Dawn Reiss

http://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnreiss
Website: http://www.dawnreiss.com/
Contact

Professional Experience

Award-winning journalist in Chicago. I'm known for breaking news, travel and business stories and in-depth features, but throw any subject at me and I'll make it accurate, interesting and relevant. I've written for TIME, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, Travel + Leisure, The Atlantic, Reuters, U.S. News & World Report, Plate magazine and 30+ outlets. I'm a former St. Petersburg Times and Dallas Morning News staff writer. I've covered the trial of Rod Blagojevich, gone dog-sledding in Alaska, written about online education, how to invest in the Internet of Things, and interviewed the likes of Maya Angelou and Justin Bieber. I've also managed stables of internal and external writers, served as the managing editor of two national monthly B2B magazines during a redesign, and served as president of the largest nonprofit journalism board in Chicago. See full portfolio: dawnreiss.com

Expertise

Writer
17 Years
Editor
17 Years
Reporter
17 Years

Specialty

Business (general)
15 Years
Food
13 Years
Travel
15 Years

Industries


Magazine - Large Consumer/National magazines
14 Years
Newspaper - National
17 Years
Online/new media
12 Years

Total Media Industry Experience

17 Years

Media Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)

University of Chicago Alumni magazine (1-2), The Atlantic (3-5), St. Louis magazine (1-2), Sail-World.com (1-2), Orange magazine (1-2), American Way (1-2), AOL.com (1-2), Life & Style magazine (1-2), Metromix.com (1-2), MSN.com (1-2), Newsweek.com (1-2), Milwaukee magazine (1-2), American Builders Quarterly (1-2), Chicago Reader (1-2), BD+H (1-2), Chicago Home + Garden (1-2), CNN.com (1-2), Triathlete magazine (1-2), Chicago Sun-Times (10+), Journal of Property Management (1-2), Indiana University Alumni Magazine (6-10), Nursing Outlook, American Academy of Nursing (3-5), Reuters (3-5), Saturday Evening Post (3-5), Teen Sensations (3-5), HD Living (3-5), Food Fanatics (1-2), Crain\'s Chicago Business (1-2), Cincinnati Magazine (1-2), Chicago Tribune (10+), American Express OPEN Small Business (10+), Chicago Magazine (10+), Michigan Avenue magazine (10+), MondoExplorer.com (10+), TIME and Time.com (10+), True/Slant.com (10+), U.S. News & World Report (10+), USA Today (10+), HowStuffWorks.com (6-10), District Administration magazine (6-10), Chicago Parent magazine (3-5), AAA Living magazine (3-5), Chicago Architect magazine (1-2), Restaurant Business magazine (10+), FoodService Director magazine (10+), Connect magazine (10+), Connect Sports magazine (10+)

Other Work History

- Managing Editor, Restaurant Business and FoodService Director magazines - Editor/Content Producer, Imagination Publishing - Staff Writer, St. Petersburg Times(recruited and managed 10-15 freelancers) - Associate Editor, DFW Sports Weekly - Staff Writer, Dallas Morning News - Book Author, Publications International (Co-wrote book, Armchair Reader: Chicago about quirky, off-beat things in the Windy City.

Technical Skills

AP and AMA style guides; Mac, PC, InCopy and Microsoft Office skills; Avid, Flip Video editing, SEO, Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Pinterest, blogging, audio recording and editing including podcasts scripts, photographer and iPhone apps

Foreign Language Skills

some spanish

Computer Skills

CMS including: Wordpress, Drupal; Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc..); Adobe Illustrator, InCopy, InDesign;

Equipment

Samson X4N Zoom Handy Recorder (radio quality recording), Laptop, Flip camera, iPhone, digital camera: (high-quality Cannon), Olympus digital recorder (with USB port to quickly upload files)

Work Permits & Visas

Have passport, will travel

References

Available on request. Please see LinkedIn profile.

Awards

Finalist; Society of Professional Peter Lisagor Award for Best In-Depth Reporting and Best Investigative Reporting 2011, Time Out Chicago magazine. Winner; Society of Professional Peter Lisagor Award winner for Best Breaking News Story 2010, Time.com Won first place in Florida Society of Professional Journalisms 2006 Awards of Excellence competition in 100,000+ circulation light feature category. Part of St. Petersburg Times staff that earned Associate Press Sports Editors 2004 Top 10 Best Sports Section for over 250,000 circulation. Contributed to the Fort Worth Star-Telegrams Associate Press Sports Editors 2000 Top 10 Best Sports Section for over 250,000 circulation with a sports section in-depth take-out story about cancer-surviving cyclist. 1998 Thomas Keating Feature Writing Competition Finalist for Indianapolis Press Club.

Associations

President and two-term board member, Chicago Headline Club, the largest Society of Professional Journalists Chapter in the Country. Directed and supervised non-profit board of 24 journalists and a club of more than 400 members and $134,000 in reserve. Championed Freedom of Information issues, managed professional programming, student scholarships, wrote and assisted with Watchdog grant application. During presidency, the Headline Club earned National Outstand Large Professional Chapter Award (2008-09) out of 75+ chapters. Orchestrated Chicagos largest media awards banquet, the Peter Lisagor Awards, with more than 280+ attendees and included a multimedia experience with a PowerPoint presentation, video, photos and Twitter updates. Also co-founder of SPJs National Freelance Committee. Member, ASJA (2008 inductee), Association for Women Journalists and Chicago Women in Publishing.

Showcase

News

Coming to America: A Refugee's Journey to Chicago
(FW: Chicago 11/19/2015)
Want to know what it's really like to be a Syrian refugee in Chicago?
How Catfish and Algae are Cleaning Up the Chicago River
(The Atlantic's CityLab 12/22/2015)
The two are something like an odd couple in the fight to restore the river to health.
The Power 100: Most Powerful Chicagoans
(Chicago magazine 3/1/2015)
Our fourth annual list of the Chicagoans who have the most clout and why. From power players in business and politics to healthcare, arts and culture arenas.
Blagojevich's Defense Fund Is Empty: Who Will Pay for His Trial?
(TIME/Time.com 8/14/2010)
The fund former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich has been using to pay his defense lawyers is officially gone. After his arrest on Dec. 9, 2008, the fund, originally established to support his campaign efforts, had approximately $2.6 million. He then began using the money to pay his legal fees. Now
The Blagojevich Case: Like the Ali-Frazier Rivalry?
(TIME/Time.com 8/18/2010)
On the last day of jury deliberations in the trial of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, defense attorney Sam Adam Jr. paced the courthouse cafeteria in his three-piece suit. Pausing near the trash bin, he began to pontificate.
Rahm Emanuel Off to a Fast Start in Chicago Mayor's Race
(TIME/Time.com 11/16/2010)
Blinking back tears from her lilac-covered eyelids, Marsha Emanuel looks around at the crowd of 250 cheering for her son Rahm at Chicago's North Side John C. Coonley elementary school and says, "This is the moment I've been waiting for."
Illinois woman faces murder charge after planning robbery
(Reuters 8/12/2014)
JOLIET Ill. (Reuters) - An Illinois woman who helped plan a robbery that led to a double murder and who spent the stolen cash on cigarettes should be found guilty of murder, the prosecution said on Tuesday in closing arguments at a trial in the Chicago suburb of Joliet.
With Wisconsin's Protesters: A Cold Night in Madison
(TIME/Time.com 2/21/2011)
It's 9 p.m. on Sunday night but the sound of beating drums, saxophones and maracas continue to reverberate against the Wisconsin State Capitol's stone walls.
Star Witness in Illinois double-murder recounts robbery plan
(Reuters 8/7/2014)
JOLIET Ill. (Reuters) - The star witness in the trial of a grisly double murder that shocked veteran police officers in the Chicago suburb of Joliet testified on Thursday how she and her friends planned to rob their two male victims.
Testing Backlogged Rape Kits in Illinois
(Today's Chicago Woman 8/2/2012)
More than 4,000 backlogged rape kits have been turned in to Illinois state police. The oldest dates back to 1978. Now, 22 percent have been found a DNA match in FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database, which tracks DNA of criminals and will likely link a rape victim with a suspect.
The Blagojeviches' Week: F Bombs and Shakedowns
(TIME/Time.com 7/9/2010)
During a break Thursday, July 8, former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich turned around to talk to members of the public sitting in the courtroom on the 25th floor of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois. He began to apologize. "I'm sorry about the language," Blagojevich said to a
As coach gets sentence, teen pledges love
(St. Petersburg Times 1/20/2006)
"She spoke softly, choking out the words. "I love her," the 15-year-old girl told the judge. "And all I'm asking is to talk to her...." A 1A story about a high school student who wants, along with her father, to retain contact with the former high school teacher and coach who had a sexual relationship with her.
Garfield Park church takes to basketball court (and other venues) to build its team
(Chicago Tribune 4/3/2009)
Rev. Michael Eaddy and his two sons came across a few guys playing basketball on a broken-down court in Garfield Park known as "The Hole" and challenged them to a game. "The guys from the community began to laugh and doubt that we could play basketball at all," Eaddy's son, William, 33, said, recalling that day in July 2008 when he and his brother, Ephraim, helped pass out fliers in the Garfield Park neighborhood about their church, the People's Church of The Harvest.
In Too Deep: Behind the Race to Mackinac Tragedy
(Time Out Chicago 10/13/2011)
Cover story for Time Out Chicago. At 333 miles, the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac is the longest annual freshwater sailing race in the world. The grueling two-and-a-half or three-day slog requires crews to sleep in shifts every two or four hours in the beating rain, scorching sun and bitter co
CHICAGO TONIGHT: Week in Review
(WTTW Channel 11 8/6/2010)
Part of a reporter roundtable discussion about the important news of the week including the trial of Rod Blagojevich. Chicago Tonight's Week in Review airs weekly on PBS' WTTW Channel 11 in Chicago. Watch the video with this link.
Judges blast Indiana, Wisconsin gay marriage bans
(Evansville Courier & Press 8/26/2014)
CHICAGO - More than 200 people, including Evansville police officer Karen Vaughn-Kajmowicz and her wife Tammy, arrived at 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal on Tuesday to hear the arguments on same-sex marriage bans in Indiana and Wisconsin.
Who Wants to Be Next Mayor of Chicago?
(TIME/Time.com 9/9/2010)
How big is the news that Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago will not seek re-election for a seventh term in 2011? "It's huge," says U.S. Representative Mike Quigley, a former Cook County Commissioner who taught Chicago politics at Loyola and Roosevelt Universities for seven years. "Only in Chicago wo
The Push to Ordain Female Priests Gains Ground
(TIME/Time.com 9/25/2010)
This story made Time.com's No. 1 most read story list on Sunday, September 26. A Roman Catholic priest publicly speaks out for the first about how he helped train a woman, a friend for the priesthood and his struggle about women in robes.
Wisconsin's Governor Wins But is He Now Dead Man Walker?
(TIME/Time.com 3/12/2011)
This story made Time.com's 10 Most Popular Stories of the week, holding the No. 1 spot for eight days. The Wisconsin State Capitol had taken on an eerie quiet by late Friday. Gone were the throngs of protesters who had occupied its marble floors like it were a summer campground. The midnight honking
Garden threatened by U. of C. construction plans
(Chicago Tribune 10/28/2009)
Supporters say land has fostered unity between school, Woodlawn; university says parcel needed for staging area
The Brothers Blagojevich: On Trial Together But Apart
(TIME/Time.com 7/22/2010)
Exclusive interview and lone sit-down interview Robert Blagojevich gave during the trial of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.
Nuisance Factor
(Fort Worth Weekly 11/7/2002)
"At one time, the Cowtown Inn was a bustling landmark, a place where celebrities like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson stopped in to take a dip in a pool shaped like a Texas star...." A new asbestos-removal plan is keeping the derelict Fort Worth Cowtown Inn standing.
Pastor Embraces Challenges
(Chicago Tribune 3/4/2009)
Rev. Erik Christensen clutches a 64-ounce Diet Coke while a parishioner fixes a rusty slop sink - it's a double Big Gulp kind of day for the pastor of St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Logan Square. The minister knows that what his century-old church with its neo-Gothic flying buttresses really needs is tuck-pointing. This is just one of many obstacles Christensen and the congregation have faced. Both have been told by Lutheran church administrators they shouldn't exist: Christensen, 35, because he is an openly gay minister, and the congregation because membership had dwindled to about a dozen.
A Coup in Wisconsin: How a Governor Got His Way
(TIME/Time.com 3/10/2011)
The rich have gotten much richer," bellowed Jesse Jackson Jr. amid the rumble of cheering voices, horns and maracas. "Yeah!" roared back the crowd of at least 10,000 protesters who had gathered in Madison, Wis., Thursday morning. "It's about the rights of workers," Jackson continued. "The rights of
Less Invasive Procedure Being Tested To Treat Aneurysms
(Chicago Tribune 2/18/2009)
Less than three hours after surgery for an unruptured brain aneurysm, Vivian Moore was upright in her hospital bed at the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago in Ravenswood telling her children how lucky she felt.
A Long Time Bus Driver Sets the Pace
(Chicago Tribune 7/5/2007)
Pace million mile bus driver, Harley Fleming, 57, meets all types of people on his daily route around the Chicago suburbs. A look at Fleming and the people on his route.
Blagojevich - and a Culture of Corruption - Go on Trial
(TIME/Time.com 6/9/2010)
The former governor could get 415 years in prison if found guilt on all counts. But Illinois' reputation for underhanded politics is likely to get worse.
Why Blagojevich Didn't Beat the Charges This Time
(TIME/Time.com 6/27/2011)
Two weeks ago, as the prosecution made its final points in his corruption trial, a pale Rod Blagojevich listened nervously while his wife Patti looked on, sullen and indignant, from the bench, the arms of her brother around her. It was as if they could feel what was coming.
Rahm's Interrupted Run: Speed Bump - or Worse?
(TIME/Time.com 1/24/2011)
The nervous laugh rolled off Rahm Emanuel's tongue. "Anything in the news you guys want to talk about?" he asked a gaggle of reporters at a press conference Monday afternoon, Jan. 24. It was a rhetorical question. He knew what the issue of the day was. That day, news spread quickly and virally that
Water, or Whine?
(Chicago magazine 10/10/2007)
Last year, Americans spent $15 billion on bottled water. Turns out, the joke's on us: Not only are top sellers Aquafina and Dasani just bottled public water, but the wasteful plastic packaging will still be lingering in the year 3000. But do water snobs have a valid argument that private water taste
Chicago's Fires Threaten to Engulf Mayor
(Newsmax 3/1/2015)
Once one of the nation's most powerful men, Rahm Emanuel is now fighting for political survival.
Court of Appeals hears arguments on Evansville cross display
(Evansville Courier & Press 2/19/2014)
Whether a proposed display last year of crosses on Evansville's publicly-owned Downtown riverfront constituted a government endorsement of religion or of Christianity over other religions were issues Tuesday before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Love Art? Then Get on the Bubble-Wrapped El
(TrueSlant.com 10/8/2009)
Like most dreamers, Logan Square's Tristan Hummel was told by some naysayers that his idea of putting art on Chicago's El train just wouldn't work. "A lot of people didn't believe in it, because it's hard to image how it might work," said Hummel, 23, who hosted the first "Art on Track" show last August. It's kind of a ridiculous thing, let's put art on a train."
Blagojevich Fireworks: Lies, Damn Lies and Politics as Usual
(TIME/Time.com 6/3/2011)
"Mr. Blagojevich, you are a convicted liar, right?" U.S. assistant attorney Reid Schar boomed into the courtroom late that afternoon. And in response, Blagojevich flung back a "yes" over his lawyer's objections. The long-awaited cross-examination was under way, and like two caged animals posturing t
Tears of a Clown: Rod Blagojevich Takes the Stand
(TIME/Time.com 5/27/2011)
"I'm Rod Blagojevich. I used to be the governor ... I've waited two and a half years to be here to get my side of the story out. It's very liberating to answer all of your questions."
Blagojevich: A Grand Finale of Theatrics in the Court
(TIME/Time.com 7/28/2010)
At about 3:20 a.m. on Tuesday, the first person in a line of more than 60 people for the closing arguments in the Rod Blagojevich corruption trial was Dan Bender, a 64-year-old Chicago retiree who once owned a trucking business on the South Side of Chicago and has been writing legal briefs as a rese
The Blagojevich Trial: The Tale of the FBI Tapes
(TIME/Time.com 6/26/2010)
Tears streamed down the face of Patti Blagojevich as the recorded voice of her husband, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, echoed in the courtroom of the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois. "It's very important for me to make a lot of money," Blagojevich said to his chief of s
Prosecutors Let One Blagojevich Off the Hook
(TIME/Time.com 8/27/2010)
Robert Blagojevich couldn't believe the text message on his phone Thursday morning. It was from his defense attorney Michael Ettinger: "They have dismissed the charges." His wife Julie began crying. "Wait until we know everything for sure," Robert Blagojevich told her.
Blagojevich Apologizes to Everyone - and Doesn't Get the Max
(TIME/Time.com 12/7/2011)
With his back to the courtroom, former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich stood before Judge James Zagel and whispered meekly as hundreds of eyes followed the sound of his voice.

Food & Travel

Where Chicago Chefs Like to Eat (Italian)
(USA Today/10best 3/24/2016)
When it comes to Italian food, almost everyone can find something they’d like to eat. Chicago is no exception. Even with the influx of infusions that has diversified the culinary cuisine here – elevating Asian fusion most recently with restaurants such as Parachute, Fat Rice and Saucy Porka – Italian fare continues to be a strong staple.
On the trail of great Italian coffee in Turin
(USA Today 1/23/2015)
TURIN, ITALY -- For most foodies, it doesn't get much better than coffee and chocolate. In Italy, one of the best places to go for such a decadent mix is Torino. Located in the Piedmonte region known for its Barolo and Barbaresco wines, Turin is a northern Italian city with a decidedly French influence thanks to the House of Savoy, which ruled Italy from 1861 until 1946.
Dog-sledding in Alaska: Best excursion ever?
(USA Today 7/2/2014)
Cruising to Alaska had never been on my dream list. But when the opportunity for a bargain-basement deal on the Norwegian Pearl presented itself, I pushed aside my doubts and decided to take a seven-day summer cruise from Seattle through southern Alaska.
Mangia!
(Chicago Tribune 2/16/2011)
There is something about gathering together on a cold winter's night. What better way to gather friends and loved ones than around a dinner table talking and drinking for hours while eating delicious homemade ravioli?
How to Plan A Kid-Friendly Trip To Chicago
(USA Today/10Best.com 6/26/2014)
Planning to come to Chicago with your family? If you have kids under 16, here's what you need to know.
9 Amazing Chocolate Cafes
(USA Today 2/2/2014)
Whether you like to drink, eat, sip, stir or nosh on chocolate, there are plenty of ways to get your fix in the USA. The better the cacao beans, the better the resulting flavor profile.
7 Chocolate Factory Tours Worth Taking
(USA Today 2/1/2014)
Taking a chocolate factory tour is one of the best ways to understand the chocolate-making process.
Napa Valley, Wisconsin
(Milwaukee Magazine 6/1/2008)
Move over beer, wine is here. As more people go for the fruit of the vine, wineries are springing up across Dairyland. A tasting guide, travel pieces.
Classic Eats in Chicago
(USA Today 9/10/2013)
There are plenty of classic restaurants in Chicago. Here are few mainstays.
Beer lovers love Chicago: Craft brewery tastings and tours
(USA Today 10/2/2013)
Since the days of bootlegging and Al Capone, Chicagoans have always liked their spirits and beer. Chicago has been right on trend, its craft breweries popping up as movement has exploded across the country.
Cheap Eats in Chicago
(USA Today 9/11/2013)
From Thai to burgers, there are plenty of great places to get food on the cheap in Chicago.
Where Locals Eat
(USA Today 9/11/2013)
Want to eat like a Chicagoan? Here are some favorite restaurants among those who live there.
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, players share tips
(USA Today 11/18/2013)
When you're going to the "Big D" - Dallas - it's all about living large with flash and cash, and a flair for country. Nothing is more Texas than football, from Friday night lights to the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.
Milwaukee dining: From cutting edge to traditional fare
(Chicago Tribune 12/1/2013)
The bearded man quietly navigates the dimly lighted Hinterland restaurant to the corner table where my boyfriend and I sit. It's like the star of "Walker, Texas Ranger" has just appeared in this gastropub. "Does anyone ever ask you if you look like Chuck Norris?" I ask.
Seafood With Soul
(Plate magazine 10/1/2011)
Cover story: Making a Southern splash with Cajun and Creole seafood and shellfish. For people who love Cajun and Creole food, the holy trinity is a culinary journey paved with onions, bell peppers and celery. But just as important -and possibly as much of a spiritual experience - are the iconic seaf
How to Choose a Cruise
(Travel + Leisure, CNN.com, MSN.com 12/15/2007)
There are more than 160 ships in the fleets of the 24 major cruise lines and more than 7,500 itineraries, from Alaska to Zanzibar. So how do you decide which one most suits your style? Evaluate your options using these simple guidelines:
Jacques Torres loves chocolate and Valentine's Day
(USA Today 2/14/2014)
Jacques Torres' thick French accent resonates through his cell phone, as his voicemail tells callers, "A day without chocolate is like a day without romance." That heightened passion about chocolate is why New York's master pastry chef has become known as "Mr. Chocolate."
Stephanie Izard
(USA Today 2/17/2014)
Dawn Reiss talks with Chicago's Stephanie Izard, the chef behind the always-booked Girl & the Goat.
U.S. home to fantastic Christkindl markets
(USA Today 12/17/2013)
Drink gluhwein -hot spiced wine- while you shop at Chriskindl markets around the U.S.
Chris Pandel
(USA Today 2/16/2014)
With a wicked sense of humor, here's Chris Pandel's take on his love of Chicago, his fascination with White Castle burgers and what's in his refrigerator at home.
App helps traveling sports fans find spots to watch teams
(USA Today 12/2/2013)
New York City's Evan Levine has always been a "huge hockey fan," rooting for the New York Rangers and watching the college football games of his alma mater, Northwestern. For his job with Citibank, Levine typically travels two to three days a week all over the country.
The Kosher Power Lunch
(Chicago Reader 9/14/2007)
DAVID FRIEDMAN just wanted to go out to lunch. But he couldn't find a kosher restaurant in Chicago. This restaurant review showcases how hard it can be to eat out if you are trying to keep kosher. The Crowne Plaza hotel, in the West Loop, offers kosher Jews dairy-free, American-style foods like

Features

Why Maya Angelou Disliked Modesty
(The Atlantic 6/2/2014)
Want to know more about Maya Angelou? Read my first-person essay about going to her home in Harlem. Find out why she asked me to kiss her on the cheek and said modesty comes off faster than a G-string on a stripper.
Sail Away
(Michigan Avenue Magazine 7/1/2013)
It's a sunny Saturday in late May, but the Eldean Shipyard in Macatawa, Michigan, is nearly silent. Inside a metal storage facility, a massive black sailboat sits in a cradle nearly three stories high. It's called il Mostro (Italian for "the monster"), and there's a reason for that.
Millennium Impact
(Michigan Avenue magazine 7/1/2014)
Ten years after its unveiling, Millennium Park isn't just a success-it has proven to be a visionary work that has changed the way the world sees Chicago.
How Nancy Bigley Brought Wine/Art Parties to Chicago
(Michigan Avenue magazine 11/3/2014)
As Chicagoans embrace the holiday season, CEO Nancy Bigley of festive favorite Bottle & Bottega leads the Chicago-based company's ambitious effort to open 30 franchised locations in the next year.
Toni Preckwinkle Raises the Bar
(Michigan Avenue magazine 5/1/2014)
Some have called her "the Tower of Blunt." At six feet tall, Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, is a female force whose no-nonsense style has made her one of the most powerful politicians-of any gender-in all of Chicago.
Rosemarie Andolino Greens Up O'Hare
(Michigan Avenue magazine 11/1/2013)
It's 2:30 in the afternoon, and Chicago Department of Aviation commissioner Rosemarie "Rosie" Andolino is already on her fifth-or maybe sixth-cup of coffee with cream. "I lost track a few hours ago," she jokes as she grabs a seat by O'Hare International Airport's new aeroponic garden in Terminal 3.
Extra Saucy
(St. Petersburg Times 5/15/2007)
Crazy Italian owner who ended up in a conservative southern small town environment, despite his cross-dressing, "have you made love today" antics that accompany his food and family.
River North's Renaissance
(Michigan Avenue Magazine 5/30/2012)
The afternoon glow of a sinking sun peeks through Albert Friedman's office, backlighting a bookcase filled with green, blue, and caramel-colored glass bottles still frosty from the Great Chicago Fire that glazed them more than a century ago.
Justice for All
(Teen Sensations 2/15/2010)
Exclusive interview with Victoria Justice of Nickelodeon's Newest Hit Show, Victorious.
Hotelier John Rutledge Opens The Godfrey
(Michigan Avenue magazine 1/25/2014)
There are foolish gambles, and there are calculated risks. For hotel real estate and private equity investor John Rutledge, the founder and CEO of Chicago's Oxford Capital Group, avoiding the former has made all the difference. "I've never been a cowboy," he says.
Chicago Tribune
(Entrepenuer Throws Hats in Ring 6/3/2009)
Jenny Gerst knew this was her moment. But three minutes to sell hopes and dreams isn't a lot of time.
Raaja Nemani and Aaron Firestein Put Art on Our Feet
(Michigan Avenue magazine 10/1/2014)
Chicago-based BucketFeet founders Raaja Nemani and Aaron Firestein share artists' stories with the world via their collaboratively made, custom-designed shoes.
The Cobbler on the Square
(St. Petersburg Times 8/8/2006)
"John Millard's hands move quickly as he shapes a leather heel. He rotates the leather, his arms gliding in half circles as he carefully works through his latest repair. Being here in the back room of John's Shoe Repair is like walking back in time to a day when the local cobbler was a fixture. But people don't repair shoes anymore. They buy new ones instead."
Pair Master
(Michigan Avenue magazine 12/5/2013)
Like many wine connoisseurs Don Sritong is also a passionate foodie.
Chicago's 1,000 Bra Man
(TrueSlant.com, Newsweek.com, AOL.com 10/5/2009)
Just call him the "bra man." Oz du Soleil, 44, of Chicago's Kilbourn Park has hundreds, if not thousands of bras in his basement. Boxes and boxes of them, sorted in their cardboard containers by cup size, each holding every type and style imaginable.
Teaming Up with Bonnie Hunt
(Saturday Evening Post 5/1/2009)
The one-time Chicago nurse turned actress and television host hit it big in Hollywood, but still cherishes her Midwestern roots.
Dara Torres: Life in the Fast Lane
(Saturday Evening Post 12/1/2008)
It is a balmy fall day just a few weeks post-Beijing Olympics. Inside the historic Hilton Hotel on Chicago's Michigan Avenue, guests and fans are swirling in a frantic frenzy like worker bees preparing the hive for its queen.
MarySue Barrett Charts Chicago's Success
(Michigan Avenue magazine 2/17/2014)
Chicago prides itself on being "the city that works," but making good on that mantra requires strategic planning, ingenuity, and the ability to evolve. For MarySue Barrett, president of the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), it's about collaboration.
A Name Game
(Chicago Magazine 12/1/2007)
An increasingly popular reference tool for soon-to-be parents, a nameologist suggests baby names based on everything from family history to numerology. With the help of two local couples, Chicago tested out one of the country's most-sought-after practitioners, Maryanna Korwitts of Naperville, author of Name Power 101, and two of her competitors, a California couple and a Cleveland-area mother of two.
An Attitude of Gratitute
(Time to Spa 11/15/2008)
GIVING THANKS. GETTING GRATEFUL. It is hard, sometimes, to be thankful. Society has conditioned us to crave what other people have... Let's be frank, self-loathing is part of the American experience.
How Chicago Got the NFL Draft
(Michigan Avenue magazine 4/1/2015)
Chicago Sports Commission executive director Kara Bachman welcomes the NFL Draft back to the Windy City.
The Commemorator
(St. Louis magazine 7/24/2008)
Over the past few decades, Jack Scharr has quietly been building a niche fine-art empire in Chesterfield Valley. This month, his influence reaches as far away as Beijing for the Olympics.
The Rhythm of Love
(St. Petersburg Times 7/14/2006)
"Their weekly ritual begins. Dora stands in front of the bedroom closet, her eyes narrowed as she tries to see the clothes on their hangers. She can only make out a fuzzy blur, but that's enough...." An in-depth love story about a couple in their 70's that met during WWII. Won Society of Professional Journalism’s 2006 Awards of Excellence competition in 100,000+ circulation light feature category.
Frugal Foraging
(Chicago Tribune 12/9/2009)
Budgets are tight, and Christmas is coming. Bah humbug. Shake off that Grinchy attitude by shopping a largely overlooked venue: estate sales. Many people go to estate sales to restock their cabinets with everyday items. And there certainly are things such as half-used bottles of detergent that you'd never want to give as a gift. But estate sales can be a treasure trove for finding unique wedding shower, birthday and holiday gifts.

Sports

16 Sports Tourism Trends for 2016
(Connect Sports 3/24/2016)
How to Take Control of Your Sports Tourism Destiny
(Connect Sports magazine 11/3/2015)
How the business of sports is evolving when it comes to sports tourism.
7 Crazy Things You Should Know About Cubs Fans
(Starpulse 10/16/2015)
Yes, I live in this great city we call Chicago. After 107 years, we have a right to be hyped up and happy even if it's just a glimmer of hope. For Chicago Cubs fans, this baseball season slipped in like a lamb and is roaring out like a lion. There's nothing bad about that.
What it Takes to Host a Super Bowl
(Connect Sports 1/28/2014)
Trying to orchestrate such a colossal sporting event is hard enough without having to make contingency plans for inclement weather. Here's a look at what Mary Pat Augenthaler, Vice President of Events for the NFL had to say about what it takes to plan and host a Super Bowl.
How Bears Coach George Halas Forever Changed Football
(Michigan Avenue magazine 11/18/2015)
Seventy-five years ago, coaching legend George Halas led the Chicago Bears to the most lopsided victory in NFL history-and changed the game of football as we know it.
Chicago Hope: Prepping for a Cubs World Series Title
(Connect Sports 10/17/2015)
Back in 1908, the year the Chicago Cubs last won a World Series, Bette Davis has just been born, the first ball had been dropped in Times Square and the Model T was just making its debut as America while Cy Young was hurling from the mound.
Triathlete Spotlight: Elizabeth Brackett
(Triathlete magazine 11/1/2011)
Elizabeth Brackett likes to joke she's a jock who's old enough to collect Social Security. "I've always liked to compete," says the 69-year-old, who is host for WTTW-TV's Chicago Tonight program and an award-winning correspondent for PBS' The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.
Striking Distance
(Chicago magazine 6/1/2008)
As a youngster growing up in Houston, Cat Osterman didn't picture herself competing in the Olympics; she imagined herself running the torch.
Sports On Another Level
(St. Petersburg Times 11/28/2005)
The sun slowly sinks beneath the backdrop of goal posts and a half-filled Citrus High stadium. Former San Francisco 49er Kevin Fagan's well-defined, 6-foot-3 frame is silhouetted on the sideline of a Citrus Springs Middle School football game.
Stadiums are side-by-side, yet a mile apart
(The Sporting News 10/10/2000)
A controversy over naming rights for the Broncos' new stadium is swirling like the snowstorm that blanketed the Mile High City before the team's Monday night game with Oakland. Just a few hundred yards apart, the old stadium and the new stand practically side-by-side.
State of game troubles Williams Hall honorees
(St. Petersburg Times 3/22/2005)
HERNANDO - George Foster looks up. The twinkle in his eye makes him seem much younger than his 46 years. His muscles bulge beneath a fitted silver shirt. He is signing autographs at the Ted Williams Museum and can't stop grinning.
Ocala-bred trainer riding on a dream
(St. Petersburg Times 5/4/2006)
"The silver tufts on Marc Casse's head contrast sharply in the early morning sun with his Pepto pink shirt and tanned skin. Standing outside Barn 17 on a muddy patch, the Ocala native reflects and jokes easily despite being several days away from having his first horse - Seaside Retreat - contend in the Kentucky Derby...."
For young rodeo roper, a bitter sweet legacy
(St. Petersburg Times 7/7/2006)
HERNANDO - Dakota Shipp's right arm rotates. His wrist snaps quickly, deceivingly, for it is his forearm that truly controls the lasso above his head. The movement slices the morning heat as wooden rope and air make contact. The whipping noise is commonplace here, where horses, donkeys and cattle roam on 52 acres.
Brother of Mavs' Nash gets kick out of Soccer
(USA Today 10/22/2003)
Maybe this should be called the city of brotherly love. While NBA star Steve Nash has already made his mark in the Big D, younger brother Martin Nash is trying to find his niceh as a professional indoor soccer player for the Sidekicks.
Coaching hire ignites anger
(St. Petersburg Times 6/21/2005)
To say Mike Hampton Sr. is upset with Crystal River High School is an understatement. The father of Crystal River graduate and current Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Hampton said he was offered and verbally accepted the Pirates head baseball coaching position - only to find out through hearsay on Thursday that the job was given to Victor Valley (Calif.) Community College head coach Nate Lambdin.
Coach Knight Holds Court with Teachings
(Dallas Morning News 3/26/2001)
Bob Knight is more than images of chair throwing and player confrontation. He isa father. He is a son. He is a husband. He is a Hall of Fame coach. He is arrogant, and he is passionate. He was my teacher.
Williams icon strives to keep legacy alive
(St. Petersburg Times 7/25/2004)
CITRUS HILLS - Patient and precise, Ted Williams always waited at the plate until the ball reached a finite area in the strike zone. Operators of his public namesake - the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame - hope public donors who have been holding out will do the same, and start sending money.

Business & Technology

8 Tips for Achieving Work-Life Balance
(Connect magazine 4/10/2016)
From juggling upcoming events and travel plans to managing housework, your spouse, children and pets, finding work-life balance can be a struggle. It can be equally difficult to find personal time or a moment to visit with friends. Consider these tips to keep your home life—and your sanity—intact.
How to Leverage Technology to Gather and Use Attendee Data
(Connect magazine 1/7/2014)
More than ever, conference attendees want a personalized experience tailored for them. Gone are the days where handing a business card and buying a drink is enough. That's why event planners are trying to learn as much as possible about their attendees by leveraging technology.
Cover story: Creating a Culture of Collaboration: Q&A with Jason Fried
(Collaborate magazine 4/1/2014)
When he co-founded 37signals, a Chicago-based software firm, in 1999, Jason Fried had no idea he'd become The New York Times bestselling co-author of "Rework," a book about starting and running a "right-sized" business."
Industry Innovators
(Collaborate 8/1/2014)
INDUSTRY EXPERTS FROM BEHIND THE SCENES OF SXSW, BONNAROO AND MORE ON CREATING MEMORABLE MEETINGS
7 Steps to Get Your Event Wi-Fi Ready
(Connect magazine 2/20/2014)
Planning a conference or a convention takes a lot of work. But making sure there is the appropriate amount of Wi-Fi while trying to minimize costs can be particularly challenging.
Soft cheese gaining popularity
(FoodService Director magazine 2/20/2015)
Despite raw milk rules, the popularity of soft cheeses-pasteurized or not-is growing.
How to plan a convention for your religious organization
(Rejuvenate magazine 2/15/2015)
From the Blues Festival in Chicago to Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Columbus, Ohio, there's plenty of excursions in these Midwest cities for any meeting planner.
E-Tail Wagging
(Chicago Magazine 2/1/2008)
How much are Chicagoans spending online? Also view a "How We Compare" chart and a "By The Numbers" list of what is being purchased online. This is a e-commerce business story that focuses on the financial aspects of shopping and buying online.
Planning a corporate convention in the Great Lakes
(Connect magazine 1/15/2015)
If you want to plan a corporate convention in the Midwest, here's five cities that you should consider.
Textbooks to Tablets
(District Administration magazine 2/15/2013)
Preparing for digital education by 2017. For years, there's been an ongoing discussion about the digital divide between the "haves" and the "have nots." As technology has advanced, so has that gap, which is driving fundamental changes in how we work, learn, and live.
New Estate Tax Laws for 2011: What You Need to Know
(American Express Open Forum 2/14/2011)
No. 1 most read story on Am Ex Forum for three days. Want to protect your estate from Uncle Sam? There are few important changes you should pay attention to based on new legislation that passed in December for the 2011 tax year.
River North's Renaissance
(Michigan Avenue Magazine 5/30/2012)
The afternoon glow of a sinking sun peeks through Albert Friedman's office, backlighting a bookcase filled with green, blue, and caramel-colored glass bottles still frosty from the Great Chicago Fire that glazed them more than a century ago
What are you doing about the price of eggs?
(FoodService Director Magazine 7/2/2015)
Created a 50-person Chefs' Council of industry subject matter experts. Interviewed foodservice professionals each month on one timely business trend.
Spotlight On: Chicago's Tech Scene
(Collaborate magazine 12/3/2013)
Silicon Valley is known as the biggest technology haven in the U.S., but Chicago has rapidly grown in the past few years as a tech startup hot spot in the Midwest. Companies like Groupon, GrubHub and 37signals started in The Second City.
Make Mine Mobile
(Orange magazine 4/12/2013)
Why do some wine apps make money and others don't? Here's a look at entrepreneurs, business owners and celebrity chefs and sommelier who use wine apps and why.

Education

How to Overcome Challenges to Complete an Online Degree
(U.S. News & World Report 7/4/2014)
It's one thing to start your online degree, but it's another to finish it.Completion rates for online students are tough to track, since the U.S. Department of Education only began looking at the issue recently, but many instructors and school leaders say the numbers are low.
How to Transfer Academic Credits to Online Programs
(U.S. News & World Report 8/14/2014)
When Kim Blackham, a licensed marriage and family therapist, began searching for online universities to earn her doctorate, she knew she wanted to transfer in credits for several classes she had previously taken at Atlanta's Richmont Graduate University.
Tips for Online Students Seeking Scholarships
(U.S. News & World Report 8/27/2014)
Some schools are offering scholarships specifically for online students.
Online MBAs Starting to Offer Customization Options
(U.S. News & World Report 9/11/2014)
Half way through her doctorate in interdisciplinary studies, Shannon Decker realized something was missing. Decker, a former teacher turned operations manager for Health Net, a Fortune 100 company, was pursuing her degree, when she decided to switch her focus and follow her dream.
Study Abroad as an Online Student
(U.S. News & World Report 10/17/2014)
Studying overseas may be a challenge for online students, but it's doable if approached correctly, experts say.
Avoid These Tech Mistakes as an Online Student
(U.S. News & World Report 7/25/2014)
Michelle Hook Dewey jokes that when she started her online master's degree with the University of Illinois in 2011, all of her homework was organized in paper folders.These days, Dewey does everything electronically.
Maximize an Online Criminal Justice Degree
(U.S. News & World Report 10/1/2014)
Online criminal justice students who specialize are better positioned to get hired.

Non-Fiction Book Author

Armchair Reader: Chicago
(Publications International 3/15/2010)
Quirky, off-beat facts and stories about interesting people places and things in Chicago. This book was co-authored with 11 other writers.

General

What food substitutions are you making as a result of weather-related costs or supply issues?
(FoodService Director magazine 9/15/2015)
After finding sources and implementing a 50-person Chefs Council for the magazine, I interviewed three industry experts each month about top-of-mind business trends in the noncommercial foodservice industry.
What are you doing about the price of eggs?
(FoodService Director magazine 7/15/2015)
After finding sources and implementing a 50-person Chefs Council for the magazine, I interviewed three industry experts each month about top-of-mind business trends in the noncommercial foodservice industry.
Steal This Idea
(FoodService Director magazine 7/15/2015)
As the managing editor, worked with the associate editor to procure tips and ideas for this page that was part of FoodService Director's redesign; the magazine was overhauled and relaunched in June 2015 in less than three months.
Motivating Millennials; Changing menus to accommodate the needs of baby boomers
(FoodService Director magazine 6/15/2015)
Interviewed industry experts and ghostwrote monthly business-focused columns on their behalf.
What kind of leadership training should I consider offering my team?
(FoodService Director magazine 8/15/2015)
Interviewed industry experts and ghostwrote monthly business-focused columns on their behalf.
How do I keep employees motivated and engaged; How do I reduce sodium in recipes?
(FoodService Director magazine 8/15/2015)
Interviewed industry experts and ghostwrote monthly business-focused columns on their behalf.
How are you slipping in healthier ingredients?
(FoodService Director magazine 8/15/2015)
After finding sources and implementing a 50-person Chefs Council for the magazine, I interviewed three industry experts each month about top-of-mind business trends in the noncommercial foodservice industry.
How are you saving on food costs without sacrificing quality?
(FoodService Director magazine 6/15/2015)
After finding sources and implementing a 50-person Chefs Council for the magazine, I interviewed three industry experts each month about top-of-mind business trends in the noncommercial foodservice industry.
Hollywood Calling
(Michigan Avenue magazine 7/15/2015)
Sixty years ago, Marilyn Monroe traveled to Bement, Illinois, in honor of the town's centennial and her all-time idol, President Abraham Lincoln.