Ahoy everybody, In my other career as a merchant mariner, I'm glad I've never had to call upon the Coast Guard for assistance (and I intend to keep it that way). But it's always nice knowing that they're out there, always ready, in case I ever do. When the USCGC Diligence announced it was shifting … Continue reading Profile of a Coast Guard Cutter in PineStraw Magazine
New Essay in PineStraw and SouthPark Magazines
This month's essay appears in PineStraw and SouthPark, and explores the work of a man with an unusual medium for artistic expression: fiberglass.
Down the River, To the Sea
A few months ago, I single-handed my sailboat all the way down the river I live on to where it meets the mighty Atlantic. There, I spent a peaceful night at anchor, watching the world revolve around me. When I wrote about it, I didn't know that that feeling of aloneness would become a daily … Continue reading Down the River, To the Sea
A Birds-eye View of CAFOs
Last month I went flying with Cape Fear River Watch to get a birds-eye view of the factory farming operations in our state. I've written about this subject before, but this aerial perspective gave me an even better idea of what was going on in our river basin -- and it's not good. The Cape … Continue reading A Birds-eye View of CAFOs
Mark Ruffalo Speaks on PFAS Pollution
This week's story in encore is (dare I say?) incredible. Mark Ruffalo, known for his role as Hulk in The Avengers, came to visit Wilmington and spoke about his terrific new film, "Dark Waters." It tells a story that's eerily familiar to anyone in the Cape Fear region: a chemical company knowingly poisoning people to … Continue reading Mark Ruffalo Speaks on PFAS Pollution
The Implications of Redefining “Waters of the United States” – New Essay in Encore Magazine
Water -- and I can't believe I have to keep saying this -- is important. Fifty years ago, we passed legislation to protect our most precious natural resource: the Clean Water Act. However, recent action by the EPA under the Trump administration threatens to undo many of the protections the CWA currently affords. By the … Continue reading The Implications of Redefining “Waters of the United States” – New Essay in Encore Magazine
Last Post of the Decade
The end of a year is always a time for retrospection; the end of a decade, ten times more so. And what a decade it's been! I've written and published over one hundred articles in four publications, got to meet and interview some incredible people, and learned the craft of writing well enough that they … Continue reading Last Post of the Decade
Profile of artist Nathan Verwey in Salt Magazine
Happy New Year, all. I've got a brand new essay out in this month's Salt magazine, a profile of local street artist and sculptor Nathan Verwey. I've been a fan of Verwey's work for a while now, and it was great to sit down with him and talk about how it comes into being. Pick … Continue reading Profile of artist Nathan Verwey in Salt Magazine
Commentary on WHQR
Yesterday, my voice was transmitted over the airwaves of our local NPR station, WHQR 91.3 FM. As a guest commentator in the station's Communique department, I read a short essay about standing a night watch on the Schooner Anne and seeing myself in perspective with the world around me (readers of Going Aloft might recognize … Continue reading Commentary on WHQR
Cover Story in Salt Magazine: Paddling the Black River
So this is exciting. This month, an essay I wrote about paddling the Black River in North Carolina with local environmental group Cape Fear River Watch was selected by the editors of Salt for our cover story (my first in that particular publication). I am beyond thrilled and honored to grace the front of a … Continue reading Cover Story in Salt Magazine: Paddling the Black River
