar’s IMDB.
Sue Vicory(Mound City, KS) (Producer) is a three-time Telly Award winning filmmaker. Sue has been making films since 2003. Heartland Films, Inc., her non-profit production company was established to create films that inspire and educate. Sue has spoken on and moderated panels around the world including Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals. She is a member of the Alliance of Women Directors and has served as an Emmy judge both regionally and nationally. Sue’s IMDB.
We have 12 veterans involved in Life After Oblivion, the film, (production team, cast and crew) along with Adam Stone, writer of the story ‘Oblivion’.
We hope to help bring awareness and remove the stigma around PTS/PTSD and suicide to provide hope and encouragement to those in need with Life After Oblivion
“The ghosts of the battlefield last longer than the war itself”
Patricia Geist-Martin, Ph.D., Bill Torres and Sarah Parsloe, Ph.D.
“WHY ME?” These were the first words that Bill Torres spoke after waking up from his stroke. Like many survivors, Bill lived his first days and weeks after stroke in a dark, heavy cloud of depression. Depression creates feelings of hopelessness, guilt, helplessness, and decreased energy—all symptoms that stand in the way of a survivor’s efforts to regain mobility and speech. Yet, rather than dwelling on asking “WHY ME?” Bill’s second words were, “WHAT NOW?” He set his mind to getting better, little by little, every day. As researcher and author, Peter Levine (2013) suggests, stroke survivors must “fall in love with the process … [and] see the process of recovery as an opportunity for growth.”
Falling in Love with the Process: Cultivating Resilience in Health Crises – A Stroke Survivor’s Storytells Bill Torres’ story of recovery and advocacy. The book is structured along two different timelines—the timeline of Bill’s early life and the timeline of his life from stroke onward. Chapters are alternated between Bill’s stories of growing up in San Diego and chapters that provide accounts of Bill’s journey of stroke recovery. These two separate storylines come together near the close of the book as we explore Bill’s approach to recovery and advocacy.
Part One:Picking Up the Pieces; Connecting the Dots explores the aftermath of Bill’s stroke and discusses the ways in which stigma, depression, and internalized ableism shaped Bill’s initially difficult emotional response to stroke. It also offers accounts of how his communication with key health care providers reinforced Bill’s drive to work on his own rehabilitation.
Part Two: Persisting Through Recovery considers both Bill’s capacity to structure his own rehabilitation routine and the ways in which his close network of friends supported him throughout his recovery process.
Part Three:Communicating as an Advocate explores how Bill transformed his survivor narrative into a tool for advocacy. It explains the strategies Bill used to successfully work with other stroke survivors and also describes the compassion fatigue that can accompany this kind of communicative labor.
Q & A with Patricia Geist-Martin, Ph.D. and Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Patricia Geist-Martin, Ph.D. & Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
SJF: Why/How did you (and Sarah) decide to write a book about Bill Torres?
PGM: After being a guest speaker in my Health Communication class at SDSU over the past 10 years, Bill suggested that I should write a book. I resisted at first with so much on my plate, but then I thought of inviting Dr. Sarah Parsloe to co-author the book. We knew the book would touch on the disabilities that come with stroke and the advocacy work that Bill engages in, and Sarah has a great deal of expertise on both of these topics.
SJF: Did you make any personal discoveries (or aha moments) while interviewing Bill for the book? If so…please explain
PGM: We made so many discoveries—too many to list here—and of course that is really what the book is all about. First, resilience isn’t something we create from scratch at the moment we need it, it is something we develop over time beginning as a young person. So cultivating resilience as a young boy served Bill well at 69 when he had his stroke. Second, resilience isn’t something we cultivate alone. People who have a network of friends and family that they can count on when they need it most can join forces with them to create resilience. It isn’t about the number of people, it is about the quality of these relationships–having people in your life that you love and they love you and will be there for you when you need them. That’s just two of the many lessons.
He used the phrase in
the beginning of his book, stating that stroke survivors must “fall in love
with the process . . . [and] see the process of recovery as an opportunity for
growth” (p. xiv).
SJF: What made you decide on increasing the distribution of the book from academia to the masses?
PGM: Sarah and I are big believers in the power of stories. While we teach this in our college classes, we knew the general public would enjoy the stories told by Bill, his providers, and his friends. We also knew that the lessons about communication and resilience would be valuable for anyone, not just stroke survivors. Anyone who is moving through the grief of losing someone they love or recovering from an accident or any illness would find lessons in Bill’s stories that are universal.
SJF: Tell us about your passion and teaching emphasis with ‘storytelling’, especially as it pertains to health communication?
PGM: Storytelling is about connecting with other people. In telling our own stories, we put into words our joys, fears, and even our secrets. In the process of telling our story and being listened to, we can actually change the chemistry in our bodies—telling stories of pain and trauma or joy and passion can have an effect on the brain where dopamine, cortisol, oxytocin, and endorphins are released. In that release and in the chemical changes, we often feel pleasure—something that happens in hearing the story, not just the facts. I teach health communication from the point of view of stories—stories told to friends, family, providers, and even in health campaigns offer an opportunity to put into words, something that we are experiencing. As we tell stories to others, we begin to make sense of our own experience and when we listen to others tell their stories we offer them the same opportunity.
SJF: If you had to write the book over again, would you change anything?
PGM: I think the only thing I would add to the book if I were still in the process of writing it would be for Sarah and I to tell more of our own stories, especially as we feel that have evolved in the process of collaborating with Bill, his providers, and his friends. Our stories are partially there, but I think the experience of collaborating with Bill was life-changing in so many ways, but specifically reflecting on my own path and the resilience I feel I have created in difficult and dark times.
SJF: A brief history of your upbringing, education, professor positions/teaching appointments and early retirement at SDSU.
PGM: I am a first-generation college student. My dad graduated from high school and ended up as a pattern maker at John Deere Tractor Works. My mom did not graduate from high school and was a stay-at-home mom to four children. Both my parents really emphasized education and especially reading. I cannot think of one time in my life where I have not had one or more books on my night stand. My family moved around a lot-five states and seven houses by the time I was in second grade. I think my own resilience was built through that experience. I started out as a dance major at the University of Iowa in Iowa City but then switched to Literature and Writing when I discovered I wasn’t as skilled at learning and remembering choreography the way others were. My minor was Communication and I was hooked. I taught high school for two years—literature, writing, drama, and filmmaking. But then my thirst for knowledge about communication led me to gain a master’s degree in Communication at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls Iowa and a Ph.D. in Communication from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. My first position as an Assistant Professor was at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, CT, then the Department of Speech at the University of Hawaii, Manoa in Honolulu, HI. Finally, in 1990 I was hired by the School of Communication at San Diego State University. I feel blessed to have lived and worked in all three universities and to have attended strong programs for my education. I am now in my second year of a five-year early retirement program where I teach three classes only in the fall and have the spring and summer off to do whatever I want. And my joy is writing, so I will keep doing that as long as I can!
SJF: Tell us about all of the books you’ve written:
I have also published
over 100 journal articles and book chapters.
SJF: Anything you’d like to mention about your upcoming book The Infinite Now?
PGM: I have been working on a memoir for over 15 years. The tentative title is The Infinite Now: A Mother’s Past, A Daughter’s Future. My mom died of brain cancer when I was 17, right before Christmas in my senior year in high school. The only way I could cope with this huge loss in my life was to press down any memories of my mom. This turned out to be the worst strategy, because the pain was still there under the surface. It wasn’t until our only child, Makenna moved into her teen years that suddenly the past came rushing forward with each and every interaction—so it’s my mom’s past and my future woven with my past and my daughter’s future that form a braid of our two overlapping stories. It is a labor of love that is both traumatic and joyful. I hope to publish the book by summer 2021.
SJF: Any recommendations for us to journal or document what we are going through with Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic?
PGM: Yes, this crisis calls on all of us to become resilient. Resilience requires us to be flexible and adapt to each new phase of the pandemic. Resilience also offers an opportunity to be creative and come up with new solutions to this experience of isolation. Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, Zoom, and other social media offer opportunities to reach out to support one another and decrease our sense of isolation. One new solution that my husband and I have been engaging in is virtual happy hours. It is fascinating to realize that we our doing this more than we did when we had the opportunity (but supposedly not the time) to be connected with friends and family. We just don’t stay on the phone as long as we do when we are telling stories, playing games, and goofing around “face-to-face” on zoom. It’s fascinating to see some of the increased sharing and intimacy that is evolving on zoom with friends and family.
SJF: Is there anything else that you’d like to mention?
PGM: I love writing and teach it in most of my communication classes. I love helping people tap into the stories they feel they must tell—about life, love, travel, pain, trauma, joy—anything. So, in addition to the memoir, I have a few other books I plan to write, one about creative female leaders and another on the process of mentoring. I also plan to develop writing workshops in San Diego and in other cities, countries. My husband will be retiring about the same time that I am and we hope to build a business together that takes advantage of the expertise that each of us could contribute.
SJF: Thank you so much, Patricia – it was such a pleasure to learn more about you and you work!
As we are all probably aware, the recent situation and news is all about preventing and dealing with the devastating effects of the novel Coronavirus and Covid-19 and positive thoughts and concern for the front line health care workers working with infected patients.
How are we all doing? Staying healthy? Are we helping to ‘flatten the curve’? Washing hands more frequently? Being cognizant of and seriously practicing ‘social distancing’ or ‘physical distancing’? Shaking our heads every once in awhile when we hear the news reports and numbers of positive coronavirus tests, Covid-19 cases and unfortunately sad accounts of death numbers rising?
I’m thinking about you!
Is this truly a paradigm shift for us?
If you’re parents of young, middle grade, high school or college-aged kids…how are you coping with things? You know, lesson plans, zoom learning, kids and young adults struggling to be non-social despite their affinity to others? Us too? Come on, be truthful. I’m thinking about you!
If you’re a creative (visual, performing, literary artist), how is it going for you? Any new ideas percolating? Do you have online presence? Have you been tweaking your website or social media or branding campaigns? Are you actively promoting or selling your work? Are you watching shows or movies while isolating? Working with an online coach or mentor?
What about those of you who usually work in an office or other outside establshment? How are you coping?
Has the financial change of late affected you? Have you taken steps to notify billing (household payments, utilities, assocations, healthcare etc.)?
Is anyone actually thriving? I hope so! Let’s try together. We can get through this.
For me, since I’ve worked from home for many years, it hasn’t been too bad of an adjustment. Well, it comes and goes..Truthfully, I miss my FREEDOM to come and go as I pleased. (Gee, I took that for granted)! But ‘staying put’ with social distancing, avoidng crowds, etc. is hopefully going to be worth it in the long run…right?
Here’s a list of my 10 things I have been doing to ‘survive’ the ‘self-isolation’ ‘shelter in place’ etc. Send me your ideas as well!
Spring cleaning – have cleaned out several bathroom, bedroom, office and ‘junk’ drawers and have discovered a few great finds!
Taking walks (and deep breaths) in the neighborhood and in nature (as rules allow) – getting those steps! Noticing that Spring upon us despite the gloom of this pandemic.
Cooking more (and eating a bit healthier)! For the past few years, I’ll admit I wasn’t cooking as much. It’s actually been fun and sort of a puzzle to plan meals lately depending on how the stores stocked (or as we now it…unstocked).
Online learning: Have taken several courses online for my obtaining continuing education credits. Have you thought of online courses?
Reading manuscripts and books of my client authors and other new books.
Calling/Connecting with important family members or others in your life via calls, emails, texts, social media, etc. (you wouldn’t believe how gratifying it is to reconnect with friends from the past or to stay in touch with family across the miles)!
Cherishing family (near or far) and our time together… Maintaining physical distancing while cherishing our families!
Adoring pets…we love our cat (you wouldn’t believe how calming it is to spend time with our 21 year old lovable, tuxedocat – such a social comforting feline)!
Writing! I have been submitting my poetry online, adding some blog posts, interacting online, looking for podcast and blog interviews for clients as well as for SJF Communications.
Reflecting and making choices for being: more grateful..kinder…and patient.
How about you? What are your ‘go-to’s’? Let’s hang in there and check in with each other. We’re all worth it!
Meet Chi Varnado – Author of ‘The Dance Centre Presents Giselle’
We had a great time last week with our client Chi Varnado, Author of the newly released middle grade novel The Dance Centre Presents Giselle. Chi gave two excellent presentations at the Pine Valley Library – one with several charter school students from Pine Valley and the other combined with members of the Pine Valley community including dance teacher, Katy Gradillas and several of her dance students performing ballet and gymnastics.
But first, a little about Chi Varnado:
Ramona resident Chi Varnado is passionate about helping children view their own creativity as valuable. As a writer, former dance studio owner/teacher, choreographer, and educator, she advocates art for the sake of art – the reward being intrinsic and untethered from extrinsic reward. Varnado saw a lack in the literary market for books about dance which did not focus on competitiveness and high drama. Children want to read about what they love, so she took on the task to help fill the void to keep the story of “dance as art” alive—so began the first novel in her new series, The Dance Centre Presents Giselle, which is now available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble and can be ordered at book stores.
Chi Varnado – Photo by SJF Communications
Varnado is currently a substitute teacher, a tutor, and an Airbnb host. She offers half-hour school and library presentations for second through sixth grade (including middle school for libraries) featuring an engaging power point followed by a short creative writing workshop. Students become highly motivated to write when Chi, as an author, uses her books and impromptu “popcorn stories” to foster their own spontaneous writing. She is also available to sell her books at books fairs or dance studios as a fundraiser.
Books by Chi Varnado Photo courtesy of Chi Varnado
Miss
Chi, as the kids refer to her, holds a bachelor’s degree in dance from San Diego
State University, and both an elementary multiple subjects and secondary
credentials. Her writing has appeared in The
San Diego Reader, Patch.com and several newspapers and she’s been
interviewed on television and radio. Her memoir, A CANYON TRILOGY: Life
Before, During and After the Cedar Fire, was a finalist in the San Diego
Book Awards and has garnered many accolades. The Tale of Broken Tail, a
children’s picture book, is also available where books are sold.
Varnado knows, firsthand, that active kids need a venue to channel their energy and interests in a positive and wholesome way that they can feel good about. These issues are folded into her presentations so that everyone can feel included.
Since there was some time between Miss Chi’s presentations, we had the chance to do quick Q & A. interview:
Q & A
Author Chi Varnado & Susan J. Farese
Photos from Chi Varnado’s Presentations at the Pine Valley Library
SF: Why did you choose to write about the ballet, Giselle,
in this first book of the series The
Dance Centre Presents?
CV: Giselle is one of my favorite ballets of all time.
SJF: Tell us the purpose of why you wrote a book series
for middle graders?
CV: I didn’t think
there were enough books for kids who want to read about dance, especially a
series focusing on the art and camaraderie of dance. So, I thought – why not
write one myself, since I had a dance studio and taught for thirty-seven years.
SJF: How did you come up with the idea of
‘Dancespirations’ on Instagram and Facebook?
CV: It just hit me
one day out of the blue. I thought it would be a fun way to offer bite-sized
quips about dance.
SJF: Why did you start dancing in the first place?
CV: I had ‘ants in my pants’ so I started to dance! Well –
actually, I was in constant motion as a child and, fortunately, both my Mom and
Grandmother recognized this and enrolled me in ballet.
SJF: What’s different about your approach to dance?
CV: I like the idea of dance for the sake of art and
expression, without the need for awards from competitions.
SJF: And the book?
CV: In The Dance
Centre Presents Giselle, readers will find friends they can relate to and
feel at home with, whether or not they are dancers themselves.
SJF: So, can you give us the storyline?
CV: When the
prima ballerina at The Dance Centre mysteriously vanishes, Randi unexpectedly
lands the lead and learns that the world of ballet is not always as glamorous
as it appears onstage. She harbors severe self-doubts about her abilities to
rise to the honor of her new role. And when she begins her pas de deux training
with a boy, new and conflicting feelings and emotions surface which send her
spiraling into panic mode. All the while, Deanne seizes opportunities to
undermine her at every pirouette. Randi struggles to maintain her crucial
focus, but what will happen if she doesn’t?
SJF: Where can we find you on the web and social media?
SJF Communications has been closely monitoring the uncertainty and actively changing ongoing situation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19).
We are taking guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and local authorities and are rescheduling several upcoming events, including client events as well as our SJF Communications Haiku workshops.
We want to thank you for your support and appreciate your patience and cooperation as we navigate this evolving situation.
We will update Facebook event pages with schedule changes as they develop.
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.
