Is a restaurant specializing in Oriental Food. Well, in this day and age, I don’t know how politically correct that is, but that is the signage in front of the place.

But in all seriousness, that stuff doesn’t really matter when you are dining at this restaurant offering Chinese and a Tepanyaki style grill dishes. Buck and his family are the proprietors and operators and from the moment you walk through the door until you read your fortune, you feel like you have been welcomed in their home.

Now, most know, nothing in life is perfect and I have enjoyed dining at Keoki’s for years. Whether just being a patron or people with professional interests in the culinary world, dealing with the public is a fluid, ever changing and interesting endeavor.

What are some of your best dining experiences? From the guest to the service standpoint, whenever I eat out, I feel it’s not about expectation rather all about attitude. Buck and his family have it, a smile to go along with the details and special care it takes to set the environment and prepare good food memorable for patrons who tell family and friends about their positive experiences.

(ph) Hing ghow tchur!

Is one piece of a worldwide network of private and public learning sanctuaries where the history of our work is shared through the generations.

A slice of life, a personal journey or just a place to curate your family’s cool stuff, however you see it, knowing where we have been builds a strong foundation on where we will go in the future. From regional technology to the ways humans interact in each community and their environments, physical items, stories and images are preserved for the benefit of knowledge.

The Yakima Valley Museum is a fine model where culture and its history are on display for the people of the world. Hard working visionaries have congregated in this valley over the years leaving their mark in the area, thanks to supporters and curators, on display in multiple exhibitions.

Lifelong learning, heritage, there is something for everybody in museums.

Also known as money, the original plant, is a popular flavoring agent in the culinary, health and refreshment worlds to name a few. From your favorite lamb recipes, ice cream and mojitos to chewing gum, breath-mints and toothpaste we are lucky to cultivate such a truly useful plant.

Driving through the Yakima Valley the first thing that comes to the senses is the smell. It is a pleasant one with soft, clean and crisp overtones stimulating the nose. Then you see it, a beautiful sight, what a green color! In certain parts of this fertile valley plush mint grows in fields further than the eyes can see well into the horizon.

It was so inspiring I felt moved to plant some in my backyard. The smell and color reflect enjoyment, a rekindled green thumb and appreciation for the living things that grow around us on the earth. With so much yet to learn, all respect to you who enjoy farming and gardening.

Annual golf tournament was held this past week at the beautiful Sun Tides Golf Course in Yakima WA. All entry fees and donations assist The Enterprise for Progress in the Community. The event features a best ball scramble format that kept the pace steady, scores low and team competition friendly. All this in addition to the pleasant administrative staff, generous prizes, raffle, goody bag and plenty of food and beverage to be enjoyed by all participants throughout the day.

This first class golf event sets a stage for individuals from all walks of life to socialize and support an organization with over 40 years of community service specializing in counseling and education for families and youth all over Central Washington. I would like to extend a special thanks to Mr. Mitchell, Mr. deVilla and Team Castlevale for welcoming me to play and capture some perspectives during a great day in this tournament.

For more information about what they do, vision and upcoming EPIC events check out their website by clicking here.

Is a suburb of Essen in The Ruhr Region of Nordheim-Westfalen located in Germany. With ties to last week, I consider this town a second home living here in the early nineteen nineties when the Rotary Youth Exchange Program helped make it possible for me to spend a year going to school here while living with a caring and loving host family.

The lifestyle in this town is pleasant. Quality time with the dog, on a date, on your way to school, or just to pick up some groceries from the local artisan shops walking or public transportation can get you almost anywhere. Don’t forget bicycles and the Baldeneysee for May Day and all weather outdoor activities.

During my first week in Werden my host mother said, “Sean, in eine Woche sprechen wir nur Deutsch.” and I’m glad we did. As many know dreaming in another language is equally as beautiful as the rolling green hills, church spires, cobblestone streets, winding river walks, meeting new friends and listening to stories from a unique culture.

Is located in Yakima Washington near Moxee, a town known to be one of the world’s best hop producing capitals. I graduated from this high school in 1993, but I have loyalty to two groups including The Class of 1992. Making tough decisions, especially considering forgoing my senior year, when I applied and was selected to be a Rotary Youth Exchange Student spending a year overseas in Europe.

Always a pleasure to revisit the roots this week was like being in a time capsule, at the fountain of youth. Whether it was managing the football team, bridge building contests in drafting class, 1992 golf team state champions, working to get my locker organized or just hanging out with people up on the senior balcony, part of a solid foundation was built here thanks to the dedicated educators and friends of this school.

Excellence is a great message, click on this week’s image to see a mission statement that transcends any known boundaries. Special regards to the Office Staff, Coach Raab and his Team, I’m with you all, Go Big Red!

Got any memorable high school stories? Click on comments and share them here.

Made its 5th of 7 regional visits at the beautiful Yakima Country Club on Monday June 9th. Touring are coaches Tyrone Willingham (Football), Lorenzo Romar (Men’s Basketball), and Tia Jackson (Women’s Basketball) to raise awareness of the Seattle based university and boost its scholarship programs for student athletes.

In its 37th year the tour hosts easy-going golf tournaments and informational banquets, visiting the Washington cities of Tacoma, Spokane, Everett, Bellingham, Yakima, Pt Orchard and Longview. For me golf and the camera are two of my favorite things and there are lots of ways to get involved.

To add your city for a future visit and for more information on The Purple and The Gold visit the UW Alumni Association website by clicking here to see what’s happening.

Reenactment at Ft. Simcoe Washington this past weekend was an interesting slice of history. A group of dedicated historians traveled to camp at this state park and share in the lifestyles of both the Confederate and Union armies with full traditional garb and working tools.

For the world’s perspective, and those civil wars being fought today, one could wish history would stop repeating itself. It is hard to imagine this brutal quarrel being fought on American soil nearly 150 years ago. Nonetheless, this demonstration showed the strife of this kind of war and proved that both sides, no matter the conflict, can find a peaceful resolution.

And the tank’s close to empty. Ever been there?

A wise man once told me, “The world is your oyster.” And I replied, “There are tons of oysters in the sea, but few have a pearl, and some may never be found. “

At least not yet.

People come from all around the world to visit this park and see a spectacular perspective of the Seattle skyline. Living almost fifteen years in this city, it has been a blessing to have Kerry Park in my backyard for the past two.

In my study, I observed photographers work at this park, lined up with their tripods, patient, witnessing some of the city’s most spectacular natural lighting. Additionally learning from media, fine art renditions, and most importantly, personal practice, I have produced a series of images at Kerry Park offering fresh and new perspectives ready for publication near you.

Hope you enjoy the glimpse.