Author Archives: Jim deMaine

The House convenes for a floor session on HR 4692 (Honoring Japanese-Americans who suffered relocation and internment during World War II) at the state Capitol.

Thanks to Ann M. Watch Skyline chaplain Sao as he gives the invocation!!

Posted in Government, History, Law, Morality, Remembrances | Leave a comment

What Alcohol Does to the Body

From the moment you take a sip, drinking starts to influence your biology. Here’s an inside look. By Dana G. Smith, Illustrations by Montse Galbany – in the NYTDry January has come and gone, but Americans’ relationship with drinking is … Continue reading

Posted in Health | Leave a comment

Twin Cities tow truck driver returns abandoned vehicles to families after ICE arrests

By Ray Campos – CBS Minnesota (thanks to Pam P.) Juan Leon had only been running his Twin Cities tow truck business, Leo’s Towing, for a few months when he noticed a pattern that kept repeating itself. Cars were being left … Continue reading

Posted in Immigration, Kindness, Volunteering | Leave a comment

But it’s just a game!

Thanks to Mike Ca.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Dear World, We’re so sorry!

Thanks to John R.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A Valentine’s day tragedy & a reformist President

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson Ed note: I’ve loved reading about Teddy Roosevelt–such a unique American personality. If you want a pretty complete picture consider the Edmund Morris Trilogy: The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (covers pre-presidency), Theodore Rex (presidency), and … Continue reading

Posted in Government, History | Leave a comment

A letter to Pam Bondi

by John Pavlovitz – He is an American former youth pastor and author, known for his social and political writings from a liberal Christian perspective. (thanks to John R.) Dear Ms Bondi, I’m writing to you as an American citizen, … Continue reading

Posted in Essays | Leave a comment

Valentine Football

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

New Medicare Changes in 2026: Prior Approval Required for These 17 Services — affecting those who have Original Medicare

Today I received an email from a friend in another CCRC who has need of a steroid injection for a very painful bulging low back disc and a facet joint cyst. Coverage was turned down by Virtix Health, a Medicare … Continue reading

Posted in Health, Insurance | 2 Comments

Sugar, Bad Bunny and the Americas

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson Last night’s thirteen-minute Super Bowl half-time show featuring Bad Bunny had more watchers than any other halftime show in history: an estimated 135 million watched live, while millions more have streamed it since. Rapper, singer, … Continue reading

Posted in Government, History | Leave a comment

I’m the Prime Minister of Spain. This Is Why the West Needs Migrants.

By Pedro Sánchez in the New York Times Mr. Sánchez is the prime minister of Spain. He wrote from Madrid. Imagine you’re the leader of a nation, and you face a dilemma. Half a million or so people who are crucial … Continue reading

Posted in Government, Immigration, Justice, Law, Morality, Social justice | Leave a comment

The Globalization of Canadian Rage

By Stephen Marche in the New York Times Mr. Marche is the author, most recently, of “The Next Civil War.” He wrote from Toronto, where he lives. The defiance against America that has consumed Canadian life for over a year now … Continue reading

Posted in Essays, Government, Law, Military, Politics | Leave a comment

A once-in-a-generation moment at MOHAI

Thanks to Mary M. This summer, MOHAI is proud to host the Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents That Forged a Nation. This landmark exhibit from the National Archives will bring some of the rarest and most important original documents in … Continue reading

Posted in Government, History | Leave a comment

Who‘s Really Behind the MAHA Movement?

Paul Offit in Substack (thanks to Ed M.) RFK Jr. rails endlessly against Big Pharm and Big Food. And, in many instances, for good reason. But there is one group that he never criticizes: Big Wellness. There’s a reason for … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Pick your pain

Thanks to Mike Ca.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The hoped for Superbowl!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Something to think about

Thanks to John R.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

David Brooks moves on to The Atlantic

In his final column in the New York Times, David Brooks sums up the way he views the decline of American culture–without providing much hope going forward. Here is his new adventure in academia (according to ChatGPT) As of February … Continue reading

Posted in Media | Comments Off on David Brooks moves on to The Atlantic

Keep Whistling!

Thanks to Mary M.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Keep Whistling!

Report from The Needling

Ed note: The Needling can be accessed here. Noting that they are Seattle’s Only Real Fake News. It’s a fun site, a bit like the Onion. Hope you all had a happy Geoduck Day and are acclimating well to our … Continue reading

Posted in Humor, In the Neighborhood, Politics, Satire | Comments Off on Report from The Needling

Friday, February 6 at 11:00am – Health Care Lecture: How to Sleep Better in Retirement by Dr. Branon Peters-Mathews

Ed note: Hope to see you in the MBR Friday (tomorrow). Brandon is back by popular demand for his excellent presentations on sleep disorders and how we can deal with them. In addition to the common sleep disorders like sleep … Continue reading

Posted in Aging Sites, Health | Comments Off on Friday, February 6 at 11:00am – Health Care Lecture: How to Sleep Better in Retirement by Dr. Branon Peters-Mathews

Finding Dignity, Hope and Healing at the End

Town Hall Seattle and Northwest Center for Creative Aging presentDr. Jim deMaine with Rebecca CrichtonFinding Dignity, Hope, and Healing at the End  Mon 3/9 at 7:30PM | $10-$35 Sliding Scale | In-Person Join Dr. Jim deMaine, a pulmonary/critical care physician, … Continue reading

Posted in Advocacy, Aging Sites, end of life, Health, Hospice, Law | Comments Off on Finding Dignity, Hope and Healing at the End

Blue and Green

David Horsey

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Blue and Green

American Democracy Will Not Die in Darkness

Paul Krugman (thanks to Diana C.) ICE in Minneapolis: Schools go remote as protests growBroad daylight, actually The Washington Post adopted the slogan “Democracy dies in darkness” in February 2017. Some found it pompous, but it reflected a widespread theory … Continue reading

Posted in Government, Immigration | Comments Off on American Democracy Will Not Die in Darkness

Update from Olympia – House Bill 2384-S

February 2, 2026 On Wednesday January 28th, the House Health Care and Wellness Committee passed on to the full House an amended bill, HB 2384-S, requiring actuarial reporting for some CCRCs to be reviewed by the Office of the Insurance … Continue reading

Posted in CCRC Info | Comments Off on Update from Olympia – House Bill 2384-S