Archive for April, 2006

  • Church of John Coltrane

    Church of John Coltrane

    ASan Francisco landlord evicts the world’s only church devoted to John Coltrane. This story investigates the dispute and details a history of the organization. After this story was published, I produced a jazz benefit at Bimbo’s nightclub in San Francisco, and we raised over $8,000...

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  • The Kerouac Obsession

    The Kerouac Obsession

    The estate of Beat writer Jack Kerouac was very messy in the late 1990s. The trail led from San Francisco to Kerouac’s hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts. Guest appearance by Johnny Depp.

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  • Coyle & Sharpe Audio Pranksters

    Coyle & Sharpe Audio Pranksters

    In the early 1960s, two young men dressed up in suits and took a tape recorder around San Francisco, pulling weird pranks on unsuspecting pedestrians and shop owners. After 30 years, the recordings are finally available on CD.

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  • Ice Golfing in Greenland

    Ice Golfing in Greenland

    The treacheries of the world ice golf championships, held on the frozen waters of western Greenland.

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  • The Wine of Mass Destruction

    The Wine of Mass Destruction

    A unique home-made product from California’s wine country. And unlike the WMD in Iraq, the Wine of Mass Destruction actually exists.

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  • The Sumo Wrestler has the Flu

    The Sumo Wrestler has the Flu

    “Riding black” in Prague, waiting for Sumo and dreaming of defenestration. Outtakes from “Sumo in Prague.”

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  • Bill Hicks

    Bill Hicks

    Two pieces about the late comedian/satirist Bill Hicks.

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  • Bruddah IZ

    Bruddah IZ

    An essay on the life of the late Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. Over the Rainbow Honolulu, two a.m. Music producer Jon de Mello is sleeping when the phone rings. It’s Israel, one of the artists he represents for his Mountain Apple record label. And Israel...

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