Journalist, Travel Writer, Explorer, Maker of Things
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary opened in 1934 and when it closed its cell doors for the last time in 1963 more than fifteen hundred prisoners had served time on the Rock. Throughout the prison’s 29-year history there was an average of one … Continued
Retired Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary guard, George DeVincenzi served on “The Rock” from 1950 to 1958, departing just five years before the infamous island prison closed forever in 1963. Correspondent, Tom Wilmer met DeVincenzi at the fall 2015 Alcatraz Alumni Association reunion … Continued
79 year-old Paul Draper, CEO and winemaker at Ridge Vineyards in the hills above Santa Clara Valley, California, is one of America’s most legendary wine producers. Known as the savior of Zinfandel, Draper was seminal in reviving and positioning old-vine … Continued
The USS Potomac served as the President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Floating White House” from 1936 until his death in 1945. How the USS Potomac came to reside in Oakland, California is a fascinating journey. Following a ten year stint as … Continued
The little town of Benicia, California is a big time center for the arts and artists. In addition to an abundance of downtown galleries, there’s an entire neighborhood expressly for artists and artisans. How the town came to be a … Continued
Within two years of the discovery of Gold at Sutter’s Mill in the Sierra’s, California became America’s 31st state on September 9, 1850. The provisional Capital had been in Monterey, but upon Statehood the first state capital was located in … Continued
Discover cool things to do and see in Amador County in the heart of California’s Gold Country. We’ll visit with Annette Reiser at the historic circa-1852 National Hotel in Jackson CA. And then we’ll visit with Maureen Funk, Executive Director of the … Continued
The historic Hotel La Rose, located in the heart of Santa Rosa’s historic Railroad District, has been welcoming guests since 1907. Jeff Whitehead, general manager, shares insider tips about nearby activities, the hotel’s architectural charms, and best times to visit … Continued