As strange as it might seem, for the past few years I've started most mornings looking through the local obituaries online. On March 3, I finally could stop. My friend passed away. She was difficu  

After having a rather childish argument with a female friend, the smart thing for me would have been to simply go home. I seldom do the smart thing. There I was walking down Monmouth Street in New  

When I see hopeless drunks incapable of controlling their behavior or helping themselves, I've been known to step in and lend a helping hand. Guess it's my nature. The last time it happened, I wro  

Michael Faber is new to me, but he's not a new writer: He's written four novels, and 'Vanilla Bright Like Eminem' is his second collection of short stories. If this book is a reflection on his earlier work, then I have some catching up to do.   

When I was working on the "Bear" column that appeared here a few weeks ago, I wrote it in longhand one afternoon at the Main Library downtown. This is a luxury I usually don't have. More often tha  

When I walk into Madonna's on a Thursday afternoon, I can tell the mood is serious. I don't pay much attention. I'm on my cell phone talking over a story idea with a friend. Bartender Laura quickl  

For some reason, I've been running into my past lately -- people I thought were long gone from my life. It's a little unnerving at times as it brings back some memories I'd just as soon forget, but  

I step off the No. 18 bus at Eighth and Walnut streets downtown. This is the morning after New Year's Day, and there's snow on the ground. It's windy and cold as hell. I decide to go to the Main P  

During the holidays, a friend and I went over to Cosmo's in Covington to have a few drinks. Crystal, our regular barmaid, has gotten to know me well enough to offer an honest observation. I notice  

(Excerpt from Larry Gross' work in progress, The Hurricane Cafe: a Novel) I got through the morning as best I could. Since I'll be out of town next week, I submitted another column to Greg. It's d