Good afternoon, and welcome to the inaugural edition of MD’s Newsletter!
Here, you can expect monthly updates from me with a curation of my latest work, highlights from the archives, and assorted cultural recommendations.
February 2022 finds me in a busy season. I’m about 90% through a graduate program, which is something I’d never thought I’d say. I’m writing more “for me” than I have in years, which is something I’d never thought I’d have the time to do. And I’m navigating the return of in-person social events, which is something I think we are all still working out how to do safely amid the pandemic.
Onward with the updates:
This week, I’m excited to moderate a panel for Intersect Palm Springs, a rebrand of the Art Palm Springs fair that has served as a seasonal high point for the local art scene. I’ll be speaking with Adam Lernar, Aimee Buyea, Bernard Leibov, and Barbara Gothard about artist residencies in the desert. Join us Friday at noon!
This topic has many layers: this region has so many unheard stories ripe for artistic interpretation, while the earth, air, light, and silence that surrounds us make for serene and inspirational situations. But it’s critical that these programs connect with the community and create an inclusive dialogue — I’m already excited to see where our conversation winds up.
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Elsewhere, my latest column is up at CVIndependent on the importance of clarity and inclusion in public communications, especially when it comes to public health. Hat tip to Roy Peter Clark from the Poynter Institute for his work around public writing, which has had me thinking lots lately about how we talk to one another.
I also have a delicious round-up over at Visit Palm Springs about where to pick up healthy eats when you’re in town. There’s more than meets the eye in the Palm Springs restaurant scene, and I love sharing what our small business community has to offer.
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This month, I’ve also experienced what it’s like being on the “other side” of a news story: the intrepid and insightful reporter Jake Blumgart at Governing spoke with me for his piece on the dangers that increasingly large vehicles pose to pedestrians.
Why me? Because I got hit by a car in 2010 and can tell you exactly how bad it feels to have tons of metal crash into your body. You can find Jake’s piece at Governing, or at The Oregonian.
And please, please, be careful out there.
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That’s about it for this edition! I’m off to finish some client work, head to the gym, and hopefully watch “The Power of the Dog” tonight. Now that Oscar nominations are out, I’m trying to catch up with the many great films out there. I’ve caught “Nightmare Alley” and “Don’t Look Up” so far; both were terrifically entertaining but didn't feel like “Best Picture” material to me. Still waiting for the categories for TikTokers, so we can give the Animal Facts guy his due.
Until next time,