My annual salute to the Irish always includes a pint of Guinness beer, a delicious black stout from Dublin, Ireland. This full-bodied beer has a considerably smooth finish despite its bold …

Today, I have good news and bad news. Thankfully, I still know fellow Americans who regularly encourage empathy and compassion towards fellow human beings, recognizing shared struggles and values, …

Since March is the month to explore introverts, I have this to offer: After over 19 years of teaching on the university level and now looking back at my grading process, I know I had it all wrong …

I am proud that our state legislators acted to prevent book bans from taking hold in our schools and libraries by passing what’s called the Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2331. …

In 1991, my wife Cate and I, along with our 5-year-old daughter Caitlin and her Dalmatian Sparky, headed north on I-5 from Southern California to our new life in the Great Northwest. We wanted our …

Soon, you may be using batteries to create your own microgrid to keep the power running in an emergency while lowering your energy bill the rest of the time. Best of all, you may be able to have …

Like any artistic medium, a creator may never know how their creative weight will change the world. An example: quilters. Rather than those journaling an emotional memory or talking about a social …

I was very pleased to see the piece on Richard Emery in the Feb. 28 Mukilteo Beacon. My husband Phil and I have known Richard, and his wife,   Liza Patchen-Short, since they all served on the …

I have been following the story of unnecessary staff and student illnesses and educational distractions at Fairmount Elementary (in Everett) in the Mukilteo School District for some time now.

Anyone ever wire money to help that Nigerian prince who keeps finding himself in jail? Probably not, but if you have then I’ve got 40 acres of prime swamp land I’d like to sell you. …

Every time I approach a large city, especially where one has a view of the entire city – rather than just a small portion of it, I always wonder how much does everything weigh? I’m …

Women in Aviation Week is celebrated annually in March. This year it's March 4-10. Aviation history was supportive of it being “utterly unfeasible” for women to become pilots; this …

I hope your year has begun with both productivity and positivity! It is with great pride that I report the City government, propelled by the dedication of our City Councilmembers, the mayor, and …

Today, with emphasis on fuel economy, many cars are now equipped with four-cylinder engines (but turbocharged.) Our family sedan is so equipped but has almost 300 horsepower – more than the …

“And suddenly we see that love costs all we are and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free.” – Maya Angelou, from the poem “Touched By An Angel.” The …

Dear Savvy Senior, Does Medicare offer any financial assistance programs to help seniors with their medication costs? I recently enrolled in a Medicare drug plan, but I take some expensive …

Last November I took a day off from work in the middle of the week, and Teresa A. Anderson and I went to Vashon Island for the day. Teresa had made arrangements with the Vashon Heritage Museum …

Editor’s note: The Beacon is revisiting Worship columns by some of our retired writers. This piece that ran Dec. 31, 2019 is by Mark Smith, former senior pastor of Mukilteo Presbyterian Church. …