Teresa Jade LeYung's BLOG

Posts Tagged ‘CA’

To see the list of all the branches of California Writers’ Club  http://calwriters.org

California Writers’ Club – San Francisco Peninsula Branch

May 18, 2013, 10:00 am

Belmont Public Library (just south of Ralston on Alameda de las Pulgas), Belmont, CA

This month’s speaker, author David Corbett, will speak on “The Art of Character: Creating Memorable Characters for Fiction, Film and TV.” The meeting begins at 10 a.m. at the Belmont Public Library.  $15 for CWC members and $18 for non-members. Students get in for $10 with a valid ID.  First Meeting Free!

For more information about David Corbett, visit

For directions and more information about the meeting and CWC, visit http://cwc-peninsula.org

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California Writers’ Club – Redwood Branch

 Sunday afternoon, May 19, 2013, for the Redwood Writers 

Flamingo Hotel, 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, CA

Author Support Group, 1:00-2:15 p.m. led by Deborah Taylor-French

Registration, Meet and Greet 2:30 p.m.

General Membership Meeting 3-5 p.m. – Meeting starts at 3 p.m. sharp!

Flamingo Hotel, Empire Rooms

2777 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95405-4795, (707) 545-8530

See our website for a map:  www.redwoodwriters.org

 Members $5;  nonmembers $8

“Five Things That Are Killing Your Story” with Jana McBurney-Lin

     In her decades of writing and editing fiction, Jana McBurney-Lin discovered there are five basic elements necessary to bring life into any story. Let her help you breathe life into yours. McBurney-Lin appears on Sunday, May 19 from 3-5 p.m.  Admission is $5 for members, $8 for nonmembers. Sponsored by Redwood Writers. For more information www.redwoodwriters.org

McBurney-Lin is the author of two acclaimed novels. My Half of the Sky (KOMENAR Publishing, 2006) received numerous awards, including Booksense Pick of the Month, Forbes Book Club Pick and Foreword Magazine’s Book of the Year (Honorable Mention). Her recently released novel, Blossoms and Bayonets (Redwood Publishing, 2012), is “suspenseful and deeply affecting,” according to best-selling novelist Caroline Leavitt.

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Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

22-Day Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says:

“Build your writer’s platform and work on the craft, simultaneously with ease.  I’m cheering for you!”

http://writingcoachteresa.com  for Coach Teresa’s list of events; see how she helps her clients.

Next EBRPD public board meeting – Tuesday, May 21, 2013, 2:00pm,  2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA

Let’s all be there to express our concerns.  

When you  speak, our board members do listen.

Great slogans, let’s practice fairness too!   EBRPD Board Members, Please be fair to the Workers who walk the talk of “Healthy Parks Healthy People” at East Bay Regional Park District’s Open Space, Parks, and Trails in Alameda County and Contra Costa County, CA.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

If you cannot voice your opinion in person at the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) public board meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, 2:00pm (I shall be there by 1:00pm with coworkers) at 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, please use your mighty voices (before or after May 7th)  with your emails or regular mail.  Tell your friends and neighbors.   When you  speak, our board members do listen.

In the literacy community, I am known as Writing Coach Teresa who speaks up for public libraries and public schools.  I am also an employee of the East Bay Regional Park District.  My coworkers and I need your help if you believe in fairness.

Please join me in emailing the Park District board members (I’ve made it easy for you by providing their email addresses) and asking them to be fair to the workers who walk the talk/ who deliver what board members and management have pledged in the Park District’s  Core Mission statement ” and the Dedicated to Quality of Life Community Report: A Look Back at 2012; A Look Ahead to 2013 

While workers took hits to our take-home pay over the previous two-year contract, management gave themselves a raise (but called it a different name)

Workers’ buying power has eroded by 11.5% over the past four years.

We the workers care about our volunteers and everyone who visit us at our parks, trails and open space. We’re asking the board members to care about us by practicing fairness.

One simple email from you (to the folks listed below) would be greatly appreciated by me and my coworkers.

1. Pop the addresses into the “To” line of your email so that you’re sending only one email, not nine; depending on your email provider, you may have to add commas or semicolons to separate the addresses.
2. In the subject line, you might insert   “Park District Workers”
3. In the body of the email, express your experience at a regional park, trail, open space (or services you’ve received over the phone or email) and ask the board members to be fair to the workers who walk the talk of “Healthy Parks Healthy People”

“EBRPD Board President John Sutter” <jsutter@ebparks.org>

“EBRPD Board Vice President Ayn Wieskamp” <awieskamp@ebparks.org>

“EBRPD Board Secretary Ted Radke”  <tradke@ebparks.org>

“EBRPD Board Treasurer Whitney Dotson” <wdotson@ebparks.org>

“EBRPD Board Member Beverly Lane” <blane@ebparks.org>

“EBRPD Board Member Doug Siden” <dsiden@ebparks.org>

“EBRPD Board Member Carol Severin” <cseverin@ebparks.org>

“EBRPD GM Robert E. Doyle” <bdoyle@ebparks.org>

“AFSCME Local 2428 President Cliff Rocha” local2428negotiations@gmail.com  Tel:  510-566-5985

U.S. mailing address to Board Members and General Manager:    EBRPD Board, 2950 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland, CA 94605    1-888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757), extension 2020

U.S. mailing address to Local 2428 President Cliff Rocha:  Local 2428 East Bay Parks, 80 Swan Way, Suite 110, Oakland, CA 94621;   Tel:  510-566-5985

    embrace life!   Great slogans, let’s practice fairness too!

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 More information  from AFSCME Local 2428 East Bay Parks:

The AFSCME Local 2428 contract with the EBRPD expired on March 31, 2013 and the District declared an impasse seventeen days later on April 17, 2013.  Prior to impasse declaration, the Union had already filed an Unfair Practice Charge against the District for bad faith bargaining.

Our Rangers IIs are compensated at an average of nearly $6.00/hr. than their counterparts in other East Bay agencies. Our Senior Office Assistants are compensated at an average of nearly $5.00/hr. than comparable positions.

We the Union Employees are seeking a three-year contract that keeps pace with inflation and provides for wage increases that would offset any additional contributions made to retirement while maintaining current health insurance benefits.

The District can well afford a fair contract.  Revenues continue to grow and exceed expenses–boosting a healthy General Fund balance to levels equal to 48% of budget.

While workers took hits to our take-home pay over the previous two-year contract, management gave themselves a raise (but called it a different name)

Workers’ buying power has eroded by 11.5% over the past four years.

Workers were given only two 1% COLA over the past four years;  the 1% didn’t even go into effect until April 1, 2012 which was the second year of the two-year contract that ended March 31, 2013 . . .  while CPI were:

2010  2.4%

2011  2.1%

2012  3.5%

2013  2.4%

These figures are confirmed by  http://www.bls.gov/ro9/9240.pdf

The Park District Board approved “Affirming that Retiree Health Benefits Provided to Management and Confidential Employees Hired or Promoted before January 1, 2003 Were Intended to Be and Are Vested in Said Employees”

while imposing a contract to Workers that:

* offers no wage increases

* forces Employees to pay 2% more toward retirement in violation of the new pension law

* attacks Employees’ rights to vested benefits such as retiree medical

* forces Employees to pay even more for health insurance

According to Approved Minutes Board Meeting Dec. 4, 2012

C-1-d. Affirming that Retiree Health Benefits Provided to Management and Confidential 
Employees Hired or Promoted before January 1, 2003 Were Intended to Be and 
Are Vested in Said Employees
Resolution No. 2012 – 12 – 277 

According to Approved Minutes Board Meeting Dec. 4, 2012

C-1-e. Approval to Modify Management Job Classifications, Titles and Salary Ranges Within the Planning/Stewardship and Development Division

Resolution No. 2012 – 12 – 278 
Director Siden asked why it was necessary to take action today since the study results are still pending.

AGM Mike Anderson explained that staff is trying to get the Chief of Stewardship position filled;

GM Doyle added that it will take some time to go through the hiring process and staff would like the new Chief to be involved in the reorganization process.

According to Approved Minutes Board Meeting August 14, 2012

C-1-z. Approval to Establish the Classification of and the Salary Range for Accounting Manager 

Resolution No. 2012 – 08 – 213 
By motion of Director Wieskamp and seconded by Director Dotson, the Board voted unanimously to adopt Item C-1-z.

Directors Present: Whitney Dotson, Beverly Lane, Carol Severin, Doug Siden, John Sutter, Ayn Wieskamp.
Directors Absent: Ted Radke.

Cliff Rocha, President of AFSCME local 2428, proposed an alternative to the new Accounting Manager position
discussed at Meet and Confer that will keep the position within the bargaining unit to create an opportunity for
promotion for existing union members. At the same time, it would allow work to be done for less cost.
Mr. Rocha provided the current job description of the Assistant Finance Officer to the Board, who he indicated
is responsible for preparing the CAFR.

Brenda Wood, Business Agent for AFSCME Local 2428, asked the Board to vote against this item as the Union
has concerns that the internal process for a new job description was not followed.

Matt Harray, Water Management Assistant, stated that this proposal for a new position lacks vision, and that
Management should fix the District infrastructure.

Sue Kyle, Administrative Analyst, stated that there will be a change in FTE’s contrary to what was written in the
material and that there is no available funding for this position.

AGM Collins stated that the Board material explained that the District has expanded in capacity and complexity
in the past 30 years. CFO Rubaloff responded that there are three managerial positions and explained their
current and expected duties.

Director Wieskamp added that the Assistant Finance Officer has done a tremendous job and sees the need for
the reorganization and that any reorganization plan will still be discussed with the Union. Director Sutter
commented that he has tremendous respect for the CFO and is convinced that there is need to have someone
prepare the CAFR.

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AFSCME Local 2428 East Bay Parks

We are the more than 600 park district employees who are responsible for designing and maintaining park lands and trails; developing naturalist and stewardship programs; and providing fire protection and water safety at the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD).

President: Cliff Rocha
Vice President:Mark Pearson
Secretary: Christina Garcia
Treasurer: Sue Kyle

Eboard At Large
Sharon Corkin
Matthew Harray
William Nichols
Sergeant-At-Arms
Dave Kalahele

Trustees
Marie Arnerich
Donna Cuoco
Greg Mueller

Business Agent - Brenda Wood

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Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan Asking You to Please Use Your Mighty Voices to Ask EBRPD Board Members to Be Fair to Workers.

Thank  you!

                                                                       Thank you, California Writers Club Member Eileen Shaine, for asking me to broadcast these writing contests!

 http://www.fcwriterscontest.org

Sponsored by the City of Foster City Parks and Recreation Department

Contest Fee: $10 per entry
First Place: $250; Second Place: $100

Prizes to be awarded in the following three categories:

FICTION: Personal experiences developed as fiction, have proven to be popular favorites in this category. Not to exceed 3000 words in length.

PERSONAL ESSAY: A personal essay should reflect the writer’s personal outlook on life as gained through personal experience but it must not be an editorial/opinion piece, a proposal to solve an existing geopolitical problem or a dogmatic expression of opinion. Stories in these categories may be written in any narrative point of view, and must not exceed 3000 words in length.

POETRY: Submissions to the Poetry category may be rhymed, metered or free verse on any topic desired by the writer. Poems may be written in any narrative point of view. Typed manuscripts must use double-spacing between lines, quadruple-spacing between stanzas and must not exceed 500 words or two double-spaced pages using a 12 point font.

MANUSCRIPT PREPARATION GUIDELINES:

Manuscripts must be original, previously unpublished, and in English. They must be double spaced on 8.5 x 11 inch white paper with the pages numbered at the top right hand corner. Contestant’s name must not appear on the manuscript. No graphics or illustrations on manuscripts, please. Judges reserve the right to place manuscripts in more appropriate categories. Manuscripts not conforming to said guidelines will be reviewed only at the judging staff’s discretion. Contest judges are not eligible to participate in this contest.

ENTRY FORMS AND FEES:
Entry forms can be obtained either online at the website or by sending a request to the contest email address: <fostercity_writers@yahoo.com> or send a request for an entry form along with a self addressed, stamped envelope to the City of Foster City address (seen below).

A non-refundable entry fee of $10 must be submitted for each entry, made payable to “City of Foster City.” If submitting multiple entries, please remit only one check. International entrants (including those from Canada and Mexico) must submit an international money order in US funds. No credit card payments. Mail your completed entry form and manuscript to:

Foster City International Writers’ Contest
c/o Foster City Parks and Recreation Department
650 Shell Boulevard, Foster City, CA 94404 USA

ONLINE ENTRY SUBMISSION:
Please send manuscript as an attachment (RTF, Word [DOC], PDF, or TXT format) to <fostercity_writers@yahoo.com>. In the email subject line include: Writer’s Contest Entry, Category and your name. Please retain copies of manuscripts as they cannot be returned. Please mail the check along with your completed entry form to Foster City Parks and Recreation.

DEADLINES AND NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS:
Manuscripts will be accepted through September 13, 2013 (postmarks accepted). Manuscripts without fees will not be accepted. Only winners will be notified. Each winner must provide a social security number or the equivalent in order to receive the cash prize. For any general contest information please call: 650.349.0388.

Cheers to all contestants and contest creators and sponsors!

Before you send off your submission . . .  if you’re near San Mateo, CA, please attend my editing workshop on June 8, 2013 on the Literary Arts Stage in the Fine Arts Galleria at the San Mateo County Fair, San Mateo, CA – click here for more info.

Edit Your Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction and Prescriptive Nonfiction with Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa

22-Day Writers’ Platform & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says:

“Build your writer’s platform and work on the craft, simultaneously with ease.  I’m cheering for you!”

http://writingcoachteresa.com  for Coach Teresa’s list of events; see how she helps her clients.

http://www.facebook.com/Teresa.LeYung.Ryan

Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here to encourage all writers to make your names synonymous with the issues you write about, whether  you’re writing fiction or nonfiction.

I learned about the community of Family Emergency Shelter Coalition (FESCO) http://www.fescofamilyshelter.org from author/columnist Yolande Barial http://just-a-mom.us

16th Annual  ”Shelter Shuffle: Striding Toward Home”  is just weeks away

Have you registered for the Shelter Shuffle yet? This year’s goal is $75,000.00 and we need your help to ensure we not only meet, but exceed $75,0000.00. The Shelter Shuffle will take place Saturday, May 18th, 2013, 9:00 A. M. at Meek Park in Hayward, CA. Join hundreds of supporters at this family-friendly, dog-friendly 5K walk! Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and lunch, live band and free tours of the Meek Mansion by the Hayward Area Historical Society .

To register today, please go to www.firstgiving.com/fesco/2013  or call 510-886-5473 to have a paper registration form mailed to your house.

The Family Emergency Shelter Coalition (FESCO) http://www.fescofamilyshelter.org helps homeless families move toward self-sufficiency. Every year, we provide shelter and transitional housing to 300 individuals (80 families) and support to an additional 300 alumni living in the community. We serve families of all configurations. While staying with us, families receive nutritious meals, mental health counseling, housing placement assistance, and focused support to help them identify a path to self-sufficiency and progress to their goals. More than 85% of our families move on to more permanent housing. More of our funding comes from community support than from any other source.

Judith Marshall was in the Critique Group that Lynn Scott, Marcia Naomi Berger and I were members of.

Judith was building her platform while she was writing her novel; Coach Teresa took this photo of Judith at a critique group meeting; this photo has become one of Judith's favorite publicity shots.

Here’s news from Judie!

“I’ve been asked to speak about my writing process and my screen option for Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever at The Chateaus in Pleasant Hill, CA, on Monday, March 11th, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. If you’re in the neighborhood, please come by and say hello.

“Just wanted to let you know that starting tomorrow, March 3rd, 2013, for one week only my novel will be available as an eBook on Smashwords at a 50% discount.  If you know someone who might enjoy the book and who has an eReader other than a Kindle, please pass the information on.  Here’s a link. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/60976  Although not discounted, you can access the Kindle and print versions on Amazon by clicking on the title below my signature.  I’m thrilled that the book has now received more than fifty 5-star reviews on Amazon.

“In other news, I’m expecting the first draft of the script from a new screenwriter next week.  Hope this one is a keeper!

“Thanks for your ongoing support.”

Best,

Judith Marshall

Author of Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever optioned for the big screen.

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan cheering for you!

Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan cares about helping fiction and nonfiction writers build their platforms and work on their craft simultaneously with ease.  She says: “Wear the dual hats as promoter and writer and be happily published. Reach out, not stress out, to materialize your dearest dreams.”

http://writingcoachTeresa.com