Nothing brings perspective like getting lost.Imagine that home is half a world away. You're immersed in a culture so completely foreign that simple tasks like boarding a train, asking directions or going to the bathroom fill you with gut-wrenching anxiety. You desperately wish you could click your heels together and be whisked back to what's familiar, comforting and predictable.But what if you had nothing left to go back to? What if the reason for your displacement was a profound change at home that made the familiar even more hostile then the foreign? What do you do? According to local filmmaker John Jeffcoat, sometimes all you can do is laugh.And fall in love.With his new romantic comedy, Outsourced, which recently met with rave reviews by sold-out audiences at the Toronto Film Festival, Jeffcoat explores a hot-button issue with a delicate, humane touch.The film, starring Josh Hamilton (Alive, House of Yes) and Ayesha Dharker (The Terrorist, Star Wars: Episode II-Attack of the Clones), follows Todd, an employee at a Seattle-based novelty company whose entire division is outsourced to a call center in India. Sent to Mumbai to train his replacement and to serve as an accent-and-American-culture coach to the call-center employees, his culture shock is augmented by anxiety over the distinct possibility of unemployment when he returns to the United States.As he struggles with the difficulties of his task, Todd slowly comes to appreciate Indian culture with the help of the call-center employees, in particular a beautiful woman named Asha.
A Lights On Afterschool Showcase and Awards Ceremony supporting afterschool programs will be held Thursday, Oct. 12 at 4 p.m. at John Muir Elementary School Auditorium, 3301 S. Horton St. The event will be one of more than 60 Lights On Afterschool! events being held statewide as well as one of more than 7,500 such events around the nation that day-the seventh annual Lights On Afterschool Day, organized by the Afterschool Alliance. School's Out Washington will partner with Seattle Public Schools' Office for Community Learning, John Muir Elementary School, Camp Fire USA, Powerful Schools and SOAR to sponsor the event.
When it comes to parenting, I believe that my children learn to empower themselves through my encouragement, support and trust in them. Give them a safe, strong foundation, and from there they grow. Listen to what their needs are, give them choices, allow them opportunities to realize their talents and be fair when it comes to discipline. The final most important aspect of parenting, I believe, is to show my children respect.I don't think this approach is limited to parenting. Throughout recent history, there has been much ado about globalization and the disenfranchisement of indigenous people living in developing countries. Negative press and conflicting opinions about this demise and how to go about finding solutions, have left me frustrated about the approach our government and the global community has taken toward solving world poverty.If we applied some of the basic empowerment principles mentioned earlier, we would move toward a better world for everyone. Recently, I met with an old friend for lunch, and she shared with me how the concept of empowerment is working in developing countries like Costa Rica. She's learned this lesson first hand.
Don't let the fact that Mustafà is the villain in a comedic opera fool you into thinking the part is a walk in the park.Gioacchino Rossini wrote Mustafà in "The Italian Girl in Algiers" as one taxing role for the bass or bass-baritone who sings it. Mustafà is not only on stage for most of the opera, his part is also often physical, he has to nail a high D and he must be threatening and funny at the same time. And that's just for starters.Simone Alberghini, who is making his Seattle Opera debut as Mustafà, the Bey of Algiers, in the company's upcoming production of "The Italian Girl in Algiers," is well aware of the challenges built into his part. Alberghini points out that properly developing the character of Mustafà is critical."The character cannot be just an ugly character, or we can't understand why Elvira, his wife, still wants him," Alberghini said.Mustafà's behavior toward Elvira, his chief wife, is less than admirable. He has just discarded her, insisting that she be married off to his Italian slave, Lindoro, because he finds Elvira and the rest of his harem ho-hum. Then he proceeds to woo Isabella, the Italian Girl, in front of Elvira.
Don't let the fact that Mustafà is the villain in a comedic opera fool you into thinking the part is a walk in the park.Gioacchino Rossini wrote Mustafà in "The Italian Girl in Algiers" as one taxing role for the bass or bass-baritone who sings it. Mustafà is not only on stage for most of the opera, his part is also often physical, he has to nail a high D and he must be threatening and funny at the same time. And that's just for starters.Simone Alberghini, who is making his Seattle Opera debut as Mustafà, the Bey of Algiers, in the company's upcoming production of "The Italian Girl in Algiers," is well aware of the challenges built into his part. Alberghini points out that properly developing the character of Mustafà is critical."The character cannot be just an ugly character, or we can't understand why Elvira, his wife, still wants him," Alberghini said.Mustafà's behavior toward Elvira, his chief wife, is less than admirable. He has just discarded her, insisting that she be married off to his Italian slave, Lindoro, because he finds Elvira and the rest of his harem ho-hum. Then he proceeds to woo Isabella, the Italian Girl, in front of Elvira.
It's been one hell of a long time since Martin Scorsese really hit the mean streets. Sure, the director of such nervy, blood-soaked classics as "Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull" and "GoodFellas" took a gallant stab at sepia-tinted historical revision a few years back, transposing his Mafia fetish to mid-19th-century Gotham. But "Gangs of New York" - an overlong mope about the nascent gangsterism of immigrant America's poor, tired, huddled masses - was a diffuse and distinctly uncharismatic affair, despite Scorsese's beautiful recreation of 1850s Five Corners and Daniel Day Lewis' riveting portrayal of a sociopathic gang leader. And "The Aviator," Scorsese's nod to the bent genius of millionaire Howard Hughes, was pretty to look at and all, but it lacked substance and psychological heft; it was just the sort of glimmering celluloid Twinkie the Academy loves to reward with statues. Neither of these were bad films - Scorsese isn't capable of making a truly bad film - but each in its own way lacked some essential spirit, a cohesive feeling of joy or purpose or narrative pop that would match the formal excellence of Scorsese's vision. They were for the most part empty gestures, giving one the suspicion that Scorsese had somehow lost his way.Advance word that Scorsese's next project would be a remake of the Hong Kong police drama "Infernal Affairs" generated a modicum of hope among fans of the director's earlier work. It seemed a canny move, as well as an odd sort of homecoming: Scorsese's work, with its highly stylized and daring camerawork and penchant for grizzly, explosive violence, has had a profound influence on Asian filmmaking. And the cast for "The Departed" - Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen and Jack Nicholson (especially Nicholson, who, strangely enough, had never worked with Scorsese) - only upped the ante and amplified expectations that a return to form was in the offing.
It's been one hell of a long time since Martin Scorsese really hit the mean streets. Sure, the director of such nervy, blood-soaked classics as "Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull" and "GoodFellas" took a gallant stab at sepia-tinted historical revision a few years back, transposing his Mafia fetish to mid-19th-century Gotham. But "Gangs of New York" - an overlong mope about the nascent gangsterism of immigrant America's poor, tired, huddled masses - was a diffuse and distinctly uncharismatic affair, despite Scorsese's beautiful recreation of 1850s Five Corners and Daniel Day Lewis' riveting portrayal of a sociopathic gang leader. And "The Aviator," Scorsese's nod to the bent genius of millionaire Howard Hughes, was pretty to look at and all, but it lacked substance and psychological heft; it was just the sort of glimmering celluloid Twinkie the Academy loves to reward with statues. Neither of these were bad films - Scorsese isn't capable of making a truly bad film - but each in its own way lacked some essential spirit, a cohesive feeling of joy or purpose or narrative pop that would match the formal excellence of Scorsese's vision. They were for the most part empty gestures, giving one the suspicion that Scorsese had somehow lost his way.Advance word that Scorsese's next project would be a remake of the Hong Kong police drama "Infernal Affairs" generated a modicum of hope among fans of the director's earlier work. It seemed a canny move, as well as an odd sort of homecoming: Scorsese's work, with its highly stylized and daring camerawork and penchant for grizzly, explosive violence, has had a profound influence on Asian filmmaking. And the cast for "The Departed" - Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen and Jack Nicholson (especially Nicholson, who, strangely enough, had never worked with Scorsese) - only upped the ante and amplified expectations that a return to form was in the offing.
One Thanksgiving Day in the early 1980s, my in-laws and I were busy getting ready for the day's ritual when, without warning, the temperature dropped and the gas lines froze. Since our gas furnace was temporarily kaput, it meant the fireplace would have to be stacked high with plenty of logs to keep us warm.We needed to endure the cold outside because the bird was to be barbecued on the grill using my wife's new recipe. The recipe called for stuffing the turkey with cabbage, apples and a few other vegetables - sounded like a great combination. Thanksgiving's sights and smellsIt was indeed brisk outside as we proceeded to start the barbecue. After rearranging the coals for indirect cooking, the turkey was placed on the rack. The lid barely covered the big fowl. A smoke trail streamed straight up as far as our eyes could see as we nursed a round of martinis. The aroma was unlike any other at Thanksgiving that I could recall, but my wife thought it to be very pungent - a barnyard smell or worse!Nevertheless, it was time to serve. I managed to get the whole turkey onto a platter. It was not a photo-perfect specimen as the legs, wings and breasts completely fell off with no assistance.
On Nov. 4, 1943, Harriette Bowen celebrated her marriage to Joseph Frisino with a kiss on the steps of her mother's home.The Army sent 2nd Lt. Frisino to Seattle in March of '43 to work in the Alaska Communications System, only to find no quarters available. Seven young soldiers landed at an old Victorian home high on a hill in Leschi that belonged to the formidable Mrs. Bauer Bowen Knox. The unsuspecting soldiers were informed Seattle's "Fort Knox" would provide rooms until they were deployed overseas. But Joe and his accomplices found much more.Upon entering, Joe made it up only four steps when he saw Harriette above on the landing. Was it love at first sight, or the possibility of domestic charm as she dragged a vacuum behind her?Harriette, upon seeing Joe, stormed off to find her mother. Did the seven soldiers mounting the stairs with luggage mean she, a graduate of Garfield High School in 1940, was going to have to give up her room and share her mother's bedroom? War created strange bedfellows. When all were tucked neatly into rooms, Mrs. Knox, dubbed "The Colonel," and Harriette interviewed the fine, young soldiers. A party was organized, and select young ladies were invited. Of the six available bachelors that night, four couples set forth by "The Colonel" were eventually joined in wedded bliss.
With home purchases over a three-year period totaling more than $550 billion, unmarried women represent a growing - yet sometimes overlooked - segment of the homebuying population.A recent report from Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) examines this distinct group and their purchasing behavior. The findings are "striking," according to research analyst Rachel Bogardus Drew, the author of "Buying for Themselves: An Analysis of Unmarried Female Home Buyers."The role of unmarried women in homebuying is clearly strong and shows signs of continued growth and expansion, Drew reported. "Not only are unmarried women a large segment of the homebuying population, but they are fast-growing, too, increasing their share of homebuyers by 50 percent in eight years," she stated. Along with looking at the characteristics of unmarried women relative to other buyers, the researcher analyzed home-purchasing behavior and preferences and identified four subsets of this diverse and highly segmented group. Of 18 million homebuyers in the study (defined as purchasing their home in 2000-03), 3.7 million (about 20 percent) are identified as being headed by an unmarried female. Of these, about 1.5 million purchased their first home.
I have a fairly strict philosophy to not change Thanksgiving recipes. Not everyone feels this way, but those who do take comfort in knowing Thanksgiving Day will feature the same recipes they have been enjoying for most of their lives.Cranberry sauce or relish falls into this category. Most of us were introduced to cranberries by way of relish served for Thanksgiving dinner. Made fresh by simmering with sugar and a little orange zest or scooped out of a can, most people eat their cranberry relish with turkey and do not give these little berries a second thought.They deserve it, though.
At Café Soleil, along 34th Avenue in Madrona, on an October evening, a group of people are sitting around discussing how Madrona used to be. They mention race riots, Black Panther headquarters. One diner says, "No one would come visit me."Madrona is now one of Seattle's trendier neighborhoods, and once a month, a group of residents get together as the Madrona Dining & Sipping Society to share drinks, stories and food at one of seven restaurants in the area.'A life of its own'Audrey Seale, who started the group a couple of years ago, remembered when she first moved to the neighborhood as a young homeowner. After many years, she realized she didn't know all of her neighbors and began the club through the neighborhood's monthly newsletter."It has a life all its own," she said of the club.
The election results are a bit of a downer if you lean a bit right of the political center. Nationwide, the Democrats swept through, taking seats the Republicans had failed to keep.The trend continued in our own back yard. Democrat Sen. Maria Cantwell won a second term by a strong majority of 56 percent. Her Republican opponent, Mike McGa-vick, prevailed during the debates between him, Cantwell and Libertarian Bruce Guthrie. McGavick seemed like a smart statesman equipped for high office, reminiscent of George H.W. Bush.Despite his debate performance, McGavick failed to pick up on Cantwell's weak points and ran an ineffective campaign. Running on a campaign of "bringing civility back to Washington," it seemed he took more time criticizing the political atmosphere in Washington state than the record of the senator he was running against. McGavick maintained his civility in his concession speech, urging his audience to give Cantwell a round of applause. There were no tears in his eyes or any look of anger, and he seemed just as positive and happy as he did at the beginning of this campaign. Either McGavick is just a really happy guy, or he's a darn-good actor.
(This was previously submitted to the Washington State Department of Transportation on behalf of the Madison Park Community Council. It was written in response to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed expansion of the state Route 520 bridge.)The Madison Park Community Council (MPCC) has been actively involved in this project during and since the Trans-Lake Study Committee recommended expansion of the bridge as the primary means of increasing travel capacity across Lake Washington and, as such, is very familiar with the issues involved in the potential realignment and enlargement of the roadway. We, therefore, submit these comments based on a wealth of background knowledge and with the fervent hope that this project will do no further harm to our community over and above the negative impacts of the existing bridge.With the primary "do no harm" goal in mind, we would suggest that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) as issued is largely inadequate as it affects our community and, in fact, the other Seattle communities adjacent to the west end of the bridge, and would request that a Supplementary Impact Statement be prepared and issued to fully address two main issues: demand for a new bridge, and design options to adequately address the issues raised by a potential expansion/realignment of [SR] 520 at the Seattle end of the bridge.
Broadcasting right out of Leschi, KXPA 1540 AM provides a venue for a diverse host of shows aimed at a variety of communities in the Seattle area. KXPA is part of the much larger, nationwide Multicultural Broadcasting Radio network. It is one of 30 stations in owner Arthur Liu's empire of stations, which cater to minority and immigrant communities with programs in their native languages.Most of the stations have multi-language, "brokered" formats. That means they sell their airtime in "blocks," which are usually by the hour. The clients who buy time on the station are free to use it as they please, as long as it fits with federal regulations and restrictions.Those who buy time on KXPA have a choice to pre-record their shows or use the live studios that the station provides. "About half record at home, and half record here. A lot of people that buy a large block of time record their show at home," said Dennis Hartley, the station's operations manager.The station is a small operation, with only three employees working at the station. "This format is like public-access TV, but it's a business," Hartley said of the station. "You have to pay for time, but once you pay for the time, it's yours. You can talk about yo-yos for an hour."KXPA doesn't measure itself by ratings like other private radio stations; its staff worries more about selling airtime. "We don't live thinking we'll 'die by the rating.' As long as every hour is sold, we're in business," Hartley said.