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Patricia Dines Freelance Writer, Editor, Public Speaker & Graphic Artist Specializing in Environmental & Community Topics BIOGRAPHY: SHORT VERSION Patricia Dines has been a professional writer, editor, graphic artist, and public speaker for 39 years, serving many thousands of people through her books, newsletters, articles, workshops, and more. Since 1992, she's had a special focus on environmental and community topics, bringing forward useful information that inspires readers, deepens their understanding, and empowers constructive action for a better world. She's also written seven books on local organics, articles for a wide range of periodicals, and educational materials for a variety of organizations. For 22 years, she was the Editor and Lead Writer of The Next STEP newsletter, which gently educated readers about everyday toxics and easy effective alternatives; and author of the Ask EcoGirl column, which ran for 7 years in the Sonoma County Gazette. (EcoGirl lives on via Facebook.) She's also an inspiring teacher and speaker, and has been a guest on various TV shows, where she's shared her cheerful eco-info and tips. Recently, Ms. Dines decided to share more of her personal and spiritual side, in writing and illustrating her beautiful full-color hardcover storybook, "The Goddess Who Forgot That She Was a Goddess." This enchanting and unexpected spiritual story is nurturing and empowering for people of all ages. It sweetly seduces us to peek below our cloaked sadness to discover our core divinity and the place where all hearts join together in the mystery. It has not religious dogma, making it appropriate for people on a variety of spiritual paths, or none. You can read her inspiring and empowering eco-information and actions on her Facebook page. Her past Ask EcoGirl columns, organized by topic, are on her Ask EcoGirl webpage. For more information about Patricia Dines and her offerings, including how to contact her to see how she might serve your periodical or organization, see www.patriciadines.info. You can also read more of her personal and spiritual writing in her personal blog, Life's Sacred Remnants.   BIOGRAPHY: LONGER VERSION Patricia Dines has been a professional writer, public speaker, and graphic artist for 39 years, serving many thousands of people through her books, newsletters, articles, workshops, and more. Since 1992, she's specialized in environmental and community topics, bringing forward useful information that inspires readers, deepens their understanding, and empowers constructive action for a better world. She has extensive knowledge about environmental topics and is passionate about sharing this information with readers in a helpful and empowering way. Her work has been featured in a wide variety of periodicals, locally and nationally, and she's been a guest on various TV shows, including "The View from the Bay" (ABC-TV's San Francisco talk show, hosted by Spencer Christian and Janelle Wang) and "Beyond the Headlines" (ABC-TV's Emmy-award winning public affairs TV show, hosted by Cheryl Jennings). NEWSLETTER EDITOR & AUTHOR. From 2001 to 2023, Ms. Dines was the Editor and Lead Writer of The Next STEP newsletter, which gently educated readers about everyday toxics and easy effective alternatives. In annual surveys, readers consistently gave the newsletter an 85 to 90%+ approval rating, with many giving specific examples of changes they've made in their lives as a result of reading it. (You can also see the portfolio page for this project here.) ASK ECOGIRL. From 2007 to 2014, Ms. Dines produced the monthly Ask EcoGirl column. With compassion and intelligence, EcoGirl makes it easy for readers to bring greener practices into their everyday lives. EcoGirl's mission is to "encourage the eco-hero in everyone" -- because she knows that we're all part of the solution! EcoGirl continues offering inspiring and empowering eco-information and actions on her Facebook page. Her past Ask EcoGirl columns, organized by topic, are on her Ask EcoGirl webpage. BOOK AUTHOR. Patricia Dines also wrote seven editions of two local organic guidebooks, The Organic Guide to San Francisco and The Organic Guide to Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino Counties. Both books have been recommended by a wide range of periodicals, including the TV travel show "Bay Area Backroads" and national magazines such as Bon Appetit and Delicious Living. Recently, Ms. Dines decided to share more of her personal and spiritual side, in writing and illustrating her beautiful full-color hardcover storybook, "The Goddess Who Forgot That She Was a Goddess." This enchanting and unexpected spiritual story is nurturing and empowering for people of all ages. It sweetly seduces us to peek below our cloaked sadness to discover our core divinity and the place where all hearts join together in the mystery. It has not religious dogma, making it appropriate for people on a variety of spiritual paths, or none. For more information about Patricia Dines and her offerings, including how to contact her to see how she might serve your periodical or organization, see www.patriciadines.info. You can also read more of her personal and spiritual writing in her personal blog, Life's Sacred Remnants. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FREELANCE WRITER. Patricia Dines has written articles about ecological and community topics for a variety of periodicals, including NorthBay biz magazine, Common Ground, The (North Bay) Bohemian, The West County Gazette, Steppin' Out magazine, The Environmental Impact Reporter, and The Sonoma County Peace Press. PUBLIC SPEAKER & TRAINER. She also loves connecting with people in person, and has designed, co-created, and spoken at events that have informed and empowered thousands of people. This includes talks and events for: The Health & Harmony Festival, Sustainable Sonoma County, The Peace & Justice Center, Alliance for Democracy, North Bay EcoFest, The Cancer Resource Center, and Community Market. BACKGROUND AS A COMPUTER EDUCATOR. In addition, she brings to her work experience from her previous "incarnation" in the computer industry, where she empowered computer users by writing articles and technical manuals, doing training and training design, and as a computer programmer. For ten years, she served both small companies and major corporations, including Price Waterhouse, Peat Marwick, and EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute). POET & PHOTOGRAPHER. Patricia's poems have been published in We'Moon and Grace Millenium, as well as twice being winners in contests of the Sebastopol Center for the Arts. Her photographs have been displayed in public shows, including Natives by Locals: Photographs of Flora and Fauna, and The Photographers Darkroom Photo Show. EDUCATION. Ms. Dines has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Duke University, with a full major in Theatre Arts (an early sign of her love for both the logical and creative). She was an Angier Biddle Duke Scholar, and awarded Duke's top honorary scholarship, given to students perceived as being likely leaders in their chosen field. She graduated Magna Cum Laude. For more information, see Patricia Dines Portfolio or contact Ms. Dines at pd [at] patriciadines.info.

"We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom. The world henceforth will be run by the synthesizers, people able to put together the right information at the right time, think critically about it, and make important choices wisely." E. O. Wilson, Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge