Using Media to Inspire All Ages: Lia Neal to Dara Torres

Aug. 12, 2016 Friday Flashback as we add fresh 2016 context to this fabulous photo of two historic moments: Simone Manuel's gold medal win as the first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic medal in swimming, and Lia Neal's bronze medal in the 2012 400m relay, marking her own historic career first, followed up in 2016 with a SILVER medal in the same event. … [Read more...]

Going Green With Red, White & Blue Celebrations

Green Mary, who runs ‘zero waste events’ with biodegradable, compostable greenware, should supply our annual island 4th of July gig, because as I set up for the 100+ families to run our kids games again this year, I’m seeing universal discordance. Next year, I plan to lobby our homeowners association to order her potato starch utensils, sugar cane hot cups … [Read more...]

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl; Product Placement or Literary Bridge?

Ruthe Stein, Senior S.F. Chronicle reviewer must be a soul-mate of sorts in the ‘thinking alike’ arena, as her opening marks hit me with a one-two punch over my coffee this morning, having just done a double-take on the four-color, full-page fireworks ad that screamed, "Celebrate the Holiday with An American Girl!” “Movies have become adept at … [Read more...]

Teen Talk Equals Ticketing, Even Driving Hands-Free

Well, it’s D-day for driving, teens. Much like the KFF study on teen media multitasking, lawmakers in California, cellphone capitol of the über-wired, have decided kids are driven to distraction, so it's now officially ticket-city for teens...even if you’re using hands-free wireless. (DMV details here) Don’t ask me how the police can tell the … [Read more...]