A Conversation with Rita Mae Brown Crime, Cats and Co-Cola

2014 LESBIAN• November NEWS NO. 4 . 40 • + VOL Check out our Holiday Gift Guide HERstyle 30-Day Workout Challenge Tighten Up Now Before Michele Holiday Eating Turns Into Balan New Year’s Dieting Classy, Brassy, Kick-Assy Comic LN Contributors

Barbara Horngren has worked on staff at magazines and newspapers as well as freelance in a career spanning 5 decades. She’s done feature interviews; consumer, science, environment, and pharmacy coverage; and her favorite, travel writing. British explorer Dame Freya Stark has said, “Travel does what good novelists do to the life of everyday, placing it like a picture in a frame…so that the intrinsic qualities are made more clear.” She couldn’t have said it better.

Christin and Ashley Kelly-Brown are owners and wife team of LunaBella Makeup and Hair in Santa Barbara, CA. Originally from Oakland, CA., they met there at 17 years of age and have been together for over 12 years. Legally married in California on October 3, 2008, their company has since taken off. They absolutely love not only what they do but also how uniquely they work together.

Donna J. Wade is a writer and graphic designer specializing in direct-mail fundraising for wildlife conservation, environmental and animal welfare non-profits. She came out publicly in 1976 while attending a midwestern police academy. She spent twenty out-and- proud years working within the LAPD to change entrenched attitudes, serving as a police academy instructor, specialist reserve officer, and civilian member of LAPD disciplinary tribunals. She's happily in love with her partner of nearly 18 years.

Dian Katz works a variety of arenas. With a background in Marriage Counseling and a history as a professional performer, she’s LN’s Entertainment Editor and Self Help columnist. Dian’s also authored a book entitled: Love Hurts - A Spiritual Journey to Wholeness. She sometimes works the motivational speaking circuit. Dian’s an award winning drummer with her own rock band. Out of all the many hats she wears, performing and writing are her biggest passions.

Gladi Adams, PhD is a native New Englander who was recruited in Boston by the Los Angeles Unified School District to teach English in L.A. She studied at Boston University, Cal State Northridge, California Western and UCLA. She.retired as a secondary school principal after 35 years in the system. She is married to Ella Matthes, publisher, and they have been working on the LN together since 2005. John Esther has been writing for Lesbian News for the last ten years. During this time he has written movie, cover, lifestyle and feature columns for the magazine. John also works as a freelance writer for Herald de Paris, Tolosa Press, UR Chicago and Z Magazine. He also has his own blog.

Juno Parrenas has been a regular monthly columnist at the Lesbian News since 1997, when she was seventeen years old. Since then, she has lived in three continents, five countries, ten cities, and has three degrees: a Bachelor’s from UC Santa Cruz, a Master’s from the University of Amsterdam, and a PhD from Harvard University. When she’s not writing about sexuality, politics, pleasure, culture, desire, and social relations, she works on her research involving orangutans.

Karen Williams graduated summa cum laude from Cleveland State University with a personally-designed major in “Humor and Healing.” She earned a Master of Education degree from CSU’s Adult Learning & Development program. Karen Williams, M.Ed, taught Stand-Up Comedy in the Dramatic Arts department of Cleveland State University. Currently, she is the Founder and CEO of HaHA Institute and an internationally acclaimed and nationally-known stand-up comic, SPEAK UP! SPEAK OUT! LAUGH OFTEN!

Karinna Karsten Love educator Karinna Karsten is an internationally-recognized relationship expert, speaker, author of the best-selling book, Intimate Wisdom, The Sacred Art of Love and the creator of the popular DVD Sacred Love-Making. She’s also the founder of Sacred Love, Inc., a love media and lifestyle company in Los Angeles where that includes books, CDs and DVDs, and memberships including Love Spa and Love TV, to attract and enhance high quality love and intimacy.

Karyn Dunphy lives in North Hills, CA. with her daughter and two Golden Retrievers. Karyn entered the professional golf ranks when she was 46 and joined the LPGA in 1999.She has won numerous events including 2012 LPGA T&CP National Super Senior Champion, and was voted 2009 LPGA Western Section Teacher of the Year. She passionately enjoys life and facilitating the unimagined joy one experiences exploring golf and spirit while playing this phenomenal game.

Kristi Pallino is a leader in the field of Life Coaching. She works with Lesbian individuals, couples and large groups. Kristi’s Life Coaching landed her on a cable show called “How Do I Look” as well as five different non-profit organizations teaching Life Skills. She also writes a monthly motivational column called “The Coach’s Corner.” Kristi’s passion is to coach her clients into the purposeful life they are meant to live and beyond. Visit her website at www.lifecoachkristi.com. Contact: [email protected] or 818-321-6830.

Lynda Montgomery was born in Long Beach, a small town in Canada. She loves a parade, so she moved to Long Beach California, a big town, so she didn’t have to be all alone in the Gay Pride parade! She is an activist for animal rights and gay rights, giving priority to gay animals! As a stand-up comic she has survived many dive bars, festivals, and comedy clubs. She is currently trying to get booked onto the “Olivia Cruises” because she heard it’s a great place to meet women! Marsha Naify is a graduate of the University of Southern California. Marsha worked in the entertainment business for several decades before branching off to various business endeavors over the years. Formerly a staff writer for The Blade, Marsha continues to write as a freelance journalist. Her philanthropic work includes serving on the board of Children Today and CARMA. She recently was co-chair of the steering committee for the Long Beach LGBT History Project, a year long retrospective that is currently on display at the Historical Society of Long Beach. Marsha has also won numerous awards and been honored for her community service.

Mona Elyafi has been writing celebrity magazine profiles, entertainment news and lifestyle columns for two decades. She currently writes for the Huffington Post, and serves as the West Coast correspondent for Diva Magazine (Dubai’s leading Women’s fashion magazine) writing pieces on Kim Kardashian, Kimora Lee Simmons and Denise Richards.Born in Beirut, Lebanon, raised in Paris, France, residing in Los Angeles, Elyafi has spent 20 years working in entertainment publicity, heading her own PR Company, ILDK Media. She holds a Master of Arts in journalism from New York University.

Morag Hillsinger is the Nom de Plume of R.J. Birmingham, a local attorney. Winner of an essay competition in 1993 “Trial by Media,” she also has a published case as co-counsel with Lambda Legal (2008) which benefitted gays and lesbians. She is a monthly contributor of Poetry for the LN. Ms. Birmingham practices Estate Planning and Serious Personal Injury at Long Beach Law, Inc. and is working on a book of essays about the practice.

Nat Burns is a professional writer and editor who retired from an editorial systems career in Virginia to relocate to New Mexico. She is an award-winning author and journalist and a book editor for several publishers. Burns has published eight novels to date and her work has appeared in more than thirty anthologies. She has worked for this magazine for six years and is a proud grandmother.

Nikki McCauley was born in Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated from Robert Morris University and spent ten years with Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, CA. Accomplishments: Pilot- Godless- 2010- 2012. CD- Spoken Word 2005. Warner Bros. Writer’s Workshop 2003/2004 .Poetry Book- Inditing Poetry 1999. Scripts- Law & Order, The Practice, Cold Case, CSI Las Vegas.

Sally Sheklow came out in 1973 and has been with her Wifey for 25 years. They live in Eugene, Oregon with their two cats. Sally’s “Living Out” column first appeared in Lesbian News in 1999, and twice won both the Houston Press Club’s Lone Star Award for best magazine column and Best of Eugene’s “Best Writer” award. Sally teaches Queer Studies at Portland State University, performs with the all-lesbian improv troupe WYMPROV! And makes art out of old buttons.

Sweet Baby J’ai is a writer, singer, composer, arranger, educator, and the Artistic Director of the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival. A creative force on the music scene for over two decades, she tours the world with her genre-defying work, which both embraces and expands jazz tradition. She has worked in various capacities, including talent buyer for major music events throughout the country. She also serves as Creative Managing Director for the Educational Theatre Institute. Teresa DeCrescenzo is a social worker, activist, teacher, and writer. After 25 years of advocating for LGBT youth through her work at GLASS, Teresa is adjunct professor at CSUN where she has taught Sociology of LGBT communities, Social Policy, Social Work Practice, and other courses designed to inspire and prepare future generations of social work activists. She is also the Director of Social Services at one of the largest acute care hospitals in California. As Arts & Culture Editor and Book Reviewer, Teresa brings the best of lesbian writing and cultural events to the community-at-large.

Toni Hart has had many careers, including her favorite – freelance writing. Early on she was a child actress and after college, became a designer of women’s & children’s fashions. After a pause to have three children, she turned to Mortgage Banking, retiring years later as VP/Administrator of the mortgage Dept. She’s become a hard working volunteer for many venues. To support her wonderful gay daughter, her attention is now zestfully supporting the LGBT cause.

Victoria Bearden has practiced astrology for over 30 years, with clients across the country and abroad. To set up a personal consultation you can call her at 760-634-1028 or visit her web site at www.astrologervic.com LN Magazine App User Guide Tap screen once to bring up top and bottom navigation

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FEATURES

HERstyle With the Holidays around the corner, we’re tightening up before Thanksgiving stuffing turns into dieting in the New Year. And it only involves being 30-minutes more active in your day! INSIDE LN By Christin & Ashley Kelly-Brown POETRY Short Term Memory Rita Mae Brown An interview with the prolific author of Rubyfruit Jungle HOTSPOTS Ahhh…sweet November! and over thirty other books. By Teresa Descrescenzo BOOKS In this series about fox hunting, everything you ever Lesbian News Holiday Gift Guide didn’t know you wanted to By Gladi Adams, PhD know about the hunt is there for the learning. Rolla Selbak LOL Filmmaker Rolla Selbak talks about her new web series, ACLU Pasadena Awards Party, film making and women. Descanso Gardens Pumpkin By Michel Khordoc Event TRAVEL We have a wine vacation with you in mind. LIFESTYLES FEMASTROLOGY Tie up loose ends and solve Who’s “The Guy” problems during the first week of Is sexual identity about feeling more masculine or November. feminine? By Karinna Karsten

Movies Eye C “She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry” takes a look at the feminist movement to emerge during the late 1960s-early 1970s By John Esther Follow Us Online Sicily Experience a lesser-known Italy, a place that flourishes in its LESBIANNEWS.COM own stride, a province that keeps going no matter how many times its been taken over. Let us know what By Stephanie Papadakis you think. Humanity Here A smile is a small act that has the potential to convey deep meaning. By Karen Williams

Politically Speaking What the Mid-Term Election Means for Us and the Planet By Donna Wade

COLUMNS Living Out It could be verse! By Sally Sheklow

Positive Reflections What do you do if you find yourself with someone who is always angry? By Dian Katz, MS

Queerly Questioning As a recent transplant to the state of Ohio, I am at serious risk of getting disenfranchised By Juno Parrenas, PhD

Theorhetically Speaking Using “fear” as the principal tool in developing confidence. By Nikki McCauley

The Coach’s Corner Are you being what you want in your life or do you wear a mask? By Kristi Pallino

Words That Make Sense Look around you - there’s so much to “see”. By Toni Hart

Artificial Turf Are we looking at another cancer causer? By Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss Michele Balan

| By Lynda Montgomery 1/5 Michele Balan has a life as exciting upsetting that Facebook is like if you have a few drinks and as her Facebook page! If we lived your mother and only lets you squint, we are same age (numbers in the same city, I would love to be have so many friends! It’s hard aren’t important) but I do want more than just her Facebook friend. to unfriend someone, I feel guilty, to mention you are a few months Just days before our interview, she I think they are going to get an older than me! I read that you’d had been on the “high seas”, as a email that says, Michele Balan quit smoking. cruise comic, a dream job for stand just unfriended you. And if they MB That’s right, I smoked as up comics... that’s what prompted were like me, they would wonder long as most of the readers of my first question. what they did? Why doesn’t she this magazine are alive …over 45 like me? What did I do? So I LM So how was the cruise? years. I started very young. And I especially don’t delete my Jewish was a heavy smoker. I told people MB I am always on a cruise. I tell friends for that reason! However, I only smoked when I was alone or Mpeople. I went from “Last Comic in all honesty, I had to separate with somebody. This August was Standing” to “Where Are They from some to let others in. a year! People said I would add Now”! I am actually very lucky. LM I’m not Jewish but I know 10 years to my life, I don’t know I work a lot with Celebrity and I would be upset if someone about that but I added 10 pounds Royal Caribbean Cruises and one unfriended me (a word spellcheck to my waist!! or two Olivia cruises. (I leave for does not recognize), they should Tahiti with Olivia this week!) It LM Well that was a good habit have a message that goes out with is really a great gig. I am seeing to drop. I’ve never been a tobacco the unfriending message that lets the world. I have been to Portugal, smoker; hopefully you still have a person know that there is a 5000 Italy, Greece, Israel, U/A.E, India, a few enjoyable bad habits. limit and that it’s not personal… Singapore and more. I get to technology has a dark side. MB Smoking was my bad and meet other great entertainers and most popular habit. I am getting passengers and I get paid very MB It can make you crazy all this more, as they say in a 12-step nicely for all of it. social media and technology. I lost program; I just changed seats on my phone the other night. First of See that’s why Michele does so the Titanic. all I felt like someone broke into many cruises; she is nice and my house and saw all my personal LM You look great, so I know appreciates the opportunities things. I was lost without my you must be doing something to instead of complaining about phone; I couldn’t sleep that night. stay in shape? her cabin and the “motion of the I tossed and turned. The next day ocean”, next question. MB Well, I was in better shape I ran to Verizon to do something. before I quit smoking. I guess I LM We’re Facebook friends. I I lived without my mobile phone could be worse for my age. know you have a few - actually through most of my life and now I thousands and thousands and can’t survive. LM Now we can do all those jokes thousands of friends. How do you I used to hate about being old. I LM The silver lining was that do it? hate those jokes more and more you ran to Verizon and with all as the years go by but the good MB Talk about habits and that tossing and turning, at least news is that we are getting older addictions… Facebook eats up you got some exercise. It’s been right? I know you must have been half of everyone’s life. This is years since I’ve seen you. upset about Joan Rivers, because why kids are overweight; they MB It has been a long time! I found an article that you wrote stay in and talk on Facebook. They 5,10,15 years. All I know is I was in August this year about two don’t even have to go and meet much younger! other comics: Rich Ceisler and someone somewhere, take a walk Robin Williams. I found this on with someone, like we used to do. LM We both look the very same Facebook and wanted to add it I am at my Facebook limit, 5,000, here. and have even more requests. It’s 2/5 The Death of a Comic Addiction does not care about “Snap out of it! You have too how much success or money you much to be depressed!” Christina Written by Michele Balan have. It is in your brain. And no Onassis had all the money in the I have to start this newsletter by amount of success takes it away. world! She committed suicide. mentioning the tragedy of the In my own assessment, I think a lot LM I was glad I found this, it deaths of two comics this month. of entertainers (comics, singers, was a brave thing to write. Let’s movie stars, etc) or creative people Rich Ceisler and Robin Williams. talk about something cheerful in general have the type of brain It hits me very hard, as I know now. that never gets enough! This leads how neurotic and insecure most us to depression, drugs, alcohol, I saw a video of you walking a of us (Comedians) are. In Rich’s cigarettes, etc. I know cause I too small, black and white dog in case, I am not sure of his state have been on this roller coaster! New York. Was that your dog? of mind, as he died of an illness, Most people are embarrassed to that struck him while working MB That was my little dog Lucy. admit it. Can you imagine Robin on a ship. Unfortunately he was She passed away 4 years ago Williams saying he was depressed? too far from home to get to his Everyone would say or think, LM So much for cheerful hospital, so he passed in Santa “What are you depressed about, Domingo. This is the downside MB It’s okay, Little Lucy was you have got it all!” And as my of the travels of comedians! For the love of my life. I still miss her friend Cathy Ladman wrote when Robin Williams, everyone is everyday. She used to help me in she mentioned her depression/ shocked that with all his success my anorexia, people say things like, he was depressed. Depression like show, but she got a little full of 3/5 herself and wanted residuals. trap as I do, I start writing then She wanted to get on “Last Dog I do have I get distracted and start moving Barking”! my furniture around. I saw again on your Facebook page that LM That’s a perfect segue way a lot of you are big on cleaning your to ask you about “Last Comic apartment and love to use your Standing” … Congratulations! I jokes about Swifter. You posted a photo of thought you should have won! your wood parquet floor, so I’m MB Thanks! I have to say being getting guessing your place is circa1940. on Last Comic really launched my Do you think you will always live career. But of course, I was ready in New York? and had the chops and enough older. What MB I have great friends in NYC material to sustain it! Some people and that’s the biggest reason I enter those shows with 10 minutes else am I probably will never leave. I also of material. You cannot headline have some great comedy friends a show with 10 minutes. I saw going to talk here. I was born and raised here some of it this season; I was on a in New York. I have a love/hate ship most of the time. That Rod- relationship with it. I love the Man did make me laugh! about at my people and the energy, and then I LM He was funny but my votes age…getting hate so many people and too much went to Nicki Carr (hopefully noise! her publicist will get back to But I am a New Yorker! me for an Interview), I thought laid? Or, I she was hilarious, plus she was LM If you had to choose between “out” as a lesbian comic, so both had a sex writing and performing, which of you deserve extra credits in would you choose? my book for that! How do you change; I MB I love performing, I love think comedy or audiences have writing jokes then performing changed over the years you have them and I like writing for other been doing stand-up? changed comics and watching them do MB I think audiences are getting them. So it’s hard to choose younger and younger and that’s from sex to LM Ok how about something why comedy clubs only hire easy like what’s your favorite younger acts...its all a bit ageist. food. adult beverage? But the mature audience does not want to sit in a club and see kids MB Again a hard choice it would talk about Facebook, masturbation, “Ships are getting so big now. I be between Vodka and Pinot and such. That is why I love the worked on a ship that was so big, Grigio. cruise audiences. They are all it had a Sam’s Club.” LM Favorite food? ages. LM That’s funny. How about a MB Easy one, anything that’s LM Do you write all your own book, have you written one yet? cooked for me. I am the worst material? MB I actually did start writing a cook! MB Yes, all my own material. book and everyone says I need to LM Another reason for you to I have some very funny cruise finish it. do cruises besides the age range. jokes now. I guess I write for LM I think you fall into the same my audiences. One cruise joke: MB I do have a lot of jokes about 4/5 LM I know that Maggie Casstella and Lea DeLaria were planning to do the Post Office but canceled. I wonder if Lea had to do something for “Orange is the New Black”. Have you been watching that? MB When I am home, which is not that much. I’ve been on the road almost all of 2014. I do have Netflix and I have seen the show, I really like it. LM One of the writers recently came “out.” She says that writing the show has helped her discover she’s gay. I watch and think I might be straight. But I love it too. You should be on that show. You would be a perfect New York character, maybe one who did some inside trading. I know you come from a corporate background. I saw getting older. What else am I going school. I was either smart or they a press release that said that you to talk about at my age…getting just wanted me out of school. had left a high paying executive laid? Or, I had a sex change; I LM We have even more things position at a computer company changed from sex to food. I get in common, that would have been to pursue comedy…GOOD horny, then I see a cookie and my answer too. I wish you lived in MOVE MICHELE!! think,” I can eat that a lot faster LA we could be comedy chums. and no sweating!” Michele Balan has been seen on MB My friend Jackie Monahan, NBC’s “Last Comic Standing”; LM Unless it’s one of those big lives in LA, she cracks me up. she has appeared on the “Joy Behar chewy cookies. How did your I hope she becomes a star and family background contribute to Show”, Byron Allens “Comics I can play her mother, sister or your sense of humor? Unleashed”, and the “Out for grandmother on a sitcom. Laughs” Festival. MB It was definitely not a typical LM I was in a comedy contest Jewish family. My mom passed You can purchase her with Jackie years ago. Are you when I was 10 and I was raised CD “Shipwrecked” at planning to go to P-Town this by whoever would cook for me. www.michelebalan.com year? That’s a big part of my future book! MB I know it’s their big anniversary (maybe 30th) and all LM Sounds like the recipe for the the comics we know will be there. class clown or an over-achiever. I was asked to do it at the Post Did you go either way? Office Cabaret but I am doing the MB No I went the bad way. I was Olivia Tahiti cruise. The water a tough kid, doing drugs at 17. I in Tahiti is warmer and you don’t was lucky to graduate from high have to hand out flyers, I just get paid! 5/5

A CONVERSATION WITH RITA MAE BROWN | By Teresa Decrescenzo

ita Mae Brown is “promiscuous reader.” It’s easy to What did you have in mind when undoubtedly one of the listen to her talk about her work, you took that degree? most intelligent – and her politics, her cats and her love RMB: Political Science focuses educated – writers in of America in general and Virginia on power in practice and that still America today. She in particular. interests me. The problem with has published more than thirty R The LN welcomed the opportunity political science is that it is almost books of fiction and non-fiction, to ask Rita Mae Brown a few always taught from an ideological including the groundbreaking, questions in connection with the point of view so one has to sift critically-acclaimed “Rubyfruit publication of her latest novel, through it. Jungle,” first published in 1973 “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie,” the and published in several iterations LN: Did your background and eighth in the “Sister Jane” series, since then. Brown is passionate education in policy influence also known as the Foxhunting about reading. She’s on record you in co-founding the Furies Mysteries, begun in 2000 with the as claiming that reading is one of Collective back in the early ‘70s? publication of “Outfoxed.” the most important gifts we have RMB: No and believes that readers are more Our conversation: involved in their communities LN: What, then, caused you to LN: No one will be surprised than non-readers. She is a become a part of the Furies? to learn that you have degrees compelling, persuasive speaker, in English, literature and RMB: As there were few of us, especially when talking about cinematography but some people there was comfort in numbers. So reading and readers. Non-fiction will be surprised to learn that you many people formed collectives “gives you the facts,” says Brown, have a Ph.D. in political science. back then it was an interesting while “fiction gives you emotional experiment. truths.” She describes herself as a LN: What is your view/opinion deceased mother forgive me for romantically involved with some of the lesbian community/culture bragging. remarkable women over the today? How does it compare to years. A few of us are old enough LN: Are you aware of how your activist days? to remember Massachusetts important that book remains to a politico Elaine Noble; and there RMB: Nothing compares to whole new generation of young were Martina, Fannie Flagg the activist days for which I am lesbians? and Judy Nelson. Have I missed grateful. Those were difficult RMB: No, I am not aware of this anyone? times not the least of it being that but I am glad they can draw some as most activists were young they RMB: I had many affairs. I felt it strength from it as I would hope were naïve. Our opponents took was my duty to my biographers. any dispossessed person might do. full advantage of same. LN: Is there anyone special in LN: What lesbian writer(s), Today, for the most part, lesbians your life now? thinker(s), activist(s) do you are in the main culture which is to admire today? RMB: No. say middle class. Granted there are poor lesbians and rich lesbians but RMB: I would never attach lesbian LN: What in your life do you the thrust has always been fueled to a writer, thinker, activist. To regret? and directed by the white middle me that just keeps people in their RMB: Nothing. All decisions are classes which somewhat explains place. Either you can think, write the right decisions. Some may my diffidence. We can all be proud or organize or you can’t. Aspects have been stupid, painful, painful of the accomplishments but there of your life may inform those to others but everything you have are women without jobs, children activities but should not define done got you to where you are to feed, etc. Not everyone wants them. now. Regret really is a form of to be a CEO or lawyer. I’m glad LN: Who inspired your own reverse vanity. they are there and I’m glad our writing? early work has given them a path LN: If you could do something but we are long, long way from RMB: Aristophanes, the Fifth in your life over, what would the Promised Land or perhaps it is Century B.C. Greek Comic it be and how would you do it only promised to some. playwright. (I minored in Classics, differently? the best thing I ever did in school.) LN: Why did you write Rubyfruit RMB: I would have kept up my Jungle? LN: Did you ever imagine Greek and Latin. There are few hundreds of openly lesbian people with whom one can read RMB: To entertain myself. All writers? and discuss same and I doubt I that “goodness” nearly dulled me could battle my way through one to death. As we say in the South, RMB: Just to imagine hundreds of paragraph of Attic Greek today “I had to cut a shine.” people who can still use and love much less Doric. I need to go the English language is wonderful. LN: It’s widely assumed that back to school but like any older Whether or not they are lesbians is Molly Bolt is you. Was she your person, where is the time? The irrelevant to me. way of telling your own coming- other thing I would have done of-age story? Were you as brave LN: You have been an incredibly differently is I would have started in your own life as she was in prolific writer. What’s ahead for hunting my hounds in my thirties. hers? you? I understand teamwork with other sentient creatures and I love being RMB: I am not Molly Bolt. She RMB: More work. I love English part of that team. Also, we don’t has some of my characteristics and by extension, Latin. My dream kill anything. I am inspired by wise but she is a work of fiction. I am is always to write, to ride, to be animals, more so than people. delighted so many respond to her. with my hounds, to cherish all life. As to my being as brave as Molly, LN: You look terrific. What are LN: You have been I am perhaps ever braver. If not your lifestyle habits? What does braver, then tougher. May my a day in your life look like? RMB: You are a base flatterer but RMB: Co-Cola, cheese, maybe it is conventional and you’ll wind it’s wonderful to hear. I work on ice cream. I have never cooked a up being another sheep: fleeced a farm. You just keep going, you meal in my life. I don’t go to the then butchered. stay fit, you’re breathing clean air grocery store. I have chickens The other unsolicited advice is for the most part and you bow to so I can fry eggs. Clearly, I am never expect anyone to understand Mother Nature. Farming makes not a foodie but I really miss my you. Hell, half the time you don’t one very realistic and I was born mother’s fried chicken. Realizing understand you. You earn respect on a farm. I don’t expect many of I had no aptitude in the kitchen and once earned you have a right the things that other people do and she did not give me her recipe. to expect that, I think. But true therefore I am rarely disappointed. Mom and I spent a lot of time at understanding is rare and it is the racetracks when I was little or A day in my life means I am unfair to demand it of others. gardening together. usually up at 4:30AM or 5:30AM LN: Say more, if you will. depending on the season, earlier in LN: How many cats do you have? summer to beat the heat. I feed the RMB: Realize that the human is RMB: Over twenty but many are house animals, drink a cup of tea not the crown of creation. Every reclaimed, trapped feral cats and plus a Co-Cola, can’t live without creature on this earth is a winner many live in the barns and sheds. I Co-cola, eat a piece of bread while because the losers are extinct. try to get them spayed and neutered I’m walking and out the door I go. Give every creature its due, you but it’s not always so easy. I would like to work outside until don’t have to like them but you sundown and twilight but I usually LN: What, specifically, would you should honor them. And learn. come in for four hours to write. like to say to the LN readers? Have you ever seen a horse parked Physical labor, for me, is the key at a psychiatrist’s office or a dog RMB: Keep learning and treat to strength and health, physically leash left at the door? Set aside conventional wisdom with respect and mentally. humans for awhile and learn from but be wary of it precisely because Nature’s successes. LN: What would we find inside if we opened up your fridge? Photos Courtesy of Elizabeth Sullivan, Mary Motley Kalergis WHO’S “THE GUY”?

| By Karinna Karsten Love Educator/Founder SacredLove.com

n a call with one of my lesbian friends am not sensitive and emotionally feminine inside.” recently…. she said straight people JoAnn Loulan, added that there were no significant always want to know who the guy is in differences between the sexual activities of her the relationship. respondents. “The butch-femme dynamic is complex I rolled my eyes over the phone. with old borders remembered and yet subverted by O female tops, butch bottoms, femmes butched out I could see how that could come up for same sex cross-dressing in male drag and the butch lesbian couples and in their conversations with straight who when she dresses in femme clothing feels like friends. From my vantage point, that could be enough a gay man dressing for a woman. Some butches look to make one’s blood boil. like female sex goddesses.” As a love educator that has spent many years helping Historically, roles in intimate relationship have people identify the right partner and truly assess been determined by external look and mannerisms, strengths and weaknesses of compatibility within behaviors and by the roles one plays day to day in a current relationship, it led me to ponder - while work and at home. Naturally certain tasks come dating, or within the current engagement of an easier to specific identities such as a more feminine intimate relationship, is this something that you as a partner initiating communication and taking the more Lesbian would ever ask yourself? nurturing role. But today that can also be contradicted I am not one to categorize lovers into identities. I in who is the major breadwinner, house and handy prefer a vast playing field for love and relationship to work or specific sexual roles. blossom that is based on mutual respect, honoring the Writer Mila Jaroniec, states, while some lesbian sacred in one another and celebrating love in every relationships do in fact, rely heavily on the traditional aspect of life. I have seen that this is what creates the butch-femme dynamic, the masculine-feminine best intimate relationships that continue to evolve aspects of two women in a relationship tend to be and get better and better. fluid and malleable rather than static. “Femme” and “Butch”…is this old school? K Brow concurs, The absence of strict gender-role Derogatory? Or, truly an accurate way to seek out formulas may be understood as either negative or the right partner and interact within a relationship? positive. Positively it could be seen as a “state of I started researching…. freedom” or conversely may be viewed as a “state of anomie.” The state of freedom allows couples JoAnn Loulan’s research shows that 95% of lesbians to develop their relationship on their own terms. In are familiar with Butch-Femme codes and can rate the study, The gendered elements of homosexual themselves and others in terms of those codes. And marriage and society’s reactions to the issue. yet the same percentage feels that Butch-Femme was unimportant in their lives. Ultimately we are not static in our identification; we are ever evolving both internally and within So is sexual identity about feeling more masculine or relationships. I believe the current renaissance is more feminine? the awakening that everyone is somewhere on the In “Irreconcilable Differences”, Thomas C. spectrum of more or less masculine and feminine. We Caramagno writes, “Because masculinity and naturally embody both. The opportunity is to marry femininity are at least in part culturally produced, our feminine and masculine aspects…in my book, butch and femme lesbians occupy multiple positions. “Intimate Wisdom”, I call this the Inner Marriage--- Some butches claim that their demeanor and dress are the Integration. The stronger our integrated feminine absolutely essential to their identities. Others take a and masculine are the more versatile, emotionally more pluralistic view.” developed and more capable at home and in the world we become. In a qualitative study, The Experiences of Femme Identified Individuals by Rhea Ashley Hoskin MA and As a result, we find more highly integrated human Karen L. Blair PhD, 28 percent of lesbian participants beings who are able to flow with one another in identified as femme, Bi 22.1 percent. One lesbian greater harmony, with respect and affection for participant pointed out, “Accepting that I was femme both what is similar and unique in each other. The was in some ways, more difficult than accepting that renaissance relationship provides the opportunity I was gay… I liked to wear makeup and high heels. to further develop the strengths and talents of each It took quite a while for me to convince myself that it person. This creates two empowered individuals and was even a possibility that I was a lesbian.” a highly empowered relationship. As human beings, do we always attract a positive to The question, “who is the guy?” fades. The question our negative, or a yin to our yang, no matter what becomes, are we empowered individuals creating an gender we were born into? empowered relationship for the time we live in now? My lesbian friend that inspired this inquiry shared Karinna Karsten, Love Educator and Founder www. with me, “It is not always that way. There can be SacredLove.com two feminine females and two masculine males in a lesbian relationship. I had to be in charge growing up. I had a tough demeanor, it does not mean that I

UPPITY WOMEN UNITE! Because She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry | By John Esther

ying it into the tow, these women would meet a white women emancipation current, multiple and hash out more pressing effort, further marginalized assaults on women issues than shopping, dating women, such as women of color from Republicans, tips, or what the matinee idol and lesbians joined the force. She’s Beautiful was wearing this week. Yet they TWhen She’s Angry takes a were told by society, “You are While women of color were look at the feminist movement not oppressed” despite the data accepted into the movement to emerge during the late which indeed displayed gender with concerted effort, lesbians 1960s-early 1970s from those discrimination. were required to remain silent. who were directly involved. Leaders said it was “too soon” Out of these smaller, and that the patriarchal society Tired of living as second-class community-oriented meetings, already accused feminists of citizens whose success was larger organizations such as the being “butch dykes” and that defined by marriageability Chicago Women’s Liberation any signs of the “lavender and procreation, bourgeois Union and the National menace” would only validate housewives from around the Organization for Women that stereotype. Of course, country began to organize social (NOW) emerged. “The personal you cannot keep a person like events where human rights, is political” was the motto. Rita Mae Brown and Karla Jay women rights and political While it may have initially been quiet. Like the use of the word activism were the subjects queer, “lavender menace” was discussed. Often with kids in 1/2 co-opted by the gay activists States Supreme Court ruled on the dynamics and interests from a derogatory slur to a sign Roe vs. Wade, underground, of so many people, there are of activism. “criminal” groups like the Jane things some of them would do Collective were helping women otherwise but they were still That and other subplots in terminate their unwanted proud in being a part of what is Mary Dore’s documentary are pregnancies. This took a lot of remarkably recent history. entertaining and educational courage and skill since abortion but the driving force behind But, given the fact, that many was a felony in the United feminism, this film and its politicians today, both male States between 1880 and 1973. relevance today is the issue of and female, are still against a Three people discussing an women being in control of their women’s right to choose, do abortion was a conspiracy to own bodies. not believe in pregnancy by felony murder. rape and do not think women Before the women’s movement Hearing women such as Brown, deserve equal pay for equal emerged, subjects such as rape, the publisher and poet Alta, work, it really is not history at domestic violence and birth JANE member and writer all. control were not even part of Judith Arcana, co-founder of the public vernacular. Victims the Black Women’s Liberation of rape and domestic violence Committee of SNCC Fran Beal, were blamed not aided. Birth activist Heather Booth, radical control was frowned upon by feminist Susan Brownmiller church and state. and others unapologetically Of course, the largest and reminisce about those exciting, hardest right to get passed groundbreaking and dangerous was a woman’s right to choose times is a pleasure. None of whether or not to have an these women regret taking part abortion. Before the United in the movement. Because of

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Her style | By Christin & Ashley Kelly-Brown Fit For All Seasons: How HERstyle is Challenging You to 30- Days of Exercise before the Holidays

ow, is it much and I carry that “holiday weight and working out?! For REALLY that food lovin’” into the next year. So me, this almost seems like déjà vu time of year this year, I’m challenging myself every year! My Groundhog Day , if again , or is and I challenge you to do this you will. Does this sound familiar this some type with me. Instead of taking FULL to any of you ladies? This issue Wof crazy cosmic joke?! How did advantage of all the goodies of HERstyle, we’re welcoming the time fly by so quickly? I mean, the holidays have to offer, I’m the Thanksgiving throw downs, one minute you’re celebrating the “cushioning” myself by working the Christmas cookies and cakes, start of a New Year and the next, out at least 4-5 times a week and because we’re Tightening Up well, you’re back to celebrating eating as healthy as I can before before the holidays! This way, the start of a New Year! The leaves major family festivities. Let’s be we can enjoy each moment and are falling, the wind is starting the honest. Ideally, no one wants to maybe , finally, having a different blow and cute girls are starting censor themselves around comfort New Year’s resolution. to bundle up in layers. Both my foods and a warm family. But we Spend 30-min working out, not wife and I just absolutely love are all forced back into the New hours the Fall but the holidays don’t Years resolution of what...losing always absolutely love us back. Let’s face it, there’s a bunch of Sometimes they love us a bit too us that become burdened with 1/3 Grabbing some exciting snacks like Sweet & Spicy trail mix or how about some dark chocolate covered goji berries? Keep it fun for you to make excellent choices. You’ll be surprised by how much less you’ll consume by pre- snacking with healthy options. In addition to healthy snacking, that doesn’t mean having a double- cheeseburger for breakfast and tacos for dinner with a healthy snack in between. Increasing your veggie count and making it the dominant player on your plate is key in eating right. We’re typically use to having a huge piece of protein with a cute little side of overcooked veg and hopefully a side salad. Instead, try having a huge grilled veggie salad with maybe a lean protein like bison steak or shrimp. Go crazy on the the thought of having to workout more energy and you’ll be proud veggies at all costs and your body after a long day of work. But we of yourself for keeping moving. will thank you. all know how good it is for us Maybe one day the 30 minutes a to at least get an additional 30 day will grow into training for a Do a juice cleanse! minutes of exercise in before the half marathon! Hey, we can all be day is done. My latest 30-minute dreamers, right?! exercise is a quick yoga session. Get started on healthy It’s relaxing, stretches our tightly snacking, often wound bodies and it’s an incredible workout. Like walking instead? I LOVE SNACKS! When it comes Awesome! Maybe incorporate a to snacking, I can either be the strong stride in the arms to get a daintiest eater or I’m going full full body workout. How about Cookie Monster ! And that’s just dancing? We love to dance but it’s it! When we snack, it’s supposed not every night that you get to go to be enjoyable but what’s too dancing downtown. So the wife enjoyable? Studies have shown and I put on our favorite station on that the potato chip is the most Pandora “Sise” and we just dance popular snack in the United States. to our heart’s content in our living Sure, it’s a tasty snack but can we room. Whatever is your choice of make better choices? Absolutely. movement, just move! Many of us Having some healthy and tasty Okay, hear me out first! I’ve have careers that involve us sitting snacks before going to Grandma’s done a few cleanses before at desk and computer for hours house for dinner is actually a but they weren’t the best or out of the day. By increasing your great way to curb your appetite. healthiest because they were daily activity an extra 30 minutes designed around weight loss, not or above that, you should have a healthy restart. Then one night, 2/3 was capable and mind felt incredible! Who of. Days 11 would’ve thought that not eating and 12, we’re for 30 days and only consuming quite difficult juiced fruits and veggies would be because it hit all the our powerful bodies need. me that “hey, The process has definitely made I don’t HAVE me stronger when it comes to to do this making better food decisions and anymore!” “ even though I still LOVE a quick I can eat if I sugar fix, I know how to not go “full want to!” That’s Cookie Monster.” Does the juice when the true cleanse sound interesting enough challenge began to you? Check out the movie “Fat, for me. Yes, it’s Sick and Nearly Dead” or visit the it’s a challenge website for more info. Ashley and I decided to watch to walk down the street and smell So, listen up my lovely ladies. I’m the documentary “Fat, Sick and pizza wafting or perhaps missing challenging you, YES, you! We’re Nearly Dead”. Absolutely eye- your favorite after work treat but all doing a 30 Day Juice Cleanse opening! Without giving away too I felt that my personal challenge together! Okay, okay, we’re not much of the movie, both Ashley began once I no longer had to do doing a 30 day cleanse but I do and I decided to go ahead and start it anymore. My turning point was challenge you to do a 30-Minutes a 10-Day Juice Cleanse! Now, day 15. I then realized that I have for 30-Days challenge! As what’s a juice cleanse? A proper my eyes on an end goal that is mentioned before, you don’t juice cleanse or reboot requires actually closer than I thought. After have to go crazy in the gym, but for you to either have a juicer at 30 days of green juice, endless just being a tad more active for home or for you to pick up fresh juice combinations and fantasies 30-minutes a day. At the end of made juice from your local juice of what would be the first thing I 30 days, we would love to hear bar or Whole Foods and for you to would eat, I had reached my finish your stories of how it went, your drink nothing but fresh juice and line and I felt amazing. water for 10-Days. That’s it! No challenges, your triumphs and food, no smoothies, no coffee. Just more! This is the perfect time to good ol’ juice. Before starting any shake things up before the holidays type of major change in your diet, shake us up. we would suggest consulting with To show our support for one your doctor first. Now, you don’t another, we’re creating a Twitter have to commit to doing a full 10 Page for HERstyle! Feel free to days. Some people try it for 3 , 5 tweet your daily goals, ask us some or 7 and that’s okay too. However, questions, and maybe sharing some after those 10 days, I decided to juice recipes (wishful thinking). take it one step further. I did the Come follow us on twitter at @ juice cleanse for a grand total of HERstyleLN and see who’s down 30 days!! That’s right, 30 days and for the challenge with you. Good boy, was it an experience! After the luck and Happy Turkey Day! first 10 days, Ashley decided that Getting hungry just writing this. she was done with her cleanse but still continued to eat clean for an additional 21 days. For me, I just wanted the challenge. I wanted to I not only felt good because I know that I could do it because I couldn’t wait to eat solid foods just wanted to see what my body again (WOOHOO) but my body 3/3 BOOKS | By Teresa Decrescenzo

LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE By Rita Mae Brown Ballantine Books (an imprint of Random House) – New York www.randomhouse.com

Rita Mae Brown loves to talk about writing. It is Station. She’s also good at expository writing. In clearly her life’s passion and she’s obviously more this series about fox hunting, everything you ever than pretty good at it. She has spoken many times didn’t know you wanted to know about the hunt is about “style, story and character development.” there for the learning and it really is quite interesting. No matter what she writes, I think her character development is as good as any writer in America, Yet, when it’s all done, it’s still a series about good fiction or non-fiction. As for style and story, I have old Southern charm and gentility that often mask the same trouble with “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie” that cunning and cruelty, animals that talk, murders that I had with the Mrs. Murphy series. By around the are pretty easily solved and lovely, idyllic days spent fifth or sixth in that never-ending series with super running the hounds and enjoying nature. The Sister sleuthing Crozet, VA, postmistress, Mary Minor Jane series, now in its ninth iteration, feels as if it’s Haristeen and her cat, the series’ namesake, I was circling back onto itself. This latest entry evokes a “cat-fatigued.” Enough already with Mrs. Murphy bit of the redundant. and her gang of talking dogs, birds, mice, etc. Despite these observations, the novel is well-written, Having reviewed at least a half-dozen of the Mrs. the story well-told and Rita Mae Brown deservedly Murphy mysteries in the LN, I began to feel as if has legions of eager fans who cannot wait for the I were reporting on a new episode of “Murder She next in the series, so no doubt sleeping dogs will not Wrote” with each new entry in the series. be left to lie, as least not as far as Foxhounds Master And thus have I arrived at pretty much the same “Sister” Jane Arnold and her large entourage are place with this series. On the plus side, Rita Mae concerned. Stand by for a new entry in the not too Brown is very good at teaching lessons about the distant future, I’m sure. social tensions that exist among and between groups over some of the wedge issues that still trouble our country, by means of a plot device, or even just the mention, for example, of a “Colored” sign that still stands over a bathroom at fictional Tattenhall

The Core Of Who You Are Is Hungry!

| By Kristi Pallino

h yeah, some of Year – a time for resolutions! Why emotional, physical, mental and us wear a mask not start now and get a jump on spiritual level? all-year round. If taking off the mask of past stories, Girlfriend, it is time to date you are not doing fear, worry, doubt, anger, gossip yourself. Gift yourself with or being what you or just being stuck. self-love, meditation, exercise, Owant in your life, then you fall in We are powerful women, with the affirmation, maybe a new hairstyle the category of wearing a mask. capability of turning our life events you have been wanting or a new This mask hides your truth and into experiences that are aligned style of clothing or perhaps a believe it or not, some of us do with who we are. How much more new spiritual, religious or nature not know our truth. Who are we at fulfilling it would be to do this, service. You know what it is for the core, what are we really made than trying to fit our lives into our you. of and what great things are we external circumstances! capable of being and doing? I challenge you to learn who you Most folks are not satisfied with are to the core, to create the life The mask we wear is often riddled where they are in life. So why wait you want and to welcome the with our past. When we tell the for things to hopefully change one unknown. story of our past, we invite that day, when you have the power pain into the present day. Happy Birthing Day to you! This is within you to change yourself and your calling for a new beginning!! How can we create the life we then change the things around Know that I love you and I am want with a mask over our face, you? rooting for you! blocking our vision of this moment The transformation of your life and our view into the future? It is “We are either in the way, or we starts with you. We must stop really remarkable how many of us are on our way.” (Les Brown) wasting precious energy that we are afraid of the unknown. will need to create our new chapter Your sister and Life Coach, Kristi If we take the risk of removing the of life. Pallino mask, where will our feet land? I Ask yourself, what do I want? will tell you: they will land right What makes me happy? What into your purpose. But we can’t accomplishments will I achieve create the life of our dreams if this day, this month, this year? we are trying to build it from our Who will I need to become pained story. to make this happen? What is We are a month away from a New procrastination costing me on an © Tatyana Gladskikh | Dreamstime.com Favaloro’s Big Night Bistro

Italian - Seafood - Bistro 545 Lighthouse Avenue Pacific Grove, CA 93950 831-373-8523 www.FavalorosBigNightBistro.com FAVALORO’S BIG NIGHT BISTRO

| By Gladi Adams PhD

o you smack your lips when you vinagarette. The mango is freshly squeezed by see oysters, clams or mussels on Nino for this dressing. the menu? Is seafood your culinary This fantastic restaurant is the only place in delight? Does your mouth water at Pacific Grove, Carmel and Monterrey with the the thought of scallops? How about owners being the chefs. Marie and Nino prepare calamari? Is this your favorite appetizer? Did D every dish themselves and they have been doing you grow up setting lobster traps from your this for over twenty years. father’s lobster boat in Maine or did you fish in San Pedro? Possibly were you just born with a Regardless of where you grew up or come from delicate palette for the finer things in seafood? you owe yourself a visit to Favaloro’s Big Night Bistro in Pacific Grove. As the expression goes, Or how about some pasta? Linguine and “the food is to die for.” clams, cannelloni, ravioli tre formaggie served with garlic butter sage sauce, fava beans and Located at 545 Lighthouse Ave. Pacific cremini mushrooms or spaghetti con gamberi Grove, 93950 Phone 831-373-8523. with prawns and arugula with spicy tomato Website www.favalorosbignightbistro.com cream vodka sauce. Start with an appetizer of half an avocado battered and deep fried and topped with crab meat salad. Add a house salad with organic greens and dressed with mango

Italy’s Hidden Gem | By Stephanie Papadakis

hree years ago, I had the car two months in advance. Another the caretaker of the home we were opportunity to travel to two hours passed before we stopped to stay in. Unfortunately, the place Sicily. A far less-traveled- fighting with the clerk and decided had been double-booked, so Jerry to Italian destination, to rent a car from Avis. let us stay with him that night (and my partner’s extended for the rest of our stay in San Vito). The 1.5 hour drive to San Vito (as family lives there so we decided The next morning…er, afternoon… T reference by locals) took us along to visit (and meet them for the first we awoke to a magnificent view of windy, narrow roads above steep time). We were celebrating our one- waves crashing against the shore cliffs. It was probably beautiful but year anniversary and it was the first below us and mountain peaks off in in the dark, we couldn’t see anything. time vacationing together. Luckily, the distance. Jerry told us San Vito Since we hadn’t eaten for a while, we learned that we are great travel is where Sicilians go to vacation we stopped at a roadside café to pick companions. in the summertime which is why up arancini, huge balls of deep-fried there aren’t many tourists, just We arrived in Palermo at 10pm after rice with a ham and cheese filling. Tunisian and Algerian immigrants. having a 12-hour layover in Rome I had never eaten anything like it. We learned that Jerry grew up in and being awake for almost 48 Soft, but crunchy, warm but not hot San Vito but moved to Detroit for hours. We exited the airport and all and bursting with flavor reminiscent 35 years. He came back to Sicily we wanted to do was get the rental of the best Hot Pocket I’d ever eaten. after his grandfather died to remodel car and drive to San Vito Lo Capo, De-lish. his house. Jerry also cooked us the where we were staying with a friend We finally arrived to our first of our many ridiculously large of her parents. That didn’t happen so destination…an apartment owned lunches. Antipasti, primi piatti of fast. It turns out that Hertz doesn’t by a man named Jerry who was pasta, secondi piatti of fresh fish, take debit cards for a deposit. All fruit and dessert…my heart (and that after having secured a rental 1/3 stomach) was full. Castelvetrano in the Mediterranean, first time. He was pretty easy to spot where we were staying with my as he bared a strong resemblance to Stomachs stuffed, we drove three partner’s family. But we first made a my partner. Sara spoke a little Italian minutes into town where Jerry pit stop to Erice, a quaint town built as she had been taking classes but introduced us to all the shop owners atop the steep Mount Erice. To the many people in Sicily speak Sicilian he knew. We went to the eyeglass naked eye, it looks like a medieval dialect. Thankfully, Franco spoke store, two restaurants, an ice cream city, with its castles, walls and stone Italian, too and we were able to shop and a photography studio. He streets but it in fact was first settled communicate (strong hand gestures even haggled with the guy selling by the Phoenicians in 1200 BCE. also helped). His energy took over beach towels to give us a 2-for-1 With stunning views of San Vito to each space he inhabited and once we discount. He truly was the mayor the north and Trapani and Marsala got to his parents’ house, he told us of San Vito. The rest of the day was to the south, I was completely taken to get in the car so he could introduce spent sunbathing on the white sand aback; I felt like I was looking at a us to everyone he knew in the town. beach, swimming in the turquoise green screen! This couldn’t be real! Two of Sara’s cousins, two houses Tyrrhenian Sea, drinking beer at a But it was and I was so blessed to be he built and arancini later, we were café and enjoying another delicious able to be there at that moment. back at his parents’ house ready for meal, this time couscous with fresh dinner. seafood, at one of Jerry’s friend’s We met Franco at a McDonald’s restaurants. about 10 minutes from Tricina for the This dinner constitutes the biggest meal I have ever eaten. I have never Two days later we left San Vito for been more full or in more pain from Tricina, a small beach town south of 2/3 a word out before men were calling out prices. Giovanni eventually won the fish he deemed best and we went off to Castelvetrano to meet more of Sara’s family members. Franco took us to the Archeological Museum to show us ancient Greek artifacts that had been found in the town. The last stop of the morning was to a pasta shop, where we watched spaghetti being made by hand. I had never tasted anything like it. The next few days we ate, swam, drank wine and hung out with family. We went to more ancient Greek ruins, a fortified medieval city (Enna), a sophisticated, gay- friendly beach town (Taormina) and the namesake town of my partner – Randazzo. Being in Sicily reminded me of being in Crete with my family. The states are both autonomous from their mother countries, the pace of life is slower, the food changes with the seasons. The family ties are strong no matter if you’ve met before or not. I’m glad I was able to experience a lesser-known Italy, a place that flourishes in its own stride, a province that keeps going no matter how many times its been taken over. The people are generous, the beaches are beautiful and the food is unbeatable. For more trip ideas, visit www. eating than this night (really, I was cleanser) and of course, homemade olivia.com. unable to sleep because it hurt so cannoli. The love and care put into badly and that was not the cawing this meal was better than anything roosters’ fault). Having already we could’ve eaten at a restaurant in eaten at the butcher shop, we started this country; it was truly priceless. off with an antipasto of couscous, Franco energetically woke us up at followed by pasta with homemade 6:30am the next morning to go to tomato sauce and roasted lemon a fish auction in the next town over chicken. The flavors were fresh, with his father, Giovanni (everyone smelling of summer’s bounty and but Franco was named Giovanni). We swirling with simplicity. Lemon rushed to get espresso at a small café, groves, tomato vines and basil then raced through the streets to get to bushes fed us, along with homemade the auction before the good stuff was wine (more like gasoline), a giant sold. Upon arrival, fishermen were watermelon (which I thought was bringing their lots to the dock and dessert but in fact, was just a palate the auctioneer was barely able to get 3/3 LIVING OUT Thanksgiving 2014 | By Sally Sheklow

ach year at this time in the month of November I like to take stock, settle back and remember The good things in life, all the stuff I hold dear So I stop to say “Thanks!” as Thanksgiving draws near EI know being grateful is good for my soul So today I say thanks for my cereal bowl Which I found at Goodwill for just ninety-nine cents A very affordable household expense

I give thanks for this bowl of organic granola And try not to fret too much over Ebola We know someone local’s already infected And that’s just the case that’s for sure been detected

So let me just mention: I’m very desirous Of a quicker response to get rid of this virus The government money that’s wasted on war Could be curing disease, isn’t that what it’s for?

But wait, lest I fall into panicked distraction Which causes more fear like a big chain reaction I’ll focus instead on the things I can do To improve things for people like me and like you

I’m thankful for having at least one small voice To use in support of our freedom of choice To purchase organics, expose GMOs Stop spraying our weeds, let our scraps decompose

I’m thankful for all the good people protesting To bring about more fossil fuel divesting To keep us aware of the climate change crisis Instead of obsessing on news about ISIS In fact my whole point as I started this verse Was to stop and be grateful, not make matters worse By failing to notice that beauty abounds In the bright autumn colors, the scents and the sounds

The birds who are singing outside at my feeder Whose song makes my morning at home that much sweeter I’m taking a breath, breathing in, breathing out Remembering there’s plenty to be glad about

I’m thankful for money to cover my needs And extra for potting soil, compost, and seeds That turn into flowers and bring to my yard Butterflies, hummingbirds, spinach and chard

My cat is curled up on my lap as I write The clouds took a break now the sun’s shining bright How thankful I am for this home and this life With my fabulous friends and my now-legal wife

I’m taking this take time to be glad for what’s great Like the freedom to marry right here in our state And the number of states is consistently mounting The most recent report now at thirty and counting

Our goal of equality under the law Is happening now, can I get a yee-haw? I hope you will join me and give some thanks too For all of the good things you have and you do

For freedom and love, for our health and for joy For having more genders than just girl or boy There’s so much that’s sweet, so much good to remember Let us all take a break and give thanks this November

Get a free bottle of Lube with order. Details on last page. DUBS Twisted Roots Vineyard NARINEE FROM NOVICA

ARTIFICAL TURF

How can we keep sports-loving kids safer?

ust when you thought it connections between various Furthermore, turf is much more was safe to play soccer on health problems and exposure to durable and less costly to maintain that brand new synthetic synthetic turf. than grass, and players suffer fewer turf field, it may be time injuries on it since it doesn’t turn EHHI also reported that kids to think again. Those to slippery mud when wet. on playfields are likely to face little black dirt-like granules that J similar risks as line workers in the Do these pros outweigh the cons? fill up the space between synthetic rubber fabrication and reclamation Some schools don’t think so and are blades of grass and make up some industries, where they say turning back plans to convert their 90 percent of today’s artificial health reports show the presence grass fields to turf. Where it is too turf fields are actually ground- of multiple volatile organic late for that, parents should warn up car and truck tires. As such hydrocarbons and other toxic their little athletes to stay upright they contain a host of potentially elements in the air. “Studies at tire as much as possible—turf-related noxious chemicals that can lead to reclamation sites report leaching cancers seem to be most common a wide range of health problems. of similar sets of chemicals into in goalies who spend the most time Four of the constituent chemicals the ground water,” says the group. down on the turf surface. Also, the in these “tire crumbs” (or “tire Centers for Disease Control and The Synthetic Turf Council, an mulch”) as they are called— Prevention (CDC) recommends industry group, maintains that there arsenic, benzene, cadmium and that those playing on synthetic turf is considerable evidence pointing nickel—are deemed carcinogens avoid eating or drinking on the field to the health safety of synthetic by the International Agency for where toxic dust can contaminate turf. But the U.S. Environmental Cancer Research. Others have food and liquids, wash their hands Protection Agency (EPA) isn’t been linked to skin, eye and and body aggressively with soap taking sides, leaving it up to state respiratory irritation, kidney and and water afterwards, and remove and local jurisdictions to decide liver problems, allergic reactions, clothes worn on the field and turn whether or not to allow artificial nervous systems disorders and them inside out before washing turf. The EPA would like to see developmental delays. them separately from other items. more research done so parents While the risk came to light everywhere can have a better idea recently when a University of of the risks involved. EarthTalk® is written and edited by Washington women’s soccer coach Of course, synthetic turf fields Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and began to think it might be more aren’t all bad. For one, they don’t is a registered trademark of E - The than a coincidence that two of her need frequent watering (a grass Environmental Magazine: www. goalies were stricken with cancer, playing field typically requires emagazine.com researchers have known about such 50,000 gallons of water per week potential links for years. A 2007 CONTACTS: International Agency during growing season) and report by the Connecticut-based for Cancer Research, www.iarc.fr; doesn’t require the application Environment & Human Health Inc. EHHI, www.ehhi.org; Synthetic Turf of potentially toxic pesticides. (EHHI) looked at several scientific Council, www.syntheticturfcouncil. studies and found definitive org; CDC, www.cdc.gov. TRAVEL Vendange Carmel Inn | By Lillian Jensen

endange is the drinking a glass of wine around the for a honeymoon or romantic perfect getaway fire pit, or stopping by the lobby getaway. destination located for nightly hors d’oeuvres, will The Inn offers breakfast daily. in the village of make your trip more memorable. Carmel-by-the- Wine Themed Rooms: are Dawn’s There are 18 rooms in the Inn Sea. It is the first wine themed Dream, Galante, J. Lohr, Joullian, V which is owned and operated by Inn in all of Carmel and Monterey. Manzoni, McIntyre, Otter Cove, the Lee family. Sleeping areas are Each room is named after a local Pierce Winery, Tudor, Twisted appointed with memory foam- winery. These partnered wineries Roots, Ventana, Cima Colina. top beds, deluxe linens, WiFi, design their own rooms in their and high-definition flat screen own creative manner, providing televisions. guests with a memorable and fun experience. Carmel Beach, The separate Cottage Suite offers has exquisite shops, world class a generous 650 square feet of restaurants and beautiful beaches. living space. With a California You’ll see what makes Vendange King bed, 50” high definition flat a once in a lifetime stay. Their screen television, gas fireplace and gardens, the grand pergola, kitchenette, it’s the perfect place

HUMANITY HERE The Creative Life | By Karen Williams, M.Ed

“I feel so alive in a deep way these have to actively seek to connect muscles to frown than to smile days…alone yet not lonely… with one another. Exercising our and that smiling is like a face lift. youthful though not young… I have creative life force allows us to find I can visualize readers of this a freedom of spirit I longed for, in ways to come together in spite of column smiling like crazy now. the midst of real challenges. I feel our “designations” and sometimes It’s certainly cheaper than buying so happy and so fortunate.” because of them. those anti-aging face creams, his is an excerpt For me, something as simple as lotions and potions that don’t from a text I sent choosing to smile at people in really work anyway. to a dear friend as I public is a statement about living a Recently, I overheard a group sought to describe the creative life. In American culture, of women talking about writers fulfillment and peace a smile symbolizes openness. For over lunch. One of them loudly that I enjoy from living a creative me, a smile means that I am T concluded that the best artists are life. Creativity is not confined to at ease in the world and in my those who have everything taken artists, poets, painters, musicians travels; that I am at peace with care of for them…financially… and muses. It is an expression myself; and I am willing to so that they have the freedom to of the dynamism and joy inside connect with you as we pass one write. Wow! I resisted the urge every one of us, the manifestation another on our journeys. A smile to join their party and correct their in reality of the appreciation we is a small act that has the potential misguided ideas, as the names feel for life itself. We may choose to convey deep meaning. of various artists who overcame to be creative at our jobs or with My dad always emphasized their harsh circumstances to our families, in society or while the importance of a become household s/heroes preparing our evening meal, yet mother’s smile, particularly flooded my brain. I simply walked the urge is there within each of us on young children. He shared by and smiled…a broad knowing as we strive to make meaning out with me that a frown would worry smile…because I am creative and of our life experiences. them. I kept that in mind while I free and wealthy from the inside We live in a consumer- reared my sons. The side benefit out. Go figure! driven culture that designates and is that smiling – even the “fake it assigns, categorizes and organizes til you make it” type – kept my people, places and things according spirits and energy high as a single to predetermined notions. One working mom. of the results is isolation and It helps that my study of humor separation among people. We teaches me that it takes more © Luminastock | Dreamstime.com POETRY Short Term Memory

| By Morgan Hillsinger

“God is water” Cried the drought The cracked earth croaked “My earthen pot

Disintegrated In the sun” The Rain Must Come. Or we are done.

God is wind The bluff face said “I am eroded Nearly dead

How can I hold up Half the city Without roots It’s such a pity”

God is dirt The tree root spelled In silent symbol Language held

A puzzle piece Of mother earth Who laughed her Gaia laugh Such mirth!

“You’re all so silly God is all and Rules the Spring, Summer, Fall The wind will blow The rain will come The roots will grow Both peach and plum The grass will green And hope regain The better for, this little pain.”

Seeking Representation | By Juno Parrenas,˜ PhD

ow is it that the United States Congress download, print and then mail a form. But for the can have an approval rating of only 16 many Americans who work way too many hours, percent? How is it that they can still taking the time to vote is a serious problem. Other hold power, when their claim to power countries more committed to democracy enable is that they represent the people? people to vote on Saturdays. Why is it that we have H to do this on a Tuesday? Pundits like to blame voter apathy, particularly among 18-35 year olds. My age group of voters is When one is able to overcome the logistical notorious for not participating in Midterm elections. difficulties of making sure one is registered to vote During the last one in 2014, only 24% of us voted. and when one gets to the poll and has hours to spare should there be a long line, what kind of choice do Having raised the alarm about “voter fraud,” they have in the face of that electronic screen? states such as the one in which I now reside, have succeeded in disenfranchising people who do not This is the part that is especially upsetting. Those own a current ID. People who move frequently, vying for a seat in the House of Representatives are such as myself, are especially at risk of losing the clearly representing their own interests. The median right to vote. As a recent transplant and stubborn net worth of congressional members is more than member of the Californian diaspora, I have yet to a million dollars at $1,008,767. The three most give up my California ID. Thus, I have to make sure common stocks they own are in General Electric to bring my social security card with me to the poll and Wells Fargo. This cuts across party lines. station on Election Day. If I don’t have it, if my When they have direct stakes in one of the biggest special hiding place for it succeeds in hiding it even polluting industries and the finance industry, how from me, then I am disenfranchised. can they be trusted to represent our interests? When JP Morgan Chase can buy former Attorney General As a new inhabitant of Ohio, the swingiest of the Eric Holder with a new job that pays $77 million swing states, it stunned me how no one tried to dollars, following the largest financial crisis since register me to vote. It’s not like I am off the grid the Great Depression in which no one was held nor am I trying to be. My name is on the official responsible, what does that say about the state of city records as a new homeowner. It gets published our society? Why do we not openly talk about the in the local paper. If Facebook can see that I live corruption of American politics in Ohio, if Uniqlo can see that I just looked at that skirt without buying it and now it’s showing up in No wonder my demographic hardly votes! What are my advertisements, why is it that I’m not being we to do? If the ballot cannot speak for us, we need reminded by the state to register to vote? to shout in the streets. Granted, this is a lazy bourgeois complaint: I have to either make the trek to the post office or © William Perry | Dreamstime.com Tap for Info on Young Actors’ Theater Group HOT SPOTS | By Dian Katz, MS

desert area of California??? Oh, you bet your sweet tush there are! “Come mingle with 100,000 gay tourists from around the world. LGBT tourism is huge for Palm Springs and Pride weekend is the biggest of the year,” say promoters. And check this out. If you are flying in from some other part of the world, promoters also say, “Gay-friendly Alaska Airlines offers 10% discounted fares for Pride.” Well I will be ell did you dreams... For once I want to be chit damned!!! Good for Alaska!! ever think the as cold as ice!! LMAO!! Alright, You know, I have always wanted cooler weather alright, moving on.... just thank to go to Alaska. Especially would come??? GAWD it’s cooler when it has been so fricken hot Hallelujah! here!!!@#% Oops. I did it again. WI know this column goes out No that wasn’t Brittney. Just around the globe and many of me.. Stay focused Dian. Stay you are probably saying, “what focused. And guess what ladies. the...!” But look, I am writing There is even an Official Ladies this column in my little office in Party of Palm Springs going on southern effin California. We are during the festival. It’s called: experiencing a drought and have 2ND ANNUAL PRIDE CHIX been getting the hottest weather MIX. Hmm, that name reminds in the world!!!! Sheesh!! Can me that I didn’t eat my breakfast someone get me another bucket this morning. Oh my bad. I’m of ice!!!! I was ready to call upon around here!!! SORRY!! It just reminded me of all of the ice bucket challengers cereal. I’m hungry. Nothing better There is some PRIDE still going in the world and have one big than having a bowl of Chix Mix!! on in Palm Springs this month. party at my place. Just drop all of hahahaha... No seriously, this Yup, you’ll want to head over to that ice right here baybeeeeee... party is going to rock!! For more the PALM SPRINGS PRIDE Oh my bad.. I have just been info head over to: pspride.org. FESTIVAL on November 7-9! going on and on and forgot all Did you know there were “you- PINK PARTY #5 ICELAND is about you readers. Okay, I didn’t knows” at this time of year in the hosting their party on November reeeeeally forget about you but 8. Did I really say Iceland? Why, I just got all caught up in my ice yes I did!!! Yahooooo!!! That 1/2 why not attend: DRIVE YOUR UHAUL! RELATIONSHIP SKILLS WORKSHOP - SINGLE LESBIAN & BI WOMEN. “This fun workshop is designed to help you get a clearer sense of qualities to look for in a means snow!! That means big a** camp comedy via circus and potential mate. Our exploration ice blocks!! That means a chill song. Stay late and dance with will include developing methods in the air!!!! I am moving there Swing City’s DJ Boundary,” say of identify your “compliment” and living in an igloo for a period organizers of Cabarration. This and specific themes common of time until I cool down!!! Oh sounds like lots of fun. I’m in! in relationships, says the event there I go again. Sorry! Sorry!!! Who else? Meet me in the coldest promoters. I’m sure there are But they said Iceland!!! Ahem, spot of the room! For more info plenty of you who could use there will be dancing, and music type: www.springout.org.uk/tag/ this. But my only question is “do and so much more... and yes, lesbian-events/. they have air conditioners at the there will be ice baybeeeeee!!!! facility??” LOL. events.sfgate. How would you like to stay at a Pile it on would ya!!! They also com. fabulous resort that is only for... say they will be giving out free WOMEN!!! OLIVIA is hosting November begins the holiday glitter and have a makeup-station its HARD ROCK HOTEL season. Here in the USA, for those who need to “glam-up.” VALLARTA from November many celebrate the holiday of Hey, I am all about the glam up 1-8! Hard Rock and Vallarta??? Thanksgiving. It’s a time to if it involves ice and snow and Now that’s what I’m talking give thanks. It’s also the perfect NO HEAT!! Well, okay, okay, about!! Imagine spending eight time of the year to go out and maybe a little body heat but not days and seven nights hanging volunteer at places where sun heat. You know what I mean? out with around oh, 700 women. those less fortunate need us. I I’m tired of slathering on my 95 Oh, and did I forget to mention... encourage all of you to take a sunscreen. Oh sorry, sorry.. This in paradise! Come on! This moment and decide where you party will be awesome!! For sounds like a party.. And YES, can help another this season. more info: www.facebook.com/ I can definitely handle the heat If you have the time, many events/522275921196548/ a little while longer. I mean charities, hospitals, homeless Hey you gals in England and seriously, this kind of heat is shelters and other places need Wales!! I have an event for okay in my book.. I’ll cool off you. You can even go to a senior you!! CABARRATION: afterwards!! hahahah. There will retirement home and ask if ABERRATION MEETS be dancing, outstanding food volunteers are needed. Oh how CABARET on Saturday and so much more. Olivia puts many of these elderly folks would November 8th at the Great on some of the best events and love someone to talk to and share. Hall, Aberystwyth Arts Centre. cruises and now they are taking Of course doing things such as Hmmm, wondering to myself, over this whole resort during this should be all year long but is it cold there this time of year? the beginning of November. especially during the holidays I bet it is! I probably should go For more information, : www. when it’s even harder to be alone make my reservations right now olivia.com/Travel/Trips_ and/or struggling. I am thankful and quit typing. LOL! Oh how I HardRockHotelVallarta.aspx. for all of you LN readers out jest! I was just seeing if you were there and wish you all a happy Are you living in San Francisco listening! This event is for the November... and struggling with your lesbian LGBT community and the talent relationship? Here’s a Hotspot consists of “queer burlesque to for you... On November 2nd, 2/2 © Hypnocreative | Dreamstime.com THEORHETICALLY SPEAKING Ancient Papyrus | By Nikki McCauley

special moment time stands still Optical flow and lens flares Curves and angles glide connecting floating around- soft steps, Sound, my friend again September’s synergy, renewing me, search and see… Palpable, like dew. Morning, residue, evidence of change ABut cautious, like navigating oceans cruelest shores Walking, talking, hand and hand imaging - weather patterns Breezes, winds blowing, feet, directing me No desire to know where I am going? Going…

Street lights no more… stars in the night sky guiding light lite from above - soap opera saga, Day and night time TV - images of enmity Where is this light taking me... Like Jimmy Fallon’s routine- Bill Maher HBO, Time Warner thing Art imitating life? If reality TV is art then let art imitate me

Fragmented messaging - seeds of fragmented reality and the audience is feeding - seats in the arena filled with entertain me! Areas cleared for the drilling - heavy lifting

Roman empire risen secure and in position Calm the savages taste for blood - give them more violence to witness! VIPER Pits… lions attacking men, run from the bulls until - the trampling ends… Send them home, they’ll celebrate tonight - tomorrow they’ll beat their wives and “kids”… savages

Ray Rice incident…re-released at the height of senate appropriations to provide military style methods of containment and weaponry in to the police force - on whose authority?

Ray Rice was caught red-handed in February- in a hotel casino where cameras are prevalent, this repetition, Roger Godell, Baltimore Ravens All complicit! Fans of extreme violence cry aloud for justice of domestic violence…stand for non violence flag football the outcome! Decisions!

Agendas- Chess not checkers - black ops strategy, Mass communication numbs connections, multitasking kills excellence, pharma comes.… Management over challenges and computers come, fear of being replaced well you know where I am going…

It’s lonely but only for a short while… complacency from familiarity…the scene is set, sit, lie, fetch…. Pet the trained seal, amazing, amusement….AWE, ah…god like gravity - it’s a law. Emotional principle, particles….THEY Are asleep now, send in the sharks… Just give them legs and teach them to talk ….SET The clock

Familiarity, enemy of awareness- The conscious state of awakening…wake up! Hundreds of thousand of children are missing yearly… where is the balance? If house wives/husbands are so interesting then what about the children? A milk carton or signage!? Digital is marginal when spamming is part of the dangling participle - Disconnected, divided states, divided minds, masses distracted End of human kind… savages?

Seems we all play a part… sick sad wrong… sick sad song… Miley Cyrus twerks on Robin Thicke when children are being abducted - sold - made into sex slaves - Disappointed citizen outraged … at the silence, lack of empathy, lack of shame, loss of humanity… who would rather be entertained than to engage in the truth!

Woman are being murdered for ending relationships - police are murdering unarmed men, beating woman, murdering children…tazing people to death, the president is unprotected, women still not equally paid, sexism, racism, elitism, hatred …

The divided states of America… has become the axis of intimidation; fear springs from its mouth streams too many to name here

Sound the alarms daily and there is no safety… silence, while I reintroduce I pledge of allegiance - the United States - one nation…

here are plenty of times him. A little old Jewish lady in Nazi. in our lives when we see the market saw his German flag something happening stickers on his car and called Although I wouldn’t have to another individual him a “Nazi scum.” Angered by said something as cruel as my and suddenly have her remark he traded insults by gentleman friend, how different Tan “A-HA!” moment about saying, “It’s too bad we didn’t am I? How many times have I ourselves. It’s in these moments finish the job!” He later said he encountered haters and wanted that we have a huge opportunity didn’t really feel this way but to “one up them” to show them to change something within us was so upset by this old lady’s a thing or two? But I wasn’t that can help us for a lifetime. comments, he wanted to retaliate. showing them anything other On the other hand, ignoring what than how I couldn’t hold my Now I know she was being we intuitively pick up on about temper or my tongue. ignorant but I also was blown ourselves, can lead us to making away by my friend’s response. What if we could respond from some grave mistakes. So why However, something else was a place of knowing the haters not choose to learn from these happening. Being the observer, or wrong doers are just hurting moments? I had just one of those I realized a bigger picture and fearful? Would we not treat teachable instances. unfolding. This little old woman them differently than lashing Observing an upsetting Facebook was probably hurting so much out at them? And would it not thread the other night, made me over the Nazi atrocities, she was become a teachable moment for more aware of my own defects of unable to see the larger truth that all involved? Perhaps the next character. A gentleman Facebook not everyone who is German is a time we are triggered, we can try friend was sharing something to respond in a way we will be to his friends that happened to proud about later. 1/2 Now this sounds so easy and of the better we can handle things can assure you, I am not a Nazi. course we all know, when we that trigger us. And just what I love my country but I don’t get mad, sometimes we react! about this anger. Is it healthy? love what happened there.” This However, like I mentioned may or may not have changed There certainly is nothing wrong earlier, how we react definitely the woman in any shape or form. with being angry or expressing says a lot about us. Are we However, it might have cracked it. In fact, expressing anger is reacting like a child or are we open the door and who knows, healthy both physically and reacting like a mature adult maybe she would have thought mentally. Holding onto anger individual? For many, lashing about it. can cause an array of physical out in anger is commonplace. illnesses and depression. So, The gentleman could walk away And what’s even worse, some again, there is nothing wrong first, without being angry and think nothing is wrong with this with the actual anger. What is secondly, with his dignity. He behavior and they are entitled to considered wrong is “how” one would have acknowledged that respond this way. If only these expresses anger. A sharp tongue this little old woman was very folks could see that they are not can do damage to another that can distraught and not seeing clearly. being the best person they can be. have a lasting impression. For Perhaps responding this way may Of course they probably could example, think of some parents have also helped this gentleman care less about that too. The only who lash out at their children experience empathy. He could way others will cease responding calling them terrible names. This walk away with a knowing that in these ways is when they are gives children the message they he handled a situation and a ready and some will never be are worthless and opens the door spark before it became a fire. ready. for low self esteem and other Lastly, not only would this have For those who are never ready or emotional problems. Children been such a better way to deal refuse to change their ways, this need to be praised and told that with this situation, it would help column won’t be of much help. they are worthy. But guess what? him in other situations across the These folks have not internally So do adults. board that anger him. When we arrived to the point where they express healthy responses in one So when we get angry, it’s will take responsibility for their area, it reinforces the behavior important that we take a moment actions. In other words, they are and makes it much easier to do it before reacting. Take a long, the blamers of the world. It’s again in other areas. So he would deep breath and let it out while everyone else’s problem, not have also been doing a service to thinking. We can count to five theirs. Well at least that’s what himself. or do just about anything before THEY think. Unfortunately, they we open our mouths and say All he had to do was become the may never arrive to the point something we will regret. observer and not react. Being an of changing their ways. It’s so observer to an upsetting situation ingrained and they just aren’t If we think about the original can sometimes turn out to be a willing. They will make a wake example of the older woman and blessing in disguise... of damage to others throughout the gentleman who lashed out, their lives and have difficulty how could this have had any in relationships. Now for those different outcome? Of course it who ARE willing to change would have been very difficult for the better let’s move on to to stop the older woman with discuss what we can do to better her verbal assault considering ourselves. her age and the fact she had probably been through some The fork in the road so to speak extremely difficult times. The is when we decide to react or act. younger gentleman could had We all know how hard it is to not stepped back, taken a breath and react. The more we work on this, said, “you sound very hurt and I 2/2 © Skypixel | Dreamstime.com

POLITICALLY SPEAKING

Same Ol’, Same Ol’ Or A New Course? | By Donna Wade | By Donna Wade find myself in a bit of a pickle pundits grudgingly admitted the seat, dividing the vote and this month, because the biggest were well-prepared and skillfully his message of getting big money story of November 2014 is articulated, Grimes is making the out of politics is resonating with whether or not Democrats case that she is the Senator of the voters. hold their majority in the US future while McConnell represents Of the seven critical races for ISenate. My problem is that my the Kentucky of the past. the Senate, all are either within deadline for the November column In a contest Democrats thought the margin of error and/or have a is almost a month before election they’d lose handily, they’ve got a large percentage of still undecided day! What’s a political junkie to surprisingly close race for Senate voters. It all depends on the do but prognosticate? in South Dakota. Progressive turnout. Several odds makers, As I write, Kentucky Secretary Democrat Rick Weiland, an including Nate Silver, the king of State, Democrat Alison advisor to former Senate Majority of political polling analysis, give Lundergan Grimes, has a slight Leader Tom Daschle, surged to the Republicans a 69% chance of 2-point edge in polls over the within a few of percentage points regaining the Senate. They have Koch brothers’ pet turtle, Senator of his Republican opponent, to win Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Mitch McConnell, with almost former Governor Mike Rounds. Iowa, Kentucky and Louisiana, 10% undecided. Bolstered by an His campaign is aided by two where Republican candidates impressive debate performance independents on the ballot for are projected to have a 65-75% which even conservative media chance of winning. But the odds of 1/2 winning all six without losing any only uphold but expand Citizens gain entry into the inner circles of of their existing seats has a much United, McCutcheon and Hobby power. bleaker forecast, at only 24%. Lobby. If Hillary runs for president So, I assume this mid-term election I’ll bet that’s just for starters. upon the ruins of what a veto- will play out like most others, with McConnell’s been plotting for proof Republican majority will depressingly low voter turnout, this day for 30 years and he stands have wrought, I predict it will somewhere around 25% and to lose the majority in 2016, so be a cakewalk, unless Elizabeth Mitch McConnell’s fantasy world I expect immediate overreach, Warren reconsiders. Then we’ll will begin to take form. trying to cram through Congress see whether her swings to the in a scant two years the same dark side were deep conviction or And it won’t be pretty. old, tired, right-wing, white political accommodation. We can Even if it’s an extremely close hetero male, trickle-down agenda hope the first woman POTUS will result, Republicans will claim a (to marginalize and impoverish be radically different in approach mandate for every right-wing, everyone else to benefit a few). from the other 44 but I wouldn’t reactionary, corporate ass-kissing, count on it. No administration in Then, I think, will be the national planet-destroying, misogynistic, the past 50 years has panned out tipping point. Enough of us anti-choice bill they ram through as conceived or promised because will finally have had our fill of the last two years of Obama’s of a lack of citizen participation. men in power seeking to repeal presidency. House Republicans Congress gets away with ignoring progress. We will realize that the have been salivating over the voters because we stopped forcing Republican Party of today is more thought of impeaching the them listen to us. That must change. an organized crime family running President and with the Senate in a con game. No longer a well- On a holiday note, if you’re Republican hands, what’s to stop intentioned political adversary and planning a traditional them? sometime source of amusement, Thanksgiving meal with turkey But that may not be such a bad it is a formidable adversary of and all the trimmings, you may thing for an upcoming Clinton representative democracy and the find a shiny American Humane campaign or for the future common good. We empower it with Certified label on your Butterball prospects of the Democratic party. our apathy and acquiescence, so if packaging. Consumer Reports Because once we hand crazy they won (or stole) this election. rates the label as ‘somewhat useful.’ people the keys to the convertible, only “we the people” will be able The label requires producers we’ll be treated to two years of to stop them with our landslide of to provide adequate food and policies and deregulation that ballots in 2016. clean water and ensure that the loosen all constraints on the lords animals are “free from pain and I take issue with Hillary’s of unbridled capitalism, sending unnecessary stress,’” among other hawkishness and her slow the nation on an economic wild rules. However, CR found that a evolution on marriage equality ride to rival the last flight of number of the requirements in the but I hope that those positions Thelma and Louise. American Humane standards are were more political calculus than current industry practices. And all Mitch McConnell promised the strongly held belief. You don’t requirements do not need to be met Koch brothers he will block any get a chance to create change for producers to be certified. Don’t effort to raise the minimum wage from within a male-dominated think that just because it bears the and he will also ram through institution (or even get to play with label, your bird was raised more approval of the environmentally the boys, really) without at least humanely than on a factory farm. disastrous Keystone XL pipeline. pretending a degree of support He claimed the worst day of his and respect for the existing power Have a terrific holiday, and happy political life is when they passed structure and players. The old “go trails! the McCain-Feingold campaign along to get along” is an age-old finance reform bill, so I think it’s tactic and most women hate it a good bet he will strive to not but it is sometimes necessary to 2/2 © Cienpies Design / Illustrations | Dreamstime.com TRAVEL Vendange Carmel Inn | By Lillian Jensen

am a devoted fan of a TV heavy rollers who make an offer don’t always know what to do program that is gaining in to join them in their product. Some with them. We may discover a popularity every week. The are not sure how much income they “better mousetrap” only to find we title is “SHARK TANK.” I’m are now getting. Others overvalue are really lost in creation. We also sure many of you are also their product by millions of dollars. may be scared to try to develop Isteady fans of this program that Some are not sure how to go to the our ideas - money is hard to come introduces budding entrepreneurs next step. Many cannot decide if by -we don’t know how to begin - to a panel of extremely wealthy an offer is good or not and so lose we can’t figure out the first step, or and savvy business people. The their opportunity to be chosen by the second and so on. whole idea is to get the smart and the “sharks.” I definitely know the feeling. So successful members of the panel If you watch this program many people told me I should open to invest in their product. consistently, you wonder how my own business when I was much The range of products and new people can come before this astute younger. To me, it seemed like a ideas is amazing. Some make it panel and really have no idea frightening thought. How would and others do not. Sometimes the what they want to do. They must I know what to do? Where would judges clash to get a piece of the realize the power of the “Sharks” I get the money? How would I action. It’s also an amazing array and know that if they are offered manage my finances, hire people, of personalities who come before a deal, they must be prepared find a location etc. No, it always the panel. Every so often, the to consider it fully and make a seemed easier to work for others. I program flashes back to the time decision - right there and then. If felt that way, I could sleep at night. some of the chosen ones came to the they turn down the offer, they must So...I let my dreams go by and left program. Then they move ahead to be fully aware of what they are owning a business to others. present time to see the enormous doing - as this perhaps, could be I’m not saying I’m unhappy but success they have made. It’s mind the road to riches. The offers may every once in a while, I think back boggling to see how ideas and not always be in the best interest to “what if.” Who knows if I made products have mushroomed and of the budding entrepreneurs.... the right decision? made their inventors and investors but the inventors must be alert and millions. consider all facets of the offered partnership. The most disappointing thing about the people who come before You know, our lives are like that the panel is that they are often too. We all have great ideas from unprepared to bargain with these time to time. The problem is we © Odua | Dreamstime.com

LESBIANS ON LOCATION

Dick Price, Program MC Carl Matthes ACLU Awards Pasadena

ACLU Pasadena Awards Party

Pablo Alvarado Marvin Schachter

Sharon Kyle Gail Roth and Virginia Uribe Descanso Gardens Pumpkin Event

INTERVIEW WITH FILMMAKER ROLLA SELBAK | By Michel Khordoc

ut filmmaker Rolla juicy details from Guinevere Turner and producing the S.F International Selbak has released and how she came up with the title Women’s On-line Film Festival. a new online “The L Word” and much much more. We all know her as the mastermind “interview” series Season One kicked off on August behind the web series sensation “Kiss called “Grrl’s Guide 10th with episode one featuring an Her I’m Famous” starring Tracy To Filmmaking,” in which she shares O up close and personal interview with Ryerson and Ilea Matthews, which her personal Hollywood vlogs as she Faith Soloway, which is streaming satirizes the booming business of the visits some of the freshest female on: www.tellofilms.com sex tape madness and how celebrity filmmakers making it happen today. wannabes utilize their home movies Selbak is a triple-minority in the Grrl’s Guide To Filmmaking offers as a ticket to greater stardom and a filmmaking world: she’s queer, an an exclusive glimpse behind the major payday. But Selbak carries Arab-American and a woman. But scenes, showing the magic, behind a filmmaking dossier that may that hasn’t stopped the self-taught the magic. very well rival some of the most auteur from writing, directing and prominent out female filmmakers in Selbak sneaks us into the Paramount producing films that matter to her. the industry. writers room with Faith Soloway, An award winning filmmaker who is writer on the breakthrough Amazon Selbak’s impressive credits part of the San Francisco Women’s series Transparent; stumbles into include writing and directing the Film Institute Leadership council, Cathy DeBuono’s backyard; gets the internationally acclaimed feature she is also responsible for creating film “Three Veils”, starring Sheetal LN: For those who aren’t familiar LN: Speaking about LGBT film Sheth (Looking for Comedy in with your web series, how would festivals, what do you think they a Muslim World, I Can’t Think you briefly describe it? accomplish for LGBT filmmakers - Straight), Mercedes Masohn (666 especially considering the fact that RS: GGTF is a series where I Park Ave) and featuring Eric Avari most of these indie films never cross combine my own personal camera- (Heros, The Mummy). over to mainstream? phone vlogs, along with the candid Her previous feature, “Making interviews of some of the freshest RS: It’s a celebration and expression Maya,” has found a successful female filmmakers today. of our voices and our communities. I niche within the independent film would also say that some filmmakers LN: What do you hope to world, and has been screened at film indeed do cross over! Think of accomplish with “Grrl’s Guide to festivals and universities nation- Guinevere Turner, or Angela Filmmaking?” Is there a message wide. She was announced a Winner Robinson or Christine Vachon. It you wish to convey? of the LinkTV’s One Nation Many definitely happens, it’s just a matter Voices film competition in 2008 for RS: The vision is to create something of what the trajectory of their career her documentary “Green Blue Sea,” inherently more compelling than just a filmmaker wants to take. Believe profiling a young, Palestinian scuba two people in a chair. or not, mainstream is not the goal of diver and his profound respect for every filmmaker out there ;) I feel audiences always appreciate a the ocean. little voyeurism. If you have a dream LN: On that subject, there’s been She is known to delve into subject and want to follow others’ journeys an obvious effort from most of matters that bear distinctively bold, in achieving theirs, this show is these LGBT film festivals to include thought-provoking and compelling definitely for you. films with A-list celebrities. Do qualities. It’s no surprise this you think it defeats the purpose of LN: Why do you think it’s important established filmmaker/Palestinian what the festival originally stood to bring the spotlight to women native has been invited to speak for - meaning give a platform for filmmakers in our community? at multiple panels on independent unknown indie filmmakers and filmmaking and women in the arts RS: We have to create things to actors to be seen. and was a grant panelist for the 2008 combat the abysmal statistics out RS: I think there’s room for both Regional Arts & Culture Council of there about women behind the A-lister movies and real, grass-roots Oregon. camera. To show that there are indie films. I do think that there’s indeed many fiercely talented women Her other notable achievements an awful trend where the balance is out there and to spark creativity in include scoring and writing music shifting towards the A-lister movies, others who are discouraged by the for her films and being a recipient of not just in LGBT film festivals but current landscape. the inaugural Women’s Vision Film all other film festivals around the grant for her screenwriting, awarded LN: More often than not, lesbian world. Look at Sundance. I mean by the Faerie Godmother Fund. filmmakers are underrepresented it’s almost like a small corporate especially when you look at machine. But you know, everyone The Lesbian News caught up with the attendance/representation has to grow and it’s bound to happen the amazing filmmaker to talk about ratio between male and female that something that starts off small her new web series, filmmaking and filmmakers at some of the most and successful, will end up different women in Hollywood. prominent LGBT film festivals like than how it started out. LN: What is the inspiration behind Outfest. Why do you think that is? So now, we just need a new indie “Grrl’s Guide to Filmmaking”? RS: Trust me, this will change and revolution to counter that, just like What motivated you to do this it’s through women like these who Sundance once was. And I think that project? are excited to be a part of the series, revolution starts on-line. RS: I wanted to celebrate the thriving who share the most truthful account LN: Going back to Grrl’s Guide to female filmmaker geniuses out there of their journey. They indeed prove Filmmaking: How did you select and in turn inspire others to pick up a that you and you alone, are both the the filmmakers you’ve interviewed? pen, a camera, an editing system and writer, and the reader of the story of Did you follow specific criteria? be a part of the women storytelling your life. So don’t be boring! revolution. RS: Each person I pick is for a different reason and is someone I corporate machine with mostly book 15 years ago, Guinevere was have a certain connection with. In dinosaurs that are averse to risk the only woman in that book. I the episodes, I tell the audience at (because there’s an insane amount earmarked that section and read it the very beginning how I met the of money involved), that they don’t over and over. She inspired me to person I’m about to interview, where want to “risk it”. write films. we met (or if we did) and why the LN: What are some of the obstacles In the episode, she autographs the interview means something. you’ve faced as a filmmaker who book that first inspired me all those LN: How did you prepare for each is openly out, a woman and of years back. It was very emotional. of your one-on-one conversation? Palestinian origins? Do you feel LN: What is the one advise you Were your interviews question- there is still a certain level of would you give to young aspiring based or improvised? discrimination when it comes to lesbian filmmakers? ethnicity, sexual-orientation and RS: I tried to prepare questions gender? RS: Watch my show! (as you can see in episode 1, I fail miserably at it) But for the most RS: I actually wrote on Huffington No, but in all seriousness, I would part, it’s all improvised and a lot of Post about my thoughts on this, a say study and watch as much content unexpected stuff happens. Also, the post entitled: Brown Girl Passing as possible. Things you love, things cameras are rolling all the time, so for a White Guy: http://www. you hate, guilty pleasure, things you you get a lot of candid interactions huffingtonpost.com/rolla-selbak/ would never ever consider watching. in between takes. brown-girl-passing-for-a-white- guy_b_3721564.html Watch them once for entertainment, LN: Who would be your dream then watch them again and really person to interview? LN: Generally speaking, lesbian analyze why you connected or filmmakers tend to make lesbian- didn’t connect for you. Understand RS: Aisha Tyler. Straight up. themed movies. Do you think yourself as a viewer first, deeply LN: Grrl’s Guide to Filmmaking it’s limiting or do you believe it’s understand your taste, then set out zooms in on women filmmakers. actually helping shed more light and to create something you yourself Do you think a male director might bring exposure to the many female would be love to see on-screen, with have handled the making of this talents in the LGBT community? no fear. project differently? How did being RS: I think anytime someone makes Keep on creating. That’s the only a female filmmaker affect how this a movie that means something to way you’ll evolve and learn about web series got made? them and is expressing something yourself creatively. Classes can RS: I’m not sure how they might creatively that they need to express, teach you technique but no one can have handled it. But I do know that is a very, very good thing. No matter teach you taste. That comes from maybe it would have been received what it is. you and you alone. in a different way. I think the fact that LN: What is a question you wish LN: What else can we expect to a woman produces, directs and edits I would have asked but obviously see from Rolla Selbak in the near the series about women filmmakers didn’t that you feel is relevant to future? adds an extra layer of empowerment. your web series? RS: I’m currently creating a series LN: The general consensus on a RS: Where can audiences watch called Black Perls, about a group broader “Hollywood” scale is that GGTF? New episode every Sunday of renegade female hackers in the filmmaking seems to be mostly a on the www.tellofilms.com network! 90s. I’m also producing a very dark male-dominated field, why aren’t documentary about a serial killer, more women actually making LN: What is an anecdote from which I’m going to be announcing movies? the making of “Grrl’s Guide to pretty soon. Filmmaking” that is the most RS: Oh but they are! And that’s what memorable? You can always catch me on twitter I hope to highlight in this series. @RollaSelbak or on my site www. They absolutely are making movies, RS: In episode 5, I interview rollaselbak.com to follow all the creating, telling stories, editing, Guinevere Turner and that meant exciting stuff coming up! writing, directing, producing. It’s so much to me because when I first just that Hollywood is such a gigantic picked up my first screenwriting SUSAN ST.THOMAS Watercolor& Mixed Media Paintings

usan St. Thomas M.A. Grace Cathedral. Her work has www.sebastopol-gallery.com is a Sonoma County been featured in several books Susan lives with her partner and fine artist who draws and widely published as art cards, their cat friends in a 110 year old her inspirations from calendars and prints. remodeled schoolhouse in the dreams, myths and the Susan has been an adjunct redwoods of Northern California unseen realm of the natural world. S faculty member in the graduate where she also has a studio, gallery She is devoted to creating images arts program at John F. Kennedy and garden with stone labyrinth. which touch the spirit, evoke a University in Berkeley and sense of peace and harmony and currently teaches through the Santa remind us of the multi-dimensional Rosa JC, Schoolhouse Studio and world in which we live. Her unique leads other arts workshops in paintings have been exhibited the Bay Area. She is a founding extensively in the U. S and Europe member of Sebastopol Gallery including shows in Beverly Hills, with 14 other artists where she Amsterdam and San Francisco’s shows and sells her work SUSAN ST. THOMAS GALLERY Tap on each image to see a larger version of artwork.

“Stardust Reveries” An exhibit of celestial abstract art by Susan St. Thomas at the Sebastopol Gallery, 150 N Main St Sebastopol CA 95465. www. sebastopol-gallery.com. 707 829- 7200 With over 40 years as a professional astrologer, Susan combines her fascination with the language of the stars and her lifelong expression as an artist. This collection is inspired by the images captured by the Hubble telescope of deep space – a boundless realm of ever changing form. Susan uses layered glazes of acrylic to create depth and a dance of light and color, sometimes mixing media and collage. Capable of both precision painting and loose free flowing washes, she integrates a variety of innovative techniques to express her imagination. Rose Masterpol Double Style | By Peter Frank n her work of the past three apparent. Masterpol recapitulates of De Kooning, Picasso, et al, as years Rose Masterpol has that influence with remarkable just that examples of spirit, more been oscillating between a intelligence and sensitivity: these important to her for their attitude drawn line, animated by color are genuine, unabashed Abstract than for their manner. She has as well as its own flagellating Expressionist works right down learned from them, for instance, Itrail, and a more painterly stroke to their Surrealist reliance on the to pace herself across a visual that provides given expanses with impulsive mark and their Cubist field but the pace she maintains is texture as well as hue. The drawn articulation of space. entirely her own. She has learned line assumes a rhythmic animation to segue strategically from color akin to graffiti writing and on The irony is that Masterpol¹s to color rather than simply dump occasion even cartoon caricature, more ³historic² painting is, if paint in various areas but the colors seeming almost choreographed. anything, less studied than her result from her own perception, Here Masterpol, deliberately or more ³contemporary² work. When and her segues embody her own not, proposes a translation of hip- she responds to the bold moves sensibility. With every lesson hop and other urban dance into and bright contrasts of today¹s learned, Masterpol finds herself non-objective painting, perhaps pop idioms she picks up on more profoundly as a painter. even a kind of notation; certainly, their stylizations no less than on she is re-purposing the energy of their power; she reflects the fact Rose Masterpol would seem to be the ³street² to painterly effect. that, even while they depend on two painters in one. In fact, she boundless invention, the popular is one painter paying attention That level of energy carries over arts allow their artists limited to two modes of expression. into Masterpol¹s larger, even more freedom. Like any good pop artist, Both those modes are urgent and ambitious canvases; but in these, Masterpol capitalizes on such convincing, and she responds to she puts aside the self-conscious restraint by playing off it, letting both with insight, conviction, and project of contemporary reflection restricted modality amplify her unmistakable personality. Those and allows herself the luxury inventiveness. two modes would seem to have of pure painting. If the ³drawn² little to say to each other; but, like paintings manifest a vigorous but For truly liberated painting, someone brought up bi-lingually, studied response to pop culture, however, she turns to a tradition Masterpol speaks both with poetic the ³painted² paintings embody of liberty that she can only inherit fluency and effortless translation, Masterpol¹s equally fervent but from fellow painters. In this regard, finding and building vivid entirely spontaneous response Masterpol proceeds in the wake connections between them. to artists who have come before of her influences with voluble her. She cites Joan Mitchell, confidence, studying and ³feeling² For more information on Rose Pollock, Picasso, De Kooning, rather than simply imitating their Masterpol’s works, please Kline, and Motherwell as models, imagery or their method. Indeed, visit her website and their influence is readily she comprehends the examples ROSE MASTERPOL GALLERY

Tap on each image to see a larger version of artwork. FEMASTROLOGY | By Victoria Bearden

ovember begins known as the God of War and Pluto rolling in a very positive way for with the Shadow of can sometimes come off a little the upcoming holiday season. Mercury Retrograde like a Grand Inquisitor, deciding Hooray! still lingering. But ones fate. The combination of Femastrology Horoscopes for at least we are out the two with the accompanying November 2014 Nof the woods! Most of October square to revolutionary Uranus in was dominated by that somewhat Aries could pack a real punch. I’d For all the Sun Signs: Tie up loose annoying influence, so the fact give this planetary combination a ends and solve problems during that it’s fading is good news, at wide berth. So caution is advised the first week of November. As I any rate. You may still notice from November 9 through 15. mentioned, Mercury Retrograde glitches in communication and What to expect? People tend to get is fading fast but there may still challenges with technology for angry, riled up and temperamental be some lingering problems to the first week of the month. during these influences and even solve. Try to get things squared Nevertheless, November will destructive at times. Accidents away as the Taurus Full Moon represent a more accelerated and and confrontation could also be a approaches on November 6th. productive vibration in general, so factor. So, if you see that kind of After November 15 the somewhat take advantage of it! energy about to erupt with loved angry vibes from Mars/Pluto/ ones, friends, colleagues or even Uranus will have subsided and There’s a Full Moon in Taurus strangers…get out of the way! things will really start to feel more on November 6, 2014 which will And watch your own impulses and and more progressive. Planning a shed light on both love and money. reactions carefully, too! Take it party, wedding or event? Try the With the Sun in Scorpio, there slow and tap in to your compassion weekend of November 15 and 16. may be a bit of intensity on the and chill. Then you will be a help Sunday, November 23 is also a emotional front but Venus is also to others who may not have much terrific day for just about anything, in Scorpio at the time of the Full perspective. with a cool trine from the Moon Moon, which will soften things in Sagittarius to Jupiter in Leo. some and put the emphasis on sex, The New Moon in Sagittarius on Lucky stuff! Opportunity Periods: love and compassion. November 22, 2014 should be November 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 15, a refreshing shift in the general If there is a period of November to 16, 17, and 23. mood of the day. With the Sun, approach with caution it will center the Moon and Venus lining up on and around November 10, 2014, together, creativity and enthusiasm when Mars lines up with Pluto in will take hold. This gets the ball Capricorn. Mars is traditionally © Starblue | Dreamstime.com Femastrology Horoscopes for November 2014

Aries (March 21-April 19) Rams born early in Libra (September 23-October 22) Early Libras April will feel the brunt of the Mars/Pluto pairing could feel spun around and upset by the Mars/Pluto/ in Capricorn. Hang in there and keep your cool if Uranus business at the beginning of the month. The possible! You could get pretty cranky. For all Aries, main problems will center on relationships and family relationships will be heating up, money issues will matters. Keep your cool. Things will smooth out by need attention and if something needs to end, LET mid-month. Also, pay careful attention to money and IT! monitor expenditures carefully as you might tend to overextend.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) The Full Moon in Taurus has your name on it! Expect powerful feelings and Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Happy emotional events around November 6. With Venus Birthday Scorpios! Strong emotion and passion will in Scorpio in the mix, things could get steamy in the characterize the start of the month. Venus in Scorpio love department. The general mood? Positive but will make it all feel pretty good! And you’ve almost intense. graduated from over 2 years of work with Saturn in your sign. Things are looking up!

Gemini (May 21-June 20 ) Keep things neutral at work and at home. Pay attention to your health. Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) The first Sound boring? It shouldn’t. Things might be a little part of the month might feel a little quiet, but don’t quiet at the beginning of the month but they will be a let that fool you! Get your inner balance going so lot more exciting toward the end! So, store up some you can take advantage of exciting times towards extra energy for that! month’s end.

Cancer (June 21-July 21) Early Cancers may be in Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Keep your the crosshairs of the Mars/Pluto paring during the cool as the month begins. People will be pulling your beginning of the month. Word to the wise: choose your chain. Don’t take it personally. This is a time to make battles and don’t get involved in the controversies friends and influence people. So, keep your head on of others. They’ll try to pull you in. The good news straight and do that! is you should feel remarkably sexy and creative this month, so have some fun with that! Aquarius (January 20-February 18) Take charge at work and get the job done! Your efforts will be Leo (July 23-August 22) Saturn is still messing noticed! Feeling lucky? You should be! Particularly with you a bit, bringing up issues at home and with if you are single, as Jupiter is sending you good vibes loved ones. But hey, lucky Jupiter is on your side! from the Love Shack! Have fun! Tackle responsibilities, keep your chin up, try not to complain and take advantage of opportunities that will continue to arise! Things will feel particularly Pisces (February 19-March 20) This is a favorable groovy for you towards the end of the month. time for you. Learn, teach, and experience! Make friends with your spirituality and creativity and hang out with people of like mind. Many new things are Virgo (August 23-September 22) Things are possible now. Enjoy them! generally supportive of you now and your ideas are flowing. Communication improves and as the month progresses you will likely get important news about a project or plan. The one catch for early Virgos is the Neptune opposition that’s hanging around. Embrace clarity and if it something seems too good to be true…IT IS. Domestic Abuse / Violence - Get Help Domestic abuse and violence have been front-page news lately, and a topic of discussion throughout the country. The US Department of Justice defines domestic violence as, “a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.” It can be: Physical Sexual Emotional Economic Psychological

If you, or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, there is help out there. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

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Publisher, Editor in Chief Board Members Ella Matthes Gladi AdamsPhD,Sherri Davison, • Carl Matthes, Lee Werbel Assistant Publisher LESBIAN NEWS Gladi Adams, PhD P.O. Box 55 • Torrance, CA 90507 Executive Vice President www.LesbianNews.com Stacy Cantrell • • For Print, Digital Advertising, Executive Editor or for Subscriptions contact / Zoe Edgerton (310) 548-9888 • (800) 458-9888 Arts & Culture Editor [email protected] Teresa DeCrescenzo or [email protected] • or go online at LesbianNews.com Entertainment Editor • Dian Katz National Advertising Representative • Rivendell Media Film Editor (212) 242-6863 John Esther • • Editorial: Music Editor Administration: Nat Burns (310) 548-9888 • Fax: (310) 548-9588 Newsbytes LN Editor E-mail: [email protected] Gillian Kelly • Lesbian News (ISSN 0739-1803) is published monthly by Travel Editor LN Publishing, Inc. Contributions of news tips, stories, Barbara Horngren fiction and photographs are welcome. All submissions • become property of Lesbian News and cannot be returned. Columnists and Contributors: We reserve the right to refuse any advertising that we Victoria Bearden, Christin Brown, Nat Burns, deem to be sexually exploitive or offensive. Publication Terry Decrescenzo, John Esther, Toni Hart, of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles or advertising is not to be construed as any Morag Hillsinger, Barbara Horngren, Sweet Baby J‘ai, indication of the sexual orientation of such person or Lillian Jensen, Dian Katz, Ashley Kelly, Michele Khordoc, organization. Opinions expressed in Lesbian News are not Kelly Lynch, Nikki McCauley, Lynda Montgomery, necessarily those of the Publisher or the Editor in Chief. Kristi Pallino, Juno Parrenas, PhD, Sally Sheklow, Donna Wade, Karen Williams Copyright © Lesbian News, 2014. • Magazine and/or its contents may not be sold or reproduced Creative Director in any form whatsoever without the expressed legal consent Karen Jones of the copyright owner. App Tech Support: The Lesbian News logo and “Lesbians on Location” [email protected] are registered trademarks of Lesbian News. • Circulation and Distribution (310) 548-9888 Jinx Beers Deborah Bergman Founder and Publisher Publisher 1975-1989 1989-1994