The other day, I finally did something that I had wanted to do for a long time. And, actually, I think it’s one of the first things one should do if one’s hometown has one: visit the local historical museum. It was a sunny Thursday afternoon when I parked at the new Motor Avenue Plaza […]
Westside Story – Gimme A Brake
Gimme a brake. DRIVER’S TIP: Remember, the gas pedal is the long slender one on the right. Press gently. The brake is the big one on the left. Slam the brake pedal as hard as you can if all you can see looming in front of you are well-designed brick patterns. If you learn to […]
Westside Story – This Story Will Hook You From The Start
Photo – World-Renowned Photographer – Larry King. Story Inspiration: Matt King – Neophyte Longshoreman So to explain how this off the wall piece came together, I must confess no genius among us said, “Hey, let’s give Joe a hook, take his photo and then make fun comments.” It did not happen that way. It was […]
Come to the Cabaret, Old Chum, Come to the Cabaret
Cabaret is a riot of color, excellent music, sexy women and studly men belting out songs or quietly moaning, dancing, swinging their hips and whatever else moves. Such energy is exhibited that you can’t sit still and I sat through the whole show with a goofy smile pasted on my face. The audience is a […]
Westside Story – Modern Day Dr. Spock
Captions that go nicely with this photo… #1: There is absolutely no reason kids as young as this should have cell phones. #2. The photo gives new meaning to an old child care pronouncement. “Hey, your son’s diaper is loaded”. DISCLOSURE: I did not write or create this piece, nor did I take the photo. […]
Westside Story – 3 Letter Joey
Do you remember the Suburban Times story published October 21, 2019, titled, Westside Story – 3 Note Charlie? Click the link if you would like to refresh your memory. Essentially 3 Note Charlie was a story about a child prodigy born with a gift for playing the piano. Charlie Albright is now a young adult […]
Letter: State Child Protective Service failures are worse – far worse – than initially reported
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee wants to “provide universal home visiting and universal newborn assessments to all families in Washington.” To commence three weeks following the arrival of your newborn baby. The startup costs are estimated at $43M. That is the exact amount the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) paid out in settlements […]
Letter: Going Home, once again
The following was written eight years ago but the memories, how they linger and, perhaps, like some of the melancholier music that reminds of Christmas past, may the following bring needed pause for reflection in this otherwise very busy season. There’s something significantly special about the mere mention of home at this time of year […]
Modern Art and James C. Leonard
When you mention Tennessee most people think of Davy Crockett, or recording stars like Chet Atkins, the Allman Brothers, Tennessee Ernie Ford, or Aretha Franklin, but Tennessee was also home to artists. Joseph Delaney was a fixture of the New York art scene in the Harlem Renaissance. William Gilbert Gaul illustrated military subjects from the […]