The time I had to write this report could have been rounded to zero. The space I had to write this report was 1/4 what I would have written if I had all the space I wanted. But it turned out beautifully, as my editors kept all the needed details, which, frankly, were astounding. I … Continue reading Ohio EPA called out U.S. EPA — at *my* meeting!
My first decent Springfield piece
I wrote a couple easy pieces since I've been at the Springfield News-Sun, which has been about a week and a half now. But this one was on a decently important subject, and I got some good information for it. The problem was that all my good information didn't fit in a 10-inch story. I … Continue reading My first decent Springfield piece
Chicago: the greenest city *snicker*
Based on the frequency of news coverage about polluted soil or buildings in Chicago, you might think there really isn't much of that here. After all, only a single EPA National Priorities List site exists in Chicago. But it was tough to get listed because the city would rather not have those blemishes on its … Continue reading Chicago: the greenest city *snicker*
Protected: Hand washing advocates find doctors are people, too
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Password-protected posts? What?
A war journalist. (Creative Commons photo) Hey all. I wanted to explain the new appearance on this blog of posts you can't read. Sometimes, as a freelancer, your stories burn a hole in your pocket—specifically if you aren't writing more than a couple stories a month, and you're applying for writing jobs at the speed … Continue reading Password-protected posts? What?
Protected: For decades, Pullman man cleaned up others’ messes
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Protected: CPS sends kids to look at pollution
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Protected: The Toxic Dump Next Door
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New “resume reel”
Even though it's on the newly-revamped About the Author page in the right sidebar, I couldn't help but post this front and center. It's just so pretty. A big thanks to Steve and Badryyah for their years of hard work and their several months with me. I'll never forget it.
Muralist’s newest work, open today, connects us all in distress
Note: Wrote this story for a class. It's been through one edit by a friend of mine. Try to paint bright colors outdoors in Lincoln Park and you'll be accosted by either a community association or the police. Visit Pilsen and you'll see painting after painting of people working, laughing, crying. On outdoor walls. With … Continue reading Muralist’s newest work, open today, connects us all in distress
Examples of work
I had mentioned I worked for an underground dining operation. Here are some examples of dishes for which I served as prep cook and/or line cook. All photos by Lorenzo Tassone. Gunthorp duck breast in a vanilla-ponzu marinade, duck heart and celeriac puree, duck cracklin', jus, cherry sauce (continued after the break) Cobia—Creole dry rub, … Continue reading Examples of work
New direction
Something from Bonsoiree. Yes, I know that not giving an excruciatingly detailed description is a mortal sin in the food world, but let's face it: whatever this is will taste better simply because it looks so awesome. I had dinner at Bonsoiree on Thursday. (Creative Commons photo by Flickr's ewwhite) I'm planning to start blogging … Continue reading New direction
Third Coast FilmLESS Festival Part II
I know it's 10 days late, but other deadlines—having to do with my academic or professional lives!—hung over my head until now. So here's a final review of other select pieces from the 2010 FilmLESS festival for radio arts, in downtown Chicago. Tupperware, by David Nelson and Nikki Silva, aired in 1981 on All Things … Continue reading Third Coast FilmLESS Festival Part II
Third Coast FilmLESS festival part I
The Third Coast FilmLESS festival, sponsored largely by Chicago Public radio, just can't fit into Twitter posts. Been there, tried that. So here's my rundown of my favorite segments so far: 1. Lucy and the Bike Girl, by Hillary Frank, aired in 2007 on This American Life. It's the story of Lucy, who has cystic … Continue reading Third Coast FilmLESS festival part I
Mobile tech + democracy = awesomeness
So I'm in this class called mobile journalism, and we're doing a lot of cool stuff. Liveblogging Arianna Huffington was only the beginning—we've Skype'd with people in Africa and Japan on the same day about how they use their phones, Skype'd with Kevin Thau, a VP of Twitter about (what else?) the future of Twitter, … Continue reading Mobile tech + democracy = awesomeness
Header change
The dining room of Frank Lloyd Wright's Westcott House, Springfield, Ohio. As was Wright's custom, he designed the furniture in the house as well as the structure. This table with integrated electric lighting was re-created in the early 2000's from Wright's drawings. (Photo by me) I decided to flip the header today, simply because I … Continue reading Header change
Poem my MFA friends are proud of
I'm usually pretty self-conscious about my creative writing. Unless it gets published I usually only share it with good friends. Except with this most recent poem. My friends who have—or are just about to receive—Masters of Fine Arts in creative writing like it. Ergo, here I am, showing you. Scab Scratching Like spread-eagle in snow … Continue reading Poem my MFA friends are proud of
iPad commentary
Ello, love! My article on the iPad for the Columbia Chronicle was just released. Take a look! My audience? Students at my arts and media college in metro Chicago. I also wrote a completely different version for a much older demographic, published in the Wilmington (Ohio) News Journal. See here
Open letter to ‘Cedars’
Once upon a time, I was News Editor for Cedars, the bi-weekly student newspaper of Cedarville University. Times were fun, I learned how to manage people (and how not to manage them). I published a few grating opinions that didn't receive much response because there wasn't much participation in the newspaper. But now I'm at … Continue reading Open letter to ‘Cedars’
Green campaign at my former school
A prefab modular home with LEED Platinum certification. Chicago should have its first Platinum-certified prefab residence in 2011. (Flickr photo from Heather Lucille. CC.) Here are some links to my 2009 project to reduce Cedarville University's environmental impact. I was collaborating with school administration to implement the project when I moved to Chicago to attend … Continue reading Green campaign at my former school
Brandon Smith 