PENINSULA PROFILE: Nordland man launches old boats into new lives
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NORDLAND — When he was 8 years old, Marty Loken spent the summer living with his family in a remote cabin on the Quinault Indian Reservation, in a southwestern reach of the Olympic Peninsula.
The year was 1950, and Marty’s father and his Uncle Lester, who owned a lumber mill in the Ballard district of Seattle, had purchased a timber lease on the reservation. While the men toiled in the woods cutting down massive cedars, Marty, his sister and his mother explored the rain forest.
His mother, Pat Loken, was a freelance feature writer who wrote for of The Seattle Times’ Sunday magazine.
After hearing about a Quinault canoe carver who was working in the rain
Source: Peninsula Daily
A twist of creativity
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In Naoko Hayashi’s delicate hands, paper twine becomes flowers, butterflies, animals, birds and boats.
The art of mizuhiki goes back more than 1,400 years when the Japanese delegate to China brought back a gift box to the Japanese emperor with a red and white twine decoration symbolizing a safe journey.
This began a tradition of using the knot-like decoration on gifts. Later, samurai warriors wore top knots in their hair and umbrellas were made of mizuhiki paper because it was strong and waterproof. At first, only the royal family would practise the art form but later other craftspeople and artists used the material to make other items, including the traditional bride’s hair clip.
Source: Vernon Morning Star
Recent failures makes this year's success sweeter for Blues
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The video game Pac-Man was introduced to the public in 1980. The social network Facebook was launched in 2005. It goes to show you, a lot of things can change in 25 years.
But for 25 consecutive seasons, the St. Louis Blues did not. For 25 consecutive years, from 1980 through 2004, the Blues made the NHL playoffs. And for 25 consecutive years, they lost in the playoffs. General manager Doug Armstrong is keenly aware of both, the streak and the culture.
"The heck with just making the playoffs," Armstrong said. "Our goal is to win the playoffs."
The Blues embark on the mission when they play host to the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the Stanley Cup tournament on Thursday. Armstrong's sentiments reflect how far the team has come and how far it still hopes to travel. They reflect a distinct direction for a franchise that a few years ago was lost in the woods.
Source: STLtoday.com