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Elyes Gabel Releases New Single – LACUNA. Read More About His Career & Music

Elyes Gabel's new single called LACUNA

On February 28th, 2023, Elyes Gabel released a new music video and single on his Instagram and YouTube Channel called, “Lacuna (Live)”. The single also features Koi Anunta and Glenn Holdaway. The performance was done in Los Angeles and will be available as a single track on March 24th 2023. You’ll be able to grab a digital version at your favorite streaming platform.

The song, LACUNA, has a nice sound and I would describe it as being soulful. It has a mix of Gabel on guitar (fingerpicking) and Koi Anunta on violin & Glenn Holdaway on trumpet.

Elyes Gabel – Live performance of his new single – LACUNA (Koi Anunta on violin & Glenn Holdaway on the trumpet)

Elyes Gabel has made a name for himself as an actor, starring in two hit television shows, Game of Thrones and Scorpion. However, his favorite role to play is himself—a musician. He says music is the only platform where he feels he can be himself, and he’s happiest when he’s playing his guitar. His YouTube channel goes back as far as 11 years, when he started posting homemade videos. He sings his blues rock soul music with his raw, raspy voice that seems to slide from bass to alto effortlessly. He sings from somewhere deep in his soul while strumming his folksy acoustic guitar melody. Many of the videos he has shared are exactly that: him playing guitar and singing the impeccable composition of his songs.

Raised Roman Catholic, Elyes Gabel went to college at the young age of 16. However, when he was 18, he decided to pursue his television acting career instead. London-born Gabel has a well-rounded background, all of which feeds into his unique sound as a musician. His voice has been described as having a “naturally light northern accent.” He was raised partly in Canada and partly in Manchester, and he has an eclectic ancestry. His heritage includes countries such as India, Ireland, Algeria, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Portugal. Pulling from this range of cultures, his music stands alone. You can hear the influential echoes of his diversity as they merge into one unique and passionate vibe accentuated by lyrics laden with poetic beauty. The ambiance of his sound resonates with the serious and classic truthfulness of an old soul.

On his demeanor, he’s been described as “Real, honest, and edgy with superb natural energy.” The creator of the TV Show Scorpion, Nick Santora, said of him, “Gabel was able to play the difficulty of expressing emotion while being emotional” for his role as Walter O’Brien, a character who had difficulty expressing and processing emotions.

In addition to acting and singing, Gabel has tried his hand at television and short film writing, directing, and producing. His last short film Game Show Hurt debuted in 2019. He also appeared on Apple TV+’s Suspicion alongside Uma Thurman in a thriller based on False Flag, a hit Israeli TV series.

In addition to acting and singing, Gabel is an active philanthropist with interests in a number of non-profits such as American Forces Network’s Stop Bullying Body Positive, the US Tennis Association Foundation, CBS Cares Autism, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the One Step Closer Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Celebrity Poker Tournament, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and Children in Need. He also supports the ALS Association in honor and memory of his maternal grandmother, with whom he was very close. Sadly, she succumbed to ALS when Gabel was a teenager.

These days, he is the frontman for his band, El & The Broken Bones. His website hints at a music project that’s been years in the making and features “imbuing arrangements with his own patina of chaotic yet elegant melodies.” It goes on to describe the music as “rooted in contrast of rough & smooth timbres; the lyrics evoking this duality at times.” Fans of Gabel look forward to the release of more of his indie blues-rock folk music. His deeply moving and poetic lyrics and his aurally appealing and flexible vocals complement the soft acoustic melodies we’ve heard from him thus far. While Elyes Gabel’s career as an actor spans 12 films, 20 television shows, and nine theater roles, he has expressed that his passion for music is what truly inspires him. Looking forward, he plans to make music his main focus in 2023.

Throughout his filmography, Gable has exhibited a wide, extensive range of his performances, giving masterful appearances in a variety of different productions. Here are some of his most memorable performances, gaining him wide appeal across all genres:

Game of Thrones

Premiering in 2011, Game of Thrones took audiences by storm, creating an international fanbase that is still going strong, even after the end of the show. Elyes Gabel’s run on Game of Thrones included working alongside Emilia Clarke, who played iconic heroine Daenerys Targaryen, otherwise known as the Mother of Dragons. Gabel played Rakharo, a Dothraki bodyguard tasked with protecting Daenerys after her ascension to the title of Khaleesi.

Gabel’s first appearance in the show was episode three of season one, titled “Lord Snow,” where he defends Daenerys from her controlling brother Viserys, lashing Viserys around the neck with a horsewhip after he talks down to her. From there, Rakharo’s strong allyship with Daenerys helps her successfully fulfill her role as Khaleesi, despite being viewed as an outsider. At the beginning of season 2, Gabel’s character is unfortunately killed by a rival Dothraki clan, but his character’s loyalty to the Khaleesi followed him until his death.

World War Z

Released in 2013, World War Z is the film adaptation of the 2006 Max Brooks novel of the same name. Starring Brad Pitt, the plot follows the outbreak of a highly infectious zombie virus that inevitably takes over most of the population. Among the survivors are Brad Pitt’s Gerry Lane, a former ranking United Nations official, and Elyes Gabel’s character Andrew Fassbach, a virologist. Deployed to South Korea to track down the virus’s source and maybe develop a vaccine, Fassbach argues that nature is cruel to understand. However, analyzing the pieces left during these trying times is necessary for solving large-scale issues such as the zombie infections at hand.

As soon as they land in South Korea, zombies attack the security personnel sent to accompany them on their journey. In the panic that ensues, Gabel’s character winds up accidentally taking his own life. The complexity of a character like Fassbach humanizes the cast of world elites left over in this apocalypse scenario, reminding viewers that these survivors are all still people. Despite his tragic death, Gabel’s character stands out as a necessary way for the audience to sympathize with the characters in the film.

Scorpion

In this action-drama series, Gabel’s character Walter O’Brien heads a homeland security intel group called Scorpion, whose main goal is to protect the nation’s cyber security. As the starring role of the series, Gabel’s character is central to the plot of the show, which is based on real-life events. Walter’s character is rather stoic, leading his team of experts through their exploits with little to no emotion; however, during times of distress, he drops his cold exterior and shows how he’s feeling through a passionate release of his emotions.

One of the most pivotal plot points in the show includes O’Brien’s father figure, Cabe, lying to O’Brien about a particular project, ultimately changing their relationship for the rest of the series. The interaction begins with Cabe asking O’Brien to build a certain kind of software, and O’Brien, trusting him, complies with the request. Later in the show, O’Brien finds out that Cabe used the technology he built to try and kill a middle eastern leader, but instead, the software led to the death of 2,000 civilians. Gable’s portrayal of O’Brien shows a strong dichotomy between the character’s serious leadership side and his wounded inner child, bringing an intense sense of complexity to the role.

Justice League vs. The Fatal Five

In this animated superhero film, Gabel stars as Star Boy. This previously unknown superhero inevitably joins forces with the Justice League to defeat Mano, Tharok, and the Persuader of the time-traveling supervillain group The Fatal Five. After traveling back in time, Gabel’s Star Boy triggers a trap set by another superhero, inevitably throwing him into a rage and causing Batman to put him into Arkham Asylum. To Batman’s demise, Star Boy breaks out and rejoins the rest of the Justice League; where after he is deemed trustworthy by the rest of the League, the group convenes to solve the problems brought forth by The Fatal Five.

As the heroes and villains battle, Star Boy and Jessica, a newly chosen Green Lantern, begin a sweet and loving friendship. The film climaxes with the Justice League, accompanied by Star Boy, attempting to stop supervillain Eye from splitting the sun and ending the world. Star Boy then sacrifices himself to save the planet, cementing his place as a renowned hero. Gabel’s performance in this film shows his range as an actor by proving he can do more than drama and action movies, highlighting a lesser-known superhero and turning him into a star.

Upcoming Projects

Since the conclusion of Suspicion, Gabel has begun focusing on more passion projects that put him in the director’s chair. Gabel has a penchant for telling stories from behind a camera since he enjoys delving into the details that give rise to fully developed complicated storylines. Stakes, a short film highlighting the stressfulness and explosive dynamics in financial culture, was directed by Elyes in 2017. The 2018 short film Grimshaw, which explores issues of drug addiction, relapse, and the loss of personal autonomy due to addiction, was also directed and produced by Gable. Gable is currently working on his next short film project Game Show Hurt, writing, and directing the film himself. With such a nuanced catalog of work, Gabel’s artistry and commitment to his work are undeniable, leaving fans eager to see his next project.

Are Vehicles Now Crashing More Frequently Into Buildings in Seattle?

Seattle Car Crashing

Just how frequently are cars ramming into buildings across Seattle? Well, you’d be surprised to learn that in 2022, a truck or vehicle crashed into a building in Seattle every three and a half days on average. That is over 100 times in a year.

According to records by the Seattle Fire Department, 2022 saw the highest number of cars crashing into buildings since 2012. Bear in mind that building crashes represent just a small number of all traffic collisions in Seattle. There are thousands of vehicle collisions in the city each year. However, the sheer scale of destruction and danger to human lives caused by cars ramming into buildings are now becoming a cause for concern. The danger of being hit by a car is no longer confined to the streets alone.

Most of the incidents end up causing serious injury. Some like the one that happened in Lake City in 2017 even caused fatalities. The damage caused by cars and trucks to buildings and even residential homes runs into tens of thousands of dollars every year while disrupting businesses for months. A few of the dramatic crashes get a lot of news coverage but their frequency is hardly tracked.

A review of the Seattle Fire Department’s records reveals that cars and trucks have rammed into buildings over 700 times since 2012. Most of the crashes did not even get any news coverage or a response from the fire department. There are many times when a driver reverses into a building but the incident never shows in any report or record.

Last year had 105 recorded collisions into buildings, which was the highest in 10 years. The increasing number of collisions into buildings comes at a time when the entire state is experiencing a record number of traffic-related deaths. Speeding and injuries are on the rise while enforcement remains lower than it used to be in 2019.

Some incidents of vehicles crashing into buildings cause more serious damage than others. For example, in one incident in North Seattle, a vehicle rammed into the Jays Cleaners business and in another one, a car smashed into an auto repair shop on Roosevelt Way. The damage caused by both crashes was serious enough to catch the attention and response of the Fire Department.

Almost a third of buildings that have crashed in Seattle involved a car colliding with the building. Last March, the driver lost control after his car was T-boned along Eastlake Avenue and rammed into the entrance of a popular 90’s music club known as Lo-Fi Seattle. The damage caused by the crash left the popular club closed temporarily as the owners searched for funds via the GoFundMe online platform.

In another incident two months later, a vehicle drove through the Coastal Kitchen restaurant in Capitol Hill during business with customers inside. Luckily, nobody was injured but the car completely damaged the restaurant’s façade and rammed into a support pillar. The damage was enough to elicit a good amount of work and funds to restore the building’s structural integrity. The restaurant was even closed for 6 months.

Cars are not only ramming into commercial buildings but into residential homes too. A third of the 2022 incidents involved single-home or apartment residences. As the rate of vehicle collisions into buildings continues to rise, it is high time they were monitored more seriously by the relevant authorities.

Low Income $1 Fare Expanding to Pierce Transit Soon

Pierce Transit Bus Seattle

The $1 low-income fare is soon coming to Pierce Transit as well. The Pierce Transit Board of Commissioners recently approved a proposal to finally join Seattle’s ORCA LIFT program for low-income fares. The unanimous vote extended Pierce Transit’s low-income fare services to all areas that use ORCA with the exception of Washington State Ferries. ORCA LIFT fare for Pierce Transit will just be $1.

Other transport companies currently running the program include Sound Transit Services, King County Metro, Everett Transit, Kitsap Transit, Seattle Streetcar, and other intra-county ferries. Pierce Transit plans to start charging the $1 low-income fare starting from April 1, 2023.

The proposal was presented to the board by the senior planner at Pierce Transit, Lanai Tua. According to statistics, 2% of Pierce Transit users are riders who already carry the ORCA LIFT card since they frequently transfer between Sound Transit and Pierce Transit. In a recent poll, 88% of respondents supported PT’s change while just 2% opposed the idea.

Almost 30% of the respondents are already users of the ORCA LIFT program. There was only one public hearing testifier, Laura Svancarek who lives in Downtown-On-The-Go. She fully supported Pierce Transit’s decision to join the ORCA low-income fare program.

The low-income fare program has been gaining ground for some time now. The Sound Transit Board made a decision to make its $1 fares permanent at the end of January this year. This was after the company’s pilot program had reduced the low-income fare to a dollar.

The ORCA LIFT low-income fare has been welcomed by many across Seattle. You qualify for the low-income fare if you are aged between 19 and 64 and if your income falls under 200% of the federal poverty level. The qualification provides you with the chance to pay $1 in fare for a period of one year and can be renewed annually.

If you are above 65 years old, you are entitled to the Regional Reduced Fare Permit, which has the same low fares as the low-income fare program. Children and other riders below 19 years ride free because of the new state grants offered to transit. The grant is offered to every public transport company that accepts the ORCA LIFT program, except the Seattle Center Monorail which charges $1.75 for riders aged between 6 and 18.

The ORCA LIFT program was launched in 2015 by King County Metro, Seattle Streetcars, and Link Light Rail. The low-income fare program had been around for years. Kitsap Transit had been running its own low-income fare program from as far back as 1985. Kitsap Transit was used as a model for the ORCA LIFT program.

There are still other transit services that charge over $1 for low-income riders, such as Seattle King County Ferries, Community Transit, Seattle Center Monorail, and Kitsap fast Ferries for their westbound services.

Low-income fares are also not unique to Seattle. They are available in other cities including New York City, Miami, Dallas, Jacksonville, Columbus, Portland, Denver, Salt Lake City, San Francisco Bay Area, and Austin just to mention a few.

Photo is provided by Atomic Taco

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Sawant criticizes other socialists for abandoning campaign promises, but did she follow through with one of her own

Seattle Sawant Councilmember

By Connor Nash

On Jan 19, Councilmember Sawant announced that she would not seek reelection but instead start Workers Strike Back, an independent campaign led by and for “rank and file workers.” In her announcement speech, Sawant lambasted not only her usual opponents like Amazon, the parasitic capitalist class, and the corrupt democratic politicians but also her fellow Socialists. She stated:

“…[S]ince 2013 more than 200 self-identified Democratic Socialists candidates have been elected nationally, but unfortunately, with rare exceptions, many have abandoned their campaign promises…”

But it seems Sawant herself has abandoned her most central campaign promise: that she is not in politics for the money. Sawant promised Seattle voters that she would refuse to accept her full councilmember salary, and as a 2013 Seattle Times article states,”… will donate all but about $40,000 to mass movements for social justice.”

The Councilmember has repeated this campaign promise throughout her political career, most recently at a 2022 Starbucks Workers Rally claiming “I accept only the average worker’s wage, taking home only $40,000 of my $146,000 City Council salary, after taxes…”

Despite repeating this promise for nearly a decade, Sawant has failed to fulfill it even once while she has been in office. The total donation goal during Sawant’s tenure in office would be nearly $378,000, but according to her records, she only donated $234,000, a shortfall of $150,000. Of the funds that have been donated and reported, over $181,000 worth of donations went to organizations that have a direct financial connection to Sawant or her household. In total Sawant only donated $52,233.68 to other social justice organizations.

Dr. Phil says, “The best predictor of future behavior is relevant past behavior.” So, as we predict how Workers Strike Back will be run, let’s focus on how the Kshama Solidarity Fund and Campaign have been run and which “social justice movements” have received the most.

I also want to apologize for the number of numbers in this article, it can be confusing which is inherent in any article focusing on any organization’s financials. A TLDR is located at the end.

Kshama Solidarity Fund

Located on her political party website, the Socialist Alternative, Councilmember Sawant posts the donations made by the Solidarity Campaign each year. Every year the councilmember failed to donate the website’s stated goal of $42,000 a year, coming close in 2016 ($40,675) and 2019 ($38,974.85). In other years, the Councilmember was severely under her stated goal; $21,424.53 was donated in 2018, $24,518.30 in 2020, and $4,473 in 2021.

Although the Councilmember failed to donate nearly $150,000 over the past decade, she has donated around $234,000, which is to be admired. However, of the total funds donated, 77% were donated to organizations in which Sawant or her household has a vested financial interest.

The organization that the Councilmember donated to the most was 15Now, a Seattle-based nonprofit focused on a $15 minimum wage that was registered and run by her husband, Calvin Priest. The Kshama Solidarity campaign stated they donated over $93,000 to 15Now between 2014-2020, many years had high-dollar donations; $19,000 in 2015, $18,000 in 2017, and $7,200 in 2020.

Sawant’s donation to 15Now in 2020 stands out because that was the year the nonprofit failed to renew its nonprofit status with the WA Secretary of State. Priest is still reported to be an officer of 15Now, according to the Councilmember’s 2022 financial disclosure form, even though the 15Now website has not been updated in nearly five years and their Twitter account for almost two years.

2020 was also the year Sawant donated $10,000 to Tax Amazon, an organization created by the Councilmember and whose husband, Priest, was the Political Director. Priest claimed to have earned between $10,000 – $24,999 that year according to the Councilmember’s 2021 financial disclosure form. Tax Amazon operated for only 17 months and was administratively dissolved in September 2021, according to the WA Secretary of State.

The second largest receiver of the Kshama Solidarity Fund is Socialist Alternative, the Councilmember’s political party, receiving nearly $79,000 from 2014-2021. Again, large value donations were made to the political party; $13,800 in 2016 and 2017, and $21,200 in 2019. In return, the Councilmember received trips from the Socialist Alternative party totaling $23,506. Between 2015 and 2020, the Councilmember was flown around the world from Boston and Minneapolis to Brussels and Brazil, all paid for by her political party.

Sawant does report a wide variety of donations to other social justice movements throughout the years including: PFLAG ($22.02), flowers for Edmund Witter($66), the Fair Work Center ($50), memorial flowers for Amina Ahmed ($47.28), graffiti removal ($100), and flowers for activist Imogene Williams ($58.30).

Although these donations seem cherry-picked, they are not outliers, roughly 73% of all the councilmember’s donations were $500 or less. Any amount donated to these organizations and florists is helpful, but the Councilmember has enough in her fund balance to double all donations of $500 or less and have funds left over.

Although Sawant’s Socialist Alternative website shows $0 donated by the Councilmember in 2022, she does claim to have made some donations: $5,000 to the Seattle Educators Strike Fund and $5,000 to the Starbuck workers strike fund.

Kshama Solidarity Campaign (2021)

Kshama Solidarity Fund’s purpose is to donate money from the fund to social justice organizations, while the Kshama Solidarity Campaign’s main goal was to reelect the Councilmember. The Solidarity Campaign is a blueprint for what the political arm of the future Workers Strike Back movement will be. The financial disclosures during the 2021 Recall race show transactions that counter its overall mission, to go after big businesses and the “parasitic capitalists.”

From March to December 2021, the Solidarity campaign made over four dozen transactions at Amazon totaling over $14,000. Purchases include button supplies, ink toner, canopies, printers, paper towels, more canopies, more ink, reusable bags, more canopies, more ink, etc. All the canopies and printers were essential to Sawant’s win in creating her legal pop-up voting sites. The campaign did return over $6,000 worth of equipment in 2022, once the Recall race was over.

Along with Amazon, the campaign made over $3,000 in purchases at Home Depot, which according to Open Secrets is a major donor to the National Republican Senatorial and Congressional Committees. Purchases made at Home Depot were for supplies such as umbrellas, chairs, and more canopies.

These thousands of dollars worth of purchases at multiple big businesses, which attack workers’ rights and support right-wing politicians, seem counter to a Councilmember who in a recent press conference said that “the right wing is on the attack against abortion rights and LGBT issues.”

After 15Now and Tax Amazon failed to renew their nonprofit status, Priest worked on the Kshama Solidarity Campaign at $2,360 per month. Over the course of the Recall campaign, Priest made over $28,000.  Everybody deserves to be paid for their work, but this is yet another example of thousands of dollars going from a Sawant-led organization to the Sawant household. The councilmember herself donated $600 of her own money to the Solidarity Campaign, making the net amount from the Sawant household to the effort nearly -$27,400.

Looking ahead

As we predict the future work of the Workers Strike Back movement, what is the relevant recent history of the Kshama Solidarity Fund and Campaign? We can predict a failure to meet stated financial goals, a siphoning off of money from the movement to organizations directly affiliated with the Sawant household, and thousands spent at corporations that are the anthesis of the movement.

Kshama Solidarity Fund Facts

Total donation goal? $378,000
Yearly donation goal ? $42,000 per year
  
Total Number actually donated$234,069.68
Total Number of donations119
  
Total donated to Sawant Organizations$181,836
As Percentage of total donations77.7%
        Total donated to 15Now$93,050
        Total donated to Socialist Alternative$78,786
        Total donated to Tax Amazon$10,000
  
Total donated to Other Socal Justice Orgs$52,233.68
As Percentage of total donations22.3%
Number of donations ? $50088
Number of donations ? $10019
  
Funds yet to be donated (as of 2021)$108,825.32

Kshama Solidarity Campaign Facts (2021)

Salary for Calvin Priest$28,316.80
  
Total Spent at Amazon$14,167.22
Total Returned to Amazon-$6,360.81
Net Spent at Amazon$7,806.41
  
Total Spent at Home Depot$3,283.09
Total spent on Airline Tickets$543.58
Total Spent at Socialist Alternative$5,066

Read the follow-up article: Sawant Denies She Failed To Donate The Majority Of Her Salary To Social Justice Orgs But Her Website Says Otherwise

– Connor Nash

Business Owners in Seattle Decry of the Rising Crime Rate Crisis in the City

Seattle Crime and Police

Reports indicate that crime is on the rise in the city of Seattle. So much so that business owners in the city called an urgent meeting on Tuesday in a barber shop to speak out about the danger and violence plaguing the city. They also called on the city leadership to come to their assistance in the ongoing crisis.

Business owner, Kevin Rinderle, reminded the Seattle City Council of their primary job of protecting the citizens. “We have collectively gathered here to beg for help,” said Rinderle, who runs the Yukon Trading Company.

The meeting was organized by Matt Humphrey, who owns the Steele Barber and Spa. According to Humphrey, the goal of the meeting was to speak out against the rising crime issue in the face of widespread break-ins, violence, and vandalism. The city is also struggling against rising cases of drug use and homelessness. As Humphrey stated, when it comes to crime, people should no longer remain silent but speak out against the vice.

Councilmember Sara Nelson, who was in attendance and a business owner herself faced a barrage of grievances from several business owners including Karen Jahn of Wax Bar that has allegedly been broken into four times. She expressed concerns about making insurance claims repeatedly fearing that the insurer might drop them out altogether if the break-ins persist.

Sara Nelson noted that she had heard all the concerns expressed by the business owners and as a business owner herself and chair of economic development stated that the city cannot afford to lose any more business because of rampant crime.

Some businesses are even taking security matters into their hands. For example, Steve Naramore of the Sip and Ship coffee hybrid store claimed that they now need to have employees standing guard at the door of the store ready to lock in with a deadbolt if they see a suspicious character approaching.

According to Naramore, they have to deal with increasingly aggressive behavior so much that it is common practice for a barista to stand guard at the front door with hands ready o the deadbolt lock. “We are terrified that they may enter and can’t tell what will happen when they do,” said Naramore. The crime in the city may soon force some businesses to pack and leave.

Seattle Violent Crime Spike

In the last few years, Seattle has had to confront the problem of rising cases of violent crime. For instance, fatal shootings increased by 23% last year. The crime wave has not spared major brands as well.

The Seattle Credit Union was forced to close two branches due to low traffic in areas with safety concerns. Starbucks, which is headquartered in Seattle, closed down 6 locations across the city in 2022 citing safety concerns.

Search for Solutions

Several suggestions were offered at the meeting to help curb the rising incidents of criminal activity in the city.

Some business owners suggested bringing in more foot police patrols while others called on the city to reimburse businesses for the losses they undergo whenever they are vandalized.

The business owners also shared helpful tips and advice on how to help a stranger in distress outside their business premises.

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Councilmember Andrew Lewis Announces That He Will Seek Reelection in the November Polls

Seattle Election Andrew Lewis

Seattle Councilmember Andrew Lewis has announced that he will defend his seat in the November ballot. Notably, Lewis is the first among the incumbents to announce that he plans to run for another term.

As a self-declared “labor democrat” Lewis takes pride in being an influential voice in “bridge building during his first term.

He was elected as a representative of District 7 in 2019. District 7 covers the areas of Queen Ann, Pioneer Square, and Magnolia. Lewis is also recognized as the youngest council member. He was elected at 29 years of age after serving as an assistant city attorney.

Lewis stated that once he’s reelected, he’ll focus on working closely with all stakeholders in the city including Downtown Seattle Association and 360 Seattle to confront key issues facing the city such as the lack of affordable housing and decline in public safety.

Speaking on Sunday, Lewis stated that it is time when Seattle needs people who are practically ready and willing to work with every coalition. “Seattle is a great city with amazing potential despite having looming problems,” he said.

The Issue of Crime and Police

Councilmember Lewis readily agrees that the most pressing issue for Seattle is crime. To combat crime, Lewis said he plans to find sustainable solutions, especially in high-crime areas such as a section of Third Avenue that has been shortlisted as a crime hot spot. Lately, there has been an increased police presence in the area, fortunately.

Keep in mind that Lewis was among the council members calling for a defunding of the Seattle Police Department by half after the summer protests but he later abandoned his support for defunding the SPD claiming that 50% was too much and possibly a mistake.

Lewis now maintains that his focus is to provide Seattle with a fully funded and staffed police and jail for anyone who threatens public safety. He also promises to seek for alternative responses for better public and behavioral health for the rest of the law-abiding citizenry.

According to Lewis, Seattle is lagging behind in seeking for other alternatives to policing. “Other cities have already taken steps to implement other alternatives to policing in a bid to lower crime,” he said. Lewis further stated that sending people to jail when they don’t need to be incarcerated is not only unsustainable but inhumane too. 

Lewis has previously collaborated with Mayor Bruce Harrell as president of the Parks District Board to almost double the budget of the district and bring in more services. For instance, the board hired over two dozen park rangers and created a ranger program that serves as a non-police security service in the city’s parks.

In the upcoming November election, seven out of 9 council seats are up for grabs as the terms of the incumbents will end on December 30. There are also two citywide seats to be contested in 2025. Other incumbent council members who have hinted at seeking reelection include District 1’s Lisa Herbold, Alex Pederson of District 4, and Deborah Juarez, District 5.

Eric Kang Ting Biography

Dr Eric Kang Ting

Eric Kang Ting first began his career in dental medicine education after graduating from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. He accepted a teaching position with UCLA in 1994, and that’s when his passion for education and leadership took off. He started to embrace those roles and has continued to do so by holding various leadership positions.

Leadership Positions Eric Kang Ting Has Held

Mr. Ting has held several chair positions, such as the UCLA Chair of the Section of Orthodontics in 2003 and the Thomas R. Bales Endowed Chair the following year. In 2011, he became the Chair of the Division of Associated Clinical Specialties. This position was also at UCLA and included such areas as endodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and orthodontics.

Within the School of Dentistry, this was the most extensive division, and it included a large number of staff for support. Some 25-plus full-time faculty positions, 40 staff positions, and positions for 60 residents were a part of this division. Eric Kang Ting, along with his team, was able to counter annual budget deficits with innovative changes that lead to positive revenue growth.

Taking on Additional Responsibilities

While he was still at UCLA in 2014, Ting experienced an increase in his responsibilities within the School of Dentistry. He became the instituting Chair of the Division of Growth and Development. He was able to build strong relationships and important teams with cohorts to ensure the restructuring that was necessary within the School of Dentistry was smooth and successful.

With over 10 years of experience as clinical division chair and more than 16 years of experience as an orthodontics section chair, Ting has intimate knowledge of a variety of roles and responsibilities. He has seen his divisions through three separate accreditation processes with the CODA, or the USA Commission on Dental Accreditation. Because he was able to successfully navigate these vital changes and challenges, he was an essential asset to these different experiences.

Eric Kang Ting has ongoing support from the National Institute of Health (NIH) for his work as a clinical scientist and has been published in more than 150 peer-reviewed journals. With his extensive experience and research, he promoted a program that encouraged research to span multidisciplinary boundaries, including the School of Medicine and Bioengineering in the School of Engineering. His extensive leadership roles in research projects that involved collaboration have allowed him to further develop his ability to bring groups and their goals together, proving not only his ability in academic leadership but also his entrepreneurial capabilities as well.

Continuing to Innovate and Inspire

Ting’s commitment to innovation is apparent throughout his many positions within industry leadership roles. He has had the opportunity to work with three biotech companies through collaborations and with other industry leaders. These challenges have allowed Ting to step outside of his comfort zone and further develop his own knowledge and abilities. He was able to convert his research and scientific breakthroughs through academia into applied technology and navigate the world of the FDA and the rules of medical device regulations. 

Ting believes deeply in mentoring opportunities and has mentored many postdoctoral residents in the UCLA orthodontics training program. In addition to these mentees, he’s had the opportunity to also successfully mentor over 39 Master of Science students, 7 students in Ph.D. programs, as well as postdoctoral fellows. His mentees have gone on to accomplish great things including associate professorships with John Hopkins and UCLA, assistant professorships with U of Michigan and U Penn, awards in Excellence and Research in 2010, a Young Investigator Award in 2011, a First Place Outstanding Medical Student Award in 2014, and many more. 

Advocate for Social Responsibility

Ting also believes intensely in social responsibility and leadership within the global community. As a founder of the International Orthodontics Foundation, he worked to make the goal of providing educational and outreach programs for the global community a reality in 2022. This organization will work to bestow grants and scholarships in the amount of over $600,000 each year to those throughout the global community. He also works in both public service and community outreach with programs such as the UCLA Mend and mentoring with an NIH-sponsored training program. Eric Kang Ting has a no-tolerance policy for unfair treatment and discrimination, harboring a community focused on inclusivity, diversity, and safety for all those involved. Ting’s prevalence in the dental and education community has made a huge difference for both, and his tenure in these communities is far from over. It will be exciting to see what the future holds.

Resources:

Dr. Eric Kang Ting currently is an adjunct professor at the Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA

Eric Ting, a professor in the School of Dentistry, faced retaliatory abuse and harassment

Research With Space Explorers May One Day Heal Earth’s Warriors

Joshua Burgin Addresses The Kubernetes Complexity Problem

In just a couple of decades, technology has launched itself off the ground and provided the means for individuals and businesses alike to connect in ways that were unimaginable just a short time ago. Joshua Burgin has dedicated his career to advancements in technology and innovation. From his early career on the ground floor at Amazon to his current position as VP of Product and Strategy at VMware, Joshua Burgin has played an active role behind the scenes of technological advancements. One aspect of his role at VMware is to address various concerns, and one complex problem that he has helped to solve is that of Kubernetes. VMware supports container technology that helps companies succeed.

His Career History

Joshua Burgin started his career as one of Amazon’s first 100 employees back in the late 90s in Seattle, Washington. He wrote software for their retail website, which is professionally referred to as Devops. When he secured this position, he had no idea how quickly Amazon would scale into a global presence that went beyond that of an online retail platform. He would return to Amazon years later to become General Manager of Amazon Web Services (AWS) Outposts. He not only got to be a part of Amazon’s initial growth but a vital part of its expansion into the world of cloud technology.

Burgin has always been attracted to innovative businesses that weren’t afraid to take calculated risks. He has a history of securing positions in companies that may be in the start-up period but demonstrate great promise. He was there in the early days of Amazon, as well as a popular gaming company called Zynga. As Senior Director of Technology Platform and Services, he led the development of in-game advertising, which provided a significant increase in revenue for the company.

In addition to his work life, Joshua Burgin is always happy to share his experience and knowledge with others. He is often sought after as a keynote speaker due to his unique understanding of not only technology but what it takes to be a successful leader in this industry. He has also published several articles on various tech and management topics. He is also listed as an inventor on over 20 patents.

Joshua Burgin at VMware

VMware is a virtualization and cloud computing software provider. VMware is most commonly known for its VMware server virtualization, which allows multiple virtual machines to run on one physical server. In 2019, VMware added support to run container workloads in a Kubernetes cluster, similar to the VMware server virtualization process. Burgin was drawn to VMware due to the opportunities this shift would provide. He saw a lot of opportunities in VMware Tanzu. He also admired the company’s dedication to allocating a large portion of its spending back into the premise to ensure applications are modernized.

Joshua Burgin started his career at VMware in January 2022. As VP of Product and Strategy, he has three main areas of focus. One of these areas includes understanding the needs of the customer and ensuring that the company’s product portfolio and roadmaps reflect those needs. Burgin is a firm believer in the importance of putting the consumer first. Customer service has long been a cornerstone in the way he operates, regardless of what business he works for. In the digital world, customer satisfaction is key due to the high demands of this platform. Another focus within his role is working with peers in other business units to determine what they can do to work better. Anyone in the business world understands the value of continued improvement. Staying stagnant in today’s competitive market simply isn’t an option. Finally, his position involves building and improving the operating system for the company.

The Kubernetes Complexity Problem

Container technology, to some degree, has been implemented by 70% of companies. Container technology is a lightweight, executable software that stores application codes and dependencies, allowing easy deployment of information across different computing sites. This software makes key elements of operating a business easier, more cost-effective, and more secure. This technology can help a business thrive within any industry.

To address this growing desire for container technology, VMware is adapting to have the support needed for this technology. They are doing this through Tanzu Mission Control and Tanzu Kubernetes Grid (TKG). One of the main issues they are looking to address is complexity. Kubernetes is a portable, open-source platform that manages container workloads. Kubernetes operates on a dynamic architectural platform. Containers are created and destroyed, and containers contain many moving parts that can be hard to perfect. Swapnil Bhartiya sits down with Joshua Burgin sat down to discuss VMware Tanzu and how it is helping solve the complexity problem with Kubernetes.

Complexity is a serious challenge with Kubernetes and is a top priority to solve. The goal is to minimize complexity problems and make it more open and able to accommodate and perfect the various workloads in container tech.

Joshua Burgin is excited to be a part of VMware’s mission to innovation and technological advancements. He looks forward to a promising future for Tanzu Mission Control as well as the TKG. The continued improvement of these systems will mean more security, ease of use, and adaptability of their container technology. Read more about Joshua Burgin.

Joshua started his professional journey in 1997 as an early member of a major online retail company’s initial 100 staff. He is now a highly requested keynote presenter at international gatherings and forums, discussing topics like fast-paced innovation, organizational growth, DevOps, and cloud technology. Follow him on Instagram.

Developing Innovation: How VERO Began With Ayman Hariri

Social Media VERO App Ayman Hariri

Social media has been a steady fixture in the lives of millions across the globe. Since their inception, sharing posts, connecting with friends, and building communities have been the intended use of these platforms; however, with new data mining software and content-prioritizing algorithms, these sites have lost their sense of community, turning into highly tailored advertisement collections. Traditional social media sites, relying heavily on ad placements and data tracking, have strayed from their once user-focused platforms in favor of selling products for outside companies. 

With a more transparent, user-focused view on using social media, VERO promises and delivers a clear-cut take on social media that re-centers and highlights the individual user for a completely honest social media experience. VERO’s development and foundation have always aimed for an innovative approach to social media, purely and openly centering individual users on providing a transparent, trustworthy online experience.

Early Days of VERO

Aiming to create a social media platform that delivers user-oriented experiences, VERO founder Ayman Hariri launched the platform in 2015, providing a platform like that of Facebook and Instagram, only without collecting user data for target advertisements or data mining algorithms. The app lets users share posts chronologically, allowing members to have a more organic flow of posts rather than letting an algorithm decide how to prioritize user content.

Among the first group of supporters for VERO were cosplay communities and groups focused around producing visual art. Tattoo artists, makeup artists, and even popular athletes in the skateboarding community began cultivating large fan bases on the app. VERO’s zoom features were better suited for these artists when displaying their work, allowing followers to examine key details that other zoom features on sites like Instagram were unable to offer.

In 2018, a mass influx of users began migrating from other social media websites to VERO, highlighting its transparency and lack of secrecy behind its data-related processes when compared to other social media sites. In less than a week, VERO went from a small, indie platform to the number one-selling social media site on the market. Continued community support helped draw users from other platforms, opening the world up to the future of social media.

Future Developments and Impact

VERO’s success in the late 2010s opened more avenues for content-sharing services, leading Ayman Hariri to develop VERO 2.0, a newer platform version that gave users more opportunities to connect. Users could already follow one another and create connections, sharing posts on their feeds, and communication in the app was set up with a standard chat feature. With VERO 2.0, members now have the option to set up voice and video chats with their connections. VERO 2.0 also introduced the option for bookmarking posts, added games and apps for users, and changed the design of the app to facilitate the user experience better.

As VERO continues to grow, so do its opportunities to support creators. With VERO Music, musicians now have a completely self-guided opportunity for growth and networking, giving artists complete control over their content sharing and artistic development. Promising the same sense of transparency as their traditional platform, VERO Music gives artists the space to grow and nurture their creativity, presenting music to followers as they see fit.

Until 2021, VERO had been strictly a mobile app, available for download on various mobile app stores. In October, VERO introduced a beta desktop version of the platform for users, opening up more avenues to join and share content. Now, with millions of users worldwide, VERO still holds to its commitment to total transparency, prioritizing user experience over data collection and remaining completely ad-free. The promises of user support and an emphasis on letting users be themselves made by Hariri are still the guiding principles behind VERO’s platform and approach to social media.

Discover VERO Today

As global communication develops, social media begins to change as well. As more social media sites are being taken over by advertisements, collecting user data to create targeted posts, the crucial foundations of social media are beginning to crumble. Having to choose between building meaningful, interest-based communication with others across the globe and having their data harnessed for creating targeted advertisements should not be the only option for social media use. Fortunately, VERO’s platform allows users to have a completely transparent, truthful social media experience that avoids hidden algorithms and data tracking.

Social media platforms were created to help people share their interests and likes with friends, family, and people with similar interests. Social media platforms that prioritize these functions are becoming rare, but there is still hope. VERO allows users to harness their own social media experience, avoiding the complications and privacy concerns caused by traditional social media platforms. Making the switch to VERO is not only helping users reshape their social media experience, but it also provides a way for individuals to authentically present themselves, creating an overall better social media experience.

The founder, Ayman Hariri, is a philanthropist, investor, and has been involved in a number of technology startups including the VERO app.

Sleepless In Seattle Movie: Everything You Need To Know

Sleepless In Seattle Film

Sleepless in Seattle (1993) is a romantic comedy film released in 1993, directed and co-written by Nora Ephron. The film stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan as the main characters, Sam Baldwin and Annie Reed, respectively. The plot follows Sam, a recent widower, who moves to Seattle with his young son Jonah. Jonah, wanting his father to find a new wife, calls into a radio talk show and talks about his father’s romantic troubles. Annie, a journalist living in Baltimore, hears the broadcast and becomes determined to meet Sam. Despite the distance and complications, they eventually fall in love. The film was a commercial and critical success, and is considered a classic romantic comedy. The movie is not a Christmas movie, although it does feature a scene set on Christmas Eve.

The movie had a really great cast. The main characters of Sleepless in Seattle includes Tom Hanks as Sam Baldwin, Meg Ryan as Annie Reed, Ross Malinger as Jonah Baldwin, Bill Pullman as Walter, and Rob Reiner as Rob. Other notable cast members include Rosie O’Donnell as Becky, Victor Garber as Greg, Gaby Hoffmann as Jessica, and Rita Wilson as Suzy.

The movie was directed by Nora Ephron. Ephron was a well-known filmmaker. Nora also wrote When Harry Met Sally, and You’ve Got Mail. She was highly regarded for her work, and won numerous awards throughout her career. She passed away in 2012 at the age of 71.

Where You Can Watch Sleepless In Seattle:
The easiest places to watch this movie is on Prime Video, Apple TV or Redbox.

Sleepless In Seattle Soundtrack:
The soundtrack for Sleepless in Seattle is a collection of romantic songs that were featured in the film. The soundtrack includes popular songs from the 1950s and 1960s, such as “As Time Goes By” by Dooley Wilson and “Moon River” by Andy Williams, as well as original compositions by Marc Shaiman. The soundtrack was released in 1993, alongside the film, and received positive reviews for its nostalgic and romantic feel. The use of the songs in the film helped to enhance the romantic atmosphere and added to the overall tone of the movie.

The soundtrack for Sleepless In Seattle featured several musicians.

Gross Revenue:
The movie had a lot of competition during the summer it was released in 1993. The movie did $17,253,733 on its opening weekend. Worldwide the movie grossed $227,899,326 and was considered a success.

Sleepless In Seattle Movie Locations:
The Movie was filmed in a number of locations, including New York City and Seattle, Washington. Some specific locations that were used in the film include the Empire State Building in New York City, the Space Needle and Pike Place Market in Seattle, and the Baltimore Sun building in Baltimore. These locations were used to create the settings for the film and to provide a sense of realism and authenticity to the story.

Movie Locations You Can Visit (Some You Can’t):

The Houseboat – The houseboat featured in the movie is located near the Boatworld Marinas in a private community. It’s a private community so don’t visit. The location is 2460 Westlake Avenue North around Seattle’s Lake Union. It is approximately 600 acres in size and is connected to the Puget Sound via the Ship Canal. The lake is a popular location for recreational activities such as boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding, and is home to a number of marinas and boat clubs. Lake Union is also a popular location for tourism, and features a number of attractions such as the Museum of History and Industry, the Center for Wooden Boats, and Gas Works Park. The lake is an important part of Seattle’s history and culture, and continues to be a popular destination for residents and visitors alike. Lake Union is public, however, the houseboat in the movie is private.

Seattle’s Gas Works Park – In the movie there is a scene on New Years Eve where Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) is watching the fireworks. The address is 2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103. The public park located on the shore of Lake Union. It is built on the site of the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant, which operated from 1906 to 1956. The park features a number of historic structures and pieces of equipment from the gas plant, including the gasification plant itself, a compressor building, and a filter building. The park also has a number of recreational facilities, including a play area, a picnic area, and a public beach. Gas Works Park is a popular destination for residents and visitors alike, and offers beautiful views of Lake Union and the surrounding area.

Pike Place Market – If you’ve been to Seattle, you probably know about the Pike Place Market. It is one of the most popular areas to visit. In the movie, Jay, was played by Rob Reiner visits Pike Place Market to check out Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks). The movie location is one of the oldest continuously operating public farmers’ markets in the United States, having opened in 1907. The market is located on the waterfront, and features a number of vendors selling fresh produce, seafood, and other goods. The market is a popular destination for both residents and tourists, and is known for its lively atmosphere and unique offerings. The market also has a number of restaurants and food stalls, offering a wide variety of cuisines. In addition to its commercial offerings, Pike Place Market also features a number of historic buildings and landmarks, including the original Starbucks store. The address is 85 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101

Dahlia Lounge – The hotspot where Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) went on a date with Victoria (Barbara Garrick), who was an interior designer. Unfortunately, the Dahlia Lounge is closed now (officially announced by Tom Douglas on March 12, 2021). The location has been in business for 32 years. The location was taken over by its neighbors the Dahlia Bakery and Serious Pie (Pizza shop). The address is 2001 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

Alki Beach – In West Seattle, you’ll find the next movie location, Alki Beach. While doing her research, Annie Reed (Meg Ryan) finds Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks) playing with his son Jonah Baldwin (Ross Malinger). The location is right across from Duke’s Seafood & Chowder on the beach. The address is 2516 Alki Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116. If you don’t know about Seattle’s Alki Beach it is known for its sandy shoreline, beautiful views of the city and the Olympic Mountains, and its vibrant atmosphere. The beach stretches for two and a half miles along the Elliott Bay waterfront, and is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and other beach activities. It is also home to many restaurants and shops, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. In the summer, the beach is often crowded with people enjoying the warm weather and beautiful scenery.

In summary, Sleepless in Seattle was a great movie and featured several locations around Seattle. In my opinion, it is a classic romantic comedy that is well worth watching. The story is heartwarming and touching, and the ending is satisfying and emotional. This is the must-see movie for anyone who enjoys romantic comedies. The cast really did a great job and these types of movies simply are not created today in the same way. Check out the filming locations around Seattle if you have some time.

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