Category Archives: Culture

2nd Annual Mother Earth News Fair coming to area

Posted on May 25, 2012 by

  by Bruce A. Smith  In testament to the “green power” of the Pacific Northwest, the Mother Earth News is hosting their second annual fair at the Puyallup Fair Grounds, June 2-3, next Saturday and Sunday.

Posted in Events, Pets and livestock, Nature, Environment, Culture, Science and Technology, Puyallup, Health | Leave a comment

Anatomy of a Heart Attack – Survival and Recovery

Posted on May 2, 2012 by

  Bruce A. Smith  I’m in my eighth week of recovery from a heart attack experienced on February 26, 2012.  Since then, I’ve explored the murky world of aftercare, finding great relief in the Good Samaritan cardiac rehabilitation clinic in … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Health | 26 Comments

Eatonville Mayor Ray Harper embroiled in “Trail Funds” controversy

Posted on April 18, 2012 by

  by Bruce A. Smith  Eatonville’s mayor Ray Harper found himself squarely on a political hot seat Wednesday, April 18, when renowned conservative radio talk show host Dori Monson railed about the Town’s mis-use of funds donated for the purpose … Continue reading →

Posted in Cops and courts, Culture, Eatonville News, Politics | 1 Comment

Strange accidents in Eatonville result in a hit and run; seriously injured bicyclist – plus stolen truck recovered

Posted on April 16, 2012 by

by Bruce A. Smith  Two unusual traffic accidents on SR 161 in Eatonville have resulted in a hit and run crash that sent one driver to jail and a second accident several days later put a 63 year-old bicyclist into … Continue reading →

Posted in Ashford, Cops and courts, Culture, Eatonville News | Leave a comment

Update on Kelly Merz – an interview with his brother, Keith Merz

Posted on April 9, 2012 by

  By Bruce A. Smith  Last week, Keith Merz, the brother of convicted murderer Kelly Merz, contacted the Mountain News and shared personal information that he felt was missing from our initial reportage.

Posted in Cops and courts, Culture, NTCC | 3 Comments

NPS Ranger – with ties to Margaret Anderson – becomes agency whistleblower, writes book

Posted on April 3, 2012 by

  By Bruce A. Smith  Rob Danno, the former Chief Ranger at Bryce Canyon National Park who gave Margaret Anderson her first ranger job in the National Park Service, has written an account of his whistle blowing activities within the … Continue reading →

Posted in Book reviews, Cops and courts, Culture, Environment, Mount Rainier, Nature, People Profiles, Remarkable men and women | 8 Comments

Spring, motorcycles and Arlo Guthrie

Posted on March 24, 2012 by

by Bruce A. Smith  Today’s temperatures in the 60s, our first warm day of the year, brought out the motorcycles and as I rode home from Tacoma in my current mode of transport - as a passenger in a comfy Ford Taurus … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Entertainment, Events | Leave a comment

Mother Earth Farm in Orting prepares for spring planting with draft horse plowing

Posted on March 21, 2012 by

   Special to the Mountain News What is one of the first steps required to get 150,000 pounds of fresh, organic produce to local food banks?  Plowing the soil, of course!

Posted in Business, Culture, Environment, Events, Orting | 1 Comment

Stories from Backstage – the Dixie Chicks

Posted on March 20, 2012 by

by Bruce A. Smith  Seattle’s Key Arena, Summer, 2003 - and the Tacoma Dome, November 2006 Seattle: Chicks Rule!  Yup, best concert I’ve ever seen, and I’m not alone in that assessment – the 12,000 screaming, mostly women in the Key … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Entertainment | 1 Comment

A love letter to all of you – anatomy of a heart attack

Posted on March 18, 2012 by

by Bruce A. Smith  One phone call is all it took to save my life.  “911,” said the calm, even, female voice on the other end.  “I’m having chest pains,” I replied.  “I’m 62 years old and I weigh 225 … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Politics | 26 Comments