Monday Morning Memo - 3.30.2026

Wider Horizons Events and Information

1. Let me introduce our newest volunteer, Johnny VanLandingham (photo attached). Johnny’s willing to drive to appointments and provide tech support. Here’s his self-introduction: I grew up in Eugene, OR thinking running was a cult. I still think it’s a cult, but a great one. Since then, I’ve lived all over the country but finally came back west. I’m a former astronomer and current kayaker looking forward to at least a few sunny days soon. At this point, access Johnny’s time through me.

2. Men’s Coffee this Wednesday, April 1 at Ada’s on 15th Ave E…10:30 am. Contact Michael Kischner… mbkischner@comcast.net if you’re a first-time attendee.

3. No Women’s Coffee this Wednesday—it’s next Wednesday, April 8, 10:30 am at Susan Spieker’s. Details next Monday.

4. Thursday morning’s All-Member Zoom is happening as usual this Thursday, April 2 at 9:30 am. Sue Lerner will send out the link and questions on Wednesday.

5. Join the Arboretum Walk, led by Dick Zerbe, Sunday, April 5. Meet at 9 am at the Arboretum’s Graham Visitors Center.

6. Happy Hour at Jimmy’s at 4 pm, Sunday, April 5. Let me know if you are a first-time attendee and I’ll give you parking tips.

7. Save the Date! For our festive Members’ Art & Craft Show: May 5, 1 pm – 3:30 pm at the Mt. Baker Community Center. The coordinator of the event is Joni Greathouse, and she and the planning group have already recruited 8 artists. We have typically had 15 or so exhibitors and expect even more this year—our third!

8. Would you be interested in attending a small “Death Café” (discussing topics that interest you related to the larger ones of Death and Dying)? Let me know.

9. See Peggy O’Donnell’s beautiful poetic tribute to Phil Gerson below.

Sharing

1. Andy Miller recommends “Beyond Mysticism: The Modern Northwest,” a Seattle Art Museum exhibit closing Aug. 2. 

2. Ann Lawrence: “I just read The Seattle Times article, People 65 and older can get better with age, study shows. This is the key. “I think it might interest you, too. You can read the full article here: https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/people-65-and-older-can-get-better-with-age-study-shows-this-is-the-key/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=article_inset_1.1 If you don't already subscribe to The Seattle Times, consider supporting independent journalism today.”

3. See the attached message from Tom Heller, a big supporter of the Downtown Emergency Service Center, for a great opportunity to connect with this solid program and build community with other like-minded volunteers like him, Debbie Ward, and Lynn Heller.

4. A plug from Micki Lippe: A good thing to do: listen, on Spotify, to James Taylor, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan….Guaranteed to be a good time.

Tikkun olam by Peggy O’Donnell             

--for Phil Gerson, engineer, peacemaker, poet, 1943-2026, Tikkun olam in Hebrew means the task of the good Jew is to repair the world. - the Mishnah

And they will say

when he is gone -

he gave all of himself

to change the cold calculus

of who is worthy

and who is not,

the slick geometry

of who is right

and who is wrong,

the twisted algebra

of success

measured in gold.

In his arithmetic

all beings of this earth

are more than a sum,

perfect numbers

each unto themselves

whole and complete.