Have you ever broken your own heart? Because thats precisely what Im about to do.
Im leaving the Tri-City Herald and a calling that I love dearly to take job as a public information officer for the Senate Democratic caucus, a post that will allow me to remain connected to the Legislature, an institution I continue to be fascinated by.
Friday will be my last day for the Herald and Ill spend it in the Tri-Cities turning in my gear, signing paperwork and saying some difficult goodbyes.
Leaving the Tri-City Herald has proven to be one of the hardest and most personally painful things Ive ever done. The past four days have been considerably challenging.
But so were the preceding three weeks that led me to this end.
To be sure, this move isnt about selling out, cashing in, personal politics or personal gain. This is about putting family before all else.
I cant point to one single reason that fueled this decision. There are many factors involved in the complex equation.
But certainly, the financial troubles plaguing this industry have created considerable uncertainty. And while the Herald has given me every assurance my job is safe in this bureau its unsettling how quickly the unthinkable has become reality in this business. With a young family, Ive no choice but to risk jumping too soon. I simply cant risk jumping too late.
All this would be far more easy if I had more to gripe about. But Ive never enjoyed this job more than during the last three years. I work for bosses who have respected and appreciated me. And Ive worked for a newspaper committed to a brand of journalism that has made me proud to be a contributor.
At this difficult time I cant help but feel that Im turning my back on my bosses and coworkers and my remaining colleagues in the shrinking Capitol Press Corps. Theyre all suffering under the weight of a larger workload and the exodus of talented friends and colleagues.
Its hard to walk away from the Tri-Cities, a community Ive come to call my own and watch over from the statehouse.
And its painful to turn my back on the journalist inside me, so full of passion and fight but now trampled and broken.
This will be my final blog post. Ill spend my last week wrapping up a few stories, gutting this office and making a very difficult trip to Kennewick.
My very heartfelt thanks go out to everyone Ive run across in this job that has made it so immensely satisfying and rewarding.
A special thanks got to publisher Rufus Friday and former publisher Cheryl Dell for their strong support of myself and this bureau.
But most of all, thanks to the newsroom leadership team of Ken Robertson, Rick Larson and Laurie Williams for their steady guidance, genuine friendship and for providing this marvelous opportunity.
And thanks to you all, too. Its been a real kick.
And with that I bid you a sorrowful goodbye.
-30-
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Grid Kids deserve headlines
Grid Kids deserve headlines
How sad is it when you have teams and teams of little guys, ages 8 to 13, play their hearts out in the Super Bowl of the year for Grid Kids, and the Herald can't even represent these teams of kids and coaches. We can sure put in the paper articles about soccer and other events from the pros, but can't take one page to discuss and congratulate these local boys for being the best they can be.
Also a big thank you to all the coaches and assistants for dedicating their time to work with these teams and teach them what team sports and sportsmanship is all about. You should be honored. And to the Tri-City community, if you ever want to watch a real game of football, you should take in a Grid Kid game. Some of these guys could be pro ball players in 10 or 15 years.
Stop and think, Tri-City Herald. The Tri-Cities is where the news is at. For a final word, congratulations to the teams that won this year's Super Bowl. All of you played a fantastic game, whether you won or lost.
2011's best, worst and a few observations on 20 years as a film critic
2011's best, worst and a few observations on 20 years as a film critic
First some observations: If you're just interested in my best and worst of the year picks, scroll down. They're easy to find.
Two remarkable things about 2011.
No. 1: As I write this, I am wrapping up 20 years as the Tri-City Herald's film critic. No. 2: Last year I cried at a movie. Actually, I cry at a lot of movies but for a much different reason than you suspect. But more on that in a bit.
Kind acts, caring people warm cold December days
Kind acts, caring people warm cold December days
Oh that it could be December all year long.
We don't know if there are more good deeds in December or more people are reporting them.
Either way, since Thanksgiving we have received more Thankful Thursday letters than we have space for in the paper. What a great problem to have.
Area nonprofits feel budget pinch
Area nonprofits feel budget pinch
For everything from medical care to diapers, more Tri-City families are turning to private charities for help to meet basic needs.
Area nonprofits are facing what Beverly Weber, CEO of United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties, calls a "squeeze from two directions," with less government funding of human and social services and greater demand.
When families can't get services through scaled-back state programs, they turn to charities, Weber said.
The Mourning After
The Mourning After
There's no doubt this job doesn't always feel like one. Hot air balloon rides, crazy court scenes and the rodeo are fun assignments that highlight some of the joys of making photos for a living.
On the flip side, there's no shortage of tragedy to cover , and photographing funerals is seldom easy.
My first funeral assignment was a good entry point, though, when I covered a memorial for Superior Court Judge Robert S. Day on July 10, 2009 . I can't remember all the details of that shoot now, but it was a pretty light affair. His former colleagues had plenty of fond and humorous memories to share:
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