Patricia
Dines Freelance
Writer, Editor, Public Speaker & Graphic
Artist Specializing
in Environmental & Community
Topics
|
|
For Patricia's most recent articles and activities, see www.patriciadines.info/i_whatsnews.html. |
PORTFOLIO: SUMMARIES
Quick Biography Summary (web page view)
This link has my bio information in paragraph format.
Quick Writing Projects Summary (graphic PDF file view)
This link automatically downloads a PDF summarizing my key writing projects, client appreciation, and sample clips.
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 past columns) 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
Return to top
"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
Return to top
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.
Return to top
PUBLISHED
ARTICLES (Author)
* Author of dozens of
articles educating people and empowering constructive
individual and community action. Articles published in other
periodicals include:
|
* * "Healing Our Culture's Abuse of the Earth," Sonoma County Peace Press, April/May 2011 and June/July 2011. In this article, I explore a topic I've been thinking about for a while: how the psychology of abuse is expressed not just in our culture's families but also in our businesses, politics -- and how we treat the beautiful sacred earth. Thus, I feel that that the abuse model can be a powerful toolto help us steer our culture away from eco-disaster and towards eco-survival and happiness. TRead the article to find out more! * "Profitable Green,"(NorthBay biz magazine, February 2011). "Is it still possible for businesses to be both profitable and green? Regular biz contributor Patricia Dines talks with local business leaders to find out how green is weathering today's economic storms." * "Navigating Nonprofit Technology" (NorthBay biz magazine, January 2011). "With budgets and workloads already stretched thin, keeping up with technological innovations can seem like just another task added to the overflowing plates of local nonprofits. But NorthBay biz has found good news about how nonprofits can unlock technology's potential to help them be more effective in their missions."
* "True Green: Moving beyond greenwashing to authentic eco-success" (NorthBay biz magazine, Aug. 2010). In this cover story, "EcoGirl Patricia Dines helps NorthBay biz readers see beyond enticing green façades to uncover the products and approaches that support true environmental change." This article offers useful information that cheerfully nurtures meaningful and effective eco-action by both individuals and businesses! * "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. Editor feedback * "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, My 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) |
"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:
|
- "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) |
Return to top
POETRY (Author)
* PUBLISHED: "Listen Deeply," We'Moon, 2009, p. 60. (Annual Goddess-inspired publication, honoring women as being "of the moon.") Note: This piece was also published in their 2011 35 year anniversary anthology!
* 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 |
|---|
(c) Patricia Dines, 2003. All rights reserved.