Franke & The Phoenix
Frankie & The Phoenix 4G Publications, March 2006; second edition November 2012. Hard-bound, 32 pages, 15 illustrations, size: 9 3/4" x 12 1/4", $16.95.


Color Frankie In! Coloring image for kids (Right-click/CTRL-click to download the image)

A limited commemorative edition of the children's book (Indigo Press - 9.5" x 12" ), Frankie & The Phoenix, was printed in conjunction with the 15-50-15 Day event in 2004 in the Marina District, San Francisco. Concept and illustrations by Marc Goldyne, story by Nancy Coopersmith, with computer design by Don Farnsworth (Magnolia Editions). The introduction is written by Senator Dianne Feinstein and the foreward is written by SFFD Chief Joanne Hayes-White. The book tells the true story of how the Fireboat Phoenix, a target of budget cuts until Senator Dianne Feinstein (then SF supervisor) spearheaded its permanent funding, along with the portable fire hydrant system (invented by SFFD Asst. Chief Frank Blackburn) saved the San Francisco Marina following the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989.

"When a fireboat named Phoenix saved the Marina, it became the symbol of a city that already knows how to rise from the ashes." Dianne Feinstein 11/26/89

Frankie takes a swim in S.F. Bay


The illustrations are mixed media: original drawings, cityscape photographs, photoshop manipulations, finalized as a monoprint with hand watercoloring.

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Book available at:

  • Books Inc. - 2251 Chestnut St., SF - 415-931-3633
  • SFFD Station 35, Pier 22 1/2 The Embarcadero, S.F.
  • Warming Hut, Crissy Field, The Presidio San Francisco - 415-561-3040
  • Book Passage - 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera - 415-927-0960
  • www.amazon.com