About Bruce Schimmel
Bruce Schimmel founded the alternative newsweekly, the Philadelphia City Paper, where he writes a weekly column on civic issues. Schimmel also produces news and documentaries for Public Radio. He is currently producing “Tell It Forward,” a series of educational podcasts by and for detained juveniles. Schimmel teaches Media Ethics and Audio/Slideshow Documentary at the University of the Arts, and runs a Journalism Fellowship at the University of Rochester. Read full bio
Current Op-Ed Column
Loose Canon Column
Current story for “Loose Canon,” my column on civic issues in the Philadelphia City Paper, since 1996. (Awards: Second, PA Newspaper Publishers; Third, Keystone Society of Professional Journalists)
Breaking the Mold
A City Paper feature story about a friendship between an Amish farmer and a Mt Airy foodie that helped spawn local artisanal cheese-making. Food Feature, City Paper, 7 August 2003
Driving Down
A favorite City Paper column about my symbiotic relationship to my car. “Driving Down”
Torture by Hire
A column that detailed the troubling trend by the CIA to outsource torture. Editorial, 2 January, 2003
From Pest to Pesto
Lance Haver, the man who threw stones, is now trying to make a living in a greenhouse. (Winner, Business Story, Society of Professional Journalists, Phila.) City Paper cover story, Oct 3, 2002
Audio/Slideshows
Garden Variety Artists
The Schuylkill Center asked several artists last spring, to think green and get dirty. Simon Draper is one of six artists they let loose in an abandoned farm, where he created “Drawn in / Drawn to the Garden.” More
Hot Roofs, Cool Jobs.
It’s hot in North Philly, and it’s going to get hotter for Nastasha, who’s about to crawl into Roxie’s roof. More
Horseshoe Crab Sanctuary
Feature story, NPR, “All Things Considered.” Horseshoe Crab Sanctuary
Kate Makes a Salad
From the Braykewynde Chronicles
More
Making Dumplings
NFCB, “Golden Reel” National Winner. WSCL: Life on Delmarva Series
Prison Messiah
Associated Press, Wash/Baltimore, Best Documentary. WSCL: December 2001
Punkin’ Chunkin’
All about rural Delaware’s gourd-hurtling contest. (Winner: National First Prize, PRNDI) Punkin’ Chunkin’
Red Tide Poison
Enterprise story for NPR’s “Living on Earth” about formerly benign algae that now produce neurotoxins. (Winner: National 2nd Prize, PRNDI.) Red Tide Poison
More
The Story Finder
“Bruce Schimmel wears many creative hats, but above all, he’s a listener, searching for what people have to say” –Delaware Beach Life magazine (pdf), July 2004.
Sonic Squad Youth Radio Documentary
“Squirrelly-Mae”: What happens when a wild animal literally drops into a family’s life, by Hannah Williamson, age 9. Listen
“Pancakes with Grandpop”: Alexis Heuring, age 9, describes an embarrassing moment that’s become a family legend. Listen
“The Last Hug”: 11-year-old Alec says goodbye to a beloved companion. Listen