Using Kinect as a therapy tool for autism
Lakeside Center for Autism uses Microsoft Kinect, a video game system controlled by a player’s body instead of a controller, as a therapy tool for students.
Mutton bustin’ at the 2011 Puyallup Fair
Wool Riders Only allows children between the ages of 3 and 6 to compete riding sheep at the 2011 Puyallup Fair. Competitors are challenged to ride their sheep for six seconds, then are scored and compete for a chance to attend a world championship.
Giant pumpkins at the 2011 Puyallup Fair
Members of the Pacific Northwest Giant Pumpkin Growers Club describe the thrill of competing in the annual weigh-in competition at the 2011 Puyallup Fair. The winning pumpkin weighed in at 927 pounds.
Pre-Bumbershoot Live Show in old printing presses
With Bumbershoot starting tomorrow, we hosted a live Pre-Bumbershoot show today with Truckasauras and Justin Dreary. The setting is pretty amazing – it’s the old Seattle Times printing presses located in the basement of our newsroom. I love this area and was thrilled to be able to use it for this.
Check out Truckasauras and Dreary not only in the videos below, but also at Bumbershoot this weekend.
Sailboat acrobats
French acrobats Delphine Lechifflart and Franck Rabilier perform on their sailboat, La Loupiote, while sailing around the world. They performed in Port Ludlow on Aug. 24 and 25 and will be performing at Elliott Bay Marina on Aug. 27 and Sept. 1.
Bicycle Pie Joust
To compete in the Burien Pie Joust, one had to balance on a bike with a whipped cream pie in one hand, throw that pie at an another cyclist and promise not to dodge oncoming pies. The August 19, 2011 event raised funds for bike racks.
Rappelling down Rainier Tower
In a fundraiser for the Special Olympics of Washington, participants in the “Over the Edge” event rappelled down 514 feet of the Rainier Tower in downtown Seattle on Saturday, August 13, 2011. The event raised over $233,000.
Blue Angels practice over Lake Washington | Seafair 2011
In preparation for their weekend Seafair performances, the Blue Angels practiced over Lake Washington as crowds gathered on the shore and the I-90 bridge to watch on Thursday, August 6, 2011.
Running of the Bulls on Queen Anne
Inspired by the running of the bulls in Pamplona, a crowd dressed in white clothing with red bandanas and ran down Queen Anne Avenue, chased by “bulls” made out of decorated shopping carts on Saturday, July 9, 2011.
By the time I’m 30
Eleven seniors at Auburn Mountainview High School answer the question “What goals will you have accomplished by the time you’re 30?”
Climate change affects coffee in Costa Rica
Climate change is affecting Costa Rican coffee production. Cold nights, winds and erratic rainfall are disrupting harvests in some areas, while in others, warmer temperatures allow farmers to harvest coffee at elevations higher than before possible.
Microsoft Techfest
Every year, Microsoft Research hosts Techfest to display experimental technologies they are working on to other Microsoft employees in hopes of inspiring practical applications. Here are some of the technologies that were on display.
Cheezburger School: Ben Huh teaches how to caption
Ben Huh, CEO of the Cheezburger Network, offers tips on how to write good captions for photos on the network’s sites, such as icanhascheezburger.com and failblog.org.
Sea Gals demonstrate Seahawks fan hat
With the Seattle Seahawks entering the playoffs, The Seattle Times will be printing a special Seahawks hat. We had some fun and asked two Sea Gals to demonstrate how to assemble and use it.
Sea Gals Stephanie and Shelly demonstrate how to assemble and wear a Seahawks fan hat. The hat will be included in the Friday, Jan. 14 edition of The Seattle Times.
Ike Ditzenberger’s touchdown
With the cooperation of the Lake Stevens football team, Ike Ditzenberger, who has Down syndrome and plays for the Snohomish High School football team, scored a 51-yard touchdown during a September 24 game at Snohomish.
Stories behind The Seattle Times’ best photos of 2010
One of the greatest parts of working at The Seattle Times is the talented people I get to work with. I have so much respect for the staffers and am honored to be able to work alongside and learn from them. Here is a piece I put together featuring a few members of the photography staff – Fred Nelson, Erika Schultz, Mike Siegel, Jim Bates and Alan Berner. Be sure to check out the staff’s 2010 Year in Pictures gallery.
Members of The Seattle Times photography staff tell the stories behind the photographs selected for the Year in Pictures 2010.
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge’s new boardwalk
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is an incredibly beautiful and peaceful place. I was able to spend a day photographing birds with Alan Berner (check out his photo gallery here) while reporting on the opening of a new boardwalk. As a part of a plan to restore the Nisqually River’s estuary waters, the boardwalk replaces a dike that separated the tidal area from Puget Sound. The water can now move freely. And the boardwalk is an amazing place to watch it from. There’s something about that added height that makes a lot of difference. I really enjoyed it there and can’t wait until it officially opens so I can return and share it with friends.
Construction is being completed on an elevated boardwalk at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge that will lead visitors for a mile walk over the Nisqually’s estuary waters. The trail is set to open on February 1.
Spreading Hanukkah light
In celebration of Hanukkah, members of the Jewish community pass out glow sticks in downtown Seattle while offering happy holiday wishes on December 7, 2010.
Changing course: Melvin Jones
According to Melvin Jones, his life before meeting Jennifer Annable and Kasey Porrier was on a “downhill slope.” A sophomore at Chief Sealth High School with zero credits, he was on a path to dropping out. With help, Jones was able to change course and is now planning on graduating from Portland State University in June. For more on Melvin Jones, read “Unexpected son, unexpected mother” by Seattle Times sports columnist Jerry Brewer and view the photo gallery by Seattle Times photographer Erika Schultz.
Tour of Allen Shoup’s personal wine cellar
Allen Shoup, founder of Long Shadows Vintners, offers a tour of the wine cellar he designed and had built in his Seattle home.
“STOMP” performance in Seattle Central Library
The nontraditional dance and percussion troupe “STOMP” gives a preview of its upcoming performances on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at the Central Library. The group will be performing November 9-14 at the Paramount Theatre.
Conservation photographer Daniel Beltrá
Conservation photographer Daniel Beltrá photographs scenes of environmental devastation. Through his composition, the images take on a bizarre loveliness. Read more.
The Head and the Heart
As they prepare for an opening act show at the Paramount, members of Seattle-based the Head and the Heart talk about being an independent band on the edge of something bigger. Read the story by Jonathan Zwickel.