Charlene Prince Birkeland
Journalist, editor, and storyteller exploring the people, places, and communities that make everyday life interesting.
For more than two decades, I’ve reported, edited, and published stories for regional and national media organizations, including the San Francisco Chronicle and Yahoo! Shine. My work has covered community life, culture, education, travel, homes, families, sports, and the people at the center of every good story.
Whether I’m profiling a championship athlete, uncovering the history of a neighborhood home, interviewing experts, or documenting coffee culture, I’m interested in the stories that help us better understand how people live.
Today, I continue exploring everyday life through Inky Observations, my independent publication of essays, travel notes, illustrations, and Inky Assignments that invite readers to experience the world through a journalist’s lens.
Selected Work
Community & Feature Reporting
Stories about the people, places, and organizations that shape Bay Area communities.
Home Is Where the History Is
San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, 2015
A feature exploring how Bernal Heights residents use genealogy, archival research, and neighborhood storytelling to uncover the hidden history of their homes and strengthen community connections.
New Rick Springfield Album Gets Jolt From Fans
San Francisco Chronicle, 2004
A reported feature examining how musician Rick Springfield engaged directly with fans to shape a new album years before social media transformed artist-audience relationships.
Triathlon Winner a Champ at 68
San Francisco Chronicle, 2004
Profile of a San Carlos athlete whose competitive drive challenged assumptions about aging and athletic achievement.
Belmont Boy Fluent in Elk
San Francisco Chronicle, 2004
A profile of a third-grader whose unusual talent connected him to a larger community of wildlife enthusiasts and competitors.
Tutoring, Tennis a Net Game
San Francisco Chronicle, 2005
A look at a Stanford-based program combining athletics and academic mentoring to support local youth.
Their Summer Projects Were All Booked Up
San Francisco Chronicle, 2003
A feature on young writers discovering their voices through a summer publishing and storytelling program.
Peninsula Mobile Fitness Trailer on a Roll
San Francisco Chronicle, 2003
Profile of a local entrepreneur bringing fitness and wellness services directly into Peninsula neighborhoods.
Belmont Film Class Gets Kids Into the Act
San Francisco Chronicle, 2003
A story about young filmmakers learning the craft of visual storytelling through hands-on experience.
Service Journalism
Practical reporting that translates research and expert insight into accessible stories readers can immediately use.
- How To Help Your Tween with Early Acne — Parentables
- 5 Tips to Help Prevent Youth Sports Injuries — Yahoo! Shine
- Teaching Kids How to Use the Telephone — Parentables
- Get Stains Out of Sports Uniforms Like a Pro (Team Mom) — Yahoo! Shine
Commentary & Lifestyle
Essays and reported lifestyle stories exploring communication, relationships, culture, and everyday life.
- Is There Such Thing as a Role Model in Baseball? — Yahoo! Shine
- 8 Things You Should Never Say to a Mom — Yahoo! Shine
- 5 Things Parents Shouldn’t Say to Their Kids — Yahoo! Shine
- 3 Parenting Resolutions for the New Year — Parentables
- Routines: Little Changes That Make a Big Impact — Parentables
Current Work
Inky Observations
Inky Observations is my independent publication where I continue reporting on everyday life through essays, travel dispatches, illustrations, and observational journalism.
Recent work includes:
- No Coffee to Go
- Why Coffee?
- Things Get Weird When You Pay Attention
- Travel Notes
- Such Whimsy
Rather than chasing headlines, I’m interested in helping people notice what they’ve been walking past all along.
Beyond the Story
My work has extended well beyond writing. Throughout my career, I’ve helped newsrooms, schools, nonprofits, and organizations tell stories across print, digital, photography, video, social media, newsletters, and live events.
My experience includes:
- Editorial leadership
- Audience development
- Newsletter publishing
- Photography and visual storytelling
- Video and livestream production
- Public speaking
- Television and radio appearances
- Community engagement
- Communications strategy
At Yahoo! Shine, I served as a founding Parenting Editor and later Senior Editor, helping build one of the web’s largest lifestyle destinations.
At Mid-Peninsula High School, I led storytelling and communications efforts, producing feature stories, photography, video, livestream events, publications, and social content that strengthened community connection.
Selected clips available upon request.
Contact
I’d love to connect!
charlene prince birkeland 