Patricia
Dines Freelance
Writer, Editor, Public Speaker & Graphic
Artist Specializing
in Environmental & Community
Topics
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For Patricia's most recent articles and activities, see www.patriciadines.info/i_whatsnews.html. |
PORTFOLIO: SUMMARIES
Quick Writing Projects Summary (graphic PDF file)
This link automatically downloads a PDF summarizing my key writing projects, client appreciation, and sample clips.
Quick Biography Summary (internal web page)
This link has my bio information in paragraph format.
My LinkedIn Profile Page (external web page)
This link goes to a medium-length summary on the LinkedIn networking website.
PORTFOLIO:
DETAIL
Portfolio By Category (click on appropriate link or
scroll to browse)
Columns (Author)Books (Author & Graphic Artist)
Educational Materials & Events (Author, Graphic Artist, Editor, & Event Designer)
Previous Career: Computer Programmer, Author, Trainer, and Class/Workshop Designer
ECO-ADVICE COLUMN: Ask EcoGirl,
2007-present. About the project: Ask EcoGirl is a
syndicated eco-advice column - with a superhero
spin! With compassion and intelligence, EcoGirl
makes it easy for readers to bring greener
practices into their everyday lives. In response to
reader questions, this eco-geek superhero unravels
and illuminates topics with clear, accurate, and
engaging summaries that gently reveal the vital
issues at stake. She then offers practical and
tangible steps that readers can take right away,
thus empowering everyone to make a positive
difference in their own lives and the community.
Because she knows that we are all part of the
solution! My role: Creator and author. "Your Ask EcoGirl columns are fun and
informative, and I really LOVE the resources
you list at the bottom. Having this makes
'doing' feel like it can be a reality not just a
nice idea." "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." "Solar financing is a complex topic and
you nailed it." Click
here for more information on this
project
(including sample pages) GZ THE GREEN ZONE COLUMN, 2008. About the project: These are the columns
I wrote for The North Bay Bohemian's Green
Zone, offering insights on current green topics
and information on the region's local green
folks. My role: Writer. "I absolutely loved reading this
["Divine Intervention"] article! It's so
refreshing to hear what's hopeful in today's
dreary eco/econimic situation. What an
incredible topic to cover. The title "Divine
Intervention" captured my attention and then
kept me reading... I hope to hear about the
many thousands of green activists reclaiming
their country and lives. May the hopes of these
individuals be realized!" The Organic Guide to Sonoma, Napa, and
Mendocino Counties, 1998-2006. (Five
editions; Fifth Edition published in 2005, 192
pages.) The Organic Guide to San
Francisco, 2001-2004. (Two editions, 2001
& 2002, 108 pages.) About the project: Subtitled "Your
Organic Adventure Guide and Empowerment Manual,"
these beautiful, well-organized, and unique
resource books make it easy for locals and visitors
to explore, enjoy, and support area organics.
Because of extensive primary research, they include
many unexpected categories and places not listed as
organic in any other resource. Plus they offer
empowering educational information, stories, and
resources. Recommended by: Bon Appetit, Delicious
Living magazine, The San Francisco Chronicle, Bay
Area Backroads, Earth Island Journal, The North Bay
Bohemian, The Press Democrat, Marin County's
Pacific Sun - and organic fans everywhere! My role: Creator, author, graphic artist,
and marketer. "I keep the Guide on top of my desk and keep
browsing it while I'm on hold and on the
phone. It really packs a lot of great info in
a small space. Thanks for your hard work.
Good job!" "I honestly believe that the Guide should
be required reading for any institution of
higher learning teaching classes on agricultural
sustainability and food systems. Check it
out for yourself." "An indispensable reference." Click
here for more information on this
project
(including press reviews and sample
pages) NEWSLETTER: The Next
STEP, Jan. 2001-present. About the project: This bi-monthly
newsletter of the City of Sebastopol, delivered in
City water bills, educates people about toxics and
alternatives, in a friendly, helpful, and
fact-based manner. Readers consistently communicate
to us that they value this newsletter, with many
giving specific examples of changes they've made in
their lives as a result of the information from the
newsletter. Also available online. My role: Editor, Lead Writer, &
Graphic Artist since the premiere issue. "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 that can deliver the desired product
for customers or audiences of any
community." "I love the newsletter! It's given
me so many ideas and is so friendly not
preachy." "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." "The Next STEP is wonderful! Both graphics
and text are very well done, and the message, of
course, is much needed.... You have really
accomplished something.... Carry on your
good work!" Click
here for more information on this
project
(including sample pages)
NEWSLETTERS: For Sonoma Compost Company,
2009-current. About the project: Quarterly newsletters
to educate customers and promote company. My role: I wrote, edited, designed, and
produced SCC's Oct. 2009 and March 2010
newsletters. My work included editing SCC's draft
articles for clarity and impact, researching and
writing additional articles, integrating client
graphics, obtaining appropriate added images,
implementing attractive graphic design, updating
for client edits, and managing the newsletter
printing and mailing process. Click on these links to see the complete
newsletters in PDF format: - Oct.
2009, 6 pages including 2 page survey - March
2010, 4 pages For more about this and other projects I've done
for SCC, see www.patriciadines.info/p_SCC.html
CLASS MATERIALS: Leadership Training for a
Sustainable Future, 2000-2007. About the project: These educational
notebooks were given to students as part of the
Leadership Training class presented by the
Leadership Institute for Ecology & the
Economy. My role: As the graphic artist, I
designed the class materials notebook from scratch
at the start of the class and organization in 2000,
and did the materials graphic design and production
for each monthly class through May 2007. "Thank you for your work on the Leadership
Training binder... Your professionalism,
expertise, and commitment to excellence
have ensured that the class binder and its
content is a showpiece, and something to be
proud of. We continue to receive praise for the
layout and appearance, and we use the binder as
a presentation piece to promote the leadership
course to the public. "For working with difficult and varied source
materials, often under short deadlines, and
doing a consistently wonderful job, you have
my and the Institute's appreciation and
gratitude." Daniel Solnit, Executive Director, April
2002
CONFERENCE: "Better Not Bigger: Grappling
with Growth in Sonoma County" July 23, 1999.
Project of Sustainable Sonoma County. My role: Event Co-Creator & Conferenc
Book Graphic Artist. I co-created the conference as
part of the Steering Committee; designed the event
schedule and flow; and created the conference
information book. "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." "I left feeling empowered and positive,
rare for this topic." "I liked the entire program from beginning to
end. I've done workshops and conferences all
my working life - this was the best." Click
here for more information on this
project
(including sample pages)
REPORT: "Charting a Path for a New Energy
Future for Sebastopol," April 3, 2007. About the project: This report of the
City of Sebastopol Citizens Advisory Group on
Energy Vulnerability (CAGE) explored how City
services could be sustained in the face of upcoming
peak oil (energy supply) issues, and how the City
can make preparations for those changes in
advance. My role: Executive Editor & Report
Coordinator. Gave a presentation of the report to
the City Council. "This is an incredible document. I really
appreciate you for all doing the hard work to
make this happen, to bring this
forward." "An excellent read, fascinating." "You have provided us with a most valuable
document.... There is [also] a
value to this report beyond the City's use.
[It] provides to each of us a lot of
information as to what we might do do
individually, and that really is how we're going
to change the world." "I want to thank the [Advisory Group]
and the wealth of editorial and writing
skills of Patricia Dines. We were very lucky to
have you, to be able to put this through, in
this format and this detail." Click
here for more information on this project
(including to dowload the report)
COLUMNS
(Author)
"Thank you so much for your
contributions to our newspaper. People are
clearly reading your 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, West County
Gazette
Jill Engvaldsen, Reader
Patrice Ryan, Reader
Chris Cone, Writer, Coordinator Green Energy
Loan Program
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"Thanks so much for this ["Waste
Not, Want Not" column]. I made a copy and
will use it as a reference throughout the year!
Thank you for all your good work!"
Susana Crofton
Rachel Balunsat, Wedding Photojournalist
& Portrait Artist
BOOKS
(Author & Graphic
Artist)
"[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
Bu Nygrens, Veritable Vegetable (oldest
organic distributor in the U.S.)
James Johnson, The Quantum Agriculture
Project
Herb Hiller, St. Petersburg Times
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EDUCATIONAL
MATERIALS & EVENTS (Author, Graphic Artist, Editor,
and/or Event Designer)
"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.
Dave Brennan, Sebastopol City Manager
A Sebastopol Reader (in our annual
survey)
Chris Nelson, Sebastopol Realtor
Lynn Lawson, Author Staying Well in a
Toxic World
"This was an awesome packet. I
always appreciate the details you take care of
and the extra flourishes you provide. As a
result, I think our book is spectacular!"
Rick Theis, Founder and Board Chair,
Leadership Institute for Ecology and the
Economy
Attendee comments
"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."
City Council Response
"I encourage the Council and members of the
public to read this document very carefully,
because I think it has some very important
information for us and some very valuable
recommendations.... I think it's a very
important step that we've taken and I really
appreciate the work of the committee over this
time."
City Councilmember Larry Robinson
Councilmember Craig Litwin
Mayor Sam Pierce
Councilmember Sarah Gurney
Councilmember Linda Kelley
Note: Ms. Dines has created educational
materials, newsletters, and events for a variety of other
corporate and non-profit clients.
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PUBLISHED
ARTICLES (Author)
* Author of dozens of articles educating
people and empowering constructive individual and community
action. Articles published in other periodicals include:
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* * "A Deeper Shade of Green" (NorthBay biz magazine, Green Scene, March 2010). This column gives you a look into Petaluma's Sonoma Compost Company (SCC) and it's organic community composting operation. For 25 years, SCC has been diverting yard and ag waste from the landfill and turning it into useful organic composts and mulches. Yes, this is where your green can waste goes! * "Sonoma Compost: Celebrating 25 Years" (Sonoma-Marin Farm News, Feb. 2010). This article gives you a peek behind the scenes at the wonderful Sonoma Compost Company, which for 25 years has been diverting yard and ag waste from the landfill and turning it into useful organic composts and mulches that nurture local farms and gardens. "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." * "Green Pinstripes: Bringing sustainability to the executive suite" (NorthBay biz magazine, Feb. 2010, Green Issue). This feature story explores the work of three local pioneering "sustainability officers" -- to find out what such a job entails and how they're helping North Bay companies reduce costs and save the environment. * "Seeking Fulfillment" (NorthBay biz magazine, Oct. 2009, Special Wine Issue). This feature story describes how New Vine's collapse last May revealed the booming new market for third-party wine shippers, which are creatively helping wineries make money even in these hard times. * "Financing a Greener World" (NorthBay biz magazine, August 2009). This feature story was one of the first to explore Sonoma County's innovate SCEIP program, which offers government financing for increased efficiency and solar energy on local homes and businesses. Click here to view the article on my webpage, with the option to download it in the original layout, in PDF format. * "Uprooting the Environmental Causes of Poverty & War" (Sonoma County Peace Press, April 2009). Explores as an example the story of the Nigerian people. Click here to view the article, as well as bonus links for more information on the topics discussed! * " Greening Your Home - With No Money Down" (West County Gazette, April 2009). Click here to view the article in a webpage, with the option to download it in the original layout, in PDF format. * "Delighting in Our Delicious Local Farms" (West County Gazette, May 2008) Click here to download the article laid out, in PDF format. * "Laguna Farms: Sowing Seeds of Sustainability" (Common Ground magazine) * "Nurturing the Bounty of Local Organics" (Steppin' Out magazine) * "Should Sonoma County Be GE-Free?" (West County Gazette) * "Reasons for Hope" (Sonoma County Environmental Impact Reporter - Column EarthWalk.) * "Effective Political Action: Recovering Democracy's True Gift" (Sonoma County Peace Press) * "The Roots of War; the Roots of Peace: Calling All Planetary Healers" (Sonoma County Peace Press) * "Vision & Action Healing the World" (Sonoma County Environmental Impact Reporter) |
"True
Green: Moving beyond greenwashing to authentic
eco-success" Click here for a full list of published articles, with links to article text
* Creator and author of the Ask EcoGirl column. In
this syndicated eco-advice column with a superhero spin,
EcoGirl answers readers' questions about the practicalities
of going green! Click here
for more information and to view past columns.
* Contributor to the Green Zone column. Click here to view the columns I wrote for the Bohemian's Green Zone.
* Author of numerous additional articles for The Organic Guides and The Next STEP newsletter; both projects are described above. For example:
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- "Feeding the Bees" (The Next STEP newsletter) - "China's Toxic Shadow" (The Next STEP newsletter) - "Mendocino County: Making a Difference with GMO-Free Zones" (The Organic Guide to Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino Counties) - "Reweaving Community; Rejoining the Cycle of Life" (The Organic Guide to Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino Counties) |
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POETRY (Author)
* PUBLISHED: "Listen Deeply," We'Moon, 2009, p. 60. (Annual Goddess-inspired publication, honoring women as being "of the moon.")
* PUBLISHED: "Untangling," West County Reader (a special section of the West County Gazette), Aug. 16, 2007, p. 20.
* CONTEST WINNER & READING: "The Fence." Poem was a winner in the "Accidentally, On Purpose" Contest, Sebastopol Center for the Arts. Public Reading June 25, 2004.
* CONTEST WINNER & READING: "Realm of Whispers." Poem was a winner in the "Psssst..." Contest, Sebastopol Center for the Arts. Public Reading March 29, 2002.
* PUBLISHED: "She Had a Desert Temperament," We'Moon, 2000, p. 127. (Annual Goddess-inspired publication, honoring women as being "of the moon.")
* PUBLISHED: "It Doesn't Seem to Matter Much," Grace Millenium, Spring 2000, p. 42. (Color glossy magazine presenting "the art, writings, and shared experiences of women [to] reveal the transformational power of grace in these challenging times.")
RELATED
ACTIVITIES
* Public Speaker, Trainer, &
Workshop/Event Creator for events that have informed and
empowered thousands of people. Includes talks and events for
and with: the Health & Harmony Festival; the Peace &
Justice Center; Alliance for Democracy; North Bay EcoFest;
Cancer Resource Center; and Community Market.
* Freelance Graphic Artist & Editor. Produced reports and presentations for major corporations, including Price Waterhouse and Peak Marwick. Editted and produced newsletters for a variety organizations, including The Organic Organizer.
* Program Co-ordinator, Sierra Club Toxics Committee, 1994-1997. Helped lead this Committee in educating the community about toxics and alternatives, through speaker series, talks, community actions, and other activities. Co-created and presented two public speaker series. Worked with Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks Department to reduce their pesticide use. (We worked cooperatively with them so that, after initial resistance, they saw the opportunity and ended up thanking us publicly for bringing them this chance to take better care of the community with their work.)
* Community Catalyst - Since 1992, have empowered constructive community action by: keeping informed on vital community issues; participating in constructive community activities; supporting and encouraging connections between allies; and providing ongoing information and updates on key issues through articles, talks, email lists, and personal conversations.
* Photographer: Photographs displayed in shows -
* "Island at Howarth Park" at Natives by Locals: Photographs of Flora and Fauna, Finley Center, July 19 - Sept. 17, 1999, Santa Rosa, California.* "Magic Forest" at the 2003 Photographers Darkroom Photo Show, North Bay Photo, July 26 - Aug. 10, 2003, Santa Rosa, California.
* Recognition - On Nov. 20, 2001, the Sebastopol City Council presented a proclamation recognizing Patricia Dines for "outstanding service in the community as an advocate and proactive role model for a culture without toxics." Included appreciation for work with The Next STEP and The Organic Guides. <cityrecogn.html>
EDUCATIONAL
BACKGROUND
* Duke University, Bachelor of Science
degree in Computer Science, with a Full Major in Theatre
Arts. Graduated Magna Cum Laude. Received the Angier Biddle
Duke Scholar, an honorary scholarship for students perceived
as likely leaders in their chosen field. Scholarship
included tuition plus a term studying British History at
Oxford University, England.
PREVIOUS
CAREER: Computer Programmer, Author, Trainer, and
Class/Workshop
Designer
* Chief Programmer for a Silicon Valley
tutorial software company.
* Author, Computer Articles. Published eleven articles that support computer users in effectively using their tools to achieve their goals. Included one of the first national articles on LaserWriter service bureaus (when they were a new emerging trend), which was published in the color newstand glossy "A+" magazine (for Apple/Macintosh users).
* Author, Editor, & Graphic Artist. Wrote and graphically designed computer manuals that made it easy for users to understand their tools and produce their desired results. Assistant Editor of The LisaTalk Report, a 72-page quarterly journal (11/85-1/87).
* Computer Trainer & Training Designer. Created educational experiences that empowered students in understanding their tools and using them effectively to produce their desired results. Designed classes, taught them, then documented and trained others to teach them. Offered one-on-one consulting and training.
CONTACT INFORMATION |
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(c) Patricia Dines, 2003. All rights reserved.