Links last updated 7/10/25

Songwriting Links

When I got serious about wanting to write songs, the first thing I did was join West Cost Songwriters. (Back then, they were called the Northern California Songwriter's Association.) This organization offers many resources to the songwriter, including songwriting classes, judged open mics, and song screenings (where people who shop songs to the film, TV, and recording industries listen to members' songs). They're at westcoastsongwriters.org.

When I lived in Sunnyvale, I frequently attended open mics hosted by South Bay Folks, a group of acoustically inclined musicians in the San Jose, CA area. They're at southbayfolks.org. I don't make it down there as often after moving to Hayward, but I still think they're one of the best groups around.

Family Links

Several members of my family are involved in creative pursuits.

My husband Gary's all-around artistry website, which includes stained and etched glass designs, murals, illustrations, cover art for my CDs, and more: garyparksart.com.

My dad's award-winning computer art: john-art.com.

My aunt's and uncle's paintings: littlelavatelli.net.

My sister's blog for her award-winning quilts: websterquilt.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html.

My stepmother doesn't have a website for her award-winning quilts, but search for "Kathy Shier Quilts" and you'll find quite a few.

Aftermath and Other Ways to Fight - Related Links

This site documents the hidden heroes who saved Jews from the Holocaust: holocaustrescuers.com. Other websites on moral courage are globalethics.org and moralcourage.org.

Holocaust education goes beyond Germany and is a concern of the entire European Union: Holocaust Education - European Parliament.

Bad Boss Blues and Working - Related Links

For those who barely get by: Nickel and Dimed.

Beth Doesn't Know - Related Links

Beth's mom recommends these resources for parents of kids with Down's Syndrome: National Down Syndrome Society and National Association for Down Syndrome.

For transgender issues, Beth's mom recommends Laura's Playground. For families with gay or transgender members, there's PFLAG.

Fade to Black - Related Links

Here's an excellent recovery website with a holistic approach that includes nutrition: myaddiction.com.

Here's another very inclusive website on recovery: soberrecovery.com.

Here are nationwide databases of recovery resources: treatment4addiction.com and withdrawal.net.

Here are California resources: treatment4addiction.com/rehab/california/ and some for my city: withdrawal.net/resources/withdrawal/hayward-ca/.

Freedom Is Your Right - Related Links

If you need to escape or want to help, start with the national domestic violence hotline. Call 1-800-799-7233 or text BEGIN to 88788. The official website is at thehotline.org.

I Will Be Remembered - Related Links

The Northern California chapter of the American Research Center in Egypt is a good place to start learning about Egyptology: www.arce-nc.org. The chapter sponsors monthly lectures at the University of California at Berkeley. Gary and I are members.

If You've Seen One Cult, Messiah Refugee, and Playing God - Related Links

I recommend this book, which attempts to be balanced in describing the academic cult controversy: Misunderstanding Cults: Searching for Objectivity in a Controversial Field.

Some of my favorite cult websites are freedomofmind.com, icsahome.com, tbylr.com, and xenu.net.

If you want cults in a nutshell, though, a short video called Mind Control Made Easy explains it all. It's funny in a twisted sort of way.

Kill His Memory - Related Links

For those seeking to recover from past abuse: snapnetwork.org.

Part of Me - Related Links

If a loved one has failing kidneys and you're healthy, you can save their life! My donor and I went through Living Donor Kidney Transplant at UCSF.

Say Something - Related Links

The first verse is about Don Ritchie.

The second verse is about something my brother did in his senior year of high school.

The third verse is about Antoinette Tuff.

Sisters and Strangers - Related Links

I recommend these two books on family relations: The Perfect Sister and I Only Say This Because I Love You.

Taking the First - Related Links

Here is Schoolhouse Rock, which inspired my song: schoolhouserock.tv.

This organization is bringing First Amendment rights into the Internet age: freepress.net.

This Town Is Dead and World in His Pocket - Related Links

This movie goes into much greater detail than I can in a three-minute song: thecorporation.tv.

Here's a company that's a leader in striving to do the right thing: interfaceglobal.com.

Walk on Any World - Related Links

NASA, of course: www.nasa.gov.

In theory, warp drive might be possible: Alcubierre drive.