KATY TORRALBAS

KATY TORRALBAShttp://www.marconews.com/staff/katy-torralbas/■ Find me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/NDNKatyBishop" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/ndn_kbishop" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/myprofile?trk=hb_side_pro" target="_blank">Linked In</a>. When I was about five, I started making construction paper books and writing stories starring the family pets. Maybe I should have realized then that writing was the career for me, but it took me years to figure it out. I grew up in a small, upstate New York town called <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=feura+bush,+ny&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&split=0&gl=us&ei=SKFcSu3BNovyNNqxhZIH&z=13&iwloc=A" target="_blank">Feura Bush</a> and after high school spent four years studying English, history, Spanish and Latin America studies at <a href="http://www.cornell.edu" target="_blank">Cornell University</a> in Ithaca, NY. I swam in the <a href="http://www.visitithaca.com" target="_blank">gorges</a>, stressed about classes and pulled all-nighters in the library like all other the students, but I also spent thousands of hours at the downtown office of <a href="http://cornellsun.com/" target="_blank">The Cornell Daily Sun</a>, the independent student newspaper. As much as I loved my home state, I was ready for a change when I graduated. I wanted to live in a warmer place by the ocean where I could put my years of learning to speak Spanish to work. I started at the Daily News as a small business reporter, writing about main street issues, restaurants and retail businesses. Now, I'm a features reporter for the Neapolitan and Showcase sections. I love telling untold stories and writing about dramatic, unique or quirky people and events. If you have an idea for a story please, let me know. <a href="http://www.naplesnews.com/news/lifestyle/">SEE WHAT OUR FEATURES STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING ON </a> ■ Stories I'm most proud of: <a href="http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/Jul/12/8-graves-occupy-anonymous-plot-busy-naples-street-/ " target="_blank">Forgotten, hidden, neglected: 8 graves occupy anonymous plot at busy Naples street corner</a> - Delving into this anonymous black graveyard at Goodlette-Frank and Pine Ridge Roads was fascinating - even though I never figured out who they were. <a href="http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/jun/07/adrift-no-more-young-cuban-artist-leaves-behind-ev/ " target="_blank">Adrift no more: A young Cuban artist leaves behind everything he knows to begin again</a> - This young man's immigration story moved me. <a href="http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/feb/23/evolution-equality-lifetime-support/" target="_blank">A lifetime of support: 'Mother Perry’ has battled segregation, fought for civil rights — and at 98 continues to inspire</a> - She was a midwife who delivered 514 babies in 25 years and an advocate for children whose life inspired many. I was lucky to get to know Mother Perry before she died in 2008. <a href="http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/mar/31/paying_price/" target="_blank">Paying the price Is Fifth Avenue South in jeopardy from its own success?</a> - As a small business and retail reporter, I learned a lot by digging into the reasons behind sky-high rents on Fifth Avenue South before the bubble burst. When I'm not working, I love to dance salsa, try new restaurants, discover new recipes, do yoga and spend time outside kayaking, beaching and enjoying the Florida sunshine. A few of my favorite things: ■ Outdoor places I have (or want to) visit <a href="http://www.corkscrew.audubon.org/" target="_blank">Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary</a> - This swamp is one of the most beautiful places in Southwest Florida. I've seen herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, a bear, alligators and the famous ghost orchid. <a href="http://visitadirondacks.com/" target="_blank">New York's Adirondack Mountains</a> - I grew up camping in the Adirondack mountains and they'll always hold a special place in my heart. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galapagos_Islands" target="_blank">Galápagos Islands</a> - This trip hasn't happened yet, but I hope to go in the not-so-distant future -- and write a story about it. <a href="http://www.iguazuargentina.com/espanol/" target="_blank">Waterfalls at Iguazú</a> - If you're going anywhere near this waterfall, GO SEE IT. It's breathtaking. ■ Food sites <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/" target="_blank">Smitten Kitchen</a> - This site will make you hungry. I guarantee it. <a href="http://bitten.blogs.nytimes.com/" target="_blank">Mark Bittman</a> - This NY Times food writer often inspires me to try new recipes. ■ Writers and journalists <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/writers/lane-degregory" target="_blank">Lane DeGregory</a> - This St. Petersburg Times writer's stories always make me laugh and cry. If you missed her <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2008/reports/danielle/ " target="_blank">"Girl in the window"</a> story it's heart wrenching and beautiful. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilynne_Robinson" target="_blank">Marilynne Robinson</a> - This woman's writing is luminous. I love it. I especially enjoyed her novel Gilead. <a href="http://www.tomwolfe.com/" target="_blank">Tom Wolfe</a> - One of my most memorable assignments was interviewing Tom Wolfe on the phone and then in person. He was friendly and open -- and yes, he did wear a white suit.en-usSee an interview with John and Phil Wood.http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/john-and-phil-woodSee an interview with John and Phil Wood.Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:45:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/john-and-phil-woodWe talk to Cynthia Mitchell, who will receive the U.S. Small Business Administration South Floridahttp://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/interview-cynthia-mitchellWe talk to Cynthia Mitchell, who will receive the U.S. Small Business Administration South FloridaSat, 29 Mar 2008 21:55:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/interview-cynthia-mitchellAfter losing their business to a fire, Euphoria Hair Design is back behind the chair at Hair Biz.http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/euphoria-hair-design-recoversAfter losing their business to a fire, Euphoria Hair Design is back behind the chair at Hair Biz.Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:37:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/euphoria-hair-design-recoversTake a look inside a recycling plant and learn what happens to your bottles and cans from planthttp://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/reduce-reuse-recycleTake a look inside a recycling plant and learn what happens to your bottles and cans from plantFri, 20 Feb 2009 21:32:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/reduce-reuse-recycleSouthwest Florida Baha'is gather with friends of all faiths to celebrate their new year, Naw-Ruz,http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/bahai-new-year-celebrationSouthwest Florida Baha'is gather with friends of all faiths to celebrate their new year, Naw-Ruz,Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:06:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/bahai-new-year-celebrationNaples resident Jim Vanas gives us a tour of his backyard bird paradise, along with tips forhttp://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/gardening-birdsNaples resident Jim Vanas gives us a tour of his backyard bird paradise, along with tips forTue, 26 May 2009 13:37:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/gardening-birdsFred Marvin found his first job in 1934 when unemployment was 25 percent. Full-time work was hard tohttp://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/my-life-so-far-fred-marvin-93-food-demonstratorFred Marvin found his first job in 1934 when unemployment was 25 percent. Full-time work was hard toFri, 21 Aug 2009 19:55:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/my-life-so-far-fred-marvin-93-food-demonstratorAve Maria University blesses its new "mega dorm" for female students. The $25 million buildinghttp://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/ave-maria-university-opens-mega-dorm-female-studenAve Maria University blesses its new "mega dorm" for female students. The $25 million buildingTue, 01 Sep 2009 17:10:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/ave-maria-university-opens-mega-dorm-female-studenGrandparents LaVeeda and Gregory Krumm found out that their grandsons had been ordered into fosterhttp://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/grandparents-become-parents-againGrandparents LaVeeda and Gregory Krumm found out that their grandsons had been ordered into fosterFri, 11 Sep 2009 18:42:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/grandparents-become-parents-againTo celebrate National Estuary Day, Rookery Bay’s learning center opens two new exhibits Saturday,http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/new-exhibits-open-rookery-bay-estuary-dayTo celebrate National Estuary Day, Rookery Bay’s learning center opens two new exhibits Saturday,Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:55:00 -0000http://www.marconews.com/videos/detail/new-exhibits-open-rookery-bay-estuary-day