Author Archives: Jim deMaine

CDC restores official U.S. immunization schedules to July 2, 2025, versions to comply with March 16 court order   

Posted on April 29, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ed M. In compliance with the March 16 federal court ruling in American Academy of Pediatrics v. Kennedy, CDC restored its official child and adolescent immunization schedule and its official adult immunization schedule to the July 2, 2025, versions. These versions reflect the decisions of … Continue reading →

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Forever Young

Posted on April 29, 2026 by Jim deMaine
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Barnes & Noble to open May 6 in downtown Seattle

Posted on April 29, 2026 by Jim deMaine

By Alexis Weisend – Seattle Times business reporter After construction setbacks, a new Barnes & Noble will open May 6 in downtown Seattle. The bookseller giant will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony and book signing event with fantasy author Robin Hobb at … Continue reading →

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Words

Posted on April 29, 2026 by Jim deMaine

from Now That Makes Sense compiled by Mark Ortman Adlai Stevenson: Man does not live by words alone despite the fact that sometimes he has to eat them George Eliot: Blessed is the man who having nothing to say, abstains … Continue reading →

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Blog talk tomorrow 11 AM

Posted on April 28, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Just a quick reminder. We’ll have a discussion about this blog tomorrow, Wednesday at 11 AM in the MBR. I hope you’ll be there to give us your ideas for this blog’s future: grow, change or RIP? Would you like … Continue reading →

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Who’s Really Running Iran?

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Jim deMaine

In today’s NYT podcast, The Daily, there’s a fascinating discussion about the power dynamics in Iran shifting from a theocracy to a military dictatorship. The incentives in negotiations are now more transactional about power and money in a more pragmatic … Continue reading →

Posted in energy, Government, Politics, Religion, War | Leave a comment

Simple Gifts and Hearts of Gold

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Jim deMaine

We hope you’ll consider “Simple Gifts” a heart warming invitation to come to the Hearts of Gold kickoff on Thursday, April 30th at 11 AM in the MBR. This song was sung at the Skyline Strummers February sing-a-long. Please come … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Charity, Gifts, In the Neighborhood | Leave a comment

Trump on Iran: Stuck on repeat

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Jim deMaine

David Horsey in the Seattle Times

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Iran’s Meme War Against Trump Ushers In a Future of ‘Slopaganda’

Posted on April 25, 2026 by Jim deMaine

By Steven Lee Myers and Stuart A. Thompson (thanks to Mary Jane F.) When the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran started two months ago, online accounts linked to Tehran tried building sympathy with defiant and emotional appeals. They had little impact. Then, as the war … Continue reading →

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Earth Day 2026: How to Celebrate Earth Day

Posted on April 22, 2026 by Jim deMaine

or this? (thanks to Pearl McE.) To learn more click here!

Posted in Advocacy, environment | Leave a comment

Peptides, explained: Answers to your top questions

Posted on April 22, 2026 by Jim deMaine

by Katelyn Jetelina in Your Local Epidemiologist Ed note:  Sir William Osler (1849–1919), a foundational figure in modern medicine, once stated: “The desire to take medicine is perhaps the greatest feature which distinguishes man from animals”. “Peptides” is a very broad category, … Continue reading →

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Seniors at the Crossroads Demonstration

Posted on April 21, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Judy M. Hello friends, Join us for the next Seniors at the Crossroads** demonstration: WHEN: Thursday, April 23 MEETING TIME: 4:30-5:30 p.m. WHERE: 8TH and Madison intersection Our regular gatherings are on the second and fourth Thursdays at 4:30. … Continue reading →

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New Vaccine Recommendations Page from DOH

Posted on April 21, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ed M. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has launched a new Vaccine Recommendations webpage in response to House Bill 2242 (PDF). The page provides current state immunization recommendations and related guidance for health care providers and local health jurisdictions. … Continue reading →

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Robots just installed 100 MW of solar panels in the desert

Posted on April 21, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Robots are helping humans install solar panels at previously impossible rates By Skye Jacobs in Technospot (thanks to Pam P.) The takeaway: The expansion of automation in renewable energy construction has taken a significant step forward in California’s Mojave Desert, where a fleet of … Continue reading →

Posted in Climate, Science and Technology | Leave a comment

The Erratic President and FBI Director

Posted on April 21, 2026 by Jim deMaine

by Heather Cox Richardson (thanks to Pam P.) Late Saturday evening, Josh Dawsey and Annie Linskey of the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump was so unstable and angry after learning on April 3 that Iranians had shot down an American jet … Continue reading →

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Hegseth – Slammed for Pulp Fiction Prayer

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Jim deMaine
Posted in Military, prayer, Religion | Leave a comment

How you might feel a few months from now

Posted on April 20, 2026 by Jim deMaine
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Why the Stock Market Makes No Sense Right Now

Posted on April 18, 2026 by Jim deMaine

By Kyla Scanlon Ms. Scanlon, a contributing Opinion writer, is the author of “In This Economy? How Money & Markets Really Work” and Kyla’s Newsletter. The stock market has been trying to ignore the war in Iran. That’s been true over … Continue reading →

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A German View

Posted on April 18, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pearl McE

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When life was a bit simpler

Posted on April 18, 2026 by Jim deMaine

thanks to John R.

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This War Has Not Gone Putin’s Way

Posted on April 18, 2026 by Jim deMaine

By Serge Schmemann Mr. Schmemann, an Opinion writer, is a former Moscow bureau chief of The Times.See more of our coverage in your search results. The Iran war has been an economic windfall for Russia, pushing oil prices sky-high and loosening … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, War | Leave a comment

Report from Senator Jamie Pedensen

Posted on April 16, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mary Jane F. Dear friends and neighbors,One of my top priorities is to protect our state as the Trump administration assaults the rule of law, undermines science, and targets vulnerable communities in Washington. The Legislature took significant steps … Continue reading →

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Now say it right

Posted on April 16, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to John R. Ed note: There are several poems about the weird names in our state. Here’s one. “Washington Names — The Definitive (and Slightly Silly) Version” There’s a place called Humptulips,And Hoquiam by the sea,And a valley called … Continue reading →

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After the Red Sea, this should be easy

Posted on April 15, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to John R.

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Words just don’t mean what they used to

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to John R.

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