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For a year with three repeated numbers, 2022 was full of delightful surprises and fresh horrors. Before we move on to 2023, let’s reminisce with my annual roundup of the year’s strangest local news stories. In fact, this is my 25th annual list, dating to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin in 1998 before expanding to the wider Inland Empire the past two years. More to mock! This annual countdown reminds us of some of the sillier events of the past 12 months and also fills space during the holiday week, not necessarily in that order of importance. And now, here’s...

Every family has its own little quirks. That becomes all too obvious when strangers come to live together at some point in their lives. Think of roommates or partners who suddenly realize the most basic daily things, as well as things people think of as normal and acceptable, vary. And they vary greatly.No wonder people grow up and realize not everything that went down in their parents’ home was actually normal. Insane cases, family rules, habits, and customs can be super weird.Think of parents who don’t let their children laugh while lying down or kids who were allowed to take...

By Jackie Mader On a bright October morning, two dozen 4- and 5-year-olds were scattered around a classroom at Impact Salish Sea Elementary in south Seattle, enthralled by plastic food, dolls, blocks and clay. In the center of the room, four children buzzed around a wooden play kitchen, mixing various pretend food items in pots and pans. “I’m making chocolate cupcakes,” proclaimed Rosa, age 5. A few feet away, Jordyn, 4, was carefully washing plastic dishes in a bright red sink filled with water, before drying them off with a blue towel. When their teacher, Shareece DeLeon, took a seat...

How do you be an artist in these trying times? Some of the year's best animated TV shows and movies asked this question, and it's not hard to figure out why. In 2022, animators continued fighting for respect from an industry that doesn't often love them back. Animation helped keep the entertainment industry afloat during the worst of the pandemic, and the people who bring these creations to life deserve more than seeing their projects canceled prematurely, having their work scrubbed from streaming services, and inadequate wages.After all, while it can be crass, bloody, or just too intense for younger viewers,...

The Night Before New Year’s by Natasha Wing Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary Rating: 4 Stars Reviewed by Astilbe Another title in Natasha Wing’s bestselling Night Before series! It’s the night before New Year’s, and the whole family is determined to stay up until midnight! Everyone’s stocked up on sparkly streamers and festive party hats, but after a night filled with card games and too many cupcakes, the little ones are getting sleepy. . . Can they make it until the clock strikes twelve? Some parties are worth staying up late for. New Year’s...