As a black belt, I will do my best always to... Continue

"What are my goals upon having reached black belt for my future training and learning?"

Two years ago during a time of huge emotional challenges for me, Gail was a stalwart and patient friend. She was a shoulder to lean on, an ear to hear, a voice kindly directing. She offered no value judgments on the feelings I encountered and shared on any given day during this tumultuous time--just the acceptance that they were what they were. Even today, some two years later, when those intense emotions resurface, she knows exactly what they are, and she usually can divine the reason for… Continue

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This category includes many people & groups. It is my way of expressing gratitude, admiration, and thanks to those who regularly provide services to the children and families of our community. A community of heros that enrich our lives and nurture our children with compassion & caring. Continue

High school theater was a lesson in teamwork, dedication, focus, perseverance, and "practice makes perfect. George Demas was the extraordinary Mt. Desert Island high school theater director that changed the lives of a generation of teenagers. He cared about the kids, but never hesitated to push individuals to work way outside the boundaries they were comfortable with. He provided the chance for the teenagers to break out of their self-imposed, and group-established personas--to be something… Continue

This hero is very special to me--my mom. Continue

My jobs have always required that I be familiar with a broad range of topics ranging from technical infrastructure to business protocols and procedures. In the early 90s, the new challenge at hand was to decipher, write, and negotiate Internet services contracts. While not as difficult as insurance policies, they were dense and had their own quirky nuances especially since the Internet was at this time just starting to emerge beyond the science & research communities. It was during this… Continue

I grew up in Bar Harbor, Maine. Bar Harbor is known mostly as a tourist destination, gateway to Acadia National Park. But it is also home to a world-renowned genetics research lab--The Jackson Lab. Our Bar Harbor neighbors, the Chai's, were here because Dr. Chai worked at the lab. Their daughter, Jean was and remains a best friend of mine. It is Dr. Chai that I am writing about today. Continue

Randy Gardner, Episcopal priest and former Rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church here on Mercer Island. Continue

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Spoke this past week with another person at MI Youth and Family Services. At this point, they have my name on a 'to call' list if they have miscellaneous projects they need help with as well as the annual "Giving From the Heart" breakfast, which this year will be at 7am on Wednesday Feb. 9th. In addition, I am now waiting to hear from the exec director about possibly joining the advisory council. Continue