Hollywood ALWAYS Up To No Good

I absolutely loved writing THIS historical primer for recent transplants to Los Angeles for Curbed LA. Hell, in the process of writing it I learned quite a bit myself, and you probably will as well!

Miller Time

THIS, my latest for Curbed LA, was an absolute labor of love. It is a brief history of the fascinating, funny and largely forgotten Loren Miller, the LA lawyer who helped shatter racially restrictive covenants, wrote most of the briefs for Brown v. Board of Education and went to Russia with Langston Hughes to make a movie that never happened- the story of the trip alone is worthy of about five Oscar nominated films

My New Hero

I absolutely loved writing THIS history of Annette Kellerman- badass swimmer, movie star, health food and exercise advocate, feminist and swimsuit innovator- for GOOD. Oh, and she was also one of the pioneers of synchronized swimming. Olympics- you’re welcome!

So many tours!

Hello friends!

Old Zoo at Griffith Park: On April 14th and 28th, I will be leading THIS tourfor Atlas Obscura.

Lost Graveyards of LA: On April 22nd I will be leading THIS tour in the morning and afternoon for Altas Obscura

Underground LA: On April 21st I will be leading THIS tour for Cartwheel Art.

Murphy Ranch: On May 6th and 20th I will be leading THIS tour for Atlas Obscura.

Charlotta Bass kicked the KKK's ass

In THIS, my latest for Los Angeles Magazine, the time LA's own civil rights hero Charlotta Bass kicked the ass of the KKK. I love this story!

Vanished: The story of Fish Harbor

In THIS, my latest for Curbed LA, the haunting tale of Fish Harbor, the forgotten Japanese fishing village of the Port of Los Angeles.

Doing GOOD

I am so excited about THIS! In my first history for GOOD, the story of the inspiring do-gooder Biddy Mason.

All Along the Avenue

As a singer, I cannot explain what a labor of love THIS Curbed LA map of the history of the Central Avenue jazz scene was for me. What I wouldn’t give to get to pop into these golden age hot spots all along the Avenue!

On Sugar Hill

I absolutely loved writing THIS history of the lost neighborhood of Sugar Hill for Curbed LA. I wish I could have stood around Hattie McDaniel’s grand piano while Duke Ellington played, Ethel Waters sang and Bing Crosby’s kids played in the big yard out back.

Desert Trip

I had such a blast exploring five desert ghost towns in THIS article for Curbed LA! Shout out to Cat Vasko for being Lefty to my Pancho for part of the journey.

The Fighter

In THIS, my latest for Los Angeles Magazine- the wild, tragi-comic, loopy life of actress Lupe Velez, who put up one hell of a good fight against racist, sexist Hollywood and her own inner demons.

Bright Days, Dark Nights

In THIS, my latest for Curbed LA- a brief history of the city of Hawthorne, which brought us The Beach Boys, Barbie and some straight up SoCal racism.

The Woke Women of Civil Rights

I absolutely loved compiling THIS list of unsung civil rights leaders for HISTORY! Any day I get to write about North Carolina reared Pauli Murray- one of most remarkable people I’ve ever researched- is a great day.

The Art Doctor

In THIS, my latest for Ventura Blvd. Magazine, I take a look at the multi-talented artist, Dr. Arnold Chanin, a Renaissance man for the modern age.

The Art of the Dead

Art and graveyards- my two favorite things (besides college bball of course...). In THIS story for Ventura Blvd. Magazine I take a look at the history of the iconoclastic, often overlooked art museum at the world famous Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale.

Someone left the park out in the rain

In THIS, my latest for Curbed LA, the brief reign of lovely, lively Westlake Park.

The ballad of St. Francis

It’s time for THIS, one of my favorite Atlas Obscura events of the year! Join me and Ann Stansell on two dates in February as we hike the haunting ruins of the St. Francis Dam Disaster and visit Ruiz Cemetery, final resting place of some of the first victims.

The Queen of Sorrow

In THIS, my latest for HISTORY, I tackle the 19th century’s very own Princess Diana- Sisi, the “wandering Empress” of Austria, whose beauty, charm and common touch could not overcome a crippling eating disorder, a restless mania, and-finally- an assassins knife.

The Rattlesnake Murder

I’m so excited about THIS! In my first story for Los Angeles Magazine, the true crime tale of Robert “Rattlesnake” James, who had some real stupid ideas about how to kill his wife.