Charles R. Cross

Few movies made as big an impression on my childhood mind as "The Wizard of Oz." Just play the music from the flying monkey scene around me, even now, and you will see me run from the room. But the innocence and naivety of Dorothy was the antidote. Here's my piece on MoPop,'s latest exhibit which includes Judy Garland's dress (and Kurt Cobain's sweater, and a bunch more), from this weekend's Seattle Times.

The remarkable bits of pop culture on display at MoPOP’s new ‘Massive’ exhibit To that question, the new show answers: Barbie, Beyoncé, Batman, Biggie and more.

24 years with Ashland: It’s my son’s birthday today — the full story of the serendipity of his birth, coming on the day before Kurt Cobain’s, at the moment I was writing “Heavier Than Heaven,” ends up in something I’m presently writing. But today, in real time, I took him out for his first-ever Portage Bay breakfast (he was brought up right, knowing the Sunlight Café is the only acceptable NE Seattle breakfast, except on Mondays when they are closed). Of all the things I’ve been involved in with my life, I’m most proud to be his dad because of who he is: his integrity, intelligence, humility, generosity, humor, and passion for the arts (though I know I had only a little to do with any of that). The phone somehow was in portrait mode, which is probably for the best to make me blurry, as it was Ashland’s day to shine (tho we got soaked walking Greenlake).

Goodbye dear friend. Susie Tennant was something to behold. She was infectiously alive with joy for music, life, and her family. Full remembrance coming soon from me in the The Seattle Times. Friends of Susie Tennant Page, Marco, Kurt Cobain, Krist. (10/31/91 Paramount, and likely taken by Darrell Westmoreland).

Funniest thing I've seen this week. Maybe ever.