Program: Sophia Lopez, “Disaster Preparedness: The Basics,” August 10, 2023

Here is a link to Sophia’s presentation. The Passcode is qvZ9Pdh=

Here is a link to the King County and Seattle Disaster Preparedness Website.

Sophia Lopez has been surviving disasters her whole life.

Now, she gets to educate others how to do just that. Having personally experienced and survived tornadoes in Texas, hurricanes in Georgia and Louisiana, snowstorms in Eastern WA, and earthquakes in Hawaii, Sophia was a preparedness expert long before discovering she could major in it, let alone dedicate her life to it. She received her Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security Studies from Tulane University. She is a Certified Emergency Manager with over nine years of experience in Emergency Management and over 25 years of experience in Customer Service. She has served on multiple deployments and activations, including supporting the USDA with the Avian Influenza outbreak in 2015 (H5N1) and serving as the Logistics Section Chief for the King County COVID-19 response in 2020.

She is currently the Community Engagement Manager at the City of Seattle’s Office of Emergency Management.

Here are Sophia’s slides:

Program: “The Role of National Laboratories in the Innovation Ecosystem,” Melanie Roberts, April 27, 2023

ABSTRACT: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) oversees seventeen national laboratories, including the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Washington. Launched as part of a wave of federal investment in science around World War II, the DOE National Laboratories are now a cornerstone of the United States’ innovation ecosystem. Join us to learn how the Labs advance the frontiers of scientific discovery and technology development to address critical challenges in science, sustainable energy, and national security.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a different kind of national lab. PNNL advances the frontiers of knowledge, taking on some of the world’s greatest science and technology challenges. Distinctive strengths in chemistry, Earth sciences, biology, and data science are central to PNNL’s scientific discovery mission. Their research lays a foundation for innovations that advance sustainable energy through decarbonization and energy storage and enhance national security through nuclear materials and threat analyses. PNNL collaborates with academia in fundamental research and with industry to transition technologies to market.

Our speaker on April 27, 2023, is Melanie Roberts, Ph.D. Melanie is a science and innovation policy practitioner focused on increasing the benefits of science for society. Since 2018, she has been the director of state and regional affairs at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. She has also worked in the U.S. Senate, the National Science Foundation, the University of Colorado, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and private consulting to develop policies, partnerships, and programs that build bridges between research and application and enable scientists and engineers to collaborate across boundaries.

Melanie has served on numerous advisory committees, including the Committee on Graduate STEM Education for the 21^st Century at the National Academy of Sciences. She is an honorary fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences and a graduate of Leadership Tomorrow. She completed a Ph.D. in in neuroscience from the University of Washington and a postdoctoral fellowship in science and innovation policy at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Christy Goff Health Express

The Christy Goff Health Express made another stop at our station, this time bearing tidings about some fall-winter assaults upon the erstwhile immune system. To encapsulate:

The Cold, aka (military) Nasopharyngitis, acute, severe, catarrhal, cause undetermined. It is difficult to treat, except for symptoms of runny nose and dry or productive cough. It is of gradual onset, with little or no fever or aching. It is caused by one of several viruses.
Flu. It is caused by the influenza virus and is contagious before the onset of symptoms. It reigns mainly between November and April and attacks the most vulnerable, namely infants and the aged. Involvement of the throat and lungs is a threat. Contrasted to viral colds, it is of sudden onset and features fatigue, fever, aching, and a dry cough. It is treated with Tamiflu and antiviral Rxs. General treatment (and this is also appropriate for colds): rest, fluids, avoidance of alcohol and tobacco.
Seasonal Affective Disorder. This occurs in the fall and winter and is typified by excess sleeping, anxiety, depressed mood, lower energy, and irritability. Treatment consists of regular exercise, exposure to the outdoors light, or even use of a light box. Vitamin D levels should be checked. These are normally highest at the end of summer and lowest by March or April. Vitamin D and calcium aid the immune system.

In general, whole foods (vegetables, grains, fruits) are beneficial. One should limit sugar, alcohol, and smoking, which abet inflammation and compromise the immune system. Fermented foods, i.e., yogurt, sauerkraut, have a probiotic effect. Adding “zing” in the form of herbs and spices is of anti-inflammatory value.

For the holidays, choose only one sugar and savor it. Garlic and onions are antibacterial and antifungal. Supplements and herbs: Echinacea vs. colds; Elderberry vs. flu. Zinc, Vitamins C & D mitigate vs. flu and cold

The immune system ages. In the elderly, consider as serious shortness of breath and fever of over 100 that persists

Frank Chopp, Speaker of the State House of Representatives

Frank Chopp, Speaker of the State House of Representatives, held the floor. He touched on the topics of Education, Health Care, and Jobs. These being complex issues, his method was to allot a few general statements to each topic and then spend the rest of the session fielding questions thereon.

As to education, he alluded to the massive effort in progress to fully fund basic education. Taxpayers have invested heavily into schools. With the financial goal reached, it must be assured that the money will be well spent. To get kids out of poverty via the Learning Assistance Program is one imperative.

Health Care is on the right track. Washington leads the nation in coverage, with, at this juncture, half of the kids being covered statewide.

Jobs. He mentioned only one avenue of employment, namely the 520 Project. This has to do with the Floating Bridge and its current development on the west side.

In the Q&A session, the subject of taxes arose. Rep. Chopp believes the head tax to be “stupid”, the income tax fully unwanted by the populace, and the B&O tax a long-standing albeit imperfect revenue source. He points to oncoming legislation in which capital gains on the wealthy may be taxed more highly and the property tax lowered.

Redistricting, he points to the fact that we are the only state that has a bipartisan Districting Commission. Thus, there is no gerrymandering or successions of redistricting as one party or the other gains a majority.

Mental Health. More revenue and resources are sought for it. The state hospital has been decertified. This poses a problem that the Governor has not moved to fix. A building to house mental patients has been approved by the House, but not as yet by the Senate.

Gun control. This is a challenging matter in that there are widely differing attitudes throughout the state. However, by working with advocates, there has been passed legislation banning bump stocks and gun possession by the mentally ill. Action is pending regarding the age for owning assault rifles as well as safe storage and safety training.

The Homeless. Public sentiment is more in favor of mental illness than the homeless. However, the two are obviously intertwined. Ergo, if people support housing for the mentally ill, they are, in fact, doing so for the homeless. Efforts are therefore to occur in that direction in the legislature.

In summary: Any one of these topics could probably take a fortnight to discuss and probably not exhaust the subject in question. It was therefore well to have covered as much as there was in the time allotted.

Paul Raidna, Honorary Consul for the Estonian government

Paul Raidna, Honorary Consul for the Estonian government, said it all when he posited, “Estonia is recognized as the most digitally connected, transparent society in the world.” After the (most recent) domination by Russia, everything in Estonia is digitally connected to its citizens–all 1.3 million of them.

To wit:

Everything is instantly monitored and updated.
There are no checks. All payments are made by wire transfer.
An electronic chip in a card accesses a portal that tells all about an individual
All business is done electronically, except are weddings and real estate purchases.
Digitalization allows not only voting online but allows for a change of mind and reversal of a vote.
Information about a candidate is public and readily available.
This method saves 2% of the GDP in light of less bureaucracy.
A digital reader in a police car tells all about a passing car and its driver.
As of 2014, any Estonian can conduct transactions from anywhere in the world and can enjoy all the benefits of citizenship except the ability to vote.
Skype was developed in Estonia; 85% of all gaming software is from Estonia.
A child starts school at age 7. Criticism aside, there is a ranking of the top 4 or 5 in education in the world. There is produced the largest percentage of technicians next to Finland.
Even the dogs are profiled. Vaccination records are on line.
They are told, “The Government does not own the data; you do.” Block chain technology provides security no access personal data is provided without user authorization.
It is hard to be corrupt when transparency is used. (So ’tis said).
To promote population growth, free digital dating is an effort to get singles together.
There is next to no unemployment in the fast-growing economy.

COMMENT: All shall continue unimpeded as long as Estonia enjoys a NATO presence

Digital Estonia, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/12/18/estonia-the-digital-republic

Building a Digital Society, https://e-estonia.com/

Claire Petersky & Detective Nicole Freutel, Elder Abuse Advocates

Behind bland and innocent façades, venues of ugliness lurk. Occasionally one erupts for all to see, in the form of domestic violence, spousal abuse, child cruelty, and the like.

Claire Petersky of the Wallingford Community Senior Center and Detective Nicole Freutel of Seattle Police HQ, gave us insight into the dark realm of elder abuse. This is a practice that is often hidden; its total prevalence is not known. However, 18,400 cases were identified in King County alone (over what span of time was not specified).

The types of elder abuse may be bodily, sexual, and psychological. As to the category of financial, the elderly has been bilked to the extent of $36 billion nationwide, with an average of $120K per victim. Add to this the areas of neglect and self-neglect.

The risk factors that lead to vulnerability include low social support via no use of social services, isolation, previous trauma, dementia, low income, poor English, and deficient physical health. In any of these situations, an abuser has fertile ground for this sort of mischief. In many cases one’s innate prefrontal cortical “BS detector” will have declined, leading to victimization. Social isolation, including widowed status, contribute to vulnerability.

Of the perpetrators, 90% are family members, 50% being adult children. 45% are caregivers. A warning sign is the sudden interest one might take in an older person. Others may be unusual money transfers or gifts, unpaid bills, or the purchase of items not appropriate for the elderly.

Victims include those who become vulnerable due to some factor such as a stroke. Someone steps in to assist the newly financially dependent.

What to do? If you feel that something fishy is afoot, file an Adult Protective Services or a Law Enforcement report. The money cannot always be recovered. Seattle does have a unit for elder protection. It is presently understaffed.

Of interest is that JP Morgan Chase has set up a program to aid in recognizing the red flags when they occur.

Be aware of the recommendation, in case of a suspected instance of abuse, to tell at least one other person.

Comment: Inhumanity takes no holidays.

John Dobken of Energy Northwest: Nuclear is good

Prior to his talk, we asked John Dobken of Energy Northwest if his talk would be convoluted and hard to summarize. His reply was, “Just keep in mind: Nuclear is good.” Then he proceeded to explain why it is so.

And here is why:

Wind is a variable and at times is quiescent. In fact, most of it is in the Columbia Gorge.
Time is running out in re carbon emissions and the resultant carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Solar energy is also hard to harvest in times of scant sunlight.
De-carbonization is essential as regards automobiles.
Nuclear is our largest source of energy. It is independent of the weather; produces zero greenhouse gases; used fuel is safely stored and can be recycled.
To cut back on coal, nuclear and hydraulic power sources will suffice.
More people are being born and will require the energy that uranium fission can provide. 3000 kilowatts = the good life.
China, with great pollution due to coal dependence, is building nuclear plants.
Nuclear plants run 92% of the time and can run for years.
The wartime sludge burden at Hanford should not be confused with the storable uranium pellets used for fuel.
Nuclear plants, water and air cooled, cannot melt down.
Nuclear plants can pair with wind farms, both bring carbon-free.
It is the safest.

Friends of the Children

Courtney Huck and Edgar Masmela told us of the work of Friends of the Children, an endeavor that has merited monetary support from the club. Our, March 17, 2018, major fund raiser, “Debuts and Discoveries”, will highlight support for The Friends of Children.

They have been in Seattle 17 years, are in 12 school districts and 78 classrooms. The most vulnerable youth are identified as early as the kindergarten level. At this point, a professional mentor remains a presence with a child through the latter’s graduation from high school. To have one person in one’s life, a caring adult, becomes a huge impact. It imparts a sense of purpose and bears results.

There is many a cycle of generational poverty. Friends of the children (henceforth FOC) have repeatedly shown that stepping in, as a trained professional, makes a difference. One result is a child’s avoidance of the Juvenile Justice System. Helping one child in this way saves the taxpayers $900,000.

The mentors also serve as advocates, one example being in transition of a child from one foster home to another. The mentor will in such an instance make it easier for a child to adapt and see to the arrangements. Everything that FOC does is intentional. This includes having parents as partners in this work. If a child is weak in one subject, focus is placed on that subject.

Thus far, 84% of those mentored finish high school. And 94% have avoided the Juvenile Justice System even though their parents might have had experiences with the law. For each dollar saved, $7 is saved for the economy. 32 new children will enter the program in the next 4 years. Federal grants will expand the program. By 2020, more than 250 kids will be enrolled.

Comment: To have a one-on-one relationship with someone who encourages, and cares can translate risk factors into a success story. It is anticipated that, in generations to come, sordid family histories shall be left behind.

Christy Goff: Carb Conumdrum

Christy Goff, of PACMED, returned to us, this time in the capacity of dietician/nutritionist.
Her talk delivered many “pearls”, the major ones being:

Of all food elements, carbohydrates deliver the most energy.
They are broken down to glucose, to be stored in the cells, largely in the liver.
It is insulin that causes such storage, regulating circulating glucose normally at 70-100 mg/ml.
The good carbs are in unprocessed foods which are nutrient-dense and high in fiber.
Bad carbs are in processed foods, which are low in nutrients and high in calories, e.g., fruit juices.
Exemplary diets contain whole grains (oatmeal, breads, salads, brown rice, and protein whole fruits).
Several low carb diets were discussed, each containing fiber and protein).
Reducing diets at tines produce ketones which are detrimental to brain and kidneys.
Most of the reducing diets eventually fail due to a yield to the craving for carbohydrates.
Some simplistic advice: “Eat not too much food, and mostly plants”, “Eat less from the box and more from the earth.”

Comment: One who overeats one’s tasty carbs/Is oft exposed to verbal barbs.

Jeffrey Smith, Seattle University Chair of Professional Ethics

In the Seattle University Business school, a requirement for completing a degree is a course in Business Ethics. Jeffrey Smith, Chair of Professional Ethics, stated the high objectives of this program. These include fairness, dignity of humanity, values-driven business leaders, social justice, social responsibility, and ethical awareness.

The Northwest Ethics Network arose from these standards. Here, individuals concerned with the subject, meet to discuss pertinent questions and ideas.

The question is posed as to what individual and organizational factors cause otherwise good people to do bad things.
One is a tendency not to recognize adversely impact ethical standards.
Another is management systems and their tendency to lose sight of values and principles.

Some barriers to ethical conduct in business:

Excessive hierarchy, in which decisions from the top do not allow for input from the lower strata.
Time Pressure. Deadlines can lead some to cut corners.
Isolation and Separation with poor communication regarding ethical conduct.
Short term success in place of long term considerations.
Excessive reliance on routine.
How are we paying our employees? At time, when compensation depends on performance, principles may be compromised.

W.C. Fields on ethics: “Anything worth having is worth cheating for.”