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Four years ago Tony McKennon moved to Washington state.  Intent on writing and illustrating children’s books, McKennon said he saw the Tacoma area as a “great blend of urban and natural in close proximity.”

Born in Nashville, Tenn., McKennon displayed a flair for the artistic arena early on, but was discouraged from pursing that talent.  Rising above those early negative messages, McKennon was educated in TV and film production and ran a children’s theater for three years.

He developed a variety of interesting skills.  An avid naturalist and bird watcher, McKennon was also a member of the National Ski Patrol in New England.  He has worked in all four corners of the U.S.

Saying he has been an artist all his life, McKennon has written and illustrated four books.

His book, “You’re Moving Where?” focuses on an inner city boy named Gus, whose family moves to the country.  McKennon weaves his story about Gus from the time the moving van pulls up to the happy ending with a visit from his city friends, who find the country is not really a scary place at all, but one that offers lots of good, wholesome and fun entertainment.

Currently, McKennon is looking for someone to help him produce his latest book, “Willy the Wannabe Wallaby,” into a musical production.

The two main characters in the book are Jabaroo Jack, showing values of tradition and preservation, and Khaki Man, who displays blind ambition at all costs.

The book’s focus is the message that every single living thing has value, even though it might take people a bit of time to realize that.

In addition to writing and illustrating the book, McKennon has completed the script and written poems, which have been translated to songs for the production.

A music professor from Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) read the script and said he could easily visualize the play being produced.McKennon was thrilled.

Saying that “Willy the Wannabe Wallaby” has broad appeal from youngsters to adults, McKennon said the book demonstrates the values of personal growth, friendship, community, self-acceptance, loyalty, self-realization and a strong sense of sacrifice.

He stressed that children can identify with “Willy” being on the endangered species list and enjoy the songs and colorful dances, and adults can “enjoy a little good-natured fun poking at a world that is both fascinated by nature and yet capable of destroying it at times with careless abandon.”

A music student from PLU scored the music for the play from McKennon’s poems.

McKennon said he sees a lot of opportunities for aspiring producers, actors, singers, dancers, choreographers, and costume designers if the play were to make it to the big stage.

“I am already heartened by the extraordinary contributions of the musician (who scored the music) and the encouragement of the PLU music professor to continue pursuing the production.”

Adding that he is always open to suggestions and advice that will contribute to the play’s potential, McKennon encourages anyone interested in helping with this production to call him at (253) 627-8303.

Joan Cronk by — July 28, 2011 in Everything Else

Peter shooting himself while contemplating his next shot of the Museum of Glass. Photo courtesy of Peter Serko

“I married the right woman.”  This affirmation was repeated a few times by Peter Serko as we sat in Tully’s, talking about his journey to becoming one of Tacoma’s most exciting photographers.  Because he married the right woman, Peter said, he could leave his family therapy practice to be a stay-at-home dad. Their first child was just a few months old then.  Two more children and thirteen years later it was decided that the three children were old enough for Dad to be working outside the home.  Interestingly, he had taught himself enough about the world of computers to be hired as an information technology person for the Vashon schools.  It was a job that allowed him to see his children, a job he has held for the last thirteen years.

During those latter years, it was, Serko said, when he was photographing his son’s participation in athletic events, that it struck him that his picture taking was a form of story telling.  That sensibility stayed with him as other elements of composition revealed themselves to him both through experience and exposure to the work of master photographers.  Serko’s “right woman,” he said with a smile, gave him a perfect birthday present:  a one-week photographic workshop with a renown Oregon photographer.  That workshop and a good digital camera were instrumental in turning Serko’s life in a new direction when he was already in his 50s.

Although he freely admitted  to having made “a lot of mistakes along the way,” Serko hopes to not only capture beauty of line, light, and color in his subjects, but also to help reframe the viewer’s perception of the subject, so it is seen in a unique way.  His example was a dandelion.  A dandelion growing up through cracks in cement would be only a weed to most people until the photographer’s lens turns it into a beautiful subject worthy of praise.  I thought of my own reaction to a book of his photos showing the interior of a building that had once been a fire station which is now transformed into a warm and inviting home.  Use of light and color, and concentration on ordinary subjects such as a faucet handle, or a drawer pull, invite the viewer to make room for the past in the presence of today.

Several local galleries and the Tacoma Art Museum have shown Serko’s work.  Daily, he walks the area around his home, on the Thea Foss Waterway, with a camera for companion.  He pointed out that he has his camera with him almost everywhere he goes, and I noted its presence during our conversation.

Serko’s enthusiasm for Tacoma and what art has done for the city was obvious in his excitement talking about his next exhibit.  Called “Transformation: Art Changes a City,” the show will be displayed at the Museum of Glass, beginning on Aug. 7 with opening day on Aug. 13.  The show will run through Jan. 8, 2012.  It will be a spectacular pictorial review of the Museum, pictures taken during the day, at night, after a rain, in the sun, covered with snow.  Pictures etched on aluminum panels. A show that celebrates what we have here in Tacoma.

As with his December show, “20/20 Tacoma”, public collaboration will be involved in this latest Serko venture.  Basically, the general public is invited to submit photos of their favorite shots of the Museum of Glass.  From the pool of pictures submitted, some will be selected to be incorporated into the show as a digital display.  This community participation will be invited and rotated over the length of the show, Serko pointed out, giving fresh views for the digital display each month.  Complete details for participating in that collaboration, as well as more information about the photographer can be found at www.peterserko.com. 

Just before we left Tully’s, I asked Peter if there were anything additional that he would want to say to our readers.  His reply: “It is never too late to do something new.”

The Museum of Glass is located at 1801 Dock St. “Transformation: Art Changes a City” will show from Aug.7-Jan 8.  Free for Museum members, $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (or $22 and $20 respectively for adding the Art Museum to the visit).  Look for announcements of special photography classes Serko will hold during the run of the exhibit.

Maggie Kelly by — July 28, 2011 in Everything Else

Doug Page
Pacific Lutheran University

Do you place a high value on education?  Have you ever considered how you might leave a legacy at your favorite college, university or high school foundation and at the same time provide access to a post secondary education to students regardless of their economic circumstances?

If you are like most of the people with whom I work, you would answer yes to these questions.  And your following question would likely be, “but how?”  With just a little planning and some good advice, you might be surprised that it is often not difficult nor does it always require a significant current contribution of assets.

It is true that the most common way to provide access to higher education and to fund it over with current gifts over a period of a few years.  But not everybody can make such a commitment of current resources.  Many people are surprised to learn that smaller annual contributions backed up with a gift through their estate plans can provide important scholarship support to students while honoring the life and the legacy of the donor.

For example, the Erickson’s recently inquired about creating a scholarship in memory and in honor of Mr. Erickson’s father, who had recently died.  However, $5,000 a year for five years was a bit more that they could afford.  I suggested that they contribute $1,500 a year and include the named scholarship as a recipient of their estate for a minimum of $25,000.  They agreed and the result is that each year the $1,500 is awarded to a student who meets the established criteria and at their death the Erickson Endowment will be funded through a generous bequest!  They are thrilled when they hear from “their scholar” each year and meet her or him at the annual scholarship reception.  They are so thrilled with this arrangement that they are even considering creating a second scholarship in honor of her mother–but to do so while she is living so she will also enjoy knowing that students are able to pursue their dreams as a result of their philanthropy.

Doug Page is Senior Development Director in Gift Planning at Pacific Lutheran University.  Please consultant a qualified estate planner before making a gift in your will.

srmedia by — July 5, 2011 in Everything Else

Kitty Custer
SHIBA Program Coordinator

Medicare covers a number of preventive care services. You have the right to receive Medicare-covered preventive services whether you are enrolled in Original Medicare or a Medicare private health plan (Medicare Advantage). Starting in 2011 you will not have to pay a coinsurance or deductible for preventive services that are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Task Force if you are in Original Medicare.

Our January article for the “Senior Scene” newspaper listed those preventive services and is reprinted below as a reminder. You can review “Preventive Services Checklist” on p.45 of your “Medicare and You 2011” book and read details on pages 29 through 44. Talk with your doctor about which preventive services Medicare will cover for you.

From listening to SHIBA clients, we have learned that sometimes the doctor’s office charges the patient inappropriately for preventive services. Check with your doctor so that the correct coding for the services is used. Then Medicare (or your Medicare Advantage plan) will be billed correctly.

  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening–a one-time screening ultrasound for people at risk.
  • Osteoporosis Screening-Bone Mass Measurements. Helps to see if you are at risk for broken bones.
  • Heart Disease Screening–blood tests that help detect conditions that may lead to a heart attack or stroke.
  • Colon Cancer screenings – these tests help find precancerous growths or find cancer early when treatment is most effective.
  • Diabetes Screenings–these tests are covered if you have any of the following risk factors: high blood pressure, history of abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels, obesity, or a history of high blood sugar.
  • Vaccinations: Hepatitis B (for those at medium to high risk), flu, and pneumonia shots.
  • Glaucoma tests- if at high risk for this eye disease.
  • HIV Screening–for anyone with Medicare who asks for the test.
  • Mammogram–x-ray to check women for breast cancer.
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy–if you have diabetes or kidney disease.
  • Pap Tests and Pelvic Exams–checks for cancer in women.
  • Physical Exams–Medicare covers two types of physical exams
  • “Welcome to Medicare” covered within the first 12 months you have part B of Medicare.
  • Annual “wellness” visit–If you have had Part B for longer than 12 months, starting January 2011, you can get a yearly wellness visit to develop or update a personalized prevention plan based on your current health and risk factors.
  • Prostate Cancer Screening–Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. PSA checks for cancer in men.
  • Smoking Cessation (counseling to stop smoking)

Each preventive service has an appropriate time frame (frequency). Ask your doctor to create an individualized screening schedule for the next 5 to 10 years.

The publication “Your Medicare Benefits” can by yours by calling the SHIBA HelpLine 1-800-562-6900 or locally 253-596-0918. Leave your request for the publication and give your name and address.

The SHIBA Program needs more volunteers to help people in Pierce County. Helping people with their health insurance questions is very rewarding work. Training is provided.

Kitty Custer, SHIBA Program Coordinator 253-798-4422 kcuster@co.pierce.wa.us

srmedia by — July 5, 2011 in Everything Else