(Published by Zocalo Magazine on January 31, 2017.) “This is a public service announcement, with guitar!” – Know Your Rights, The Clash, 1982 It’s been four years since Seattle’s KEXP 90.3 FM DJ John Richards declared Feb. 7 as International Clash Day, and a year since Seattle’s mayor created an official proclamation to honor The Clash on that day. Subsequently, six other cities have jumped on this punk rock proclamation bandwagon, including: Austin, San Francisco, Washington D.C., … [Read more...]
¡Viva Casa Libre!
(Published by Zocalo Magazine on January 5, 2017.) “This is a place that has always catered to people’s passions,” explains Kristen Nelson, cofounder and current, but soon-to-be previous, executive director of literary arts nonprofit Casa Libre en la Solana. “It’s a place where people with a passion, idea or concept could say, ‘Hey, I want to do this,’ and Casa Libre would say, ‘Yes, how can we help you?’” Nelson makes it clear that the writing center she’s helmed for over 13 years is … [Read more...]
Post Election Processing
I'm gazing at a gorgeously vibrant Sonoran desert landscape adjacent to my friend's patio; the valley to the southeast below is a sea of city lights. Winds are gusting up to 20, 30 miles per hour. It’s election night. Seashell chimes dance and sing upon the winds’ insistence. The saguaro stands firm, the agave’s points don’t dull. But I feel dulled, I feel sad, then I feel terror. The electricity in the atmosphere, the aggressive movement of the air – how divided is this country? Can we unite in … [Read more...]
The 40 Acre Woods
Grey Eagle, MN - July 5-10, 2016 The place the Rylanders call Earthward is a gorgeous, deciduous woods situated between the prairies to the west and the pines east and north. Earthward is 40 acres of teaming flora and fauna with a house built into the side of a moraine, aka - a sturdy pile of gravel, sand and clay created by glacial movement. I fondly refer to this semi-underground house as a "hobbit hole," and if you are a fan of J.R.R Tolkien, you know this means comfort. Edith and John … [Read more...]
On the Precipice of History: 2016 World Series
It's twilight on Tuesday, November 1, 2016. I'm listening to Game 6 of the World Series on the radio, sitting on the back patio of my rental looking at houses for sale online and distracted by wanting to read last Sunday’s New York Times and fill out my early ballot. But, I’m transfixed on radio waves, occasionally popping in the house to watch some replays, and coming back out here to write. Through most of my life, I haven’t much cared for baseball. I played it as a kid (yes, baseball. The … [Read more...]
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