The Santa Fe New Mexican
During my time as a general assignment reporter at The New Mexican, I have written some 370 stories thus far, ranging from public safety and courts reports to bright features, including a profile on a 103-year-old knitter and a summer’s abundance of apricots. My main interest, however, has been to humanize issues related to social justice, poverty and inequity, especially when it comes to combatting stigma associated with homelessness. My editors say I have also adopted the unofficial beat of “the nonprofit world,” as there are so many organizations in and around Santa Fe that work tirelessly to benefit vulnerable groups, as well as foster the arts and a sense of community.
Here are some of those stories, with my portfolio picks in bold.
Santa Fe girl could overcome sickle cell anemia, thanks to brother, May 2020
10 Who Made a Difference winner looks to keep Esperanza Shelter financially afloat, May 2020
Celebrating mothers amid crisis, May 2020
Would-be Santa Fe pug breeders find large litter a handful, May 2020
Taking it to the streets of Santa Fe, April 2020
From farms to food banks: New initiative seeks to benefit food growers as well as the hungry, April 2020
Organizations adapt programs, take extra caution to serve homebound, April 2020
Shelters step up efforts to protect homeless amid COVID-19, March 2020
'I’m still mind-blown': Jobs at Santa Fe shelter help former guests get back on track, March 2020
‘It took us 36 years to turn 9’, February 2020
Santa Fe Prep graduate running to be an Olympian, February 2020
LGBTQ project aims to right Santa Fe history, February 2020
Getting Pojoaque choir to Carnegie will take more than practice, February 2020
Valentine's Day isn't all roses for Santa Fe florists, February 2020
Getting veterans off Santa Fe streets, February 2020
Student honors women's right to vote with musical, February 2020
Knitters craft aid for Australia’s animals after fires, February 2020
Accordion player spent eight decades playing for audiences, January 2020
Girls Inc. to host 3rd Congressional District candidate forum, January 2020
Governor of tiny Picuris Pueblo strives for improvements, January 2020
Colcha embroidery artist showcases work at China folk art market, January 2020
‘Home away from home’ for expectant moms, January 2020
More in Santa Fe are going vegan, December 2019
Rule change could strip 37K New Mexicans of food stamps, December 2019
SNAP proposals create uncertainty for New Mexico food banks. December 2019
Hairdresser from Santa Fe makes cuts on 'Mandalorian', December 2019
Tiny horses become therapy for traumatized kids, December 2019
Former abuse victim now aiding others at Esperanza Shelter, December 2019
Program at Santa Fe Catholic clinic provides braces for kids in need, December 2019
Award winner from 1988 recounts how honor lifted her up in tough moment, December 2019
Hope for the holidays, November 2019
In Pojoaque, Lightning Boy’s legacy dances on, November 2019
Crafting community connections through art, November 2019
Tesuque woman can tell you how to get to ‘Sesame Street’, November 2019
FBI: Hate crimes in New Mexico quadrupled between 2017 and 2018, November 2019
Climbing in Land of Enchantment explodes in popularity, November 2019
Youth shelter worker honored with New Mexico advocacy award, October 2019
Addressing homelessness in Santa Fe, October 2019
With aid and effort, Santa Fe homeless couple escape streets, October 2019
Homeless in Santa Fe: ‘Most of us are normal people’, October 2019
Film examines forced sterilization of Native women, October 2019
Santa Fe activists launch Day of Action Against Domestic Violence, October 2019
Student climate protesters take demands to New Mexico governor’s office, September 2019
Santa Fe quiltmaker says she can’t stop following her passion at 103, September 2019
Santa Fe artists’ controversy may turn into collaboration, September 2019
Global Climate Strike draws hundreds in Santa Fe, September 2019
‘Backpacker Bill’ still hitting trail at 91, September 2019
Increased enjoyment of outdoors raises awareness to protect it, ‘Backpacker Bill’ says, September 2019
Giving hospice patients a home away from home in Santa Fe, September 2019
New Mexico engineer taking on climate change is being honored, August 2019
Meet Zozobra’s designated drivers, August 2019
Holding on to heritage at Santa Fe Indian Market, August 2019
Fashion for the ‘indigi-nerd’, August 2019
In Santa Fe, an abundance of apricots, July 2019
Arroyo Seco woman’s jewelry wins Best of Show at Spanish Market, July 2019
Village Closet aims to bridge gap for low-income, new families, July 2019
Santa Fe mom plans 14 Days of Joy in son’s memory, July 2019
Female rabbi is breaking new ground in Santa Fe, July 2019
Producer with Santa Fe roots working on PBS animated series, July 2019
International Folk Art Market | Santa Fe more diverse, July 2019
International Folk Art Market | Santa Fe includes Maasai beadworker, July 2019
Teen horse trainer helping rescued mare in Santa Fe, July 2019
All fired up, July 2019
Santa Fe’s Santa María de la Paz parish celebrates 25 years, July 2019
‘How much more can we take?’, July 2019
Española dining event aims to elevate soup kitchen, June 2019
Senior Games in Albuquerque honors Native athletes, June 2019
Following in their fathers’ tracks, June 2019
In Santa Fe, Alzheimer’s Café offers creative, social outlet, June 2019
Nonprofit launches Casa Cielo, which gives space to aid people with dying, June 2019
Repeat senior games medalist hopes to add to tally in New Mexico, June 2019
Owens receives 21½ years for shooting death of Santa Fe man, May 2019
Working to overcome ‘summer hunger gap’ in Santa Fe, May 2019
Santa Fe special-education program KIVA graduates three, May 2019
Irish wolfhound show highlights dogs’ unique characteristics, May 2019
Officer who helped stop mass shooter raised in Santa Fe, May 2019
In Santa Fe, a Holocaust reminder, May 2019
‘As long as you can do it — do it’, April 2019
‘It doesn’t have to be about hate’, April 2019
Preparations underway for Baile de Cascarones, Dance of the Eggshells, April 2019
‘A testimony of faith’ on road to Chimayó, April 2019
Santa Fe’s only remaining video rental shop not ready to press pause, April 2019
Hundreds gather at Jemez Springs Star Party, April 2019
Creations by Santa Fe woman different by design, April 2019
Weekend event at Hipico showcases beauty of horses, April 2019
Española man who lost father, sister to overdoses charts different path, March 2019
Santa Fe students find lessons of Anne Frank are relevant today, March 2019
Kids all-in for science at Children’s Museum camp, March 2019
Doulas association forms in New Mexico, March 2019
Kids lead protest in Santa Fe against climate change, March 2019
Santa Fe man composes infinite tribute to pi, March 2019
Officer, best friend patrol New Mexico federal lands, March 2019
Students at summit on opioid abuse urged to help stop epidemic, March 2019
Santa Fe woman remembered for bringing famed Frito pie to the area, March 2019
Over five decades, Berardinelli Family Funeral Service evolves with the community, March 2019
In Santa Fe, YouthWorks helps put lives back on track, March 2019
Albuquerque exhibit tells story of state’s symbol and its appropriation, February 2019
New tech coming to Lensic will improve experience for hard of hearing people, February 2019
Sole sister’s efforts no small feat, February 2019
Federal sites in New Mexico bounce back after shutdown, February 2019
Afghan teens get taste of life, learning in Santa Fe, February 2019
Fenton Lake State Park open for ice fishing, February 2019
New Mexico Capitol rally focuses on workers, immigrants, January 2019
Determined Santa Fean finds missing feline friend, January 2019
Intensive meditation draws visitors to Northern New Mexico, January 2019
Karate class in Santa Fe aids students with special needs, January 2019
A wave of marchers to stand for women’s rights, January 2019
‘Voice’ winner adjusts to newfound fame as she returns to New Mexico, January 2019
Help is on the way for many in Santa Fe County who’ve been snowed in, January 2019
Los Alamos digging out from snow, January 2019
Santa Fe program helps undocumented immigrants connect, deal with loss, December 2018
In world of show judges, Santa Fe woman is top dog, December 2018
Service remembers Santa Fe homeless who died in 2018, December 2018
After riding thousands of miles on horseback, Montanan makes pit stop in N.M., December 2018
Santa Fe girls hockey team happy to have a league of their own, December 2018
Working toward visibility, not appropriation, December 2018
Nonprofit Egis helps fulfill seniors’ needs at home, provide care where they’re comfortable, November 2018
Helping kids and seniors look a cut above, November 2018
Man aims to feed homeless on days other than Thanksgiving, November 2018
Bienvenidos food pantry ‘best kept secret in Santa Fe’, November 2018
Dual-language education conference brings thousands of educators to Santa Fe, November 2018
Experiencing the fun of running 100-mile races, November 2018
Photo feature: Spookiness hits the City Different, October 2018
First Christian Church, focused on community outreach, marks 85th anniversary, October 2018
Unclaimed vet laid to rest by comrades-in-arms in Santa Fe, October 2018
San Felipe man running toward his dream, October 2018
Mushrooms could help clean toxic groundwater in Northern New Mexico, September 2018
Whoo’s Donuts expands its offerings and its reach, September 2018
Desk clerk at Chavez Center recalled as ‘nicest person ever’, September 2018
Santa Fe woman helps build school in Pakistan in memory of daughter, September 2018
Cycling Santa Fe minister racks up miles for a cause, September 2018
Group’s ‘star event’ makes clothing shine at Fiesta, September 2018
Clash between equestrians, Santa Fe homeowners association makes for unhappy trails, September 2018
From Santa Fe’s desert to deep sea discovery, September 2018
Santa Fe man develops formulas for animals, August 2018
Best of Show at Indian Market honors women’s courage, August 2018
Indian Market newcomer shares 3D-printed viewpoint, August 2018
Indian Market veterans have faith in future of legacy art, August 2018
Eldorado entrepreneur making motorcycle jackets for women that are sexy, safe — and not black, August 2018
Pecos Pueblo descendants keeping traditions alive, August 2018
Google employees help restore pueblo, August 2018
Santa Fe summer camp joins Palestinian and Jewish Israeli girls, July 2018
Back in the saddle at HIPICO Santa Fe, July 2018
Taiwanese artist modernizes ancient textile technique to preserve tradition, July 2018
Portraits of nature, July 2018
Albuquerque artist’s comic Infidel set to be filmed, June 2018
When protest starts in the art studio: Festival to focus on awareness, June 2018
LGBTQ retirees flock together in Pecos, June 2018
Iron will propels triathlete, 83, June 2018
Santa Fe dad, son break it down, June 2018
Dog answers prayers for Santa Fe family, June 2018
Pro soccer lands in New Mexico, June 2018
Putting the hat back on top, June 2018
Program encourages men and boys to look inward to stop sexual violence, May 2018
Man-made beaver-style dams help restore land in New Mexico, May 2018
Man helps keep Acequia Trail Underpass, his temporary home, ‘nice and clean’, May 2018
New Mexico’s ‘snake guy’ is setting the record straight, May 2018
Santa Fe runner headed to Boston Marathon at age 66, April 2018
Pasatiempo
Try ... and try again: Ann Reinking gives lessons in dance and life, March 2019
Outside
6 Literary Gems from the Coolest Library in the West, March 2017
The Best Climbing Gear for Beginners, June 2017
The Cambodia Daily
Banteay Meanchey Rice Fields Turned Into Art for Festival, January 2016
Imaging Impact, December 2015
Running the Distance, December 2015
Shadow Spectacle, December 2015
Through Films, Cambodians Remember Lives in East Germany, December 2015
‘Ruin to Riches’ Weighs Development’s Double-Edged Sword, December 2015
Japanese Dancers Bringing Moves to Phnom Penh, December 2015
Turkish Musician Brings Global Flair to Cambodia, December 2015
Gold-Tinted Portraits Seek to Bring ‘Dignity’ to Abused Women, December 2015
Koh Pich Hosts Annual Kite Flying Competition, November 2015
In Exhibits, British Artist Reflects on 15 Years in Cambodia, November 2015
Concert Celebrating Icon Aims to Promote Copyright Protection, November 2015
Young Musicians Compete, Hoping to Keep Traditions Alive, November 2015
Exhibit Remembers Slain Journalists, Calls for End to ‘Impunity’, November 2015
Bokor Mountain Hosts Second Running, Bike Race, October 2015
Restored Films Offer Glimpses Into Indochina, October 2015
Architect-Turned-Artist Takes Sculpture Series to Bangkok, October 2015
Our Atlantis, October 2015
Live Painting Event Allows Guests to Become Artists, October 2015
Chattanooga Times Free Press
Chattanooga couple returns to changed Cambodia for holidays after once fleeing for their lives, December 2015
Roots Rated
Cloudland Connector Trail - Hiking, May 2016
Car Camping 101: What You Need (and What You Need to Know), May 2016
Southern Living
Derby Tips and Essentials, May 2016