January 2017

By Peggy Sturdivant

When the 36th District Democrats hold town hall meetings 30-40 people usually attend. On Sunday, January 29, 2017 the Ballard High School Library was at capacity, well over 200 people were packed in chairs, aisles and overflowing the entrance. The overriding question of the day from attendees obviously concerned by the effect of sweeping U.S. policy changes was, “What can we do?”

Citizens spent an hour and a half squeezed into the library to ask questions of State Senator Reuven Carlyle and Representatives Gael Tarleton and Noel Frame. They had questions about attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the unfolding situation regarding the president’s executive order on immigration, banning U.S. entry for refugees and even green card holders from selected countries. Issue by issue, the questions came: education funding, the City, County and State’s position on immigration, climate change, electoral reform, homelessness, mental health services, State income tax, public lands and background checks for gun ownership. The audience wanted to know, where do you stand, what should we do?

If you would like to obtain some well considered financial advice, contact Sarah Cecil 206-938-6017.

Brought to you by Sarah Cecil Financial Advisor with Edwards Jones Investments.

Sponsored post.

Sponsored by Sarah Cecil

Are you a “do-it-yourselfer”? If you can take care of home repairs, lawn work and other types of maintenance by yourself, you’ll save money and probably gain satisfaction. But you will almost certainly need some help in other areas of your life – one of which may be investing. In fact, you could benefit from the services of a professional financial advisor at several points in your life:

• When you’re starting out in your career – When you land your first “career-type” job, you will have some financial decisions to make: Should I participate in my employer’s 401(k) or other retirement plan? (Hint: Yes!) If so, how much should I contribute? How can I juggle saving for retirement with paying off student loans? These are the types of questions you can answer with the help of a financial advisor.

By Lindsay Peyton

Jude Miqueli looks every bit the part of rocker turned teacher – and she wears both hats equally well.

She sports neon green nail polish, a tousle of short brunette waves and bright tattoos on her forearms – as well as a t-shirt bearing the logo for “Bloomz,” an app that supports parent-teacher communication.

Despite her patient, soft-spoken cadence, Miqueli is obviously stoked about the software.

Miqueli serves as ambassador for “Bloomz” on the West Seattle Montessori campus. She describes it as basically like Facebook, only reserved for parents and teachers. She can post photos that only parents see, send regular notes and even create a fun way to reinforce positive behavior for her students.

Miqueli regularly gathers her first, second and third graders around her computer and asks them to nominate each other for good deeds, like sharing, saying thank you and any other positive behavior. They are also allowed to thank each other and mention traits for which they should be rewarded themselves.

By Amanda Knox
 
This first week under the new administration disheartened me in many ways.

Already, President Trump has taken executive action to suppress the reality of climate change, to interfere with women’s access to reproductive healthcare, to refuse immigrants and refugees from entering the country on the basis of their religion, and to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico, among other things.

But even on the day of the inauguration, before any of these unwelcome measures were signed into existence, I was reminded of the disheartening reality that someone like me will likely never hold the office of presidency—not from my generation, at least. What disqualifies me, or someone like me, is not the fact that I’m a woman. To our country’s credit, I think the U.S. is ready and willing for our first Madame President. No. What disqualifies me, or someone like me, is the fact that I’m atheist. I don’t believe in God.
 

To the editor:
 
We live in interesting, yet strange times. We are a divided society, divided by race, religion, geography, education, professions values, and by the way we think and reason. In other words, we live in different worlds. Yet, we are all out of Africa and immigrants as our ancestors knew well. Every one of us traces our lineage back to a small population living on the southeast coast of Africa several thousand years ago. From this perspective, we are truly one family of mankind and less tribal than we might think. Yet, this perspective is conveniently ignored. Instead, from another perspective and the most visible today, we are hopelessly divided and tribal and this is not likely to change anytime soon. Today, increasing polarization has taken us into a new political civil war!
 

Alarm goes off on California Avenue

An alarm company contacted the police around 8 a.m. on Mon., Jan. 23 to report a signal coming from a business on the 6400 block of California Avenue S.W. After arriving, officers noticed the back door gate was pried open and the back door was also ajar. They searched the property, but no one was inside. The victim did not notice anything missing. Officers believe the alarm sounding may have caused the suspect to flee.

Parking lot robbers

By Pat Cashman

As I was driving 20 miles above the speed limit in the wrong direction down a one-way street the other day, I realized something: The mandatory seat belt in this state has been around for more than 15 years now. So by now it’s a lame excuse to tell a cop, “Gee, officer. I didn’t know.”

The seat belt law was designed to protect people from themselves. Meanwhile there is no mandatory pants belt law---that would also protect people from themselves.

In the case of the seat belt law, people get protected from injury or worse in an auto accident. A pants belt law would protect people from embarrassment or worse---in a dancing accident.

The road signs that used to read: “Seat Belts Must Be Worn”---were replaced a few years ago because people thought it meant that only used and beat-up seat belts could be used.
Originally the fine for not wearing a seat belt was $86---now it’s gone up to $136. The lesson? If you’re going to break the law, do it early when it’s more affordable.

The annual celebration at Camp Long called Arts in Nature is seeking some new blood this year and has issued a call for artists and performers to join the event Aug. 26th and 27. The event is presented by the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association and the Nature Consortium.

From the application announcement:

"Musicians, performers, theater and dance troupes are wanted for all stage areas including the Lodge, at the Pond and in the Meadow. (Performances at the pond must be acoustic and unplugged, though you may bring your own small battery-powered amp.) Last year, performers ranged from the Big World Breaks band to Etienne Capko to the Ricky Gene Puppet Show! Artist fees are $100 per performer per 45-60 minute performance with a cap of $350 per group.

Visual Art Installation

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

Saturday, Jan. 28
Boys basketball
Seattle Lutheran 76, Quilcene 49
Seattle Lutheran scored a decisive Sea-Tac League victory Saturday.

Girls basketball
Seattle Lutheran 37, Quilcene 33
Seattle Lutheran also beat Quilcene on the girls side Saturday only in a much closer game.

Friday, Jan. 27
Boys swimming
Blanchet 130, West Seattle 24
Blanchet 130, Chief Sealth 23
Blanchet splashed to victory over both West Seattle and Chief Sealth in Friday's Metro League action.

Wrestling
Rogers 48, Highline 26
The Pirates were pinned with a non-league loss Friday.

Boys basketball
Chief Sealth 62, Roosevelt 48
The Seahawks downed the Roughriders in a Friday Metro League game.
Fife 70, Foster 47
Foster fell to Fife on Friday.
Highline 77, Renton 72
Highline outscored the Indians in Friday action.
Mt. Rainier 54, Kennedy 52
The Rams slipped past the Lancers in Friday's North Puget Sound League finale.
River Ridge 97, Tyee 49
River Ridge rallied past the Totems.