Jaime Adoff

About a week and a half ago I had the privilege of returning to the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center in Springfield, Ohio. Beth Dixon and the phenomenal staff should be commended. The work they do with these teens day in and day out has to be seen to be believed. It was heartening to see the same magistrate from last year in attendance. (She stayed the entire time.) That is commitment, that is caring, that is love . . .

This is the 2nd year that I have visited the CCJDC, in what I have now dubbed "The Jayson Porter Project." This year, the teens not only read "The Death of Jayson (more…)

In honor of banned books week I am spotlighting my father, Arnold Adoff. Poet extraordinaire, who at times I tried to ban, but that was during my teenage years and that's an entirely different blog! I will have more on his upcoming masterpiece Roots and Blues (pub 1-11 Clarion HMH)on a later blog. (more…)

In 1985 the PMRC- (Parents music resource center) headed by Tipper Gore (wife of what's his name?) with Susan Baker, wife of Treasury Secretary James Baker; Pam Howar, wife of Washington realtor Raymond Howar; and Sally Nevius, wife of Washington City Council Chairman John Nevius was formed. Their mission was to increase parental control over (more…)

Recently, my friend, poet/author extraordinaire Nikki Grimes posted some very interesting , thought-provoking and in my opinion dead on observations when it comes to picking books for kids. Read Nikki's blog here: http://www.hungermtn.org/color-me-perplexed/ Specifically, as she says, "a good book is a good book is a good book." Regardless of (more…)

On this day before the 9th anniversary of that terrible Tuesday morning, I feel moved to share with you an excerpt of a poem I wrote entitled, "Not like TV" from the book; 911 the Book of Help/Authors Respond to the Tragedy. (2002, Cricket Books.) Edited by Michael Cart, Marc Arronson and Marianne Carus with (more…)

I have been haunted all week by a story that I happened upon. A story that really didn't get much mainstream media attention. Buried somewhere between Tiger's divorce and Glen Beck's latest break with reality. But this story was something I just couldn't shake. The rape of 200 plus women and children in the Congo. (more…)

Okay, so this week was really all about diving into social media. Making it a part of my daily routine, my job. It's been interesting, somewhat addicting and by the end of each night my eyes burned. It has been pretty cool reconnecting and connecting with other writer types and like-minded artsy folks.

I've (more…)

"In New York, the sale of whole bagels isn't subject to sales tax. But the tax does apply to "sliced or prepared bagels (with cream cheese or other toppings)," according to the state Department of Taxation and Finance. And if the bagel is eaten in the store, even if it's never been touched by (more…)

Should be interesting how I & others balance social media and their actual jobs, in my case being a writer. Knowing that projects need to be completed which entails pages written, clear thinking & focus— meaning NO distractions.(Or as little as possible) I think probably most authors now see blogging, tweeting & the (more…)