In that hotbed of political intrigue and teenage angst, otherwise known as Lakewood, Peggy and I sat and talked with Spencer Rex . . . a trombone player . . . and an 18-year-old high school senior. Spencer attended the New York Times Summer Academy last summer learning about concerts: site, promotion, security, and backstage […]
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Katie Downs Restaurant Review
Late Spring and early summer are ideal times to visit three of my favorite sunny weather restaurants: the Topside Bar & Grill in Steilacoom, The Tides Tavern in Gig Harbor, and Katie Downs on Ruston Way in Tacoma. Katie Downs is only a mile from my home, so it was my first choice for a […]
An Empty Field and a Comfortable Chair
It was a beautiful day. I had just dropped off my wife Peggy to do some quick shopping. I was sitting in my car listening to NPR and looking around. I was parked next to an empty field. Empty that is, except for a chair about a hundred yards away. Something was on the seat […]
Teaching, Engaging, and Supporting the Whole Child
Children learn in many different ways and embracing all those ways of learning can help a child become well-rounded. Promoting various activities and aspects of learning with children can help with their emerging intellect, character and body awareness. Some ways that children can learn include: Multidisciplinary study: Allows for the combining of two or more […]
The Rotary Connection and Foldscopes Continues
In early May, Richard Dorsett and I manned a table in the Hall of Friendship at the Rotary District 5020 Conference at The Murano. We met with Rotarians from across District 5020 (Kelso to Vancouver Island) and told them about the Foldscope, which is a fully-functional mini-microscope the user assembles with origami principles (folding and […]
Building the Wall – A Stage Reading
A stage reading sounds boring, but is anything but. It’s a form of theatre without sets or full costumes. Imagine reading a book to a young child. It takes more that just reading the lines to keep children interested – voice inflections, expressions, gestures. It’s the same with audiences. A stage reading involves actors and […]
The Scottish Play – Macbeth – Backyard & Beyond
A couple of years ago I was invited to a private performance of Macbeth by my friend Robin Evans-Agnew. Peg and I took our grandson Riley, who was staying with us for the weekend. The performance was staged in Robin’s backyard and a local park a hundred yards away. The play used regular people in […]
Planting the Seeds for Early Childhood Learning
Early childhood education is a necessity when it comes to having a well-developed child. Education happens in many ways through a school system as well as the work that is done by parents at home. Developing a love for learning early is important so that the child looks forward to the learning process. Learning can […]
Fear, Hatred, Acceptance, Reconciliation, Welcome
I was ten years old when I saw “Dateline: Korea” on The Loretta Young TV show. It’s the only episode I recall from the series. In the story, the plight of poverty-stricken war orphans forces a hard-nosed war correspondent to face the flesh-and-blood effects of her cynical editorials. Loretta meets a young Korean orphan on […]