Yesterday's Out and About - Matt Danielson - Pride and anti-fascist events in our area...

 

Yesterday, I had a conversation with Matt Danielson. Matt is the Executive Director of Spokane Pride. Our conversation centered around preparations for this year’s Pride Festival and Spokane citizens' responses to the fascist violence we are seeing in many places around the United States. Matt also moderates a FB group that serves as a clearinghouse for all the protests and events that are happening in Spokane. You can find that at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1682413989302936. As a special bonus, we had the radio debut of the Scablanders. This is a musical group that Matt is in. You can find that song in the archived broadcast of this show (link below) or from many streaming services. 

We went over this list of what is happening in Spokane this week and some of these events are done every week. They were - 

Every Monday:

Mikey Mondays - 3pm at the V median in front of Wendy's on Division.

Wednesday (today):

5:30pm March for Justice, March for Alex. Riverfront Park on Howard, peaceful march to courthouse

Every Thursday:

3pm to 4pm Visibility Brigade. 5 overpasses https://www.facebook.com/share/1Awtpihxv3

Friday:

3:30 Freedom from ICE (not sure the details on this one).

Every Saturday:

2pm to 4pm. Say it Saturday, BA Clark Park Division and Empire/Garland, Food Drive as well

If you missed yesterday’s show and want to have a listen, here is a link -   https://archive.kyrs.org/mp3/kyrs_260127_160000b.mp3

Tune into Out and About every Tuesday at 4 pm on KYRS at 88.1 and 92.3 fm. Also streaming at KYRS.org. Thanks for listening! Maeve 

Today On Out and About - Matt Danielson - Executive Director of Spokane Pride

Today on Out and About I will be talking with Matt Danielson - Executive Director of Spokane Pride. As more and more Americans are beginning to stand up against the fascist, murderous, traitorous Trump government, so many diverse groups are being brought together in this struggle - The LGBT Community, People of Color, Immigrants, Labor Unions, Educators, Healthcare workers, Public Safety Workers and the list goes on and on. It seems as if the lines have been drawn between those who value peace, freedom and the rule-of law against those who value violence, obedience and thuggery. Or to put it more simply, the struggle seems, to me, to be between honorable people and dishonorable people. 

I suspect our conversation will turn around these issues, as well as what is going on specifically for Spokane Pride. Although the Spokane Pride Festival and Parade which, last year, drew tens of thousands to Downtown Spokane is months away, I am sure that the planning and work is well underway.  

Tune into Out and About every Tuesday at 4 pm on KYRS at 88.1 and 92.3 fm. Also streaming at KYRS.org. Thanks for listening! Maeve 

Today is the 41st anniversary of my commissioning in the USAF...

My dad had a betamax video camera which he wielded repeatedly. I’ve been looking at the few tapes of his that are now in my possession. Betamax players are hard to come by and, thankfully, my brother Joe had one that he let me borrow. 

I just finished reviewing one tape. It starts out with baptisms of two of my nephews and concludes with my commissioning in the air force. The juxtaposition of these two events - events with vows and oaths - provokes a lot of thought. 

The vow to “reject Satan and his work and all his empty promises” and the oath to “to support and defend the U.S. Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic...”are particularly meaningful today.  A cult devoted to a dishonorable person who continually makes empty promises, a person who has asserted himself as the number-one domestic enemy of our Constitution, now holds unchecked and deadly power over the United States of America. 

It is a terrible time for our nation, but it’s been a long time coming. We have seen this erosion of truth and of our Constitution go unchecked from the 1980s with Rush Limbaugh, AM talk radio and FoxNews leading the way. I think there has always been a hope that people would come to their senses and reject the easily-refuted propaganda, but it never happened. So here we are.

There is, however, a gift to our nation that this surrender of honor and rationality has wrought, and that is the gift of clarity. Many gray areas have transformed dramatically into black and white. The time is fast-approaching (one could argue that it has already arrived) where you are either in, or supporting with your silence, the demonic, Constitution-destroying cult or actively engaged against it. For those who still honor their baptismal vows, their oath of office, or both, the path forward is stark and a little sad. 

I have been, for many years, a practitioner of non-violent action for change. Seeing the recent sacrifices made by peaceful people in our nation to honor their vows and their oaths is sobering, yet inspiring. 

Here is a short video of my commissioning in the USAF - exactly 41 years ago today. When I watch it, I can feel the intense joy of diverse people united in the purpose of perpetuating democracy and freedom. I hope that you can feel that too. It is a good thing to do good things with others, even when it entails great risk. And I am looking forward to doing good things this year with others. 

Much peace! Much love! Maeve  

Haiku Friday - January 23, 2026

 

Bill's beautiful photo! 

Face-deep in cellphone, 

Dark eyes reflecting blue light:

Look at me, my love. 

Max Q

A cold winter moon

Caught in the frosty branches

Time slows to a stop

Bill

Horns of the new moon

Hang perfectly suspended 

Within the darkness 

Rikosan

See the universe

It should bend toward justice 

Which way do you push?

Maeve

MLK March - January 29, 2026 - Spokane, Washington

 

Estimated between ten to twenty thousand people marching in Spokane for Martin Luther King Day - Monday, January 19, 2026. Donald Trump and his fascist cult have mobilized most decent people to action. One of the best things about a march like this or a No-Kings protest is that you get to stand with thousands of honorable, kind, intelligent and caring people. The good energy is palpable and it gives you strength and hope to stay in the fight. Thanks to the Mighty PJAMRS for the great music!

Yesterday's Out and About - Inland Classical Theatre's production of Mary Stuart!

Director Abby Burlingame and actors Sydney Anderson and Jayme Worrell were on the show yesterday to talk about Inland Classical Theatre’s upcoming production of Mary Stuart. Abby has added a great twist on this play concerning the relationship between ruler Queen Elizabeth I and her prisoner, her cousin Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. A fictional account based on true events, Abby upped the ante. At the beginning of each performance, a coin is flipped. Jayme and Sydney will find out which role they are playing - Queen Elizabeth or Mary Stuart. Opening on January 29, the play will be performed at the Blue Door Theatre for four performances. Tickets are available  here.  We had the pleasure of hearing Sydney and Jayme perform some dialogue from the play - after a coin flip - of course! 

If you missed yesterday’s show and want to have a listen, here’s a link -   https://archive.kyrs.org/mp3/kyrs_260120_160000b.mp3

Tune into Out and About every Tuesday at 4 pm on KYRS at 88.1 and 92.3 fm. Also streaming at KYRS.org. Thanks for listening! Maeve 

Today on Out and About - Mary Stuart!

I'm looking forward to talking with director Abby Burlingame and cast members from Mary Stuart. Mary Stuart is Inland Classical Theatre’s inaugural full-length, fully-staged theatrical production. You might remember this talented troupe from the lovely job they did performing a live, fun, thirty-minute version of The Tempest on Out and About last summer. This production is going to be a lot of fun too. The two actors - Sydney Anderson and Jayme Worrell will, right before each performance, flip a coin to see who will play Queen Elizabeth and who will play Queen Mary. Very cool!  

Opening on January 29, the play will be performed at the Blue Door Theatre for four performances only. Tickets are available  here. 

Tune into Out and About every Tuesday at 4 pm on KYRS at 88.1 and 92.3 fm. Also streaming at KYRS.org. Thanks for listening! Maeve 

Haiku Friday January 16, 2026

The denuded hills 
High above Pasadena
Dressed in rags of green

Max Q 

The constant abuse 
Victimized by a toddler 
Life of a mommy

Nikki

If it's the right time
Death can be a welcome friend
Blissful end of pain.

Bill

Tiny silver fish 
Lying dead on the shore line
Reflecting the sky

Rikosan

An embarrassment 
He’s a brain-damaged Hitler
Europe please save us

Maeve