Devoted Donor
They met on the floor of U.S. Can Co. in Elgin four years ago. She had two kidneys; he had one. She was a water tester, checking aerosol cans for leaks. He was a millwright, doing “damn near everything...
View ArticleChecking Out
The hippies cared for more than 20 terminally ill patients during the 90s. In a way, hospice care was easier than simply having homeless guests float in and out. As a member of the community, your...
View ArticleRooftop Photo Series
Over the years at the Los Angeles Catholic Worker I have snapped a handful of photos that contain a bit of the view. The LACW house of hospitality sits atop one of the highest hills in Los Angeles,...
View ArticleFreshmen Sweat First Day of Class
A freshman’s first day of high school can be extremely stressful. Bum directions from seniors. Uncooperative combination locks. An instant crush on a pretty girl or good-looking guy. So it was Thursday...
View ArticleTeen roll-out in parking lot
Nine teenagers huddle around a Toyota pickup truck in the Steak ‘N Shake parking lot off Randall Road in Elgin. The time is 11:15 p.m., the temperature is 71 degrees, Matt Bazsali has taken off his...
View ArticleEggs fall fast
The chickens arrived in early May. They were three weeks old. They had their own chicken coop that they stayed in at night while the skunk slinked by and the coyotes howled. Ken and Malinda Stuchlik...
View ArticleTest for Wiz
After Bush announced that victory in Iraq had been achieved, a victory parade was scheduled in Hollywood, complete with tanks in the street, replicas of the Patriot Missiles and actual F-22s flying...
View ArticleJournalism Journey
I’ve reported a few stories lately that taught me something. I wrote about a man with COPD who couldn’t afford his prescription medication and died. People who work with low-income folks say this sort...
View ArticleOn the Peninsula
I recently wrote a column introducing myself at the newspaper I now work at, the PV News. Palos Verdes is a gorgeous place. I feel like I’ve gone from one economic landscape and extreme in Skid Row to...
View ArticleRecent columns
I wrote another column recently. I used to have a weekly way back when, and I’m reminded what a different voice it is compared to news or feature writing. It’s been fun as well as a challenge. Thank...
View ArticleParenting column
I managed to write another parenting column. It’s humbling to learn from my kid, and to see myself struggle to learn. But it’s magical to be a part of her age of innocence.
View Article