Episode 67 (Friday, March 20, 2026) opens with a busy spring morning in the Snider household, beginning with a 7 a.m. dentist appointment and the kind of coffee shortage that makes everything feel a little slower. A shoutout goes to Dr. Aaron Smith, DDS, along with a brief reflection on the value of small human details in local care. From there, the episode settles into the everyday rhythm of family life, school dropoff, morning productivity, and NCAA tournament basketball playing in the background.

Spring sports are in full swing. State gymnastics is on deck, Cal Ripken baseball is underway, and the first PCR Majors Giants scrimmage is coming up Saturday. Rain has made practices and field conditions difficult all week, but the energy of the season is fully here. The episode captures that familiar local mix of weather, scheduling, school routines, and youth sports that defines this time of year.

One major local topic is the Puyallup School District's dual language programming. Applications are open for the Spanish dual language program for incoming kindergarten students, and the ASL dual language opportunity gets attention as well. That leads into a broader reflection on language itself, including the idea that learning other languages expands perspective and shapes the way people understand the world. Signed languages are treated here as full languages, not as mere coded versions of English.

The episode also previews the Anonymous College Fair coming up on May 19, a reimagined event intended to show families how admissions and financial aid decisions are actually made. That discussion opens into a broader case for community college as a practical and valuable path, especially for students who are still figuring out what they want to study. Pierce College and the community college route are presented as strong options, particularly for Running Start students looking to save money and reduce long-term debt.

Another major focus is the revised Puyallup School District budget. The discussion centers on the balance between reductions at the school level and reductions in the central office, with a clear opinion that classroom instruction, teachers, and direct student support should remain the top priority. Bureaucracy, administrative growth, and institutional complexity all come under scrutiny, with the larger point being that educational systems should direct the bulk of their resources toward students and the people who work with them directly.

On the arts side, the district calendar includes Freaky Friday the Musical at Rogers High School on March 20 and 21, with more performances the following week. Upcoming band, choir, orchestra, and performing arts events across the district also get mention, including a Puyallup High School band concert on March 23 and an Emerald Ridge showcase later in the month. Spring in the district is clearly busy on both the athletic and artistic fronts.

Local sports and fairgrounds events round out the episode. Recent baseball and softball results involving Puyallup, Rogers, and Emerald Ridge are covered, along with the reality that rain has led to cancellations and postponements. At the Washington State Fairgrounds, this weekend includes the Just Between Friends consignment sale and Gem Faire. Looking ahead, the Jordan World Circus arrives next weekend with multiple showtimes and family ticket options.

Podyallup remains a value-for-value podcast focused on helping people feel more connected to the place where they live. Listeners can support the show by sharing it, sending in local stories, connecting interesting people in the community, or contributing financially at podyallup.com/donate. Show notes are at podyallup.com/67. New episodes release every Friday.