For me, the Olympic games were always a time to sit with my family and watch television for longer periods of time than usually allowed.

Gymnastics & Track & Field were the main staples.  Diving, Swimming, and Basketball made up the side dishes.

I remember how hard it was for me to watch the Women's Gymnastics.  I'd cringe and cover my eyes at every tumble.  If they fell, I felt a twinge in my stomach and a bit of embarrassment for them as they pulled themselves up and continued their routine. 

In rare moments, there were perfect performances.  There were those shining athletes who made it look so easy.  They made you forget how much time and training it took to get them there.  In some cases, the person who took gold wasn't the projected winner, but the "underdog".  An athlete whose name you didn't know yet, but in one stroke or tumble or second, you would.

I watched Track & Field in a time where the greats were eccentric. It was a time when long nails and gold shoes adorned the track.

This year, all the flash has gone.  The beauty is gone.  The physical performance is better than ever.  Athletes have evolved.  Our knowledge of the human body and it's capabilities has grown, allowing for better training.  Coaches are creating a sure proof victory, where silver is not an option.

And even though world records are being smashed at every race, the Olympics just don't seem the same.

I've learned a few things from this year's Olympics that, thankfully, I'd missed in my former years.

1) You can train anyone to win if you start at an early enough age.

2) That pride is directly related to the metal hanging around your neck.

3) Sportsmanship is attributed to how well you are doing in a competition.

4) No one is above cheating.

Olympic Games

Games held in ancient times on the plain of Olympia in Greece every four years. It was a time for laying aside political and religious differences, as athletes from all the Greek cities and districts competed. The games included patriotic and religious rituals as well as athletic contests, and high honors were given to the winners. The Greeks counted their years by olympiads (periods of four years) and dated events from the first Olympics in 776 b.c.

American Psychological Association (APA):

Chicago Manual Style (CMS):

Modern Language Association (MLA):

First, let's make things crystal clear.  Graffiti artists make art.  Taggers are gang members marking territory that they believe belongs to them. 

Art, many times, causes controversy. 

It doesn't have to be good art, either.  Many "bad" art pieces have gotten tons of publicity.

Graffiti artists do what they do for the notoriety. 

They take pride in placing their mark on hard to get to locations or highly trafficked places where everyone will see their work. 

The fact that people are writing in to a paper about their "art" is a euphoric high to them.  And it doesn't matter if the publicity is bad, publicity is publicity. 

They take photos of their work and share it with friends, on the internet.  They compete to see who can find that better spot. 

It takes talent.  They have to be quick, stealthy and accurate. 

It doesn't matter to them that it's someone's property. 

They have reasons and motives and purposes. 

Society may not agree with them, I may not agree with them...but that's just the point.  No one has to. 

They believe in what they are doing and it doesn't matter if it's legal or not.  Just like any illegal action, people will still do it. 

I suppose all you can do is appeal to their artist nature.

To Graffiti Artists Everywhere,

Please do not deface my property.  I'll buy you a piece of canvas and hang your art in my living room instead.  All of my friends will see it and think it's real cool.  Deal?

Sincerely,

Too Poor to Paint Again

What is it about a cool potato salad and a warm day that just seems perfect? 

I come from a long line of potato salad connoisseurs.  I have five aunts and one grandma who have perfected their recipes to a science.  Boil the eggs, peel the potatoes, add the secret ingredients, and stir.  Okay, to be plainly honest, I'm not quite sure what they use to make the "best batch ever" every time, but it works. And they make it look so easy!

I've never wanted to know this black magic they use. I was always content to enjoy the fruits (or potatoes) of their labor.  But, as I get older I realize that the most wonderful part of the potato salad is making it for your family.  I think it's time I learned from all of them, so that I'll be able to pass down the tradition to my children.

Enjoy your summer, your family, and don't forget the potato salad!

I want gas prices to go down.  Now, I'm not greedy.  I'm willing to accept that it's a business and some of the people involved in the oil industry are just hard-working people who want to feed their families chicken and rice and not lobster and caviar.  I get that. 

But, can't we just get back to the $3 and under gas?!  I recall last summer when my stomache dropped as the prices reached $2.99 a gallon.  Who ever thought I'd be longing for those days again? 

All right, the chances of real change happening within the scope of the fuel crisis is not likely.  I'd like to see cheaper "Hybrid" cars.  Or how about a better tax incentive for trading in gaz-guzzling giants aka SUV's?

Or maybe if we can't directly change the problem, let's be smart about our gas consumption.  Here are a few links that will make the gas-prices-gone-wild situation a little easier to bare:

Find the cheapest gas near you.

Give the Yakima Transit a try if you haven't already.  They've really expanded their routes and the system is better than ever. 

Yakima Transit

The world is a scary place without health insurance. 

I am absolutely for a Universal Health Care plan that operates something like Auto Insurance.  Here's why...

Sure, the government has a few "solutions" for the less fortunate who do not have the luxury that is health insurance.  But, are they really solutions?  Most importantly are they there for you when you need it?  And are they available for all people?

A few months ago I really needed to go to the dentist for my regular check-up, x-rays, and a good cleaning that only a slightly pissed-off and aggressive hygienist can give.

I called up my trusted local government-funded health-care facility hoping to access this social service for the first time in my life.  Much to my surprise, dismay, horror, and chagrin they were not accepting any patients.

And it's the only place in town to go to.  What a predicament.

My friend tried to go to this same place and had to sign-up on a list and wait all day to get called in.  She wanted her tooth pulled.  She took a day off of work and went down at 6am, signed up, waited all day, and they never called her name.  They told her to come back tomorrow.  She came in for three days straight and still they didn't call her name.  She was crying in the waiting room because of the pain and they still wouldn't see her.

Like me, my friend has a full-time job and we can't afford to take days off work to sit around hoping our name will be called.

This "solution" to health-care isn't a solution at all.

It's not all bad, I mean, I'm glad it's there.  Some people are actually getting the help they truly need. 

In my book, that isn't enough.

No more sitting around waiting for our names to be called.  We need a system that works for all people. 

It struck me that politics has become popular.  It's been given a hip and updated look. 

The White House has a new attitude and young people are getting more and more involved.

I was recently in a conversation with some friends about politics.  This wasn't your typical setting for "politico speak".  We were practically screaming our views on the matter over the thumping bass of "Play That Funky Music, White Boy" at a local club.

"Who are you voting for?"

"Obama!"

"My mama?!?"

"Noooo, OBAMA!"

"Oh!  You want another drink?"

And, I've always heard it was bad manners to ask a person who they are voting for. 

But, it seems gone are the days of political privacy.  Young people are so open and honest about whose little black box they'll be filling in on voting day.

It's become fashionable to sit and chat up what the candidates were wearing and to discuss who bumped who's fist over a latte.

Why are we getting involved, though?

Are we really personally vested in the outcome of this Presidential race?

Have we become concerned with the state of our country and the direction it's headed?

Or, does it matter why we're more involved and informed?  Is it good enough that we just are?

Whatever the reason, I've decided to do a series of blogs on the topic of politics. 

It's advantageous, I know.  I'm surprising myself at the level of interest I have in the matter. 

Maybe it's just that the candidates are getting younger.   God forbid, maybe it's a sign of getting older.

Art is powerful. 

To have the ability to pick up a pen, brush, or mouse (for you digital artists), and create something tangible from thought, is extraordinary. 

Too often, we forget to notice the cultural art that is all around us in the Yakima Valley. 

Make a plan to visit a museum or stroll through an art show and appreciate the abundance of local talent.  The Toppenish Western Art Show, held August 15-17, 2008, is a great event to discover new and seasoned artists.

You might just find yourself moved. (And not just off the couch, either.)

My name is Hazel and I work at the Toppenish office of the Review Independent. I also enter the classified ads and community events and school events too.



I try to get all the obituaries in if I receive them by email. I put in the volunteer opportunities and generally try to get these updated by Thursdays each week.



I would sure like to know what you think of how this site looks and if you have any hints or helps as to make it better.



Thanks