The Bella Program - BLOGBellaProgram

The Bella Program Blog for August 2, 2008

A protected member of royalty recently asked me, So, what is actually different about today versus any other day for us? The point was that vigilance is never officially dropped when it comes to protecting protected persons.

Once I decided to share that I've had history as an emeritus member of the USSS, and elsewhere, I've decided that to share more in other writings.

And in interviews for other writers and artists. So I've turned other blogs public, because such is my official prerogative. If that makes one uncomfortable, then so be it.

I've always found it fascinating to support the Arts.

The Bella Program Blog for July 16, 2008

When I was a little girl, I'd press my nose to the window peering outside to watch for the mail carriers to bring me letters or packages. There was always a thrill in receiving something anticipated. This week, I'm awaiting for (and sending) a few packages and letters, and I feel just as anticipatory. But with a bit of trepidation as to whether the mail would make it.

I one day walked out to my mailbox and watched in shock as a teenaged girl and a younger child drove up to my sidewalk and ran to the mail slot and pulled out a handful of mail. I learned then how directly postal theft can occur. Of course I called every creditor and others possibly affected, and it took hours of work on my part because children and teens tracked to Mexico were stealing from my mail slot. Better prepared now, I'm still anxious about each and every item I know is coming by any type of deliver.

I decided to alleviate some of the nervous energy -- because I can't NOT use the postal service or other delivery options for my artistic and literary work -- by strolling to the postal office tucked between the old stately trees down the road. By asking the postal worker about what can be done if unique and priceless items are stolen in the mail, I felt some sense of personal control return. Although statistically (so I was told, when I asked) about one out of every hundred items doesn't make it through the postal system, I decided that knowing what to do about theft of mail or packages is something everyone should keep handy.

The Mail Theft phone number the postal worker gave me on a scribbled note is: 1-877-876-2455. It gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling that the worker had the number at his fingertips.

The Postmaster General sent letters and brochures out this past February on how to fight back against identity theft by including tips on handling mail items and other basic steps. That was the same month that I discovered a false change of address had been filed by another identity thief, so I remember wrestling in Mail Land by correcting my address -- twice -- that month. It seems there'd been a run on the Postal Services by the syndicated identity thieves.

Planning ahead takes a few minutes or a few hours of time but can save even years of grief. Request copies of ID theft resource materials from:

Hundreds of dogs took their owners on a walk, or drag, around the park. And participated in contests and shopped at quality vendors' booths.

Since then, what I've set about doing is to learn more about how to stop identity theft against those in the Arts and Literature. One too many that I know are victims of this unnecessary crime, and as the FTC informed me of personally, the hardest hit victims are often turning out to be those of 'prestigious' backgrounds including armigerous or noble bloodlines as well as those in artistic fields.

The crusade to stop this crime is underway. So we can all continue to enjoy our valid heritages and avocations in the artistic venues.

The Bella Program Blog for June 4, 2008

The elections here in America are not being missed by many. I had to work them at a local precinct, caught up in the races like many others. After a sixteen hour day working at the polling center, I'm resting.

Perhaps a new local film festival will be worth attending tonight, and in line with the Bella Program Project, it embraces part of my heritage in topic. Supporting the Arts is always taking a chance.

The Big Read captured my attention this week as the nostalgic The Maltese Falcon took me back to my youth of reading the labyrinthine mystery rife with dark inhuman motives. Gumshoes were still superheroes and the victor always got the prize.

The nostalgic reading was elocuted by local newspaper columnist Michael Fitzgerald, himself a master at the nearly forgotten form of salon-readings and a self-avowed fanatic of author Dashiell Hammett. His sources of information said that the character Wilmer is based upon a local Stockton criminal buried deep in the annals of city lore. Truly fascinating.

Supporting the local library's efforts was dear to my heart. I hope you'll all do the same and support your area's civic efforts efforts to bring fine literature to more of the many.

The Bella Program Blog for April 12, 2008

Full-circles in volunteerism can sometimes be profound. And even more meaningful, perhaps, when they involve the littlest and most vulnerable of those we lend a helping hand to.

A couple of years ago, I stopped along the road in front of a university when an auto in front of me hit a cat and drove on. I stopped along with other concerned drivers. Electing to take the injured orange and white cat to the only emergency veterinarians office intaking feral cats, I found that my donation wasn't enough to ensure a positive prognosis.

"His head is crushed," the emergency veterinarian stated, as moved as I was at the cat's brave struggle for life. "Even if he survived, it's sure braindamage."

I stood by until the decision had been made to ease his suffering, although the medical staff had promised to watch for signs of an upturn and do whatever it took for the courageous feral tomcat. It seemed, though, that in my anxiety of the moment, I'd forgotten to leave any contact information for the emergency clinic to follow up with me on the actual outcome.

To my delight, last week I was walking out to my car in the parking lot of the same university when an orange and white tomcat bounded out of the bushes up to me. Hesitantly, it watched me from where it sat in the halo of light from a streetlamp. I nearly tripped over myself getting to him, and we reacquainted ourselves.

He was in good health, his cranial injuries were evidently healed from where the skull had been molded back into imperfect but healthy position. Lively and happy,

A prevailing policy with many animal clinics and shelters is to return feral cats to their original colonies, after proper medical care.

Over the years, I've been asked a time or two to advise behind-the-scenes on re-development items for various innovative municipalities. It can be quite fun to brainstorm, for instance, on how to improve the offerings of a city in the Arts.

I enjoyed witnessing the transformation of San Jose, California many years ago while working in executive offices in its downtown area. The neighborhood degradations were replaced within a short time with an artistic insfrastructure that rivals its neighboring artistic power-house, San Francisco. It makes returning to San Jose as an artistic destination quite the pleasure.

While on travel this time around, I couldn't resist. The San Jose Museum of Art is displaying Spanish Masters. Never one to actually enjoy Goya, for instance, I recently engaged in heated debate with some of the family over there in Spain about just that era's arts.

I both cringed and gasped in awe while sashaying between the luminous displays at the museum. Fine art should strike at the chords, in any era, of course.

The Pablo Picassos flowed into each other smoothly for me, though, like dusty silk drapes that rustle against the dark hallways of the mind where old loves and romances are relegated. It was the sparkle of the hope of adolescent love from the young teens in our family that really caught my attention as they'd insisted I view his show. They couldn't even say the name, Picasso, without a dropped jaw.

Travel destinations of artistic experience have always been in vogue. Now, even more so, including with those who continue to be the world-traveled. No matter what the climate of the times, past or present.

Although not everyone knows that artists and talented individuals can donate their time or discount their wares for non-profits in the manner that, say, accountants or lawyers or other professionals are known to do, it is essentially the same mechanism.

Upon speaking with the IRS about how to use artistic services, they have always been available to have an IRS agent on the premises to see to transfers of monies when donated in exchange for an artisan's donated talent. For example, when we have Hollywood actors volunteer to do commercial artwork for a non-profit ad, then we've had an IRS agent on the site to guarantee a proper transfer of the fees paid by photographers for the modeling that were donated by the actors. That way, they didn't handle the monies and therefore aren't taxed directly. The non-profits are glad to use highly trained talent that they otherwise couldn't likely afford, in more than one sense.

I'm fortunate to be able to assist the local Delta Humane Society with its events planning, learning from the seasoned veteran volunteers and board members. Word gets around, though.

Because I'm noticed volunteering, there are groups of anonymous activists who need assistance in helping with their movements to end unnecessary cruelty in the livestock production channels. Add to that visits from international World Wildlife Fund members from the European Union and their often anonymous donors and it's been a busy week garnering donations. Sometimes, though, rolling up one's proverbial sleeves is all that is needed. "I rescued a stray dog today, poor thing." I overheard one volunteer state. "So did I!" Came another response.

Carrying emergency supplies can include a treat to soothe a stray pet along one's way. Sometimes that's all it takes to make the world a better place for the other inhabitants of this world.