Matt's Writing

Oakland Landmarks: An Artistic Portrayal of History is an ideal coffee table book for Oakland residents and fans of the city. The elegantly designed book features watercolor paintings of famous buildings and locations in Oakland by Heidi Wyckoff . The text in the book was written by Annalee Allen, the Oakland Tribune columnist and Oakland Tours Program coordinator. This book is a great entry point for those interested about Oakland's history. What separates this book from other Oakland history books is that it covers 34 landmarks in just 80 pages. The beautiful watercolor paintings provide a new way to look at familiar landmarks, and Allen's one-page descriptions of the landmarks focus on the key details, showing familiar locations in a different light. Her descriptions give you just enough history to pique your curiosity, and make you want to read more about Oakland history. Take for example her section on Oakland's oldest bar, Heinold's First and Last Cha...

While working at UC Berkeley, I assisted Professor Harley Shaiken researching and editing his white paper he recently submitted to the Toyota NUMMI Blue Ribbon Commission. The report addresses and challenges Toyota's reasons for wanting to close the New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. auto plant in Fremont, California. The paper was officially released on March 3, 2010 at a press conference at California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer's office in Sacramento. The report can be found on State Treasurer Bill Lockyer's website here: http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/nummi/report.pdf Treasurer Bill Lockyer also hosted a hearing on the proposed NUMMI auto plant closure at his office in San Francisco on February 24. These photos are from the Feb. 24, 2010 hearing. Professor Harley Shaiken (right), the author of the white paper, speaks next to State Treasurer Bill Lockyer (left). Art Pulaski, Blue Ribbon Commission Member and Executive Secretary-Treasurer, California Federation of Labor s...

Here's my latest video project. It's currently the top-rated Viewer-Created video on Current TV. Please vote for my video. To view the highest-quality version of the video, please visit: http://mattswriting.com/JC_Orton_on_The_School_of_the_Americas.mov The Catholic Worker website: http://berkeleycatholicworker.googlepages.com

I recently posted a new video on YouTube about Jahvid Best's amazing performance, running 311 yards against Washington. He also rushed 186 yards for 2 touchdowns against Miami in the Emerald Bowl. If he keeps this up in 2009, he's a strong contender for the 2009 Heisman Trophy. Check out my video, where I mixed in some Rick Ross: