Recent articles

Where to start? Why not begin by sampling a few of Jimmy's recent stories and some award-winning features from the archives. For most recent work, check out the home page.

Top 'O the Mountain Published in Phoenix Magazine, November, 2009 How do you get to the top of Camelback Mountain? For Bill O'Brien, it took ingenuity, hard work - and a bit of the luck of the Irish

Fabulous at 50 Published in AZ Society, October, 2009 Phoenix Art Museum is just entering its prime.

Second Chance Published in Times Publications, July, 2009 Twelve years after being misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy, the Beery twins are leading normal, active lives. A mother's tenacious research and what she considers a miracle have set them free.

Laid Off, Inc. Published in Times Publications, June, 2009 In the ranks of the unemployed, groups of Valley corporate castaways are getting creative and finding that the last thing they need in order to survive is a job.

Chuting The Bull Published in Times Publications, May, 2009 In Cave Creek, almost any yahoo can try riding a live bull behind a rowdy Western saloon. But only the baddest cowboys can make it big in the rising sport of professional bull riding.

Banking on Philanthropy Published in AZ Society, May, 2009 Countering global banking's bad image, Valley bankers fine-tune their giving to provide help where it's needed most

Obama Futurama Published in Phoenix Magazine, April, 2009 Could the nation's new "hope" mantra help the business of preserving bodies? One Scottsdale-based cryonics organization is banking on it.

Distressed Council Published in Times Publications, April, 2009 Valley credit counselors are on the front line of the economic crisis. And some are starting to feel the desperation themselves.

Baby Boom Published in Times Publications, December, 2008 Arizona's celebrated Masche sextuplets turned a year old this past summer. Now, can the couple keep the love coming - not to mention the free diapers?

For Profit: Another Kind of Green Published in TechConnect, November, 2008 Alt energy innovations born in the Arizona boonies are going global. Get ready for the Revenge of the Hicks.

Power On Published in TechConnect, November, 2008 For cities today, the message is go green - or lose vital tech industry

Grand Pirouette Published in AZ Society, November, 2008 For arts patrons, getting to know the real people behind Ballet Arizona is philanthropy's greatest perk

Air Guitar Hero Published in Scottsdale Times, November, 2008 Are Air-Guitar Events the Next Karaoke Kraze?

It's A Small World Published in AZ Society, November, 2008 The International School of Arizona offers global-sized language training to our tiniest citizens and still remains appealingly small itself.

Meet the Millionaires Published in Phoenix Magazine, November, 2008 Maricopa County has the third-largest population of millionaires in the country, but are their lives all made of champagne wishes and caviar dreams?

Eating Arizona Published in Scottsdale Times, November, 2008 Competitive eaters can devour ten percent of their body weight in ten minutes. But will they ever get any real respect?

The New Age of Money Published in Phoenix Magazine, November, 2008 Avoid going from riches to rags in your golden years by developing a money plan for every decade of your life

the e-Pod Evolution Published in Scottsdale Times, July, 2008 Stoked by the green movement, proponents of prefab architecture are racing to develop the Prius of manufactured homes. But will Americans give up their Hummer-sized abodes for a smaller-is-better lifestyle?

Tech's Border Battle Published in TechConnect, July, 2008 As the defense industry looks beyond Iraq to its new frontier, the US-Mexico border, southern Arizona tech companies are busy building the war toys of the future.

Splashdown Near? Published in TechConnect, July, 2008 As aerospace's greatest generation faces retirement, Arizona?s schools are challenged to produce new leaders with the right stuff

Kung Fu Phoenix? Published in Phoenix Magazine, June, 2008 Exactly midway through the state's motion picture tax incentives program, the Valley is still far from producing its own A-list movie studio. To anxious investors, even a Kung Fu grindhouse lot is starting to sound good

MexMansions Published in Phoenix Magazine, May, 2008 As the Valley's Hispanic population gains affluence, home builders are catering to the trend by placing half-million-dollar homes next to blighted barrios

Operative Fate Published in Scottsdale Times, May, 2008 Armed with a new ability to see their own medical futures, Valley "previvors" are taking out doomed organs and body parts before they can take out them

The Hunch Bunch Published in Scottsdale Times, April, 2008 The Valley is home to one of the largest populations of retired FBI agents. And while they still can't spill all the beans, their stories would beat the pants off a CSI script.

Meeting Madness! Published in TechConnect, April, 2008 As more companies dive into web conferencing, one Valley company hopes to rule the virtual boardroom with a trendy little innovation

In Good Company Published in AZ Society, February, 2008 Ryan House aims to give families of children with life-limiting conditions the unprecedented: a break

Hothouse Flowers Published in Phoenix Magazine, February, 2008 Arizona's Biosphere 2 gets new management - and finally, respect - as U of A takes the once doomed dome into the forefront of climate change research

Doomsday's Skeptic Published in Scottsdale Times, February, 2008 Global-warming skeptic and ASU Professor Robert Balling feels the heat as the greenies become meanies

Super Time! Published in Arizona Republic Special Features, January, 2008 America's fifth largest city prepares to put on its A-game for Super Bowl XLII

Google This! Published in TechConnect, January, 2008 Google CIO Douglas Merrill has two words for today's advertisers: Give up! Chances are, your brand's already being Googled.

Saturday Morning Speedsters Published in Times Publications, January, 2008 At High Performance Driver's Ed events, everybody's an Earnhart, at least for the morning.

Ready For Its Close-up Published in TechConnect, January, 2008 Super Bowl puts tech haven University of Phoenix Stadium in the global spotlight

Village People Published in Phoenix Magazine, December, 2007 As progressive homebuyers long for greener and friendlier 'hoods, Arizona's "co housing" communities are catching on. Just don't dare call them "communes."

Science Central Published in AZ Society, December, 2007 Beneath the Arizona Science Center's $25 million renovation plan lies an underground (literally) imagination factory bursting with billion-dollar ideas

Lakeside Amoeba Published in Scottsdale Times, December, 2007 Warning: That next cannonball dive in the lake just might kill you. Still, that's no reason to skip spring break in Lake Havasu . . .

Rock Stars of Retail Published in Phoenix Magazine, November, 2007 Most days, they toil in anonymity. But on hot product launch days, store clerks become the shopper's superstars - if only for a morning

Vanished! Published in Scottsdale Times, November, 2007 When Capt. Craig Button's A-10 Thunderbolt went down while on a 1997 training mission, nobody knew why. Ten years later, the questions remain and four 500-pound bombs are still missing.

Talladega, Not! Published in AZ Society, October, 2007 Valley business leaders tap their inner Steve McQueen through vintage auto racing, the thinking man's NASCAR

Second Selves Published in Scottsdale Times, October, 2007 Don't look now, but your online avatar may be leading a more exciting life than you. Are you digitally dressed for success?

The Playmakers: Ann Meyers Drysdale Published in AZ, October, 2007

Second Business Published in Phoenix Magazine, October, 2007 Never mind Web 2.0. A few Valley entrepreneurs are already staking out the next frontier of online commerce: the Web 3-D

Welcome to Hill Country Published in AZ, October, 2007 A new team, a new home and a new baby. Life is going full speed for the Phoenix Suns' Grant Hill, while his "home team" - his wife and daughters - adapt to that other Phoenix sun

Theater Number 2 Published in Arizona Republic, October, 2007 Let the kids command the living room entertainment. New bedroom media centers are becoming the family's second theater

Desperate Millionaires Published in AZ Business Gazette, October, 2007 Financial struggles know no boundaries, producers say

Buddha-licious? Published in Arizona Republic, October, 2007 Buddhas, foo dogs and other Asian artifacts are making a design comeback. How to work them in your home without releasing a skandha of negative consciousness

The Nook Look Published in Arizona Republic, October, 2007 Pity the stool! Kitchen designers think outside the island for new eat-in environs

Eye Spy Published in Scottsdale Times, October, 2007 When you're alone, are you really?

The Brain Gain Published in TechConnect, October, 2007 The nation's brightest graduate students are the superstars of Arizona universities research departments

Second Selves Published in Times Publications, October, 2007 Don't look now, but your online avatar may be leading a more exciting life than you. Are you digitally dressed for success?

The Valley's Greens Giant Published in Arrowhead Life, October, 2007 Peoria couple keep top-flight restaurants in organic veggies

Best Way to Beat the Desert Ridge Bottleneck Published in Phoenix Magazine, October, 2007

The Green Extreme Published in Scottsdale Times, October, 2007 Once kooky tree huggers are today's green gurus. But would you want one for a neighbor?

His-and-Hers Hot Rods Published in Arizona Republic, October, 2007 Couple share passion for "over-the-hill" cars

Play Again? Published in TechConnect, July, 2007 For serial entrepreneurs, rolling again is a chance worth taking

Lowering the Foreclosure Boom Published in Scottsdale Times, July, 2007 An increase in home foreclosures is bad news for everybody - except the guys who make their living locking and cleaning up the deadbeat dwellings for the mortgage companies

Delorean Allure, Lore Published in Arizona Republic, July, 2007 Back to the Future car is a fan magnet

The Lawyer's Lawyer Published in Southwest Super Lawyers, June, 2007 Peter Baird is a legend in the Phoenix legal community – just don't tell him that

Lady of the Labyrinth Published in Phoenix Magazine, June, 2007 Behind a curious domed house in Cave Creek, transcendental trespassers come to walk Taffy Lanser's labyrinth for enlightenment, inspiration or just a dose of eccentricity

Spiel or No Deal Published in Scottsdale Times, June, 2007 Valley TV hopefuls learn the best route to the small screen is a big personality

Tuned in to VIP Published in Arizona Republic, June, 2007 Valley thirtysomethings tired of their tricked-out Civics are trading up – to modified versions of the luxury brands their elders used to drive

Chasing the Tastemakers Published in Scottsdale Times, April, 2007 The Valley is a prime place to test new products. What's in it for the "average mom" whose opinions on pomegranate smoothies can make or break a new brand?

Superstitious Persuasion Published in Scottsdale Times, March, 2007 With just forked sticks, bent coat hangers and pendulums, Arizona "dowsers" are discovering water, missing persons and – sometimes – fat fees

Still The Champ Published in AZ, March, 2007 At 65 and retired to north Scottsdale, the Muhammad Ali of today is a different – some say even greater – kind of champ

King of Pop (Art) Published in AZ, March, 2007 PV artist Bret Rowe enjoys hanging with big ideas

A Range of Life Lessons Published in Scottsdale Times, February, 2007 Valley Cowboy's Reality TV Show Licks City Slickers

World Mission Published in AZ, February, 2007 Profile: Ben Homan

Behind The Velvet Curtain Published in AZ, February, 2007 What exactly does it take to sell a $3 million car? Find out with a behind-the-scenes look at Barrett-Jackson

Keeping Time Online Published in Phoenix Magazine, February, 2007 As Baby-Boom bloggers get hip to the new ?Web 2.0? tools, some are creating media-rich time capsules of Phoenix history ? and new concerns for a web-leery generation. The question is, are we ready for an interactive Legend City, KRIZ-KRUX mash-ups and vir

Dancing With The Joneses Published in Times Publications, October, 2006 Ballroom dancing is the latest "gotta try it" phenomenon sweeping suburbia. Valley dancers are, surprisingly, taking the lead

Too Cool For School Published in TechConnect, October, 2006 With Google, CNN and even Hollywood calling, are some research projects at Arizona universities becoming too big for their budgets?

Power '06 - The Gambler: Steve Ellman Published in Camelback, October, 2006 What does the Valley want? Just ask developer Steve Ellman, who?s finally found a buyer for his vision of Phoenix?s second city.

Dynamic Duo Published in 85255, October, 2006 Smart, poised and super-skilled in sports, for Stuart and Claire Moty, success is all in the genes

Back On The Block Published in Phoenix Magazine, May, 2006 A lot of Valley adults are now re-populating the old neighborhoods they used to haunt as kids. Will T-P'ing the neighbor's house ever be the same?