Non-Profit
When I added 'society columnist' to my resume 15 years ago, I took some pride in altering perceptions of how a society column should read. In my time working for the OC Register's Coast Magazine, I've yet to mention what people wear or the cuisine served. Instead, I give readers information about causes that need press. I'm pleased when readers write letters to the editor stating that my column is the only society column they do read.
I wrote my first piece on AIDS in 1988. Since then I've written more articles than I can count. This was not a cause that Orange County's philanthropic set rallied around but I didn't care. Elizabeth Glaser's Pediatric AIDS Foundation was in its infancy stages back then. The Glaser's young daughter Ariel had just died. The Celebrity Carnival gets lots of press and the event is lots of fun. My interview with Dustin Hoffman remains a high point of my career.
Pediatric AIDS Foundation-Celebrity Carnival-1
Ankylosying Spondylitis, A.S,. is not well known even though it affects about 1 million young people in this country. Described as an arthritis of the spine, this genetic disorder is rarely diagnosed until midlife because MD's aren't prone to looking for arthritis in young people. It can be crippling. As with many maladies, early diagnosis is key to keeping this disorder in check.
Ankylosying Spondylitis-L.A.page 1
Santa Barbara's CALM Literary Luncheon is like no other I've ever covered. 850 show up to this annual event now in its 18th year.
Santa Barbara CALM Celebrity Luncheon: Maria Shriver, Jack Canfield, Jonathan Winters et al
