Hey there! My name is Alissa. I’m a writer, a gelato-eater, and a walker in LA.
You can learn more about who I am, what I write, why I walk, and even see where I live and work. In 2010 I was honored to be named as an USC/Annenberg Getty Arts Journalism fellow. You also might like this talk I gave about how to do the work you love.
How to get in touch
Follow me at @gelatobaby
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Click on some recent posts
Read my articles elsewhere
I regularly write about design, architecture, cities, transportation and walking for several publications. You can read my latest stories here, or clicking on the publication will take you to all my articles for that publication. You can also read my favorite stories from 2011 and 2010.
- Dwell: Self Preservation
How a pair of intrepid Angelenos restored Rudolph Schindler’s iconic Bubeshko Apartments. - Fast Company: Mad for Madison
Why tech startups—and the people who run them—are crazy for the Wisconsin capital. - LA Weekly: Flattened L.A.
Can a penny-pressing machine by Diane Meyer save Los Angeles architecture? - Wired: XOXO Loves Tech
A new Portland conference launches and breaks all the records—and the rules. - GOOD: Car-free Freedom
Does surrendering your automobile in L.A. make you feel helpless or more independent? - KCET Food: Kickstarting Restaurants
Some of L.A.'s most popular food experiences are being funded by people just like you. - Designers and Books: Summer Reading
Four design books for poolside reading that are light but not fluffy.
- Dwell: Self Preservation
View my photos
Check out our next de LaB
- Design East of La Brea is a monthly design event I co-host with Haily Zaki, Marissa Gluck and Erin Cullerton. Almost always east of La Brea. Learn more about past de Labs and sign up for our monthly newsletter.
Author Archives: Alissa
Bobak Ferdowsi: Life on Mars
Yesterday I posted some background on my LA Weekly People Issue story about Margot Ocañas, the city’s new pedestrian coordinator. Today, I’d like you to meet my other interview subject, Bobak Ferdowsi. But you probably know him better as Mohawk Guy, the … Continue reading
Posted in creating, LA Weekly
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Margot Ocañas: Walking the walk
Some of my favorite assignments, hands down, are for the LA Weekly’s People Issue, the annual glossy-covered edition featuring the city’s most fascinating Angelenos. This year I wrote two profiles, and they’re both such special People (with a capital P) … Continue reading
Posted in LA Weekly, walking
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Five things to know about The Big Parade
This weekend I’ll be logging somewhere around 20 miles and 50 or so public stairways on my FuelBand as part of the massive urban walk from downtown to the Hollywood sign known as the Big Parade. This is my fifth parade—daaaaamn!—and although I’m … Continue reading
Posted in building, reading, walking
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A face only a mother could love
Wishing a very Happy Mother’s Day to one very good-looking mom, from one very weird looking baby. She still looks pretty much exactly like this photo of her, by the way. And sometimes I still look exactly like I do … Continue reading
Posted in reading
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The Medium is the message
As a kind of post-CicLAvia/pre-Bike Week commemoration, I published my first piece over on Medium this week, which happens to be about biking. Medium is a new platform for reading and writing and I couldn’t be more excited to use … Continue reading
Posted in reading, riding
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KCRW reporters have great names, too
Earlier this week I read a story that you might have seen as well: Why NPR (and PRI and American Public Media) reporters have such great names like Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson, Renee Montagne, Ira Glass, Chana Joffe-Walt, Dina Temple-Raston, Guy Raz, Kai Ryssdal, Lourdes Garcia-Navarro, Neda … Continue reading
Posted in DnA, reading
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April in May
One of my favorite transit stops in the city, by far. And for those of you who don’t understand my headline pun, here’s more information on “hand holding a bowl of rice.” More street walking.
Posted in Street Walker
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