Opinion

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.

Wreaths honor veterans at cemeteries across America | Brunell

The holiday season is an especially difficult time for anyone grieving lost loved ones. Evergreen wreaths placed on veterans’ graves across America help to ease… Continue reading

  • Dec 24, 2022
  • By Don C. Brunell
Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.
Hilde at her 103rd birthday party. Photo by Alex Bruell.

Lessons from Hilde, who fled Nazi Germany for a better life

Here’s a few things my great-aunt would have liked you to know.

Hilde at her 103rd birthday party. Photo by Alex Bruell.
Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.

Highs and lows of brick-and-mortar holiday shopping | Brunell

The good news is, despite higher prices, inflation and safety concerns, more Christmas shoppers are browsing online as well as making in-store purchases. The National… Continue reading

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.
Robert Whale can be reached at rwhale@soundpublishing.com.

Thanksgiving and the Whale kitchen’s eternal warmth | Whale’s Tales

Looking today at the North Auburn home in which I grew up fills me with wonder. As in, I wonder how in the heck we… Continue reading

Robert Whale can be reached at rwhale@soundpublishing.com.
Robert Whale can be reached at rwhale@soundpublishing.com.

The ‘ignoranting’ of Americans in the age of false narratives | Whale’s Tales

Many sweeping generalizations stalk our land today, making no distinctions between diverse people and institutions, but lumping them into one steaming mass. Of course, we… Continue reading

Robert Whale can be reached at rwhale@soundpublishing.com.
Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.

Honoring fallen heroes goes beyond lowering flags to half-mast | Brunell

Lowering our flags to half-staff is a solemn act that recognizes our fallen heroes, whether they be men and women in our armed forces or… Continue reading

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.
Cartoon by Frank Shiers

Thank you for your service | Cartoon

Cartoon by Frank Shiers… Continue reading

  • Nov 11, 2022
Cartoon by Frank Shiers
Cartoon by Frank Shiers

Political commercial overload | Cartoon

Cartoon by Frank Shiers… Continue reading

  • Nov 4, 2022
Cartoon by Frank Shiers
Cartoon by Frank Shiers

Portable alternative housing in Kent | Cartoon

Cartoon by Frank Shiers… Continue reading

  • Nov 2, 2022
Cartoon by Frank Shiers
Keith Livingston is a retired municipal management professional, lifelong artist and Federal Way resident. He can be reached at keithlivingstondesign@gmail.com.
Commentary

Are South King County’s poverty problems here to stay? | Livingston

What does success look like? To our current community leaders, we must look pretty good. We have essential services being done, parks, police working hard,… Continue reading

Keith Livingston is a retired municipal management professional, lifelong artist and Federal Way resident. He can be reached at keithlivingstondesign@gmail.com.
Robert Whale can be reached at rwhale@soundpublishing.com.

The cost we pay for having a marketplace of ideas | Whale’s Tales

Ah, the internet, the internet, let us count the many blessings of the internet. As the internet means one thing to this guy and something… Continue reading

Robert Whale can be reached at rwhale@soundpublishing.com.
Cartoon by Frank Shiers

Cartoon: What a difference four dry months make

Cartoon by Frank Shiers… Continue reading

  • Oct 21, 2022
Cartoon by Frank Shiers
Cartoon by Frank Shiers

Mariners and the rally shoes | Cartoon

Cartoon by Frank Shiers… Continue reading

  • Oct 13, 2022
Cartoon by Frank Shiers
Cartoon by Frank Shiers

Coughing in King County | Shiers

Cartoon by Frank Shiers… Continue reading

  • Sep 30, 2022
Cartoon by Frank Shiers

Community members, family and loved ones are key to addiction treatment

Guest column by Patrick Evans and Lisa Rogers, Sound behavioral healthcare

  • Sep 28, 2022
Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.

The truth about trash as an important source of energy | Brunell

If you live in Spokane, you know about its waste-to-energy facility, which burns up to 800 tons of solid waste a day and can generate… Continue reading

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.
Cartoon by Frank Shiers

Inslee’s nightmare before Christmas | Shiers

Gov. Jay Inslee has announced that all remaining COVID-19 emergency proclamations and state of emergency will end by Oct. 31. The announcement was made Sept.… Continue reading

  • Sep 23, 2022
Cartoon by Frank Shiers
Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.

Another Herculean effort is needed to turn Seattle around | Brunell

Over the years, Seattle leaders faced “Herculean” challenges — yet found the will, resources and determination to come together and tackle them. Today’s conundrum is… Continue reading

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.
Robert Whale can be reached at rwhale@soundpublishing.com.

We all need to acknowledge the devils in ourselves | Whale’s Tales

I read somewhere years ago — I have forgotten where — that if a person cannot relish the puncturing of a flaming hypocrite, that person… Continue reading

Robert Whale can be reached at rwhale@soundpublishing.com.
Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.

Private sector innovators in WA can increase fresh water | Brunell

In Washington, this year we’re fortunate to have escaped the historic droughts plaguing other parts of the world. The Columbia River basin water system has… Continue reading

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.