Fifteen Patriotic Holiday Gifts for the Worried Progressives on Your List
I’m giving patriotic holiday gifts this year — donations to groups that can help keep our country sane during the stormy Trump years ahead. Read more.
Donald Trump Played Me. Here’s How
Donald Trump played me. He got what he wanted from me this election season. And it wasn’t my vote. Read more.
What I Really Wanted for My Birthday
What did I want for my biggest, fattest birthday yet? I wanted to visit to Nancy Selvin’s pottery studio — and go home a beautiful pot. Read more.
The Shame of Aging: The Big Seven-Five Has Finally Arrived
It’s here. My birthday. The Big Seven-Five. I’m now officially old. But I don’t wear my trousers rolled. Read more.
Is an Istanbul Trip Too Risky for You? Here’s What You’re Missing
Jon and I took the kids to Istanbul back in 2009. What we experienced was a energetic culture with a rich past, great food and beautiful people. Read more.
The Oakland Tribune Tower — A 1923 Structure With a Twenty-First Century View
As a reporter, I was never invited to the lofty heights of the Oakland Tribune Tower. On the paper’s last day of publication I finally got my chance. Read more.
Scaling the Mighty Willis Tower — With My Acrophilic Husband
The 108-story Willis Tower is my husband’s kind of place. I first noticed Jon’s acrophilia early in our romance, when we took a trip to Europe. Read more.
East Bay Heritage Quilters — Quilts, Dazzling Quilts
Quilts and quilters were everywhere at the East Bay Heritage Quilters 2016 show Voices in Cloth in Richmond, California, last month. Read more.
Donald Trump Outs the Elephant in the Pro-Life Room
By Barbara Falconer Newhall Donald Trump has stepped in it again. And this time the manure comes from the elephant in the room — the pro-life room. I’m hoping against hope that Donald Trump — pro-life, pro-choice or whatever he turns out to be — never
What a Tulip Can Do — If You Ask It
Floral designers showed off what a tulip can do — if you ask it nicely — at the Annual Tulip Exhibition at Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland, California. Read more.








