October 2015 Latitude 45

MAGAZINE

CELEBRATE THE Season

IN GERMAN TRADITION

A Renaissance Man

Dr. Forrest Bird

COLLEGE ENTRY

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OCTOBER 2015 1

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Contents FEATURE STORY 10 A Renaissance Man

Dr. Forrest Bird leaves a legacy that will impact the world

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EDITORIAL

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DESIGN

Creative Director | Whitney Lebsock Senior Designer | Jessica Herbig

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SOCIAL MEDIA/EVENTS

Media Manager/Events | Melody Vanhorn melody@like-media.com Media Intern | Maddie Russo maddie@like-media.com Latitude 45 is published and mailed to targeted neighborhoods in the Pacific Northwest. We’re not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher and no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission of the publisher.

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06 Travel & Leisure

CENTER FOR DENTAL ARTS

Celebrate the Season in German Tradition

16 Arts & Entertainment

A Cultural Gift

22 Financial Focus

Strategies for Success 26 Local Flare

Filling the Need

CONTRIBUTORS

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Sarah Polyakov • Julianna Verboort Maddie Russo

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TRAVEL & LEISURE

CELEBRATE THE SEASON IN GERMAN TRADITION

Leavenworth is home to the full German experience

By Colin Anderson

N

estled in the Cascade Mountains between Seattle and Wenatchee is a community unlike any other in the Northwest.

Leavenworth is like stepping briefly out of the U.S. and into an alpine village somewhere in Germany. Everything from the local shops and restaurants to the banks, offices and even McDonald’s are done in Bavarian style. The surrounding peaks create a dynamic landscape in any direction, making you feel like you’ve been planted in the Alps.

There are many ways to experience Leavenworth whether you’re a family,

couple, group of friends, or stopping through on a drive.

just

The Leavenworth Oktoberfest celebration is in full swing this month and is the most popular time for tourists. Thousands of visitors travel from all over to one of the most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations you’ll find outside of Munich. Many come in authentic lederhosen and dirndls, others with beer goggles, giant hats and their liter steins. The festival dates this year are Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2 and 3, Oct. 9 and 10 and Oct. 16 and 17. Admission is $10 on Friday nights and $20 for all day on Saturday.

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If you haven’t booked your stay yet, be prepared to fork over a handful of dough on a last-minute cancellation, or you might get lucky with a home rental on VRBO, FlipKey or Airbnb. For last minute reservations, your best bet is probably to stay in Wenatchee. Many do this each year as there is a shuttle service that will run you back and forth to Leavenworth both Friday and Saturday for a small charge.

Once in town, the shuttles are also free in an effort to cut down on traffic and drunk driving.

The shops in town are all open during this time, and you don’t want to miss

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the procession that officially opens the event each Saturday. A parade of locals dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing march through the streets with flags followed by polka music and the bier wagon. City leaders are brought in by horse-drawn carriage to the official tapping of the keg at 1pm. Once inside the festival, you will find four venues featuring live music, arts and crafts, traditional German food, shopping and of course plenty of taps featuring regional and imported German beers like Paulaner, Warsteiner, and Ayinger.

This year bands from the U.S., Canada and Germany will be entertaining in all four tents. You will also find traditional German dance presentations, group toasts, and you may very well end up doing the chicken dance. Your admission fee does not include any food, drink or souvenirs, and you will need to purchase tickets inside to get food and drink. You can bring your own stein to fill up, or purchase a souvenir mug to take home with you as well. The lines are usually longest in the beer halls so look outside for a shorter line to get a drink. Wine and soda are also available.

Also back by popular demand this year is the Saturday morning half and full marathon. This popular run zig zags through the neighborhoods just outside of town. Finishers are rewarded with a medal that also doubles as a bottle opener!

lights during the evening, and once the snow falls, kids can go sledding right downtown.

On any other day, there is plenty to see and do. Take a stroll down the main drag and visit some of the unique stores like the hat shop. Try the world’s hottest pepper sauce or sample countless cheeses at the Cheesemonger’s shop.

Enjoy a brat or have a nice romantic dinner at one of the many restaurants.

You can pick up everything from funny souvenirs to authentic crafts made in Germany.

Another reason thousands of people flock to Leavenworth is for wine tasting.

The Columbia and Cascade Valleys are becoming recognized more each year for their superb growing conditions, and the awards keep racking up for vintners who call these areas home. There are literally dozens of wineries and tasting rooms around. You can walk, hire a guide or even book a limo tour that will take you out of the city to some additional tasting rooms and you won’t have to worry about driving. Most tasting rooms will charge a fee to taste but waive that fee with the purchase of a bottle. This is a great time to stock up for your own supply or pick up early Christmas gifts.

If you enjoy a drive, the two lane highways

The event is family friendly by day but tends to get a little more rowdy in the evening, so if you plan in bringing the little ones, get an early start on the festivities.

Families can also visit Kinderplatz which is an area just for kids with climbing wall, bouncy toys, and L-Bow the Clown. There is live polka music outside the festival in the town square as well. These October weekends are the most popular of the year, so be sure to book plenty early as hotels and condos fill up fast.

If large crowds and large celebrations aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other weekends that the town slows down, but still offers plenty for everyone. November marks the start of the Christmas season celebration and the Christkindlmarket.

The three-day market over Thanksgiving weekend includes food, arts and crafts, unique Christmas gifts and a visit from St. Nick himself. After Thanksgiving, the downtown is lit up with Christmas

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Thousands of visitors travel from all over to one of the most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations you’ll find outside of Munich.

A parade of locals dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing march through the streets with flags followed by polka music and the bier wagon. City leaders are brought in by horse-drawn carriage to the official tapping of the keg at 1pm.

surrounding town are beautiful for a leisurely cruise. The fall colors are some of the best around, and there are plenty of turnouts to snap a few photos. You can also drive up to the top of Steven’s Pass and stop into Lake Wenatchee State Park, or if the snow is falling, drop into Steven’s Pass Ski hill for a day on the slopes. There are also opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and during the summer months fishing, rafting and tubing the rivers.

Your options are limitless, and with so much to do, you’ll want to visit during all four seasons. Most of the hotels and bed and breakfasts are within walking distance of town. If you book a condo or vacation rental, it’s usually less than ten minutes away. Leavenworth may sound like a “tourist trap” town, but it is truly proud of its Bavarian traditions, and the locals are happy to show you around and teach you a German tradition or two. For a list of events, attractions, places to eat, and places to stay visit www.leavenworth.org.

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FEATURE STORY

A Renaissance Man Dr. Forrest Bird leaves a legacy that will impact the world for generations to come

By Patty Hutchens

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1937 – Forrest Bird meets Orville Wright at the Cleveland Air Show.

1941 – Forrest Bird entered active duty as a technical air training officer.

1955 – The year the “Bird Universal Medical Respirator” was released.

1965 – First factory assembly line rolls out a medical respirator for home health, the Mark III. 1967 – Bird developed the Bird Innovator, a conversion of the Consolidated PBY Catalina amphibian aircraft.

1971 – Bird introduces first infant ventilator, the “Baby Bird.”

1995 – Dr. Forrest Bird is inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

2007 – Drs. Forrest and Pamela Bird open the Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center in Sagle, ID. 2008 – Dr. Forrest Bird receives the Presidential Citizens Medal in 2008 from President George W. Bush.

T

o the world, he was a man known as one of the most important innovators in the history of mankind.

To the people who knew him best, he was a humble man whose knowledge and passion for everything he did changed medicine forever. Dr. Forrest M. Bird of Sagle, Idaho passed away August 2, 2015 at the age of 94, but his legacy will live on for generations to come.

Described as a true Renaissance man, Dr. Bird was known for many things in life. He was an inventor, a veteran who served his country proudly, an aviator, an educator and a generous communityoriented man. To recount all of his greatest accomplishments would take up much more than a few pages, but here is a glimpse into the life of the man whose legend will live on for decades to come, through the eyes of the person who knew

2009 – Dr. Forrest Bird receives the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama.

2012 - Dr. Bird was awarded the Charles Lindbergh Award, and the Idaho Technology Council’s Hall of Fame.

2013 – The local charter school in Sandpoint, ID is renamed the Forrest M. Bird Charter School.

Dr. Forrest Bird held four doctorate degrees – medicine, aviation, physics and biotechnology.

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him best, his wife Dr. Pamela Riddle Bird.

“Forrest saved more lives than anyone else in history,” said Pam of what she believes her late husband would consider to be his greatest accomplishment.

Because of his invention, the little green Bird Universal Medical Respirator in the 1950s, the medical community can perform procedures such as organ transplants and open-heart surgery, operations that one could not fathom prior to the invention of the respirator.

“Being on a ventilator is critical to these surgeries, and they were never even an option before the invention of the respirator,” Pam explained.

His initial invention was followed by a medical respirator for home health in the mid-1960s followed by a respirator for infants, which was nicknamed the Baby Bird, in the early 1970s. It was this invention that drastically impacted the

infant mortality rates. “Prior to the invention of the Baby Bird, premature babies had a 70 percent mortality rate,” Pamela explained. “Now the infant mortality rate is down to 10 percent worldwide. He was the father of the respiratory industry.”

Initially met with opposition from the medical community who told him that a machine would never be able to breathe for another person, Forrest proved them all wrong and went on to change the world.

Not only did Forrest create life-changing inventions, he took his inventions through the development and marketing stages and trained doctors and respiratory therapists worldwide about the use of them.

Pam explains that Forrest traveled the world to teach the medical residents, and for those medical professionals who were already practicing, he had the Bird Institute and Clinic in California where doctors from all over the word would fly in to learn about the devices. “The top doctors from each country were chosen to attend the clinic,” said Pam, who added that it did not matter politically what nation the doctors called home. “Blood bleeds red, and it was about saving lives.”

And for those residents who were in remote areas of the world, there was nothing that would stop Dr. Forrest Bird from reaching them. His mode of transportation was the Bird Innovator, a conversion of the

Consolidated PBY Catalina amphibian aircraft, the only four-engine PBY aircraft in the world that enabled him to land on both water and land.

Dr. Forrest Bird later sold the Bird Corporation to the 3M Company but continued his life’s work. “He was able to take his laboratory with him and went on to create newer innovations,” Pam said.

Among Dr. Forrest Bird’s mentors was none other than Henry Ford, a family friend whom Forrest met at the young age of 8. According to Pam, he also counted Bill Lear and Howard Hughes among those who also served as mentors to him.

But perhaps one of the greatest influences on the career path he chose was Colonel Halsey, a World War II veteran who encouraged Forrest to go into medicine.

As a pilot in World War II, Forrest experienced firsthand the difficulty that pilots had breathing at high altitudes during the war. To combat this issue, Forrest invented the anti-gravity pressure suit regulator allowing pilots to go from 28,000 to 40,000 feet, giving the U.S. pilots an advantage over their enemy.

“Colonel Halsey told Forrest, ‘either you must have something or you must be crazy,’” recalled Pam. It turned out he was definitely onto something. Forrest had initially planned to go on and become a commercial pilot, but Colonel Halsey

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encouraged him to go into the medical field.

When speaking about Forrest as not only her husband, but also a man who was one of the greatest inventors of the world, Pam said Forrest’s main competition was himself. He spent his life inventing, improving and making a difference in people’s lives.

Forrest and Pam met 20 years ago at Disney World where Pam, who has her doctorate in business and who has worked extensively with some of the great inventors of the world, was hosting a conference. Someone suggested that she invite Forrest to speak. “I asked if anyone had heard him speak before and was told, ‘Well, he’s a doctor.’”

Initially met with opposition from the medical community who told him that a machine would never be able to breathe for another person, Forrest proved them all wrong and went on to change the world.

“They ranked Albert Einstein as the greatest inventor of all time, Thomas Edison as number two, and Forrest as number three.”

Pam’s response was that you cannot even read many doctors’ handwriting so it does not necessarily make them good speakers.

But with the other speakers whom she knew were top rate presenters, including the inventor of Gatorade, the creator of Atari and the founder of Chuck E. Cheese, she decided to invite Forrest. “I figured if he messed up, it wouldn’t really matter,” she said because the others would make up for it. But she quickly discovered that he was not only an incredible presenter, but also one of the most intelligent people she had ever met. “And he was just such a really nice guy,” she said of the man who eventually became her husband.

Talking about her life with Forrest, Pam likens it to being married to the Internet.

“He could talk about any topic from politics, medical issues, finance, drama, literature and the arts,” Pam said. He also was a

prolific reader and writer who would read the Journal of Medicine cover to cover. “His memory was just incredible.”

Although there was an age difference between the two, Pam never saw it. They had so much in common and experienced many adventures together.

“Together we traveled over 60 countries, and Forrest would remember everyone we met and the conversations we had,” said Pam. “The power of memory and the ingenuity and the power of the brain are amazing.”

Until the age of 91, Forrest continued to fly. “We flew three mornings a week at daybreak,” said Pam. “He could even still fly his ten-seater helicopter and was able

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to do spins and flips in his plane up until just a few years ago.” And traveling and sharing his knowledge and passion — that was something he did until January of this year.

While words such as “brilliant”, “passionate” and “intelligent” are terms used to describe Dr. Forrest Bird, the world “humble” is also a predominant theme.

“He had such humility,” Pam said. “The morning of his Celebration of Life, I sat there crying wondering what it was I was going to say about him.” And it was his humility that she found was a message she needed to convey. “He never said he saved a life. It was always we saved a life. He was always giving credit to others.

Everything was a team effort.”

That team effort included everyone in the industry, including the medical community, respiratory therapists and all those who helped people with respiratory issues.

“Forrest’s job was to teach others in the industry,” Pam said about the role Forrest played as an educator.

While there have been huge advances in medicine over time, Dr. Forrest Bird felt we were only hitting the tip of the iceberg.

“He said we (still) know so little about the human body, yet we think we know so much, and yet there is much yet to discover,” Pam said of her husband’s view.

His Legacy Lives On While many in our younger generation can share the names of the greatest actors, musicians and athletes of their time, there are many who may know very little about

some of the greatest innovators of our world’s history. In an effort to continue to educate the youth, the U.S. Patent Office has created trading cards, similar to sports trading cards, to teach kids about inventors. “They ranked Albert Einstein as the greatest inventor of all time, Thomas Edison as number two, and Forrest as number three,” Pam shared. Those trading cards are given to children throughout the world to keep the world of science alive in young creative minds.

Forrest and Pam both have had a heart for the community. They gave a special gift to those of not only North Idaho but also visitors from around the world when they opened up the Bird Museum in Sagle, Idaho. A place to learn and explore, the museum is 16,000 square feet and includes everything from Bird’s airplanes, flight simulators, automobiles, items donated from NASA and the original patent models for inventions including the floor mat, the doorknob, and Superman original items.

“Both of us wanted to give back to society and humanity,” Pam said of their decision to open the museum, which has close to 60 volunteers. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum offered their expertise in all aspects of developing the museum.

“The top people from there worked with us and gave of themselves,” Pam said.

When Pam thinks of the role that inventors

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like her husband play in the world, she uses the “Footprints in the Sand” poem as a metaphor. “There, God carries us through the difficult times in life, leaving just one set of footprints. Inventors likewise leave a footprint on mankind forever — just a different kind of footprint.”

Gathering at his Celebration of Life were more than 800 well-wishers, eager to honor the man who was a proud veteran, humanitarian, aviator, inventor and a kind person. His dear friend Dr. Richard Sugden allowed some to see a personal side of his friend.

“When asked how he manages to own and fly so many aircraft, Forrest answered ‘I fly them all, one at a time!’” Sugden shared.

And although he lived to age 94, it was still not long enough for what Forrest still wanted to accomplish. Sugden shares that Forrest had said, “It is too bad our greatest level of knowledge occurs as we genetically run out of time.”

Sugden also echoed the sentiment that many in attendance felt in their hearts.

“Today, I know he’s smiling down with a bunch of angels and old pilot friends, trying on his new wings.”

And looking back fondly at the years she shared with Forrest, Pam said, “I look at his life and I see humility, honor and integrity. He is my angel in heaven, and we’ll continue our work together.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Gig Harbor Film Festival offers something for everyone

A CULTURAL GIFT

F

By Patty Hutchens

or many, there is nothing more enjoyable than getting away from reality for a few hours and escaping to a theater to take in a good film. For those in our community, we are blessed to have the Gig Harbor Film Festival that brings a diversity of films for all, young and old, to enjoy. Quickly becoming one of the most rapidly growing independent film festivals

in the Pacific Northwest, this year’s festival will take place October 16 through October 18 at the Galaxy Theatre at Uptown.

On October 15, Opening Night Gala ticket holders will be treated to the opening film followed by the Gala party at Canterwood Golf and Country Club.

A VIP pass, which gives full access to all of the films and activities, is $115 and the Opening Night Gala ticket,

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which includes the feature film and the party at Canterwood, is $45.

While most of the films are not rated, the Gig Harbor Film Festival Board encourages parents to use discretion and advise that infants and toddlers are not permitted to attend any screening or panel.

Formed in 2007, the Gig Harbor Film Festival held its first event in September

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MORE EVENTS AT WWW.LATITUDE45MAG.COM NOW-OCTOBER 3 LOCAL SIGHTINGS FILM FESTIVAL Local people. Local stories. Local lives.

Local films. Northwest Film Forum’s annual Local Sightings Film Festival is made by the people and for the people of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Local Sightings shows new films, awards prizes, throws parties, and helps Northwest filmmakers to network at Northwest Film Forum on Capitol Hill. Details available at localsightings.nwfilmforum.org.

Now

Paradise Theatre opens the 2015-2016 with the enchanting, yet touching take on the Brothers Grimm’s characters set in an epic fairytale about wishes, family and the choices we make. This Tony Awardwinning show is a timeless, relevant piece and a rare modern classic. Visit www.paradisetheatre.org for ticket information.

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OCTOBER 10 THE LANTERN RUN

Run through the night and experience an unforgettable illuminated festival in Magnuson Park. The Lantern Run offers a mixture of lantern festivals and 5K runs. They believe in giving their participants the best “bang for their buck” by additionally offering a swag bag filled with commemorative gifts and thematic goodies. Visit thelanternrun.com for more information.

OCTOBER 23 BREW SEATTLE 2015 Cups will runneth over at Seattle Magazine’s 3rd Annual BREW Seattle tasting event.

The city’s largest local-breweries-only tasting event features breweries located within Seattle, tapping the local creativity popping up all over our Emerald City.

Guests will taste from over 20 breweries pouring their stellar products. Corn hole, music, giveaways and more await so grab a friend and join the fun today! Information available at brewseattle2015.shindigg.com.

NOWOCTOBER “INTO THE WOODS”

OCTOBER 3-4 THE NORTHWEST CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL The NW Chocolate Festival 2015 will be two days of pure chocolate decadence. You will taste chocolate from the finest artisan chocolate and pastry makers, plus have opportunities to learn a great deal about its origins, processing, culinary explorations, and more! The festival hosts 70+ workshops and demonstrations led by top culinary professionals and award winning artisan chocolatiers. Visit www.nwchocolate.com for more information.

OCTOBER 1618 GIG HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL

Join us for one of the fastest growing independent film festivals in the Northwest. The 8th Annual Gig Harbor Film Festival will feature a variety of selected films, a KidsFest and a 72-Hour film competition with awards. Located at the Galaxy Theatre in Gig Harbor.

Entries for films are still being accepted at www.gigharborfilmfestival.org.

OCTOBER 17 ANNUAL FALL HARBOR HARVEST Soroptimist International of Gig Harbor presents its Annual Fall Harbor Harvest Dinner and Auction from 5:30 to 9pm at the Gig Harbor Golf Course and Country Club.

Enjoy dinner, drinks and auctions. Tickets are $50 per person and $250 for a table of 6. Proceeds benefit our Scholarship and Awards program and our Brussels Sprouts Project.

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OCTOBER 2325 BEST OF THE NW ART & FINE CRAFT SHOW

Best of the Northwest Art & Fine Craft Show, Act II has 100 artists displaying jewelry, clothing, paintings, glass art, and sculptures plus food trucks at Hangar 30 in Magnuson Park. Find unique gifts for holiday shopping, as well as decorative items for your home or office.

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OCTOBER 24 BLUES & BREWS FEST

The Dean Reichert Band will be performing at the Blues & Brews Fest in the Key Peninsula Civic Center. Sit back, socialize and enjoy a dinner on this fun evening out when the doors open at 7pm. Come early to grab a seat and a beverage! Tickets available at www.brownpapertickets.com.

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OCTOBER 4 SOUNDERS VS LA GALAXY

Enjoy an enthusiastic game of soccer as you cheer on our home team! The Seattle Sounders are going against LA Galaxy at CenturyLink Field at 6:30pm. Visit www.soundersfc.com for ticket information.

OCTOBER 10 BEER IN THE BARN CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL OCTOBER 5 SEAHAWKS VS LIONS The Seahawks are battling it out with the Detroit Lions at CenturyLink Field! Come take part in the action as the Hawks make their way to the Super Bowl playoffs in January 2016. Kickoff is at 5:30pm. Visit www.seahawks.com for ticket information.

OCTOBER 18-22, 25-29 SEATTLE RESTAURANT WEEK Dine out for a deal during Seattle Restaurant Week October 18-22 & October 25-29. More than 165 local restaurants are serving up three-course dinners for amazing prices. You’ve got to taste it to believe it! For participating restaurants visit srw.seattletimes.com.

There will be over 20 craft breweries pouring amazing beers inside a barn on Thomas Family Farms in Snohomish, Washington. This festival focuses on superior beer from local and national breweries, we will also feature a rare/ unusual beer tapped every hour starting at 12:30pm. More information at www.beerinthebarn.com.

Upcoming Events NOVEMBER 1-14 SEATTLE EARSHOT JAZZ FESTIVAL

NOVEMBER 27 MACY’S HOLIDAY PARADE

NOVEMBER 3 TRAVIS PASTRANA’S NITRO CIRCUS LIVE

NOVEMBER 27 SEATTLE START LIGHTING

NOVEMBER 8 SEATTLE’S SLACK KEY FESTIVAL

NOVEMBER 29 SEATTLE MARATHON

NOVEMBER 12-19 CINEMA ITALIAN STYLE NOVEMBER 12 GIG HARBOR’S GIRLS NIGHT OUT

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NOVEMBER 14 OYSTER NEW YEAR OCTOBER 31 RUN SCARED

Earn your candy at the sixth annual Run Scared 5K run, 4K walk and free Kids Dash, benefiting The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Celebrate Halloween with a scary dash around Seward Park followed by tons of spooky fun all while benefiting a great cause! Registration available www.runscared5k.com.

NOVEMBER 14-15 SEATTLE SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 20-DECEMBER 12 SCROOGE! THE MUSICAL NOVEMBER 21-22 ARTISTRY IN WOOD

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Visit

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2008. With a dedication to enriching the culture of the Gig Harbor community, the Gig Harbor Film Festival’s goal is to educate, entertain and inspire its audience and filmmakers. The featured films seek to promote understanding, tolerance and global awareness.

each year. But she knows one thing for sure – it has continued to grow over time. “Each year we have seen more and more growth,” shares Thacker, who hopes those who attend will help spread the word of this great cultural event.

Marty Thacker, the executive director of Gig Harbor Film Festival, shared that they are still in the process of notifying all the filmmakers who have been accepted to screen during the October event, but she promises it will be something people will not want to miss.

Past winners include a first place feature documentary titled “Honor Flight – One Last Mission” by Dan Hayes and Clay Broga and a directors’ choice award “Cement Suitcase,” by J. Rick Castaneda, just to name a couple.

“We have a great line up of indie films for our community,” said Thacker.

“Many have won audience awards at other film festivals.”

Thacker shares that while many small film festivals own their own small theaters, Gig Harbor Film Festival is blessed to have a venue such as the Galaxy Theatre, which is home to 10 high-definition screens.

Because they sell multi-punch tickets, allowing attendees up to eight on a ticket, it is difficult to gauge exactly how many attendees the festival draws

For information on films, dates, times and ticket prices, go to www. gigharborfilmfestival.org. Don’t miss out on the cultural event of the season!

CELEBRATE OLYMPIC COAST CUISINE Don’t Miss the 14th Annual Dungeness CrabFest

By Maddie Russo Get in on the fun at one of the most acclaimed food festivals in the country. This is a spectacular three day event located on the Port Angeles waterfront.

The CrabFest celebrates food, art, music, and not only that, but the agriculture and maritime traditions of the Olympic Peninsula.

This event is a host throughout the weekend on October 9 through 11 to the world-famous Dungeness Crab. Featuring 14 restaurants, cooking demonstrations with celebrity chefs, a Chowder Cook-Off, wine and cheese bars, crafts, live music, and plenty more events, rain or shine, it is sure to be a grand experience.

Saturday morning kicks off with a $30 5K run. All proceeds go towards scholarships for Peninsula College student-athletes. Registrants will receive a gift bag with a free T-shirt, $4 off a crab dinner, one free drink ticket for beer, wine or soft drink and a free run at the Crab Derby.

Crab dinners at the event are fresh, caught exclusively for the festival and delivered throughout the entire weekend. There are military discounts that honor active members and their families with a special crab dinner price of $25 all weekend, and a 10 percent discount off all merchandise. Admission to the event is free to everyone!

Visit www.crabfestival.org for more information.

Visit

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for more events!

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Formed in 2007, the Gig Harbor Film Festival held its first event in September 2008.

With a dedication to enriching the culture of the Gig Harbor community, the Gig Harbor Film Festival’s goal is to educate, entertain and inspire its audience and filmmakers.

8TH ANNUAL OCTOBER 15-18, 2015

October 15

Opening Night Film & Gala Meet Filmmakers Workshops & Panel Discussions KidsFest 72 Hour Film Competition Age appropriate films and workshops Galaxy Theatre, Uptown Gig Harbor

For information about KidsFest, participation in the 72 Hour Film Competition, or volunteering contact:

851.FILM (3456) or 253.381.4647

For Festival events and schedules, and to purchase tickets online, please visit our website: www.gigharborfilmfestival.org

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU!

If you’re looking to build your resume or have a passion for journalism or photography, please contact us!

Patty Hutchens • Managing Editor • patricia@like-media.com

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FINANCIAL FOCUS

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS What high schoolers need to do now for college entry

by Julianna Verboort

I

s your high school student considering college? As with many aspects of life, college planning is more complex than it used to be. Thinking ahead is the name of the game. Read on for tips to get started!

Think your student is not college-bound?

Reconsider.

Some students may not show an interest in college, and certainly there are vocations that do not require a college degree. If college isn’t on your child’s mind, find out why and if you determine college is not his path, support him in developing an alternate career plan.

Data gathered by the Economic Policy Institute in Washington indicate, “Americans with four-year college degrees made 98 percent more an hour on average in 2013 than people without a degree.”

(The New York Times, “Is College Worth It? Clearly, New Data Say.” David Leonhardt, May 27, 2014.)

Peninsula High School student Ian Collins advises, “Learn from the past, seize the present day, and fabricate the future you want.”

Tip: Consider taking college-prep steps to

keep your student’s options open.

Where to begin?

The best way to learn about pre-college requirements is face-time with those in the know. Connect early with counselors, teachers, other parents and students on the college-bound track.

Connect early with counselors, teachers, other parents and students on the college-bound track.

Students and their families have a lot to do to prepare. Key steps include: • Meet with counselors early and often • Financial planning • Explore careers • Community service and internships • Advanced Placement or Running Start?

• Research colleges and programs; visit campuses • Apply for scholarships

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• Take the ACT and SAT, and plan for retakes (don’t forget pre-tests) • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • 2 to 4 letters of recommendation for applications • College applications, essays In the past, taking the SAT once was standard. Today, the trend is to take both the SAT and ACT. “Some kids do much better on one or the other,” says Kathy Weymiller, Director of Community Outreach at Peninsula School District in Gig Harbor. “I tell kids to take the tests as often as they can tolerate, because typically kids’ scores improve each time they take the test. The service is really good about letting you mix and match, taking their best scores for each section.”

Attention to deadlines is key. College applications are due sooner than you would expect, so stay in the loop. Prompt your student to find out about pre-tests and test dates, and double-check.

Gig Harbor High graduate Jonathan Sorenson suggests students take responsibility: “Make sure you contact colleges in your junior year to find out what the requirements and prerequisites are. Don’t just go by what your high school

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counselors tell you.” Sorenson’s goal is a PhD in physics, so research extends through graduate programs. Tacoma Community College gave credit for his AP English score; he later learned that Western Washington University requires a higher score. He’ll need to take English after all.

Because of the physics requirements, his undergraduate degree will take five years; had he known specifics earlier, it might have been completed in less time.

by program, and can change year-to-year.

Encourage your student to review the requirements and deadlines early on, and re-check the deadlines before applying to make sure important changes are not missed.

Entrance requirements vary by school and

Some high schools offer workshops for

Tip: For an overview of what to do when, see www.petersons.com.

students to build scholarship notebooks, which are then made available for review by community members who have scholarships to offer. It is a valuable tool. On the homefront, students and parents can craft a timeline to track tasks, milestones, and important deadlines.

This is an opportunity for your student to practice organization and research skills.

Review deadlines bi-weekly.

Start a Spreadsheet and Timeline A spreadsheet can keep track of resources, colleges of interest, scholarship

Photo courtesy of Kathy Weymiller.

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opportunities, test scores, volunteer time, community service, extracurricular activities, awards and honors. Keep a digital photo and physical file of awards, athletic letters, certificates, recommendations, and accolades to include in the scholarship notebook. When the time comes to submit applications, the information will be at the student’s fingertips.

Tip: Students should schedule weekly appointments on a timeline to meet with contacts and explore resources, as well as schedule time to work on scholarship applications.

of the preceding school year. Tacoma and Edmonds Community Colleges offer Running Start programs, as do another 30+ Washington schools. Students attend classes at the college, so consider maturity level when evaluating the program.

Tip: Running Start requires placement testing and advance application/ registration.

Paying for it all.

“How can I plan for college if I don’t know what I want to be?”

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is “the” tool used by colleges and universities in evaluating financial aid. Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to learn more.

This form can be completed as early as spring of junior year, though will need to be updated with tax data the following spring.

Pay attention to deadlines.

Be present, take breaks together, and enjoy these exciting years with your growing student!

There is a seemingly endless array of scholarships for those who are willing to spend time seeking. A not-to-miss resource is www.thewashboard.org, a free online service that matches Washington students with a wide range of scholarships.

Indeed! Students are pressured early on to determine what they “want to be.” If your student does not know her life goal, don’t fret. Many steps in preparing for college are the same, regardless of area of study.

Tip: TED Talks are a terrific, no-cost way to hear from interesting people in a wide range of careers. Visit www.ted.com.

Weymiller says, “There are so many uniquely focused scholarships. My son put himself on a diet of one scholarship application per week during senior year.

I recommend “How to Go to College Almost for Free” by Ben Kaplan, to start.”

Weymiller’s motivated sons are recent high school grads; both won substantial scholarships, grants, and acceptances from top-tier institutions. They chose Westpoint and the University of Washington. “Don’t be afraid to call the school’s financial aid office and ask, ‘is this the best you can do?

Getting ahead with AP or Running Start Advanced Placement (AP) courses allow students to earn college credits while in high school. The type and number of AP courses varies by school. These rigorous courses culminate in an exam, and students who achieve satisfactory scores can be granted college credit.

Running Start is an opportunity for juniors and seniors to attend community colleges, technical schools, and state universities, earning both high school and college credits. The program is tuitionfree, but includes some fees, the cost of textbooks, and students must provide their own transportation. Students have the opportunity to achieve an associate’s degree alongside their high school diploma. Registration takes place in spring

Photo courtesy of Julianna Verboort.

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Is there anything more you can add?’ to make sure you’re getting the maximum aid they can offer.”

Finally, dream big. Private and top-rated schools often have sizeable endowments that can make it affordable for those who have what it takes to get accepted, so don’t cross Stanford and Dartmouth off your list based on costs.

Final tip: Be present, take breaks together, and enjoy these exciting years with your growing student!

Photo courtesy of Louanne Collins.

LOCAL FLARE

FILLING THE NEED

Altrusa is combatting local hunger in creative ways

Article and photos

by Sarah Polyakov

DID YOU KNOW? Children who are food-insecure are 90 percent more likely to have their overall health reported as fair or poor than kids from food-secure homes.

Food insecurity in children is linked to an increase in developmental problems as well as headaches, stomachaches and colds.

Breakfast is vital to a child’s overall well-being. Research shows that when children eat breakfast, they tend to consume more nutrients and experience lower obesity rates.

H

unger? In Gig Harbor?

No way! That’s what you might hear were you to pose the question to most of the residents of this beautiful community.

For many reasons, hunger is an often silent force. Those who are hungry may not speak up or seek services because of a sense of shame. Others may not know how to speak up, even if they wanted to make their hunger known. Finally, there may not be resources for the hungry, even if they do choose to speak up.

Often, we may not be able to spot those who are hungry in our communities because hunger is not on our radar. We live in an affluent community and could easily draw the conclusion that hunger is elsewhere, but not here. Hunger happens in other

communities, but not ours. Unfortunately, assumptions govern actions and taking action can change the world.

But if we decide to set assumptions aside and delve deeper, we will soon find the reality of the issue. The reality is that even though we live in an affluent community, around 25 percent of school-aged children in Gig Harbor struggle with daily hunger.

Mothers and fathers have to live with the excruciating pain of looking their hungry children in the eyes and telling them the cupboards are bare. While bare cupboards might make for a catchy nursery rhyme, this is not the case for the children or the parents who live with this alarming reality.

Fortunately, we will always the dreamers who dream of communities for children and who through by taking action locally.

OCTOBER 18 TACKLE HUNGER Do you love football? Do you like knowing you have made a difference in the lives of others?

On October 18 the Seattle Seahawks host the Carolina Panthers in a 1:05pm kickoff and will be doing their part to tackle hunger in the Pacific Northwest. That day, staff and volunteers at CenturyLink Field will collect donations at all the gates to help combat hunger. Going to the game? Don’t forget to pack some extra canned goods to bring along with you.

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have better follow Some

The reality is that even though we live in an affluent community, around 25 percent of school -aged children in Gig Harbor struggle with daily hunger.

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Altrusa pledged to fund the kitchen 10 years ago and has raised $10,000 per year to pay off the kitchen over 10 years. actions they take are practical, while others are creative. But the real magic happens when practicality and creativity merge to make a difference in a big way. Such is the case with our local Altrusa chapter as they leverage the power of the grassroots Empty Bowls project.

Filling the Bowls The concept is very simple. Local potters create a beautiful, handmade soup bowl to donate to the Empty Bowls project. Community members purchase a soup lunch through the project, and the proceeds go directly to combat local hunger. When our Altrusa chapter learned of the project, they realized it was a terrific way to help end childhood hunger in our community. They are tackling the largest need first and they are addressing the lack of meals available to school-aged children during the summer.

“The Empty Bowls project is a simple way to remind everyone that there are empty bowls in our community that need filling. The Empty Bowls event partners with many different volunteers such as potters, restaurants, educators, sponsors, who, when working together, become a powerful force to end hunger. Our Empty Bowls event will raise money for ‘Food Scholarships’ to help pay for lunches and snacks for kids in the Boys and Girls summer program,” notes Jan Hohman, President of Altrusa International of Gig Harbor. According to recently developed figures, 48 percent of the Gig Harbor Boys and Girls club summer attendees are eligible for free and reduced price lunches.

Many of us are not aware that many children in Gig Harbor go hungry each summer because subsidized lunch programs are not available to them. These children fall through the cracks because of the way funding is calculated by the federal government. A footnote in FDA regulations

indicates that one in four children go hungry during summer vacation.

Altrusa has partnered with the Boys and Girls Club to address this need. “Altrusa’s focus has always been on the children of our community. When we discovered that, while surrounding communities all had summer lunch programs for their children who had no other resources, we were amazed and horrified. One of every four students in Peninsula schools qualify for free or reduced price lunches, yet there is nothing to fill the gap when school is out for the summer. That should never happen in a community as fortunate as ours,” notes Altrusa’s past president Nancy Hohenstein.

Altrusa’s interest and intervention is hardly recent. Altrusa has been working with the Boys and Girls Club for 10 years to address hunger. Their first project, which was 10 years in the making and has been now been realized, involved building a large, new kitchen for the Boys and Girls Club. Altrusa pledged to fund the kitchen 10 years ago and has raised $10,000 per year to pay off the kitchen over 10 years.

They have recently reached their goal and had a “Mortgage Burning Celebration” on September 22.

Still, Altrusa has always known they would go further and provide free lunches at the Boys and Girls Club for the 25 percent of local students who would otherwise go hungry. Altrusa understands that their work with the Boys and Girls Club is just the beginning. In the future, it is their hope to partner with local churches and organizations.

Altrusa is hopeful that their efforts will inspire others to take up the issue and find ways to make a summer lunch program a reality for kids who might otherwise go hungry.

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“What we can do is only one piece of the puzzle,” says Hohman. “We hope to see the effort grow to ensure that every child in our community, like those in every community surrounding us, has a good, healthy lunch to see them through their summer vacation.”

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