Articles
As a journalist, I've ranged over a wide territory, writing long-form stories on business and tech, food and drink, travel, the arts and the law. I’ve contributed to a variety of publications, listed below. This is an online assembly of miscellaneous pieces. I’ve had bylines in these outlets, among others:
New York Times
The Guardian
Toronto Life Magazine
Los Angeles Times
San Francisco Magazine
Sierra Magazine
San Francisco Chronicle
Sunset
Wine Enthusiast
The Globe & Mail
Report on Business
enRoute Magazine
Smithsonian Magazine
Via
Diablo Magazine
The Walrus
Daily Beast Reader’s Digest
Cover Stories
Recent Publications
On Art:
A piece I wrote for the New York Times, on an exhibition at the Venice Biennale commissioned by the Vatican — it went up in a women’s prison, of all places. Another piece, also for the Times, on these medieval bestsellers, the Books of Hours. Not only are many of them beautiful, but they often provide a window into the middle ages, particularly the lives of girls and women.
On Craftsmanship:
A profile of Jason Logan, for the New York Times, focusing on how he transforms materials found on the semi-wild fringes of cities into inks. It was great to wander by the Humber River with him, to watch him, later, transform these seemingly drab foraged items into vivid colors. And two features, also for the Times: one on book binder Dominic Riley, the other, set in Singapore, on the revival of the traditional practice of beading slippers.
On Architecture:
A piece on mid-century modernism in the West in Via. The road trip arcs from Phoenix via Palm Springs to San Diego, up the coast to LA, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Carmel and Palo Alto, then inland, to Sacramento and finally, over the Sierra, to Reno.
On El Capitan's Army:
A piece on the history of climbing in Yosemite and a new museum devoted to the subject (for the Los Angeles Times).
On a Trip along the Zambezi River:
A travel story (for the Globe & Mail) on a safari along the world’s oldest river, hitting Victoria Falls, and points downstream.
Broadway, Baby:
A profile (for Reader's Digest) of a young performer, Andrea Macasaet, getting her big break, playing Anne Boleyn in the Broadway production of Six.
Personal Pieces
Pleasantville
Leaving the law
Lost Horizon
Selected Articles
Adventure: Early Aviator
Adventure: El Capitan’s Army
Advertising: Netflix CMO
Arts: Ana Matronic
Arts: Broadway Bound
Arts: Brokeback Mountain
Arts: Canada’s Streep
Arts: Christopher Plummer
Arts: Dubai Museum
Arts: HBO’s Looking
Arts: Barry Blitt
Arts: Painter Tony Scherman
Arts: The Graduate @50
Arts: When We Rise
Books: Small Things
Books: Jay McInerney
Books: My Brother’s Keeper
Books: Narnia and Neverland
Books: WWI Lit
Business: Gig Economy
Design: Seattle’s Space Needle
Drink: Oakland Dive Bar
Drink: Oldest US Gay Bar
Food: Fondue
Food: New Joy of Cooking
Food: Perry’s
Journalism: Gerald Hannon
Law: Dumbledore’s Army
Misc: For SF Chronicle
Misc: For Toronto Life
Misc: For U of T Magazine
Nature: Western Monarchs
Politics: Pete Buttigieg
Politics: Trump’s Election
Tech: Facebook Billionaire
Tech: Internet of Things
Tech: Self-Driving Cars
Tech: Slack Founder
Tech: Zoom Parties
Tennis: Bianca Andreescu
Travel: Hayes Valley
Travel: Literary Hawai’i
Travel: Mendocino
Travel: Lake Effect
Travel: Toronto's Patios
Travel: Winnipeg
Trends: Smart Toilets
Trends: Victory Gardens
Trends: War on Roses
Wine: Oakland's Scene
Wine: The County