April showers might bring May flowers elsewhere, but here in Seattle, we're anticipating the best blossoms of the year in late March: The UW's iconic cherry trees will bloom in the coming weeks. Until then, enjoy the later sunsets while visiting the U District Cherry Blossom Festival, or hide from the last leg of the Pacific Northwest's winter and cozy up with a new book from the UW community.
SoundbiteProduced and hosted by staff of the UW student newspaper, The Daily
These lively presentations cover topics including the impacts of climate change on Washington, the closure of the venerable Varsity Theatre on the Ave and the life of squirrels on the UW campus. You can find the podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn and Stitcher.
Fallout, Season 2Amazon Prime Video
Starring Kyle MacLachlan, ’82
The actor-turned-Yakima winery owner leaves FBI agent Dale Cooper and the mayor of Portland behind to star as Aufseher Hank MacLean in this American post-apocalyptic drama series. Citizens in Los Angeles must live in underground bunkers following a nuclear decimation to protect themselves from radiation, mutants and bandits.
God’s Table HollywoodHosted by former UW student & three-time Academy Award nominee Dyan Cannon
An uplifting podcast that also features Tracy Bregman, Kym Douglas-Robertson and Christine Avanti-Fischer, four women over 50 sharing wisdom, humor and faith. They explore resilience, healing and transformation, welcoming guests from all walks of life to share powerful stories of overcoming challenges and finding purpose.
The Work, The Hope, The PromiseBy Wes Weddell, ’02
The new album from Weddell and his band contains 11 songs that travel the broad and winding highway of Americana/roots music. A native of Pullman, the frontman, sideman, writer and teacher founded the nonprofit Puget’s Sound Productions and has worked with The Bushwick Book Club Seattle, a collective of songwriters who compose new music inspired by literature.
By Donna Miscolta, ’80, ’90
In “Ofelia & Norma,” a tight-knit pair of large-bodied twin sisters begin to drift apart during college. Ofelia loses weight, Norma leaves town and both undergo harrowing experiences without the other by their side. Will they reconnect and find revenge against a world that asks women to shrink?
“Miscolta is a talent who makes storytelling seem effortless,” says Jen Soriano, author of “Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing.” “It’s a pleasure to get to know Ofelia and Norma, and to see them double down on their right to take up space as big brown women in pursuit of joy.”
Storybook EndingBy Moira Macdonald, ’84, ’87
The legendary arts critic for The Seattle Times recently released her first novel, “Storybook Ending.” Macdonald, who earned her undergraduate degree in literature and theater and M.A. in English literature, blends romance and comedy while extolling the magic of bookstores. Described as “heartwarming,” “radiant,” “charming” and “distinctly cozy,” this novel might serve as the perfect vacation read this spring.
Another Roadside BalloonBy Eirik Johnson, ’97
Seattle locals might be familiar with the work of photographic artist Eirik Johnson. He has won prizes and exhibited at spaces around the world (including the Seattle Art Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago and the Aperture Foundation in New York), and locally, he serves on the faculty of the Photographic Center Northwest.
“Another Roadside Balloon” is his seventh book of photos, following the success of “Road to Nowhere,” which documented the last days and demolition of the Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle. His latest book features bright photographs of balloons on American highways.
Why Stars BurnBy Kathleen Alcalá, ’85
Based on Bainbridge Island, Kathleen Alcalá was born in California to Mexican parents. She has written six award-winning books, including “The Deepest Roots: Finding Food and Community on a Pacific Northwest Island,” published by UW Press.
“Why Stars Burn” is a novel about a child of immigrants growing up while balancing two cultures. “In a world of books that shout their intentions, Kathleen Alcalá’s ‘Why Stars Burn’ is a subtle, lyrical, resonant treat for anyone who likes stories about real people negotiating a life that confounds expectation,” writes Sarah Pinsker, author of “A Song for a New Day.”
absence on waterBy Michael Grodesky
Grodesky, a clinical associate professor at the UW and retired nurse practitioner with UW Medicine, released a chapbook of poems through Bottlecap Press this winter. His work has appeared in Cathexis Northwest, BlazeVOX, Stepping Stones and Urban Textures. He lives in Seattle with his husband, Jim, who is a pharmacy technician and photographer.