To celebrate the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dog, our granddaughter Vanessa and her boyfriend William treated us to lunch at Din Tai Fung in the South Center Mall. This is their favorite restaurant for Taiwanese food. William was born in Taiwan and Vanessa has visited his family there as well. We let […]
To Ponder
Robots Don’t Create Jobs, They Create More Robots
The headline reads: “The robots are coming. Can job retraining and internet access help people stay employed?” I was happy to read in the News Tribune last week that the Washington Legislature is studying the coming loss of jobs: ” . . . some Washington lawmakers have come up with a strategy that they believe […]
Remember the Alamo . . . Why?
The battle of the Alamo took place from February 23, to March 6, 1836. As I understand the history of the Alamo, it is a symbol of . . . well, what is it a symbol of? It was originally a mission, but it isn’t a symbol of religion. In 1821 Stephan Austin took over […]
Restaurant Review – El Malecon de Tacoma
The character Red Green, Canada’s common man, often reminds us “I’m pulling for you” meaning he wants to help. Coming from a small business family background, I like to see small restaurants succeed. Often, however the restaurants themselves don’t do much of their own pulling. Slow service, bad food, and locations that continually have unsuccessful […]
Letter: Lakewood’s lottery (rental inspections, not gambling, although maybe) begins this month
Would this house – if it were a rental and if it were in Lakewood and not Disneyland – pass the single-family criteria of Lakewood’s Rental Housing Safety Program (RHSP)? Yes, at least that which pertains to the exterior. While there are no house numbers “not less than 4 inches in height and minimum stroke […]
Home from Home: Valentine’s Day
The first time I became aware there was something like Valentine’s Day was when I was six or seven and able to read. I remember entering a flower store decorated all over with red hearts, and I asked my mother what it was all about. She told me that it was a day for lovers […]
Super Smellers – Skunks and Beyond
“Can’t you smell that?” For years my wife as astounded me with some of the things she says and asks. “uhhh, No,” I usually respond if I respond at all. She could be talking about the kitchen garbage container . . . or something outside . . . or even as we are driving somewhere. […]
Saturday Dinner – Anthony’s At Point Defiance – Restaurant Review
The dinner hour must have come early for everyone. It was Saturday afternoon. I had been at the computer almost all day. Breakfast was at six with two pieces of toast later around ten. At four-thirty I called Pacific Grill to see if they had any openings at the bar. I was put on hold […]
Westside Story – Stranger In The Night
Remember my telling you about having joined the in-crowd by attending a Shier House Party? Recently, on a dark and rainy night, I was driving over to another world-class Shier House Party. Suddenly we found ourselves following a line of 12 cars that all seemed to be heading in the same direction. They made a […]