From the Publisher’s Desk

From the Publisher’s Desk: The joy of being present

Before my grandson Reese was born, several friends told me about the joy of being a grandparent. I was skeptical — how could it be that special? Now, almost two years in, nothing could have prepared me for way this role — and the unconditional love for this little boy — fills my heart. The…

From the Publisher’s Desk: Saying farewell to the Sound Live Sports Network

A year and a half ago, I wrote a column about how our efforts to live stream local high school sporting events were being compromised by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA), which governs high school sports in our state. At the time, I said this: “I am certain nothing will change as a result…

From the Publisher’s Desk: All the news that’s fit to print post

I’ve been thinking a lot about print journalism these days, and what the future holds. I remember being 10 years old in my hometown of Ellensburg and creating my own “magazine,” using sheets of paper and a pencil. I remember my mother — a news junkie in the best sense — reading the Seattle Post-Intelligencer…

From the Publisher’s Desk: Support our work, get this cool car sticker

Dear Readers: Since I made my appeal in July asking for voluntary subscriptions to My Edmonds News, MLTnews and Lynnwood Today, I have been gratified by the responses. I have nearly 125 new online subscribers, bringing us close to 300 total. In addition, dozens more have sent subscriptions or one-time contributions through the mail and…

From John Oliver: This is why local news matters

John Oliver from HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” had a lot to say in his Aug. 7 show about the state of the news industry. We’ve excerpted some key points here, and encourage you to subscribe today to the only news organization in South Snohomish County that sends a reporter to Edmonds City Council, Lynnwood City…

From the Publisher’s Desk: Shopping on Prime Day? Make sure to use our link

Amazon Prime Day is this Tuesday, July 12. If you are planning to shop for deals on that day — or on any day — here’s a reminder to use this link — and help support Lynnwood Today writers, photographers, editors, designers and technical support folks. We get a small commission on your purchase(s), although…

From the Publisher’s Desk: Anyone want to buy a website?

While this title is a bit sensational, it is in part, true. My Edmonds News and sister sites MLTnews and Lynnwood Today, are “for sale.” Let me explain. This October, I will mark my seventh anniversary publishing My Edmonds News. (I acquired MLTnews and Lynnwood Today a few years later after the founders of those…

From the Publisher’s Desk: Are you ready?

Last year, one of our readers made a comment that got me thinking. It was after a wind storm hit our area particularly hard, uprooting trees and knocking down power lines. Some folks were without power for more than 24 hours. She mentioned that many people aren’t prepared to survive simple power outages, let alone…

From the Publisher’s Desk: Beyond 5 Ws and the H

This Friday, I’ll drive to Ellensburg for my high school reunion. I can’t comprehend it’s been 40 years since that rite of passage, which launched me out of my small-town comfort zone into college and career in the “big city” of Seattle. I credit my high school journalism teacher, Steve Rogers, for inspiring me to…

From the Publisher’s Desk: No exit strategy here

Last week, an acquaintance of mine from North Carolina, publisher of two online community news sites there, surprised the online publishing community when he announced that, after nine years, he was ceasing publication, effective immediately. After reading David Boraks’ farewell message, I have to say that his reasons for leaving weren’t at all surprising. In…

From the Publisher’s Desk: Everyone needs a dugout

My son played baseball from T-ball through college, and I became very familiar with the camaraderie that developed among the players sitting in the dugout. Not only did those players cheer on their teammates and engage in (mostly) good-natured heckling of their opponents, they also became problem-solvers, helpers and even arbitrators of unacceptable behavior. Over…

From the Publisher’s Desk: Connecting the dots

I used to be a busy parent of young children and I remember the juggling act between working full-time, preparing meals, helping the kids with homework, driving them to sports practices, meeting with their teachers, taking them to the dentist, and on and on. I barely paid attention to anything outside that family- and work-focused…

From the Publisher’s Desk: True confessions about the lousy job I do

For the past five years, I have been able to wake up each day and say, without reservation, that I love my job. I’m able to write about the community where I’ve lived for 30 years, where neighbors and friends kept a watchful eye as my kids grew up and celebrated their transition into successful,…

From the Publisher’s Desk: What Little League dreams are made of

In the past, I’ve tried — and failed — to make a publisher’s column part of my regular routine. I was inspired though by a reader who — like me — was watching our local Pacific Little League team, representing the Northwest Region, play its inaugural game in the Little League World Series Thursday. When…