SPIRITED WOMAN NEWSLETTER
Copyright Nancy Mills. All rights reserved.
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CONTENTS
* Spirited Woman Quote
* Editor's Spirited Message
* Spirited Woman Q & A - Linda Deutsch
* Spirited Woman Media Coverage
* Upcoming Spirited Woman Workshops
* Host a Spirited Woman Workshop
* Join the Spirited Woman Club - Get a Free Listing
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SPIRITED WOMAN QUOTE
"Listen to that voice within you. It is always guiding you in the right direction." - Nancy Mills
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EDITOR'S MESSAGE
I welcome you to the world of SPIRITED WOMANHOOD.
What a year! What a ride! It's been fantastic. I've met the most amazing women through this newsletter. Talk about spirited e-mails and calls and interviews! And, as I've taught my SPIRITED WOMAN Workshop throughout the country, I've also met the most amazing women in the most amazing places. Who-ee!! Here's to AMAZING. I simply can't wait to see what AMAZING things 2004 brings.
But, one thing I do know, is that this month's issue ends the year with a bang. On a high note. A wow. Wonderfully, I was honored with the golden opportunity to interview Linda Deutsch, the famous courtroom reporter and one of my BIGtime idols, for the December Q & A. Linda does not do many personal interviews, so please read on for a rather rare and up close look at her fascinating life. Thank you Linda!
And finally, I'd like to wish every one of you, a joyous, healthy, and passionate new year. You are spirited - SPIRITED WOMEN.
The SPIRITED WOMAN newsletter is meant to be fun, informative, and inspirational. Your free monthly tool to stay connected with other spirited women nationwide. I welcome you forwarding this newsletter to ALL your spirited friends.
Nancy Mills
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SPIRITED WOMAN Q & A
LINDA DEUTSCH
Murder is her beat. "Just the Facts, Please," is her theme song. Linda Deutsch, 60, is one of the most influential journalists in America today. She works for the Associated Press (AP), the world's largest news agency, as their premiere courtroom reporter. Based in LA, for close to 40 years now, she has held a ringside seat at such explosive trials as those of Sirhan Sirhan, Manson, Angela Davis, Patty Hearst, the Menendez brothers, and O.J. Simpson. She leads an adrenaline-pumping history-filled life.
I first met Linda a few years ago at the International Women's Media Foundation's Courage in Journalism Awards. I recognized her immediately, having seen her many times on the Larry King Show. I walked up, introduced myself to her, then practically fell to my knees with admiration. Right away, she put me at ease with her friendliness and humor. This year I saw her again at the same event, and before I could spit out, "Hi, I'm Nancy..." she said, "Hey, aren't you the one who gives those Spirited Woman Workshops? I've been meaning to come, but I'm so busy." I was truly touched by her genuine interest. One thing led to another and Linda agreed to an interview.
As I interviewed her, I found Linda's life to be not only more fascinating than I originally thought, but more inspirational as well - a unique combination of talent, luck, passion, syncronicity, influential people (mentors, if you will) and being at the right place at the right time. Never-married, she is a gutsy straight shooting woman (nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for her coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial) who comes across as a very humane person. Plus, she weaves a great story. Below, I share with you her candid view of her highly unusual, colorful, spirited life.
Q. How did your career evolve at AP? Did you start out as a court reporter?
A. No, not at all. I had come from New Jersey where I was a columnist and specialist in entertainment. My aim was to be an entertainment reporter. You come into a place like AP and you’re a general assignment reporter - you have to do everything. I covered entertainment for a while, doing interviews with celebrities - the Oscars, the Emmys. The day my career shifted was in 1968 when Bobby Kennedy was killed. My shift started at midnight and he was killed at 12:05. Later I was sent in as the backup reporter on the Sirhan trial. Then in ’69 I went to meet Nixon, when my editor said, "Forget about Nixon something bigger has happened." That was the day Sharon Tate was killed. I came into the office and worked around the clock. While I was there the La Bianca’s were killed. Months later, the Manson family was arrested. The story went into the stratosphere because it was so unusual and extraordinary. I was assigned the Manson trial with another reporter – a New York trial expert - because I was still quite young. Well, he came in and took one look at this mess - I mean people were being dragged out of the courtroom screaming with LSD flashbacks, and the girls, Manson’s followers were camped out on the sidewalks threatening to immolate themselves, the defendants were constantly being dragged out of the courtroom because they were chanting and singing, and finally, Charlie Manson leaped at the judge with a pencil in his hand. So this very elegant, distinguished gentleman who had come to cover the trial with me said, "You know, I think I had a vacation scheduled." He left and never came back. I covered the Manson trial alone for a year. After that I was a trial specialist. I realized it was much more dramatic and much more involving than show business.
Q. Had you always wanted to be a reporter?
A. I was a writer from the time I was born, I think it runs in my mother’s family, she was a writer. I was given a typewriter by my father when I was nine – by then I was a writer already, that’s all I wanted to do. I wrote a lot of poetry. When I was 15 or 16, my uncle, a newspaper editor in Southern California, came to visit and said I should try journalism. That it was very interesting, involving and exciting, and that I might like it. It would be a way for me to make a living rather than poetry, which was unlikely to support me. So I began writing at 16 for the local newspaper, the Asbury Park Press. They had a school page that they ran every week. I started covering things on my own and taking little stories over to the paper, trying to sell it to them. By the time I had got into college, I think I pretty much knew what I was going to be doing.
Q. What personality traits do you think led you to be a reporter?
A. Well, I’m very gregarious. I love people. I doubt if I would be very happy in a room sitting by myself writing poetry. I was interested in history and the way social trends evolve and journalism gave me a front row seat at history. I could have never, ever predicted when I was in college that I would be sitting at major trials. It just didn’t seem to be in the cards. I always say that my career is an example of how timing affects everything. Had I not come to the AP in ’67 and been there for these momentous events, I might still have been writing entertainment. The other thing is that when I was at the Perth Amboy News, for what now would be called an internship, I had this crazy shift from 7 at night until 3 in the morning. I was like a mole doing stories, but nothing very exciting. I had heard about and read an article that there was going to be a civil rights march in Washington. This was August1963 and I left a note on the desk of the editor – who I never saw – with this clip about this march and I said, "This sounds pretty interesting, don’t you think we should cover it?" The next day he called me at home and he said, "So you want to cover this, huh?" And I said, "Yes." And he said, "Well," – I always tell this story to journalism students so they know about the business – "You can cover it, but it can’t cost us anything." So, I went on the bus with the NAACP to Washington and heard Martin Luther King give his "I Had a Dream" speech and covered the Civil Rights March. I got my first front page byline. There was no turning back after that.
Q. Linda, if you sit in the courtroom all day – when do you write?
A. I dictate most of my stories. That was the thing that I learned at the AP from day one. I dictate them to a person who is writing them and putting them out on the wire as I speak. That is one of the major talents that I have - dictating. I am composing as I dictate with all the grammatical stuff, punctuation, paragraph marks and everything else. I call in and dictate all day. We’re on the wire constantly. In a major trial I’m doing updates every hour or so – every time there is a break I run to the phone. If something extraordinary happens and I can get out – sometimes the judge won’t let you back in if you go out – like O.J. trying on the glove, even though it was on TV, I was inches from him, and I had a better view of the whole situation. So I have to go out and dictate that to an editor on the desk.
Q. What do you feel your primary role as a court reporter is?
A. I’m the eyes and ears of the public. I’m there to say what happened, not to give any opinions on why it happened or who's responsible. I am an unbiased observer. TV cameras are not always there and even when they are people do not sit and watch every minute, they depend on the reporter to sum up what happened. You're taking a huge amount of information. I fill two notebooks a day and bring it down to a manageable size where people can know what was said, what was important, what’s happened, and if possible, how it felt to be in the courtroom when all of this happened. There are such dramatic moments that you have to talk about what it felt like to be there.
Q. What’s it like covering murder?
A. It’s like covering a lot of news stories but it's more intense. You have to be extremely focused. You can’t miss a word or you might miss something crucial. You are in a courtroom were there are a lot of emotions. I’m covering things that are very sad, tragic. I never cover anything happy – ever. It’s one of the most emotional stories you can cover. It also requires knowledge of the law, so it's very technical. If you don’t understand what the legal terminology is – you’re in big trouble. I never get involved with defendants. It’s just not done. A lot of reporters do - some take a position against the defendant as a lot of people did in the O.J. case. It’s not my position. My job is to just watch and tell. I’m telling a story to everybody out there about what happened. I don’t have a problem with it – I feel as though I am almost the 13th juror and I know nothing and that the evidence will come together. I’m putting a puzzle together and everyday the puzzle changes. I don’t go in with a preconceived notion that somebody is guilty or innocence. It’s not my job.
Q. Do you feel weighted down by the responsibility?
A. I don’t think about it. You can’t or you would not be able to function. I remember the day of the Patty Hearst verdict. It came in at 4 o’clock on a Saturday, which was the worst possible time for any paper, because they all go to bed early on Saturday and when I went into the courtroom my editor said to me, "I just want you to know that every paper in the world is holding their front pages for you."... I have to tell you what I do is very exhausting. I think that any woman (anybody) who does this job is going to be working at a fever pitch. You're getting through everyday, doing the job, writing about life and death issues.
Q. Linda, why do you feel you are a Spirited Woman?
A. One thing I should point out to you is that my life has not always been easy. I lost my father at a young age and it was traumatic. I almost didn’t go to college because I didn’t have the money. I went on a student loan and worked the whole time. I’ve had editors who did not always support me. My life sounds so glorious as I describe it, but I had pitfalls and problems along the way that everybody faces and you overcome and focus on the good. I think everyday is a fight to maintain my integrity in the face of people who would like to compromise it. I have done that and I am proud of that.
THANK YOU LINDA. KEEP ON GOING LIKE AN ENERGIZER BUNNY FOR JUSTICE.
Linda is extremely busy now. As she says, "There's Robert Blake, Michael Jackson, and Phil Spector to deal with." That said, she'd love to hear from you, but for now, would appreciate e-mails sent to her via my e-mail address: thespiritedwoman@aol.com. I'll forward them to her and make sure she gets them.
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SPIRITED WOMAN MEDIA COVERAGE
A big round of applause! A big kiss to the universe! The SPIRITED WOMAN Workshops are getting press coverage EVERYWHERE. Since the first workshop began last October in Santa Barbara, a multitude of media - from newspapers to internet dot com's have written it up. Plus Nancy Mills is starting to make both radio and television appearances. Wow!
Newspaper/Magazine Media Coverage Through November 2003:
The Nashville Scene
UCLA Magazine
Coastal View News
Mail Tribune
Santa Barbara News-Press
Santa Monica Mirror
Southern California Senior Life
The Jewish Journal
The Montecito Journal
The Santa Barbara Independent
Valley Voice
Venice Magazine
Whole Life Times
Nancy Mills' Most Recent Radio Interviews:
Northwest Passage, KLCC in Eugene, OR
Healing Arts, Jefferson Public Radio, Ashland, OR
Healing Arts, Wisdom Media, Runs Multiple Times & Internationally
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UPCOMING SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOPS
To say the workshop is catching on is an understatement. Close to 200 women have taken the workshop since it began in October 2002. Many more are already signed up for next year. Please check out the 2004 workshop calendar below to find out what cities and dates are in store for next year.
For more info on the workshop or to sign up for one please call Nancy Mills at her toll free number: 888-428-1234 (in Santa Barbara call 805-698-3555) or e-mail her at: thespiritedwoman@aol.com.
2004 WINTER/SPRING WORKSHOP CALENDAR
LOS ANGELES
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Saturday Afternoon, February 7, 2004
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Venue to be Confirmed
Cost: $65
Workshop includes three hours of creative playfulness and growth. Emphasizes your ALIVENESS and reinforces YOU ARE ENOUGH AS YOU ARE. Great for transitions, change, movement. Attendees range from writers/artists/healers to business owners. Led by Nancy Mills, creator of the Spirited Woman Approach to Life. Limited to 12 women.
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Sunday Afternoon, February 8, 2004
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Venue to Be Confirmed
Cost: $65
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Thursday evening, February 19, 2004
Time: 6:30 - 9:30 pm.
Locale: The Retreat Lodge at Mt. Charleston
123 Rainbow Canyon Blvd., Mt. Charleston, NV
Cost: $75
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Saturday afternoon, February 21, 2004
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: The Retreat Lodge at Mt. Charleston
123 Rainbow Canyon Blvd., Mt. Charleston, NV
Cost: $75
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Sunday afternoon, February 22, 2004
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: The Retreat Lodge at Mt. Charleston
123 Rainbow Canyon Blvd., Mt. Charleston, NV
Cost: $75
LAUGHLIN, NEVADA/BULLHEAD CITY, ARIZONA AREA
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Thursday evening, February 26, 2004
Time: 6:30 - 9:30 pm.
Locale: Curves for Women, 5225 Highway 95, Suite 10, Ft. Mohave, AZ
Cost: $75
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Saturday afternoon, February 28, 2004
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Curves for Women, 5225 Highway 95, Suite 10, Ft. Mohave, AZ
Cost: $75
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Sunday afternoon, February 29, 2004
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Curves for Women, 5225 Highway 95, Suite 10, Ft. Mohave, AZ
Cost: $75
LOS ANGELES
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Saturday Afternoon, March 20, 2004
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Venue to be Confirmed
Cost: $65
SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
Sunday Afternoon, March 21, 2004
Time: 1-4 pm.
Locale: Venue to Be Confirmed
Cost: $65
MORE!!! 2004 SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOPS
Goals! Aspirations! Nancy plans to book workshops in the cities listed below for the 2004 spring calendar year. She is also open to your suggestions for other cities and is currently available for speaking engagements.
San Francisco & Bay Area
Denver Area (including Boulder, Colorado Springs)
San Diego
Seattle
New York
TELL A FRIEND ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS.
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HOST A SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP
In your city.
It's great fun! You'll love it. Anyone who hosts a workshop in their home or business receives a free workshop, great publicity, and a chance to meet other fantabulous women. Since the workshop size is small, most spaces work out ideally. If you'd like to host a workshop outside of Santa Barbara, contact Nancy Mills at 888-428-1234 (in Santa Barbara call 805-698-3555) or e-mail her at: thespiritedwoman@aol.com.
And...this workshop is great for clubs, associations, and organizations. For instance, the "Red Hat Club Presents the Spirited Woman Workshop." To talk about sponsoring Nancy for a workshop or a presentation contact Nancy Mills at 888-428-1234 (in Santa Barbara call 805-698-3555) or e-mail her at: thespiritedwoman@aol.com.
AND NOW FOR THE THANKS!!!!!!!
Angela Brown went way beyond the call of duty for any spirited woman. She hosted four SPIRITED WOMAN Workshops in her home in Santa Monica. More than 30 women attended in September and November. She deserves the first SPIRITED WOMAN MEDAL OF HONOR. She was a great hostess and is a great friend. Thanks, Angela.
Also a thanks to Michele Nephew. She has attended the SPIRITED WOMAN Workshop four times! A record. One time in Santa Barbara and three times in LA. She really resonates with it and I love her spunk and inspiring attitude. Way to go, Michele!
MORE THANKS - To the many wonderful spirited women who attended the workshops in LA this past November. You were fantabulous and fun.
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THE SPIRITED WOMAN CLUB - LISTING BOARD
Here's the good news. If you have taken the SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP you are automatically a member of the SPIRITED WOMAN CLUB, and you'll receive a FREE listing (up to 60 words) - monthly. For those of you who have not taken the workshop (come on girls, you need to join the club!) - the listing is only $15 per month per listing. What a great deal!
This listing board is a great way to advertise your service, business, workshop, event or WHATEVER - and to stay connected with other spirited women. Currently, the newsletter reaches close to 1,000 women. Think of it as your very own SPIRITED WOMAN DIRECTORY. Be sure to check out what other women are offering and support them! Also, see below HOW TO PLACE A LISTING.
PARLOR PERFORMANCES - Jeannine Frank's "accidental performing arts series" (now in its 15th year!) presents comedy, cabaret, authors, & more in venues around Southern California -- and also books artists nationally for fundraisers, conventions and special events. For free newsletter, more info, contact: Jeannine at frankent1@juno.com.
ALZHEIMER EXPERT – Go to www.brainsproutsmemory.com and click on Alzheimer’s to get info about my work. Also, for purchase, I have a video training tape discussing multi-sensory techniques that work with Alzheimer's loved ones to increase communication and reduce stress and anxiety. The memory methods also help regular folks with remembering names, reading material, etc. Vicki Mizel. 323-984-8801
LOVE HUMANITY INDIA - Visit www.lovehumanity.org to discover the dream of one spirited woman of empowering neglected and abused children in India. You can be part of this dream by donating your talents, time or money. Learn how to be a Founding Angel at http://www.lovehumanity.org/founders.html. E-mail/call Louise for more info: louise@lovehumanity.org. 714-420-8218
FREE ANGEL READING - Host an angel party for 10 or more people and receive a free angel reading. The Earth Angels, three psychic-mediums, offer amazingly accurate messages from the other side for audience members. Their prophetic gifts will inspire, empower and wow you. Great entertainment for the holidays. For details: Laura Lee at angelmessages@earthlink.net. 818-762-1036
NEW SAUCY SISTERS WEB SITE - Like your wine without the pretension? Check out www.saucysisters.com. We'll give you practical tips, wine suggestions for everyday drinking, the recipes to match, and a quirky quiz to test your wine savvy and your sense of humor.
EVERYBODY LOVES CHOCOLATE! - What could be more festive than a chocolate fountain at your next party?! Warm, delicious Belgian chocolate flowing from a free-standing stainless fountain, perfect for dipping berries, cookies, etc. The ultimate dessert, centerpiece, attraction! Why sit and nibble on cake when you can dip and mingle?! To rent contact Betsy, bcrowfoot@thechocolateguy.com. 805-566-1551
OPEN-MIC POETRY READINGS - First Saturday of every month at 7pm. Hosted by
Christa Laririt, poet and author of Rose's Collage. Location: Reds Espresso Bar & Gallery, 211 Helena Ave. (corner of Yanonali, one block from State St.). Contact: www.calliopebooks.com. 805-966-5906 or 805-452-1463
RED HAT WOMEN'S GROUP - The OVER THE TOP chapter in Ventura County/Channel Islands area is accepting interesting women who enjoy discussions on all aspects of women's life issues, who like to have FUN and do FUN things. The group is open to women of all ages. Only women 50 yrs. + can wear red hats (younger wear pink hats). Mary Lucid. 805-278-9009
WEBSITE DESIGN & FACE-LIFTS - Future Developments builds affordable professional web sites for businesses of all shapes and sizes or reworks tired old websites. We offer the following services: web design and development, website promotion through Search Engine submissions, website hosting set-up, e-commerce web design, and custom programs. Kathy Houston. 503-223-8708
INTERIOR ALIGNMENT FENG SHUI - Creates a sacred space by incorporating the best of the mystical traditions of the East and the practical methods of the West. Helps you realign stagnant or unhealthy energy and to restore harmony, balance and support in your surroundings. Also accelerates progress toward desired goals and aspirations. Karyn Armstrong, karyn@harmonicspaces.com. 503-525-2521
2004 FANTASY SHOE CALENDAR - Beautiful creative shoe pictures for the woman who loves shoes or 12 months of humor for the rest of us. Each month is printed on photographic paper and is suitable for framing. Designed and hand-embroidered by Margo Von Phul. A great gift when you want something special and unique. PO Box 503, Carpenteria, CA 93104. 805-684-0901
TREAT YOURSELF TO REIKI - Let go of the stress of the day as you become filled with renewed vitality. Reiki is a safe, gentle form of touch and energy work that promotes relaxation and healing. I am a Reiki master and have been a practitioner since 1995. $50/session. Frederica Welch, fhbwelch1@cox.net. 805-962-1969
PIANO LESSONS - Classical and Jazz. Children and Adults. All Levels, All Ages. Now accepting students. My studio or your home. Background piano music for weddings and parties. Nancy Harris Jones, MA, Piano Performance. Member Music Teachers' Assn. of California. Member Music Teachers' National Assn. 805-967-1160
WILD WOMEN OF SANTA BARBARA HANDCRAFTED SCULPTURES - "Wild" combination of glass, wire, clay and beads, the sculpted bodies are fused or lampworked with indivually-stylized details such as glass eyes and beaded hair. Uniquely created by Joe-el Helgesen, renowned jewelry and sculptor designer. 805-686-2417
ITALIAN LESSONS - I am a native Italian and I would like to teach you my beautiful language. For over 18 years, I taught in a private school in Santa Monica. I teach beginners to advanced, both grammar and conversation. Laura DeLuca. 805-565-3720
EDITING INTERNATIONAL, LLC - We are award-winning writers, published authors, and dedicated editors who have guided hundreds of writers in achieving their dreams. We provide in-depth critical analysis, editing and consulting on nonfiction and fiction, personal coaching, group instruction, workshops, and insider know-how about approaching literary agents and publishers. Go to www.4-edit.com or contact Candy Davis, cdavis@willamette.net. 541-942-8329
HOW TO PLACE A LISTING
E-mail a 60 word or less description of your listing (word count must include phone number and such) by the last day of each month (i.e., Dec. 31 for January issue) to: thespiritedwoman@aol.com and put "LISTING BOARD" in the subject line.
All past SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP attendees receive ONE FREE listing per month. All additional listings are $15 per item per month.
For those of you who have NOT attended the SPIRITED WOMAN WORKSHOP it costs $15 per listing per month. Please follow the above instructions.
Checks for all payable listings are to be received in advance of the next monthly issue (Jan. 1) and sent to: Nancy Mills, P.O. BOX 20042, Santa Barbara, CA 93120.
TO SUBSCRIBE TO THIS NEWSLETTER:
Place "YES I WANT TO SUBSCRIBE" in e-mail subject line. To unsubscribe place "unsubscribe" in e-mail subject line.
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PLEASE FORWARD TO OTHER SPIRITED WOMEN.
Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute the SPIRITED WOMAN newsletter with the understanding that the copyright notice and all the content is to be attributed to Nancy Mills. Copyright Nancy Mills, December 2003. All rights reserved.
THANKS FOR YOUR SPIRIT! SPIRITED WOMEN! AND YOUR SUPPORT!
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