Patricia
Dines Freelance
Writer, Editor, Public Speaker & Graphic
Artist Specializing
in Environmental & Community
Topics
RECENT
TALKS & MEDIA
APPEARANCES
August 19, 2009 - Patricia was a guest on "The
View from the Bay", the ABC TV talk show, offering
eco-tips and talking about her work. For more information,
click here.
August 2009 - Patricia was interviewed for planetshifter.com. For more information, click here.
March 28, 2009 - Patricia presented a talk, "Detoxing Your Life" at Guerneville's Sustainability Conference. For more information, click here.
For Patricia's most current articles and activities, see www.patriciadines.info/i_whatsnews.html.
ACCOLADES
FOR PATRICIA
DINES
Note: For
descriptions of each project, as well as additional client
and reader feedback, see the Portfolio
section.
"Thank you so much for your contributions
to our newspaper. People are clearly reading your [Ask
EcoGirl] column and you're such a delight to work with.
You meet deadlines and your work is well-done and
thoughtful. I like your writing style, thorough and upbeat,
and encouraging people to actually do things. I love what
you're doing!"
Vesta Copestakes, Editor, Sonoma County Gazette
"Dear Patricia - Thanks for the story on Sonoma
Compost. It's a great read that our readers will find both
interesting and educational. We are happy to have the work
of a pro and welcome further stories by you on topics
related to the agricultural industry in Sonoma and Marin
Counties."
Tim Tesconi, Editor Sonoma-Marin Farm News, Previously Ag
Staff Writer for the Press Democrat (33 years)
"Yay, Patricia! I am thrilled that you're going to write
for us... I love the unbridled enthusiasm and creativity
of the Ask EcoGirl column. It engages people. I like
your writing in general, and I want Peace Press readers to
catch onto your enthusiasm and know-how. Thanks
again."
Debra Birkinshaw, Boardmember Peace & Justice Center;
Member Green Sangha Sonoma County
"I've
worked with Patricia very closely in creating The Next
STEP newsletter for the last two years. She is an
excellent researcher, a dedicated worker, and an exceptional
writer. She can distill a tremendous amount of information
down to the core ideas, and make the final result look easy.
She consistently keeps both her clients and her audience in
mind, and always comes up with solution that pleases them
both. I highly recommend her."
Jim Gleaves, STEP Editorial Committee, Senior Tech
Support at Safari Books Online
"Patricia - You are doing a wonderful job with the
[STEP] newsletter. I can't even begin to tell you
how many things I have learned and use in my daily life.
I take your newsletters to work and hang them up in the
workroom to share with people. Keep up your hard work.
Sebastopol is a better place to live thanks to people
like you. Best wishes for a beautiful New Year."
Chris Nelson, Sebastopol Realtor
• • •
"I love The Next STEP newsletter! It's
given me so many ideas and is so friendly not
preachy."
Newsletter reader (in our annual anonymous
survey)
"Excellent articles Patricia - and fun to read!
Congratulations on the colorful front page placement and
thanks for continuing to make a difference for the masses
by educating via your passion and talent for writing.
EcoGirl will soon be flying into other communities and
publications, I can feel it. Good luck with her."
Melissa Weaver, Educator, Enhanced Health Systems
"Dear Patricia - I just read your article, 'Taming our
Tiny Ant Friends.' I think it's just great that you write
these articles, and always with such conscious respect for
the earth, and in this case, all those amazing little
ants."
Patrice Ryan, Reader
"Hi Patricia - I met you at the CNPS Chapter Picnic
yesterday & recognized your name from the columns ...
then when I got home, I noticed that the page I had torn
out of the West County Gazette to pin up in the kitchen was
actually your column for this month, "Discarding Your
Stuff...[Ecologically]"! This is SO useful. I wanted
to thank you.
Betsy Livingstone, Registered Nurse (RN), CNPS
Boardmember
"From
the moment I met Patricia in 1995 at a Sonoma County health
fair, I was impressed by her passion and enthusiasm for
bringing awareness of important issues to the public. I have
been deeply touched by her perseverance and dedication over
the years. No matter what the issue, Patricia has
incredible insight and a great ability to organize and
present relevant information so that "we the people" are
better educated about the state of our world. I can only
imagine how many people's lives have been changed for the
better because of the work of this one committed
woman."
Debra Gorman, Massage Therapist
"Hey Patricia, Good work [on the latest STEP
newsletter]! Keep up the good green amazing work.
Warm cheers."
Carolyn Scott, Documentary filmmaker; Executive Director
of ReelGreen (Real Films, Real People, Real Change)
"Solar financing is a complex topic and you nailed
it."
Chris Cone, Writer, Coordinator Green Energy Loan
Program
"The Organic Guide [offers a] cornucopia of
organic delights .... If a visit to northern
California's wine country is in your travel plans, be sure
to pick up a copy .... A wealth of healthful information
you're not likely to find in Fodor's."
Delicious Living magazine
"I honestly believe that The Organic Guide should be
required reading for any institution of higher learning
teaching classes on agricultural sustainability and food
systems. Check it out for yourself."
James Johnson, The Quantum Agriculture Project
"The conference was seamlessly run, high energy, great fun, ignited hopes, and nurtured visions. I'm leaving with some specific ideas and contacts and new interest in government involvement."
"I liked the entire program from beginning to end. I've done workshops and conferences all my working life - this was the best."
"I left feeling empowered and positive, rare for this topic."
"The resources book is fantastic. It helped my listening because most of my notes were already taken! I look forward to reading it and to making contact with the panelists."
"It was really a wonderfully-coordinated and highly-informative opportunity. Thank you!"
Attendee comments after the Conference "Better Not Bigger: Grappling With Growth in Sonoma County" (Ms. Dines created the event book, led in the educational design, and was on the Conference Steering Committee which co-created the overall event)
"I appreciate your ability to fully grasp complex and
critical issues and make them clear to people who
aren't familiar with them."
Tara Treasurefield, Writer/Editor/Journalist
"I like the way you choose words and evoke vitality in
your writing. Very nice! You're a great ambassador for
organics! I'm amazed at how well you can sum up a complex
movement and (hopefully) motivate readers. Brava!"
Carol Venolia, Co-Author of Natural Remodeling for the
Not-So-Green House: Bringing Your Home into Harmony with
Nature; Columnist ,"Design for Life," Natural Home
Magazine
"I am writing … to express my deep appreciation for Patricia Dines' outstanding and unique work in writing, editing, and providing the graphics for the widely successful [STEP] newsletter.... The community response has been overwhelmingly positive … and I believe the use of toxics in Sebastopol has declined significantly as a result of [it].
Patricia applied her writing and organizational talent when appointed to the "Citizens Advisory Group on Energy Vulnerability" (CAGE), which addressed sustaining City services in the face of upcoming peak oil impacts....Patricia clearly demonstrated her ability to bring the committee focus on producing the final report using her communication and organizational ability….
Patricia's more recent venture into writing "Ask EcoGirl" provides … helpful answers to the many questions people have related to environmental and energy issues. The writing style presents the information in an easy to understand manner which raises the interest level of the reader.
Patricia has provided valuable contributions of her talent to Sebastopol and Sonoma County.
I unhesitatingly recommend her to any company or
agency that is looking for a highly creative individual who
can deliver the desired product for customers or audiences
of any community."
Dave Brennan, Sebastopol City Manager
"Thank you for your continued efforts to let everyone
know what is going on. I appreciate your diligence as
well as the quality and spirit of your efforts. They are
wonderful!"
Beth Meredith, Co-Coordinator, Sustainable Sonoma
County
"Your work is tremendously helpful to everyone in
the [organic] movement - every farmer, business,
and, of course, the consumer."
Helge Hellberg, Executive Director, Marin Organic
Program
"Thank you for all your wonderful resources and
references. Your information is always useful and
valuable to me. You are a light-worker for Mother Earth,
that much is obvious!"
Alison Anton, Certified Nutritional Chef, Whole Gourmet
Natural Cooking
"I'm seeing your writing here and there and am
appreciating your spirit, wisdom, and voice ... Thanks
for all the great work you do in this community. You are
really a force, making the world a better place!"
Christina Carpenter
"Many thanks for your devotion and energy and
boundless spirit."
Leslie Gardner, Garden Manager, California School of
Herbal Studies; Director, Sonoma County Herb
Exchange
"Thank you for caring so greatly about our
world."
Farrell Winter, Writer
Also see The Organic Guide reviews page at <reviews.html>.