I recently attended a Trade Show at the Oakland Marriott Convention Centre sponsored by the NCIBA—Northern California Independent Booksellers Association, where traditional publishing conglomerates, independent and boutique publishers, distributors and authors exhibited. As a longtime features writer and debut novelist, my heart raced anticipating face time with decision-making publishers who may have the potential to …

My one and only resolution of the New Year was to not write a magazine article about New Year’s Resolutions. I’m one for one so far and feeling good. As I near my 50th birthday, I’ve determined that New Year’s Resolutions aren’t for me anymore. I find resolutions too be daunting and cumbersome, almost a …

  My father-in-law, Dr. Louis Warshaw, died on Sunday, December 12, 2011. Lou was an exceptionally good man who worked hard, traveled the world and was very giving to his family and friends. Not many people knew that Lou was my chief proof reader for the magazine articles I’ve written for ALIVE the past couple …

It’s February, a time when Valentine’s Day is celebrated and cupids abound. In fact, to get in the mood and begin writing this article, I decided to bask in the inspirational energy from a group of local cherubs. So, here I sit enjoying the ambiance of a darling cafe in Alamo—Cherubini Coffee House. As I …

Gas prices are on the rise leading us to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. That said, we still need our space to transport, as the late, great George Carlin described as, “our stuff.” The auto manufacturers from Asia have introduced us to a few of their small boxy cars; however, in my opinion, the winner with …

A mild warning – this is a sensitive subject which may offend some of my more gentle readers. Nevertheless, it is a topic that needs to be addressed by all faithful travelers. I bravely march ahead into this uncharted territory, hoping you will forgive me. There are certain physiological activities we all have in common …

This writer is ecstatically proud to have but an infinitesimal connection to one of the provisional New Seven Wonders of the Natural World: Table Mountain, Cape Town’s magnificent proscenium. I was born on the Oranjezicht slopes of Mother Mountain at the Booth Memorial Hospital, before suburbia crept up the cypress-shaded hillsides. Table Mountain was voted …