Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 2014)
Local News 2014 Seattle Reads Features ‘For All of Us, One Today’ By Richard Blanco In 1998, The Seattle Public Library launched a program to get Seattleites read- ing and discussing the same book. “Seattle Reads” is now an annual event and has been widely emulated in cities, states and coun- tries around the world. In the sixteenth year of the series, The Seattle Public Library will feature “For All of Us, One Today: An Inaugural Poet’s Jour- ney” by Richard Blanco. Blanco will visit Seattle in late April 2014 to talk with readers about his book. Details and a schedule of events will be announced in January. In this brief and evocative memoir, Blanco tells the story of the call from a White House committee and all the exhilaration and upheaval of the days that followed. Chosen to serve as the fifth United States inaugural poet, he followed in the footsteps of lumi- naries Robert Frost and Maya Angelou. Blanco presented “One Today,” an original poem he wrote for the occasion, becoming the youngest, first Latino, first immigrant and first openly gay writer to hold the honor. Blanco writes of developing a new, emo- tional understanding of what it means to be Blanco was born in Madrid in 1968, immigrating as an infant with his Cuban- exile family to the United States. He was raised and educated in Miami, earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in creative writing. Blanco has been an engineer, writer, poet and teacher. He currently resides in Bethel, Maine. He has published three previous collections of poetry. ‘Seattle Reads’ deepens read- ers’ appreciation of and engagement in literature, cre- ates community around read- ing, and promotes conversation between readers and writer, friends and family. It is made possible by The Seattle Public Library Foundation, with support from The Wallace Foundation, media sponsors KUOW 94.9 Public Radio and The Seattle Times, and Beacon Press. For more information about “Seattle Reads,” call the Washington Center for the In this brief and evocative memoir, Blanco tells the story of the call from a White House committee and all the exhilaration and upheaval of the days that followed an American. He reveals the inspiration and challenges behind the creation of the inau- gural poem “One Today,” as well as two other poems commissioned for the occasion and included in the book, with translations of all three poems into his native Spanish. Richard Blanco Book at The Seattle Public Library at 206- 386-4650. Bae Family Appalled Rodman Won't Help Detained Man By Doug Esser Associated Press SEATTLE (AP) — The sister of a Wash- ington man imprisoned in North Korea says she's worried that Dennis Rodman, who is in the country to celebrate the birthday of leader Kim Jong Un, is hurting efforts to free her brother. Terri Chung said Wednesday his family couldn't believe what Dennis Rodman has said about Kenneth Bae. In a CNN inter- view Tuesday, Rodman said he refused to discuss Bae with North Korean leaders and implied Bae may deserve to be imprisoned. Rodman and other former NBA players played in an exhibition game Wednesday in Pyongyang and Rodman sang a verse from a birthday song to Kim. Chung said her brother did nothing wrong and that Rodman didn't know what he was talking about. “Clearly, he's uninformed and doesn't know anything about Kenneth or his detain- ment. I don't think he has any authority to speak or pass judgment on Kenneth, cer- C O M tainly,” Chung said. Bae's family has tried to reach Rodman or his agent without success, Chung said. “He made it clear he doesn't want to help. My concern is he's hurting the cause,” she said. “He doesn't know what he's talking about.” it's doing everything it can to free Bae, but Chung is not aware of anything in the works. Bae was born in South Korea and immi- grated to the United States in 1985 with his parents and sister. He attended the Universi- ty of Oregon and lived in the Seattle suburb In a CNN interview Tuesday, Rodman said he refused to discuss Bae with North Korean leaders and implied Bae may deserve to be imprisoned Bae, 45, was arrested in November 2012 while leading a tour group. He was accused of crimes against the state and sentenced to 15 years hard labor. He was moved to a hos- pital last summer in poor health. The State Department has told the family M U N I T of Lynnwood, where his mother, Myunghee Bae, now lives. Chung lives in nearby Edmonds. Bae was allowed to call home Dec. 29 because of the holidays, Chung said. It was the first time his three children Y C A L E N from an earlier marriage have spoken to him, she said. He has two in Arizona and another in Hawaii, ages 17, 22 and 23, Chung said. Before his arrest, Bae lived in China for seven years with his wife and stepdaughter. He ran a tour business and led 18 trips to North Korea, Chung said. “He worked there legally. He had official permission to be there. He had business relations,” she said. Nothing was amiss until his arrest, appar- ently related to his religion, she said. “He is a man of faith, and I'm afraid his Christian faith has been deemed hostile against the state,” Chung said. The family is concerned about his health as well as his freedom. He has diabetes, an enlarged heart and a back injury that pre- vents him for standing more than 30 min- utes at a time. They're glad he's in the hospital, rather than the labor camp, but want him released. “We want him well and back home,” Chung said. D A R S EATTLE 2014 12TH MAN TO MAKE SOME NOISE AT SEATTLE’S CENTRAL LIBRARY. Everyone is welcome to watch the game. There is no admission and seating is first come, first serve. The auditorium opens at 1 p.m. kick-off is around 1:30 p.m. Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave. Seattle, WA If you have an event you want to share with the community, email it two weeks in advance to The Skanner at info@theskanner.com Friday January 10 SAY IT LOUD! LIVE AND UNEDITED BLACK MUSICAL PERFRORMANCE. This evening of live, unedited and uncensored black music will feature simple, powerful and authentic performances featuring these local talents. $12 at the door/$10in advance/$7 for students and seniors. 7 p.m. Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave. Seattle, WA 98122 Saturday January 11 Page 2 The Seattle Skanner January 8, 2014 Sunday January 12 100TH ANNIVERSAY CELEBRATION FOR THE QUEEN ANNE BRANCH LIBRARY. Festivities will include crafts, historical photos, vintage clothing and much more. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Seattle Public Library – Queen Anne Branch, 400 N. Garfield St. Seattle, WA 98119 Wednesday January 15 JUICE AND JAMMIES STORYTIME. Come celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Barnes & Noble store in Olympia. 1530 Black Lake Blvd. Olympia, WA 98502 7 p.m. Thursday January 16 SEATTLE CENTRAL TO HOST COMMUNITY FORUM: PROSED CUTS TO METRO WILL BE DISCUSSED. A community forum on public transportation featuring a panel discussion with representatives from around the Seattle area. Two sessions will be held: Noon – 2 p.m. and 4 – 6 p.m. Broadway Performance Hall: 1625 Broadway on the campus of Seattle Central Community College. Saturday January 18 WET WALK IN THE WOODS. Dress warm, wear your rubber boots and join us at Brightwater for an exploration of the woods in winter. Perfect for families with children. 10 a.m. – noon. Brightwater Center, 22505 State Route 9 SE, Woodinville, WA CELEBRATE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR’S LEGACY PLANTING. Commemorate the legacy of Martin Luther king, Jr. by planting a tree to celebrate peace and diversity in our world. 1 – 4 p.m. Discovery Park, 3801 W. Government Way, Seattle, WA 98199
