Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher, said that “change is the only constant in life.” Change can be good, but it can also be disruptive, challenging and sometimes downright scary. I think about this often as I’m making the transition to my new job as president and CEO of our online nonprofit news organization, which we officially…
In case you haven’t heard, Saturday, Nov. 27 is Small Business Saturday. Observed in all 50 states on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the idea is to encourage consumers to direct their holiday shopping to local stores. Last year, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reported Americans spent nearly $20 billion on Small Business Saturday. For…
In the 11 years I’ve covered politics in our communities, I’ve not seen a city election season start as early as this one. The good news is, people are engaged in our local governement and want to take on the tough job of governing. And make no mistake, it is a hard job. Regardless of…
Dear readers: I hope you’ll join me Saturday, Aug. 29, for my TED talk through the 2020 TEDXSnoIsleLibraries program. My topic: the key role that readers will play in the survival of journalism. While the talks from a total of 15 presenters were supposed to be delivered live with an audience at the Edmonds Center for the Arts,…
Dear readers: A reminder that on Saturday, Aug. 29, I’ll be giving a TED talk about the key role that readers will play in the survival of journalism. I’m one of 15 speakers chosen to present during the 2020 TEDXSnoIsleLibraries program. While the talks were supposed to be delivered live with an audience at the Edmonds Center for…
Dear readers: In three weeks, I’ll be giving a TED talk, and I’m hoping you’ll watch — because it’s all about you. That’s right. For several years I’ve been saying that readers will play a key role in ensuring the survival of journalism — and I proposed talking about that topic for the 2020 TEDXSnoIsleLibraries program….
Community takes on a different meaning during a pandemic. For more than a month, we’ve been telling the stories of COVID-19 and its impact on our community. They are stories of compassion. Of caring. Of survival. Of resilience. How schools are making sure kids in need don’t go hungry and how food banks are feeding families….
In early January, I posted a column (Here’s to a new decade and the end of a one-sided relationship) outlining why it was critical for our readers to support us financially — so that we can continue to bring you trusted and timely news coverage of our communities. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and I…
Before my grandson Reese was born, several friends told me about the joy of being a grandparent. I was skeptical — how could it be that special? Now, almost two years in, nothing could have prepared me for way this role — and the unconditional love for this little boy — fills my heart. The…
I often wonder what Walter Cronkite would think about the state of journalism in America today. Cronkite — who died in 2009 — spent 19 years as the anchor for CBS Evening News. In the ’60s and ’70s, he was known as “the most trusted man in America.” Imagine that. A journalist — today often…
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A year and a half ago, I wrote a column about how our efforts to live stream local high school sporting events were being compromised by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), which governs high school sports in our state. At the time, I said this: “I am certain nothing will change as a result…
I’ve been thinking a lot about print journalism these days, and what the future holds. I remember being 10 years old in my hometown of Ellensburg and creating my own “magazine,” using sheets of paper and a pencil. I remember my mother — a news junkie in the best sense — reading the Seattle Post-Intelligencer…
With the birth of my first grandchild a month ago, I’ve been thinking a lot about being a grandmother. I’ve also been pondering what it’s like to grow up without grandparents. Thanks to being the last child of older parents, I had just one grandparent still living during my childhood. Grandpa John Wippel died at…
Exactly one month ago, I wrote about the ongoing challenges of local journalism, including how easy it is for individuals and businesses to support us through a regular subscription or one-time donation of any amount. I also pledged to donate 10 percent of all subscriptions through April 30 to help students at our two local…
As Thanksgiving draws near, I want to take a moment to offer thanks for those readers who have stepped up with an annual voluntary subscription of $12 a month or more. As a reminder, I pledged on Nov. 11 to donate 10 percent of those subscriptions to our local food banks, and thanks to you,…
John Oliver from HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” had a lot to say in his Aug. 7 show about the state of the news industry. We’ve excerpted some key points here, and encourage you to subscribe today to the only news organization in South Snohomish County that sends a reporter to Edmonds City Council, Lynnwood City…
Amazon Prime Day is this Tuesday, July 12. If you are planning to shop for deals on that day — or on any day — here’s a reminder to use this link — and help support MLTnews writers, photographers, editors, designers and technical support folks. We get a small commission on your purchase(s), although you’ll pay…
While this title is a bit sensational, it is in part, true. My Edmonds News and sister sites MLTnews and Lynnwood Today, are “for sale.” Let me explain. This October, I will mark my seventh anniversary publishing My Edmonds News. (I acquired MLTnews and Lynnwood Today a few years later after the founders of those…
Last year, one of our readers made a comment that got me thinking. It was after a wind storm hit our area particularly hard, uprooting trees and knocking down power lines. Some folks were without power for more than 24 hours. She mentioned that many people aren’t prepared to survive simple power outages, let alone…
This Friday, I’ll drive to Ellensburg for my high school reunion. I can’t comprehend it’s been 40 years since that rite of passage, which launched me out of my small-town comfort zone into college and career in the “big city” of Seattle. I credit my high school journalism teacher, Steve Rogers, for inspiring me to…
Last week, an acquaintance of mine from North Carolina, publisher of two online community news sites there, surprised the online publishing community when he announced that, after nine years, he was ceasing publication, effective immediately. After reading David Boraks’ farewell message, I have to say that his reasons for leaving weren’t at all surprising. In…
My son played baseball from T-ball through college, and I became very familiar with the camaraderie that developed among the players sitting in the dugout. Not only did those players cheer on their teammates and engage in (mostly) good-natured heckling of their opponents, they also became problem-solvers, helpers and even arbitrators of unacceptable behavior. Over…
I used to be a busy parent of young children and I remember the juggling act between working full-time, preparing meals, helping the kids with homework, driving them to sports practices, meeting with their teachers, taking them to the dentist, and on and on. I barely paid attention to anything outside that family- and work-focused…
For the past five years, I have been able to wake up each day and say, without reservation, that I love my job. I’m able to write about the community where I’ve lived for 30 years, where neighbors and friends kept a watchful eye as my kids grew up and celebrated their transition into successful,…
Holly House, a children’s holiday gift program serving the Edmonds School District, recently had its annual event at Meadowdale Middle School. The non-profit organization distributed new toys, books, socks, underwear, pajamas, coats, Christmas stockings, stuffed animals and blankets to low income families. The children and parents served by Holly House weren’t the only ones to benefit from the generosity…
