Anatomy of a heart attack – a love letter to all of you

Posted on March 18, 2012 by brucesmith49

by Bruce A. Smith 

Part 1, in a series.

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 pounds. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Health, Politics | 26 Comments

Climbing rangers at Mount Rainier receive awards for valor during 2002 rescues

Posted on March 13, 2012 by brucesmith49

 Special to the Mountain News

The national spotlight that was placed upon Mount Rainier National Park over the past few months – first in the tragic shooting death of NPS Ranger Margaret Anderson, and then days later in the dramatic disappearance and search for seven different mountaineers lost in epic winter conditions– has brought sharper focus on the extraordinary heroics of two climbing rangers in earlier exploits. Continue reading →

Posted in Events, Mount Rainier, Nature, Remarkable men and women, Weather | 3 Comments

Presidential politics heats up – canines take action nationwide

Posted on March 9, 2012 by brucesmith49

by Bruce A. Smith 

Yes, I had a heart attack about two weeks ago and someday I’ll get around to telling y’all about it, but suffice to say I am getting healthier and stronger, and for the past week or so I’m answering emails and reveling in the many phone calls.

 One email has come across my computer screen that must be addressed – the pictures about the dogs in Mitt Romney’s life that I received from my friend Ronnie, who grew up with me in Garden City, NY and then moved to the Boston area after marriage. Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 10 Comments

Suspects in the DB Cooper skyjacking – sketches, pictures and comparisons

Posted on February 23, 2012 by brucesmith49

by Bruce A. Smith

As part of the resurgent investigation into the DB Cooper skyjacking case, there has been a recent effort by private sleuths to show pictures of the various suspects to the passengers from the hijacked aircraft.

Here is a collection of photgraphs that the Mountain News has been able to gather over the past few years.

Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, DB Cooper, Events | 137 Comments

Stories from Backstage – Neil Diamond

Posted on February 21, 2012 by brucesmith49

Note:  From 1999 until 2006 I was a theatrical stagehand in Nashville and Seattle.  I also went on a few brief tours with Cavalia, the Cirque Du Soleil spin-off that is currently performing in Marymoor Park.

 Key Arena, Seattle – 2006

 When fans of Neil Diamond find out I’ve been a stagehand, they always ask me the same question:  “Is Neil Diamond really the jerk that everybody says he is?” Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Entertainment, Events, Stories from Backstage | 2 Comments

Countdown to the Oscars includes unusual move to nominate an over-looked actor

Posted on February 18, 2012 by brucesmith49

by Bruce A. Smith 

The 84th Academy Awards will be awarded on February 26, and there is a surprising campaign surging within the film industry to nominate an actor that has been overlooked heretofore.  The circumstances surrounding this omission are most unusual, and they are fueling the movement to get him nominated now. 

 The slighted actor is named Uggie, and he is a dog. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Entertainment, Events | 3 Comments

Smoke from debris burning fills the skies of Pierce County causing death and suffering to many

Posted on February 16, 2012 by brucesmith49

 

by Bruce A. Smith 

Although our area has been graced this month with several days of sunshine and cloudless skies, it has spelled doom and suffering for many residents of Pierce County as the air – particularly on weekends – fills with wood smoke from numerous debris fires.  Hundreds of homeowners and some businesses are using the drier weather to clear their lands of downed trees and limbs deposited by the Big Storm in January. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Eatonville News, Environment, Frederickson, Graham News, Parkland, Politics, Spanaway, Weather | 6 Comments

Guest Author: Cate Montana – “A Fish in Water”

Posted on February 15, 2012 by brucesmith49

by Cate Montana

Special to the Mountain News

 I was at a good friend’s wedding recently.  It was post-nuptials and post-dinner and people were having a good time on the outdoor dance floor.  Taking a breather, I retreated to an aerial perch in a treehouse built in a huge oak tree in the yard, about twenty feet above the foot-stomping local country band. Continue reading →

Posted in Cate Montana, Culture, Folk tales and stories | 3 Comments

Rick Santorum speaks in Tacoma

Posted on February 14, 2012 by brucesmith49

 by Bruce A. Smith 

If you believe you’re part of the “Real America,” you probably would have enjoyed the 45-minute speech Rick Santorum delivered Monday night in downtown Tacoma. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Events, Politics | 4 Comments

Chocolate Stroll a huge success in Orting

Posted on February 12, 2012 by brucesmith49

by Bruce A. Smith 

Carrying goodie bags filled with chocolate candies, dozens of parents and kids – and a goodly gaggle of middle-aged women out for a lark – flooded the downtown core of Orting on Saturday afternoon for the 1st Annual Chocolate Stroll.

Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Entertainment, Events, Orting | 10 Comments