You have made American Idol worth watching. I never gave Alan Richman a second look before you raved about him. And the ArtHop gallery owners owe you big time.

It goes without saying how much your colleagues, like me, will miss you. But our readers will too.

But Felicia, here's to great new beginnings -- not endings.

Felicia!!! Because it's voluntary, I'll try not to be too sad. But still, it is sad to see someone go when I feel like I know you so well.
This whole blog experience is surreal in that us commentors really do feel like part of some weird motley crew.
Although I"m sure you'll move on to do great things, I am saddened that you are leaving us!
Good luck in your future endeavors and thanks for giving us a peek into your world!
Adios!

It's been an honor blogging with you, F Matsz.

See you at the midnight showing of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." ;)

Good luck Felicia. You'll be missed.

All the best and much luck with your adventure ahead. It certainly has been a pleasure reading your postings. Cheers!

Be well...

Yes, I heard you'd be leaving a week or so ago, and nearly cried.

These cuts...these damn cuts. You are extremely talented and likable and wonderous. You're going to move on up (to the east side) and leave us all remembering you when.

But for us? It stinks.

I'll miss you very much, and hope for the best for the new AI commentor.

:::sigh:::

I really enjoy when you would read my comments and you would respond back with your input, you're one of the few to do that, I wish you well in your new endeavors. Take care.

Good luck Felicia, you will be missed.

Good luck Felicia, I wish the best for you!

Ya know what?
I don't like this month.
First Will, now YOU...

There's this guy at a church I was a part of in Clovis, his name is J.T. (or is it T.J. -damn dyslexia...)
anyway, he's from Brooklyn, and knows you, -he's a newshound from there, speaks well of you and says to say 'Hi.'
(so there,,, that's done.)

He also said '..yeah, she's a real reporter, used to covering pretty hard stuff, it will be interesting to see how she does with 'the hive.'

I'll tell ya how she did.

She added class, elegance, insight, and a perspective that (ahem) only comes with years.
(This is not meant as a slight against your younger co-workers, I'm not into that...)

Felicia?

Your stuff has always been worth reading.
When you write?
I can hear your voice, and feel your heart, --and I've never met you, (nor do I know what your voice actualy sounds like.)

That's real writing.
You can't really learn that, you just 'are' that.

There are some people who, just with their presence, affirm others and nurture them.
They make them think,
they encourage them to share,
and they respect others (even if) they may not agree with them.
(They make other people 'cool.'
(Funny thing is, I don't think you've ever been disagreeable,)
--but this does not fall to so much saccharine and 'me too,'
Nope.

Wheras so many others in the world of communication are just looking for an opportunity to put their comments (and ego) out there?
Your views and interraction with the rest of us here has been what's called in acting circles as 'tremendously giving.'

It's an amazing feeling to really open up and share about something that really struck you,
--and have the author of that comment and openning statement, appreciate your honesty, vulnerability, and contribution.
(again, a very nurturing thing to do.)

You do that.
You always do that.

It's not handholding, it's not 'being nice,' It's a sincere appreciation for others take on things, and the simple enjoyment of others, and our interraction with them.

One of my mentors (my art teacher in H.S. Jane Zilka) once explained the difference between a guys sense of humor and a girls sense of humor.
She said
'...with a guy, there has to be a joke, something has to be funny, it takes prodding, and it's kind of clumsy...
A woman?
They can look at something like a wild animal sitting there with a happy look on it's face, and see the joy in it, and laugh.'

(Zilka taught me a hell of a lot about being a human being, instead of just 'being a guy.')

In a lot of ways, you bring me back to that, and it's been nearly 30 years...

I know some of these things have not been always 'hah-hah' funny, --some of them have been disturbing, angering, and bewildering, -leaving a hole in the person who comprehends what is being communicated.
J.T. (or was it J.B.?) was right... you can deliver the hard stuff..(I need to get his name right, I genuinely like this person, he's sharp.)

-But you've always been there for us (the readers) and you've never backed out on what you were reporting, and you've always conveyed whatever it is that you were seeing, --with the hopes of enriching us and rewarding our time.
That's class.

Strange as it may sound, your impact and contribution has taught me, reminded me, and so many times brought me to senses that I didn't even know were waning...
Like whatever it was that Zilka saw that caused her to explain that difference in views to me.

You may wonder, if your work was really memorable?, or if it meant as much as you put into it?, --if anyone 'got it?'

At this time, and I should have said so sooner, I am compelled (because it's true, -that's all the prompting I need,) to say:
Yes, absolutely.

It has meant a great deal to me,
and If I gave you a quarter for every time your work simply made me 'feel better' and feel more connected in a healthy way to here (as a definite mis-fit,)
---You'd be a very rich woman.

(I'm sorry I don't have that many quarters, besides, my laundry is coin-op ;)

Thank You Felicia Matlosz.

Writing with you on Beehive is sort of like how I felt about my BabySitters when I was getting old enough to not need to have them anymore, and would pass them in the hall at school, or see them at work somewhere.
'...man, she's cool, a girl like that? Is sooo cool, and worth hanging around, and It's just so cool that she says 'hi' to me and asks me how it's goin...'

That's what your posts are like.

Felicia has always said 'hi' to me.
We 'talk.'
-and I am (somehow) 'cool' because of that,

and she is cool,
forever.

(makes sign of cross)
Bless you and your Mr.
So many times, due to your perspective and wisdom?
you've made me really think, and remind me of so many things that few would ever 'get.'
-and that has made me a better person.

Maybe that's what good journalism and communication is really all about.

You will be in my prayers, I will miss you, and when I think of you?
I'll smile.

You've done a beautiful job.

Eric L. Field

'wet towel'
3/26/09

It goes without saying that you'll be missed. However, I'll say it anyway--You'll be missed. You'll be missed on the pages of the Bee and you'll be missed on the Beehive. You were a great addition to the Beehive. You always had interesting and thoughtful commentary, something worth reading. Every time I see an Alan Rickman movie, I'll think of you! Cheers Felicia.

This is SO sad! I wish I had known last night when I saw you at the movie! I hope you have wonderful adventures ahead of you and come backto comment here and there when you can. :)

You will be missed!

Good luck Felicia, my fellow Beatle fan!

*tear*

Best of luck to you in all that you do, Felicia! It was nice to meet you in person at MvA!

Well, you'll beat me out the door for the last time. I guess we should retire the trophy to your permanent possession.

Felicia,

Good luck to whatever you'll do next!
We enjoyed your coverage on the bee on lit and art events around the valley - and your coverage for Arne Nixon Center

Felicia:

Congrats on a great career at The Bee and with your decision to tackle something else in life. You'll be successful no matter what you decide to do!

Be well.

Keith

Thank you so much for your contribution to the arts in general in our lively city, Felicia. I am in shock about your departure, and am filled with regret that I have never taken the time to thank you for all of your literary and ingenious
interpretations, both on the Hive and in the Bee. In reading the comments I am touched that I have not been alone in my membership to your "private fan club", as you are truly a gifted writer and a treasured individual.Travel onward and upward, Felicia!

Felicia,

Without you, I never would have:

-- Made so many jokes about Sanjaya.

-- Gone to the Met at 3 a.m.

-- Survived the bloodiness of "Sweeney Todd."

-- Realized that it is possible to survive an entire day on nothing but chocolate and popcorn.

-- Had someone to fight with about coverage of the Fresno State baseball team.

-- Been able to get through ArtHop.

-- Known what was going on in the newsroom.

-- Seen an obit on the wire and sighed in relief because I knew you could do a much better job than me.

I will miss you!!!

Felicia,
I am in complete agreement with many of the sentiments shared above, you will be very missed. Especially for my life an an artist, I have appreciated your many times of coverage, your interest in what it is we do, and why we do it. You are a great friend to the arts and I hope to still see you around at the studio. Thanks for sending your personal note and I hope you saw mine.

Felicia, not only have you covered the cultural side of Fresno so well, you also did an excellent job with the education beat. I will always remember your sensitivity to me when Music was cut in Fresno Unified a few years back and I was suffering due to the layoff and reassignment of the music teachers I supervised. I appreciated your commitment to telling the story accurately.


All the best to you! And don't be a stranger.

I also went to Toms River H.S. North, 1981 Alumni. I had Ms. Zilka for 4 years, best class ever. She made an impact on me also. Would love to thank her in person...She was awesome.