I’ve started a new series on some classic old bars of the East Bay. Here’s the first one, published on Berkeleyside: From bait shop to beloved dive: Oakland’s Kingfish Pub and Café has a fascinating history
November 21st is Martha’s birthday. She’s been gone several years now. Her birthday still pops up on my Google calendar. I don’t intend to do anything to change it.Seeing this reminder of her birthday gives me the opportunity to celebrate her life and our friendship every November. (This was originally posted in 2013) As… Continue Reading
The online magazine, You and Me, recently published the last of three articles I wrote about my journey from diagnosis to the present. In case you missed the first two, they are here too. Yes, there is still numbness and there are some awkward moments, and my food choices have remained somewhat narrow, but others… Continue Reading
Here’s my latest for Berkeleyside. You’re welcome! Where in the East Bay to get boozy slushies, floats and milkshakes
7:58 AM on June 6. Welcome to the world, James! My first words after his birth: “He’d better love me his whole life!” Well, it’s the kind of thing you say after hours and hours of labor… We knew some things about him before he was born (I had the test, knew he was a… Continue Reading
This is my latest piece on the wonderful site called Retrospect. Here I write about some of my favorite books back in the day. Oh, to climb a tree with a book! Easy Reader
Once I started writing my latest article for Berkeleyside’s Nosh, I became fascinated with the colorful history of brunch and brunch cocktails. I may have gotten a little carried away, but that’s what editors are for. However, I really wanted to share a couple of things that were left on the virtual cutting room floor.… Continue Reading
I’m copying (stealing?) this idea from a new author friend, Erika Mailman. In a year where it felt like I didn’t do much writing, it’s good to look back and see what I actually did. It felt like a rather unproductive year, writing-wise, but the evidence shows it wasn’t as unproductive as I thought. For… Continue Reading
Today, November 14th, is my birthday. I’m moved, overwhelmed, and touched by all the birthday love I’ve received from friends and family. And here are two things that happened to mark this day in 2017: The dream I had night before last, where my sister appeared as a surprise visitor–here to spend my birthday with… Continue Reading
The counties to the north–Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino–are still on fire as I write this. Some people, unable to go back to check, still don’t know for sure if they have homes anymore. All those affected by these raging fires have been on my mind over the past few days. Living in the Bay Area,… Continue Reading