On furlocation
Your columnist/blogger is on furlough/vacation from today through March 4. (These are tough times -- but you knew that already.)
I'll have columns this Sunday, next Wednesday and next Sunday, skipping the next two Fridays. Seemed better to space 'em out. I'll be back in the office Monday, March 7 and blog posts will resume that day.
Until then, enjoy the break (I will -- I'm taking a trip) and feel free to explore the blog, or catch up on past columns here.

A journalist for more than two decades, David Allen has been writing a column for the 

Have a good trip! You might throw us addicts a post now and then, you know to help us with the shakes??
Yikes! We all might as well go into hibernation for the duration 'cause a day without David Allen is like a day without sunshine. And the sun is not shining today.
Coincidence? I think not.
Enjoy your trip, David. We look forward to hearing all about it when your "furlation" is completed.
Have a great trip, David! I feel your pain re. the cutbacks... my schools have cut my classes for next year... more than they were already cut. So, no reading log till March 7? I guess I can stick it out till then. I know: I'll plan for next year's classes! Oh... wait...
Safe travels, David! Hope your time away is relaxing & refreshing. You will clearly be missed here -- looking forward to being updated on your exploits in 12 days or so.
Have a restful furlocationā¦things are tough all over. In addition to the several articles about school district layoffs that appeared over the weekend, my district pinked 45 teachers - three from my department of 10 at the high school.
You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille. Ray Musser just became mayor... LOL :)
See you next week.
[I'm sorry to have missed that! -- DA]
Grease my Pomierski.
Hi David: Hurry up and get back.
John Quarter- I think someone already did.
Fred Henderson
Everett, WA
Kristin: I can't get that song out of my head! Ahhhh!
[I'd managed to forget that song's existence for years. And now...! -- DA]