Leslie Ruth Guttman

Journalist and author Leslie Guttman, whose puckish wit and graceful, empathetic feature writing enlivened the pages of The San Francisco Chronicle for 18 years—and publications and radio stations across the country thereafter—died March 14 in her native Kentucky after months of suffering from a rare combination of a medication reaction and a previously undiagnosed medical condition. She was 57.

Think of Charlotte's Web. Then reverse the story.

It's not that people are bringing their dogs to church. It's that dogs are bringing their people to church.

The inside story on how Leslie's grandfather started what became the most famous diner in Manhattan.

The story of Arson Squad, a thoroughbred who was saved at one of the most elite horse hospitals in the country.

Mycologist Paul Stamets' experiments could help repair the torn fabric of the ecosystem.

This story prompted the first bill in the California state Senate to legalize hemp in California.

Spurred by the threat of bioterrorism, a small group of scientists is focused on inventing 'universal drugs' they say would work more efficiently than vaccines—by stimulating the immune system to fight off a wide range of threats. The players make up an unusual cast, from a former Cold War enemy to America's foremost expert on holistic medicine.

His congregation is San Francisco's homeless and dispossessed.

Outer space philosopher Frank White has spent 34 years trying to spread the message of the "Overview Effect" and humanity's interconnectedness. Finally, people are starting to listen.

It was rare to be a woman or African American covering the White House in the 1940s, and Alice Dunnigan was both. Here is her story.

Leslie reflects on her nonfiction book about a year inside the country's top horse hospital. Equine ER was published by veteran equestrian publisher Eclipse Press. New York Times best-selling author Jon Katz says, “Equine ER is a wonderful book, wrenching, uplifting, and a powerful window into the great love, empathy, and connection humans have for horses and other animals. It is an emotional thriller, really a rollercoaster, as dramatic and well-paced as it is well-written and brilliantly observed."

“Have you ever asked yourself what’s the difference between someone who’s homeless and someone who’s not? A lot of times the difference is family or support. So the culinary program provided that kind of family.”

Day and night, at home and at work, with friends and when he is alone, Victor Manuel Conde's mind is occupied by one thought. It is the reason he came to California from Mexico, the goal that propels him from distraction to clarity.

He wants to be the salsa king of San Francisco.

Salsa—the sensual Latin partner dance—isn't a hot new trend in the Bay Area, it's more like a tropical plant that keeps growing in every direction, blooming in wild colors and in out-of-the-way places.

Tenderloin pastor gives a final dignity to the souls of the streets

I wrote all the website copy for PlanStreet: a startup that makes project-management software for enterprise clients. My work was key in the re-branding of the company. I also did voiceover for videos, SEO for multiple sales channels, and wrote blog posts and articles. In addition, I assisted the founder in interviewing prospective employees and designing social media campaigns.

Outer space anthropologist Savannah Mandel says one of the most important things about settling our galactic neighborhood is to be aware of bias and privilege. And above all, to value our pale blue dot.

Radio host is an "84-year-old Ferris Bueller."

How Ta'u Pupu'a made his dreams come true not once, but twice.

Battling invisibility with music.

Maurice Williams, 19, future U.S. congressman if he has it his way, says life is a 24-hour job, and after growing up in two of the Bay Area's forgotten neighborhoods, East and West Oakland, he craves a life of success and stability—and says nothing will stop him from getting it.

Interview with Ken Alibek, He developed biological weapons for the Soviet Union for almost 20 years. In his four years as first deputy director of Biopreparat, the civilian branch of the USSR's secret biological warfare program, the scientist was responsible for more than 30,000 employees in 40 facilities. He defected in 1992 and cooperated in extensive debriefings. His personal and professional goals are now to help end the threat of biological war.

It seems like a no-brainer. So why has a company called EarthShell had such a hard time making money off its environmentally correct polystyrene substitute?

Leslie's essay on her encounter with a grieving thief. It was featured on The Bob Edwards show on Sirius XM.

As a Senior Scribe, I wrote books for high-profile entrepreneurs in the United States and Europe. Three were Amazon best-sellers, and one was named one of the best business books in Europe. I was also a member of the company's 'A-List,' the top tier of editor/writers. Subject matter included complex books on finance and marketing.