July 2012

Jean Mathisen with AARP Washington’s “Fraud Fighter Call Center” visited with 20 seniors for lunch and discussion on the West Seattle Senior Center on July 26.

Her expertise is in the psychological techniques used by scammers to convince seniors to participate in their own financial victimization.

A vigorous discussion ensued with Jean’s information and ample examples of fraud attempts from her audience. Here are some highlights:

Why are seniors targeted by scammers?
Based on stereotypes, Mathisen said senior are considered an “easy mark” because they are trusting and may be in mental decline. All of that wouldn’t matter however, except “almost all retired people have some sort of nest egg … and it gives scammers a hope that they may be able to clean out our bank accounts and use it to line our pockets.”

Techniques to protect yourself from fraud
Mathisen suggested shredding all unneeded documents, use a locking mail box, use a P.O. Box, and ideally use the post office when sending mail out.

The newest alternative for people on the west side seeking naturopathic care and medical marijuana authorization is Hope Clinic. It's been open for three weeks in a soft open phase.

Tucked into a tiny space on Alki Beach in the same building as the Coastal Boutique and next to Wheel Fun Rentals the clinic's address is 2530 Alki Ave. s.w. Suite B.

Hope Clinic is actually an offshoot of an existing clinic in the University District called the CARE Wellness Center that has been in existence for a few years.
That business founded by Greta M. Carter is similar but larger.

Rachel E. Kurtz runs Hope Clinic and has been serving CARE Wellness as the Director of Operations. She is also a licensed attorney and a board member for the Cannabis Defense Coalition.

Hope Clinic has only one primary doctor Kathleen M. Naughton, AD ARNP, who is there as of now on Tuesdays from 3:00 pm to 6:30pm people seeking naturopathic care including medical marijuana authorization. Another doctor is available when Naughton is not.

By Cassandra Baker

2:05 p.m., July 24. 51st block of Leary Ave NW

Police responded to reports of an assault at a food bank on the afternoon of July 24. The victim said that he knocked on the bathroom door and a woman burst out, yelling and swearing at him. When the victim tried to go past the woman and enter the bathroom, the woman’s boyfriend came up and hit him from behind with an unknown item. The victim had a bandaged head and blood on his shirt when he spoke to police. He said he had never seen the woman or her boyfriend before.

A witness confirmed that the suspect had hit the victim and threatened him. The suspect is described as a black male in his late 30s with short hair, 5’11” and about 175 lbs. He was wearing a brown shirt and blue jeans. His girlfriend is described as a white female in her 30s with dark hair long on the back and shaved on the sides. She was wearing a green sleeveless shirt and overalls. The victim was treated at the scene and later taken to the hospital.

11:46 p.m., July 23. 3rd block of NW 90th St

Press release:

BURIEN URBAN GARDEN TOUR – Sunday, August 12, 2012, 2 p.m.
Sponsored by Sustainable Burien

We’ll meet at “the Rock” at Burien Town Square at 2:00 (no later than 2:10). We’ll arrange carpooling and hand out the addresses of the two urban gardens below.

More people are growing their own food and finding innovative ways to live more sustainably. Join us as we visit neighbors who are creating urban farms and be inspired to create your own version or get new ideas, or share what you’ve done.

The Feeney property is located in the Hazel Valley Area. It is made up of 1-1/2 acres, with 1 acre being second growth native forest. The forest has been continually worked on to remove invasive holly, ivy and non-native blackberries. The 1/2 acre has a house, a couple of out buildings, gardens and developing gardens. Every year new ideas come into play as how to minimize developing impacts and maximize housing for our population growth. We are enjoying the forest and gardens as we consider what the least impact will be for this property in the future.

Approximately 43 million Americans suffer from arthritis and that number is expected to climb higher as our population ages. By 2020, it is estimated that 60 million people will have arthritis due to the increased number of people over 65 years of age.

Dr. Barry Bockow, a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine and a local Rheumatologist, has been selected to participate in a nationwide study for Osteoarthritis of the hip. He is one of the few MD’s selected in the entire West Coast to provide this injectable compound free to patients.

All medical visits, imaging studies and evaluations will be covered by the study and are free to the patient. For more information or an appointment, call Dr. Barry Bockow at (206) 246-7880.

Press release:

Navos Mental Health Solutions announced it received a King County grant to create a community-based coalition for drug free youth in the Burien/White Center communities and has appointed communications veteran Rudy Garza as Coalition Coordinator.

Navos has been responding to the needs of people with mental illness in King County for over 40-years. Its services are targeted to those who live at or near poverty, often as a result of their mental illness. The mission of Navos is to improve the quality of life of people vulnerable to mental illness by providing a broad continuum of care.
“As part of the work we do with youth, we saw a need to address the substance abuse-related issues among youth in the Burien/White Center community said Joan Zintak, Director of Adult Services.” This five-year grant allows us to collaborate with other agencies, the private and public sector, and the community at-large to better address these issues by providing alternatives,” she added.

press release:

Master Steven Elmore and 9 students from Evergreen Tang Soo Do Academy in West Seattle recently attended The World Tang Soo Do Association's World Championships held in Greensboro, NC, USA. Over 1,600 competitors vied for medals at the WTSDA's 14th Championships event, held every two years. Representatives from 34 different countries from around the globe gathered for the tournament.

This year's Championship had a somber tone and a very special meaning to all WTSDA members. On the 9th of July 2012, the Association lost its founder, Grandmaster Jae C. Shin, to an extended illness.

With heavy hearts, the Championship got underway on Friday July 20th with creativity and black belt divisions. Evergreen Tang Soo Do Academy's very own Tamela Thomas was the Senior Female Black Belt World Champion by winning gold medals in weapons, forms, and free fighting. This was her 3rd consecutive world title but her first in the black belt division.

Washington State Ferries has announced that increased construction activities on King County's Barton Pump Station Upgrade Project adjacent to the Fauntleroy terminal may result in congestion near the terminal on Monday July 30.. No ferry lane closures are planned in the near future but on Monday customers will see concrete trucks entering and exiting the site assisted by flaggers from noon to 4:30 p.m.

They urge drivers to anticipate increased congestion during these work hours. For more information please contact Kristine Cramer at kristine.cramer@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-3184, or call the 24-hour project hotline at 206-296-2999.

For a third time, SeaTac lawmakers extended July 24 a six-month moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries and collective gardens.

City Attorney Mary Mirante Bartolo said the city’s dilemma is that the state recognizes medical marijuana and regulates it but federal law doesn’t allow it.

Further complicating the issue is a statewide measure to legalize marijuana on the November ballot, City Manager Todd Cutts noted.

This time around, SeaTac council members approved a work plan with the moratorium. Staffers will analyze marijuana dispensary zoning in other cities and research state law and legal cases. The staff will present their findings to the council.

“Eventually, we will have to make a decision,” senior planner Al Torrico observed.

Lawmakers also added to the final docket of the city’s comprehensive plan amendments two zoning changes. The Planning Commission recommended moving forward on the amendments while planning staff opposed their addition.

The City Council is expected to make a final decision on the two amendments on Nov. 27 following a public hearing and open house on Oct. 16.

by Sam Reed
Chief Sealth International High School
Athletic Director/Activity Coordinator

While many kids their age are sleeping in and enjoying what remains of their summer vacation, a group of 18 individuals, including 9 from the West Seattle area, are headed to Colorado with Special Olympics of Washington and the Seattle Sounders for a weekend of soccer and fun.

Departing early this morning, The Unified Sports® Special Olympics Sounders team, comprised of some of the best athletes and partners in the region, are set to play a return match against a similar team from Colorado. Three weeks back a group representing Special Olympics Colorado travelled to Seattle and played in conjunction with the Colorado Rapids vs. Seattle Sounders FC Major League Soccer (MLS) game. That game was won by Seattle. A complete wrap-up can found on the Sounders FC website here.