Len Wood Quits, Two Others Fired

Insider details on why they resigned or were terminated would be good to read here.

Huebner hardly allowed a personal attack to get through by the medical columnist, as analyzed in detail in a Blogabarbara subject of comments.

So does this mean that Travis Armstrong also should be fired because of all the attacks and insults from non-Dr. Laura Schlessinger that he allows to get published, in addition to all of his own, to put it mildly, true personal attacks about half of his readers?
Hypocricy is as hypocricy does.

And what were the reasons to dump newbie Colby Frazier, besides he was new and was known to support unionization?

Obviously, all the other new staff will now have to keep totally quiet about their union preferences or lie outright when the "management" asks them.

With the unionization vote date set, the tactics by Newspress bosses will be more pointed to terminate the pro-union votes.

Colby Frazier has been there over a year...

Indy... go for it, go for it, go for it... maybe merge with the Daily Sound... go daily yourself... whatever you need to do to get us a real daily newspaper again

Hypocricy here don't read sports, so why thought that Coly Frazier was was a newbie hire since he started appearing as by-line of local news stories.

Then all the more reason on why the real reasons should be comments here on why he was terminated.

The bad karma this will bring onto McCaw is staggering. To blow into a city as civil as Santa Barbara with a divorce settlement, to destroy the local newspaper, to run saintly editors out of town . . . well, it is pure evil. Surely the Caw is facing many, many lifetimes of suffering, followed by many lifetimes of good deeds, to make amends for this.

The insanity doesn't abate, does it? For one take on the horrible sacking of Andrea Huebner see The Night They Drove the News-Press Down.

Press Release
August 29, 2006
Contact: Sue Broidy (805) 640 7340

Many residents of Santa Barbara are concerned about the situation faced by journalists who have recently lost their jobs at the Santa Barbara News Press. Valued citizens who are an integral part of our local society, they deserve recognition for the sacrifices they are making as a result of their courageous choice to put journalistic ethics ahead of their personal economic security.

Concerned community members have therefore recently established the Journalist Loan Fund to help those who may be in financial need.

Loan Fund Trustees have been identified and a Fund Raising Committee is being set up. Over $1,000 has been raised to open the account.

Donors are encouraged to be as generous as possible to support the growing number of journalists who have shown the courage to stand up for freedom of the press and journalistic integrity.

Please make your checks payable to the Journalist Loan Fund, attention Sue Broidy, 3412 Calle Noguera, Santa Barbara CA 93105. The Santa Barbara Bank and Trust account number is 0100252972.

This whole News-Press fiasco just keeps getting worse every day.

I wonder how much forceful arm-twisting Wendy etc. is doing daily to the remaining employees eligible for voting for the union? How many supervisors are spreading outright lies about unions to their subordinates, and threatening to close the paper down if a union vote succeeds, turning everyone out into the street?

Little by little, the News-Press is being gutted from within, until only a shell of its former self is left.

Still, I'll bet Wendy will forge onward, and survive all these troubles too, unless some other newspaper (Daily Sound? Independent? Or other?) becomes serious competition.

If only.

Colby Frazier supported the union. When word got out, he was out. Now personnel will dip into their slander bag and paste a pc human resources reason on it. Hey, "bias" is in vogue! Let's say that!
A sure thing: this will continue as long as there is a pro-union employee left in the building.

Colby's wife is roughly 3 months pregnant.

Take this handy quiz to find out what side you're really on in the NewsPressMess.

A local newspaper owner reminds me of
A. The Wicked Witch of the West
B. Marie Antoinette
C. The Red Queen in "Alice in Wonderland"
D. Leona Helmsley
E. Francis of Assisi

My favorite quote is
A. "I'll get you, my pretties!")
B. "Let them eat cake."
C. "Off with their heads."
D. "Only the little people pay taxes."
E. "Thou shalt have no other Gods before me."

If the forest was on fire, I would first save the
A. animals
B. trees
C. people
D. big bags of money under the bed
E. myself

To save the planet, I would
A. downsize the yacht
B. lose the Ferrari, Porsche, jet
C. become the fearless champion of feral pigs
D. fire Dr. Laura
E. sue the Coastal Commission

When faced with a problem, I
A. get a new attorney
B. get two new attorneys
C. steal someone's website
D. issue a press release
E. have my junkyard dog editor smear their reputation

Answer key:
1. If you laughed at any of the choices, you are on the side of righteousness.
2. If you always answered "E", check your driver's license. You may be the owner of a venerable, once respected So Cal daily.

"OUR NUMBERS ARE TERRIFIC!" YOU PEOPLE. MOVE ON. Wendy has friends like Dr. LAURA, Rob Lowe and the Douglas family. Do you think Oprah doesn't like fine food? Her list of friends is world wide. You can't put a dent in the advertisers. More people will read and be influenced by her paper when she's free. If you're too busy navel gazing to be up to date Your Radio Equalizer: Brian Maloney has an interview with DR. LAURA, highly recommended. DR. LAURA and Wendy's paper are a marriage made in heaven. DR. LAURA is not just a voice, she is THE FACE. When you get your heads out of the sand you will see who is ALL over the news as she is in DEBATE, and what a debater she is, with so called "feminist" everywhere. And making nice to transgenders every where. She's the real deal, as you can see from response to "feminist" letter to DR. LAURA. Men love her. You might as well get on the bandwagon, the people that matter are already there. DR.LAURA will be advising our President while you continually go over the current trends. ===== Dr L: ."Our numbers are terrific!I believe my overall ratings across the board are up about 21% while the industry numbers are down. The numbers don't lie and we are very excited about it.

We are currently talking to all of our affiliates across the country about our excellent numbers and also seeking new affiliates across the country as we think the timing is right to grow not only nationally, but internationally.

As to why the perception is so different from reality, see my previous answer.." ===== Brian Maloney: "It might be safe to say that the word controversy would emerge early in that particular thought process. Over the last twelve years or so, Dr Laura has found fame and notoriety for being unafraid to stand by positions that others would likely abandon quickly under public pressure.

For that determination to stand her ground, she's faced astounding opposition from well- organized, funded and nasty opponents, from gay & lesbian fringe activist groups for her position on homosexuality, to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) for her advice to a 16- year- old on whether to visit a local mosque. After an on- air lesson in Islamofascism that outraged pro- muslim organizations, Dr Laura refused to back down.

More recently, she's taken on an additional role as columnist for the Santa Barbara News- Press, using the space to confront feminism, among other topics. That has UCSB campus activists in a tizzy, which also caught the attention of FOX News.

While things have quieted down slightly in the controversy department in the last year or so, the next flap never seems very far away." AMEN

For a brief moment, I almost pitied Wendy, the Nip, Travis...It must be hard living life that self involved and out of touch. Then I thought, "Naaaaw, they're absolutely rotten bastards devoid of soul."

Songs written for Wendy:

http://www.esnips.com/web/guildedtruthsO...

Per comment by "Peter Drucker"

Colby Frazier supported the union, but so do a huge number of others often appearing in black garb with tape over their mouthes. Why specifically was Frazier sacked but the other unionists have not been terminated?

The news today with Frazier and Life editor Andrea Huebner actually were terminated by the company is a significant difference. Now, those employees can fight back with a legal suit. This seems especially ripe with the hypocricy (as noted above) of how the chief editorial writer publishing scads of personal attacks but with no discouragement of that by the company.

New drinking game: everyone takes a shot each time another staffer is fired or 'constructively terminated.' Game winner is the first to match Travis Armstrong's May 7 BAC. Good luck.

Hypocrisy! Flabbergasted!

Sorry, couldn't take all the creative spelling going on any longer.

Rumor has it that Mr. Frazier could be fired during the unionization process because his employment status had changed, and he was in his 90 day probationary period.

This is all about sending a "message" to the employees: Wendy/Millstein is/are in control, don't mess with them, and we'll sort out the legalities later. The good news is that the employees are only inspired to greater heights of unity and perseverance, as management descends to greater depths of malice and hostility. The NP has brought in a professional "persuader" union-buster, Jim Anderson, to waste everyone's time trying to convince them to vote "no". The man gives the usual rote anti-union shpiel, lacks conviction, is clueless about what's going on in this venue, admits that unions are sometimes necessary, acknowledges that NP management has been heavy-handed, and is generally being treated by the employees like the bought and paid for amoral dolt he is.

For those who haven't seen it, here's Michael Seabaugh's explanation of his departure from the Snooze Press:

Can’t stand this rain against my window

I am withdrawing Healthspan from the Santa Barbara News Press. I will not be returning in October as previously planned. Healthspan will be available here on my website, posted every Thursday, and it will continue to be published in the Southeast Missourian and, hopefully, in several other papers I am currently negotiating with.

It is with a very heavy heart and just a bit of gastric distress that I write this. As many of you have known, I have been struggling mightily with what is happening at the News Press. For almost three years I have been proud of my contribution to the public discourse of Santa Barbara through my weekly Healthspan column. It has enriched my experience of being a part of this very healthy community. It has given me a wonderful window into many of the lives of my fellow citizens. Probably most gratifying, the readers of Healthspan have been wonderfully generous with their support of my efforts.

All of this began to change for me when Jerry Roberts departed. He (and Linda Strean, then Managing Editor) took a chance on a psychologist with a journalism degree (from over thirty years ago) who claimed he could write. I respected him and when he walked out, I felt I was no longer working for anyone.

The way things have uncoiled since then, perhaps my “home alone” sense was correct; no one seems to be at home there.

Originally, I decided that I would stay the course because of the readers. I had heard from so many of them, expressing hope that I would continue and letting me know that they benefitted from the column.
Then, on September 8, the News Press took the unprecedented step of publicly apologizing to Laura Schlessinger for my allegedly making an “inappropriate personal attack” on my allegedly “fellow columnist.” I am sure there are varying opinions out there, but no one I heard from, whether they be professional colleagues or readers, thought that what I said was inappropriate or in any way misrepresented “Dr. Laura’s” well known intolerance of diversity.

The question remained: Why would the News Press publisher and associate editor feel compelled to take this strange step? As Craig Smith wrote in his blog, wouldn’t this be something that should be investigated and handled internally? I was never contacted by the “deciders” on this matter. The only contact I ever had was a kind and apologetic call from my immediate editor, Andrea Huebner, on the morning the NewsPress apology was published.

Four days later, Andrea Huebner was fired. The reason? Officially, it was something about the poor quality of her work. Anyone who knows Andrea or has worked with her, as I have, knows this is utter bullshit; she is a very competent professional. The real reason? Because she allowed my September 5th “Birthday” column to be run as it was written, respecting my rights as a columnist (and as an American?) to speak my mind and express it in the way I saw fit.

After the absurd apology made to “Dr. Laura”, I still decided to stick with my plan to return to the News Press. Why? Trust me, I pondered this one deeply. I think it actually came down to the fact that I hate bullies, and, as an adult man, I am no longer going to run from them. I am convinced the Laura Schlessenger’s sharpened claws are all over this one. The fact that the NewsPress honchos had lost their judgment, either because they were either in bed with her or were afraid of her, was almost beside the point. I wasn’t going to to bail because she was hissing at me.

But the firing of Andrea Huebner highlights the fallacy of pride as a platform for moral decisions. This may be overdramatic, but it was like the gunman was shooting at me (I am the one who dared to suggest that Mrs. Schlessinger had the hutzpah--is that better?-- to preach against tolerating diversity) and Andrea, standing in front of me, took the bullet. It finally seems morally indefensible to me to keep standing there smiling at the gunmen.

Sometimes I wonder why I stay at the party so long. I suppose I am just that kind of guy, someone who always thinks it’s gotta get better. That’s why I have never left a film, even a terrible one, till the bitter end. We all need to learn from our experiences, especially the ones that stir our emotions.

Ultimately, I need to remember that in one’s life: It’s a Party over here, Party over there.


HealthspanBlog
Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Logical conundrum:
"Dr." Laura thinks gays are "biological mistakes;"
Travis A. is, apparently, a gay caballero;
Does the "Dr." think that Armstrong is a mistake?

This raises all sorts of interesting scenarios, don't it?

This smells to me like part of a broader national trend, starting from the very top (Bush, Cheny), where rich bullies who hate the free press are attempting to smash it down. In their minds, freedom of the press is limited to those who own one. (That is why net neutrality is so critical.) The rich have only gotten richer in the past 5 years and so bullies like McCaw and Schleshinger are emboldened to smash down the rest of us peons. Democracy? Diversity? How quaint!

The Baron of Porky Pig Patties, News-Press publisher Nipper von Wiesenberger, is listed in this month’s Santa Barbara magazine as contributing editor for food & wine. There’s a ridiculous caricature of him at page 248, sitting in a tuxedo top and boxer short bottoms—perhaps he’s entertaining some of the many woman he refers to in Vanity Fair. He writes in “Nipper’s Bits & Bites” that he does like his fried basil at Le Bon Cafe—maybe this is because the faux basil crisis carried on News-Press page one is over (for more information about the News-Press’ basil problem, see the L.A. Times, since it’s hidden behind the News-Press’ paid web site). No wonder the paper is a national joke.

A final word about Fuentes: Wendy McCaw emphasizes in various press releases that employees speaking publicly about internal matters can be fired. Her “cease and desist” letters probably say the same thing. Arthur von Wiesenberger, in his unfortunate Prince of Porky Pig Patties piece, says, “In fact, it is the violation of company rules and policies that is at the core of the News-Press problems.”

So why can photographer Ana Fuentes, on the front page of the opinion section, say “I contacted my supervisor. I contacted my supervisor's supervisor. I waited for the chain of command to respond. Nothing was done.” Isn’t this a statement about internal matters, which is a violation of company rules—“the core of the News-Press problems”?

Photo Editor Len Wood probably had to quit since he was being undermined by his superiors, who violated simple management and legal precepts by allowing Fuentes to publish. Photography has been one of the strongest parts of the paper and Len Wood, by all accounts, is an employee of immense talent, energy and local knowledge. A staggering loss for the News-Press.

Fuentes’ clear violation of the prohibition against speaking out publicly about internal matters shows McCaw’s hypocrisy at work. Fuentes of course won’t be reprimanded. She’s a pawn.

But the News-Press allowing Fuentes to publish sensitive internal information has to blow a hole through the legal effectiveness of McCaw’s “duct tape your mouth” cease and desist letters.

Dr. Michael Seabaugh’s articles were one of my favorite parts of the S.B. News-Surpress. He writes that he will publish weekly at his web site. One would hope the Independent would pick him up as well. Dr. Michael is so positive and writes about health issues.

Excellent point, Do As I say!

Also, I meant Cheney, not Cheny, in above msg. Don't want to get Spl Chk on my case. :)

I second the suggestion of Dr. Seabaugh becoming an Indy feature! Good opportunity, Indy, to skim some more cream off ongoing episode of the Santa Barbara hit drama: "The Silly Spoiled Spill a Case of Basil Infused Milk."

nip,nip,again..I thought it might be fun to do a family tree for the NewsPress. Gina Tolleson writes the insipid "A List" for the Newspress and is editor of SB Magazine..Nipper is a contributing editor...the branches reach far into the community..perhaps it's time for a pruning party!

Letter to the editor in today's L.A. Times:

Santa Barbara can't paper over this dispute

Re "Summer of Discontent Heads for Fall," Sept. 9

The Santa Barbara News-Press may have become a national joke, but the harm done is no laughing matter. This is not a "feud" between employees and management, and owner Wendy McCaw is hardly the underdog in an ideological battle with Santa Barbara's city government.

For reasons no one can fathom, McCaw has chosen to make war on the community in which she lives, and the list of private organizations and individuals she has attacked grows daily.
As a result, Santa Barbarans no longer have a newspaper; we have an unreliable rag whose current editors can't distinguish a legitimate news story from a condiment.
We will continue to boycott the paper until journalistic integrity has been reestablished.
JANA ZIMMER
RICHARD SOLOMON
Santa Barbara

Editor and Publisher is a national newspaper industry publication. Here is a story that came out today, mentioning the Independent.

More 'SB News-Press' Departures Bring Staff Exits to 22 Since July

By Joe Strupp

Published: September 15, 2006 4:30 PM ET

http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/arti...

Have to wonder what Wendy's colleagues in the industry think of her and Nipster.

I heard something about a rally a De La Guerra Plaza.

Yes? No?

A matter---what are you doing blogging at 3am? get some sleep so ya don't miss the rally--

any organized newsroom staff want to anonymously fill us in on plans for a rally and/or parade/march?
thanks

We've devoured all the current news media coverage on Wendy, but haven't learned much about her childhood or early years. Can anyone reference magazine or newspaper articles, maybe from the Seattle or San Francisco areas?

A few Seattle articles are linked to here Wikipedia entry.

What would be enormous fun would be info from her years at Stanford in the early 1970's... quite a wild time there. Lake Lag was essentially a nudist colony...

RALLY and FUNDRAISER TO SAVE THE SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS

The Rally:
3-4 p.m. Sunday, September 24
De la Guerra Plaza
Prominent speakers will be invited. More details to come.

The Fundraiser:
4-6 p.m. at Ruby’s Café
De la Guerra Plaza
Hors d’oeuvres and music
Suggested Donation: $20.00
Proceeds will be donated to the Journalist Loan Fund to help current  and former News-Press employees who have been forced out, fired or suspended without pay.

Please join the organized newsroom of the Santa Barbara News-Press in  a show of support for journalistic integrity and a fair employment  contract. In recent weeks, 22 top journalists have left the newsroom because Wendy McCaw, the owner and co-publisher, was interfering in the news. An atmosphere of intimidation and surveillance has replaced the openness that a free press requires.

This month, 11 newsroom employees received notice that they would be suspended for two days without pay for the “offense” of attempting to deliver a letter to McCaw. The letter asked her to stop harrassing employees who were seeking union representation.

The No. 1 priority of these employees, some of whom have worked at the paper for decades, is to restore ethical standards at the News- Press. They expect to win their union election by a large margin on  Sept. 27. Until their demands for a fair contract have been met, they are asking subscribers to CANCEL THE
NEWS-PRESS TODAY.

The Sept. 24 rally is organized by newsroom employees and the Graphic Communications Union of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.  Please help us send a message to McCaw that SANTA BARBARA DEMANDS A FREE PRESS.

###

Creative Idea on BlogaBarbara....
Anonymous said...
Vitural Cafe seems too complex for this simple idea and I would love to have others use the text. Someone posted that advertisers should not worry because “we” could not "get organized." It would be fitting therefore, if this card idea became so popular that the New Press had to do a story on the trendy little yellow index cards flapping all over Santa Barbara giving new meaning to "getting carded!"

That said, here is the easy process: I photocopy the text on bright yellow card stock (yellow is not mandatory, any bright color will do, just so it gets noticed by mgm't.). My card is about the size of an index card and I keep a stack in my car. I turn it in with my credit card or cash payment. Once and a while I hand it directly to the owner or sometimes if I chicken out I mail it back after I depart the offending enterprise.

Side One:

I appreciate your establishment but I am sorry to see you are an advertiser in the News Press. The ownership of the paper has hurt our community and until things improve I hope you will consider taking your ad dollars elsewhere. Some alternative places, where I can still receive your timely and important message, are suggested on reverse side. Thank you for your attention to customer needs.

Side Two:

The Independent
965-5205 / independent.com
The Daily Sound
564-6001 / santabarbarafree.com
Edhat On Line Magazine
624-6533 ed@edhat.com
The Los Angeles Times
(213) 237-5000 / latimes.com
Ventura Count Star News
650-2900 / venturacountystar.com
KEYT
882-3933 / keyt.com

The post about the rally says, "An atmosphere of intimidation and surveillance has replaced the openness that a free press requires."

Can someone please elaborate: what is going on to create this "atmosphere" inside the News-Press?

Randy Alcorn is the CFO of the News-Press who and has been there for a couple of decades. He is also one of the few columnists left standing--so far. But is his column today, "Looney leaders can have devastating effect," really about George Bush--or is it really about Wendy McCaw?

Can somebody cut and past Randy's column? For those of us out of state, it is hard to comment on something we can't see. I would be very interested in seeing what Randy has to say.

Ex Inmate

Uh-oh. Alcorn's column clearly contradicts the views of PhD in physiology Laura, who is totally pro-war, pro-Bush, pro-GOP. Somebody better get going on an apology to her, both personally and in public.

Thanks won't last! A very thought provoking and well written piece as usual from Mr. Alcorn. I am glad you put it out there for the rest of us to read.

Ex Inmate

Randy Alcorn presents a well-thought out description of the failure of the president. The piece also begs the question: Is this a mirror on a more local scene? Hmmmmmm

Dear "Life on the Inside": uhhh.....are you on the "same inside" in which 22 of our colleagues have either been forced to resign because of ethical conflicts, fired illegally, on and on and on....
let's just say---if you have to ask, you either aren't paying attention, or your name is Wendy/Travis/Nipper/Scott/Fuentes

Alcorn has either been hit by the boom and is dazed, or he is writing his farewell column. His piece certainly seems like a thinly veiled comment about (and soluitons for) Queen Ahab's unsuccessful leadership to date. Get ye' to a lifeboat Yeoman AlCorn--, but before ye' walk the plank or are thrown overboard, kudos for your right-on comments about capable executive ability. Read this part and think McFlaw...

"What makes leaders great is not that they can withstand widespread criticism and remain resolute in their decisions; rather, it is wise decisions based on a clear view of reality that make a great leader -- not delusional bunker mentality. A good leader knows that sometimes the sails must be adjusted to avoid running the ship onto the rocks. Unfortunately, we may be sailing with Captain Ahab.

This may not belong here, but in the spirit that the blog has become my community, here's some important info about the ashfall. To tie it to the media blog, this assurance: you sure won't read it first in the NP:

From Montecito Fire Dis't. and MERRAG (civil defense)

Many of you woke up to a what looks like a snowstorm of ash. This is due to the fire activity at the Day Fire. Our dispatcher was overwhelmed from people calling for information all night long.

In an effort to help eliviate some of your questions, I am including a link to a fire information website for you to find the latest updated information if you are curious about what is happening. There is no threat to our community at this time. It is currently burning toward the city of Fillmore.

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/475/

I am also including a link to a website that will let you view satallite imagery of fires. You must select the fire you want to view from the pull down menu. (Day Fire). As you click on the triangle indicating where the fire is, it will zoom in.

Once you get it to the way you'd like to see it, you can select the layers you want to include (i.e. cities, towns, roads, bodies of water etc.).

http://geomac.usgs.gov/viewer/viewer.htm...

We will probably continue to experience this ash flow for some time, so keep your doors, windows and dampers closed. Stay indoors to minimize exposure -- especially if you have respiratory ailments. Here are some other things to consider when dealing with large amounts of ash fall:

• Wash ash off children’s toys before children play with them.

• Clean ash off house pets.

• Wear gloves, long sleeved shirts, and long pants and avoid skin contact.

• If you do get ash on your skin, wash it off as soon as possible.

• If you have a vegetable garden or fruit trees, wash the fruit or vegetables thoroughly before eating them.

• Avoid getting ash into the air as much as possible. Do not use leaf blowers or take other actions that will put ash into the air.

• Shop vacuums and other common vacuum cleaners do not filter out small particles, but rather blow such particles out the exhaust into the air where they can be breathed. The use of shop vacuums and other non-HEPA filter vacuums is not recommended. HEPA filter vacuums could be used, if available.

• Well fitting dust masks may provide some protection during cleanup. A mask rated N-95 or P-100 will be more effective than simpler dust or surgical masks in blocking particles from ash. In general, many ash particles are larger than those found in smoke; thus, wearing a dust mask can significantly reduce (but not completely eliminate) the amount of particles inhaled.

• Persons with heart or lung disease should consult their physician during ash fall.

• Gentle sweeping of indoor and outdoor hard surfaces followed by wet mopping is the best procedure in most cases. A damp cloth or wet mop may be all that is needed on lightly dusted areas.

• Avoid washing ash into storm drains whenever possible.

• If ash is wet down, use as little water as possible.

• Collected ash may be disposed of in the regular trash. Ash may be stored in plastic bags or other containers that will prevent it from being disturbed.

The community of Fillmore and residents along the 150 corridorbetween Santa Paula and Ojai, as well as Wheeler Gorge and Matilija have been asked to evacuate.

Take this opportunity to check YOUR evacuation/disaster kits. If you are unsure what you should have, check out the MERRAG website for more information.

Thanks, and as always, be safe!

Geri Simmons

gsimmons@montecitofire.com

Thank you "Won't last so read it quick". Citizens/Advertisers add creative ideas/solutions to Blogabarbara.

I like the union.

Doesn't the Independent realize -- by Wednesday -- that it's Sunday post isn't allowing comments? Hello, anyone home?

moteofdust asked for info on Wendy's Stanford days. I don't know anything about a nudist colony at Lake Lag (!), but doubt this would have appealed to Wendy, since while the rest of us were wearing t-shirts and jeans with holes (it was the early 70s, after all), she was always dressed to the hilt in very expensive slacks and skirts. I was a dorm-mate of hers at the Stanford-in-England campus in late '72. Both she and Craig McCaw were there. It was blatantly obvious she was after his money even then; she would drag him on elaborate shopping trips every weekend (Spain for leather coats, Scotland for kilts, etc.). A more narcissistic and inconsiderate person I've never seen. She'd come in late at night, when I and her other two roommates were asleep, and clatter around, noisily wrap packages, whatever. I don't live in the Santa Barbara area, but when I heard about all the commotion with the News-Press and found out it was the same Wendy, I wasn't surprised. That animal rights thing of hers is camouflage for the fact that she treats people like pigs.