Jean Godden

Jean Godden wrote columns first for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and late for the Seattle Times. In 2002, she quit to run for City Council where she served for 12 years. Since then she published a book of city stories titled “Citizen Jean.” She is now co-host of The Bridge aired on community station KMGP at 101.1 FM. You can email tips and comments to Jean at jgodden@blarg.net.

All Hail, Caesar!

Many years later Caesar salad finally arrived in the provinces. In my case, I would first savor a Caesar salad during a 1970s family reunion in Powell, Wyoming.

Old, A Concept

“Old” is also described in the OED as “great, plentiful, abundant” and “existing from an earlier period; long established, associated with a classical time.” Shakespeare used “old” to mean “rare.”

“Incurring the Wrath of a Holy God”: Alabama Court Redefines “Children”

The court’s ruling, which rattled reproductive medicine practitioners across the country and shut down in vitro fertilization (IVF) operations in Alabama, is not only unscientific but absurd.

Kristin Hannah’s New Novel: The Cost of Being a War Heroine

This book is arguably local author Hannah’s finest of the more than 20 historical novels she has authored.  In her latest work, the reader closely follows a 20-year-old nursing graduate intent on serving her country in Vietnam.

Lenny: The Maestro Behind “The Maestro”

The New York expats (composers, lyricists, producers, most with Jewish backgrounds) would play elaborate word games and engage in scavenger hunts with insanely difficult clues. Mary Rodgers describes Bernstein and Sondheim winning at anagrams by turning 10-letter words like harmonicas into maraschino. 

A Fond Farewell to Vito’s, a Seattle Icon

Vito's on First Hill was the well-loved stomping ground of attorneys, judges, politicians, labor leaders, sport stars, and priests. The restaurant also housed ghosts from long-ago Seattle.

No Surprise: Community Activist Woo Fills a City Council Vacancy

Tanya Woo, promptly sworn in following Tuesday’s vote, insisted that, even though she had been picked not from a district but for a city-wide seat, her neighborhood-honed priorities were unchanged.

Heroic Achievement: Jonathan Raban’s Last Best Book

When a rehab doctor had dismissively referred to him as “someone who used to be a writer,” he insisted he still was a writer. Indeed he was. Despite his handicaps, slowly and painfully, he resorted to voice-activated software to complete "Father and Son."

Under New Management: New City Council President Sara Nelson’s Agenda

Nelson says she expects the council “to define the specific outcomes expected from service providers and measure their performance regularly.” Her challenge: “We must have the political will to evaluate and change course if necessary.” Sounds like austerity ahead.

Report Card: Progress for Women in 2023

Looking at that area of interest this past year, I’d have to say that 2023 was a case of one step forward and one or two backwards. There were notable gains but worrisome setbacks as well.

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