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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.

Katharine Schwab – Left Wing Journalist Pushing Propaganda About Elon Musk

Forbes Journalist

We’ve known for a long time the left is controlling much of the media. They push certain narratives to fulfill the left’s agenda. Today, we are looking into Katharine Schwab from Forbes. According to her Forbes archive page, she has written 3 articles with Forbes, all of which are Elon Musk hit pieces. It appears she is pushing democratic propaganda in the news to change the public perception of Elon Musk and his work to try to protect free speech.

Here is her archive page to track her published articles.

Katharine Schwab Forbes Writer
Forbes Staff Writer: Katharine Schwab pushing left-wing propaganda to try to change the public’s perception of Elon Musk.

I

In November 2022, she wrote another article for Forbes about Elon Musk. Again, a hit piece that appears to be a left-wing article against Elon Musk. Katharine Schwab’s history with Forbes.com is only negative articles about Elon Musk and Twitter.

Katharine Schwab Journalist Forbes.com
In November 2022, Katharine Schwab wrote another hit piece about Elon Musk. It’s all she writes about.

It should concern the public that her journalism isn’t balanced and appears to be written only to smear people or push left-wing narratives under the umbrella of journalism through Forbes.com.

Below is a Google News screenshot showing her articles for the public to view. It appears she is purposing leveraging Forbes.com to push her left-wing narratives at the top of Google.

This type of behavior as a journalist is concerning for us and should be concerning for the public. It appears her whole objective is the push Elon Musk and Twitter narratives since that is all she has written about. This clearly is fake news with the purpose of changing public perception in our opinion.

Doing some additional research, it appears she worked for Fast Company last year. There doesn’t appear to be any manipulation at her previous employer so we are unclear why her behavior has changed to a more extreme approach for the left. It says she was a Deputy Editor.

She appears to be a real person from New York, according to her LinkedIn. It says she is a Senior Editor at Forbes. She went to Stanford University and previously worked for The Atlantic, which is highly left-wing and has been known to push fake news or omit news that doesn’t fit the left’s narrative. We’ve seen this countless times.

Senior Editor Fobes.com

She does have a personal website with a bio about her. It is very left-leaning of course: https://katharineschwab.com/about-me/ also Twitter @SchwabKatharine

We will continue to report on Katharine Schwab and her writing habits. Based on the information collected, it appears she has moved too far left and is unable to provide fair and balanced news reporting anymore. She has become too politicized and maybe using her position (and platforms) to promote left-wing articles for their agenda.

This article is for educational purposes and is opinionated based on the data collected. It’s your responsibility to draw your own conclusions about this writer.

The Seattle City Council Votes and Approves The Budget for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024

City of Seattle

The Seattle City Council has approved a massive $7.4 billion budget for the fiscal year 2023–2024. The tally was 6-3 in favor.

From low-cost housing to increased security, a wide variety of priorities is covered by the massive budget. The rising rate of inflation and the accompanying economic instability in the coming two years are important motivating factors for the council.

Over the next two years, the city will invest $500 million in low-cost housing. It’s the single highest expenditure on housing-related services in Seattle’s history.

According to Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, “the great bulk of funds goes towards creating additional affordable homes,” which includes “first-time homeownership chances” and “funding to help persons being securely housed.”

After a student was shot and murdered at Ingraham High School earlier this month, the council allocated $4 million to support student mental health.

“Youth leaders were instrumental in bringing all parties to the table for this discussion. So that they could have a say in how those funds would be used, they requested more leeway “Mosqueda said.

The pupils pleaded for money to be allocated to mental health programs run by the school and the local community. Natalya McConnell, a Junior, was instrumental in planning the student-led demonstration at city hall 2 weeks ago.

McConnell remarked, “It simply demonstrates that with movements and organization of kids, if we stand together united, we can achieve huge improvements for the whole Seattle schools.”

Seattle citizens are understandably concerned about public safety, but councilmembers Alex Pedersen and Sara Nelson, who voted against the budget, saw it differently.

According to Nelson, “eliminating 80 permanent employees is needless. We should have given SPD the option of using pay savings to address unexpected demands.” A majority of the 80 available police officer posts went vacant. SPPD may expand its workforce by more than 120 roles. Pedersen said in a statement that the proposed budget might hamper recruitment and retention efforts for law enforcement personnel.

Since public safety is a top concern, Councilmember Mosqueda stated, “We’ve added funds for regional peacekeepers, funding for mental health services, gender-based violence support, juvenile violence reduction strategies, and gun crime reduction initiatives.”

The opinions of the people living and working in Seattle were crucial in shaping this budget. Over the course of the last ten weeks, the Council has completed 3 public hearings, and 9 public committee discussions, heard from hundreds of community people and presented approximately 200 modifications.

There is broad community support for Councilmember Mosqueda’s proposed budget. Councilmember Mosqueda and the City Council have passed a budget that safeguards important programs that promote food security and the healthy growth and development of children.

Tanika Thompson, co-chair of the Sweetened Beverage Tax Community Advisory Board and Got Green’s Food Access Organizer, stated, “On behalf of the Sweetened Beverage Tax Community Advisory Board, I’d want to express my gratitude for this. I realize this was a challenging budget year, but your actions demonstrate a commitment to community input, goals, and values.” After the vote, Mayor Harrell will be presented with the Council’s budget for his signing. The Executive has 10 days from when the budget is sent to his office to either sign it or veto it. If not, it will be implemented immediately.

Seattle’s Department of Transportation Prepares Around Fifty Snow Plows in Preparation for the Impending Snow Storm

Seattle Snow 2022

As the first blizzard of the season begins to pound the City of Seattle, the Seattle Department of Transportation has begun to set up plans to account for a shortage of resources.

The majority of the city is only forecast to receive around an inch of snow from the storm, but the city is unable to clear every road inside its boundaries, so drivers may face some difficulties as a result.

The city claims that it lacked its own dedicated snow plows in the past. Instead, when snow is forecast, city trucks must be equipped with snow removal tools.

According to the city, “There are insufficient vehicles to plow all the streets despite the availability of an alternate reaction to snowplows.” In addition, the steep grades of several Seattle roadways make them impractical to maintain during snow and ice.

However, according to The Center Square, the Seattle Department of Transportation currently has more than 50 trucks equipped to clear snow and ice. Crew members from several departments are on standby to work around the clock during winter storms, although a 12-hour shift has been established in preparation.

In 2022, the city allocated $9 million, with projections for $9.8 million in 2023 and $10.2 million in 2024 due to emergency responses, which included harsh winter weather.

The city’s transportation department’s priority is to clear designated thoroughfares. Only key thoroughfares in the central business district are plowed by the city.

The city’s snow response team is asking for help from citizens in clearing sidewalks and driveways since they can’t do it alone.

As snow blankets western Washington, airport officials in Seattle have had to cancel more than 100 flights and postpone another 100. By Tuesday afternoon, FlightAware, which monitors flights at major airports around the world, reported that 182 flights had been canceled and over 400 had been delayed at Sea-Tac. About 1,200 planes a day use Sea-Tac during this time of year, according to a spokeswoman.

As numerous weather systems passed through the region on Tuesday morning, low-lying snow began falling in Seattle and the surrounding area. We should have snow levels between 400 and 800 feet all week.

At 9 a.m., the airport had a ground delay due to an FAA announcement, which delayed planes by an average of 34 minutes. According to the FAA, crews started spraying de-icing fluid at 8:00 a.m. in order to clear snow and ice off the runway. About midday, they called off the ground stop.

“You can rely on us to clear main routes, but crews can’t be everywhere at once,” the Seattle Department of Transportation said in a statement. It is the duty of every citizen to remove snow and ice off the sidewalks in front of their houses and businesses.

As of the morning of Tuesday, the Twitter account for the city’s transportation department had reported that there have been three documented traffic crashes in the city. However, none of this can be attributed to the cold weather.

Managing Mental Health Around the Holidays

Holidays Mental Health

When it comes to attending therapy around the holidays, clients often fall into one of two camps: “I’ll be fine without a session next week. It’s the holidays.” or “Oh yes, I’ll definitely need a session next week. It’s the holidays.”

While the song tells us that “it’s the most wonderful time of the year,” the reality can be much more complicated. For some, the holidays can be incredibly lonely. For others it means returning, however briefly, to old and problematic family dynamics, or even to places where unresolved trauma looms near the surface.

Whatever the holiday season may hold, there are things you can do to make the most of this time of the year.

Plan Ahead – Be intentional about your plans. Avoiding decisions gives the decision to others, so be proactive and choose how you’d like to spend your holidays. If you’ll be on your own, how would you like to spend the time? Grant yourself the gift of doing something fulfilling. Solitude can be a true pleasure, so think about your needs and desires, and lead with self-compassion. While some may gather with relatives, others will gather with chosen family. Reach out to those who have earned your trust and friendship and plan a special holiday gathering.

There are few things so fulfilling as sitting around a table with good food, good drink, and good souls. If you are heading home to be with relatives, it’s still good to plan ahead. Returning to our family of origin can be extremely fulfilling, but it can also bring up a lot of difficult emotions. Think about where the troublesome areas are in those relationships and how you’ll manage them during your visit. Preparing a plan ahead of time can keep you from being overwhelmed and reacting poorly in the heat of a conflict.

Know Your Boundaries and Your Backup Plan – Despite the growing up we’ve done in our personal lives, family has a knack for bringing us back to our old ways. We may tend to blur our boundaries and over-tolerate behavior from family members that we would never put up with in our daily lives. Decide early where your boundaries are. Keep in mind that boundaries are not about controlling others. Instead, they are a clear definition of how you need to be treated and what you will and won’t do.

Some family members may be accustomed to your lack of boundaries, so be sure to state clearly and calmly what you need. It may be uncomfortable, but it will be worth speaking up. You’ll also want to know your backup plan. Some people may be unwilling to respect your boundaries, so be ready to remove yourself if needed. It’s better to step away than to power-struggle, and people may come around if given time to cool down and think. If the disrespect or unkindness merits it, however, give yourself permission to leave. You do not owe your company to anyone who mistreats you.

Savor the Good – Whether on your own, with friends, or with family the holidays are an opportunity to slow down, return to the present, and savor the good in life. Collectively, it’s been a particularly difficult few years for many of us. We should make room to honor the pain and struggle, but we should also allow ourselves to feel joy and be grateful for the good in our lives, whether big or small. Gratitude has a direct link to happiness and life satisfaction, so take the opportunity to choose positive holiday plans and let the joy sink in.

Lead with Compassion – No matter how we spend our holidays, we should lead with compassion for ourselves as well as for others. It is easy to become overly critical or impatient, to jump to conclusions or to blame, but these things do little good. They rarely accomplish anything, and they certainly don’t leave us feeling any better for it. Instead, taking a deep breath and having some patience, including for ourselves, will take us further.

The holiday season is a mixed bag for many, but we can choose how we spend this time and who we spend it with. May we grant ourselves the kindness to meet our own needs without judgment and grant others a gentle word and a grateful smile.

Nick Norman, LICSW, is the Business Relationship Manager at Mindful Therapy Group, a diverse and collaborative network of licensed, independent mental health clinicians serving Washington and Oregon.

U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Lourdes E. ‘Alfie’ Alvarado-Ramos will be inducted to the VA Puget Sound Health Care System Wall of Heroes

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Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Director and retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Lourdes E. ‘Alfie’ Alvarado-Ramos will be inducted to the VA Puget Sound Health Care System Wall of Heroes November 9, 2022 at 3 p.m. She is being recognized for always placing the needs of service members—past and present—in the center of all that she does, whether on the battlefield or across Washington State.

U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Lourdes E. ‘Alfie’ Alvarado-Ramos

Alfie (as featured on Madigan’s wall of past command sergeant majors):

The Wall of Heroes serves as a reminder for patients, visitors, staff and volunteers at VA Puget Sound of the sacrifice, valor, bravery and heroism demonstrated by Puget Sound area Veterans. Dedicated June 29, 2009, the Wall of Heroes display is one way VA Puget Sound honors those Veterans. Framed biographic displays of each inductee are symbols honoring Veterans who have had significant contributions to those we serve at VA Puget Sound. Alvarado-Ramos will be the 18th Veteran honored.

Born in Puerto Rico, Command Sergeant Major Alfie Alvarado-Ramos served 22 years on active-duty service, retiring August 1993 as the Command Sergeant Major of Madigan Army Medical Center and Troop Command, Joint Base Lewis McChord. During her military career, she was the recipient of awards and decorations that include the Legion of Merit, Order of Military Medical Merit, Expert Field Medical Badge and Meritorious Service medals. Her commitment to servicemembers—past and present—remains her #1 priority. This is evident in her many roles today: Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Director, National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs President, Governor Jay Inslee’s Executive Cabinet Member and Washington Military Transition Council Chair and serves on the Boards of Directors of the Patrick Madigan Foundation and National Association of State Veterans Homes.

Madigan Army Medical Center Command Sergeant Major Albert Harris (the position Alfie had at Madigan prior to her retirement) will join VA Puget Sound leadership in honoring the 22-year Veteran. Friends of Alvarado-Ramos, along with representatives from U.S. Army, Veterans Service Organizations, local congressional offices and VA Puget Sound staff are expected to attend.

Event Details:

VA Puget Sound, 1660 S. Columbian Way, Seattle (just inside main entrance)

November 9, 2022, at 3 p.m. (brief 15-20 minutes ceremony)

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