March 2013

With $85 million in automatic federal spending cuts expected to take effect in the coming days and weeks as Democrat and Republican lawmakers in D.C. stalemate on a budget deal, the dust cloud of cuts has made it to Puget Sound shores with King County announcing the suspension of their Section 8 housing voucher program, providing financial assistance to low-income citizens.

Here are the details from King County Housing Authority, who administer the vouchers:

KING COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS SUSPENDED THE ISSUANCE OF SECTION 8 VOUCHERS
Financial impact of sequestration cited

In the face of sequestration, the automatic across-the board budget cut that will hit all federal programs starting March 1, the King County Housing Authority has suspended issuance of Section 8 Housing Choice vouchers to the thousands of families that have applied to its general waiting list.

Press release:

Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has been chosen as one of just fifty animal organizations in the nation to compete in the 2013 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge. The organizations will be vying for more than $600,000 in grant funds, including a grand prize of $100,000 to the shelter with the greatest increase in lives saved through pet adoptions and returning strays to their owners.

RASKC handles animal services for SeaTac and Tukwila.

“Regional Animal Services is committed to improving animal welfare in King County, and participating in the ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge will help us further that commitment,” said RASKC manager Dr. Gene Mueller. “Our staff and volunteers are excited about taking part in this competition, but broad community support will also be crucial. So, we hope to engage the residents and businesses of King County to help us connect cats and dogs at the Pet Adoption Center with loving homes.”

Press release:

New high tech tools and software will support student achievement for the nearly 3,000 students with special needs who attend Highline Public Schools, thanks to a grant from Lowes.

“We are so grateful, and excited, to receive the grant from Lowes Charitable and Educational Foundation,” said Anne Hickey, speech language pathologist at White Center Heights Elementary. “Students with special needs often have challenges in the areas of reading, writing, and communication. Now we have access to a broad range of technology options that will help students overcome those obstacles.”

The equipment and software, purchased with a $64,581 grant includes iPads, mini laptops, laptops, speech generating devices, and more than 15 related software applications. The applications include a text magnifier with speech for visually impaired students, voice recognition software, and a communication application that assists students who speak in a manner that is difficult to understand.

A team of professionals from across the district worked together to prepare and submit the grant to Lowes.

For some years the image of losing him flashed across my mind. How would I handle his death. Would a hawk swoop down and grab him out of the yard. Would he fight a raccoon under the deck? Would the vet tell me his quality of life was so impaired that prolonging his pain was cruel?

Sure, he had arthritis in his hip. They get that in their teens (human years make it 90+). He had a failing kidney and there were some thyroid issues according to Dr. Driscoll. Her tender manner assured me Climber could be treated with meds and even improve but it would take time. He was almost 18. His teeth and gums were okay but needed some extra care. She gave me a toothbrush.

The medicine is tricky. Just the right dose is critical. Too little and he won't improve. Too much and we get other problems. His exams were good following the prescribed regimen.

The 2013 State Basketball Championship Tournament is underway in the Tacoma Dome. The state’s top-ranked 4A girls team, the Mt Rainier Rams (26-1) came from behind to pull off a proverbial nail biting win over the fifth-ranked Inglemoor Vikings (21-3), final score 61-56.

Foul trouble and free throws were the difference in the game. Inglemoor had two starters foul out while Mt Rainier had one reserve player foul out. At the free throw line Inglemoor hit only 12 of 19, while Mt Rainier hit 20 of 26; Brittany McPhee had 14 of those.

Mt Rainier’s next game is against Mead on May 1st, Friday night at 9pm in the Tacoma Dome.

A detailed article and more photos will follow soon, so be sure to check back.

By Tim Robinson

For some years the image of losing him flashed across my mind. How would I handle his death. Would a hawk swoop down and grab him out of the yard. Would he fight a raccoon under the deck? Would the vet tell me his quality of life was so impaired that prolonging his pain was cruel?

Sure, he had arthritis in his hip. They get that in their teens (human years make it 90+). He had a failing kidney and there were some thyroid issues according to Dr. Driscoll. Her tender manner assured me Climber could be treated with meds and even improve but it would take time. He was almost 18. His teeth and gums were okay but needed some extra care. She gave me a toothbrush.

The medicine is tricky. Just the right dose is critical. Too little and he won't improve. Too much and we get other problems. His exams were good following the prescribed regimen.

When Danish-born Dan Hegelund, 35, who has lived throughout Europe, and most recently Sweden, decided, with wife Mary, to move and teach choir abroad, they could have chosen just about anywhere. Luckily for local choir singers, both aficionados and beginners, and their audiences, the Hegelunds chose Seattle and will teach at Evergreen Church in Burien as well as Wallingford, and Issaquah where his mother lives. Their Burien classes begin Wednesdays in March.

Hegelund has performed at the Presidential Palace of Ukraine, before the Latvian Government, instructed at the Copenhagen Gospel Festival, and participated in Clash of the Choirs (TV 4, Sweden). He holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science, and is working on a degree in Technology of Future Intelligence. He speaks English, Russian, German, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian.

Seattle Police Department just posted a full report on their blotter blog:

"Police and firefighters responded to a strange call early this morning after locating a man who had climbed up a tall tree near the railroad tracks in the 3300 Block of West Commodore Way near the Ballard Locks.

Soccer is back in the Emerald City.

The 2012 season had its bitter moments. From losing to bitter rival Portland to being denied Seattle’s fourth straight U.S. Open Cup by Sporting Kansas City. However, the club has improved a great deal since then, adding experience and a hunger for success. With their season looming, BNT has provided everything you need to know before you support your rave-green in what hopes to be another successful season for the Sounders.

Very recently, the Sounders were able to head down to Tucson and win the Desert Diamond Cup trophy. The Desert Diamond Cup tournament serves as an MLS preseason training opportunity. The club, along with other west coast MLS teams, mixed its starters and reserves to compete against each other. Individually, teams cultivated the tournament to help make their decisions on preseason transactions.

Offseason Transactions

The Sounders did not remain quiet this offseason. Their biggest concern was the club’s financial situations regarding their salary cap. Moves were made in-house as well as internationally to address their monetary constraints.

By Marjorie Young

Years ago, I had a simple but unforgettable experience while visiting family in San Francisco. Out for a walk, I spotted a neighbor with his dog…a large, very beautiful black poodle. Admiring it, I all at once observed it had only three legs! The owner explained one limb had been amputated due to cancer; that the surgery had occurred only a few days before.

I was amazed as well as inspired. The animal had taken the event perfectly in stride, indeed behaving as if nothing extraordinary had occurred; making due superbly - happily accepting of its condition, tail wagging and eyes bright.

This was a lesson I took to heart. How much suffering we inflict upon ourselves with fretting, anticipation, and self-consciousness! Of course, that poodle was not burdened with supporting a family, driving a car, or other responsibilities humans would face. Moreover, we only have two legs, as opposed to the canine’s four. But it was that dog’s acceptance of what was as opposed to what had been or might be that earned my admiration.