Submitted by John Arbeeny. Alyssa Pearson, incumbent Clover Park School Board District #3, claimed in her 2017 voter pamphlet statement that “transparency” was central to her campaign platform. Then again in 2021 she claims that she and the Board have been transparent. Transparent? The better description is “opaque”. The Board has dragged their feet on […]
To Ponder
Letter: Time for Change
Is the Clover Park School District (CPSD) in the best hands? One only needs to try to access the District website to get a clear answer, NO! On the morning of Wed June 9th I Googled and attempted to access the District website but got a “This Site Can’t Be Reached” message. After being hacked […]
Letter: CPSD is it’s own worst enemy
Submitted by Paul Nimmo. If you are not aware, and you are probably not, District Operations has submitted a plan to change many schools’ start/dismissal times, to address the current bus driver shortage. Except for Lakes & Clover Park, just about every other school will be impacted. The most significant change is for Harrison Prep, […]
One Day In January
Submitted by Mike Zaro, Lakewood Chief of Police. We’ve heard more than a little criticism of police over the past year. The criticism, some deserved and some not, was often part of larger conversations about what policing is or should be. Conversations rooted in false assumptions and opinions replete with hyperbole declaring officers either heroes […]
White Lies – New Zealand Film Review
I had skimmed over the hype – “A medicine woman – a giver of life – is asked to hide a secret which may protect one life but which will destroy another.” Several times and then after starting several other films and begging off fairly quickly I clicked on “White Lies.” The opening scenes of […]
The Great Blue Heron
A poem by Steilacoom resident Rob Hofstad. Silent Sentinel.Graceful Guardian of the Marsh.Tiptoeing amid reed and rush.One foot lifted, frozen in timePoised for a next step,Barely rippling the water’s edge.Head adorned with crested feathers,Like antennae awaiting a first sound.Watching:Watching for unwelcome guests,Unwanted predators,Interlopers.But also…For neighbors,Friends,Kin.If only, we say…If only we had your eyes,Your discerning vision,To […]
Pride – The March, The Film and The Review
The film “Pride” came out in 2014. I didn’t see it until 2016 or 2017. It tells a great story of the struggles of a gay life-style, unions and their police repressions, acceptance and struggles against authorities in Great Britain namely Margaret Thatcher’s years as Prime Minister of the U.K. The film is available on […]
Across the Fence: Save the Gnomes
“Not long ago, there was a small earthquake near Mt. Rainier, too small for humans to feel, but it sent a ripple through the underground Underplace where all the gnomes live.” Sounds like the beginning of a fairy-tale? Well, there is way more to it. Because all the little gnomes fled and only returned when […]
Letter: Toes’ Finger
Submitted by William Elder. Toes exploded. Clearly, that’s what happened to him— he exploded, at least his heart did. Lying on his own, old, flowerdy couch, watching his own black and white teevee, minding his own business on a Saturday afternoon, probably more than sipping whiskey and Coke, his own good heart attacked him without […]