Destroying a neighborhood to save a city, Boston Globe, May 10, 2008
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the destruction of the West End neighborhood, this column explained the rationalle behind the disasterous urban renewal project, but also explained how it changed the way we do public works in Boston.

Still Playing with Fire, Boston Herald, March 8, 2008
When it was revealed that many clubs and restaurants were not being held to new, stricter sprinkler laws (put in effect after the disasterous Station Nightclub fire that killed 100) I wrote this column to, well, basically berate the city for ignoring its history.  (This column was orginally written to time with the 65th anniversary of the Cocoanut Grove fire, but made it into print after the 5th anniversary of the Station nightclub.).

The Vendome Test, Boston Globe, June 16, 2007
On June 17, 1972, nine Boston firefighters died fighting a fire at Boston's Hotel Vendome.  This piece was part history, part tribute to the nine who died and the men and women who continue to fight our fires.

Because Boston still matters, Boston Herald, December 27, 2006
A history of Boston's City Hall, which lead to my support of Mayor Thomas Menino's plan to move City government to the South Boston waterfront.

Boston's Main Street, Boston Globe, September 27, 2006
A response to the suggestion that a portion of Hanover Street in the North End be turned into a pedestrian mall.  As someone who loathes the automobile, I was surprised at which side if the discussion found myself on, but pleased at the eventual abandonment of the idea.

Little Mr. Victory, Where are you?, Boston Globe, July 25, 2005
While researching my VJ Day column, which was published in 1995 on the 50th anniversary of that day, I ran across an intriguing item about a baby that was abandoned on the Boston Common in the middle of the celebration.  This column explains the mystery and what is known about the fate of that baby, whom the press had named "Little Mr. Victory."

Strutting and Fretting at the Gaiety, Boston Globe, February 19, 2005
A comparison of the fates of two beloved theaters, the Old Howard and the Gaiety.

Why we should embrace a Boston City Museum, Boston Business Journal, August 13, 2004
A piece written after Moshe Safdie's plan for a city museum over the depressed Central Artery was presented to the public.  A version of this column appeared in the BBJ.  You can read the original HERE.

Lesson in foresight from the "big dig" of 1800s, Boston Globe, June 30, 2003
David's second look back at the Back Bay project, and the lessons the Big Dig needs to learn from its success.

Why challenge Bush in 2004?  Look at history, Boston Globe, August 24, 2002
A look backwards - and forward - at presidential elections throughout American history, and the long odds of beating and incumbent.

Allowing casino gambling in state is losing proposition, Boston Herald, April 21, 2002
An opinion piece on why casino gambling should not be allowed in Massachusetts.

Little known history behind Old Howard, Boston Globe, February 2, 2002
I titled it Boston's Rosa Parks, and it is the story of abolitionist Sarah Remond and the Old Howard.

Boston's favorite sports, Boston Globe, January 7, 2002
An all-too-familier story of politics, revenge, and the Boston Red Sox.

Boston's original Big Dig, Boston Globe, August 12, 2001
How the Back Bay was filled in, and what today's Central Artery could learn from that massive construction job.

The cruelest month indeed, Boston Globe, April 1, 2001
The litany of the horrible and strange events events in April, through history.

A 'hack' who grew into office, Boston Globe, October 2, 2000
My favorite President is the obscure Chester A. Arthur, a man I don't believe has gotten the credit he deserves.  I tried to make amends with this piece.

King of Cons, Boston Magazine, August, 2000
Boston’s infamous swindler, who made millions in 1920 running a glorified pyramid scheme, fooling everyone, until an enterprising reporter asked a single, devastating question.

The end of the world as we know it..., Boston Globe, December 13, 1999
With survivalists digging bunkers in preparation for the Y2K-inspired collapse of the world, this column described a survivalist who made his name in Boston, and the burlesque theater that resulted.

Reviving a touch of Scollay Square, October 11, 1999
An opinion piece on what should be done with Boston's City Hall plaza.

Happy birthday Charlie, we're all still rootin' for ya, Boston Herald, August 15, 1999
The one thing everyone seems to know about Boston is Charlie on the MTA.  This is the story of the hit song.

A very old story about ballplayers in pursuit of money, Boston Globe, November 28, 1998
When Mo Vaughn left Boston for more money in Anaheim the fans were outraged.  But in 1918 they actually struck before a World Series game over money.

The day Boston turned into one huge block party, Boston Globe, August 14, 1995
My favorite column (so far) about VJ Day in Boston.

The unassuming Coolidge, Boston Globe, July 13, 1993
For the 70th anniversary of Coolidge's swearing in as President, by his father.

A hot dog with 'one all around' at Joe and Nemo's, Boston Globe, March 26, 1992
Written to celebrate the anniversary of the closing of the store's Scollay Square location.

Those colorful town seals are genuine Yankee relics, Reading Chronicle, August 13, 1991
Rum ships, tunnels and waterwheels - what towns in Massachusetts consider worthy of commemorating.

The temple of Burlesque, Boston Globe, June 17, 1991
My first published work for which I was paid.

Reading marks its 346th birthday, Reading Chronicle, May 23, 1990
My first published work.  Ever.

On the Mend
The Big Dig heals a fifty year-old wound in the North End, but did anybody notice?  READ IT

Law and Order and the Boston Police Strike
As Boston was dealing with its police union in 2004, this was a look back on the 85th anniversary of the Boston Police Strike of 1919. READ IT

The Most Important Building in America
With the 2004 election coming, a look at the object of so many people's attention, the White House. READ IT

Mr. Menino, tear down this hall!
A suggestion by two city councilors that City Hall be razed led to this 2004 column.  READ IT

The demise of the World's Fair
Written for the 40th anniversary of the New York World's Fair, the piece is a look back the promises left unfulfilled.  READ IT

Why I am now a Red Sox fan
It was inevitable.  Even after the debacle of another Game 7.

Cutting the ribbon, closing the loop
When the new, underground central artery opens in 2003, there is only one choice to cut the ribbon.  READ IT!

Road to Nowhere
A brief history of Route 128, as well as a look into its future.  Written in 2002.

Boston's equilibrium gets punctuated
How the late Stephen Gould's term "punctuated equilibrium" may help us solve the issues of the 30 acres above the Big Dig's soon-to-be-opened underground tunnel.  READ IT

A last chance to make good with West Enders
Why West Enders should get first crack at housing being built as part of the re-development of Boston's Saltonstall building.  READ IT

The Real Curse
Wherein a link is found between the Red Sox and the fortunes of Boston.

The Boston School Boy Cadets
From the Civil War until Vietnam, the amazing story of military drill on Boston Public schools.  READ IT!

Brother, Can You Spare an Erg?
How the "lame duck" period between Hoover and Roosevelt led to a most unusual public mania known as Technocracy.

Of Changes, Choices, and a Day of Infamy
The story of former Red Sox public address announcer Sherm Feller and his stature as Boston's first talk show host is posted on Gary Titus's wonderful website dedicated to Sherm.

In the public interest
An opinion piece on the problems of multiple ownership in radio

The trial of William Shakespeare
Another true story about a man who proved in a Chicago court that Francis Bacon wrote Shakespeare - and it's amazing connection to Pearl Harbor and the Cold War

Ettie's Boston
Ettie McKay's remarkable life as Boston's first female booking agent

WKRP in Boston
WMEX was once Boston's highest rated radio station.  This is its riotous history, from Woo-Woo to The Zone.  READ IT!