The Changing Faces of the Season Decorate Tacoma's Downtown Streets

(Note: This blog was originally posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 at a reader-generated blog at The News Tribune of Tacoma, WA. )

Above: Looking at passing traffic on Pacific Avenue from the
Tacoma Art Museum. Photo by Mizu Sugimura, copyright 2007.

After visiting town earlier today to attend the 8th annual South Sound Technology Conference, "The Blogging Boom: How News, Private Enterprise, Parenting and Civic Action have Changed Online Journaling" co-sponsored by US Congressmen Adam Smith and Norm Dicks in Carwein Auditorium at UW Tacoma, featuring among others: The News Tribune's own executive editor David Zeeck and assistant managing editor for Interactive News Mark Briggs, there was a bit of sun on hand.

Now, I'm hoping to blog about the conference, but there was so much information that it is taking a bit longer to digest. So I'm going to offer this little diversion. All it takes is a brief interval of gloriously welcomed warmth to give this local blogger both the energy and most importantly incentive to take one last (native optimism!) short stroll along my all-time favorite face of the City of Destiny which is the walk between campus and the Broadway Theatre district before the real cold of winter sets in.

I hope you'll enjoy this jaunt as much as I did.

Above: This artsy couple outside 1148 Broadway
showcases Asian theater traditions from Japan
(Grandfather mask, left) and Korea (Bride's mask,
right). Photo by Mizu Sugimura, copyright 2007.

Above: Detail of Grandfather mask. Photo by
Mizu Sugimura, copyright 2007.

Tacoma's Asia Pacific Culturan Center Showcases Women Artists While Facilitating On-Going Goal of Meaningful Cultural Exchanges

Above: Watercolor and Chinese ink artist, Patsy Surh O'Connell by one
of her own exquisite compositions. Photo by Mizu Sugimura, copyright
2007.

(This earlier blog was orginally posted on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at a reader-generated site maintained by The News Tribune of Tacoma, WA.)

How the practice of art facilitates meaningful cultural exchanges between South Sound residents and China was the topic of conversation at Tacoma's Asia Pacific Cultural Center, 938 Broadway, in the heart of the downtown theatre district. Members of a group of local residents who toured China last October with a group led by the center's Patsy Surh O'Connell and Amy Sie have been part of such a dialogue.

One of the highlights of the tour included a five-day exhibition of art by women artists from Washington State and their counterparts in China organized by the center. Both China travelers and participating artists were invited to gather at an informal welcome home reception this evening from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. to enjoy stories and photos from the journey to Yangzhou, China.

Above: The crowd at tonight's opening show at APCC gathers for a
presentation. Photo by Mizu Sugimura, copyright 2007.

Tacoma Show Highlights South Sound Artist Who Hopes To Initiate Dialogue On Alzheimers and Other Memory Loss Issues

Above: "Deconstructing Alzheimers" a mixed media collage by local artist Mizu Sugimura is part of a current exhibition at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in Tacoma, WA. Copyright 2007 by Mizu Sugimura.

(This blog was originally published on Thursday, December 6, 2007 at a reader-generated site at The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA.)

In the summer of 2000, a few months after my mother's 75th birthday I became aware that she was dealing with possible memory loss issues. My husband and I received a call. Mom was having car trouble. Since we were already planning to visit her that day on the east side of Lake Washington where she used to live, could we look into it?

The way she told it, she was unable to get the car to start after taking it to a nearby store. She had done a little shopping, come out and tried to start the vehicle, but it wouldn't work So she had locked the vehicle and walked about a mile and a half to her home.

My spouse took our car up to the shopping center where Mom had left her vehicle. When he called back his voice was rather puzzled. He'd found the car. He used the spare keys she had given to enter the automobile, but when he did so, he discovered her keys were in the ignition. However minor, this was a jolting experience the first of many such incidents that subsequently signaled with increasing intensity that things were not the same in the heretofore busy and independent life of the matriarch of our family.

Kirkland's Jack Spencer:Encouragement From A Good Teacher Is All That's Needed To Bolster A Student For A Lifetime

(This blog was originally posted on Thursday, December 6, 2007 at a reader-generated site at The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA.)

Being in the middle-aged bracket, my attention wanders over to the obituaries section of the local newspaper more frequently than say when I was a youth. A few weeks ago, the death of the mother of a family known to my folk's from many years past was listed.

This last weekend I happened to notice an announcement that the wife of one of my high school teachers had passed away. As I graduated from high school in the early 70's, it has been some time since I've indulged myself in memories from that era when I answered to the first name of good old Jane.

Above: Front page of personal letter from former Kirkland teacher Jack Spencer.

However, as this particular high school teacher who has only recently lost his beloved wife of 63 years was a favorite, it's not difficult to remember being a student in one of Jack Spencer's classes at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, WA. Prior to my becoming a student in his English class, I did not particularly enjoy writing. My handwriting was and still is terrible. Writing anything was extremely difficult for me until the seventh grade when I learned to type.

Even with a typewriter, I was still not overly fond of writing. Essays and book reports were difficult compounded by the fact I scarely could remember what I read. For years I had to read and re-read my texts before a test hoping and praying that somehow something could be recalled by my subconscious mind. If I disliked the subject it was worse. I would start to forget what I read as I read.

A Photo Editorial:; Honoring The Heroes of Pearl Harbor While Being Mindful

Above: Detail of a collage by Mizu Sugimura conveying the result of the bombing at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, stopped the clock for her father's Japanese-American family.

(This blog was orginally posted on Friday, December 7, 2007 at at reader-generated site at The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA.)

Memorial celebrations and big parades are wonderful vehicles to build community. On more serious occasions such as the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, it's appropriate to take a moment of silence to honor and show respect for the suffering and sacrifice of both those people who went through this horrific event as well as those whose lives would subsequently be forever touched by the terrible war which followed.

Above: The bombing at Pearl Harbor was mirrored by the subsequent explosion of Japanese-American community life up and down the West Coast of the U.S. In many areas, their subsequent removal resulted in the permenent eliminationa of a once vibrant retail and social community such as Nihon Machi (Japan Town) in our own city of Tacoma, which could never be recovered.

As a child of individuals interned in the US governments wartime internment camps during World War II, it was a painful observance as well. It was was not marked with the same kind of fervor in the household where I grew up as in the outside world. This had nothing to do with the patriotic allegiance of my folks or my family of whom a number actually fought in World War II for our country and were among the veterans whose sacrifice we annually noted. From my position on the universal floor it is possible for one to see the anniversary in a different light from a very minority view.

Above: Detail of this collage illustrates the dilemna of native born Japanese-American soldiers during World War II who volunteered to serve and fight for our country even as they and their immigrant parents were imprisoned behind barbed wire. The young man in the image is my father, who was drafted in WW II but completed term of military service in the US Army after the Japanese surrendered. Copyright 2007 by Mizu Sugimura.

So today, I'm taking the liberty to share more images from several pieces I created to try to communicate the ambiguity of this unusual position, which may be something along the lines of what people from other ethnic cultures say, for example from certain Middle Eastern countries are feeling when they read headlines in the media today in regards to events of other battlefields. My appeal is for those fellow citizens who value the occasional opportunity to be mindful of both what is being said in our society out-loud as well as what may not be spoken just as loudly.

All Work & No Play Make Santa A Dull Boy

Above: In Koloa, Kauai, where the some of the hardworking have been spotted today getting ready to go and play. Photo by M. Sugimura, copyright 2007.

(This blog was originally posted on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 at a reader-generated site at The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA.)

Isn't it nice to know that while the skies above us here in the great Pacific Northwest are at their grayest best, there's always a place somewhere in the world where the weather is always a little bit sunnier and warm. I'll bet this gentleman and his crew (yes, I've got it on good authority he takes the Mrs. and the elves) are quite pleased right now. Aloha!

Warm & Sunnhy Greetings Of Holiday Aloha

Above: If one scene summed up holiday spirits in the islands in a single sweep, it might be this welcoming image on display in Kauai's north coast town of Hanalei. Photo by Mizu Sugimura, copyright 2007.

(This blog was originally posted Tuesday, December 25, 2007 at a reader-generated site at The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA.)

Having spent all of my winter holidays in the Pacific Northwest, what people do in other places to remind them of the season is of great interest. During a recent visit to the Hawaiian islands, the following pictures were snapped which will add some diversity to my heretofore regionally specific seasonal memories. I hope you enjoy!

Above: Buddha with a Splash! Hanalei's history with the 60's counterculture is evident in this seasonal nod to East/West fusion decor. Photo by M. Sugimura, copyright 2007.

Above: Two of Santa's raindeer greet holiday shoppers at Kauai's busy Kukui Grove Shopping Center in appropriate island attire. Photo by Mizu Sugimura, copyright 2007.

Above: Chabad of Hawaii is credited with this lovely menorah on display at the main airport terminal lobby in beautiful Lihue, Kauai. Photo by Mizu Sugimura, copyright 2007.

Above: Do snowmen live on Kauai? This gentleman in front of a busy shopping mall in Hanalei seems to think so. Photo by Mizu Sugimura, copyright 2007.

Above: Holiday decor in the tropics takes on a slightly different twist for visitors from the cooler climates of the Pacific Northwest. This island homeowner has their best this year to make sure no worthwhile theme's been left out! Photo by Mizu Sugimura, copyright 2007.

Kiddies Bored? Retrieve Those Gift Boxes & Wrapping Paper From the Wastepaper Basket!

(This blog was originally posted on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 at a reader-generated site at The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA.)

As my son, who is well past the age when he needed to be entertained after opening holiday gifts, I'm passing on this project for any younger parent looking for an idea or anyone feeling trapped by the off again, on again weather we are having today.

The black and white picture of the homemade dollhouse below is one I created a number of years ago as a model for some elementary school art-in-the-classroom visits I was making in my hometown of Federal Way, WA during the early 1990's. Houses were constructed from corrugated cardboard boxes from the grocery store. While furnishings were made from a variety of household containers including small gelatin boxes, checkbook boxes, and the short cardboard rolls that toilet paper is wound.

Above: Cardboard and paper dollhouse made of recycled boxes and containers found in most households. Created by Mizu Sugimura. Photo copyright 2007 by Mizu Sugimura.

Decorator "fabric" and household accessories can be made with plain paper and color crayons, wrapping papers, scrapbooking supplies, ribbons, buttons, beads and pictures cut from old magazines. All it takes is scissors, paste, time and whatever imagination you or your youngsters bring to the table.

When I was taking the project around I called it "Miniature Mania". If you don't have enough of the crazies around your house, I'll recommend it for that purpose too!

Another Project For Bored Kidsk - Make Your Own Decorated Paper!

Above: Sample of marbled paper made by Mizu Sugimura using caliigraphy inks on a shaving cream base. Photo copyright Mizu Sugimura 2007 .

(This blog was originally posted Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at a reader-generated site at The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA.)

Note: in connection with a recent blog on how to make a paper dollhouse from a corrugated cardboard box and decorate with recycled castoffs from what you have at home, for parents looking for ideas on how to entertain the kiddies during the winter break, I offer a yet a second idea. Decorate your own paper! We've all used crayons, some of us have done potato printing and printing using stamps made from styrofoam meat liners. But have you raided the bathroom cabinet for one of the best paper decorating ideas of all - grab that can of shaving cream!

Citizen Activism At Work In Recent Koloa Tree Demolition Protest

Above: Black and white illustrated poster in downtown Koloa store window last week informs passersby of monkeypod and developer related issue. Photo by Mizu Sugimura, copyright 2007.

Last week, as a tourist visiting the island of Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands, I became interested in a local protest which brought community activists in the area to the aid of a belt of historic Monkeypod trees which are said to be fifty to a hundred years old along Koloa's major downtown retail corridor.

Thanks to the work of creative men and women among this group, it would be difficult to ignore the homemade crosses and signs erected along the property line in question and posters and related flyers in local shops directly across from the proposed development. One helpful website is at: http://homepage.mac.com/juanwilson/islandbreath/

I took a number of pictures over a period of days of a standing, visual demonstration alerting passersby and shoppers to the possible upcoming demolition of these tress said to be over a hundred years old in some cases, which has been proclaimed by activists to be as imminent as January 2, 2008, and was on hand and several feet behind local reporter/photographer Dennis Fujimoto from The Garden Island newspaper who was visiting the site on Tuesday, December 18, 2008, to photograph demonstrators and cover the story for the next day's edition.

What is particularly remarkable to myself was the speed and organization involved by local foes of the tree demolition who mounted a whirlwind publicity campaign to inform the general public of the particulars and the use of the Internet and local blogs in the area for the same purpose. Clearly, technological advancements in this area are a boost to persons living in smaller localities as well as larger national forums in regards of having a louder voice in the important economic and political decision making process of the day.

Bloggers Can Seize Own Health Care Reins

After viewing the latest health-oriented infomercials on the tube, did it ever cross your mind that if the proverbial Madison Avenue thought she could make money for selling you a cure an appropriate medical condition/disease would be readily invented?

My fellow bloggers - especially those with an inventive bent, were you fully aware when you began this activity may be hazardous for your health? Are you prepared? Have you done your research? Have you taken necessary precautions?

While the iron's hot, the time is perfect to make a preemptive strike! There's a whole new market out there that you can reach out and tap! Nutritional supplements to fortify the immune systems of those who post? Designer energy beverages? How about lotions or creams for bruised, battered and chapped fingers formulated with the seasonal winter or midnight/early morning poster in mind?

You can see that the possibilities are positively endless and this bit of spin was all made possible this morning when browsing brick and mortar press sites on the Internet when I came across this article at the New York Times posted today by Dan Fost entitled Some Brand-Name Bloggers Say Stress of Posting Is a Hazard to Their Health.

According to Fost, a brand-name journalist/blogger by the name of Om Malik who regularly breaks news about the tech industry on his blog GigaOm suffered a heart attack possibly due to the stress of having to post in late December 2007. Read more in the NY Times about the possible crisis facing bloggers at the top of their game.

While I'm not anywhere in the universe by any stretch of the imagination even light-years near or ever will be a blogger of Malik's great reputation, my first satisfied thought after seeing this piece after returning to my computer after taking a week or more off from this blog was "I just knew I took this break just for my heath."

The plane of relief and mellow moment that followed was all too brief as my second thought was "Oh No!" and I had to fight off the urge to rush to mirror to check my complexion and dash to my closet and retry-on my latest pair of jeans.

So we live in interesting times and my other name is Pollyanna, but why should corporate drug companies and the advertising industry benefit? Bloggers - the power lies in our own hands. Forget panting for endless hours after too distant Internet sponsors or a break-the-bank deal for a corporate advertising contract.

Consider the dollars that can be generated by herbal scented air fresheners for ecology-minded among us who think green. Breath mints for political-minded blogger a must during election years. Specially designed contoured seat pads...