: About Me

Twenty-nine years ago a volcano erupted and helped to launch my career in radio. May 18th, 1980, Mt. St. Helens Volcano in southwestern Washington State blew ash and steam 60,000 feet into the sky and blanketed my hometown of Yakima with 2 to 3 inches of soot. I was working part-time at a 5,000 watt AM radio station and was awakened by an early morning call to return to the station. Grey ash the size of snowflakes was falling outside as I carefully drove the 12 miles back to work in pitch black darkness. For 72 hours our little station went into emergency broadcasting mode and fielded calls from frightened listeners in the days before 911 or email. I was put to work during the crisis interviewing forest rangers, city officials and even a State Senator. This fateful event launched my career in radio as the station owner offered me a full-time job following the disaster..

I worked as a DJ for years and produced commercials on the side, but eventually I discovered I had a knack for copywriting and a love of using sound and words to create commercials and features. This led to my eventual full-time move into Production and Creative Services. I began to work with sales people to create engaging commercials gathered from a few facts about a business that wanted to advertise their goods or services on the radio to our station's listening audience.

I love to write, so I approach my job from a storytelling angle, and occasionally I am able to create commercials that are emotionally moving, humorous and entertaining, and yet accomplish our goal of causing a listener to act upon the "selling message".

Although I have had a few ups and downs, I have kept at it and still love what I do. I love helping advertisers tell their story to our radio listeners and I look forward to continuing my production and creative work for many more years.

Today, I dare to add freelance writer to my resume. I believe Helium may help me develop and hone my craft, as I plug into the community of writers on this site. I look forward to reading and rating your handiwork. Cheers!

My passion is ...

writing, of course.

I know too much about ...

Star Trek.

My parents always told me ...

not to run with scissors.

My childhood ambition ...

was to write the "Great American Novel".

My favorite memory ...

is standing on the rim of Haleakala Volcano on a chilly morning.

Why I write ...

I write because it is painful not to.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

I am reading everything Pulizer Prize-winning writer Larry McMurtry has ever written. I am watching LOST and I am listening to Lifehouse.

My first job ...

was picking apples in the Yakima Valley.

My best moment ...

was submitting myself to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

My inspiration ...

has always been music.

Personal Finance > Budgets & Saving Top ten money saving tips for your home

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During these stressful economic times, it is especially important that individuals and families look for practical ways to save money. You need not look any farther than your own home to begin reaping the rewards of saving. There are many simple and inexpensive things you can do today. Here are 10 ways you can begin to save: 1. Start by replacing traditional light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. According to the Energy Star website, CFL bulbs will save upwards of $30 per bulb over its lifetime versus an ordinary bulb and will pay for itself in 6 months. It uses 75 percent less energy...

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Writing:

• Marketplace Approved Writer
• Helium Charter Member