Articles written by Ellen Porter

What is Helium

About me - Ellen Porter

I want to be a professional web and magazine freelance writer, and hope to break in with helium.com. I had a long career in newspaper writing and editing in the past. Since moving to Riverside in 2005, I've been trying my hand at a few different things, but

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Jobs & Careers > Career Path & Goals Career change horror stories: 1 of 16
The downtown public relations firm in southern California's Inland Empire seemed like a nice place to work when I first started there. I had high hopes it would be the job that allowed me to sucessfully transition to a career in public relations. I had worked as a journalist for many years, but it wasn't working out to contin... More..
Society & Lifestyle > North American Culture Native mascots: Right or wrong?: 1 of 15
My alma mater's mascot is the Redskins. It always has been and always will be. It is one of only four high schools in California with this so-called "offensive" mascot name. However, it's a name we share with the Washington, DC football team and countless other less well-known teams around the country.Many other schools have ... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: My first doll: 4 of 25
It all started with Linda.I can't remember when I got her. I think it was for my first birthday. I think my mother named her Linda in honor of a friend of hers, who had given me the doll.Linda's head was made of soft molded plastic. It was shaped like a baby's face, but with long hair piled on top as if in a bun. A fabric bow... More..
Entertainment > Music Genres, Trends & Scenes Rock music: Past, present and future: 8 of 47
Historically, music meant different things to different people. In the cities, jazz and rhythm & blues captivated young people, especially African-American teenagers. Out in the rural areas people stomped their feet and clapped their hands to ballads with banjos and fiddles. America was hungry for something new as the 20th ce... More..
Personal Finance > Smart Spending Tips for holiday shoppers: How to endure the mall crowds: 2 of 8
It's shopping time! Everyone, get in your car and go to the mall.No way! There are about 300,000 peopole in my city. If they're all at the mall, how are we going to move our way from store to store? We'll be crushed in a sea of humanity!I know there's no way all 300,000 people in my city will visit the mall simultaneously. Bu... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: My holiday vacation in the mountains: 9 of 32
We had to do it again.In 2000, my husband Don and I climbed to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. We enjoyed a spectacular view of Yosemite Valley. More importantly we enjoyed that we had challenged ourselves on Yosemite's most difficult hike, and we had won. Seven hours after we'd set out on the trail at Happy I... More..
Food & Drink > Wine Determining how much to spend on a gift bottle of wine: 2 of 7
For the wine aficionado on your Christmas list, a bottle is always a good choice. But the most expensive wine you can find may not be, even if money is no object.The first thing to consider is how much you can afford. Wines can cost anywhere from less than $5 to several hundred dollars. You don't want to spend so much on the ... More..
Jobs & Careers > Career Path & Goals How to change careers without going broke: 6 of 18
You want a new career, but you can't afford to live on the wages you'd be paid for entry level work in your chosen field. Are you stuck? Not necessarily.To move forward, take a good look at your current circumstances. If you must take a pay cut to get where you want, belt tightening is necessary. This is also true if you're c... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: My first Barbie: 4 of 11
It was my fifth birthday. My brother's second birthday would be three days later. My mother had invited quite a few children from my preschool to sit with us in the screen patio to enjoy cake, ice cream and our opening of gifts.I don't remember who gave me Midge. Was it my own parents? But, she was there at this wonderful par... More..
Sports & Recreation > Skiing Colorado's best bargains and deals for the weekend skier: 3 of 8
Rx: for the expensive ski vacationA young registered nurse and her stepmom share tips for skiing in Colorado on low budgetsA Colorado skiing vacation can be fun, even if you aren't among the rich or famous.My stepchildren, both in their 20s, love skiing in Colorado. Even though they live in Ohio, they've managed to work Color... More..