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Posts published in “Essays”

Kelp Forests Surging Back

An unexpected darkness has recently fallen over the seafloor of the Northern California coast – the shadows cast by bull kelp. The giant marine alga nearly vanished after a perfect storm of environmental and ecological…

At the Doctor’s Office

My friend drove me up to the doctor in Eureka in the pickup I lent him while his car was being repaired. I had been seeing my PA in Arcata but wanted a second opinion—no…

Evangelical Intellectuals

There’s a new John Mitchell in town. Like Nixon’s attorney general, the lawyer who wrote the Texas anti-abortion bill that took effect Sept. 1 and was promptly upheld  by the US Supreme Court, is said…

The Zenis & The Finocchios

One of my longtime favorite friends is Len Finocchio, who besides being a bigshot health expert with a doctorate in public health is a former chef, father to a young son, jazz aficionado, wandering hiker…

From Clowns to Donuts to Cicero & Back Again

Healthcare is not usually funny. However, there are eighty-seven certified clowns working in hospitals across the Czech Republic. Once in awhile you get an idea for an article or column, but by the time you…

Sold My Surfboard, Bought A Hound Dog

Twenty or so years ago those of my generation began reviewing their pensions and plotting their retirements.  Anywhere from San Diego to Vermont would do, or from Denver to Mexico. All were potential retirement destination…

An Ashen Voiced Anthem

One has come to accept, even perversely enjoy, the full foolish fury of America’s National Anthem as patriotic prelude to the country’s most brutal sports. Why not introduce the bone-crushing, brain-rattling hand-to-hand combat of football…

Burners & Black Opals

This ordinarily would be the time I’d be submitting a story to the AVA about being a senior citizen out on the playa in the midst of the Burning Man festival, but that didn’t happen…

9/11: An Exchange

Rye N Flint: 911 was an inside job and ritual sacrifice. Each action has an equal and opposite reaction. Doug Coulter: Your shrugging dismissal of evidence that proves two jet planes did not take down…

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