Books

Valerie is an experienced editor of nonfiction books of all genres, and has worked with dozens of satisfied authors.  

Uplift: Energizing Educators' Passion & Purpose

Dumpster fire is the funny-but-not-so-funny term that frequently comes up when educators are explaining the conditions they are navigating on a daily basis. Feeling stress, overwhelm, and exhaustion has become the new norm. Veterans experiencing burnout feel forced to stay or are driven into other work, and new teachers have been difficult to retain. Educators are working harder than ever to refine classroom management skills so that they can effectively teach the multitude of complex standards...

Live Engaged: How to Tap Into Your Divine Feminine & Unlock Your Superpower

Women make up almost 50% of the global population. We are not only leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, healers, and mothers but at our core, we are also divine creators; yet so many of us feel disconnected from our True Selves. In a world that often asks us to fit into molds that were never designed for us, it’s time to step into our Power and rewrite the rules, especially now.

In this groundbreaking book, you’ll embark on a journey to align your mind, body, and soul through a unique blend of spiritual wisdom and proven, cutting-edge science. Learn how to tap into your Sacred Feminine, optimize your energetics and frequency, and create heart-brain coherence to live a life of authenticity, abundance, joy, and radiant health.

Through practical tools, transformative exercises, and deeply personal insights, readers will discover:
Why awareness is the first step to unlocking your human potential.
The secrets to creating a personalized health and wellness blueprint, leveraging time-honored tools of meditation, breathwork, frequency healing, somatic therapy, to name a few.
How to imbue your lives with purpose and soul alignment in order to to transform your life experience and excel at all your personal and professional goals.
How to cultivate your true power and magnetism, becoming the light that inspires others.

This book will guide you HOME—to yourself, your dreams, and the limitless possibilities that await you.

Engage with your life.
Engage with your dreams.
Engage with the Divine within you.
Your Superpower is glowing.
Will you let her SHINE?

Heart of the Matter: How My Near-Death Experiences Led Me to Save Lives and Souls

Prepare to embark on an unforgettable path from near-death to newfound life!

Only a young newlywed, Lynn Blake's heart stopped without warning. She was given a second chance at life—but surviving cardiac arrest was only the beginning. Would she let trauma define her, or would she turn it into a force for change?

In Heart of the Matter, Lynn shares her struggles with grief, healing, and personal growth in unexpected challenges, living with an implanted pacemaker-defibrillator, and the weight of unanswered questions with tender honesty. Through it all, she discovers resilience, guidance, and a mission to save lives and souls.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Colorado mountains, this inspiring story invites readers to embrace life's peaks and valleys, proving that even in our lowest moments, hope and transformation are within reach.

More than a memoir, Heart of the Matter offers practical wisdom, including 17 Steps to Overcome Anxiety and Find Hope for the Heart, as well as access to reflections on life's biggest questions from the perspective of a survivor.

Discover how to thrive in life by getting to your own Heart of the Matter!

Embrace Your PINK: A Guide to Raising Your Vibration to Create the Life of Your Dreams

Trauma, crisis, and stress don’t have to define you and keep you from true happiness. You have the power within you to transform your life.
Are you ready to embrace your PINK?

Creating a life you love is possible. This book will show you the 4 PINK Principles that will help you reprogram your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to create a healthy, loving, and authentic life. You will return home to yourself and align to the life of your dreams.

In this book, you will discover:
-The four PINK Principles to help lead you to healing and self-discovery
-How to open yourself up to the endless possibilities that await you
-Ways to take control of your mind and take control of your life.
-Short stories to motivate and inspire change
-Evidence-based strategies you can easily implement today.

Congratulations on making the decision to begin this journey of healing and self-discovery. Dive into your PINK and get ready to make your next life chapter your best!

From Orphan to Inspiration: 11 Miracles That Helped Me Escape Death

In a world filled with uncertainty, illness, and personal trials, many hearts grow weary and discouraged but even in the darkest moments, hope still whispers.

Betty Simon shares stories of her miraculous survival and the discovery of God’s purpose woven through her deepest pain. From losing both parents at just nine years old, to surviving eleven near-death experiences, and stepping boldly into her God-given calling.

Her journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and divine purpose. No matter your spiritual or religious background, Betty’s near-death experiences shade light on the power of a loving God who gives us hope. In the Bible, Jesus reminds us that in this world we will face troubles, but He also comforts us to take heart because He has overcome the world. With that assurance, we have hope in Him that we too can rise above our own challenges. Betty’s personal experiences demonstrate this eternal hope. If you ever feel like giving up, look to Betty’s inspiring testimony as encouragement.

From surviving multiple life-threatening moments to becoming a voice of encouragement, Betty’s deepest desire is to inspire others to hold fast to hope through her writing, speaking, and coaching. Betty holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, is married to her wonderful husband, Shane, and is the mother to their twin boys, Robert and Duane. She lives with her family in beautiful Southern Oregon. Learn more at BettySimon.com

Betty will be be donating some of the proceeds of her book to Good Samaritan Ministries. It is the organization which helped her after she lost her parents. It changed her life and she believes she is in a better position because of that organization.

Sell, Sell, Sell!

If you’re in sales, and serious about getting better, then this is the book you’ve been waiting for!

In SELL, SELL, SELL!, David D’Orazi pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to thrive in sales, not just for a quarter, but for a career. Drawing from nearly a half-century of real-world experience, raw journal entries, and time-tested strategies, he delivers the straight truth about what works, what doesn’t, and how to rise to the top—no gimmicks, no fluff.

Whether you’re brand-new to sales or already performing at a high level, you’ll walk away with:

-Proven techniques to close more deals
-A mindset built for long-term success
-Real stories from the field that teach, inspire,
and entertain
-Hard-won lessons that can save you years
of trial and error

After decades of dominating in competitive industries and consistently landing in the top 2% of sales performers, David now shares the secrets that helped him succeed—so you can too.

If you’ve got questions about how to sell better,
more confidently, and with real purpose
—this book has the answers.

Not Yours To Keep: A Story About Adoption and the Strength and Resilience of Women

Not Yours to Keep is a raw and emotional story that speaks to the resilience of women. It is a compelling tale about a young mother in the 1950s who fought against all odds to give birth to her child that was conceived by a brutal rape, only to give her up for adoption at birth. Unknowingly, the baby girl, Julie, is adopted and raised by parents in a loving family only a few miles away from where her birth mother lives. There are many times throughout Julie’s fifty-one years that their lives come...

Whole You Before Two: How Emotional Wholeness Transforms Every Relationship

Terry Moss is a dynamic voice in the world of relationships, widely recognized as a pastor in the marketplace and a wholeness architect committed to helping individuals and couples thrive emotionally, spiritually, and relationally. A retired corporate executive with a thirty-six-year career in commercial underwriting—including leadership as second vice president at a nationally recognized insurance firm—Terry now devotes his life to full-time ministry, coaching, and teaching.With over five decad...

When Love Hurts: A Journey through Abuse & Addiction

When the person you love most is hurting… how do you survive without losing yourself?

When Love Hurts is a raw, honest memoir from Mike and Christine Gifford—partners in life, pain, and healing. It is the story of two people caught in the grip of addiction, trauma, and disease, who dared to ask the hardest questions: What is love when it no longer feels safe? How do you forgive when you’re still bleeding? Is redemption possible when you can barely hold on?

Told from both Mike’s and Christine’s perspectives, this powerful book explores:

-The hidden toll of codependency and caretaking
-The spiritual journey from betrayal to healing
-How love can become both a wound and a lifeline
-The radical path of self-forgiveness and self-love
-What it means to stay—through illness, recovery, and truth

Whether you’ve struggled in your own relationships, supported a loved one through addiction, or felt the quiet ache of losing yourself to someone else’s pain—this book offers hope. Mike and Christine don’t pretend to have all the answers, but they have lived the questions. And in doing so, they have found something more enduring than perfection: authentic love.

Women of Nevada: A journey of inspiration and empowerment in the high desert

Kit Carson. Wyatt Earp. Jedediah Smith. These men come to mind when people think about the history of notable Nevadans. But who are the notable women impacting the Silver State today? Journalist Lucy Birmingham spent many years interviewing and profiling strong, remarkable, and independent women who are leaving their imprint on the Silver State for Women of Nevada: A journey of inspiration and empowerment in the high desert.

Birmingham learned about the swift, trout-rich, and fast-flowing Truckee River, where the Sierra Fly Girls create opportunities for women to explore natural outdoor beauty, meet new people, and empower women. On the hot, dry, and unforgiving Black Rock Desert playa, choreographer Carly “Wrangler” Perona and photographer Eleanor Preger showed Birmingham the beauty, DIY spirit, and fire (literally) behind the annual Burning Man festival. Birmingham also met native women committed to preserving their cultural traditions—from Western Shoshone basketmaker Leah Brady to Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe member Rochanne Downs’ diligent work preserving and repatriating stolen Native bones, skulls, and other sacred objects. And award-winning filmmaker Kari Barber shared with Birmingham her experiences making documentaries that offer a deeper understanding of Nevada and its residents.

In the end, Women of Nevada: A journey of inspiration and empowerment in the high desert is a travelogue highlighting more than a dozen pioneering, iconoclastic, and inspiring women of ages and cultures as vast and sweeping as the state itself.

Know Your Superpowers, Know Your Future: Using Numerology to Unlock Your Full Potential

Trying to find the best time to make a change?

Whether it’s launching a new venture, shifting careers, or deepening your personal growth, timing is everything. What if you had a personalized guide that helped you align with the right energy—every year, every month, every day?

Your birth date holds powerful insights. It gives us your gifts—the superpowers you brought into this lifetime. This number, when added to the current year, indicates the potential for your future. By understanding the energy of numbers, you can harness their power.

When you know your numbers, you understand your cycles—when to power forward, when to pause and be receptive, and when transformation is on the horizon.

This book deciphers your numbers and advises how to plan each year, each month, and even each day. Keep it by your bedside to use for years to come.

If you’re ready to harness the power of numbers and unlock your true potential, Know Your Superpowers, Know Your Future is for you.

Your future is waiting—it’s time to decode it and engage your superpowers.

Quickies: One Hundred Little Lessons for Living Sexily Ever After in Midlife

A bold manifesto to reclaim your desires, reignite intimacy, and celebrate the sacred power of midlife sexuality—unapologetically.

Step aside, stereotypes! Midlife is not a time to fade into the background.

In Quickies, Dr. Heather Bartos, OB/GYN, renowned menopause specialist, and Oprah-approved women's health advocate, delivers a witty, wise, and unapologetically bold roadmap for reclaiming sensuality, confidence, and self-love in midlife.

Packed with 100 empowering, bite-sized lessons, Quickies challenges outdated notions about aging and intimacy. From practical advice on navigating hormonal shifts to cheeky tips for spicing things up in the bedroom (or anywhere else), this groundbreaking guide invites women to embrace their evolving identities with curiosity, courage, and joy. Whether you're reigniting your spark or discovering it for the first time, Dr. Bartos's compassionate and laugh-out-loud voice makes the journey a delight.

Dr. Bartos's expertise isn't just clinical–it's deeply personal. Drawing on years of experience as a top OB/GYN and certified menopause specialist, she offers medical insights with a human touch. A certified reiki practitioner, she also bridges the worlds of science and spirit, encouraging women to connect with their bodies on every level. And with a surprise foreword that's sure to make readers smile, Quickies delivers not just education, but celebration.

Empress Editions Publisher Alisa Kennedy Jones calls Dr. Bartos's work "a revelation," adding, "Quickies is a love letter to midlife women everywhere. It's an invitation to thrive, not just survive." Set for release on June 24th, 2025, on the heels of National Vagina Appreciation Day, this book is poised to redefine midlife and inspire a new wave of bold, beautiful living.

Dr. Heather Bartos's expertise has been featured in The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine, and Good Housekeeping. Now, with Quickies, she's giving midlife women everywhere the tools to live sexily ever after.

They’re Coming for Your Elders and Your Inheritance: Ways to Protect Your Family, Mitigate the Damage, and Change the System

Legal guardianship often feels like a swamp (and that’s how I describe it in my multi-award-winning book Protecting Mama: Surviving the Legal Guardianship Swamp). If guardianship is a swamp, then elder care is a jungle. Is your bank account prepared for the trek? Even wealthy elders see their nest eggs dwindle, sometimes to zero, as they battle chronic diseases or catastrophic accidents.Do you worry about what might happen to one of your older loved ones, should that person no longer be safe liv...

The Power of Connection: Understanding Individual Differences to Uplift and Empower

Unleash the Power of Your Words to Transform LivesImagine the profound impact you’ll have when every interaction leaves others feeling respected, confident, and valued in their abilities. By mastering the art of intentional communication, you’ll discover how to:Dr. Dianne Olvera has shared this transformative technique for over four decades, grounded in her vast experience as a university professor, researcher, international diplomat, educational therapist, wife, mother, partner, and grandparent...

The Pain Free Formula: Solving the Puzzle of Muscle and Joint Pain Without Surgery, Drugs or Injections

Have you tried everything for your pain, and nothing seems to work? Millions of people suffer from joint and muscle pain every day, enduring countless treatments, surgeries, and medications that never seem to offer lasting relief.In The Pain-Free Formula, accomplished pain specialist, physical therapist, registered nurse, and healthcare expert Stacey Roberts shares a revolutionary, holistic approach to eliminating joint pain for good—without relying on surgery, drugs, or injections.With over 30...

Nature Speaks: Conersations With Pets & Wildlife

Nancy Orlen Weber recalls the moment the lights went on. As a 19-year-old nurse fresh out of nursing school, she confidently told a doctor that his diagnosis and orders for a new patient were wrong. He listened, changed the order, and when her instincts were proven correct, he thanked her and applauded her remarkable gift. It was the first time Nancy saw how valuable her psychic abilities could be to others.Ten years later, Nancy's life took a dramatic turn when a violent attack by her first hus...

Bod4God: Twelve Weeks to Lasting Weight Loss

Transform Your Body and Soul with Biblical Wellness and Proven Weight Loss Strategies
Steve had been overweight all his life. In fact, he weighed more than 100 pounds in first grade! After playing college football he vowed never to exercise again. That was one promise he kept, ballooning to nearly 350 pounds and staying there for years. Driven by his declining health, Steve began to study the Bible for help.

Steve lost 130 pounds and launched a stunningly successful weight-loss program in his church, community and through out the nation. In Bod4God, he reveals four keys from the Bible that have unlocked the door to health and fitness for him and countless others. He shares these simple lifestyle changes-both inside and out-that have led to incredible transformation, and now he invites you to change your life forever! In this book you’ll learn how to:

Honor God with your body and stop feeling guilty.
Motivate yourself for change and stick to your healthy goals.
Tailor a plan just for you, and enjoy doing it the rest of your life.
Manage your eating and retrain your taste buds to crave healthy foods.
Get your body moving with fitness tips to increase energy.
Build your circle of support to encourage, educate and equip you.
Launch a fun and effective wellness program in your church or organization.

And much more!

The Anxiety Code: Your Solution to Relentless Anxiety

Anxiety! Who hasn’t felt its grip on internal restlessness? It touches nearly everyone, from a mild flutter in the stomach to an intense dread of a full-blown panic attach, It can manifest as test-taking jitters, a racing heart, or sweaty palms. Yes, despite extensive scientific research, there isn’t a universal theory of anxiety, often described simply as an “over-response to stress.” While anxiety can sometimes motivate us to accomplish tasks, it can also become overwhelming and relentless, pr...

The Montessori Home and Beyond: Nurture the Heart of Your Child and Family

The Montessori Home and Beyond empowers parents to bring Maria Montessori’s timeless principles into their own homes, offering a transformative approach to raising children. An insightful understanding of how children learn, particularly during the crucial first six years when their minds are most absorbent, opens up opportunities for parents to positively influence their children’s lifelong development. Drawing on the author’s own experiences of raising six children with this philosophy, the bo...

Healing with Love: Two Sister's Divinely Guided Journey to Healing, Awakening and Discovering Their True Power

Two sisters, bound by love and guided by divine forces, embark on an extraordinary journey of healing and spiritual awakening. When one faces a life-threatening cancer diagnosis, the other calls upon the spirit realm for assistance. Cindy activates her psychic abilities, channels her spirit guides, and trains to become an energy healer, just in time to support her sister through a challenging chapter.

The wisdom and divine guidance Cindy receives during their energy healing sessions illuminate Hilary’s path to recovery. Hilary’s dedication to healing herself illustrates that true, lasting healing extends far beyond the physical; it requires inward exploration and the energetic release of unresolved emotional wounds, traumas, and self-limiting beliefs. It is a journey of embracing self-love and rediscovering the divine love that resides within us all.

This compelling narrative intertwines the remarkable experiences of an emerging energy healer with those of a woman discovering how to truly heal and transform her life. Their story is a powerful testament to the strength of sisterhood and the interconnectedness we all share.

In light of the current global shift in consciousness and the growing interest in alternative healing modalities, Healing with Love aims to inspire readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery, activating their innate spiritual gifts and awakening to their true divine nature—the potent love within that serves as a powerful tool for healing and transformation.

Seeing Creatively: How to Unlock Your Imagination

Are you contemplating making a change toward a more fulfilling and enriched life? Experiencing a mindful focus on dealing with stress and conflict or wanting to reach a higher potential, can be exhausting! Your solution, Bonnie Wilczynski’s Seeing Creatively: How to Unlock Your Imagination.
Revel in a transformative guidebook that invites readers on an engaging journey of self-discovery and empowerment through practicing creative visualization.

Drawing upon the image of a magical mission is a roadmap for navigating the inner landscape of the mind and connecting the power of imagination to express dreams and ambitions.

Each chapter acts as a stepping-stone along the path. Readers are guided through a myriad of insights, tools, and exercises designed to light the way forward by exploring the life-changing potential of creative visualization. This exploration reveals how it can reshape perceptions, beliefs, and even realities.

With a toolkit of techniques and practices at their disposal, readers learn how to navigate the challenges of self-doubt, resistance, and limiting beliefs, while emphasizing the importance of mindfulness, presence, and gratitude, celebrating the journey of self-empowerment and transformation.

This book is an ongoing adventure that invites readers to embark on a journey of unlocking their imagination where they can access their true potential and light up the path to fulfilling their dreams.

Soul Detective: How to Solve the Inner Mystery of You

You Can Solve the Greatest Mystery of All—Your Soul Purpose!

Are you ready to delve into the amazing depths of your soul and unveil its unique treasures? Do you yearn to discover your deepest wisdom and decipher your highest aspirations?

This book is your roadmap to empowering you to become your own Soul Detective, leading you towards a life overflowing with profound meaning and genuine contentment.

Packed with ideas, exercises, and examples of how to use your mind and soul as your power tool kit, you’ll discover how to:

Connect deeply with your soul’s wisdom.
Break free from limiting beliefs and emotional blockages.
Reshape your life with clarity and confidence.
Solve your own life’s puzzles with ease.
Cultivate inner peace, resilience, and joy.

Nancy Weber is a renowned psychic detective featured in documentaries worldwide, a spiritual guide, animal communicator, and medical intuitive. With her decades of experience, she is uniquely equipped to lead you through your inner exploration with clarity and compassion, helping you uncover your soul’s true purpose.

Youth Truth: Engaging in Conversations That Can Change Lives

Do you know what questions to ASK your kids, students, and the youth in your life to get them to talk with you? Wouldn’t it be great to have them actually respond and engage in conversation?

This gripping book delves into the raw, unfiltered world of today’s youth. Their lives are way more complex than most realize. It is a compelling and poignant exploration of the challenges faced by young souls, bringing to light the often overlooked and misunderstood battles they fight.

In Youth Truth, discover the essential guide to navigating the tough conversations that matter most to today’s youth. This compelling narrative empowers parents, educators, and mentors to approach sensitive topics with empathy and understanding, creating safe spaces where young voices feel valued and heard. From the haunting realities of suicide and bullying to the silent battles of eating disorders, this book unveils the raw struggles faced by a generation yearning for connection.

The Menopause Mindshift: How I Unleashed My Inner Queen, And You Can Too!

Unleash Your Inner Queen and Transform Your Menopause Experience!

Are you overwhelmed by hot flashes, memory loss, fatigue, and insomnia? It’s time to change your menopause mindset and reclaim your life!

Author Lisa R. Triggs is a woman who faced almost seven years of depression, insomnia, hot flashes, and memory issues. In 2023, Lisa discovered a new path and realized that the power to improve her symptoms was within her all along. By adopting a positive perspective on menopause and integrating tools like meditation, affirmations, and visualization, Lisa experienced a remarkable transformation.

In her inspiring book, Lisa shares her journey and offers practical guidance to help you:
-Learn how to control and reduce menopause symptoms through mindset changes
-Discover powerful methods to envision and achieve a healthier, more balanced life
-Calm the inner storm of hot flashes with soothing meditation practices
-Write and use impactful affirmations to reinforce positive changes
-Explore the healing power of solfeggio frequencies
-Embark on a journey of self-discovery with insightful tools and exercises
-Understand the crucial role of self-love during menopause
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Web Content

Valerie has written over 250 articles on a vast array of topics and has worked with over 100 expert contributors annually to help them develop their writing skills through coaching and editing.  Valerie has also written numerous Sponsored Content articles with fantastic results for her clients.

Change your cylinder, change the world

Ah, it’s summertime. Camping, barbecues, days by the lake or river, these are things we wait for all year long. But while we might not think about it while we’re having fun, those 1 lb propane cylinders we use in our camp stoves and other portable appliances add up in both cost and environmental impact.

Now, your outdoor fun can be a little greener by making the simple, convenient switch to a reusable 1 lb propane cylinder. Every year in North America, 40 million single-use 1 lb propane cylinde

Childcare Means Business

Families in Nevada County need high quality, affordable child care. Studies show that quality child care helps children develop and thrive. However, quality child care also impacts our entire community because investments in the childcare sector are critical for the continued functioning and recovery of our economy. Providing direct support to local childcare businesses promotes economic stability by ensuring families can return to work.

“The COVID-19 pandemic spotlights how child care is a pil

Brunswick Veterinary Clinic Celebrates One Year Anniversary

The Brunswick Veterinary Clinic team wants to thank the community for their love and support following the reopening of the business, and looks forward to many more years of serving your pets. Brunswick Veterinary Clinic was founded in 1986 by Jay Schuff, DVM and Rebecca Hahn, DVM., Following their retirement, the clinic reopened on January 29, 2020, under the leadership of experienced area veterinarian, Tarra Williams, DVM. Dr. Schuff and Dr. Hahn stayed on during the transition before permanen

Nevada County is getting more days and more ways to vote

The leaders we elect and ballot measures we approve have the power to impact our daily lives. Elections are our chance to stand up for what matters most to us and to shape our communities, our state, and our nation. The midterm election on November 6 is no different, and this year Nevada County is offering new choices designed to make voting more convenient and ensure that everyone’s voice is heard.

Nevada County is one of five counties to implement the Voter’s Choice Act this year – giving vot

Stucki Jewelers travel half way around the world to find just the right diamonds for their customers

Stucki Jewelers, named Instore Magazine’s 2018 “Coolest Jewelry Store in America” for their repurposing of owner James Arbaugh’s old office into a humidor, is not just smoke and mirrors. The downtown Grass Valley shop has been a community staple for over 100 years, and continues to thrive thanks to the passion and dedication of James and his wife, Nicole. The couple takes personalized customer service to the next level, and will head to Belgium next week to the foremost diamond district in the w

Early Quality Matters in Nevada County

What happens to our children now impacts all of us tomorrow. Kids grow up, and the care and education they receive in the first five years of life is a big determining factor in what type of citizens they will be. That is why the state of California unified all of the counties and created Quality Counts California (QCC), which sets quality as the new benchmark for early childcare and education.

Research shows that babies form over 90 percent of the brain connections that determine how they talk

Ski Nevada County, CA

The winter storms have begun, and all Nevada County ski resorts are open for business! It’s perfect timing to come to Nevada County for a quick (or extended) ski getaway, especially since The Wall Street Journal last year named Truckee as one of the four Coolest Under the Radar Ski Towns in the US!

Whether you want to do some double diamonds, cross country ski, snowboard, take the kids tubing, or just enjoy the warmth of the lodge with a mug of hot cocoa, Nevada County, California, is a great o

6 ways to enjoy Nevada County from your couch

We miss you! But, even though we are apart, we wanted to share 6 ways to enjoy Nevada County from your couch.

Here in Nevada County, we are anxiously awaiting the time when we can once again welcome visitors to come and enjoy all that we have to offer. We are strictly adhering to the guidelines set by Governor Newsom in slowly reopening businesses and public places, and plan to begin Phase 2 of the plan to reopen soon.

Even though you can’t be here in person (YET) to marvel in the many wonders

With PG&E shutdowns likely to occur again this summer, now is the time to look at installing a backup generator

We don’t know how long we will be stuck at home, and although businesses are opening up, the possibility of a second wave and stricter quarantine is there. Imagine being quarantined in your home like the last couple of months, but this time without power. You can’t work, you can’t open the fridge every fifteen minutes, you might not be able to bake, and NO NETFLIX! This could become the reality of those of us who are 100% reliant on PG&E for our power this summer.

Having last year been found li

Nevada County Relief Fund provides real relief to those in need

There is no doubt that the stay-at-home orders issued by Governor Newsom in March to combat the spread of COVID-19 created economic hardship here in Nevada County and throughout the state. Desiring to do something to help our local businesses and nonprofit organizations, the Nevada County Relief Fund was launched on April 14, 2020. Backed by a $100,000 “challenge grant” from the Nevada County Board of Supervisors, the community quickly responded with donations to the Relief Fund. Half of the mon

Plan A Romantic Getaway

The small towns in Nevada County, nestled in the Sierra foothills in Northern California just a short drive from the Bay Area and Sacramento, are full of romantic possibility. No matter the season, the backdrops of Victorian architecture, beautiful mountains, lakes and rivers, and photo quality sunsets make any location in the small county a paradise for lovers, whether you are in a new relationship or celebrating your 50th wedding anniversary. Here are some ideas to wow your partner with a perf

Publications

At The Union newspaper, Valerie has developed and edited a wide variety of publications covering topics from health and wellness to agriculture to outdoor recreation and more.  By recruiting and developing over 100 contributors, both freelance writers and experts in a vast array of fields and topics, Valerie has ensured that the publications she produces are top quality and filled with relevant and interesting information for any target audience.

Nevada County Visitors Guide

Forged by the 1849 gold rush, this area has maintained its sense of rugged independence and natural beauty as it has evolved into a world-class destination for art enthusiasts, outdoor recreationalists, foodies, and anyone just wanting to “get away from it all” for a few days. A unique combination of historical landmarks and modern sensibilities, Nevada County is ideally located a mere hour from Sacramento, California’s State Capitol, and two hours from the Bay Area.

Christmas in Nevada County

As a quaint creek-side town with narrow streets, Victorian architecture, gas lamps aglow, and generations of English lineage, Nevada City is attempting what some of its residents might think impossible—by making its next Victorian Christmas even more authentic than any that has come before. In addition to the usual street performers, costumed characters, crafts, food and drink, one thousand twinkling string lights, and cheery throngs of visitors, this year’s event will be preceded by a Christmas Heritage Series of social and digital media storytelling about the historic and cultural authenticity of Victorian Christmas.

Cannabis Magazine

John Alexander (CEO) and his business partner Michael Kepic (COO) first came up with the idea to open a local cannabis testing lab during a Nevada County Cannabis Alliance event in November of 2017. The pair were neighbors and friends, and were interested in learning more about the emerging legal cannabis industry. “We were sitting there listening, and one of the speakers said, “…once your product goes through legal mandatory testing...” John turned to Michael and said, “What’s this testing all about?” When we left the meeting I knew this was our new path, and Michael agreed that it was an excellent idea,” John said.“

Business Connections

COVID-19 has turned our lives, and our business practices, upside down. One of the many adjustments that many businesses had to make quickly was shifting from in-office employees to ensuring that as many people as possible could work from home. As such, managers have had to shift their strategies to managing employees from afar. One such supervisor who has excelled at the shift is Julia Stidham, Advertising Director of The Union.