Help Prevent Child Abuse

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. I'm lagging behind here and I apologize for not posting this last month, but that doesn't mean you can't pitch in. Every day is a good day to help prevent child abuse. So, what are some things you can do?

1. You can contact your senator or congressman and encourage them to not cut the programs that help in this endeavor. There have been so many cutbacks in the government programs that are effecting the victims of abuse. As a result, it almost looks like abuse is down because the filings are lower. Most of the statistics come from court filed cases. If there are less social workers and investigators to work the cases there are also going to be less filings. You do the math.

2. Donate money to groups that are dealing with child abuse prevention.  Or donate something from your business to help these groups. Many of them do fundraiser that need gifts for drawings and door prizes. There are plenty of these organizations out there doing great work. Do a little research and find the one that works the best for you.

3. I know these are tough economic times so if money is an issue then donate your time. That's even better. Again there are many organizations that need your help. One such organization is CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). They need volunteers to work with these children. Every abused child needs an advocate. Or if dealing directly with the abuse is too difficult for you, then find an organization that works with children that have not been already targeted as abused. If you work with youth in any fashion it will certainly help to give children something to build their lives on. And you can be sure that if you are working with a youth group you will touch some children who have been or are being abused.

Get involved. Help save a child!

Teresa
http://www.teresaburrell.com

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books takes place this weekend, Saturday, 4/30 and Sunday, 5/1 at USC. The festival has traditionally been held at the UCLA campus but for some reason has been changed to USC campus this year.

I'm truly excited about attending this event. I'll be signing the Advocate series at the "Murder, They Wrote" booth #903 with five other wonderful authors. They include: Jeff Sherratt (Detour to Murder), Joel Fox (Lincoln's Hand), Jenny Hilborne (Madness and Murder), Gayle Carline (Freezer Burn), and Anne Carter (Cane Seduction.)

If you're at the festival early on Sunday morning please stop in at the Sisters In Crime booth #373 where I'll be signing "The Advocate's Betrayal."

If you've never attended this festival you really ought to try it. It is a wonderful place to meet new authors and hear seasoned authors speak such as Stuart Woods, Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, and many, many more. There is a full children section, cultural events, cookbooks, panels, writing seminars, dancing, music, food booths, and many other reasons to attend.

I hope to see you all there.

Teresa
http://www.teresaburrell.com

What is Sabre wearing?

Sabre's brother, Ron, was a huge Grateful Dead fan. For those of you who may not be fans you may be unaware that Jerry Garcia was also quite the artist. He used his paintings on a series of ties. They are all very bold and bright and quite colorful.


When Sabre graduated from law school Ron gave her a Jerry Garcia tie. He told her if she was going to work in what was traditionally a man's profession she needed to dress like one. Sabre was never sure if he actually intended her to wear it, but she did. At first she wore it to show her brother she could, and later as a fashion statement. The tie Ron gave her became the first in a collection of many.

The beige and yellow tie was her second one. This one she bought herself. The third was red and pink with bold hearts.

Who is Sabre, you ask? She's the protagonist in The Advocate Series, of course.

More of Sabre's tie collection to come....

Teresa
http://www.teresaburrell.com