Stephen Dougherty's Page

Stumbling across the Chicago River on the Michigan Avenue Bridge in the dead of night, I had an epiphany: stay off the sauce. There’s no reason to put twelve different liquors into one drink, and then to fill a pitcher with the mixture. Yet, that’s what they do at Timothy O’Toole’s Pub. It’s called Holy Water, and I swear on a bible, I’ll never touch another drop.

Speaking of bibles, my good friend and colleague, Scotti Williston, Executive Produce in Residence at the CUNY Graduate School of Jo… Continue

Although they could not be with us for UNITY 08, I want to send a shout out to four outstanding Journalists of Color who will join the CUNY J-School Class of 2009 next month in New York City. They have each been selected to receive the first ever CUNY Graduate School of Journalism Scholarships awarded to members of NABJ, NAHJ, AAJA, and SAJA. So, big up to Tracy, Alana, H’Rina, and Varsha. Looking forward to seeing you very soon in NYC.


Tracy Chimming, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, has been… Continue

The last time I was in Chicago was thirty-five years ago. Not a fond memory. I, and a few rowdy friends, ran into the police over a scuffle at a bachelor party. No big deal, but my time there, and my enduring impressions of the place, were less than positive.

As the years passed, my negative relationship with Chicago strayed beyond the bounds of reason. Without ever returning, I convinced myself Chicago was nothing more than a New York City wanna be, a pale imitation.

When I was training and r… Continue