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