The Making of Papua New Guinea Pearls

Jewel Writer Duo talks about making friends in faraway places and writing their second book, Papua New Guinea Pearls: An Expat Perspective

Printed in Our Way, PNG Airlines Magazine

Our Way coverOur adventure was to capture the essence of Papua New Guinea in 200 pages. As we stepped off the plane and onto the tarmac in the Land of the Unexpected, we felt thrilled with the opportunity and aware of the responsibility.

How do you pin down the spirit of a nation, the experience of the expatriate community, the colour of the landscape and the diversity of the personalities while being witty, insightful and entertaining? A daunting task, yet an exciting one. Continue reading “The Making of Papua New Guinea Pearls”

Confection Perfection

With Mother’s Day Here, a Visit with a Top Flagstaff Confectioner

Mtn Living Mag May 2013

Forest Highlands Confectionary May 2013If anyone needs an excuse – and this writer doesn’t – to contemplate sweets and consume treats, May, in its salute Mom, is the perfect one. Use it to taste-test your way through a glass-fronted case of chocolates or lick fingers messy from tearing at a sticky bun. Either way, one’s dedication will assure that the mom who first put a cookie in your own little paw receives the best gift for the holiday. Continue reading “Confection Perfection”

The Expanding Institution

The Long-beloved MartAnne’s Increases Floor Space and Menu

Mtn Living Mag April 2013

MartAnn 2This month, MartAnne’s Breakfast Palace celebrates a dozen years of serving chilaquiles to a salsa-slurping, chorizo-crazed, egg-static group of diehards. A sign at the restaurant’s entrance states the obvious result: The House That Chilaquiles Built.

When MartAnne’s shifted from its downtown location on San Francisco to a nearby spot on Route 66, owner Anne Martinez said, “It took a village to move MartAnne’s around the corner… including help from landlords, family, and of course, loyal patrons.” Family in all forms has consistently worked alongside Martinez as she cracks 432 eggs on a Sunday, but her daughter is her match as a visionary and hard worker. “Tina was the driving force behind the move. It was her ambition and energy.” Continue reading “The Expanding Institution”

A Slice Above

Fat Olives Brings Gourmand Wood-Fired Fare to the Dining Scene

Mtn Living Mag March 2013

Dish Fat Olives 1 Mar  2013Somewhere along the way, Salsa Brava owner-chef John Conley developed an obsession for wood-fired fare. A decade ago, he built an Alan Scott artisan brick oven in his backyard, and two years ago, he bought a mobile, wood-fired oven. Conley says a plethora of recipe experimentation ensued. And with that, he ventured into the Italian restaurant business with the opening of Fat Olives in November 2012. As you might have guessed, the hallmark of Conley’s second successful eatery on Route 66 is the oven. Continue reading “A Slice Above”

KHOU Channel News Host Lily Jang

Spirit of Texas’ Lily Jang is a hometown gal anchored in Cy-Fair

mag bar Spring 2013

lilyjangLily Jang is an Emmy-nominated news anchor who loves greeting her hometown on Channel 11 each weekday morning. Growing up in Northwest Houston and graduating from University of Texas, her heart is where her boots are. The self-proclaimed fitness fanatic, world traveler, and social media queen is all about Houston, all of the time. Continue reading “KHOU Channel News Host Lily Jang”

Stormy Cooper

Cy-Fair bass player performs on a world stage with the Roger Creager Band and mentors musical dreams

mag bar Spring 2013

RCreager2“Small steps lead to big things.” That’s the kind of advice bassist Stormy Cooper offers to rising fellow Cy-Fair artists. His words are from the heart and born of experience. The owner of Stormy Cooper Media (SC Media) and 13-year veteran of the Roger Creager Band has slowly and steadily walked toward success in the music industry.

Cooper’s earliest memories are of his musician father coming home from gigs with his guitars and issuing a stern warning. “He’d tell me, ‘Don’t touch the guitars,’ but of course, I did,” Cooper says. “I messed around with them and learned how to play.” Continue reading “Stormy Cooper”

Northern Pines Restaurant

More than Just a Place for the Interstate Traveler

Mtn Living Mag February 2013

Dish No Pines 1Though it’s located at the crossroads of Interstate 40 and Butler Avenue and connected to the Days Hotel, Northern Pines Restaurant is not a typical eatery just off a highway exit. Unlike the usual chains, diners and fast good joints, Northern Pines serves up high-end food and has its thematic focus on Arizona and Flagstaff.

“We kept all the construction local,” said Karan Patel, who partnered with Steve Allen, previous owner of The Mason Jar. Their upgraded establishment joins the major renovation of the hotel. “Everything from the artwork to the lighting to the booths to the tile is Arizona, if not Flagstaff . . . So now, this restaurant and bar is the community’s choice.” Continue reading “Northern Pines Restaurant”

Health at Heart

Northern Arizona Healthcare produced colorful, informative newsletters for various facilities in the region to educate the community.

Gail contracted consistently to Flagstaff Medical Center’s Public Relations, writing the bulk of stories for Health at Heart as well as press releases, Flagstaff Business News articles and Arizona Daily Sun features.

Wintertime Warm-Ups

Hearty Comfort Food and a Love for Locals Big at Josephine’s

Mtn Living Mag January 2013

Jan 2013 Dish Josephine's 1Josephine’s Modern American Bistro has been serving delicious food to devoted guests since 2002. The big appeal is as tried and true as the historic home on the hill and the classic fare on the menu. The restaurant is chef-owned, so the food is forefront. “We also have a unique atmosphere in town,” said Chef Tony Cosentino. “Others have to create it, but our house with its garden patio and porch, two fireplaces, coffered ceiling, diamond sash windows and wainscot paneling are built in. And our warm, homey ingredients served with a twist invite people to relax and have a good time. That’s the big appeal.” Continue reading “Wintertime Warm-Ups”

Truly Raising the Bar

The Tavern known as Annex Becomes A Breakout Favorite with Its Own Fare

Mtn Living Mag December 2012

Dec 2012 Dish TBox 2As Tinderbox Kitchen unlocks their door at 5 p.m., its Annex bar next door is already hopping. On a chilly night in the fading light, the friendly clamor is inviting. So are the fresh sausages on offer amongst a short list of dishes scrawled across the chalkboard menu. This glorified waiting room for diners began in 2010, and has grown into a bar in its own right. Continue reading “Truly Raising the Bar”