Posted inColumns, Uncategorized

‘Misery makes strange bedfellows’: The magically contemporary message of ‘The Tempest’

At the Thunder River Theatre Company (TRTC), “The Tempest” begins with a roar and a crash. While Prospero, played by Jeff Carlson, magically conjures up a storm, Prospero’s ocean-tossed enemies are disgorged from the bowels of the theatre itself, appearing through a trap door. As they writhe and struggle to hang onto their sinking ship, cries ring down from dark catwalks encompassing the ceiling. Thunder crashes from all sides, the darkened theatre rumbling and shaking the audience.

Posted inColumns, Uncategorized

Seeking Higher Ground: Of painting, pikas and politics

Right now, I’m pursuing two long-deferred callings: writing a personal column and becoming a fine-art painter. Those two activities feel like yin and yang, emotionally balancing the scales: painting is a right-brain activity, writing is left-brain. When I’m writing, my mind is full of words. I never miss a publication deadline. While I’m painting, mind chatter disappears. I lose track of time. I sometimes even miss meals.

Posted inOpinion, Uncategorized

Ps & Qs: Living with our past

Research shows that humans may be born with our ancestors’ emotional experiences already imprinted in our genetic makeup. I mean, if we inherit things like eye color, bone structure, and mannerisms, why not emotional conditioning? In theory, this would make each generation better than the last, giving us the psychological tools to cope with anything our ancestors had already overcome.

Posted inLetters, Uncategorized

Thanks to the BLM

Dear Editor: I am writing to commend the Bureau of Land Management for finalizing their long- awaited rules to reduce methane and other pollutants from oil and gas development on public lands. By acting to reduce venting, flaring and leaks from both current and future projects, BLM is setting an important precedent for strong action on all sources of oil and gas waste and pollution and helping create a level playing field for energy development.

Gift this article