Opinion
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History Files | The triangle of fire
Washington has some lovely state parks that were once a part of the coast defense system. Fort Casey on Whidbey Island was one of the forts. Also Fort Worden at Port Townsend and Fort Flagler on Marrowstone Island across Port Townsend Bay. Those...
Off Kilter | Our place in the universe
The title of this article comes, of all places, from that old rock and roll song: Up on the Roof – by the Drifters. The words from the song are (in part): “On the roof, it's peaceful as can be,...
CHEF DEZ | Peppered cheese bread
People are always amazed when I say I make fresh bread, hot out of the oven, for Christmas dinner. “How do you find the time?” they always ask. My secret is this recipe for peppered cheese bread. Although it is not a yeast bread (it is a quick br...
Letter to the Editor | Election security
Election security is receiving renewed attention after numerous career public servants testified during the impeachment hearings that Trump bribed Ukraine to force them to interfere in the 2020 election. Key witnesses, as well as top national...
Chuck's World | What we knew and when we knew it
Perhaps you noticed the other day when Billie Eilish didn’t seem to know who Van Halen was. Perhaps you missed it. Perhaps you need me to start over. Billie Eilish is an American teenager, a singer/...
Insightful Investing | Count your blessings
It is that time of year again! Time to count your blessings, one by one. And before I list a few of the things I am thankful for, I would like to share a poem that I heard years ago. This poem was written by Edgar Guest, who had his first poem...
Who really is my neighbor?
Editor’s Note: Father Bill Mobley was a Worship columnist for The Beacon in the early- and mid-1990s until his death in 1996. A few times this year, we will be revisiting his columns. This column ran in 1994. It is not enough to say “Love your...
Muk Revisited | Firefighting and dispatch--from Mrs. Pugh to 9-1-1
We take so much for granted. Today, when we are faced with a fire or a medical emergency, we simply dial 911 and a fire truck or other emergency vehicle should arrive within seven minutes. Mukilteo...
Off Kilter | The future of food retailing
A recent story about the Kroger supermarket group (Fred Meyer, QFC, Ralphs, and many others) is quite interesting. About 94% of Kroger revenue comes from food stores, so this announcement is a really...
Letter to the Editor | BOND-ing together for our students
“Ensure Success for Every Student” is emblazoned on the wall behind the Mukilteo School District Board of Directors when we hold board meetings. It is that collective commitment across the school district to this goal that sets us apart from...
Travel Sketcher | Hello from Seoul
On the last morning in Seoul, I did this sketch over a cup of coffee, looking out the window of the cafe. Seoul was never high in the list of places I wanted to visit, yet, as I have so often found, I discovered a wonderful place. The lesson for...
Chuck's World | The detritus of the digital age
I was rummaging through the universal hall closet the other day, which in my case was an actual closet. In your case, it could be something else. You’ve got one, though. It could be an envelope or a...
Guest View | Congress must end surprise billing--in a fair and reasonable way
One of the foremost goals of any physician anesthesiologist is to ensure the most positive, painless patient experience possible. However, there is only so much we can do to protect patients from the...
Off Kilter | Being parochial
No, this column is not about the Catholic Church. It is about how we often seem to zero in on our local surroundings. In my own case, I was brought up in Brooklyn, New York and eventually wound up...
Chef Dez | Making food prep easier
One of the most common reasons as to why one doesn’t cook from scratch more than they currently do is because of how long it takes to prepare ingredients for the meal. Whether it involves slicing, dicing, measuring, or simply getting ingredients...
Chuck's World | It is right to give our thanks and praise
In my personal arsenal of useful emotional states, gratitude is the clear winner. I’m all for feeling happy or hopeful, although you can’t count on those. But gratitude is always available, an...
Letter to the Editor | Unconstitutionality
The government of the U.S. and the State of Washington is OF the PEOPLE and FOR the PEOPLE. That is not what our legislature and cities and Sound Transit really believe. They want their taxes no matter how they have to get them. Even if they can...
Worship | Thanksgiving is a time to reconnect
In 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln created Thanksgiving Day during a time he was trying to hold our nation together. Today, the holiday is seen as a reminder of the Native American and pioneer families who, more than a...
Worship | Gratitude is the best attitude
"Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.” --Aphonse Karr In today’s world, where there is so much conflict, it is easy to become jaded and disheartened. Anxiety and worries about the future can...
Chef Dez | Cranberry pistachio banana bread
Since my last column entry was all about quick breads, I thought it would be appropriate to share one of our family favorite recipes. I am certain that we all have made a banana bread in our...
Dr. Universe | Why do we have eyebrows?
Why do we have eyebrows? -Zach, 11, Kettle Falls, Wash. Dear Zach, Humans have hair on their heads, arms, and as you mention, even the face. If you feel your face, you might feel some small, fuzzy hairs on your cheeks and forehead. But the hair of...
Off Kilter | To maintain a healthy level of insanity
This week I thought I'd write about an unconventional way of looking at the world. Why? Because we're much too serious about life. Hopefully, you'll get some enjoyment from reading this. At lunch,...
Chuck's World | There's no accounting for this
I read an interesting article the other day, although I went through it quickly and then bookmarked it for later. I can’t be the only one who practices skim-and-save reading. It’s a form of...
Travel Sketcher | Back from Asia
We are back from Asia, wonderful yet busy trip. While in Seoul, we visited the Festival of Lanterns. In the center of the city is a stream, with walkways on both sides. It is a nice place for a...
Off Kilter | Electric Armageddon
I know this column will register with all of the readers. This week, I'd like to describe how our society is being transformed in how we communicate. Let's start with e-mail. In the distant past...
