Helpful and Fun Resources

Bus Riders Union
For environmental reasons (and the preservation of my mental health!) I often use public transportation. Visit www.busridersunion.org to see what you can do to improve the woefully inadequate public transportation systems foisted upon us all.
Los Angeles Public Library
"Reading is the best form of entertainment." William Sleator. He's right, it is. Turn off your t.v. (you know the commercials just make you want to buy stuff you don't need!) and go to the library to find books to expand your horizons.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California
This is the Bankruptcy Court website for the Central District of California. It offers some relevant information, useful to anyone considering filing for bankruptcy.
Kaiser Permanente
For medical insurance, I recommend Kaiser. Kaiser pays virtually everything! In contrast, other insurance carriers regularly deny claims forcing thousands of people each year into bankruptcy. To be fair, Kaiser has its drawbacks, and I do see a private doctor for my yearly checkups. My husband and I have Kaiser to protect us from potential medical costs that would bankruptcy all but a Saudi sheik!

William Sleator
William Sleator is my favorite childhood author. I still read all of his new books as they become available. His books are mostly science fiction, but the protagonists are always people of intelligence and initiative -- never slaves to peer pressure. They all have character in the old fashioned sense -- you know what I mean? I especially recomment Mr. Sleator's book Oddballs, which is about the Sleator family. It's hilarious and an ideal to strive towards. The amazing Mr. Sleator is also a Harvard graduate and a talented musician. Those are very good credentials!
Martha Stewart
Is Martha Stewart really a nice person? Was it a coincidence that the guy who accidentally ran over John Gotti's son suddenly disappeared? I would say probably not on both counts! However, improving your domestic skills will save you tons of money. Why eat out at expensive bad restaurants like Red Lobster or the Olive Garden when you can cook something so much better at home from ingredients you probably already have on hand? Domestic skills, like cooking and interior decorating are also terrific means for self expression. For example, after an irritating day in court, I like to make something spicy. Also, I decorated our house myself. It's very modest, but extremely beautiful. I would have to say the look is "stock clerk meets stockbroker." Our friends like it so much that I've decorated a few of their houses!

Miniature Pinscher Service
This wonderful organization is dedicated to saving miniature pinschers who are one step away from the dog pound--and certain death. They gave us our dog Chacha, a lively little minpin, who has brought such happiness to our lives. Sharky, our other minpin, wasn't rescued here — he was a private adoption--but you can bet our future minpins will be! Rescuing a dog is the right thing to do on so many levels
Hollywood On A Leash
This is the website of Julia, our dog walker and dear friend. If you work all day and have a dog, hiring Julia is your answer — dogs were meant to be walked. She's not only a dog walker, but also a dog whisperer, working to rehabilitate troubled dogs. You can't go wrong with Julia!

Qu'est-ce Qui se Cache Derrière Mcdonald's
Derrière le sourire candide de Ronald McDonald se cache l'horrible vérité: L'Exploitation mondiale des peuples, des animaux et de la nature. Pour la plupart des gens, spécialement les enfants, McDonald's est un amusant moyen de manger une croûte. Mais la réalité est loin d'être amusante, et lorsque vous aurez lu ce tract, peut-être n'irez-vous plus jamais dans un fast-food.