Living

Some gems emerge when rediscovering life without power

We survived January’s big snow and ice storm, and power outage, which at times felt like we were living in a modern-day version of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “The Long Winter.”

Illuminated Ball benefits Procession of the Species

At Saturday’s Illuminated Ball, the Eagles Ballroom will be transformed into an elaborate forest canopy. And those in attendance at the ball, the main fundraiser of the Procession of the Species, will be transformed, too, in fashions that glitter, sparkle, twinkle and even flash.

‘Frankenstein’

When an actor takes on an iconic character, one that audiences know and love (or love to hate), it can feel at first like pretending, said Pat Sibley of Seattle. But then, there’s a moment when the character becomes the actor’s own.

Punny wisdom

Olympia Family Theater does plays for children, but for the most part, the actors and crew members are adults. But “The Phantom Tollbooth,” opening tonight, features not only a young cast but a couple of young designers — including lighting designer Eli Wasserman, 12, a student at the Alki program at Reeves Middle School.

Convincing super powers

Teenagers acquire super powers and, being teenagers, videotape themselves as they learn what they can do in “Chronicle,” an entertaining comic-book movie without the comic book.

Old-fashioned horror yarn

Daniel Radcliffe acquits himself reasonably well in his first adult big-screen role, a man haunted by “The Woman in Black.”

February brings films with Denzel, Aniston

Did you know Daniel Radcliffe’s first big post-Potter movie comes out this week? If you haven’t heard much about it, here’s the reason why.

South Sounders get creative, harvest rain

Got rain? Of course you do. Sometimes in the Northwest it can seem like that’s all we do have. Yet there’s always a period of total drought midsummer when your water bill skyrockets, and forecasters are predicting that situation will only get worse. But so will flooding. Plus, the big problem is that pollutants in stormwater runoff can hurt Puget Sound. Time to get creative with the rain – and a handful of South Sounders are exploring three different ways: above ground, in-ground and below ground.

Grow your own grapes for wine

The first week of February is for early bloomers. Forsythia is budding and crocuses are popping.

Super snacking

Let your appetizers shine this winter. Who can resist incredible little edibles to swallow in a bite? They could make for a slightly prettier, if not tastier, Super Bowl spread.