Zamorna: A Gothic Serial in Ten Parts

In a radical change of pace from restaurant reviews, I am halfway through a faux-Victorian story of exchanged identities, based on my obsession with the Bronte family. I'm writing it for a website called Serealities that publishes genre fiction in serial form, with an interactive component: at the end of each episode, readers vote on what will happen next.
Here's a link to the current episode:
ZAMORNA: EPISODE SIX

It includes a brief explanation of what's happened so far.

Bread & Brew: La Taq

What happens when a barbecue master opens a taqueria? Find out at La Taq.
Brisket Bridges Gap
Portland Tribune, December 19, 2013

Bread & Brew review: Sok Sab Bai

Here's my review of a Cambodian restaurant built into an Old Portland house in Southeast Portland:
Cambodian Comfort Food: Chicken Skins
Portland Tribune, Nov. 21, 2013

An Oregon-based company is one of several around the country that are developing what they believe will be a better nuclear reactor. Instead of one massive generator, a plant would consist of small modular reactors that could be manufactured off-site.
Here's my piece for the Portland Tribune:
PDX Firm Seeks Nuclear Revival

Din Din Supper Club: Interesting, Fun, Recommended

The September edition of Din Din Supper Club was a collaboration with artist Holly Andres.
Here's my review:
Din Din Themes About More Than Food
Portland Tribune, October 10, 2013

If you go in October, it will be a completely different experience — I'd love to hear about it!

Encounters in Avalanche Country

Very proud of my little sister! Her book just came out the other day — I edited an earlier version of the book, as well as the dissertation that it's based on. Many interesting tales of snow blindness, miraculous survival, and a fair amount of death and destruction.

Bread & Brew: Expatriate

I reviewed Expatriate as a bar, but I'd like a chance to try more of the food.
"Expatriate drinks, food, display stamps from far-off lands"
Portland Tribune, Oct. 3, 2013

Arepas and Pasta

Sometimes I get into a bit of a slump. Sometimes I feel like restaurant food is all the same, and there's nothing harder than writing a review of a place that is just OK. But August was great because I got to eat some novel and delicious food from a couple of exciting new restaurants, AND, writing the reviews was a snap because I had a lot to say, and an enthusiasm for saying it.
Here they are:
Teote: Venezuelan street food
Grass: Fresh house made pasta

Exploring the Mysteries of Jojos

What is a jojo potato? Where did they come from? Why do they exist?
My hardhitting examination of a fried food phenomenon:
"Restaurants Add Another Chapter to Jojos' Long History"
Portland Tribune, July 4, 2013

Fame- Fortune TK

I am definitely getting more famous. Last week I was mentioned in this Willamette Week article and you can also see me in the background in this photo from the Daily Astorian article on an LNG pipeline informational tour:
LNG Pipeline Raises Red Flags

New Bars and an Excellent New Restaurant

Here are my two most recent Bread & Brew columns:

New Watering Holes Freshen Bar Scene (June 6)

and

Levant Bends Genres, Delights Diners (June 20)

Comics for Change

Stoked! I was chosen to be one of five writers for Know Your City's Comics for Change series. Sort of like Chick Publications for liberals. They're going to be illustrated profiles of some of Portland's most influential activists.
Here's the announcement:
CONGRATULATIONS TO COMICS FOR CHANGE

Kingdom of Roosevelt is definitely the most interesting restaurant to open this year. Not the best, but the most interesting.
"Roosevelt is wild culinary romp through forest, field and stream"
Portland Tribune, May 9, 2013

Dinner at Sauvage: Octopus, smoked waygu, and oysters...
"Untamed Adventure Awaits at Sauvage"
Portland Tribune, April 25, 2013

And on to the exciting subject of underarm deodorant! Actually, what I really like about this story is the DIY aspect of it. This woman wasn't happy with what was available, so she went into the kitchen and started experimenting. Not a lab, not a factory- a kitchen.
"Solving a problem of the highest odor," April 18, 2013, in the Portland Tribune's Sustainable Life section.

One of the many things I like about bars — a quick shorthand to help you decide whether you want to spend your whole allowance on a single dinner. Last week I checked out Raven & Rose and Quartet, and reviewed their bars for Bread & Brew, my column in the Portland Tribune.

Oregon Coast Events Calendar

Another freelance project that I do every month is compile an events calendar for the Oregon Coast, for a website called Beach Connection. There are events aimed at tourist, like kite festivals and art walks, but I'm more intrigued by the local stuff- pancake breakfasts, the monthly big band night in Gleneden Beach, crowning of the Princess of Rhododendria, stuff like that.
Here's the April calender: April on the Coast
My pick would be the Wooden Boat Show, Crab Feed, and Ducky Derby in Depoe Bay (April 20-21.)

Not everyone loves Boxer Sushi, but I had a really good omakase meal there last week. Here's my Bread & Brew review for the Portland Tribune:

"Boxer Sushi wraps up adventure"

The aftermath of Sandy, but this is what a lot of my dreams look like.

Robin Eggs

I can't help it, I love these things!

Cider

Last week I wrote about Pacific Northwest ciders for the Portland Tribune. Here's a link to my column:
Bread & Brew, March 14, 2013
"Ciders add a little bite to NW taps"
If you get a chance, try the Carlton Cyderworks Trapper Hard Cyder. It's amazing.

Avalanche!

Very excited that a final draft of my sister's book is now with the publisher. I proof-read the whole thing a few months ago, and I'm hoping to nab her a speaking gig or two once it comes out. Let me know if you're interested in a smart, dynamic discussion of 18th and 19th century snow disasters! The tentative title of the book is Encounters in Avalanche Country - my post title, Avalanche!, will be used if it's optioned for a Hollywood musical.

E-books

I"m creating an e-book anthology of David Wolman's work using a new platform that hasn't been released to the public yet. I'm finding it very easy to use, with just a few non-intuitive features here and there. It's actually pretty fun because you can add photos, maps, videos, and slideshows right into the text of the book, which makes a lot of sense when the content is nonfiction.