Secrets of America's Favorite Places
Tune into the Discovery Family Channel this Sunday, August 14th, at 3pm on the East Coast and 6pm on the West! I'll be talking the history of Hollywood, in all its gory, glamorous glory!
Have you had your break today?
In THIS, my latest for Kcet, the REAL history of the founding of McDonald's, which I may have eaten as recently as this weekend.
Shedding some Light
THIS is my latest for Curbed LA! I have always wanted to be a lighthouse keeper, or more importantly, a lovely ghost who haunts a lighthouse and mesmerizes sailors and freaks out small children in pinafores, so needless to say I loved writing AND researching this history of the Lighthouses of Los Angeles.
The West Coast Coney Island
I loved writing AND researching THIS history of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for KCET #MyCACoast. And by researching... I mean riding the rides and eating some Dip n' Dots.
Evergreen Atlas Tour
I am so excited to lead THIS tour of the rad Evergreen Cemetery in Boyle Heights on August 6th. Come on down!
An Olympic Undertaking...
In THIS story for Curbed LA, I take a look at the early history of the LA Coliseum- the once and future home of the Rams, a college age OJ Simpson, and USC fratboys everywhere.
Cannery Row
In THIS history for Kcet #MyCACoast the lovely, literary story of Monterey's iconic working class Utopia of Cannery Row.
Girl Boss: Medieval editon
In THIS story for Atlas Obscura: the fierce, frenzied Hildegard of Bingen, who has utterly fascinated me ever since my art history days at Hollins University.
A Seaside Fairyland...
In THIS, my first installment of the second leg of my journey up the #MyCACoast for Kcet, I take a look at the artsy beauties of Carmel-By-The-Sea.
The grand ole hotel
Ohhhh I just loved writing THIS history of the old Hotel Arcadia in gilded age Santa Monica...surf, scandal, shenanigans- it was my kind of place!
Me, Tarzan. You, Tarzana.
I am so excited to post THIS! In my first history for LA Weekly, I tell the fascinating story of Tarzana, perhaps the only city founded by a fiction writer.
California's forgotten genocide
In THIS story for Kcet's Lost LA, the disturbing history of the systematic decimation of the native people of Southern California.
A little bit of Switzerland in SoCal...
In THIS story for Atlas Obscura, the tale of that time Altadena almost became a winter resort...
Yummy yummy yummy I've got In-N-Out in my tummy!
I love In-N-Out (I mean who doesn't?) so it comes as no surprise that I loved writing THIS history of the storied SoCal staple for Kcet!
Blueprint for Living interview
I had such a lovely time discussing the history of the paper bag with the folks at Blueprint for Living on Australian Broadcasting Corporations Radio National. CLICK THIS to listen now!
Kcet Artboud Appearance
Hi darlings! Tune into Artbound's Third LA tonight June 14th at 9pm on Kcet (channel 28 in SoCal). I'll be discussing the origins of the Hollywood sign and wearing a snazzy Kermit colored shirt! Don't worry, it isn't actually him...And if you missed the show, you can watch it HERE. Ah, the wonders on the worldwide web.
Someday my Tsar will come...and force me to become a nun
In THIS, my latest for Atlas Obscura, I take a look at the history of royal Russian Bride-shows, which in terms of drama, intrigue and patriarchal romance put the fairy tales and reality shows inspired by them to SHAME.
Angels Gate Lighthouse Tour
Oh boy I do loooove lighthouses---the lore, the look, the view...so I am super excited to host THIS once in a summer adventure for Atlas Obscura on July 16th! Please join us!
President Cowboy Movie Star
In THIS, my newest story for Curbed, the rather touching history of Reagan's beloved Rancho del Cielo. Yes, I am still a Democrat, it's called being an unbiased reporter, people!
I thought it was bird but it was just a paper bag...
In THIS, my first article for the fantastic Aeon, I take a look at the surprisingly inspiring story of invention of the flat-bottomed paper bag.