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Out in Elma, Washington, there’s a modest dairy farm, set against the backdrop of low hills and the cooling towers of the defunct Satsop nuclear power plant. On the farm, cows are doing what cows do. Jose Torres owns the place. But that wasn’t always the case. Jose started out as an ordinary farm worker, when this farm was owned by Bill Goeres. Bill’s father farmed around here, and so did his grandfather. But eventually, Bill became sick. He had to make a decision as to whom he would pass on

This story originally aired on November 5, 2016. There has been a lot of attention paid in recent years to the risks of playing professional football. While head injuries are nothing new to football, the National Football League implemented nine years ago, and has since constantly tweaked a concussion protocol, and has adjusted other rules to assist in player safety. But professional football players seem to be getting bigger, stronger, and faster every year, and despite the safety measures put

This week on Sound Effect , we share stories from people who have had sports affect their lives in different ways. Peru’s First Winter Olympian Roberto Carcelen was the first Peruvian to ever compete in the Winter Olympics. But just ten days before his second Winter Olympics, the cross-country skier fell while practicing, suffering major injuries. He decided to ski anyway, and inspired a country in the process. Medicine Game Normally you might picture lacrosse happening at elite schools, played

This story originally aired on July 11, 2015. Aaron D'Errico had one dream as a child — to be a soccer star in the same manner as his father, David D'Errico , an original Seattle Sounder and former U.S. Men's National Team captain. But where Aaron's dreams went, his body couldn't follow. Born with cerebral palsy , Aaron was never going to be a much of a soccer player, much less a professional. That wasn't about to stop him, however. The Friday Harbor man put pen to paper and created Ammon Walker

This story originally aired on April 29, 2017. Lane Czaplinski has been the artistic director at On The Boards, a Seattle-based contemporary performing arts organization since 2002. He has basically been working in the arts since he graduated college. But in his senior year of college, a series of unusual circumstances led to him climbing the ranks of one of the most historic and decorated college basketball programs in the country. Lane chose to go to the University of Kansas, but not to play

We often hear about development pressure changing communities all over the region. Case in point: A popular farm-themed shopping destination in Bothell might soon be replaced by condos. The family that owns Bothell Country Village has a lucrative offer from a developer. It’s not a done deal yet. Some residents and shop-owners are still looking to save this neighborhood icon.

This show originally aired on April 1, 2017. This week on Sound Effect , we share stories from people under the influence of mentors, substances, music, and society. At The Throne Four-year-old Donovan Lewis has been playing drums for his whole, short life. That's thanks to his dad, grandfather, and great grandfather — all successful drummers in their own right. The Lewis family looks back on how each generation has influenced the next to get behind a drum set. The Teacher Becomes The Student

Donovan Lewis is 4 years old and has been playing the drums since before he learned how to walk. His preschool teacher says that on rainy days, Donovan taps out the beat the raindrops make on the building's metal downspouts. This should come as no surprise. His parents say that music is in their son's DNA. D'Vonne Lewis is Donovan's father. D'Vonne is an accomplished Seattle-based drummer. He's performed with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, pianist Marian McPartland and

When Brian McDonald, a screenwriter, teacher and author was living in Seattle in the mid-90s, he says that, while talented, he had seen about 15 years of closed doors as far as his career was concerned. Knowing that the Pulitzer Prize winning playwright August Wilson also lived in Seattle, Wilson had dreams of one day meeting him and learning from him.

Seattle musician and artist Shannon Perry is known for her exquisite tattoo work and incredible musical presence. But six years ago, while in rehab for Adderall abuse, she felt very alone. Perry picked up smoking again so she could socialize with the other people, but it didn't help. Rather than go numb from the isolation and boredom, she started to make things. Playing the drums on the floor with her hands and singing songs in a whisper, Perry used music to fill her time and she figured out a