The NW Facts Newspaper - NWFacts.com
When Diversity Matters Most. The Strength Lies In Differences, Not In Similarities
“Today we not only lost a war hero and savvy politician but a man that always put true American values before himself. He was often open to dialogue and conversation about some of this country’s most controversial issues, and he will forever be remembered for his fighting spirit.
We send our condolences to the McCain family and the constituents he proudly served in Arizona for 33 years.”
The American Basketball Association (ABA) is premier men’s professional basketball league. The league has grown to become the largest professional sports league in the world! In 1999, Joe Newman and Richard P. Tinkham, founded the league. It is the re-launch of the original ABA which merged with the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1976. Tinkham co-founded the original ABA and the Indiana Pacers. Joe Newman was the CEO of Joe Newman Advertising, Inc. and Alliance Broadcasting Group, Inc. The ABA was established in 1967 and merged with the NBA in 1976. (New Jersey Nets, San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, and Denver Nuggets) Some of the ABAs most notable players were: Julius “Dr. J” Irving, George “The Iceman” Gervin, Ricky Barry, and Moses Malone; all becoming huge contributors, and some even legends, in the NBA. The ABA was reformed in 2000, in partnership with the NBA, and has been operating in harmony for the past 16 years.
ABA GROWTH- The ABA is experiencing an explosion of growth and the Washington Region is the latest beneficiary. Two teams have recently been added to the league: The Tacoma Kings and The Port Angeles Rams. With the additions, and another team to later be determined, the ABA has grown to over 140 teams in the competitive Men’s Division. There are 2 conferences in the ABA, the BLUE conference and the RED conference. The BLUE conference consists of teams that play 20 or more games during the regular season.
Competing in the BLUE conference allows teams to compete in the playoffs and championship. The RED conference is made up of teams that play 19 or fewer games during the regular season. The RED conference allows the teams to grow at their own pace and one day move up to the BLUE conference to compete in the playoffs and championship. The season runs from November through April (including playoffs) and the teams are community driven, with a focus on “giving back”.
**The Executive Committee can vote a team in the RED conference to play in the playoffs due to unforeseen circumstances**
THE TACOMA KINGS – The Tacoma Kings organization is a member of the American Basketball Association; the largest and most diverse professional sports league in the United States, with upwards of 75 percent of owners being minorities. The Tacoma Kings will play in the Washington Division of the Pacific Northwest Region, competing against some great ABA teams. The Division consists of 5 teams: The Lakewood Lakers, The Seattle Mountaineers, The Tacoma Kings, The Port Angeles Rams, and another team to be determined at a later date. The Pacific Northwest Region includes 15 teams total, with teams hailing from Northern California, Iowa and Denver. The Tacoma Kings are looking forward to great successes on and off the court in their inaugural year, as well as building on those successes in the subsequent years. The Tacoma Kings are heavily involved in our community and endeavor to provide a platform for all involved to represent themselves, their cultures, their communities and their families in a positive light through the beautiful game of basketball. We are looking forward to a great season and invite you to begin this journey with us.
Behavioral Health and Mental Health Awareness – The Tacoma Kings have made a commitment to the community to raise awareness on Behavioral Health. We are heavily involved in the community and in efforts to help erase the Stigmas surrounding Behavioral and Mental Health. Community involvement is a top priority to the Tacoma Kings Organization.
For more information call 360.640.2087, email TacomaKingsBasketball@gmail.
EXCELLENCE, POSITIVITY AND A STRONG COMMUNITY THROUGH BASKETBALL.
The Yes! to Affordable Groceries coalition today announced that the Washington Secretary of State has formally certified Initiative 1634 for the November 2018 ballot, giving voters the opportunity to make their voices heard on keeping groceries affordable. More than 1,000 Washington residents have joined small businesses, farm bureaus, labor organizations, and Chambers of Commerce to support I-1634 to protect our state from taxes on food and beverages.
“Initiative 1634 has generated such a strong and diverse base of support because voters are legitimately concerned with the rising cost of living and a regressive tax structure that are hitting families and independent community businesses the hardest,” said Jeff Philipps, coalition member and President of Rosauers Supermarkets.
While the Washington state government doesn’t currently collect taxes on food and beverages, there is a loophole in the law that lets local governments impose taxes on groceries. Grocery taxes hit working families the hardest and cost the state jobs in a vital part of our economy. The Seattle City Council exploited this loophole in 2017 to pass a tax on beverages. The tax raised beverage prices astronomically, but prices on other products also went up as business owners worked to implement the complicated policy. There’s nothing to stop other cities and towns from doing the same thing with any grocery items.
I-1634 will close this loophole for any future new taxes on food and beverages. It does not reverse any taxes or revenue streams that currently exist.
“We see local governments faced with budget challenges that are now considering revenue sources we wouldn’t have thought possible a few years back. For family farms and our farming community, taxes will undoubtedly take a toll on Agricultural viability and therefore cost local jobs and hurt farmers and ranchers, like me, and our ability to do business. There needs to be a better way to fund our priorities – we need to draw a line to keep groceries affordable and free of new taxes,” said April Clayton, coalition member and Vice President of Chelan/Douglas County Farm Bureau.
King County Executive Dow Constantine directed King County’s marine research vessel, SoundGuardian, to join the state, federal and tribal coalition that has come together to rescue the endangered residents of Puget Sound’s orca population.
Operating with a crew of three, SoundGuardian left its dock at the King County Environmental Laboratory in Fremont early Sunday morning, Aug. 5, and was expected to dock at Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham later that day. Once there, the vessel will operate with others under the authority of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials who are coordinating emergency recovery actions.
“Orcas are the Salish Sea’s most iconic residents, and we all share the responsibility of protecting these beloved animals,” said Executive Dow Constantine. “We are doing whatever we can to help the orca now, and fulfill long term goals to improve the health of local waterways and the Salish Sea.”
Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, Atlantic Street Center, and Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, along with the financial support of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, are proud to present the annual Teen Summer Musical, Cinderella “A love story with the sound of Motown.”
The summer musical is an opportunity for local teens to perform on the big stage while learning the business side of theater operations. It allows them to connect, communicate and exchange ideas with youth from other backgrounds and cultures. Summer musical participants earn a stipend for rehearsals and performance during this 9-week summer program. The teen summer musical theater experience is just one more way to captivate our youth while they are in the “hope stage” of their development into young adults.
The program, which attracts dozens of teens of color, provides an introduction to the world of theater. Through workshops and collaborative practices, the participants develop self-discipline, self-confidence and self-motivation, character traits essential to becoming emotionally healthy, contributing members of our community.
A staff of professional artists develop the talents and skills of some 60 youth who spend nine hours together Monday through Friday for 9 weeks for acting, dance and vocal training and hands-on work with the technical aspects of theater – costume, lighting and set design.
Most past Teen Summer Musical productions have been adaptations of fairy tales whose roles have traditionally been played by Caucasian actors. But here, stories such as Cinderella, Snow White and Peter Pan morph into modern tales that reflect modern experiences. The revisions reflect a look through a true racial equity lens, which allows the youth to relate to the theatrical piece.
The results speak for themselves in a full stage performance mounted in a major theater, with a full professional production team.
2018 performances will take place at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., August 16 through 19.
Show times Matinee Evening
Thursday, August 16 — 7 p.m.
Friday, August 17 Noon 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 18 2 p.m. 7 p.m.
Sunday, August 19 3 p.m. —
Ticket information
$17 for youth (ages 4-17) and $22 for adults. Patrons under the age of 3 are permitted without a ticket.
Tickets are available here: http://bit.ly/buycinderellatickets
Book written by Norm Robbins from the story “Cinderella”. Adapted and directed by Isiah Anderson, Jr. Music directed by Michelle Lang and choreography by Tyrone “Koach T” Crosby.
Presented by Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Get Moving Initiative, Big Day of Play will be held on Saturday, August 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Rainier Playfields and Community Center (4600 38th Ave. S, Seattle WA 98118).
Big Day of Play is a celebration of our city’s diversity and it encourages neighbors, communities and families to have fun, build relationships and be active together. It’s the day to play your way!
Big Day of Play offers fun activities for all, including:
Enjoy the food trucks and collect freebies from the information and resource booths. You can also enter to win big prizes by filling out our Big Day of Play survey on the day of the event.
Food trucks include:
Hop down to Mount Baker Rowing & Sailing Center (3800 Lake Washington Blvd. S, Seattle, WA 98118) for sailing, rowing and stand-up paddle boarding opportunities.
Free transportation is available. Click here for more information.
Visit our website at BigDayofPlay.com for the most up-to-date information about the event and follow Big Day of Play on Facebook at facebook.com/bigdayofplay/
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We’re looking for volunteers! For more information, click here or contact Jennifer Romo at jennifer.romo@seattle.gov.
Transform your cultural awareness at Seattle Center Festál: BrasilFest, noon – 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 19, at Seattle Center Armory, Mural Amphitheatre and Fisher Pavilion Rooftop. BrasilFest introduces the broader community to this dynamic and diverse culture, whose homeland is known as the melting pot of South America, with live music, dance, visual exploration, authentic foods, ethnic items for sale, workshops, demonstrations and hands-on learning for kids and adults.
In 1999, Brazilian immigrants brought this high energy festival to Seattle with a mission of introducing the broader community to their arts and traditions at the time of Brazilian Folklore Day. Now, BrasilFest has evolved into a dynamic event that provides a platform for contemporary Brazilian cultural expressions featuring Capoeira presentations, Samba workshops, mask-making activities, drumming performances and Brazilian BBQ demonstrations.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary, guests can engage with Brazilian culture and history in a creative and unique way with the BrasilFest timeline. Within the significant dates marked on the timeline, guests put their faces in a cut-out image for a photo opportunity of themselves in traditional Brazilian dress. Another focal point is a large-scale map of Brazil used as an interactive piece to share how guests relate to the regions of the country.
Other featured activities include two panel discussions that involve the audience in conversations about political and social injustices affecting immigrants and artists of color. Young adults Brazilian born, or Americans born to Brazilian parents talk about their challenges and celebrations as Brazilians in the United States. Brazilian and American artists, educators and local arts administrators share their knowledge and research on current events taking place in Brazil and dive into topics such as racism, classism and the activism that have been ignited by leaders such as Zumbi and Marielle Franco.
For full information visit, www.brasilfest.org or the Facebook Event page: https://www.facebook.com/BrasilFestSeattle/
Seattle Center Festál brings to light the culturally rich communities who shape the character of our region. Although the series began in 1997, its origins stretch back to when ethnic communities were planting their roots here. For many of them, Seattle Center served as a central place, where they could invite the public to join in their unique cultural expression. Some festivals were formed in response to wars or ethnic displacement and others to unite their communities, educate the public and dispel stereotypes. Now at 21 years, Festál producers are seeking to sustain their festivals with compelling programming that appeals to multiple generations.
Seattle Center Festál is a public program presented by Seattle Center in partnership with community organizations including Brazil Center. Admission is free of charge. For more information on this festival, visit brasilfest.org, and to learn more about this collection of ethnic cultural events and other Seattle Center public programming, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206-684-7200.
About Seattle Center Festál
This illuminating series of 23 ethnic cultural festivals on weekends throughout the year seeks to connect people in ways that build understanding, dispel stereotypes and generate pride among the generations who participate in these shared experiences. Seattle Center Festál is produced with the generous support of KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, Coca-Cola, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile, 4Culture. the City of Seattle and Seattle Center Foundation.
Four years ago Damien Escobar was a shell of himself. Humbled by homelessness and depression, Damien had to fight through his fear of failure and reemerge as a confident, positive, thriving artist. Today he has arrived. An unprecedented story of triumph, Damien Escobar can look back at his days playing the violin for change on the subway platforms of New York to playing for Presidents in the White House. Unpretentious yet confident, Damien makes no secret of the determination necessary to gain the recognition he has obtained while becoming one of the few commercially successful mainstream violinist. Damien Escobar is a musical pioneer dominating an industry that’s ready for change. The future of the music industry rests in his hands – and he’s ready.
Damien will perform 2018 at 7:30pm. Tickets and Information 425.275.9595 or http://www.ec4arts.org
Reflection of Life
Rosalind Lynette Stephens was born on March 31, 1948 in Memphis, TN to Dorothy
Mae and Robert Lee Stephens. She was the second of eight children, and the eldest of
two girls. Rosalind was a leader and strong willed from an early age. She graduated
from San Diego H.S. in 1966 and received a BA in Business Administration, BA in
Theology (United Theology Seminary), and an AA in Human Services (University of
Phoenix).
She married Donald Ray Haywood at the age of 18 and to their union was her first
daughter, Tiffinie Rene. She later married Benix Henry and of their union came her
second daughter, Catrina Regina. In 1979 she relocated to Seattle where she joined
Beacon Hill First Baptist Church and became an active minister. She also served as a
deaconess, usher, Sunday school teacher and pastor’s aide.
Rosalind, lovingly known as “Rose” to her patients, “Wassie” to her family and “Nana” to
grands and great grand spent countless hours in the kitchen making tamales, baking
bread and mixing up her famous agave juice. She was an entrepreneur selling
handmade dashikis after and homemade tamales, owning and operating a daycare for
12 years, and creating Be Cool—a personal coolant providing relief in the hot sun.
Before retiring in 2009, Rosalind worked as a hospice nurse for Banner Hospital and
Hospice of the Valley in Arizona. 
Rosalind was a single mom who loved God and her family. Always encouraging and
uplifting others. She had a heart for serving people and helped anyone in need. She
found interest in cooking, traveling and collecting elephants. She was full of wisdom,
positivity and family unity; in her presence, you always felt loved.
Her contagious laughter, clever nicknames for loved ones (NyNy, Emo, Jada, Shay
Boo, The Man, Bearry Boo, Cur and Cernie Journey, Elijah Bean, Ca-Henry, Tiff-a-riff
and Hey Baby). She was known for her unique catch phrases (Jammin’ on the one,
Bomb dot com, Yea babe, Go head Chil’, Hey Stinky Girl, Hush Shay, Shoot Girl, Call
me if you need me, & Everything is just as it should be). They were just some of her
signatures which showed her affection and love.
On July 22 nd , 2018 at the age of 70 God called his angel home. Rosalind was preceded
in death by her parents Robert and Dorothy Stephens, and by her four brothers:
Raymond Stephens (Eloise), Donald Stephens, Ronald Stephens, and Adolphus
Stephens. She leaves to mourn her two daughters: Tiffinie Jones (Elijah) of Fort Worth, TX and Catrina Henry of Federal Way, WA. Eight grandchildren: Cernie Smith and Ceirra Smith of Phoenix, AZ; Curiya Thompson, Darren Thompson Jr., Shayla Thompson, Emyrald Newton of Federal Way, WA; NaJada Jones and Emmoni Jones of Fort Worth, TX; as well as one great grandchild, Maniya Jackson. Rosalind is survived by two brothers Robert Stephens Jr. of Phoenix, AZ and Edwin Stephens of Seattle, WA and one sister Nadolyn Regina Stephens of San Diego, CA and a host of nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
The Celebration of Life Service for
Firefighter Roy Witt will be August 3, 2018 at 11am.
Please join us to celebrate and honor him at NW Foursquare Church in Federal Way at 34800 21 Avenue SW. This is not a funeral, please wear your favorite colors.