By Michael Schindler There’s a very real killer awaiting our troops when they get home – and only time will reduce its influence on what has been becoming a very negative outcome. The past few weeks have produced headlines on troop suicides, and while quite devastating, suicide is ranked as the seventh most-frequent reason for…
By Janette Turner It’s an Edmonds kind of weekend with the biggest and best festival — in our opinion — happening on the grassy field of Frances Anderson Center. Here are selected highlights of the Edmonds Arts Festival and other events around town. Edmonds Arts Festival: A Father’s Day Tradition “This is a big show,”…
By Michael Schindler The latest news from the Pentagon is not good. Suicides among U.S. military personnel are at their highest rate in years; the latest official figures show that 154 troops on active duty killed themselves in the first 155 days of 2012. This is an 18-percent increase over 2011’s same time figures of…
By Janette Turner The Hazel Miller Plaza ribbon-cutting takes place June 12, at 3 p.m., and opens a new meeting place and music venue in town. With weather too unpredictable for lengthy Plaza concerts, we recommend these harmonious indoor events. EdCC: “Musaic” Edmonds Community College students will mix video games, computer loops and music on…
By Elaine Mattson June, and the rain is definitely warmer! End of school, graduations, Father’s Day, summer vacations [for some of us…]: the month contains some big moments! Enjoy them all and take a book with you! What does the dad in your life like to read? There is something new for just about every…
By Michael Schindler OK. So we know the job market is highly competitive right now; we also know consumer confidence is down, which causes employers to be slower to hire. Despite VP Joe Biden’s prediction back in 2010 that “the U.S. economy would be adding up to 500,000 jobs each month, sometime in the next…
By Janette Turner Catch a fish or climb aboard a yacht this weekend in Edmonds. Here are selected highlights to get you outdoors. Fish hatchery: Open House The Edmonds Laebugtens Salmon Chapter Trout Unlimited holds its annual open house at the Willow Creek Fish Hatchery, Saturday, June 3, and Sunday, June 4, from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m….
By Michael Schindler Memorial Day has arrived – and for some Americans, this day holds more meaning than just another nationally observed day off work. For some, this day is a very real reminder of the price some pay to keep this country safe and free. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the…
By Janette Turner This weekend, shopping and jazz go together as perfectly as Christmas in May. It’s Memorial weekend in Edmonds, and here are selected cultural highlights. Edmonds Sidewalk Sale: Jazz Connection Shoppers, listen up! This year’s sidewalk sale carries a theme — “Let the Good Times Roll” — and runs May 25, 26 and…
By Michael Schindler Eighteen veterans a day commit suicide. Unfortunately, this is not “new” news, nor is it encouraging. Despite the increase in education and dollars, some of America’s finest men and women continue to lose hope as well as their sense of purpose and call it quits. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki,…
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By Michael Schindler The numbers don’t lie – Post 9-11 veterans have a high unemployment rate compared to their civilian counterparts. Some of that is attributed to employers who are fearful of hiring veterans because of PTSD-related issues. According to a 2011 survey of 831 hiring managers by the Apollo Research Institute, 39 percent of…
By Michael Schindler While Senator Patty Murray works the legislative angle on helping veterans with their housing needs, local agents are also stepping to the plate. Puget Sound veterans and their families have an opportunity to reach for a helping hand with their housing needs, thanks to a new program for all real estate-related services,…
By Elaine Mattson May has arrived! And the lovely weekends are scheduled to continue! Beautiful. The most important thing that happens in May is, of course, Mother’s Day! Spoil your mother! There are all kinds of great new books that Mom would love: Fiction: the new Jim Lynch is “Truth Like the Sun”; new Anne…
By Michael Schindler We’ve all read the headlines that highlight a tragic story of one of our heroes coming home only to face challenges that stem from unemployment or foreclosure. The numbers of veterans facing foreclosure continues to climb, despite measures in place designed to prevent such, and the unemployment among our Post 9/11 veterans…
By Michael Schindler For those who don’t know what DFAS is, let me shed some light; DFAS, which stands for the Defense Finance and Accounting Services, is the military’s payroll company. To put it in simple terms, they provide the payment services to the Department of Defense. And someone is trying to work our service…
By Michael Schindler Amen. The deadline to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay has been re-instated and extended to Oct.21, 2012. The majority of those eligible have separated from the military and thus, many eligible service members, veterans and their beneficiaries are not aware of the benefit. But fear not, those of you who…
By Michael Schindler The recent incident involving the Afghans and Staff Sgt. Bales certainly doesn’t help returning veterans in their job search when they come back to the states. Research shows some employers are wary of hiring veterans because of potential mental health issues. Are these concerns justified or is ignorance getting in the way…
By Elaine Mattson Welcome April! Maybe someday soon we will get to have spring…? In the meantime, I have heard that there are spring vacations looming, and luckily, there are a bunch of books, just out in paperback, that will make great vacation reading. Even if you don’t get to actually go anywhere, they can…
By Michael Schindler An official salute from the White House occurred on Thursday, March 29, as the President announced that day as Vietnam Veterans Day. Now, if you live in the city of Edmonds, our Mayor actually beat the president to punch with naming Feb. 29 as the official day to celebrate and honor all…
By Michael Schindler Despite the Afghan killings, presumed to be performed by Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, a decorated combat soldier and reportedly strong family man, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta holds firm to his position that the U.S. military should not be dismantled. Bottom line: Success in Iraq and the drawdown in Afghanistan do not mean…
Next Tuesday, March 27, KING-TV’s “New Day Northwest” show will feature My Edmonds News Military Wire columnist Michael Schindler and Edmonds Mayor Dave Earling discussing the city’s unique military and veterans promotions (MVP) network. Edmonds residents are invited to be in the audience during the program. You will need to arrive at 9:30 a.m. and…
By Michael Schindler In the wake of the lone Staff Sergeant going on an alleged killing spree, it is reported that more than 50 percent of Americans want our troops out of Afghanistan. It is also worth noting that some of our troops embedded in Afghanistan think the mission is no longer effective. As some…
By Michael Schindler The past few years have been some of the most difficult economic years in our country’s history. With unemployment riding at a real time high between 14 and 17 percent (yes, I’m aware that the “official” unemployment rate is recorded as 8.3 percent, but it fails to include several key factors) and…
By Michael Schindler It is that time of year – nope, not March Madness yet…tax time. In addition to Edmonds’ Military Veterans Promotion network participant Puget Sound Tax Services, located at 514 5th Ave. S., the IRS also offers free tax return preparation assistance for eligible military members and their spouses. The IRS and U.S….
By Elaine Mattson Welcome March! The bonus February day was crazy! Cold and snow! Who else is so ready for Spring? I’m going to start planting in a couple of weeks, no matter what! With March coming in like a quite ferocious lion, we should have a really lovely end of the month! Some great…
