Author Archives: Jim deMaine

The Yellow Rose of Texas!? Can it be? Beautiful roses blooming in our chilly Seattle weather!

Posted on February 9, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Somehow, out on our patio in the Cascade Tower some roses are still in bloom. An explanation escapes me. Let’s just go with a miracle of nature (or climate change). At any rate, the two yellows and the Drop Dead … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening | 2 Comments

My Sweet Babboo!

Posted on February 9, 2025 by Jim deMaine
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How, when and why Seattle started to shift into a bike-friendlier city

Posted on February 9, 2025 by Jim deMaine

By Tom Fucoloro in the Seattle Times My note: Our first home (rental) in 1969 was near those railroad tracks and Matthew’s Beach. Sandy Wood and Jim Todd lived near us and we would gather the neighborhood to discuss world events. … Continue reading →

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Those odd keepsakes

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Jim deMaine
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Freeway Park Volunteers Needed

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Jim deMaine

 ͏  ͏ ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏   Volunteers Needed! Join us at our annual Winter Neighborhood Clean-Up on Saturday, February 15th from 10-11:30am.   Meet us right in Seneca Plaza to help … Continue reading →

Posted in In the Neighborhood, Parks | Leave a comment

I Ran U.S.A.I.D. Killing It Is a Win for Autocrats Everywhere.

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Jim deMaine

By Samantha Power in the NYT (Thanks to Diana C.) Ms. Power was the administrator of the United States Agency for International Development in the Biden administration. We are witnessing one of the worst and most costly foreign policy blunders in … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Ethics, Food, Government, Health, Justice, Kindness, Morality, Philanthropy, Poverty, Social justice | Leave a comment

Adventures with CARE-MEDICO and the Peace Corps in Afghanistan in the 1960’s

Posted on February 6, 2025 by Jim deMaine

I’ve been asked if we could share our slides from the recent talk at Skyline that Lourdes and I gave. Unfortunately the talk wasn’t recorded, but here are the slides if interested.

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Prognosis for our nation? Hope not!

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Jim deMaine
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Niagara Falls frozen due to extreme cold Weather

Posted on February 5, 2025 by Jim deMaine

from the Sarajevo Times – thanks to Bpb P. Niagara Falls, formed over 12.500 years ago, are partially frozen due to low temperatures affecting much of the United States (U.S.). Extreme cold and record-low temperatures continue to be recorded in … Continue reading →

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These Settings Aren’t Real. But for Dementia Patients, What Is?

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Fake nurseries and town squares seem to comfort patients. But some experts wonder whether they are patronizing, even infantilizing. By Paula Span in the NYT (thanks to Put B.) The nursery at RiverSpring Residences in the Bronx is a sunny, inviting … Continue reading →

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Data and communication are gold

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Jim deMaine

“What the hell is going on? by Katelyn Jetelina in Your Local Epidemiologist Feb 04, 2025 It’s February 4. That matters because, as of February 1, the communications freeze at federal agencies, including CDC, FDA, and NIH, was supposed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Health | Leave a comment

An introduction to the incoming President of the University of Washington

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Jim deMaine

from Blaine Tamaki, Chair of the UW Board of Regents (thanks to Ed M.)       It is my pleasure to introduce Robert J. Jones, Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, as the next President of the University … Continue reading →

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A new life for empty offices: Growing kale and cucumbers

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Jim deMaine

from the BBC – thanks to Pam P. In some cities, as many as one in four office spaces are vacant. Some start-ups are giving them a second life – as indoor farms growing crops as varied as kale, cucumber … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economics, Food | Leave a comment

Those tough jobs

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ed M.

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When to give thanks

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Jim deMaine
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CDC Data Are Disappearing

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Jim deMaine

The agency has already removed scientific data from public view. More could follow. By Katherine J. Wu (Thanks to Ed M.) The CDC campus in Atlanta (Smith Collection / Gado / Getty) Last night, scientists began to hear cryptic and foreboding warnings … Continue reading →

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Be prepared!

Posted on February 2, 2025 by Jim deMaine
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What so proudly we hailed …

Posted on February 2, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Dan S. As the Pentagon and the State Department try to cancel Black History Month, our Martin Luther King County (Harborview) Hospital flies the Afro-American Black Liberation flag with the American flag, no longer at half-mast in observation … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, In the Neighborhood, Race | Leave a comment

Groundhog Day

Posted on February 2, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pam P.

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Japan rolls out new recycled toilet paper made from used diapers

Posted on February 2, 2025 by Jim deMaine

from Goodgoodgood newsletter – thanks to Pam P. Forget Charmin, Cottonelle, or Quilted Northern. In Japan, there’s a new toilet paper roll on shelves, and it’s nothing like the others. The Shibushi Osaki Roll is the world’s first toilet paper … Continue reading →

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RFK Jr.’s War Against Cancer…Prevention

Posted on February 1, 2025 by Jim deMaine

A recent Senate confirmation hearing revealed RFK Jr.’s secret war against cancer prevention. by Paul Offit (thanks to Ed M.) Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cancer. Every year, HPV causes about 20,000 cancers in women and 14,000 in men. For women, … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Health, Law | Leave a comment

ACLU at Town Hall

Posted on February 1, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Bob P. ACLU Town HallFighting Trump’s First Attacks Tuesday, February 4, at 4:30pm EST

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Drawing, making music and writing poetry can support healing and bring more humanity to health care in US hospitals

Posted on January 29, 2025 by Jim deMaine

by Marlaine Figueroa Gray Assistant Investigator at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, University of Washington The COVID-19 pandemic shined a light on the deep need that people feel for human touch and connection in hospital settings. Having relatives peering … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Health, Music | Leave a comment

Photos: See the pandas’ official return to the National Zoo

Posted on January 28, 2025 by Jim deMaine

By Amy Held (thanks to Pam P.) Qing Bao, one of the Smithsonian National Zoo’s new Giant Pandas, eats an apple on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. In November 2023, the National Zoo sent its three pandas — Tian Tian and Mei … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals | Leave a comment

Please express your support for HB 1531

Posted on January 28, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ed M. Our public health partners are seeking our support on House Bill 1531 re preserving the ability of public officials to address communicable diseases, which will be heard 1/31 at 8:00AM in House Health Care and Wellness and … Continue reading →

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