Américas, Oct ’05

I visited this estate several times while working in Sâo Paulo during the autumn of 2004, which was spring in Brazil. It’s a big coffee estate that Marcos Croce wants to return to the old organic ways and even improve them with new knowledge. I found the place and the people fascinating and wrote this story.

A ‘first person’ essay published in Illinois Issues, November, 2001. Alvin later told me he thought the story needn’t seem so sad. The article is Island Grove Afternoon. My original text, more complete, follows below.

Illinois Issues, Nov ’01

It is the church standing alone in the countryside that first intrigues a visitor to the parish of Island Grove. Continue reading

Bill Lavicka was one of those rare fearless people that every democracy needs. He was the indispensable ingredient, the spice that brightens up the dish. There was no dull moment with Bill around. Continue reading

This article was published in New City, December 28, 2000. The published article may be downloaded here. It provoked an interesting letter to the editor from Chicago artist John Sibley, read John’s letter here. An article about my small role in it appeared in the Chicago Flame in Feb 1999, see that here. The original text of my article as submitted follows below.

The Final Days of Maxwell Street

It’s hard to believe, but a little bit of Maxwell Street still stands in 2001. Continue reading