Stories for March 28, 2008

Was McDermott a 'useful idiot' on his Baghdad trip?

Fri, Mar 28, 3 p.m.

Local media featured this past week the story of how Rep. Jim McDermott's 2002 pre-Iraq War journey to Baghdad took place and was financed. The account does not smell right.

At ACT: an inspiring theater company from Tashkent

Fri, Mar 28, 10 a.m.

By Thomas May

The play depicts young love quashed by implacable social forces. The theater company's story is one of bravely surviving amid censorship in Uzbekistan, while drawing on folkloric and boldly experimental performance styles. It adds up to a remarkable night of theater.

In Seattle, umbrella funds are adapting to the new philanthropy

Fri, Mar 28, 10 a.m.

By David Brewster

An important organization in Seattle, the Alliance for Education, has announced changes in the way it will be distributing money. There will now be more targeting and accountability, and more meshing with the district's emerging strategic focus. Similar changes are going on with other umbrella agencies, including in the arts and social services.

After sell-off of the Times Co.'s Maine papers, a look at McClatchy

Fri, Mar 28, 5 a.m.

By Bill Richards

McClatchy Co. has an ownership interest in almost half of newspapers published daily in Washington, including the Seattle Times. Here's a look at how they may be faring and feeling in the wake of the Times' Maine newspaper sale.