Crai Bower
  Journalism Résumé

Education
1984-1986  The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA
  • B.A. Creative Writing and Environmental History
  • B.S. Biology
1980-1983 Connecticut College, New London, CT
  • Major in Intellectual History
  • Minor in English


Awards

2008 Northern Lights Award for Excellence in Canadian Travel Journalism

2009 American Librarians Association Pick for Reluctant Readers

Publications
Journey Magazine “Let the Games Begin” I highlight the tips and tricks leading up to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games for Journey’s cover feature. I also create all headers for piece. (March 2009)

Alaska Airlines Magazine “Vancouver and Victoria Town and Country” I explore the wilderness opportunities directly outside B.C.’s two largest cities, as well as illuminate the current cultural trends in the cities themselves. (February 2009)

SkiResorts.com “Revelstoke Canada is Powder Heaven” I investigate the challenges of developing a $1B ski resort during challenging economic times. (February 2009) www.skiresorts.com/content/revelstoke-canada-powder-heaven

AAAJourney.com “A Midwinter’s Dream” I describe skating on an open lake, cross country skiing and sampling the bakeries and restaurants of Washington’s idyllic Methow Valley. (www.aaajourney.com)

SkiResorts.com “Slow Food Movement is Spreading Like a Blizzard” I feature Deer Valley and Whistler’s efforts in establishing the “Slow Food” standard on a resort-wide scale for the SkiResort.com’s Spotlight. (www.skiresorts.com)

AAAJourney.com “The Games Before the Games” I discuss the ‘Sport Events,’ world championships and competitions leading up to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Story includes details about all of upcoming events. (31 January 2009) (http://www.aaajourney.com/features)

ConsciousChoice “The New Victoria” I return to the city of bone china and tea and discover a hip, culturally rich center of slow food and good vibes. (www.seattle.consciouschoice.com/archive/section.html?l=4&s=Escape_the_Pace)

AAAJourney.com “Destination: Revelstoke Mountain Resort” I describe the two-year old Revelstoke Mountain Resort as my inaugural piece as AAAJourney.com’s monthly destination contributor. My images of destinations are also included. (15 January 2009)

Puget Sound Business Journal “Dick Conway Economic Forecast” I profile the regional economist for the fourth year. (Jan 2009)

The Oregonian “Canadian Rockies Offer Great Winter Travel” I profile the Banff-Lake Louise ski scene, including where to eat and stay and what “off day” options. (6 December 2008)

The Oregonian “Summer is Another Season to Sow, Savor Memories” I detail a family journey to Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff, Alberta via The Rocky Mountaineer train for Oregon’s largest daily. (6 December 2008)

Travesías “Todas las noches posibles en San Francisco” I explore San Francisco’s famed nightlife scenes including dining, clubbing and late night diversions. (December 2008)

SkiResorts.com “In Queue at the Marriage of Whistler and Blackcomb” I profile Whistler’s new record breaking gondola for industry website. (December 2008)

Virtuoso Life “White Gold” I describe western Canadian ski resorts from Jasper, Alberta to Whistler, B.C. I include accommodations, dining and the resort experience in this feature. (November 2008)

Travesías “Belliza Y Adrenalina en Las Rocallosas Canadienses” I investigate ski touring, sleigh rides, ice hiking and many other winter activities in the Jasper-Banff-Lake Louise area of Alberta. (November 2008)

Elite Traveler “Bending the Clouds – Heli-Yoga in Queen Charlotte Archipelago” I travel to Nimmo Bay Resort to attempt heli-yoga in front of 200’ Fletcher Falls. (November 2008)

Washington CEO “Off the Piste: Alternative Northwest Winter Adventure” I explore dog sledding in the Yukon, snowshoeing in Oregon and ice climbing in Colorado. (November 2008)

Washington CEO “Chipping Away at the Clouds: Three Fantastic Southwestern Golf Courses are a Welcome Winter Break” I describe winter golf in the Northwest as an introduction to playing the top courses in Las Vegas, Palm Springs and Arizona. (October 2008)

Journey Magazine “Bend it Like Bend” I detail several excursions to Bend, Oregon, one of the fastest growing recreational destinations in North America. My narrative includes dining, cultural exploration, fishing and golf, as well as observations about Bend’s growth and character. (September 2008)

Conscious Choice: "Escape the Pace" I have contributed 23 columns to this holistic living magazine. The focus of my column is ‘turn off (the road) and tune out (the world)’ travel. Recent columns include: “Back to Our Cedar Roots,” “Off the Mat, Into The Wild,” “Midnight Sun,” “Two Tickets to Paradise (Inn),” “Stehekin: The Quietest Valley in Washington,” “Methow Valley,” “Washington’s Coast Seabrook,” and “Lopez Island Camping.” (Dec 2006 - Present) http://www.seattle.consciouschoice.com/archive/section.html?s=Escape_the_Pace

Travesias “Acceso Exclusivo Para Helicopteros” I describe the current trend in “all things heli” travel including fishing, hiking, skiing, even yoga by helicopter. Article translated into Spanish for 12-page feature. (August 2008) (http://www.revistatravesias.com/numero-78/articulos-principales/acceso-exclusivo-para-helicopteros.html)

AAAJourney.com “Golf au Naturel – Pristine Alpine Courses Await at Suncadia” I profile Washington’s newest four-season resort, Suncadia. I pay particularly interest to the resort’s Tom Doak-designed golf course for its natural course architecture. (August 2008) (http://www.aaajourney.com/features/features.asp?@JF_BUID=3485)

Travesias “Clayoquot – Por Lo Salvaje Al Bosque” (Cover Story) I researched and described the sustainable features of Clayoquot Wilderness Resort in Tofino, BC. Article was translated into Spanish and published as a 14-page feature. (July 2008) (http://www.revistatravesias.com/numero-77/articulos-principales/clayoquot-por-lo-salvaje-del-bosque.html)

ForbesTraveler.com “North America’s Most Bike Friendly Cities” I researched more than 30 cities before paring a list to ten. Feature includes lengthy introduction and is written in a narrative style. (July 2008) (http://www.forbestraveler.com/adventure/north-americas-bike-friendly-cities-story.html)

AAAJourney.com “A Feast of Culture – Luau’s Keep Hawaiian Culture Alive” I visited several luaus on the island of Maui to research this exclusive web feature. (http://www.aaajourney.com/features/features.asp?UID=3478)

Journey Magazine “Lobster Shacks of Maine” I describe the qualifications of a perfect lobster shack, as well as several specific “can’t miss” dining destinations. (June 2008)

Pacific Northwest Golfer “Golfing Kamloops” I profile this up and coming golfing destination including top new courses Tobiano and Talking Rock.

AAAJourney.com “Casting About – Three Generations Fish in Montana’s Madison River” I describe a multi-generational fishing trip to Montana for this exclusive web feature. (July 2008) (http://www.aaajourney.com/features/features.asp?UID=3479)

Washington Travel and Life “Chambers Bay” I profile this amazing new track, home of 2010 US Amateur and the 2015 US Open Championship. (June 2008)

Rochester Magazine “A Native’s Returns” I reflect on returning to one’s home, the importance of old friendships and revisiting important landmarks with family in tow. (June 2008)

AAAJourney.com “A Northwestern Wonderland” I describe the ‘floating estate’ of Kathryn King and Wayne Adams for the launch of Journey Magazine’s website. (www.aaajourney.com/features

Washington CEO “Dollars and Sense” I investigate personal wealth management options and firms for feature article. Story included several interviews with leading personal wealth managers. (March 2008)

Journey Magazine “Roughing It (The Stylish Way)” (Cover Story) I chronicle my visit to Clayoquot Wilderness Resort in Tofino, BC. The article provided a comprehensive focus on the experience detailing fishing, riding, river kayaking, dining and several other amenities. (March 2008)

Washington CEO “Escape from the Conference Room” I explore alternative business meetings including a ropes course in Woodinville, x-country skiing in the Methow Valley, kayaking on BC’s Sunshine Coast and zipping above the rainforest in Whistler. (Feb 2008)

Alaska Airlines Magazine  “Cultural Nuances: Planning International Meetings” I interviewed graphic designer, hotelier, commercial photographer and several others in describing strategies for planning and executing a series of international meetings. (Jan 2008)

Puget Sound Business Journal “The Future of Clean Technology” I composed the lead feature for 36th Enterprise Seattle, the annual economic summit. I interview various national and regional industry leaders about topics including green development and energy reclamation. (Jan 2008)

Puget Sound Business Journal “Profile of EnterpriseSeattle Keynote Speaker, John Balbach” I profiled John Balbach, Managing Partner of the Cleantech Group, the nation’s largest VC firm specializing in sustainable investment. (Jan 2008)

Puget Sound Business Journal “Dick Conway Economic Forecast” I profile the regional economist for the third year. (Jan 2008)

Washington CEO “Private Schools Prosper” I investigated the growing competition in Seattle’s private schools. Research included visiting numerous schools, interviewing school administrators and parents. (January 2008)

Elite Traveler Magazine “Top Suites of the Northwest” I selected 15 suites to profile after visiting over three dozen top suites in Vancouver, Seattle and Portland. Article is lead feature with 12 pages of copy. (November 2007)

Washington CEO “Where Angels Fly” I describe the benefits and hazards of becoming an angel investor. I interviewed prominent entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and economists for article. (November 2007)

Washington CEO “Chambers Bay – Links on Puget Sound Cause More than a Ripple” I review the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course and report on the business behind the $20M project. (November 2007)

Create Magazine  “Bumbershoot Festival: Seattle’s Roman Orgy of Culture and Creativity” I profile the creative talent behind production of North America’s largest arts festival. (Oct 2007)

Conscious Choice: Escape the Pace “Sweet, Sweet Sailing,” “Long Beach Storm Watching,” “Escape in the Clouds,” “Stehekin: The Quietest Valley in Washington,” “Sun, Glorious Sun,” “Washington’s Coast Seabrook,” “Lopez Island Camping,” “Idaho Lakes” and “Carless in Portland.” I contribute a monthly column to this regional, holistic living magazine. The focus of my column is ‘turn off (the road) and tune out (the world)’ travel. (Jan 2007 - Present)

Washington CEO  “Snowed In and Lovin’ It – Inside The Northwest’s Aprés Ski Scene” I explore the après cultures in Whistler, Sun Valley, Park City and Bend, Oregon. (October 2007)

Seattle Magazine “Close Quarters” I compose a story about a trip to Vancouver Island’s Horne Lake Caves for a little spelunking with my seven-year old son. (October 2007)

Seattle Magazine Reprint of “Carriage House Conversion” (October 2007)

Northwest Home and Garden “Carriage House Conversion” I describe the remodel in Seattle’s Madrona neighborhood of a traditional carriage house into an entertainment/guest space. (September 2007)

CC: A Magazine “Peter Som: Fashion Designer” I profile rising fashion star Peter Som in his Chelsea studio for this cover story. (Fall 2007)

Washington CEO “Northern Greens” I review the new, Nicklaus-designed Bear Mountain Golf Resort on Vancouver Island as part of a larger story on golfing Vancouver Island. (August 2007)

Golf BC Reprint of “Northern Greens”

Washington CEO “Rivers in the Sky” I report a heli-fishing experience among the hidden rivers  within British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast region. (June 2007)

Golf Northwest “Adrift in Dunes: A Golfers Journey to the Saskatchewan Prairies” I explore the golf and lifestyle in the Canadian prairie. (May 2007)

Young Money Reprint of  “Insight”  (Create Magazine) in which I interview director Jay Chadrasekhar (“Dukes of Hazzard”) for feature that explores his creative process. (Dec 2006)

Washington CEO “Where the Bogeys Are” I review Washington state’s top private golf courses and interview its top teaching professionals. (April 2007)

Escape Magazine “Excess is Enough: Riding Whistler-Blackcomb” I provide an insider’s look at snowboarding Whistler in a ten-page spread for Asia’s largest speaking lifestyle magazine. (March 2007)

Create Magazine “The Total Package: Bringing Design to the Town Square” I profile several prominent west coast brand designers and explore contemporary branding trends for this national bimonthly. (March 2007)

Washington CEO “Good Works- Seattle’s Young Pro Bono Lawyers” I profile the growing trend among young lawyers of committing to pro bono work on immigration, worker rights and the environment. (March 2007)

Washington CEO “The Emerald City: Seattle’s Green Building Boom” I research and report about the Seattle sustainability movement including profiles of Seabrook, Smartcar and SageCliffe. (February 2007)

Puget Sound Business Journal: “Seattle’s Gift to the World” I profile Seattle’s emerging role as the center of global philanthropy for lead feature of 2007 Enterprise Seattle. (January 2007) (read more)

Northwest Home and Garden: “Artful Lodger – AIA Home of the Month” I describe this contemporary West Seattle home as both domicile and gallery. (January 2007)

Conscious Choice: “Escape the Pace – Mt. Baker” I profile the Washington ski resort and its aura as the premier snowboarding resort in North America. (January 2007) (read more)

Washington CEO: “Cruising for your Health” I debunk the cruising myth of buffet blowouts by describing Crystal Cruise’s “Mind, Body, and Soul” cruise. (January 2007) (read more)

Puget Sound Business Journal: “Housing to Remain Solid as Region Imports More Jobs” I interview economist Dr. Dick Conway, Phd and describe his forecast for 2007. (January 2007) (read more)

Create Magazine: “Insight” I interview director Jay Chadrasekhar (“Dukes of Hazzard”) for feature that explores the creative process. (January 2007)

Seattle Magazine “Twisp Bliss” Reprint. Article profiling Johnston Methow Valley Cabin selected for reprint from eight “Top Architect” profile. (December 2006) (read more)

Air Canada – On Air “The Seattle Five” I review the five best new restaurants in 2006 in Seattle for Air Canada’s progressive website. (December 2006) (read more)

Northwest Home and Garden: “Twisp Bliss” I describe the Methow Valley cabin designed by NWH&G’s Top Fifty Architects, Ray and Mary Johnston. (November 2006) (read more)

Washington CEO: “Total Departure” I describe four fantastic heli-skiing opportunities for the inaugural revamped edition of this regional business monthly. (October 2006) (read more)

CC Magazine “MOBROC Leaves the Barn” I profile a college club, “Musicians Organized for Band Rights on Campus” (MOBROC), that has spawned numerous professional bands and musicians including indie rock sensation “Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.” (Summer 2006) (read more)

Blender.com “Bumbershoot 2006” I review North America’s largest music and arts festival, including musical reviews, cultural analysis and general observations and insights. Included profile of stage manager’s weekend at Bumbershoot. (September 2006) (read more)

Maxim Online “Broken Lizard’s Favorite Beers” I interview director Jay Chandresakahr (“Dukes of Hazzard”) and Lizard Paul Soter about their favorite beers and why. (September 2006) (read more)

Seattle Homes and Lifestyles “Green-Enlightenment” In this “sustainability” feature, I describe the influence living in a “Green Home” has made on its new owners. (September 2006) (read more)

Create Magazine “Keeping it Local: How is the Pacific NW Keeping Creatives Thriving in Their Own Backyard” I described and assess the current creative climate in Seattle. Interviews include Director of Seattle’s Arts and Cultural Affairs, as well Executive Director of Washington State Arts Commission. (Summer 2006)

Endless Vacation “Island Light” I describe Monhegan Island, Maine including its rich 100 year history as an artist colony for such renowned artists as Edward Hopper and three generations of Wyeths. (August 2006)

Blender.com “Songs to Drink By” I interview Broken Lizard’s Paul Soter (“Super Troopers”), detailing his favorite music to swill by for progressive music magazine’s website. (August 2006) (read more)

Elite Traveler “Opus Takes a Sister: Whistler’s Adara Hotel” I profile Whistler’s first true boutique hotel. (September 2006) (read more)

Seattle Magazine “Peak Style- Whistler’s Adara Hotel” I profile John deC Evens latest project, Whistler’s first modern boutique hotel. (September 2006) (read more)

Northwest Home and Garden “The Hillcrest Farm: An Architect, Chef and Builder Conjure Up a Barn of Dreams” I profile “Street of Dreams” home, as well as architect, chef-consultant and builder. (August 2006) (read more)

Endless Vacation “The Bohemian Spirit: The Edmonton Fringe Theater Festival” I profile August festival and Edmonton including plays, culture, history and food. (July 2006) (read more)

Create Magazine “Spring Ice: A Creative Ponders Vancouver 2010” I analyze ideas and described impressions about Vancouver 2010 from the perspective of public relation firm presidents. (Summer 2006) (read more)

Lexus Magazine “Admissions Testing” I compose a travelogue of New England featuring a father and son’s tour of prestigious colleges. (Spring 2006) (read more)

Lexus Magazine.com “Cascade Loop” I profile fifteen different localities, hotels, restaurants and activities ranging from Victoria to the Methow Valley to accompany Lexus’ first travel DVD with Kelley L. Moore. (Spring 2006) (read more)

Create Magazine “Why Do We Do Pro Bono Work” Study of the pro bono culture in the creative agency environment. I profile Vancouver’s Cowie and Fox Agency and their Ethical Works Department. (Summer 2006) (read more)

Connecticut College Alumni Magazine “The One That Got Away” I compose an essay retelling the story of my college romance. This feature highlighted the romantic nature of the Connecticut College campus and investigated the frivolity of college relationships.  (Spring 2006) (read more)

Create Magazine “Crawling Through Seattle Lounges: Where Creatives are Scene” As part of my ‘Expression’ column, I report a tour of Seattle’s newest lounges. (Spring 2006) (read more)

Create Magazine “The 5th Annual Whistler Film Festival” I attended the WFF for three days, composing a story that featured the social and cultural aspects of the festival, as well as reviews of films. (Spring 2006) (read more)

Endless Vacation “The Culinary Arts: Seattle’s Upper Crust” I profiled the Seattle bakery-café scene focusing upon four of the finest bakery-cafés in the area. (March 2006) Seattle Homes and Lifestyles ”Top 100 Seattle Designers” I profile 19 Seattle Designers including architects, developers, and artists for Special Issue, “The Seattle 100: The People, Places and Things that Define Seattle Design.” Profiles provided twenty percent of the copy for this highly anticipated January, 2006 feature. (January 2006) (read more)

Puget Sound Business Journal Composed four lead articles describing the economic forecasts of four prominent economists. Articles featured in “Vision 06,” the PSBJ’s special supplement to The 34th Annual Economic Forecast Conference. (January 2006) (read more)




KUOW Radio Interviews

“Carless Travel” on KUOW’s The Beat
I discuss “Carless Travel” with host Megan Sukys as part of my regular visit to NPR affiliate KUOW. The interview featured conversation about traveling to Vancouver, Victoria, Portland and Seattle by train and ferry.
Listen to Interview

“Transformative Micro-Travel” on KUOW
Featured guest on NPR affiliate’s arts and culture program, “The Beat.” I discussed my “Escape the Pace” travel column, local destinations where one can turn off (the road) and tune out (the world), with host Megan Sukys. Archive edition of “The Beat” interview:
Listen to Interview

Presentations
“America’s Perfect Neighborhood: Why It’s Better to Live in Capitol Hill than in Greenwich Village, Pacific Heights, Georgetown or Beacon Hill”
Presented lecture analyzing the key facets of a community, based on Jane Jacobs’ The Death and Life of Great American Cities and the custom maps of cartographer, Barton Wright. Created power point presentation of slides illustrating thesis.

“Where Have All the Trolley’s Gone? A History of Capitol Hill”
Presented lecture describing the history of Seattle’s finest neighborhood to city-wide audience. Talk was accompanied by slide show of historical photographs and followed by a question and answer period.


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