We couldn’t understand where we went wrong. The gap between the ground and the bottom of the fence boards was, with every picket, incrementally increasing. And then there was the sidewalk side that was, for every foot, imperceptably sloping. How to align the two and still get to where we wanted to go? Finally, after […]
Across the Fence: Telling Names
“Oh, I LOVE your name!” is only one of these comments I usually get when somebody checks my ID. Yes, it gets boring – none is original. And, no, they are so wrong because our family name derives from the Norman word “bacco”, which means “warrior”. My maiden name is another instance for a job, […]
Two years after a fire, downtown Tacoma restaurant finally opens
Today was a triumphant day for restaurant owner Tim Bartz. More than two years after a fire took out his popular downtown eatery Happy Teriyaki #4, he reopened the doors (August 3, 2020). “As of now we won’t have sushi, but everything else will be the same. We’re very excited to offer another dining option […]
Zoombombing in Tacoma, Pierce County, and the Entire World
Imagine you’re having a teleconference (Zoom Meeting in today’s jargon) and all of a sudden your audio explodes with “F**k You, F**k You, F**k You, F**k You, F**k You,” and at the same time your video changes to porno. Interruptions like this have been spreading for months. It’s called Zoombombing. “Zoombombing or Zoom raiding is […]
Letter: It’s titled “Forever Young” but we’re not are we
Endless summer days; picnics in the park; the annual parent (unbeaten) vs. child shortened-base-paths (for the parent’s benefit) baseball game; the first ‘whopper’ photo-op at but three years of age. They – and us along with them – grow up. Too fast. Somehow, too fast. Leaf-filtered morning sunshine gives way to the dying, but colorful, […]
This Tacoma treasure is turning into a burger palace (temporarily)
In this era of constantly evolving regulations about which businesses can operate (or can’t), locals are doing what we all should strive to do: Turn into scrappy fighters in the face of adversity. Here’s one more amazing survival story of a local business doing a complete turn-around of its business plan. Enter: Tacoma Burger Co. […]
Dance, Sing, or Show Your Thing
Perhaps, this is not quite the right time for a gathering, but if you keep it small and host it outside, my favorite party is called “Dance, Sing, or Show Your Thing.” Basically, instead of having entertainment, the hosts and guests provide the entertainment. People can tell a good joke, sing a song, play the […]
Westside Story – Plagiarized By Joe Boyle
I wish I could write stories like this. I have to be honest. I would be guilty of plagiarism if I suggested this work was mine. My pal, Howard, who hangs out on the East Coast, sent it to me. Stolen material: RETIREE’S LAST TRIP TO KROGER’S Yesterday I was at my local Kroger’s buying […]
O’Keeffe elected Lakewood First Lions Club President
Dave O’Keeffe was recently elected 2020/2021 president of the Lakewood First Lions Club, one of the oldest service clubs in Lakewood (1954). His term of office began July 1. O’Keeffe is a grant writer for Green River Community College. Other officers are Dr. Robert Allen, vice-president; Michael Brandstetter, treasurer; Lynda Jackson, secretary; Tami Ellingson, membership; […]