Hello, I'm Barbara

I'm a copywriter, a breaking news reporter, and a mortgage loan officer.  NMLS # 1625698

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Recent Articles

11 Vacation Spots In Los Angeles That Won't Break The Bank

With plenty of iconic attractions, Los Angeles is a one-of-a-kind city with no shortage of visitors every year. From exploring famous film industry sites and celebrity viewings to checking out the surf scene and dining at LA restaurants with stunning views, there is always something interesting to do, and visiting does not have to be expensive.

Here are 11 Vacation spots in Los Angeles that won’t break the bank.

The iconic Griffith Observatory has incredible views of the Los Angeles area and h

Body of Stephen Smith to be exhumed as re-opened investigation takes new turn, Buster Murdaugh denies involvement. | Barbara Washington

COLUMBIA, SC- State Senator Dick Harpootlian, a defense attorney in this month's well-publicized criminal case that culminated in the conviction of high-profile attorney Alex Murdaugh for the murder of his wife and son in June 2021, released a statement on Twitter this morning on behalf of his client, Murdaugh's son, Buster.

The statement asserted that Buster Murdaugh was not involved in the 2015 death of his classmate, Stephen Smith, and requested that "the media immediately stop publishing de

Women's month heroes: Meet Brenda Dixon, a Black woman changing her community, one family at a time. | Barbara Washington

It's realtor Brenda Dixon's birthday, and Wilmington has a lot to celebrate.

Reflecting on her years of spins around the sun, Brenda seems surprisingly relaxed for a woman who runs multiple businesses, is impacting local community, and has made a lifestyle out of around-the-clock community service.

This past year, her Get that Deed program, a local initiative designed to assist first-time homebuyers, especially those without access to financial education, has exceeded its goals. The program is

Hamantaschen: The real love triangle

My first day of Jewish conversion class began the morning after antisemitic US citizens declared a National Day of Hate.

My teenage son asked to stay in the car, where he sat and waited for me, no doubt flipping through his TikTok feed and snoozing, while what appeared to be armed security guards in neon jackets stepped out the back door of the synagogue office space where we were scheduled to meet. Moving determinedly around the elderly gentleman who held the door open, they began moving up an

North Brunswick High School leads the way in annual JROTC competition | Barbara Washington

The Junior Officer's Reserve Training Corps, which has 1709 units representing all 50 states in the U.S., operates in both public and private schools, as well as military and correctional facilities across the U.S. and overseas.

According to the national JROTC website, the organization's mission is to "motive young people to be better citizens" by providing character education and citizenship support along with leadership. The program uses cutting-edge technology to allow participants to comple

Big sports and entertainment changes to Leland may be on the way | Barbara Washington

LELAND, NC- A potential sports and entertainment complex with a minor league baseball team may be in the works for Leland.

Brunswick County and the Town of Leland, in collaboration with REV entertainment, will be holding a press conference in late February or early March to share more information with the public.

According to a statement on their website, REV Entertainment "creates meaningful experiences and memories while driving content and revenue." The company is responsible for sports man

Big sports and entertainment changes to Leland may be on the way | Barbara Washington

LELAND, NC- A potential sports and entertainment complex with a minor league baseball team may be in the works for Leland.

Brunswick County and the Town of Leland, in collaboration with REV entertainment, will be holding a press conference in late February or early March to share more information with the public.

According to a statement on their website, REV Entertainment "creates meaningful experiences and memories while driving content and revenue." The company is responsible for sports man

Chinese surveillance device targets the Carolinas today | Barbara Washington

WILMINGTON, NC- An alleged Chinese spy balloon flying at around 60,000 feet over US airspace has begun its course over the Carolinas early this morning. The balloon is currently hovering over Charlotte, NC.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration trajectory model, the balloon is expected to travel near or over the military bases of Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg before exiting US airspace off the coast of the Carolinas. U.S. Government officials said that in recent years,

St. Patrick an Example of Unity and Solidarity in This Irish Church – EpicPew

ARMAGH, Northern Ireland– Celebrations in Ireland today for the feast of St Patrick emphasized building unity between Protestants and Catholics and remembering all immigrants, including the Irish in the US.

On the eve of St Patrick’s Day, Catholic and Protestant cathedrals were both lit up in green to commemorate the feast day.

A vigil walk, beginning in the St Patrick’s Church of Ireland (Anglican) cathedral and ending in the Catholic cathedral, led the faithful to reflect on St Patrick’s own

Samurai Warrior and martyr beatified, to become saint – EpicPew

Tokyo, Japan — Nearly 12000 people joined together for a beatification ceremony and mass in honor of Justo Takayam Ukon, a Catholic samurai and martyr, held Feb 4 in Osaka.

Ukon is the first Samurai warrior to be beatified. Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Vatican’s ‎Congregation for the Causes of Saints, presided over the Mass.

Born in 1552 in Japan, Ukon was converted at a time when Jesuits, led by St Francis Xavier, had just begun to bring the faith to the area. By age 12 his father ha

McDonalds opens up in the Vatican, Cardinals Not "Lovin' It" – EpicPew

Protests from clerics and locals haven’t stopped the opening of a controversial new McDonald’s restaurant in the Vatican.

Located approximately the length of a football field away from the Vatican State, less than 100 yards, the restaurant is downstairs in a Vatican-owned building in the Pio Borgo district of Rome.

Quickly dubbed “McVatican” by locals, the restaurant will be open seven days a week and operate from 6:30 am to 11:00 pm, with WiFi available to customers. Other fast food restauran

300 Conversions credited to one man's faith – EpicPew

BAHIR DAR, ETHIOPIA— Imagine one person lighting the way for 300 to join the Church, with 500 still excitedly awaiting baptism in neighboring communities.

That’s exactly what happened in one Ethiopian village today, where 300 new members were joyfully received into the Ethiopian Catholic Church.

“The testimony of one young believer and the diligent efforts of the pastoral agents of the Catholic Church have brought 300 more children of God home,” he said. “However, there are still more of our

CHRISTIANS TARGETED IN ATTACK BY MILITANTS IN KENYA – EpicPew

NAIROBI, KENYA- As Christians in a north eastern Kenyan compound slept, militant islamic group al-Shabab launched a violent grenade and gun attack, killing six and injuring an unknown number of others.

The incident, part of a series of attacks against Christian communities, was designed to drive Christians and non-sympathetic Muslims away from the area.

Many of the targeted Christians are skilled workers contributing to the building of local hospitals and schools. Regular violence against Chr

Journalism must not fuel fear, says Pope Francis – EpicPew

VATICAN CITY — In an address September 22 to the National Council Order of Journalists in Rome, Pope Francis encouraged journalists to live with professionalism, love the truth, and respect human dignity.

After greetings from the president, Enzo Iacopino, the Pontiff spoke to those present in the Clementine Hall.

“There are few professions that have as much influence on society as that of journalism,” Pope Francis said. “The journalist has a role of great importance, and at the same time a gre

Porn king makes girls go wild

Parents may soon be receiving notification of their student’s alcohol related arrests becasue of concern over a student-run web site, which has undergone intense scrutiny from parents, college officials and the Sherrif’s Department in the last few weeks. In response to a media frenzy over pornographic content shot at local parties, message board members on the website had this to say: “Put my mug on the cover of Time magazine with a topless freshman under each arm, a lit cigarette hanging out of

CD Review – The Punisher

If the original soundtrack to the Punisher is punishment, then I want to be a bad girl.

This is my ultimate road trip compilation. The melodic “Broken” by Seether, featuring the stunning vocals of Evanescence’s Amy Lee, is my new song of the week. Smile Empty Soul’s “Finding Myself” literally rocked my world.

Seven Wiser and Hatebreed made me want to tear off my clothes, jump on my coffee table, and play air guitar. After seeing Strata open for 30 Seconds to Mars, I couldn’t wait to see wher