How many more lives will be lost?

Pop! Pop! Pop! Three lives lost. A refrain as familiar to American ears as “Jingle Bells” Are we numb? Deaf? I wonder. Where is the outrage? Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Five lives lost.A mother uses her body as a shield, protecting her two-month-old baby From shards of glass screaming Read more

Lauren Halsted

Lauren Halsted Burroughs teaches English at Cuyamaca Community College in San Diego, CA. She began her career in writing as an editorial assistant at Surfing Girl Magazine almost two decades ago, and has worked as a journalist, grant writer, online content writer, and has dabbled in research and academic publishing. She is happiest when spending time with her two young children, family, and friends and/or playing in the ocean.

A Call To Arms

Another senseless mass shooting, where for a few days, perhaps weeks, people will argue, discuss and voice their heated opinions on gun control and mental health, which means little to nothing to the families of the dead. They are living a hell so tragic no one can begin to comprehend. Read more

Jacqueline Cioffa

A retired, international model, and celebrity makeup artist. Co-Author of Model Citi Zen, the guide. Founder of http://modelcitizenmakeup.blogspot.com/. Author of numerous prose pieces in various literary magazines. Most recently published in Little Episodes Brainstorms the anthology, among esteemed artists Sadie Frost, Melvin Burgess and Todd Swift.

No Means No, Or Does It?

No means no. Not anymore! Recent events regarding perceived rejection have left me frankly, very scared and well worried for my life. Maren Sanchez,16-year-old, Milford, Connecticut high school student was stabbed in the neck and killed in April after refusing a prom invitation. The accused attacker, her middle school ex-boyfriend Read more

Madeline Derujinsky

Madeline Derujinsky is a high school sophomore attending a performing arts high school in downtown LA. She was in “Guys and Dolls” and participated in the DTASC’s fall and Shakespeare festivals. She is sophomore representative of Thespian troupe 7573 and participated in this fall’s Music Center Student Ambassador Program. When she isn’t at school, she spends her time reading, writing, baking, learning sign language, and finding new passions each and every day.