I have an exceptionally talented 19-year-old granddaughter, Claire Kretzschmar. Last August, she was hired as a ballet dancer with the New York City Ballet.

November 29, 2011 2:11 pm

Is it OK for me to do a little boasting?

I have an exceptionally talented 19-year-old granddaughter, Claire Kretzschmar. Last August, she was hired as a ballet dancer with the New York City Ballet. Like many other cities, New York puts on “The Nutcracker” at Christmas time. For the first time, this year the New York City Ballet is going nationwide. “The Nutcracker” will be playing live at over 500 theatres including Century Theatres here in Federal Way. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13. “The Nutcracker” will also be shown on PBS on Dec. 14. Claire will be in all those performances.

Claire is the daughter of Mary Thoennes, a graduate of Decatur High School.

Leo J. Thoennes, Federal Way