In this issue we proudly present eighteen writers from different areas of Northern California, from Sacramento to Santa Cruz, exploring what makes Northern California breathe. For some, the writing is inspired by particular locations: West Marin, Carmel, the North Bay, to a toy store on Solano Avenue in Berkeley. Other pieces show the diversity of voices found in Northern California, from Jan Haag’s poignant poem about immigration, “When Oscár Disappears” to Mark Dowie’s humorous: “Be There Then; A New Mantra for Living,” and Lee Rossi’s moving “Magnolia.”
CONTENTS
Jan Haag | When Oscar Disappears
Deborah Meltvedt | New Year’s Eve in Carmel
Joyce Roschinger | Little Deaths
Kathleen McClung | Postcard from the Closed Toy Store on Solano Avenue
Stephanie Noble | After the Fire
Carol Harada | The Window, a novel excerpt
Wendy Yim | Death and the Kitten
Miles Sarvis-Wilburn | Sermon at Balch Creek
Sharon H. Smith | Heart’s Desire
Krista Minard | On the Peninsula
Writers and readers, we thank all of you for your participation and ongoing interest and support.