Mark Binder
393 Morris Avenue
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 272-8707
401-831-2999
mark@markbinder.com
http://www.markbinder.com
Rhode Island School of Design,
Providence, RI -- Adjunct Faculty, "Telling Lies." Department of
Liberal Arts, English.
- Nominated for the John R. Frazier Award for Excellence in Teaching
Columbia College, Columbia University, New
York, NY -- BA, History.
Rhode Island College,
Providence, RI -- MA, English and Theater. 1991.
Trinity Rep Conservatory,
Providence -- Playwrighting, Directing, Acting. 1989
Rhode Island Department of Education - Development
of Eureka! Inspirational Math for Adult Education Program.
United States Department of Education - Science Training Program for Elementary School Librarians.
Additional funding from:
National Storytelling Network, Rhode
Island State Council on the Arts Touring, Rhode Island Department of Library
Services, Citizens Bank Foundation, City of Providence Department of Arts and
Cultural Tourism, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Head Start.
Rhode Island State Council on the Arts
1993 Artist Projects Literature Grant for work on the novel Freefall.
Educational and Touring Rosters
Rhode Island Arts Education Roster
New England Foundation for the Arts Touring Roster
SEMLS Roster
New York State Touring Roster
Storytelling and Workshop Presentations
Professional storyteller since 2001
More than 150 presentations annually in
schools, libraries, churches, synagogues, community centers, senior centers and
parks.
Festivals and tours include:
Jonnycake Festival, New England Folk Festival, L.A.U.G.H.S. Festival,
WaterFire, Providence Summer Arts Festival, Rhode Island State Library Tour,
ReadBoston Literacy Tour
Programs and Workshops Include
Classic Stories for Boys and Girls, Tall Tales, Americana, The Art of Peace, Eureka!
Inspirational Math and Science, Eureka! Relieving Math Anxiety for Adult
Eduction, Telling and Reading Stories with Children
Classic Stories for Boys and Girls -
winner 2005 Children's Music Web Award and iParenting Media Award. Available at
Tower Records and on iTunes.
Tall Tales, Whoppers and Yarns -
recorded live at the New England Folk Festival
A
Chanukah Present and The World's Best Challah - a Hannukah Bundle -- Storytelling CD and cookbook
for families who want to bake bread-- including a recipe, a story, and lots of
tips. Light Publications..
The Everything Build Your Own Home Page Book - a how-to book on everything from HTML to uploading
to getting hits. Published by Adams Media
Corporation.
The Brothers Schlemiel
- an audio book and a serialized novel published by Jewish Herald-Voice,
Houston, TX. Available online and via email subscription at http://www.markbinder.com/chelmtales
The Everything Bed Time Story Book
- More than 50,000 copies sold! A
collection of 100 stories from around the world for young people. Published by Adams Media Corporation, July 1999.
Crumbs Don't Count -- The
Rationalization Diet - a humorous diet book, published by Avon Books, July 1998.
Business and Organizational Positions
Founder
American Story Theater
American Story Theater programs are inspiring, innovative and entertaining
programs that promote community, learning, literacy, love of language, respect
for diversity, and powerful communication.
Founding Member
Bright
Night.
Artist-organized and run New Year's Eve celebration.
July 2003 to January 1, 2004
Acting Director
East Bay Coalition for the Homeless, Riverside, RI
Managed agency responsible for housing and social service support for 12 homeless families with children. Responsibilities included: board relations, fund raising, grant writing, event management, web site development, staff supervision. November 2001 through July 2003.
Contributing Editor
RAM Chowder, East Greenwich, RI.
Frequent contributor. Articles include Best Business Sites on the Web, From Frustration to Nirvana - 21 Tips. October 1997 to Spring 2000.
Contributing Editor
FDM, Boca Raton, FL.
Frequent contributor. Articles include Cajun Food, Specialty Breads, Pasta, Specialty Cheese, Coffee, Foods from the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia… May 1998 to July 1999.
Columnist
Chelmsford Independent, Chelmsford, MA
Op-Ed page articles and commentaries every other week. October 1997 to present.
Contributing Editor
Mac Home Journal, San Francisco, CA
Frequent contributor. Focus on Small Office Home Office (SOHO) section. Articles including: Creating The Home Office, Brainstorming, The Mac Home Gourmet, Home Office Insurance & Tax Deductions, Comparative Fax Modems. September 1994 to August 1996
Editor-In-Chief
FDM, Warren, RI.
Responsible for the publication of Food Distribution Magazine, the monthly business magazine for the gourmet food trade. Responsible for all editorial content. December 1993 to June 1994.
•Wrote "Dining In" monthly
editorial column
•Wrote, developed, and researched feature articles on food industry trends for Food
Distribution Magazine and the Deli-Bake
Advocate. Including features on Thai Food,
Pasta, Specialty Oils and Spreads, and Distribution Trends.
•Created new departments: FDM Index, Making a Difference, The Profit
Center
•Designed editorial calendar
•Worked with freelance writers and columnists. Selected, edited, and rewrote
press releases.
•Public relations and interface with advertisers
•Wrote "advertorials" for and with frequency advertisers
•Redirected editorial focus: The food industry as a business. Concentrated on
high quality relevant and informative articles to support reader's interests
and needs. December 1993 to June 1994.
Associate Editor
Merlyn's Pen, East Greenwich, RI
Responsible for reading regular submissions by young adults in grades 7-10. Involved in selection and critique process. October 1991 to December 1993.
Co-Editor/Writer
Rhode Island Jewish Herald, Pawtucket, RI
Responsible for weekly publication of community newspaper, including writing articles, editing, generating ideas, community relations, proof reading and layout. Features including "Rebbe Says" column, "50 Years Ago/Holocaust Series", monthly editorial, business profiles, and local event coverage. Fiction work including "Lost Tales of Chelm". January 1992 to June 1992.
Contributing Writer
Rhode Island Monthly Magazine, Providence
Articles including "Neighbors" column, and "Best Bakeries in Rhode Island." April 1990 to April 1991.
Columnist, Political Analyst, Correspondent
The Providence Phoenix
Articles including Urban Eye column, reports on homelessness, state politics, AIDS, education, interviews, and features. August 1988 to July, 1990.
News and Features Reporter
The Evening Times, Pawtucket
Articles including coverage of local politics, interviews, features, and theater criticism. June 1988 to January 1991.
Assistant to the Editor/Reporter
Save The Bay Newspaper, Providence.
May 1988 to December 1989.
Freelance Editorial and Writing
Cricket Magazine. Frequent contributor
Host, WELL Macintosh Conference. Conference co-host of the Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link
Macintosh Conference, 1999 to Present.
The Everything Las Vegas Book, The Everything Hoaxes, Scams and Urban Legend
Book. Style editor,
Adams Media Corporation. 1999-2000.
Whole Foods Online Magazine. Earthday
Series, Stay At
Home Dad Loses Mind
Home Office Computing. The
Automated Home, Business Analysis Online, Telecommuting, Headset Phones, Cover
Story - Business Travel Tips, 10 Best Shareware for the Macintosh, FileMaker
Pro 3.0. Various reviews and short articles.
FileMaker Pro Advisor.
Designing a Large-Scale Database from the Ground Up (cover),
Unlock Secret Uses of FileMaker Pro, A Writer's Database - Organize Your
Data--and Merge Databases with Ease.
AT&T Business Resources. Business Travel Tips.
Self-Employed Professional: Articles
on product reviews, and lifestyles.
Aikido Journal. Essays and
interviews with internationally known Aikido teachers.
Pizza Today.
Features on
Computerization, New Technology Ovens, Beverage Dispensers, Italian Ices, White
Wines.
Fancy Food Magazine. Market Trends,
a monthly feature. Muffin Comfort,
an in-depth look at gourmet muffin retailing; Coping With Coffee
Costs, handling the rising price of coffee;
The CD ROM Gourmet, examining the
possibilities of CD ROM as a marketing tool
Conjure Magazine. Magic - The Obsession, Illuminati, Cosmic
Encounter, Artist Interview Series, Magic - The Investment.
Rhode Island Monthly. Holiday
Baking Delights
The Providence Journal.
Op Ed and Business Sections. Food For Thought On Supermarkets:
Slotting, House Hunting, Sympathy for the Devil
Camping and RV Magazine. Creating A Repast, gourmet dining on a budget
Merlyn's Pen, Teacher's
profiles
American Brewer. Beer Engines
in New England, Gourmet Pizza in Brewpubs, Boston BrewFest, The Brew House
Beer - The Magazine. St. Patrick's Day In Boston, Boston BrewFest
Ale Street News. Gassless Isn't
Good For You, Harpoon Brewery.
Technical Writing & Public Relations
Claris Corporation.
•Author: Reviewer's Guide to Claris
Home Page 2.0 and 1.0
•Author: Reviewer's Guide to Claris Emailer 2.0
•Author: Reviewer's Guide to ClarisWorks Office
•Author of 22 FileMaker Success Stories for Newspaper publication and Claris
Web Site
Northeast Aikikai, Chelmsford, MA. Webmaster
Created and maintained northeastaikikai.com, 1996 to July 1998.
•Current:
Expertise with: InDesign,Microsoft Office, HTML layout and
design,FileMaker Pro, Dreamweaver
Working Knowledge of:
Illustrator, Photoshop, Director, Flash 4,, BBEdit, Inspiration Excel,
HyperCard, etc.
Ability to learn and acquire new
languages and software packages when necessary.
•Prehistoric: More than five years of programming on PC and mainframe.
Languages including: JCL, BASIC, COBOL, SAIL, PASCAL, ALGOL, APL, SAMANTHA.
Computer Work (Back in the old days when we used punch tape and JCL...)
Resource Consultants, Inc., Alexandria, VA. Computer Programmer/Consultant
•Designed and implemented the Navy's
Logistic Element Tracking System.
•Designed, implemented, documented and maintained the RCI Database Management
System.
•Edited and produced the "Revised Navy LORA Programmer's Manual."
May to August 1982, January 1983, May to August 1983.
CFI Computers Inc., New York, NY. Programmer:
Programmed 1981 Tax Forms for use by CPAs. September to November 1981.
Information & Publishing Systems, Bethesda, MD. Programmer/Project Manager
•Directed "LOGIN Word Guide
Thesaurus" project including documentation, customer relations,
requirement assessment, and programming.
•Designed and implemented revised SAMANTHA documentation.
May to August 1981, January 1981, May to August 1980.
National Institutes of Health, DCRT Division, Bethesda, MD. Systems Support
Revised, updated, and implemented HELP,
DOCumentation files, and Computer Aided Instruction programs. October 1979 to
April 1980.
The Discovery Network
Terra X - Chimborazo: The Street of Volcanoes. Research and revision of existing 1 hour German documentary and 1/2 hour American script. Focus on commercial break hooks, and matching new text with existing footage. Winter 1994.
Founder, Chief Instructor, Kokyu Aikido
From time to time teaches seminars and classes. Used to run dojo with professional Aikido instruction four days a week. Ability to work with groups, assist beginners, train dedicated students. http://www.aikidoprov.com
Light Productions, Providence, RI
Freelance business writing and editing,
event production.
Clients include public relations, media and advertising. Worked on INSCO
Insights Newsletter. Produced and orchestrated publicity for live performances,
including Perishable Theatre, The Seance '91 and '92, The Pan Twilight Circus,
The Real Fun Theater Company, and Quattro Productions. Media coverage includes
posters, releases, articles, radio and television placement. 1989 to 1995.
Director, RI SummerFest, Providence, RI
Responsible for initiation and planning of statewide theater and performing arts festival, involving more than 20 different companies. Working with Artistic Directors, coordinating publicity, working with volunteers and local governments. January 1993 to August 1993.
Artistic Director/Founder, The Real Fun Theater Company
Duties included writing and directing
plays, planning and coordinating theatrical productions, meeting deadlines,
layout and production of posters, press releases and programs. June 1991 to May
1992.
Season Included: Seance '91, The Ballad
of Duane & Vincenza, Beowulf, and Your Mother Wears Liberace's Army Boots
(Written & Directed by Mark Binder).
Assistant to the Director, Travelers Aid, Providence, RI
Typing, filing, database entry, grant-writing. 1991 to 1993.
Director, Travelers Aid Runaway Youth Project Theater Troupe
Worked with 10 Runaway or homeless youths to produce "A Rose For Vanessa", an original play. In collaboration with PROCAP, Providence Council on Abuse Prevention. February to May 1991.
Enrollment Manager, Landmark Education, Boston, MA
Responsible for enrolling customers into More Time and More Money, two results management workshops. August 1993 to May 1994.
Course Instructor, Learning Exchange, Providence, RI
Taught workshops on Writing The Instant Short Story, and Character Development. 1994.
More than 500 stories published in
National Trade Magazines, Newspapers, Consumer & Literary Magazines
including:
Cricket Magazine, Fresh Cup, Conjure Magazine, Bostonia Magazine, Beer - The
Magazine, Camping & RV, The Lookout, The Family, The Shofar, The Jewish Voice, Atlanta Jewish Times, The Reporter, The
Canadian Jewish News, Good Times, The Observer,
Quix Art Quarterly, The Great Swamp Gazette…
Lots of web publications… too many to catalog…
Leader: ability to creatively
develop long-range projects and bring them to completion
Editing: Style and line editing, story editing, organization and planning, editorial calendar design, story assignment and follow-up, "paste-up" and layout design. HTML and web page design/maintenance.
Writing: Freelance writing of all kinds from technical writing to industrial scripts, interviewing, advertising and public relations to advertorial, magazine and newspaper articles, press releases and business brochures, to fiction, playwrighting, and documentary writing.
Interviewing: Ability to speak with experts and extract useful information from conversations.
Organization and Management: Coordinating large projects with various collaborators.
Completion and Cost-effectiveness: Finishing the job on time and within budget.
Research Coordination: The ability to compile information on a variety of subjects through computer searches, library research, and telephone interviews.
Creativity: Ongoing generation of new and innovative ideas, and the persistence to follow them to completion.
An excellent marriage, Aikido (Sandan),
fine dining, gourmet cooking.
Candidate, United States Congress
Ran for United States House of
Representative as Democratic Candidate from Rhode Island District 1.
May to September 2004. Received 26% of the primary vote with a budget of less
than $500.
Set new record for most votes for fewest dollars spent on campaign since 1864.
-Revised January, 2006