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Barbara Falconer Newhall

Veteran journalist Barbara Falconer Newhall riffs on life as she knows it.

  • A CASE OF THE HUMAN CONDITION
  • MY EVER-CHANGING FAMILY
  • WRITING & READING
  • MY ROCKY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
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Barbara Falconer Newhall

I Landed a Bit Part in a Real Movie — Thank You, Armistead Maupin

January 14, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

The crew of a documentary about Armistead Maupin crowded into the writing studio of author Barbara Falconer Newhall: assistant Val Castro, sound recordist Mark Whelan, make-up Joel King, director Jennifer Kroot, cinematographer Shane King. Photo by Barbara Newhall

For her documentary about Armistead Maupin, Jennifer Kroot needed to interview someone who could tell tales about the birth of “Tales of the City.” Read more.

Huston Smith Dies at 97: A Mentor to Me . . . and Millions

January 5, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Huston Smith signed copies of his book, "And Live Rejoicing," at Sagrada bookstore, Oakland, CA, in September, 2012. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Huston Smith doesn’t know it, but he’s been my mentor for the past decade and a half – ever since I took a job as religion reporter at a local newspaper. Read more.

Something Old — Ten Ideas, Old and New, From a Mother of the Bride

January 5, 2017 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Christina Newhall checks out her wedding venue -- something old. Photo by Barbara Newhall

As a mother of the bride whose past reaches deep into the 20th century, I’ve got lots of ideas for my daughter’s wedding day “something old.” Read more.

“Bamboo Secrets” — A Love Story in the Shadow of Japan

December 29, 2016 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Patricia Dove Miller signs copies of her new book, "Bamboo Secrets," at Book Passage, Marin, June 11, 2016. Photo by Barbara Newhall

I thought my writing buddy’s book “Bamboo Secrets” was about a sojourn to Japan in search of her creative identity. It turned out to be a love story. Read more.

Fifteen Patriotic Holiday Gifts for the Worried Progressives on Your List

December 22, 2016 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Patriotic holiday gifts: The American flag is spread at a Warriors basketball game in Oakland, CA. Photo by Barbara Newhall

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.

Christmas Is Big. Bigger Than Christianity — And Donald Trump

December 15, 2016 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

The Parrocchia church spires in San Miguel de Allende, where Christmas is big. Photo by Barbara Newhall

Christmas is big. Christianity’s biggest holiday is leaving the religion in the dust with 15 times the Internet mentions of Christianity. Read more.

Oakland’s Ghost Ship — A Vigil

December 8, 2016 By Barbara Falconer Newhall

Visitors at the scene of the Oakland Ghost Ship fire that killed 36 young people. A few days after the fire, it was cordoned off as a "crime scene." Photo by Barbara Newhall

I keep thinking, if only the makeshift stairways of the Ghost Ship warehouse had been closer to the exits. If only there had been fire escapes . . . . Read more.

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LET’S CONNECT

ON THE FUNNY SIDE

Why Can’t a Dad Be More Like a Mom? . . . Do We Really Want Them To Be?

Men and housework and childcare. A man carries his affectionate toddler girl. Photo by Barbara Newhall

My friend Carol calls them “the little inequities.” She is talking about the small, countless ways that men fail to notice what needs to be done for their children. Read more.

MORE "ON THE FUNNY SIDE"

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TO MY READERS

Please feel free to share links to my posts with one and all and to quote briefly from them in your own writing, remembering, of course, to attribute the quote to me and to provide a link back to this site.

My Oakland Tribune columns, btw, are reprinted by permission of the Trib. With the exception of review copies of books, I do not accept ads or freebies of any kind. Click on the "Contact" button if you have questions. Enjoy!

 

DON’T MISS!

anne lamott at montclair presbyterian church november 2012. photo by bf newhall

Good Books I Haven’t Really Read: Anna Quindlen, Stephen Prothero, David Talbot and a Book About French Love . . .

A pair of whimsical earrings by Susan Brooks of Berkeley with blue and green beads. Photo by BF Newhall

At the Sawtooth Building: Earrings for Thirty-Six Bucks . . . And Other Hand-Made Pleasures

Dooney-&-Bourke-handbag

Beware. The Decluttering Craze Could Leave You Holding the Designer Handbag.

Ceramic cake by Richard Shaw -- "Bride and Ship, 2003." Photo by BF Newhall

Ceramics Envy at the Berkeley Art Center — I Want to Get My Hands into that Earthy, Messy, Squishy Clay

MORE DON'T MISS!

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