This week on Sound Effect, we hear stories of what it means to pass down old tales, traditions, businesses and music to the next generation.

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

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 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 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

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.

The world of children’s books is lily white. The vast majority of people writing kids’ books are white and their characters are usually white, too. There are more animals and trucks that appear as characters in kids books than there are African-American characters. But we don’t live in a lily-white world and many of us aren’t white. So what’s at stake when minority kids see limited versions of people who look like themselves? And when they do see minority characters, those characters are often

Adults are constantly influencing the kids around them, whether it's as parents, teachers or mentors. For better and for worse, key adults can shape the trajectory of children and inspire their path as those children grow up. Tacoma native Tim Olsen found a mentor in local guitar maker and musician Harvey Thomas. Fifty years later, Olsen still reflects on his old role model with a wry smile. "He was a true eccentric, through and through," says Olsen. Thomas is mostly famous for making wacky

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

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.