Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #128: Holidays (slightly re-imagined)

It's December, isn't it? Normally, December is filled with parties, and lights, and presents, and snow, and song, and bells, and family celebration. This year, most of those things have been canceled. Due to government pandemic rules, Christmas concerts are not held. Normally, each year on the day after Christmas, I grab my violin and …

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What now for the performing arts?

Due to Government Edicts all over the United States and the entire world, performing arts organizations have essentially been prevented from staging their symphony concerts, big-band jazz concerts, chamber music performances, choral concerts, and even rock concerts, due to fears of spreading the Wuhan Coronavirus.  They range from world-class orchestras like the Seattle Symphony, the …

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Christmas Music, and celebrating Independence

Less than a year ago, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was granted Independence from the main body of Russian Orthodoxy. There is now an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church, with its own hierarchy, free of the Russian yoke. Even though I am a Jew, I love Christmas music, and one of my  main favorites has a new …

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Faces in a Crowd…of Accordions!

Notice all the faces in this group of accordion players getting ready for the big Accordion Parade down the main street of Leavenworth, Washington.  All ages, both sexes, no two alike. I'll bet you could not tell that the man at the right with his back to you and the LIAC t-shirt is blind.  Yes, …

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A Weekend at Jazz Port Townsend

Back in March, Hubby and I attended the After Midnight Gala auction for the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, a wonderful jazz Big Band.  At that auction, we bought a weekend package that included two nights of lodging, and tickets to Friday and Saturday concerts, the weekend of July 31.  Port Townsend is across Puget Sound …

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Some thoughts on the King County (WA) Ballot Proposition 1, “Sales tax for Cultural Access Program”

Here is the text of the ballot measure on the primary ballot in King County, Washington, that includes Seattle and surrounding suburbs. King County Proposition No. 1 Sales Tax for Cultural Access Program The King County Council passed Ordinance No. 18513 to establish and fund a cultural access program. The program would expand access to …

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Celebrate our Beautiful Country

Every day, I give thanks to have been born in the Greatest Country on God's Green Earth.  Our country is one of the most beautiful on Earth, with terrain ranging from blazing hot deserts, to grassy prairies, to high snow-capped mountains, to chains of beautiful blue lakes.  The American people are the most generous in …

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Weekly Photo Challenge…Harmony…My Heritage in Pictures, and Music

In 2007, my husband and I went to Israel with Michael Medved and his family (he is based and broadcasts from KTTH 770 Radio in Seattle).  One morning, I took a solitary walk to the Old City in Jerusalem, and visited the Western (Wailing) Wall, the remaining remnant of the Second Temple.  Jews come here …

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Optimistic!

I am the most optimistic when I am playing or listening to music.  It is a true gift to be able to play an instrument, and it's really difficult to be depressed or anxious while playing with your group.  Or listening to your husband's group!  Here are a couple of pictures from our trip to …

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