Matt Groening
As the 25th season of The Simpsons premieres we wonder if, back when the creator was an undergrad at Evergreen State College, he imagined that kind of job security for a doodle fiend. (Fox, Sept 29)

Alex Carr 
The lead editor of Amazon’s new Jet City Comics imprint gets to launch graphic works from fantasy heavyweights Neal Stephenson and George R. R. Martin—apparently “comic fan” is the only reliable job path anymore. 

Amber Kelley 
At age 10, the Woodinville chef has a video series, recurring Q13 gig, and a healthy no-noodle lasagna recipe that sent her to the White House. Hey Food Network, we have your replacement for Paula Deen’s time slot. 

Brent Kline 
The Mariner High School principal is a finalist for this month’s National Principal of the Year. He’s so good that if Ferris Bueller had gone to his school, the kid wouldn’t have even tried to play hooky. 

Lang Lang
He wanted to learn piano after watching a Tom and Jerry cartoon. We’re lucky Lang—here for the Seattle Symphony’s new season—didn’t become the world’s most lyrical exterm-inator. (Benaroya Hall, Sept 15)

Twyla Tharp 
This year’s Pacific Northwest Ballet artist-in-residence choreographer kicks off the season with a world premiere dance and another set to Sinatra that’s curiously not called Fouette Me to the Moon. (Sept 27–Oct 6)

Published: September 2013