As gun-control legislation wound its way through Congress in March, Grandmothers Against Gun Violence was cheering. The Seattle-based group commended the House of Representatives for passing two bills that would tighten federal regulations of gun sales. One expands background checks on people who buy or transfer firearms, and the other would amend the “Charleston loophole,” which lets gun sales proceed without a completed background check if three business days have passed. Welcome to the “grandmothers” world, one in which they see progress toward reduced gun violence–but also foot-dragging.

On Nov. 9, 1963, The Kingsmen’s garage rock classic, “Louie Louie,” began its winter-long climb toward the top of Billboard magazine’s hit parade charts. But that rise was merely one leg of the journey that remarkable song was to make. The “Louie Louie” saga actually began in 1957 when its author, the Los Angeles-based R&B singer Richard Berry, toured dancehalls through the Pacific Northwest. Sales of that record swelled in the wake of Berry’s tour, and several early local R&B talents, including the Dave Lewis Combo, The Gallahads, and The Thunderbirds, adopted it and established its popularity among young Northwest music fans. Then in 1960 came Tacoma rock ‘n’ roll band The Wailers.

COVID-19 vaccines are being administered in Washington to adults 65 and older, adults 50 and older living in multi-generation households, residents and employees of nursing homes, assisted-living communities and other long-term care facilities, healthcare workers, and first-responders. Here is a Q and A about vaccinating and related topics, based on information in mid-February from state and federal health authorities.

Debbie Leung is here to tell you there is a place on the ice for everyone, no matter how old you are. She is among older adults—some of the most seasoned in their 80s–in Washington and across the country who find fitness, camaraderie and friendly competition as ice skaters. “It’s so much fun. I highly recommend that people of any age try it,” said Leung, who lives in Olympia and considers Sprinker Recreation Center in Spanaway her home rink. Children and adults alike get their start in skating and, if they wish, wind up competing at the amateur level through Ice Sports Industry, a non-profit organization for owners, operators and developers of ice rinks.