Meet Julie Andrews: Actress, Singer, and Author

On Saturday, April 28, 2012, my girls and I had the honor and privilege of meeting stage and screen legend, Julie Andrews, at Costco in Seattle, Washington.

Julie Andrews was the guest of honor at four book signings in the Seattle area on April 28 and 29. She came to the Pacific Northwest to promote the new children's book that she and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, have written. This book is entitled "The Very Fairy Princess Here Comes the Flower Girl." It is the third of their bestselling "The Very Fairy Princess" series. This delightful series is about a little girl named Geraldine who believes she is a fairy princess because she feels a certain sparkle inside. The latest book tells about how Geraldine prepares to be the flower girl in her Aunt Sue's wedding.

Born in Surrey, England in 1935, Julie Andrews has appeared in more than 40 movies. Her first film appearance was in "The Singing Princess" in 1949. At age 19, she first performed on Broadway in "The Boyfriend." She received an Oscar for her role as the practically perfect nanny in "Mary Poppins" in 1964. She was also nominated for an Oscar for her performance as Maria Von Trapp in "The Sound of Music" in 1965. Her roles in "Hawaii," "Thoroughly Modern Millie," and "Victor/Victoria" were among her other noteworthy performances. She is probably best known to the younger generation as the reigning queen of Genovia in "The Princess Diaries."

At age 76, Julie Andrews is still as beautiful, elegant and refined as she was ten years ago in "The Princess Diaries." Her second husband, director Blake Edwards, passed away in 2010. But don't worry about Julie. Her life is very active. She and her daughter have written two other books that will be released this year. She will also be the director of the stage adaption of another children's book that she and her daughter wrote called "The Great Mousical."

Costco's manager told us that at midnight people began lining outside their store for the chance to meet the actress. Costco gave 200 tickets to the book signing to its members. My girls and I were lucky to receive Ticket 196. Not only did she autograph the copies of her books we purchased, Ms. Andrews spoke briefly with us. Tears welled in my eyes when I told her I had loved her since I was five years old when she was in Mary Poppins. She smiled and said, "Well, that dates both of us."

Julie Andrews was very kind to children. Korinna proudly told her that she and Alyson are dancers. Ms. Andrews told them that she started her career as a dancer. Ms. Andrews explained that dance teaches girls to sit up straight and to be graceful.

P.S. Information about Julie Andrew's acting career was taken from Wikipedia.

Alyson's Duet

I want to share some of the photos of Alyson's duet with you. They were taken at the MOVE dance competition at the Tacoma Convention Center on March 23, 2012.

Alyson is my granddaughter. She is nine years old. She has been dancing since she was three years old.

Her partner, Jake, is also nine years old. At the MOVE competition, they danced to a song called "Howling for You" by the Black Keys.

The MOVE competition was the first time that Alyson and Jake have ever performed together at a dance competition.

Alyson, Jake and my youngest daughter, Korinna, belong to a tap dancing team called "Tap Time." Tap Time performed to the old Blues Brothers' song, "Soul Man," at the competition.

Tap Time also appeared as the X Men in Center Stage Dance Academy's production of "Super Heroes." Nikki German is the owner and artistic director of the dance academy.

Alyson and Jake won first place for their duet performance at the MOVE competition. Congratulations to both of them!

Danube Bistro Brings a Little Bit of Europe to Bellevue

In the heart of downtown Bellevue, Washington stands the Danube Bistro, a restaurant reminiscent of the quaint bistros and cafes found on the European mainland.

What makes the Danube Bistro different from other restaurants is that it doesn't limit its menu to food from one country. The menu offers appetizers, entrees, desserts, wines and beers from the countries in which the Danube River flows. Patrons can enjoy foods and beverages from Romania, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Slovakia. I was told that the restaurant's owner, Lubos, is from Hungary.

One of my complaints about western Washington is that there are not enough German restaurants here. My family and I once drove to Leavenworth, Washington in search of the perfect jagerschnitzel. We were disappointed with both the food and the service we received in Leavenworth. On Saturday, we were more than willing to drive to Bellevue, hoping to find German cuisine more to our liking.

Kristina ordered weinerschnitzel. She enjoyed the veal cutlet very much. I ordered the jagerschnitzel. I thought the creamy mushroom sauce covering the pork cutlet was superb. You don't have to drive over the mountains to enjoy fine German cuisine any more!

My husband ordered the Hungarian goulash. Served with white rice and vegetables, bite-sized chucks of roast beef were slowly cooked in a paprika sauce until they were so tender that they melted in your mouth. The goulash was a real hit with my husband.

For vegans, the Danube Bistro offers stuffed cabbage rolls.

For dessert, the restaurant offers vanilla ice cream, homemade apple strudel or creme brulee. We sampled the creme brulee and thought it was delicious.

The Danube Bistro is located 11000 NE 10th Street in Bellevue, Washington. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Prices for dinner entrees range from fifteen dollars to twenty-five dollars. The lunch menu costs less. We are looking forward to going back to the bistro during the summer so that we can dine outside.

What to Do about Colton?

Yesterday defense attorney John Henry Browne announced that Colton Harris-Moore, who is affectionately known as the "Barefoot Bandit," is currently in solitary confinement in Walla Walla State Penitentiary.

After confirming that Mr. Browne is correct, a Department of Corrections spokesperson stated that high-profile convicts are normally put in solitary confinement for their own protection.

Mr. Browne stated that Colton Harris-Moore has been in solitary confinement since April 11. He neither wants or needs this type of protection. Mr. Browne said that it is "absurd" that a non-violent felon is being housed with the hardened men on death row. He expressed his concern about how solitary confinement might affect his client's mental health. Mr. Browne indicated that he has spoken with officials in Governor Gregoire's office on Colton's behalf.

What should the prison officials do about Colton? Whether or not Mr. Browne wants to admit it, his client isn't just an infamous, modern-day outlaw. The Barefoot Bandit is a celebrity. At 21, Colton Harris-Moore is so well-known that he presents a problem for the Department of Corrections.

Do Walla Walla's inmates want to harm Colton? I'm sure that there are many people who feel envious of him because his two-year crime spree attracted international attention. Twentieth Century Fox movie studio paid $1.3 million for rights to the Barefoot Bandit's life story -- monies which will be used to pay restitution to his victims. Author Bob Friel has already written a book about him. That type of publicity is bound to cause some jealousy.

When a defendant is convicted and sent to prison, people often post comments in the newspaper, cheering that he will soon meet "Bubba" and become a sex slave. They don't realize that if an inmate is raped, injured or dies in prison, he and/or his family may sue the Department of Corrections for failing to protect him. If they win, any monies awarded to them come out of our tax dollars. Years ago, serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer was murdered by another inmate in a Wisconsin prison. I admit that I felt relieved when I read that Dahmer was dead. I felt that the inmate who killed him had done what the State of Wisconsin should have done. But I don't want Colton to share the same fate because he isn't a monster. A modern-day Robinhood, the Barefoot Bandit stole from the rich and gave to the animal shelter. He only injured his victims' pocketbooks.

I'm sure the Department of Corrections has also taken into consideration the type of crimes that Colton committed. When I was reading about the Barefoot Bandit in the newspaper, I felt that I was reading about a highly trained and talented circus performer -- an escape artist as great as Houdini. He was able to elude law enforcement for two years. Perhaps prison officials still consider him a flight risk. That might explain why the warden is reluctant to put him with the general population.

Like Mr. Browne, I am also concerned about how solitary confinement will affect Colton's health and well-being. I hope that Mr. Browne, Christine Gregoire, and the Department of Corrections find a better way to protect the Barefoot Bandit soon.

Meet Bob Friel: The Tale of Barefoot Bandit

On April 7, 2012, Kate and I had the honor of meeting author Bob Friel at a book signing at the Joint Base Lewis-McCord BX. Mr. Friel was there to promote his new book, "The Barefoot Bandit: The True Story of Colton Harris-Moore, New American Outlaw."

When I purchased my copy of his book, Mr. Friel promised that it was full of the flavor of Washington. Yes, he does deliver. He and his signficant other, Sandi, resided in Orcas, the largest of the San Juan Islands, during Colton Harris-Moore's crime spree. Mr. Friel knows and understands the people who live in this rural area -- whether they are the impoverished residents of central Camano Island or wealthy homeowners who only stay at their beachfront properties on weekends or during the summer. The amusing anecdotes and details he provides bring the San Juan Islands to life.

Bob Friel's book opens with a 17 year old boy breaking into a small plane hangar in Orcas. Although he has never had any flight instruction, he steals a 1999 Cessna 182 and flies it over the Cascades during a storm. After crash landing on a hillside in Mill Creek Ridge, he steps out of the plane and eludes the authorities. The swashbuckling adventures of Colton Harris-Moore, affectionately known as the Barefoot Bandit, have begun.

Mr. Friel discusses the bandit's childhood on Camano Island. Colton's entire clan was fond of going barefoot, which they attributed to being descended from the Sioux Indian tribe. His mother, Pam Kohler, drank heavily and was involved with a number of unsavory men. Colton grew up in poverty and lived with his mother in a run down, old trailer. Overall, I felt that Mr. Friel was sympathetic toward Ms. Kohler. I'm not sure if other writers would have been as kind to her as Mr. Friel was.

I was slightly disappointed that Mr. Friel's book did not include more about Colton's defense attorney, John Henry Browne. Mr. Browne is one of the best attorneys and most fascinating characters in Washington. According to the Seattle Times, Mr. Browne accepted Colton Harris-Moore's case for one dollar because he sincerely believed that Colton needed help. He claims to be on the verge of bankruptcy because he devoted so much time to Colton's case. Although the Barefoot Bandit was accused of 67 crimes, he was sentenced to only seven and a half years in prison. The court accepted this plea bargain after Mr. Browne described how Colton was abused and neglected as a child. While the court proceedings were taking place in Coupeville, Pam Kohler threatened to put Mr. Browne out of business. I would have liked to have known Mr. Friel's opinion about why Ms. Kohler was so angry at the man who did so much to help her son.

John Henry Browne is currently defending Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, the Fort Lewis soldier who is accused of murdering 17 civilians in Afghanistan. Mr. Browne is also writing an autobiography called "Music, Metaphysics, and Murderers." While we are waiting for his memoir to be published, Bob Friel's tale about the Barefoot Bandit is an excellent read. Try it and savor the flavor of Washington.

Happy Easter!

On March 31, 2012, DuPont hosted its first "Breakfast with the Easter Bunny." A fundraiser for the DuPont Fire Department, this event was held in the fire bay. Tickets cost ten dollars per person, but children two years and younger were free. About 100 people attended the festivities.

The buffet-style breakfast was served in the fire bay. Bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, fresh fruit, pancakes and muffins were served. Orange juice, milk, and hot chocolate were also included.

After breakfast, families were encouraged to take photos of their children with the guest of honor -- the Easter Bunny.

Children especially liked having their photos taken on the fire trucks at the fire bay. They thought it was great fun when the firemen turned on the lights and sounded the siren.

If your community is looking for a fundraiser to benefit your fire department, police department, or museum, I recommend hosting a "Breakfast with the Easter Bunny." This event is wonderful for families with children. We had such a good time that I'm already planning to take the children again next year.

Happy Birthday, Korinna!

April 7th was my youngest daughter's 11th birthday.

I would like to thank Korinna for being the joy of my life. I hope her dreams of becoming a professional dancer come true.

Farewell to America's Beloved Painter of Light

What do Thomas Kinkade, Donald Rumsfeld and the Barefoot Bandit have in common? All of their lives have been the subject of books featured at book signings hosted by the Joint Base Lewis McCord BX.

Shortly after my husband returned from Iraq in 2005, I had the honor of meeting Thomas Kinkade at the Joint Base Lewis McCord BX. His artwork and books were so popular that the line of people waiting for his autograph was huge. My daughter and I waited for about an hour to purchase a print called "Heading Home." "Heading Home" was different from Mr. Kinkade's usual style because it didn't feature cottages, lighthouses or flowers. The print simply featured an American soldier in uniform. I liked it because I felt it represented our soldiers coming home from war.

Pleasant and courteous, Mr. Kinkade signed the copy of the print I purchased. I proudly gave it to my husband for Father's Day. It wasn't framed, so my husband put it in a cardboard tube for safekeeping. Months later, I decided to have the print framed. I searched high and low, but I couldn't find it. My husband couldn't find it either. Sadly, he finally confessed that he may have accidentally put the cardboard tube (and the print) in the trash.

In 2009, I purchased a framed painting of "Heading Home" from the PX. The painting doesn't have Thomas Kinkade's signature, but I wanted to replace the lost print. I gave it to my husband when he retired from the army. He hung it in our living room. No, I don't mind that other military families may have "Heading Home" hanging in their living rooms too. Because of Mr. Kinkade's marketing strategy, hundreds of other military wives may have paintings of the happy day their husbands came home from war too.

Sadly, Thomas Kinkade passed away on April 6, 2012. He was a devout Christian who passed away on Good Friday. May America's beloved "Painter of Light" rest in peace.