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Din Tai Fung & Jack’s BBQ join the lineup at Safeco Field

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Din Tai Fung & Jack’s BBQ join the lineup at Safeco Field

Centerplate & Chef Ethan Stowell’s collaboration continues to bring creative, restaurant quality food to the ballpark
Seattle’s favorite spot for noodles and dumplings and the best Central Texas BBQ this side of Waco are coming to Safeco Field for the Seattle Mariners 2018 season as Din Tai Fung and Jack’s BBQ join the menu lineup.

Centerplate, the Mariners hospitality partner, and noted Seattle restaurateur and Safeco Field consulting chef Ethan Stowell are continuing their now eight-year collaboration that has earned Safeco Field a reputation for fresh, locally-inspired, restaurant-quality food in a ballpark setting.

“Seattle maintains an incredible food scene, so every year when we decide how we are going to tweak the food and beverage items that we offer at Safeco Field, we visit local restaurants and sample the menus for ideas,” said Centerplate General Manager Steve Dominguez. “The new partners this year, combined with chef Stowell and the new menu item created by Executive Chef Taylor Park and his team, will only serve to enhance the Safeco Field experience.”

Din Tai Fung (Intentional Wok, Section 132, Main Level)

“Phenomenal,” “delectable,” “little pillows of heaven,” have all been used to describe the food at Din Tai Fung, the Taiwan-based chain that consistently draws long lines at its four Seattle area restaurants. Taking over the Intentional Wok space, Din Tai Fung will serve pork wontons with spicy sauce, wonton soup, steamed traditional bao buns filled with pork, or a vegetarian option with bok choy, tofu, mushrooms and vermicelli noodles. Garlic string beans, chicken fried rice, hot and sour soup and boba tea with tapioca pearls round out the menu selection.

Jack’s BBQ (The ‘Pen)

Central Texas-inspired BBQ via Seattle’s SODO neighborhood is coming to The ‘Pen. Pit Master and native Texan Jack Timmons has perfected the art of low and slow smoking over hardwoods to create some of the most delectable dishes this side of Waco. Safeco Field offerings include beef brisket sandwich, pulled pork, Jack’s own smoked jalapeño-cheddar sausages, served on a bun or hand dipped in Jack’s own buttermilk hush puppy batter and fried. There’s also burnt ends, Frito pie and Jack’s own hush puppies.

Dynamite Chicken (The ‘Pen)

Ethan Stowell’s concept, from his Bramling Cross restaurant in Ballard, has an updated menu this year with a fried chicken sandwich, with or without Chef Stowell’s own spicy sauce; hot wings with spicy sauce; tater tots topped with Beecher’s cheddar cheese, bacon, garlic and spicy yellow peppers; and jalapeño poppers. He’s also taken garlic fries, a ballpark favorite, to a new level with fresh garlic and parmesan cheese. Order them with a side of crispy chicken tenders.

On Deck Donuts (Near Frozen Rope Ice Cream Sandwiches, Section 132, Main Level)

For those with a sweet tooth, On Deck Donuts offers house-made mini donuts and jumbo donut bites with your choice of toppings and dipping sauces including maple syrup and bacon, caramel sauce, powdered sugar or frosting.

Sandwiches, Lobster Rolls & More

The Sultan of Sandwich (near Section 105, Main Level), Safeco Field’s destination for meaty, meal-sized sandwiches is adding three new options: pork meatball with house-made marinara sauce; Cubano with pulled pork, ham, Swiss cheese and house-made mojo sauce; a classic Reuben with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing on a rye baguette.

Sound Seafood (Club Level, Section 249), already home to fresh seafood offerings like true cod fish & chips and Dungeness crab sandwiches, will now offer lobster rolls featuring delicate claw meat dressed with garlic-celery aioli on a King’s Hawaiian roll.

As if Jack’s BBQ wasn’t enough for the meat eaters, Holy Smoke BBQ (Section 119, Main Level & Section 313, View Level) has house-smoked longbone beef ribs on a bed of coleslaw with Jack’s mild or spicy sauce. It’s a meaty meal for one or more.

Cans & Craft Beer

Safeco Field boasts an outstanding selection of beer including drafts from craft breweries from around the Northwest, barrel aged and cask conditioned ales, domestic and premium brews on tap and in cans. In addition to Happy Hour in The ‘Pen, which offers 16oz beers for $6.50 up until game time, 10 locations around the ballpark offer a selection of 12oz cans for $5 and $6.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine

Washington’s own Chateau Ste. Michelle is new to Safeco Field this season. The award-winning 14 Hands varietals are available at concession stands, First Base Vine (Main Level, near Section 126), clubs and restaurants throughout the ballpark including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet and Rosé. Available by the glass and full bottle carafe.

About Centerplate

Centerplate is a global leader in live event hospitality. “Making It Better to Be There®” for more than 116 million guests each year at more than 300 prominent entertainment, sports and convention venues across North America, Europe and the United Kingdom. Centerplate has provided event hospitality services to more than 30 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, 14 Super Bowls and 22 World Series. Visit the company online at Centerplate.com, or connect via Twitter @Centerplate, Instagram @Centerplate, or Facebook/Centerplate.

About Ethan Stowell Restaurants

Ethan Stowell is the executive chef and owner of Ethan Stowell Restaurants in Seattle. His food philosophy is all about keeping it simple, using fresh ingredients and allowing the food to do the talking.

His highly acclaimed restaurants include Tavolàta, How to Cook a Wolf, Anchovies & Olives, Staple & Fancy Mercantile, Ballard Pizza Company, Rione XIII, Bar Cotto, Mkt., Red Cow, Frēlard Pizza Company, Bramling Cross, Marine Hardware, Tavolàta Capitol Hill, and Ballard Pizza Company SLU, as well as Goldfinch Tavern in the Four Seasons Hotel in Seattle.

Stowell was named one of the 2008 Best New Chefs in America by Food & Wine magazine and was chosen as the Best New Chef All-Stars in 2013. He and his wife and business partner Angela were the recipients of the 2016 Richard Melman Innovator of the Year Award.

Since 2010, chef Stowell has consulted with Centerplate on the Safeco Field food and beverage program. This collaboration has won Safeco Field the reputation for serving locally-inspired restaurant-quality food in a ballpark setting. In addition to Dynamite Chicken, Ballard Pizza Company, Holy Smoke BBQ and Sound Seafood, Stowell originated the “Northwest Mex” concept for the popular Edgar’s Cantina and Edgar’s Tacos. He has also created menu items featured at Safeco Field Sausage Company, Hit It Here Café and in the Private Suites.

THE NATIONAL PASTTIME’S PARASITES

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DOUGLAS J GLADSTONE – FREELANCE WRITER

noun: parasite; plural noun: parasites

 

    1. an organism that lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host’s expense.
  • derogatory

2) a person who habitually exploits others and gives nothing in return.

You have to be a special kind of parasite not to want to help the widow of a deceased Major League Baseball (MLB) retiree who suffered from dementia, who served his country and who　wasn’t receiving a MLB pension.

But since both MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Tony Clark, the executive director of the union representing today’s players, the Major League Baseball Players’ Association (MLBPA) don’t want to extend spousal benefits to the widows of non-vested players, if the shoe fits…..

Carol Ann Osteen lost her husband, former Cincinnati Reds hurler Darrell Osteen, who　pitched for the club　during parts of the 1965, 1966 and 1967 seasons, last October.　Osteen appeared in 29 games, all but one of them in relief. He recorded one win and　three saves in 38 career　innings.

Osteen didn’t receive a pension because of a rules change that happened during the 1980 Memorial Day Weekend. At the time, a player needed four years of service credit to be eligible to buy into the league’s health coverage plan and to receive a monthly benefit. But a strike was averted after the league and MLBPA agreed that, moving forward, all a player would need to qualify for health insurance was one game day of service on an active MLB roster, and 43 game days of service on an active roster for a pension.

By the way, that’s 43 game days on the bench. Reds pitcher Homer Bailey might make eight starts in 43 game days. But he gets 43 game days of service credit, not eight.

The problem was, the union didn’t request that this change be made retroactive for the men like Osteen, who had more than 43 game days of service but less than four years.

Retirees like Osteen were instead thrown a bone in April 2011. For every 43 game days they were on an active MLB roster, each man received a payment of $625 for his service, up to $10,000. And that’s before taxes are taken out.

　It’s curious why neither Manfred nor Clark want to do more for these men. Especially since the national pastime is so well-off. The league recently announced that its revenue was up 325 percent from 1992, and that it has made $500 million since 2015. What’s more, the average value of each of the 30 clubs is up 19 percent from 2016, to $1.54 billion.

Furthermore, even though Forbes recently reported that the current players’ pension and welfare fund is valued at $2.7 billion, Clark has never commented about these non-vested retirees, many of whom are filing for bankruptcy at advanced ages, having banks foreclose on their homes and are so sickly and poor that they cannot afford adequate health care coverage.

Osteen, who would have likely added to his career service credit if not for having spent two years in the military, in 1968 and 1969,  famously went missing three years ago before police discovered him driving his car in Rancho Cucamonga, California.

In my opinion, Osteen, who resided in Palm Desert, was being shortchanged by a sport that can certainly afford to do more for its non-vested retirees.

Osteen received a whopping $2,500 every year. And that’s before taxes were taken out. Meanwhile, do you know how much vested retirees receive?　 Between $34,000 and $220,000 per year.

But here’s the kicker — the payment Osteen received can’t be passed on to a loved one.

So Carole Ann now gets squat.

I don’t wish either Manfred or Clark any ill will, but I want them to ponder this question: when it’s time for you to retire, do you want to be treated respectfully and honorably, or do you want to be treated the way you’re treating Carol Ann Osteen?

 

Volunteer night at Mariners baseball game on April 16

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The Seattle Mariners present a Salute to Volunteers Night at their game against the Houston Astros on Monday, April 16,  at 7:10pm.

This will include a pre-game ceremony honoring RASKC volunteer Sally Halela (see the article above) and other winners of the 2018 Governor’s Service Award.

Volunteers from many organizations throughout the state will be attending. If we confirm that at least 20 of our volunteers will be present, then RASKC’s name will be displayed on the scoreboard following the fourth inning.

Tickets cost $15 for view level or $30 for the main level by ordering from www.Mariners.com/Volunteers. If you will be purchasing a ticket, please notify Volunteer Program Manager Sarah L so we can see how many and which volunteers will be coming to the game.

Executive Constantine encourages United Bid Committee to select Seattle as a host city for the 2026 World Cup

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King County Executive Dow Constantine today issued the following statement after Seattle was selected as a potential host city for the 2026 World Cup by the United Bid Committee, a group representing the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

King County is well suited to host the world’s game in 2026 and we strongly encourage FIFA and the United Bid Committee to recognize our unique, welcoming, soccer-frenzied culture. Our metropolitan region is home to a passionate soccer community, woven together by generations of homegrown fans and enthusiasts from across the globe, all eager for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The T-Birds first home playoff game Tuesday, March 27, at 7:05pm at ShoWare Center

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The T-Birds first home playoff game against an opponent to be determined is Tuesday, March 27, at 7:05pm at accesso ShoWare Center. This game will be a Directors Mortgage 2-for-Tuesday game that will feature two-for-one tickets and beers and $2 popcorn, $2 hot dogs and $2 soda.
This game will also feature a 2-for-1 Group Ticket Special. Fans that purchase a minimum of 10 regular priced tickets will receive a total of 20 tickets and these additional benefits.
• You will receive two (2) FREE tickets for putting together a group of family and friends.
• You will receive $10 worth of FREE Chuck a Pucks.
• You will receive scoreboard recognition.
• You will have a great night cheering on the defending WHL Champions
Single game tickets for the 2018 WHL Playoffs will go sale at the accesso ShoWare Center box office and online at the T-Birds website on Thursday, March 15, at 10am. The accesso ShoWare Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday10am to 5pm

GOING TO THE DOGS

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BY: DOUGLAS J GLADSTONE -FREELANCE WRITER NWFACTS/Sports

Going to the dogs is an interesting phrase, don’t you think?

It basically means an organization or a country or a government is not doing as well, or isn’t as successful, as it should or could be.

Sometimes I think that’s the case with our national pastime.

As most readers of this blog know, I’ve spent nearly eight years going to bat for non-vested Major League Baseball players without pensions.

Because of a vesting change that occurred during the 1980 Memorial Day Weekend, about 500 men are affected. That’s 545 less than the 1,045 who were still alive in October 2009, during National Retirement Security Week.

The union representing today’s current players, the Major League Baseball Players’ Association, steadfastly refuses to divvy up any more of the pie to help these men. See, the league and the union agreed back in April 2011 to pay each retired player a princely sum of $625 per quarter for every 43 game days of service the man accrued while on an active roster, up to 16 quarters.

That’s before taxes are taken out, by the way. And when the player passes, the payment passes with him. Widows or children or other designated beneficiaries get bupkis.

How’s that for an industry that just went over the $10.5 billion mark in revenue?

I mention this because, earlier this year, I read with great interest how the California Assembly had proposed earmarking $100,000 to pay retired California Highway Patrol dogs pensions.

So I did some more research.

Did you know that Nottinghamshire police dogs receive pensions?

And German police dogs receive pensions too. (I know the link is in German, just trust me on this.)

Hey I don’t begrudge the canines the money. They do important work.

Some writers have suggested to me that the men I’m trying to help don’t deserve anything. They didn’t play long enough is one common criticism.  Another is they were marginal players.

That’s just doggone wrong.

The absurdity of the situation can be seen as follows: if former pitcher Tim Wood, who played for the Marlins and the Pirates over parts of the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons — a guy who hurled only 58 innings in 57 career appearances — can receive a pension, then someone like Rich Hinton can.

Over parts of six seasons, Hinton, of Sarasota, Florida, appeared in 116 games and pitched 249 and two-third innings.

Just doesn’t seem fair, does it?

Like I said, our national pastime is going to the dogs.

Mt. Hood Meadows is Ready for the Holidays

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With December’s first major snow storm hitting the Cascades, Mt. Hood Meadows is moving into holiday mode. While the number of lifts and amount of terrain will be determined by conditions, and how much snow the resort receives, Meadows is ready for the holiday season.

Here’s a primmer to get you ready for the holidays.

1. Open Daily 9 AM – 9 PM – except Christmas Eve (lifts close at 4 PM)

Mt. Hood Meadows will be open for day and night operations every day through Monday, January 1, with just two exceptions. The ski area will operate from 9 AM – 4 PM Sunday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) and lifts will run until just after midnight Sunday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve).

2. Reserve lessons and rentals online in advance

Meadows holiday reservation system is inventoried so if you make a reservation the morning of the previous day, you’re assured having equipment or getting into adult or kids lessons. You’re equipment will also be pre-teched, and you’ll reduce your time in the shop, bypassing the check-in and cashier and going directly to fitting your boots and picking up your equipment.

3. Purchase or Reload Tickts Online

The best pricing on lift tickets is found on SkiHood.com – but you also reduce your time to get on the slopes. Reloading media (lift ticket from a previous visit) is the most affordable and efficient way as it provides direct to lift convenience. Either way, purchasing online in advance saves both time and money!

4. Take Park and Ride from Portland

Meadows Park and Ride has three Portland pick up locations and runs daily during the Holidays (except Christmas day) dropping off right at the lodge. Purchase seats in advance online.

5. Make a vacation of it in Hood River

There is still holiday availability and Mt. Hood Meadows partners with several Hood River lodging properties to offer discounted lift tickets. It’s a much easier drive from Hood River to Meadows and after a day on the slopes Hood River warms up with fun activities, shopping and great dining.

6. Nordic Center open daily

It’s not all downhill at Meadows – our Nordic Center is open daily for the holidays from 9 AM – 4 PM for cross country skiing.

7. Peak Day Hood River Shuttle is FREE!

The shuttle runs every day from Hood River starting Saturday, December 23 through Monday, January 1; as well as weekends in January and February. It picks up at the Hood River Events Site with the first shuttle departing for Meadows at 8:30 AM (and then roughly every half-hour through the morning after that). First come, first seated.

8. Snow Shoe tours offered December 26 – 31

Looking for other ways to play in or on the snow? Take a snow shoe tour, hike to Umbrella Falls and perhaps to Sahallie Falls – a true winter wonderland!

9. Santa is at home in the snow

Santa is revving up for his big day by spending some time with us Saturday and Sunday. The kiddos can have breakfast with Santa (reservations required), spend some time with him and get him ready for his big day!

10. New Year’s Eve Celebration presented by Pfriem

The lifts will run until just after midnight and Prfiem presents a great party featuring live music from Counterfeit Hits from 9 PM – after midnight. There’s a kids party as well and an incredible New Year’s Eve buffet dinner. New Year’s Eve buses board at the Monarch Hotel in Clackamas.

Any questions? SkiHood.com

Meadows’ web site has all the information you need to plan your holiday break to the mountain. For current snow conditions, lift operations schedule and great insight into how to have the best time on the mountain this holiday season, check out SkiHood.com!

Remember to Think of Others During This Holiday Season

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Help Joe Pace – Former NBA Player

I am starting this go fund me campaign for my good friend, and good buddy, Joe Pace. Joe, like myself, is a former NBA player, but Joe, unfortunately, fell upon hard times after his very short NBA career (less than 2 years), and soon found himself pursuing his basketball dream throughout Europe and South America. This was back in the 1980s, when NBA salaries weren’t nearly what they are today. After sustaining several injuries, Joe soon found himself addicted to pain medication, alcohol, and endured several years of homelessness.

Joe story has been well chronicled by various reporters and newspapers throughout the years. You can Google him for more information.

He and I befriended each other several years ago, as I am currently a Board of Director with the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA). Our association is done what it can on various occasions for Joe, and because he did not play a minimum of 3 professional NBA years, he does not qualify for some of the grants-in-aid and financial assistance that is there for those players who played at least 3 years.

Joe is bound and determined to get his life back on track, find steady employment, a place to call home and to get back to being a productive member of society. I’ve watched him closely throughout the years, and I can see his character, and I know that he is very serious about these things.

I had my dentist here in Seattle give Joe a complete “complimentary” oral examination, and it was determined that his teeth had deteriorated so badly, that several of them need to be extracted, a bridge put in, and serious dental work on the others. Joe complains frequently about his teeth causing him so much pain, that now he has resorted to basically blending and grinding up his food before he puts it in his mouth to try to chew.

Joe is a great handyman, and he’s always busy creating walking canes, backpacks, and other items that he feels people would benefit from. When he gets a small inventory of things together, I told him I would help him place those items on eBay to see if we can sell them for him.

Joe is currently living in government housing, and he will be forced to move out and find another housing situation, because the developers are coming in to develop a mixed-use building on the property. He has about 6 months to accomplish this, find a place that is not only very low income/rent, but also a place that is safe and comfortable for one to live in.

I help out Joe is much as I can, by taking him around town to various appointments, job interviews, etc. I don’t mind doing these things, since he is a dear friend of mine, and I know that he is sincere about getting his life back on track.

So, I wanted to resort to go fund me to see if people out there would make a small contribution towards Joe’s soon to be, “monstrous” dental bill (it will amount to about $7000), and also to help him get through the winter with adequate clothing, keep on top of his utility bills and prepare for his upcoming housing relocation in the spring of 2018.

Won’t you please help? Please Click Here To Help I will be right here with Joe in Seattle, helping him with his upcoming dental appointments, trying to find affordable housing for him, and encouraging him to stay on his path of getting his life back on track.

Sincerely,
James Donaldson
Former NBA Player and Joe’s best friend!

Broken Wings & Ruffled Feathers

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Julie Meier – Photographer / NW Facts Media Group / www.nwfacts.com/sports

Seahawks re-signing defensive end Quinton Jefferson from the L.A. Rams’ practice squad. Running back Chris Carson was placed on injured reserve with a leg injury after this past Sundays game vs. the Colts. Pete Carroll is known for giving second chances. The Seahawks drafted Jefferson in the fifth round of the 2016 draft. He took part in training camp and Seattle’s preseason  games, but was waived prior to the start of the season due to a knee injury.
For our RUNNING GAME the Seahawks will rely on Thomas Rawls and Eddie Lacy, as well as third-down backs C.J. Prosise and J.D. McKissic, to carry the load going forward.  Pete Carroll said that Carson is battling a fracture that will heal without surgery and that the rookie has “an outside chance” to return this season.

The Seahawks had 3 other starters injured defensive end Cliff Avril, cornerback Jeremy Lane, and left tackle Rees Odhimabo.

Cliff got a serious stinger in the game and it’s going to be a while for us to figure out what he’s got.  Pete said “We’re going to take the time to make sure we’ve got him clear and figured out, there’s going to be some tests and stuff like that. I don’t have any timeline on that at all, but we’re going to take care of him and make sure that we take our time and do this really well to look after him.”

Cornerback Jeremy Lane suffered a groin injury that the Hawks need to see how severe that is and what that means for the week. “It was enough to keep him out of the game, so they’ll be some concern about that”  Carroll said.

Julie Meier – Photographer / NW Facts Media Group / www.nwfacts.com/sports

The Colts win cost us a lot Left tackle Rees Odhiambo played offensive snaps, but was taken to the hospital after the game after he had difficulty breathing. The FAKE NEWS reported that Rees had a bruised heart, which is out there and whatever, somebody made that up, it isn’t what he has. He’s got a bruised sternum and he’s fine in all ways and all that. We’ll see what that all means. We’re not sure what that means for the week.

Pete called it a “gallant” and “great effort” by Odhiambo to finish out Sunday’s win over the Colts. “More than we realized,”

Coach said. “He just sucked it up. He was having trouble breathing and he just sucked it up and it kind of caught up with him after the game when he started to calm down and all the adrenaline wasn’t pumping and all. But it was a really good effort by him to hang tough and play a good football game like that. He played pretty good. He had some problems, as everybody does, but he played a pretty good football, particularly under the circumstances.”

Res Odhiambo maybe forced to miss game time next week.

Julie Meier – Photographer / NW Facts Media Group / www.nwfacts.com/sports

Seahawks D .. Some of the Best in The Business Baby … 12 Man Strong Colts game blow out 48-13 was the first time in 5 years that Hawks had two defensive scores in a game.  Coleman’s interception return and  Wagner  21-yard fumble recovery to the House. Home Games and Sunday Nt Football Seahawks are unstoppable. Hawks are 7-2-1 on Sunday Night Football and 13-1 in home primetime games since we put Pete on the payroll.

Julie Meier – Photographer / NW Facts Media Group / www.nwfacts.com/sports


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Seahawks Announce Recipient of Local Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award

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The Seattle Seahawks announced today that Lourdes E. Alvarado-Ramos (Alfie), the director of Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), has been named the local recipient of the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award. This award recognizes the contributions of Hispanic leaders in each NFL market. This is the seventh year that the NFL and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) have partnered with the Seahawks in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.  Each award recipient will select an organization of their choice that serves the local Hispanic community to receive a $2,000 donation.

In 2013, Lourdes E. Alvarado-Ramos was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to serve as the director of Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), the first woman to hold the post.  The WDVA serves as an advocate for Washington State’s military veterans and their families.  The WDVA operates three Veterans Homes that provide long-term nursing care and offers a number of programs ranging from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Counseling to services for homeless veterans. As WDVA Director, Alvarado-Ramos is a member of Governor Inslee’s Executive Cabinet and serves as the Chair of the Governor’s Healthy and Safe Communities Council that is charged with fostering the health of Washingtonians from a healthy start to a safe and supported future.  She also serves as Co-Chair of the Washington State Military Transition Council.

A Puerto Rico native, Alvarado-Ramos served 22-years on active duty, retiring in August 1993 as Command Sergeant Major and Troop Command Sergeant Major of Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis, Washington.  During her military career, she was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit, Order of Military Medical Merit, Expert Field Medical Badge and Meritorious Service Medals.

She is an alum of Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Program, the University of Washington Executive Management Program and holds a Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration. She is also a licensed Nursing Home Administrator.  She is the recipient of local, state and national awards including the Governor’s Distinguished Management Leadership Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award for women in the military from the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) and the Veterans Affairs Secretary’s Leadership Award.