Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Batter Up!

Bet you didn't know I am related to baseball royalty. Related by marriage, that is. My husband's grandfather played in the Mexican Leagues back in the day (back in the day when color barriers ruled the nation).

The history of the Mexican League has been and is continuing to be documented in the “Mexican-American Baseball: From the Barrios to the Big Leagues” project. My husband is speaking on a panel this Sunday, Sept. 30 from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Carpinteria Woman's Club, 1059 Vallecito in Carpinteria. He'll speak on the influence of baseball in his life and his family's life.

It's funny how he got involved in the project. He was assigned a story for the Coastal View News on the subject. One thing led to another, and now his grandfather, along with his fellow ballplayers, is getting some long overdue, albeit posthumously, recognition.

I think the family story would make a great screenplay. Maybe that is a project my husband and I can do together.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Celebrate National Feral Cat Day on Oct. 16

No Kitty, No Tickee
Wouldn't that be the day? A day when there are no unwanted kittens -- or any unwanted animal for that matter -- and we didn't have to sell raffle tickets to raise money to spay and neuter cats. Until that day, I'll continue helping out with Catalyst for Cats, a Santa Barbara County-based organization dedicated to making every cat a wanted cat. I use my writing skills to help with publicity.

Catalyst is hosting its annual "Cat's Meow Raffle" on Oct. 16, which happens to be National Feral Cat, at Coffee Cat, located at 1201 Anacapa St. in downtown Santa Barbara. The fun begins at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $5 each or $30 for a book of 7 tickets. Call Belinda Burns at (805) 688-6359 for tickets. If you aren't the gambling type, you can go ahead and send a donation to Catalyst for Cats, PO Box 30331, Santa Barbara, CA 93130.

Here are the prizes:
*El Rancho Marketplace - Lunch & Wine Picnic for Six at a Santa Ynez Valley Winery
*Historic Upham Hotel - Santa Barbara Midweek Getaway, One Night Stay for 2 People
*Lemos Feed & Pet Supply – Feline Fun Gift Basket
*Cat House Hotel – $50 gift certificate for goods or services at this hotel for felines
*Commissioned Original Painting by Kay Neola McWilliams of your animal - 16” x 20” unframed ($500 value)

On the left is the Catalyst for Cats logo. The adult cat's tipped ear indicates the feline has been "fixed."

National Feral Cat Day is facilitated by Alley Cat Allies, an advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.