Alison Baur grew up in Minnesota but has been living in Tacoma since 2004.  A graduate of the University of Puget Sound, she majored in Foreign Language and International Affairs with an emphasis in Spanish. 

After dabbling in politics as a campaign manager and legislative assistant, she delved into her passion for environmental work as a member of the Washington Conservation Corps. 

She loves to explore the outdoors, play the fiddle, and watch movies at the Grand Cinema.

If there's one thing that Brandon Lueken learned in college, it's that a formal education doesn't count for everything. If there are two things, it’s the invaluable importance of working with the community.  So, how did Brandon end up working for insurance? No one knows for sure.

With seven years journalistic experience, a semi-useful English degree already collecting dust, and his other assorted arts experience, Brandon has an insatiable urge to explore the new and exciting.

Brandon opens doors for women, cooks well, and cleans up after himself.  Basically, Brandon is just a man trying live an honest life in a post-ironic world.  Yes, we’re trying to get him laid.

What we do know about Brandon is that he most definitely got out of bed this morning.  Everything else is a mystery.

Chelsey Lindahl is a wife, a foodie, a dog lover, and a nutritionist/soon to-be RD writing about two of her favorite things, food and nutrition. 

Co-owner of Puget Sound Skating, blogger of Chew with Your Mouth Open, and full-time Health Educator, Chelsey is a busy woman.  In May 2011 she graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a BS in Dietetics and is currently completing a dietetic internship to become an RD.  She lives in Graham with her hubby Kris and two awesome dogs.

 
Chelsey believes in delicious healthy food (not the kind that tastes like cardboard), eating local, fine beverages,  not sweating the small stuff, quality vs. quantity, and that sarcasm is good for the soul. 

Chris Van Vechten has served on the Pierce County Arts Commission, Tacoma’s North End Neighborhood Council, and Mayor Strickland’s Education Task Force.  In 2009, at the age of 24, he ran for Tacoma School Board and finished 4th in a six-way primary: 654 votes ahead of the deposed incumbent.  Chris has published various short stories and articles and has one of the most eclectic vocational resumes one could ever hope to see.  He currently is a second year law student at Seattle University and works as an intern in the Pierce County Prosecutor’s office.

Graduating from the University of Puget Sound in 2007, Chris received a BA in history following a review of his thesis: "Rendered, Redeemed & Transformed: The Social History of Whale Carcass Disposal on Northwest Shores."  

Colin Cronin is a graduate from the University of Puget Sound where he studied a diverse array of useful subjects: from how to understand Baroque counterpoint to pivotal societal symbols such as Henry Weinhard's and Jack Daniel's. Colin has held positions at the Tacoma-based environmental non-profit Earth Economics, Independent Colleges of Washington, and Security Services at UPS (everybody's favorite). Colin writes on a variety of topics at his own blog Tabris' Corner  when he doesn't want to do any real work.

Colin is currently an organist at the Church of Christ Scientist in Tacoma - where the influence of ancient Greek is seen in the spelling Chvrch.

Dan Agam tends to go on incoherent rants which may or may not be fueled by a mixture of DayQuil and NyQuil. He enjoys coming up with thorough, layered lies which he tells his friends and family are true occurrences. He enjoys Scrabble, photographing the elderly, and kittens.

Dan resides in Chicago, IL and can usually be found surrounded by Scandinavian models.

You can learn more about his work by visiting his website: http://www.danagam.com. He also writes in his blog when he feels like it: http://www.danagam.com/blog.

My name is David Nielsen and I am a recovering research biologist.  I got my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Andrews University and Tulane University respectively and I'm back in the Northwest to get my teaching credentials.  I'm looking forward to the certain abuse of my many students and hopefully I can impart some much need science.  Of all the places I've been, Seattle-Tacoma area is my favorite and I hope I can make a meaningful contribution to the Melonite community.

Born in Chicago-land, Electric Elliot (or Elliot Trotter) is the founder of The Melon.  Currently acting as The Melon's Content Manager and Creative Director, Elliot is responsible for all of the chaos, order and planning that makes up this glorious resource.

In addition to his responsibilities with The Melon, Elliot also works with Organic Produce Home Deliver Service called Terra-Organics, as an Event Planner for an Ultimate Frisbee tournament managment company called Cultimate and as a Technology Developer for the Puget Sound Food Network.

Elliot enjoys making videos, writing fiction and poetry, painting, and other creative mediums.

To find out more about Elliot and his work, check out elliottrotter.com

Other projects/links:

Minutaur.com
Electric Elliot's Youtube
Trailer Hater

Emily Knudsen is a lifelong Western Washington resident.  Having graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 2007 with a double major in International Political Economy (IPE) and Foreign Language and International Affairs , she's currently learning a bit about the legal field working at a criminal defense law office in downtown Seattle.

In 2006, she was awarded the IPE summer research grant to study the effects of immigration on the Danish welfare economy. Emily was a communications intern with John Kerry's presidential campaign in 2003 (that didn’t turn out so well) and is now volunteering for Barack Obama's campaign (might turn out better.)

In hopes to become more informed about environmental issues, she just started classes to earn a certificate in Environmental Law and Regulations.

Emily loves living in West Seattle and she's always up for trying exotic, unusual desserts. Monkey brains anyone?

Emily Oliver is a professional make up artist in Beverly Hills, California. Originally from Spokane, Washington, Emily enjoys entertainment, family and her kitty cat.

Raised in the great Pacific Northwest for most of his life, Eric now lives in Washington D.C. He is an avid nerd for all things space and flight related, loves to travel, and has the uncanny ability to recall every single quote from Arrested Development. While not lamenting about the state of the world, Eric spends most of his time sulking about the poor performance of his Oregon State Beavers. He also hates Josh Cole with the intensity of 4 million ulcers.

Erik Bjornson is an attorney in Downtown Tacoma who often writes about urban issues in local papers and blogs.  He is a member of the North End Neighborhood Council and edits the blog the Tacoma Urbanist.

Erik Connell is a 2007 graduate of the University of Puget Sound. He is currently a Democracy Fellow at FairVote, a nonprofit election reform and voting rights organization based in Takoma Park, Maryland.

Gladius the Great is the ruler of gleevil and all things mostly horrible. Gladius will rule the universe with a hammer fist! Klow! Klow! Klow! Klow! Klow!

Glynnis Kirchmeier is a graduate student in history at the University of British Columbia. She is formerly a proud resident of Tacoma, where she attended the University of Puget Sound. In her free time she enjoys reading, video games, and sparring in culture wars, particularly battles about sexuality and race. She enjoys volunteering in the community, hiking, cooking, and petting kitties.

Harrison Zachary Ross moved to the Tacoma area when he was one year old, a decision he has never regretted.  He studied Psychology at Western, and is now working on a computer degree at Clover Park Technical College.  A few years back, Harry allowed his brother Sam to get him involved in local politics, a decision he regrets deeply, and often.  Along the way, he's acquired an intricate understanding of video games, Dungeons & Dragons, and most things nerdy, which he's more than willing to share with you.

Harvard West is a 2002 graduate of Yale University with lose ties to the out-going administration.  Recently he became a victim of the economy, and lost his job at SeaTac Airport where he specialized in controlling the low-flying bird population with a shotgun that at one time belonged to Vice President Cheney.

Jack Faust was born in the parking lot of The Ram in Tacoma. Coincidentally, his birth sign is Ares: the Ram. Since, however, calling astrology a pseudo-science would be courtesy that is does not deserve, the previous sentence is, in semantic essence, meaningless. As a lifetime Tacoma local Jack has gazed into the abyss longer than most; as such, he has cultivated an acerbic wit wedded to a caustic sense of humor that when combined allow him to cope with the gun-metal grey weather and dismal cityscape. (Yet occasional medicinal quantities of alcohol and various apothecaric herbs assist him to establish a Zen-like mental equilibrium.)

Jack has involved himself with numerous non-profit organizations within the City of Destiny for the purposes of education and social justice. Such affiliates include, but are not limited to: The Tacoma Community House, Habitat for Humanity, Planned Parenthood, League of Women Voters, K.U.P.S., Puget Creek Restoration Project, Islamic-Relief, and the Tacoma Socialist Party.

In his recreational moments, Jack pits his logical acumen against that of the philosophy department at the University of Puget Sound in addition to various artificial intelligences spawned from the minds of Chess programs either silicon or protein based. Jack also enjoys cooking and disc golf.

"My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute." -Ayn Rand

Jen Drake has lived quite a life. She grew up in seven states but spent ten formative years on a cattle and emu ranch in northeastern Oklahoma. Yeah, emus. After finishing half a year of college, she dropped out to become a beekeeper in Minnesota for two years. Who does that?

She later graduated from Walla Walla University with a bachelor in history, minor in English, and emphasis in economics. In 2005 she started an Amnesty International chapter, and in 2007 she organized events to raise over $60,000 in two months to buy a house and surrounding property for girls being groomed for the sex trade in Calcutta's Red Light district and to send a team of ten to India to create a portfolio on the project, now known as Project Red Light.

Jen has worked two Washington State legislative sessions as a Senator's aide, was the Development Coordinator at a local Dispute Resolution Center, served as the Finance Director for Women of Washington (a project of the National Council of Women's Organizations) and one year developed Puyallup's first organized pea patch community garden with Puyallup's Park and Rec and Steering Committee.  Let’s just say she keeps busy.

She now works as an Eldercare Advisor for A Place for Mom by providing our community with free resources and referrals to the confusing long-term care network such as home care, assisted living, residential care homes, or retirement communities.

Her hobbies include gardening like a mad woman, cooking, and chatting with farmers at local farmer's markets.

Joe La Sac graduated with degrees in economics and philosophy from UPS, 2008. Joe approaches life as a cultural activist and community disorganizer, these days keeping himself busy with film production at K'nected Media in Portland, OR. (http://knectedmedia.com.) This Fall Joe will be contributing to The Melon from Athens, Greece. Joe has a passion for exploring urban life and creating alternative culture. You can see what he's up to on his personal blog at http://utopiaorbust.com.

Coming soon...

Josh Cole is an editor and contributing writer to The Melon. He graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 2009.

Kenneth Erwin, resides in the greenest city of the United States, where the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers meet in lovely Portland, Oregon.

A native of Los Angeles, CA, Kevin P. Henry has been a journalist for over 30 years, first getting bitten by the writing bug while in college during the early 1980s. A graduate of California State University, Northridge, Kevin began writing features and news for the Los Angeles Daily News, and eventually  went on to write for the Los Angeles Times,  Billboard Magazine, Diversity News and Seattle Woman Magazine. As a writer, he has also written copy for radio, print advertizing and websites. Kevin was also the host of Voices of Diversity, a weekly public affairs program on KBCS-FM, 91.3 and has hosted radio programs on other Puget Sound area radio stations since the early 1990s.  As the Cultural Diversity Coordinator for the City of Bellevue since 1994, Kevin currently coordinates cultural arts /education programs and events. His other jobs have included managing the University of Washington Speakers Bureau from 1988 - 1994, working as a receptionist in a psychiatric clinic and a few gigs as a stock photography model.

Liam Rosen is a member of the class of 2009 at the University of Puget Sound. A German and International Affairs Major, his interests include languages and linguistics, local politics, and progressive voting systems. He is a member of the Tacoma Students for a Democratic Society. As a Portland, Oregon native, he is particularly interested in Oregon politics.

In college Lynda Foster decided she was going to pursue her political nerdiness and is slowly building a career out of it. She has spent several summers doing fundraising and campaign work, and three legislative sessions as a Committee Assistant.
 
However, while being active in numerous political organizations, volunteering for candidates and causes, and obsessively following national, state, and local political news may keep a gal busy, it isn't quite the same as having a life. So, Lynda has taken on new hobbies like learning to roller skate  (in the hope of joining roller derby or novice skate competitions), taking on a garden at the Proctor community garden plot, and re-establishing her love of writing by contributing to The Melon.

Matt Stevens works at a food manufacturing facility in the Tacoma area. Working with chocolate for eight hours a day has cause him to dive into the world of great beers and the great books that go with them as an escape. Stevens is originally from Okoboji, Iowa, but escaped to the West Coast and has since put down rather fragile roots. Matt has an overpowering love of baseball, and he will tell you about it if you just give him half the chance. Perhaps you shall be lucky enough to see him out in Stadium District on is beloved green bike enjoying a beer or a glass of wine. If so, say "Hey Beer Man" and he'll be at your service.

Mike Oliver is a writer and actor in Los Angeles, CA where he lives with his lovely wife, Emily. He has written numerous short plays and short stories, and is completing his first novel, “The Salt and the Darkness”. 

Myronda Schmidt is a relative Seattleite newbie, being born and raised in Spokane... You know, Eastern Washington? After completing a Journalism degree at Eastern Washington University, she packed her bags and headed west for the bright lights of the big city to evidentially continue doing the exact same thing she was doing in Spokane, but with better music and bars.

Myronda still enjoys writing (even though no one tells you it's nearly impossible to parlay it into a bill-paying career) and likes to write about any and all subjects. She also has an interest in sleeping in, quoting movies and saying "that's what she said" at inappropriate moments, and more main-stream things like yoga, rock climbing, reading, outdoorsy things, etc. You can usually find her walking down the streets jamming some Incubus and chasing stray cats that really DO want to be petted, no matter how much they may protest.

Published by John Hathaway, The New Takhoman offers those friendly but succinct cartoon worms constantly spouting off their political perspectives in comic form, or the groundbreaking Tacoma Confidential article which reported on domestic violence allegations against Tacoma Police Chief David Brame, who later killed himself and his wife.

In addition to his cartooning work, John writes essays detailing his perspective on Tacoma. John's perspective is unique, biting, and here to stay.

RR Anderson is considered "THE Tacoma cartoonist" and is master of the universe.

See his creative work here: http://www.holisticforgeworks.com/

Check out his blog here: http://i.feedtacoma.com/NineInchNachos/

Who wants to know?

Rachel S. King studied Russian and English literature at the University of Oregon. Her Honors College thesis, Encounters with Western Thinkers in the Library of Babel, demonstrates her academic interests: literature (mainly Russian and American), philosophy (especially feminism and existentialism), and history (currently 1840s-1870s American and Canadian). She will also talk politics or theology if occasion arises.

Rachel is a M.F.A. in fiction-writing candidate at West Virginia University. Her eventual goal is to be a historical fiction author. You can check out her literary magazine reviews at www.newpages.com.

Sam Ross is a community activist, professional political worker, amateur chef, and all around nerd. When he isn't working at our state capitol, you can typically find him wearing an apron or playing videogames, perhaps both at the same time. He will be providing The Melon with food recipes and reviews, political commentaries, and general community input.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Sophie Elkus is a sophomore at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism with a major in print and digital journalism. Between her studies of new age journalism and firsthand experience of its effect on her generation, she is a participant in all things social media. She has a penchant for  nineteenth century impressionism and artfully decorated vegan cupcakes. An obsessive reader of magazines and fashion blogs, Sophie has aspirations to someday become the next Anna Wintour. Until then, she can be found practicing yoga and spending time with her toy Maltese, Gemma.

Passionate and educated (and very tall), Steven likes food. He likes food so much that he moved from the Pacific Northwest to Mineral Point, Wisconsin to make food culture his life.

After four years in the Pacific Northwest honing my craft in the Culinary Arts and working a few years in the San Juan Islands, Steven headed east to Wisconsin to learn more about what it takes to grow the food he loves so much.

In Wisconsin Steven has worked on various farms focused on diversified vegetable production and he also spent several months on a meat production farm. He also served as the Executive Chef of an Italian Restaurant.

Steven has spent a year in local food distribution and met a beautiful girl, Yvonne, that shares his passion for food. Currently Steven and Yvonne are in their first year operating their own 3 acre CSA and Market farm with distribution to restaurants. Visit their selections at The Summer Pantry.

Torey Holderith graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 2009 with a BA in Politics and Government (International Relations) and minor in History (European emphasis). Torey has interned with the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, and the Center for Advanced Defense Studies in Washington, DC.  In 2008 he was awarded a research grant for a study entitled Using the Market to Build the State: Reversing Contemporary State-Building Logic in Iraq, in which he argued for the use of economic growth as a catalyst for the creation of effective governance in Iraq.

An attendee of the 2008 United States Air Force Academy conference on counter terrorism, his professional interests include military history and transformation, conflict resolution, and strategic studies. When relaxing Torey enjoys a crisp Pinot Gris, a good book, and taking himself way too seriously. He currently resides in Tacoma, WA.

Don’t hate the film, hate the trailer…

Trailer Hater is about hating and loving the art of trailer in all genres,  be it an action flick, video game, spoof, etc., and offering an opinion on the worthiness of the previewed film.  We let the trailer do the talking and judge the merit of an unsung medium which has a serious cultural (or at least monetary) impact.

TrailerHater.com partnered with The Melon in June of 2009.

Walid Zafar is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound and currently lives in Washington D.C. In addition to writing for The Melon, Walid also runs his own blog, Subalternate Reality which focuses primarily on issues that disproportionately impact the poor. Born in Kabul, but raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Walid’s main interests include Latin America, contemporary Islamic issues, global indigenous movements, food and agricultural policy, development economics, infectious diseases, money laundering and natural resources.

Walker Lindley graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a degree in Computer Science in May 2008. He's now working as a software engineer for a game company in Seattle which is just a fancy way of saying he makes video games for a living, his longtime dream.  When Walker is not living the dream (aka: work or posting about technology, politics, security, and copyright on The Melon©®™) you can usually find him playing games, riding his bike, or just hanging out around Seattle (Walker is very popular.)

He's always up for an interesting discussion over coffee or email, so feel free to drop him a line with your musings on anything and everything, but certainly not that. And, of course, all opinions expressed here are just his own and not those of his company. In fact, they probably have no basis in reality at all.