May is mental health awareness month, and by addressing our mental health needs, we can improve our quality of life. But today, with easy digital mental health programs, the challenge for us is to …

On April 25, Karen and I attended the NAACP Snohomish County 2026 "Turning Dreams Into Reality, Freedom Fund Gala," held at the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center, with emcees 44th District Sen. John …

I enjoyed Truman Capote's optimistic view of when the rain comes down. "In my garden, after a rainfall, you can faintly, yes, hear the breaking of new blooms."  But I doubt that Capote uttered …

It was just two weeks into March when Karen and I made reservations for a B&B in the quaint, historic town of La Conner in the Skagit Valley. A few days later, we saw the projected dreadful …

Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) didn’t dance around controversial topics, but he did love music and dancing. He preached and lived by his own words: “Wasted is every day when we have …

Since 1992, April has been named National Stress Awareness Month (NSAM). Those 30 days have been designed to increase public awareness of the causes and to understand that there are many available …

The nonprofit Quilters Anonymous (QA) began in 1977, when 22 women quilt artists met informally at the Edmonds Pancake Haus. I speculate that those like-minded quilters were only dreaming that their …

Who among us doesn’t have an idea what prejudice means? But to be clear, I define a prejudice when a person bases their negative views on someone or a group belonging to an “inferior” …

Adults and parents know for sure that our neighborhood playgrounds challenge our children not only physically, but also serve as wonderful tools for helping them develop their social skills.  …

I am happy to advise you that, although every day should be our happy day, March 20 has been officially designated the International Day for Happiness. I will guess that the way the majority of …

You might know something about Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Stanton, and Lucy Stone. But what do you know about a local publicist and nationally known suffragist? March is the month when we bring …

It all started in 2007, when my wife Karen and I visited historic sites between Portland, Maine, and Boston, often stopping at military grave sites. It was touching to see an American flag at every …

I am bringing Bessie Coleman (1892-1926) to your attention for several reasons. One of her stories should be told and retold. She is a Black/Native American woman, and since February is Black …

Should we have more alcohol but serve less? Now, hopefully, this oxymoronic movement only lasts a few days during our legislators’ Jan 12 to March 12 short session. After reading what I …

The history of Valentine's Day is similar to that of many historical events. It may have happened. I hope it happened. It mostly did happen. But to know how it came into being is like putting a …

The month is almost over, but here’s a reminder: January is World Introvert Month.

Let’s take some time to analyze a community’s negative and positive images. Why is it that negative behavior gets more attention in a city than positive behavior? Example: “Let’s drive …

No matter which major study we look at, they all rank Washington as having either the second- or fourth-worst drivers in the nation. It’s more than embarrassing. It’s unacceptable how we drive in …

Jan. 9 is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, created by multiple organizations in 2015 to express gratitude to officers in the United States. The U.S. has over 18,000 independent law enforcement …

When I was a sophomore in college, after taking many classes, I became an overnight expert on a number of topics. I had all the answers to life, and through my debating, my goal was not to learn …