Jon Brand writes…

Stalled Sport Ponders New Tactic: A Shot Clock

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:25:04 -0400

Is men’s college lacrosse in need of a shot clock? My story on the timer debate in college lax ran today in The New York Times.

Michigan Lacrosse's Transition to the Big Time

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:53:39 -0500

My story on University of Michigan’s new men’s varsity lacrosse team, which began its inaugural Division I season on Sunday, ran over the weekend in The New York Times.

For all you art lovers out there, here’s an excerpt on...

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

For all you art lovers out there, here’s an excerpt on Dada from my reading of Henry Sayre’s art appreciation book, A World of Art. The audio book, produced for Pearson Higher Education, was recorded late last year in Austin at The University of Texas.

In Drought-Stricken Southwest, A War Against an Invasive Tree

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:49:00 -0500

I spent some time out on ranches in West Texas earlier this fall, exploring the region’s fight against the tamarisk tree (seen above). My video report on this controversial battle for water resources is up now at Yale Environment 360.

On a recent trip to Hanoi, Vietnam’s coffee-mad capital, a friend advised me to try a cup of ca phe...

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:47:00 -0400

On a recent trip to Hanoi, Vietnam’s coffee-mad capital, a friend advised me to try a cup of ca phe cut chon (above), which she somewhat cryptically referred to as “weasel coffee.” I followed her advice, then wrote about the experience for Smithsonian Magazine’s website…

Tour de France mechanics are just like the guys behind the...

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 04:33:00 -0400

Tour de France mechanics are just like the guys behind the counter at your local bike shop — only with more talent and less attitude. My video on Geoff Brown and his crew at Garmin-Cervélo was published earlier this week by The New York Times.

How Tour de France riders stay safe in the saddle

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:25:32 -0400

The first week of this year’s Tour de France was filled with harrowing scenes of twig-thin riders splayed out on the pavement, bleeding from the head or clutching broken limbs. Or in the case of Johnny Hoogerland (above), extracting themselves from barbed wire.

My story on how riders stay safe in the saddle, despite the omnipresent threat of crashes, ran in The New York Times on Monday.

Cycling's prima donnas add melodrama to Tour de France

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:02:44 -0400

Sprinters are professional cycling’s prima donnas – riders with egos as big as their bulging quadriceps. In a sport known for its soap opera headlines, these easily maligned riders have a special penchant for melodramatics, on and off the bike.

My story on sprinters — and the art of a sprint finish — ran today in The Christian Science Monitor. Just in time for Mark Cavendish (above) to take his second stage of this year’s Tour.

American cycling team fights doping, one Tour de France stage win at a time

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:53:00 -0400

In the post-Lance Armstrong era, Garmin-Cervélo is emerging as a new sort of American champion — one that can win at cycling’s marquee event without the cloud of doping doubts that has hovered over everyone from seven-time Tour de France victor Armstrong to this year’s favorite, Spaniard Alberto Contador.

My story about Jonathan Vaughters and his Garmin squad ran in The Christian Science Monitor earlier this week.

To read more of my coverage from this year’s Tour, follow me on Twitter.

Aquaculture efforts offer hope for Louisiana's oyster fishery

Sat, 21 May 2011 00:37:00 -0400

Among the most serious environmental consequences of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill was the damage done to Louisiana’s oyster beds, one of the world’s last thriving wild oyster fisheries. My video on how farming could help recovery and create a more sustainable oyster fishery in Louisiana — and other coastal states along the Gulf of Mexico — is up now at Yale Environment 360.

In Texas, tea party adds a twist of social values

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:30:27 -0400

Tea partiers in Texas and a growing number of states are infusing the fiscal movement with a dose of social conservatism. My story on this phenomenon — and the ensuing struggle between libertarians and Christian conservatives for control of the tea party — appeared yesterday in The Christian Science Monitor.

http://nyti.ms/fh1CiR

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0500

http://nyti.ms/fh1CiR :

“Up close and alcohol-fumed, a video on Texas microdistilling the Garrison Brothers way: local ingredients, antique machinery and a smooth finish.”

— The New York Times’ Glenn Collins on my Smithsonian video about making bourbon here in TX.

A primer on distilling whiskey with Texas bourbon maker Dan...

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:56:00 -0500

A primer on distilling whiskey with Texas bourbon maker Dan Garrison. From my Smithsonian Magazine story on micro-distilleries in the Lone Star state.

Electric vehicle charging network grows in Austin

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:02:40 -0500

As the first substantial wave of electric vehicles hit Austin streets, the city’s electric utility is launching a $28 million federally backed initiative to build an infrastructure to support electric cars. The plan touches on everything from devising optimum in-home-charging practices to setting up charge points citywide. My story appeared today in The Christian Science Monitor.

What does China want with south Texas?

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

China and other countries have invested nearly $5 billion this year in south Texas drilling projects. My story on this phenomenon ran on the Christian Science Monitor’s website and in their weekly mag.

2010 Tour de France Daily Coverage Archive

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0400

After three long weeks, the 2010 Tour de France is finally over. Here’s an archive of my daily work for the Christian Science Monitor that didn’t go up on this website during the race:

Contador’s Tour de France caps off banner summer of sports for Spain — July 25, 2010

Tour de France 2010 delivers drama — without the doping — July 26, 2010

Stage 19: Alberto Contador poised to win his third Tour de France title — July 24, 2010

Stage 17: Contador second by a hair, but likely to win overall — July 22, 2010

Tour de France: Will Contador pay for his breach of cycling’s unwritten rules? — July 20, 2010

Tour de France Stage 16: Lance Armstrong attacks, just misses win — July 20, 2010

Tour de France Stage 15: Schleck vows ‘revenge’ after Contador steals lead — July 19, 2010

Tour de France Stage 14: Schleck refuses to be drawn in by Contador’s tactics — July 18, 2010

Alberto Contador strikes hard in Tour de France Stage 12 — July 16, 2009

Tour de France Stage 11 turns into ‘gladiator arena’ — July 15, 2010

Tour de France Stage 10: French riders give strong showing for Bastille Day — July 14, 2010

Tour de France Stage 9 whittles contenders down to Schleck, Contador — July 13, 2010

Lance Armstrong after Tour de France Stage 8: ‘My tour’s finished’ — July 11, 2010

In Stage 6 of Tour de France, Cavendish claims victory again — July 9, 2010

Tour de France Stage 5: Cavendish redeemed — July 8, 2010

Tour de France Stage 4: Petacchi wins, Armstrong lags— July 7, 2010

Tour de France Stage 3: Why Lance Armstrong lost ground — July 6, 2010

Tour de France’s yellow jersey out of reach, riders battle for lesser awards

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:00:00 -0400

The Tour de France, which ends Sunday, offers $2.6 million in prizes. Beyond battling for the yellow jersey, racers can collect points (like in Super Mario Bros.) for smaller awards.

My story on the green, polka dot and white jerseys ran in The Christian Science Monitor today.

How are Tour de France towns picked? Incognito, apparently.

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 01:00:00 -0400

Jean-Louis Pagès (above), a former geography professor, spends nearly half the year on the road scouting future Tour de France towns. My story on his selection process appeared in today’s Christian Science Monitor.

Why Tour de France fans will camp out for days to glimpse cyclists

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400

My story on the atmosphere, the racing and the unleashed donkeys atop the Col d’Aubisque appeared in The Christian Science Monitor today.

How the Tour de France's yellow jersey came to be yellow

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0400

My story on the history of the maillot jaune appeared today in The Christian Science Monitor.