December 2015 Latitude 45

MAGAZINE

CELEBRATE THE SEASON! EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

A HUMANITARIAN’S MANUAL NFL MIDSEASON REPORT CARD THERE’S A FAMILY IN THE CHOIR DECEMBER 2015 Latitude45Mag.com

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Sleep Better | Feel Better | Think Better | Perform Better

Feeling Good is Good to Feel

Relaxed?

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Contents FEATURE STORY 10 A Humanitarian’s Manual

From Soup Kitchen to the Jungle, Learning to Be Present in the Global World

WWW.LATITUDE45MAG.COM MARKETING

Washington Sales and Marketing Director | Julie Reed 253.273.8524 | julie@gogigharbor.com

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor | Patty Hutchens patricia@like-media.com Editor | Jani Gonzalez jani@like-media.com

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DESIGN

Creative Director | Whitney Lebsock Senior Designer | Jessica Herbig

SOCIAL MEDIA/EVENTS

Media Manager/Events | Kelly Williams kelly@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

Ski the Pacific Northwest

16 Arts & Entertainment

Celebrate the Season!

22 Sports Report

NFL Midseason Report Card 26 Local Flare

There’s a Family in the Choir

CONTRIBUTORS Katie Chambers • Chris Strickley Kellie French • Diane Fetzner

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TRAVEL & LEISURE

SKI THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

There’s a mountain out there for you!

By Colin Anderson. Photos of Schweitzer Mountain Resort courtesy Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

T

o put it bluntly, the 2014/2015 ski season was awful. Little snow and lots of rain add up to not a lot of fun out on the slopes. It happens from time to time, so let us all cross our fingers that it doesn’t happen again (you should have been doing your pray for snow dance months ago!).

What’s wonderful about skiing in the west is even if the conditions are less than ideal, there are unique communities, resorts, activities and scenic drives to explore all over, not to mention enough mountains to keep you busy for a lifetime. There are

options for those seeking the steepest chutes and deepest powder, lavish resorts with plush ski in/ski out accommodations.

Small town mom and pop outfits where a bowl of chili and local beer is all you need, and family friendly places that offer tubing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, cross country skiing, and in some case even surfing.

Winter is dark and cold, but you can stamp out some of those blues with a day trip, long weekend or even a week’s vacation to some of the best ski destinations in the country.

The Full Scale Resorts

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Big Sky Resort, Bozeman Montana 5,800 Acres, 300 named runs, 4,350 feet of vertical drop Big Sky is the crown jewel of Montana ski destinations. Located a short beautiful drive from Bozeman, this is one of the largest mountains in the west. The village is enormous and despite hundreds of thousands of visitors, lift lines are generally short. You can enjoy fine dining at Everett’s 8,800 feet in the air or choose from 48 other dining options. Four hundred inches of annual snowfall and runs as long as six miles guarantee for a memorable day on the mountain with plenty to keep you

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entertained off the mountain.

Mom & Pop Outfits

Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler, British Columbia 8,171 Acres, 200 named runs, 5,280 feet of vertical drop

Discover Basin, Phillipsburg, Montana 2,200 Acres, 67 named runs, 2,388 feet of vertical drop

More skiing terrain than any other resort in North America, Whistler is on the bucket list of almost all serious skiers and riders. Whistler celebrates 50 years this winter with all kinds of parties and events planned. If you’re still feeling crowded, the mountain offers heliskiing to untouched powder. Travel from mountain to mountain on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, the highest and longest lift in the world. Whistler is just five years removed from hosting the winter Olympics so plenty of history to be found here as well.

“Disco” is the perfect setting for groups with all ability levels. The front side is great for beginners, kids and those who just want to cruise. On the back, you’ll find the Limelight lift where the only way down is through 18 Double Black runs, testing even the most experienced skiers and riders. Day passes are affordable and the vibe in nearby towns of Anaconda and Phillipsburg are pure western Montana.

Ski Towns to Explore Schweitzer Mountain, Sandpoint, Idaho 2,900 Acres, 92 named runs, 2,900 feet of vertical drop Schweitzer is the backdrop to one of the more beautiful communities in the Inland Northwest. From the peak, guests look down upon Sandpoint and massive Lake Pend Oreille. While everything you’ll need for a vacation can be found on the mountain, a trip into town shouldn’t be missed. Downtown Sandpoint offers local shopping, unique restaurants and breweries, all in a pedestrian friendly setting.

Red Mountain, Rossland, British Columbia 4,200 Acres, 110 named runs, 2,919 feet of vertical drop

Mission Ridge, Wenatchee, Washington 2,000 Acres, 26 runs, 2,250 feet of vertical drop While smaller and receiving less snowfall than many Northwest resorts, Mission Ridge sees an average of 300 sunny days a year giving you a better chance of a bluebird day. There’s a great mix of intermediate and expert terrain with great groomer skiing all day long. Just 15 minutes from Wenatchee or guests can park in the scenic town of Leavenworth if they’re willing to go a bit further.

Skiing on the Side, Bluewood, Dayton, Washington 400 Acres, 24 runs, 1,125 feet of vertical drop You might not think of being able to combine a wine tasting trip and a ski trip, but that’s what you’ll find in the Walla Walla Valley. Bluewood may be small in

The secret is out. Red Mountain continues to pile up accolades from national media large in part to Rossland, the ideal small town ski village. About 3,500 people call this place home, but they are all in on the outdoors. About any outdoor activity can be found here and the mountain is less than 10 minutes from downtown so no matter where you stay, it’s easy to commute back and forth.

Rossland is the southern tip of Canada’s ‘Powder Highway’ which connects seven of Canada’s top ski destinations, making it an ideal starting place for those looking to experience several mountains in one trip.

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Rossland is the southern tip of Canada’s ‘Powder Highway’ which connects seven of Canada’s top ski destinations, making it an ideal starting place for those looking to experience several mountains in one trip.

There are all kinds of unique destinations across the Northwest.

stature, but it sees more than 300 inches of snow annually and offers variable terrain parks, excellent tree terrain and no pass is more than $40. Need a break from sifting through more than 200 wineries in Walla Walla and Dayton, then Bluewood is the perfect distraction. Want to get off mountain; a trip up the backside in a snowcat is just $10 or $19 for unlimited rides.

trip. Banff National Park offers some of the most awe inspiring peaks, mountain lakes, and high alpine terrain in the world. You can camp or find five-star accommodations, be spoiled at a spa or slip into an outdoor hot spring, find elk moose and bear or visit a film festival or museum. This is truly one of the more remarkable areas in the west, so ski a day but leave plenty of time for other exploring.

Banff National Park, Banff, Alberta Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Area and Mount Norquay

...And a whole lot more

With 8,000 combined acres, Canada’s first National Park is home to three excellent mountains, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. Where you would go wrong is focusing entirely on skiing during your

There are all kinds of unique destinations across the Northwest. Both Lookout Pass and Lost Trail Powder Mountain straddle the Idaho and Montana border allowing you to ski in two states at the same time.

Silver Mountain in Kellogg, Idaho has an indoor water park with an endless wave

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feature allowing you to ski and surf in the same day. Crystal Mountain puts you up close and personal with Mount Rainier, one of the Northwest’s biggest icons.

When we think of vacations it’s often summer or someplace warm and tropical, but it can be just as exciting getting out of your winter doldrums and finding a new mountain to conquer and city to explore in winter. Now is the time to start planning those 2016 holiday weekends because if you wait much longer, it’ll be spring already.

Get in the car and drive a few hours away from your favorite local hill, see what else is out there and explore new terrain. And if the weather happens to turn on you, don’t worry, there is always chili, beer and hot chocolate.

FEATURE STORY

A Humanitarian’s Manual From soup kitchen to the jungle, learning to be present in the global world Article and photos by Katie Chambers

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How many opportunities will you get in a lifetime to be accepted into culture that’s not your own? Yes, almost all of us have the opportunity to travel, see new places, and meet friends from all over the world, but unless you’re planning on learning a new language and becoming an ex-pat, the chances to truly get to know a community are few and far.

US-El Salvador Sister Cities (USESSC) is a nonprofit organization that provides volunteers just this opportunity. Around for almost 30 years, USESSC formed during the Salvadoran Civil War as an organization to promote solidarity between the U.S. and El Salvador.

They partner U.S. cities with their own “sister” Salvadoran communities. Tthere are currently 17 pairs of communities.

Opportunities through USESSC include: • Internships in El Salvador for a minimum of three months. If you’re proficient in Spanish and interested in writing, blogging, history, human rights or digital media, you might be the perfect fit.

“I

can’t think of any other way to describe how I feel interacting with others through community service besides with these four words: I absolutely love it. I’m you’re not-soaverage high school girl, because my inspiration comes from giving back to the world around me.”

—Katie Chambers, embarrassing scholarship essay 2011 I found this quote from my 18-year-old self the other day while writing on my computer, watching the torrents of rain outside the small patio, making it more impossible to leave the house with each passing minute. I had just recovered from my first brush with dengue fever in El Salvador, and found myself very inspired to write and reflect on what had brought me here in the first place. That meant perusing further and further back

• Employment as a USESSC coordinator.

USESSC is searching for an individual fluent in Spanish with experience in nonprofit work who has lived in a Latin American country.

• Join a delegation to visit El Salvador yourself and learn about current issues.

For more information, visit www.elsalvadorsolidarity.org.

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through my words until before I knew it, I re-met this high school girl.

I reveled in the label of “humanitarian.”

Little did I know back then how broad and controversial this term actually is, nor how many layers it is made of. As I felt more than watched the rain pour down outside, I was hit with how much I had learned and transformed in just four short years. How did I get from dishing out tomato-basil bisque at a Sandpoint, Idaho soup kitchen to speaking a foreign language in the jungle of a rural country?

Humanitarianism comes with responsibility. This is the greatest lesson I’ve pulled from my college education and travels − you’re not automatically put on the nice list for labeling yourself a volunteer. If you’re not mindful of your service to the communities around you, you can actually do more harm as a humanitarian than good.

Whether you have ideas to get involved on a local level, volunteer abroad, or even start a nonprofit, here are the top three pieces of advice that have helped me graduate from my soup kitchen days to actually contributing to positive change in my surroundings:

I watched all of the ideas I had come prepared with fly out the college cafeteria door. Echinacea? I thought. What about some lesson plans for the elementary school? Some local business ideas?

Anything more tangible than information on a plant.

Think from the Inside Out

Where I wanted to shoot for bigger and more dynamic ideas for the reservation, Meredith was realistically thinking one step at a time while taking into consideration Northern Cheyenne values of life. Having rented out a plot of land abundant in native plants, Meredith hoped to teach the youth on the reservation how to identify these plants and remind them of their ancestral uses.

Sometimes the answers we have aren’t the answers that are needed.

I learned this lesson after driving three hours away from the towering mountains of Bozeman, Montana and into the rolling sea of Northern Cheyenne grasslands.

We had left behind the grocery stores, gas stations, and almost all other signs of economic activity. As we drove farther into the reservation, the only other outsiders we saw were the truck drivers passing through on their way to bigger cities and a paycheck.

My research partner and I finally arrived at Little Big Horn College to meet with our mentor, Meredith. We had come to pick his brain and tribal wisdom for a class that collaborated with the Northern Cheyenne community on beneficial research topics.

What work could we do for him that would actually be helpful to his community?

“You know, I’d really like some information on the Echinacea plant,” he answered.

Although it hadn’t been my first choice, I spent the rest of the semester preparing a report for Meredith comparing traditional uses of Echinacea to Western use. Our findings were surprisingly, well, cool: we found science to better verify Northern Cheyenne uses of the plant. Meredith was able to use our findings to work into his educational program on his land.

For the big picture innovators out there like me, I’m telling you now to slow down.

Before acting on ideas that you think are the right ones, put yourself in the shoes of those who will be directly affected by your service. Consider that the values you hold important may not be the same values as those you are working with. Get to know

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your community inside and out, and by listening instead of leading. Begin to look through their eyes while working instead of your own.

Watch out for Paternalism Already forgot this high school vocabulary word?

Paternalism can be defined as: “Those in authority restricting the freedom and responsibilities of those subordinate to them in the subordinates’ supposed best interest.”

In other words, it’s the thought that you are qualified to solve the problems of others, even more so than the others themselves.

Paternalism often arises when working

Humanitarianism comes with responsibility. This is the greatest lesson I’ve pulled from my college education and travels − you’re not automatically put on the nice list for labeling yourself a volunteer.

Before acting on ideas that you think are the right ones, put yourself in the shoes of those who will be directly affected by your service.

with vulnerable populations, such as children or impoverished communities.

I’ve spent the last three months working with a nonprofit in El Salvador (see side bar for more information), but I witnessed paternalism before coming to the Central American country. At a dinner party this summer, I all of a sudden found myself the center of attention as one by one, people stopped their side conversations to listen as I explained what kind of projects I would be working on in the Salvadoran community.

“Wow. That is so great you will be down there helping to show people how to do things they wouldn’t know how to do themselves.”

It was passed off as a harmless comment, meant as a compliment to me as the other party-goers nodded and muttered in

agreement. However, it was all I could do to keep my jaw from dropping. It was a very similar response to many I had experienced in my predeparture conversations with friends and family. I realized how superior my society felt toward Latin America (half of them out there still think I’m in Ecuador- it’s all the same, right?).

Did I snap back with an opinion? Lecture on my true intentions and philosophies?

Get up and leave the dinner table?

No. I gave a small smile and shut up.

Paternalism is a trait you have to personally decide you want to eradicate. Trust me

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− there are many confident individuals out there who don’t see the problem with believing they can best solve the world’s issues. Watch out for this feeling of seemingly harmless superiority that exists within all of us − there is no better or

worse population out there than another.

Lower yourself down from this pedestal (down 18-year-old humanitarians! Down!), get comfortable questioning your motives, and learn to listen to the cause instead of shouting over it.

Practice Solidarity You see someone fallen on the ground. It looks like they’ve scraped their knee pretty well. Here are two possible scenarios: You give the person a fully stocked first aid kit. You teach them how to use each piece of it, show them how to mend their wound, then continue on your way.

You help the person to clean their wound.

You listen to them as they explained what happened and sit with them until they feel okay to get up. During your conversation, you discover how much you have in common (you both like beer) and decide to head off in the same direction (to a brewery).

whenever I can with various projects, but the most important work I do is simply being here.

lengthy process of uncovering graves in search of these friends and family is still being carried out today.

Let me give you a heavy example.

As for me, I hadn’t picked up a shovel all day.

I had helped a bit in the kitchen to prepare breakfast and lunch for the workers and policemen, but really spent most of the day watching in fascination as tons of dirt were lifted off of two skeletons, one shovel-full at a time. I passed out coffee. I talked with the men while they rested.

The other day I sat beneath the shade of a grand canopy tree overlooking the rapidlyflowing Sumpul River. It would’ve been the perfect picnic spot had it not been for what lay beneath the earth.

“Everybody stop. We’ve hit a shoe.”

Shovels froze in mid-air as everyone looked in the direction of the archaeologist.

The playful mood of mindless digging had changed in an instant. I could actually feel the heaviness of the air resting its weight on my shoulders as my compañeros’ eyes darted into the hole they had created.

Although both scenarios are helpful to the fallen person, the first embodies more the idea of charity. When you practice charity, you give with the purpose of aid, such as donating money to an organization and moving on. The second scenario embodies more the idea of solidarity: the unity of individuals as they support each other in a common cause.

We were only an hour into the exhumation process, an hour into a moment anticipated by four years of bureaucratic preparation. All of the required officials were there: the human rights lawyer looking on, the archaeologist leading the dig, and the handful of police resting conspicuously away from the group under the shade of a tree. There was a journalist, a photographer, and the widowed owner of the land. The rest of us acted as manual labor and moral support for the brothers of the two bodies that had waited patiently to be discovered for 33 years.

This is my job in El Salvador, to practice solidarity (unlike my example, this sadly does not entail drinking any beer). I am an on-site representative of my organization.

My sole role is to be present in a rural community and accompany Salvadoran locals. Yes, I help out wherever and

This dig is only one of hundreds that are currently being conducted throughout the country. As citizen after citizen disappeared during the Salvadoran Civil War of the 80s, families were left without any closure that their loved ones had actually perished at the hands of the military government. The

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Solidarity is about being. Being there when someone needs you, and being a presence in our global world. It’s that moment when you pull back from the head of the group to walk in step with your companions.

Sometimes, we don’t always know what’s best. Sometimes, listening is better than leading. And sometimes, not acting can be more beneficial than acting. You can’t simply call yourself a humanitarian in a high school essay, although it might be a good start. Humanitarianism is mindfulness, and it’s this mindfulness that above all creates change in our environments.

Use this manual as a set of guidelines for awareness of your thoughts and your actions. But above all, remember the responsibility we accept by being “dogooders.” It’s the responsibility to be your own self-critic and monitor, which can be the key to whether any good is actually being done at all.

Even a teenager with the soup spoon can do that.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Pacific Northwest offers a multitude of opportunities to celebrate

CELEBRATE THE SEASON!

T

he holidays are a busy time, but be sure to set some time aside to make some fabulous memories with family and friends.

Here are just some of the many events taking place that will definitely put you in the holiday spirit!

ISSAQUAH REINDEER FESTIVAL A tradition since 1988, the Issaquah Cougar Mountain Zoo is holding the Annual Reindeer Festival from December 1 through December 23.

Claiming to be one of the most unique

By Maddie Russo

festivals in the Northwest, it offers fun and excitement for all ages.

Not only will there be real live reindeer, but you will have the opportunity to feed and pet them as well. Meet Santa and take a picture with him, or stop

by Santa’s post office and send your wishes in the mail. Other activities include face painting, trips through the Magic Forest, stories read by Elves, feeding Santa’s animals, sipping and eating special holiday treats from the snack shops and much more!

The

Festival

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the

month

of

December through the 23rd. Hours are from 10:30am to 4:30pm. Admission ranges from $10-$14 and is free for children 2 and under! Group discounts are offered for parties of 12 or more.

JINGLE BELL RUN/WALK This is the largest 5K race aimed to fight arthritis and chosen as one of the Most Incredible Themed Races!

Arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability, and this is a great way to help find the cure. Registration for the December 13 event is open now and ranges from $45-$55 depending on

DENTAL SLEEP THERAPY

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DECEMBER 4 LEEANN RIMES

Come enjoy LeeAnn Rimes’ Today is Christmas Tour! The Emerald Queen Casino is hosting this special holiday concert that starts at 8:30pm. LeeAnn Rimes is one of the most successful entertainers with two Grammy Awards, three Academy of Country Awards and 12 Billboard Music Awards. Must be 21 or older to enter.

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DECEMBER 5 GIG HARBOR ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING

DECEMBER 4-28 GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER The Pacific Northwest Ballet is performing George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. This magical and entertaining show is one of America’s favorite holiday traditions. This is a great show for families and children. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.pnb.org.

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DECEMBER 6 K9 CANDY CANE 5K

The K9 Candy Cane 5K Fun Run and Walk is held at the Renton Community Center at 9:15am. The race travels along the paved, beautiful Cedar River Trail perfect for competitive runners, fun runners, walkers and families (with or without) dogs. Receive a hooded sweatshirt, post race refreshments and pictures with Santa.

DECEMBER 14 MYTHBUSTERS: JAMIE AND ADAM UNLEASHED The Paramount Theatre is having a live stage show featuring Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, co-hosts of the Discovery series Mythbusters. Expect the unexpected while they perform on stage experiments and ask for audience participants to assist in their mind-twisting approach to science. www.stgpresents.org.

Kick off the holiday season the first Saturday of December at Skansie Brothers Park with live music, Santa’s official arrival, refreshments and fun. This free event is a wonderful time for families, friends and children to gather around downtown and enjoy the holiday lights and festivities.

DECEMBER 5-6 TIDEFEST Gig Harbor High School’s Fine Arts and Crafts Festival brings in artists and artisans from all over the Northwest. 150 vendors will have a variety of goods such as glass art, sculpture, jewelry, clothing, bags, wood carvings and more. Enjoy the food fair, live holiday music performed by students and a raffle. www.tidefest.org.

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DECEMBER 18 ZOOLIGHTS

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium will be aglow with more than a half-million lights! Bundle up and stroll through the park witnessing 3-D animal light displays, mountains and trees. Warm up in the South Pacific Aquarium or take a ride on the carousel. This is a fantastic evening for families, friends and kids.

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DECEMBER 12 GREENLAKE PATHWAY OF LIGHTS

Come join Pathway of Lights in Seattle from 4:30 to 7:30pm. Enjoy the 2.8-mile path around Green Lake as it is lit with thousands of luminarias. Bring your own lights and candles to add to the ambiance. Sip warm drinks and enjoy treats while local musicians perform.

DECEMBER 21-23 MODEL TRAIN FESTIVAL The Washington State History Museum in Tacoma is hosting the 20th Annual Model Train Festival! Bring your kids or friends to view the numerous model train displays that occupy every floor of the museum. Santa Claus will also be making an appearance and will be available for pictures! www.washingtonhistory.org.

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05 DECEMBER 5 CHAMPAGNE & BUBBLES EXTRAVAGANZA Wine World and Spirits is hosting a public champagne and wine tasting event from 2 to 5pm. Come sample some bubbles from 14 different stations while nibbling on some delicious appetizers. Must be 21 or older to participate. Register online or pay at the door. wineworldspirits.com.

DECEMBER 13 JINGLE BELL 5K Be part of the largest holiday 5K race series aimed to fight arthritis! Come dressed in holiday spirit and tie jingle bells to your shoe laces as you and your team members run or walk to help raise funds for finding a cure for arthritis. Let’s kick off the holidays by helping others! Westlake Center, Seattle. www.kintera.org.

DECEMBER 5 MT. RAINIER WINE AND BREW FESTIVAL

The 6th annual “On the Road to Paradise” Fall Wine Festival is your chance to sip, savor and enjoy a variety of hard-to-find, artisanal wines and micro-brews from small Washington producers. With an entry fee of $30 you will receive a wine glass, 10 ticket tastings and chocolate! For more information visit www.road-to-paradise.com.

DECEMBER 6 MAKE YOUR OWN ORNAMENT Create your own glass ornament in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop to celebrate the season! Participants will be picking color, blowing and shaping their ornament. Hilltop Artists will be ready to help if needed.

Must be 12 years of age to participate. $50 general admission, $25 for members. museumofglass.org.

Upcoming Events JANUARY 1 POLAR BEAR PLUNGE JANUARY 1 RESOLUTION 5K RUN AND POLAR BEAR DIVE JANUARY 8-10 PUYALLUP HOME AND GARDEN SHOW JANUARY 14-17 NORDIC LIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL JANUARY 16 ELLENSBURG WINTERHOP BREWFEST

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DECEMBER 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE AT EMP

Come join 3000 guests as EMP hosts one of the largest New Year’s Eve parties in Seattle! There will be live performing music, stand-up comedians, dancing and access into the museum. Tickets are on sale now, buy them at www.seattlebash.com before they sell out!

JANUARY 18 MLK DAY IN TACOMA JANUARY 29 SEATTLE BOAT SHOW JANUARY 23 THUNDERBIRDS VS. WINTERHAWKS JANUARY 28 OPENING NIGHT OF HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING

Visit

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when you register. It will take place at the Westlake Center in Seattle.

The festivities will begin at 7:00am with Santa arriving to welcome all participants, Elf Village, coat check, a photo booth, and the start of costume contest judging, so come dressed to impress with jingle bells attached to your running shoes. The rest of the day will include the Elves’ 1k Fun Run, the Rudolph Runners wave, the Dasher’s Dancers wave, the Santa’s Striders wave and a Holiday Cheer Garden.

Check out their website for more information and fundraising incentives at www.jbr.org.

POINT DEFIANCE “ZOOLIGHTS”

ZOO

HOSTS

From now through January 3, Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium will be showing it’s Holiday spirit from 5-9pm.

Decorated with over half a million lights,

you will be able to immerse yourself in a world of spectacular 3-D animal light displays, including a polar bear family, a giant Pacific Octopus, and a 17 foot tall tiger head. Want to see Santa scuba dive with the sharks? Visit the park any Tuesday or Wednesday in the month of December. Guests will also be able to ride a camel, hop on the holiday carousel and warm up with some hot cocoa and other tasty treats at the café.

Visit www.pdza.org for more information, park hours and rates.

NEW YEAR’S AT THE NEEDLE The best New Year’s Eve party that the west coast has to offer! New Year’s at the Needle is sure to be the best way to bring in the new year!

At 9pm on New Year’s Eve, the needle will transform into a celebration of the year! Festivities will include dancing on the deck, New Year’s Eve party

A HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS Gig Harbor’s Annual Tree Lighting December 5

By Maddie Russo

Gig Harbor’s official kickoff to the Christmas season will be held on December 5 at Skansie Brothers Park. Go on out and celebrate the annual holiday tree lighting with over 500 other town residents and enjoy music provided by The Dickens Carolers.

Visit

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The event will begin at 5pm, and there will be plenty of entertainment throughout the night.

Be prepared to see some live reindeer, enjoy a special visit from “Rhubarb” the Tacoma Rainiers’ mascot and, of course, a visit from Saint Nicholas himself as he rides in on a fire truck to meet and talk with all of the kids.

for more events!

This year, The Gig Harbor Waterfront Alliance will be providing free beverages, including cider and coffee from Java & Clay, and fresh baked cookies in the Skansie NetShed.

“The event is loved by so many because it takes place in the beautiful waterfront setting of Skansie Brothers Park with the tree being donated by our friends at Joint Base Lewis McChord. This is an event you won’t want to miss!,” Karen Scott from the City of Gig Harbor commented.

For further questions about the event, please contact the City of Gig Harbor at ScottK@cityofgigharbor.net or visit their website at www.gigharborguide.com.

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Check out the many events taking place that will definitely put you in the holiday spirit! favors, casino style gaming tables with cash and prizes, light appetizers and desserts, and a champagne toast to welcome the New Year!

You must be 21 years of age to attend the event. Visit their website www. spaceneedle.com for pricing and more information.

Enjoy the season and spread the cheer!

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SPORTS REPORT

NFL MIDSEASON REPORT CARD How is your team stacking up?

By Chris Strickley

I

n honor of reaching the midpoint of the 2015-16 NFL season, it’s time that we take a look back on the first half. We know the Pacific Northwest is predominantly part of Seahawks nation, but what about those whose hearts belong elsewhere?

I’ll check in on all 32 teams and give them an old-fashioned letter grade for their respective first-half performances.

For ease of reading, I’ve listed all teams in alphabetical order. With plenty to go over, let’s not waste any time and get right into it!

Arizona Cardinals (NFC West): A QB Carson Palmer and WR Larry Fitzgerald continue to evade the traps of Father Time as they are both enjoying career years. Through week nine, Palmer sits fifth in the league in passing yards (2,386) and second in touchdowns (20).

Meanwhile, Fitzgerald has eclipsed 706 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

The tough road still lies ahead as they have contests with Green Bay and Cincinnati to go along with two games against Seattle.

Atlanta Falcons (NFC South): B RB Devonta Freeman has exploded onto the scene since Tevin Coleman went down in week two. All Freeman has done since then is rush for 721 yards

and nine touchdowns. Despite Freeman’s production, the Falcons have dropped 3 of their last 4 games due to inconsistent play out of QB Matt Ryan. WR Julio Jones leads the league in receiving yards (1,029) and receptions (80). The Falcons are currently the last ones in for the playoffs. With two games remaining against the resurgent Panthers, they will have to fight hard to stay in that position.

Baltimore Ravens (AFC North): CIt’s hard to be a Ravens fan right now.

Each of their six losses has been by one possession. WR Steve Smith Sr. was enjoying a career year until he went down with a season-ending injury. QB Joe Flacco has basically been a wash throwing 10 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. RB Justin Forsett has been valuable in that he hasn’t turned the ball over yet. The biggest problem with the Ravens is their secondary. Too many big plays and blown assignments each week have contributed to the six losses. With Cincinnati yet to lose a game, the playoff picture looks bleak.

Buffalo Bills (AFC East): C Head Coach Rex Ryan was supposed to be the Savior in Buffalo. Instead, he has basically made a team that makes you say “they’re OK I guess.” The Bills aren’t horrible anywhere, but they aren’t

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necessarily great either. QB Tyrod Taylor has shown glimpses of greatness. Mainly known for his legs, he has developed as a pocket passer. LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams have been respectable in the backfield. Ryan will need to see his defense actually execute the schemes he has set forth if they want to see the playoffs.

Carolina Panthers (NFC South): A Like the Bills, the Panthers aren’t necessarily great at any one thing. The difference lies in how well they play as a unit. Despite ranking 27th in the league for passing offense, the Panthers have got it done on the ground. QB Cam Newton has rarely been under pressure all season, affording him and RB Jonathan Stewart the opportunity for space. A soft remaining schedule gives the Panthers a good chance to continue this success.

Chicago Bears (NFC North): CAlways under heavy scrutiny, QB Jay Cutler has actually fared well in 2015, throwing for 1,787 yards, 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. The struggles stem mainly from RB Matt Forte and WR Alshon Jeffery battling injuries, along with a defense that is giving up 27.6 points per game. Despite this, the Bears have managed to go 3-2 in the last 5 games. Are they trending

upward? With Green Bay and Minnesota currently holding playoff spots above them, the Bears will be hard-pressed to garner their own spot by season’s end.

Cincinnati Bengals (AFC North): A The Bengals have done so well that many have brought QB Andy Dalton into the conversation of MVP. There aren’t many holes for this team as they are well balanced on both offense and defense.

This has helped them to four wins by at least 10 points. Remaining unbeaten may prove difficult as they still have games against Denver and Arizona. However, with the rest of the division being mediocre, the AFC North seems to be theirs to lose.

Cleveland Browns (AFC North): D Cleveland’s only two wins came against hapless Tennessee and Baltimore.

Somebody had to win in those games, and Cleveland just happened to be that team.

Other than this, there haven’t been many bright spots for the city of Cleveland. Head Coach Mike Pettine can’t make up his mind at quarterback. The defense has already given up 3,614 total yards (30th in NFL).

Cleveland looks poised to be picking in the top 10 of the 2016 NFL draft. So I guess that’s one good thing, right?

Dallas Cowboys (NFC East): D+ QB Tony Romo and WR Dez Bryant both went down early and missed significant time. Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel

have been underwhelming in place of Romo. Add in no clear producer at the premium positions of running back and wide receiver, and their record comes as no surprise. The good news for the Cowboys is the mediocrity that is the NFC East. Bryant is already back and Romo may return week 11, setting them up for a run.

Denver Broncos (AFC West): AThe Broncos are where they are primarily because of a formidable defense.

Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips has them in the top five of nearly every category. With QB Peyton Manning on the downward trend and a boring offense in general, the Broncos will look to this defense to carry them into the playoffs.

Detroit Lions (NFC North): F No surprise here. The Lions have struggled everywhere. QB Matthew Stafford has thrown 11 interceptions; the defense has given up 245 points and 3,086 yards. WR Calvin Johnson has been held in check all season (659 yards and only three touchdowns). The offense has only collected 557 yards on the ground. It looks like the Lions may be getting that first overall pick in next year’s draft.

Green Bay Packers (NFC North): B+ After starting the season 6-0, the Packers have lost their last two, albeit to Denver and Carolina. After losing WR Jordy

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Nelson for the year, the Packers are 26th in the league for passing yards per game (225.3). This could be due to the Packers not throwing the ball enough each game (26th in passing attempts). With RB Eddie Lacy struggling as of late, the Packers need Rodgers to throw the ball more to avoid a collapse.

Houston Texans (AFC South): CThe Texans have three things going for them: WR DeAndre Hopkins, DE JJ Watt, and playing in the AFC South. The Texans offense is basically “throw the ball to DeAndre on every play,” who is second in the league in targets. Watt is having a better season statistically through his first eight games this year than his first eight in 2014-15. With the AFC South being so awful, the Texans still technically have a chance.

Indianapolis Colts (AFC South): C Hard to believe a first place team gets a C, but that’s how bad the AFC South is this year. QB Andrew Luck has simply not been good. He has thrown 12 interceptions and fumbled three times (losing one). The defense continues to struggle. RB Frank Gore has been nearly non-existent. Even with a losing record, the Colts may very well win the South this year.

Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC South): D QB Blake Bortles is in the league’s top 10 for passing yards by virtue of his top two

receivers, Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson.

Despite what the record may say, the Jaguars have good young talent that will only get better, which is always something to be optimistic about.

Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West): C A five-game skid and losing starting RB Jamaal Charles has been the story of the 2015 season for KC. QB Alex Smith has done well at protecting the ball despite poor pass protection. The Chiefs still have a shot at the playoffs if the defense can tighten up their pass coverage as they have allowed 16 touchdowns through the air.

Miami Dolphins (AFC East): D After spending a bunch of money on DE Ndamukong Suh and firing head coach Joe Philbin, the Dolphins are still suffering in the loss column. Only two of their games have been decided by one score, while the other six games have been either big wins or big losses. Consistency is something the Dolphins are still searching for. However, it may be too late in 2015.

Minnesota Vikings (NFC North): B+ Boy are the Vikings and their fans happy to have Adrian Petersen back after the 2014 controversy. He currently leads the league in rushing with 758 yards. The Vikings still have tough contests against Seattle, Atlanta, and Arizona.

New England Patriots (AFC East): A+ The Patriots are the best team in the NFL for a multitude of reasons. Their offense looks very much like the 2007 team that went 16-0 in the regular season. The big reason they get the A+ grade is how they’ve handled the offseason controversy of “Deflategate.” After all the scrutiny, they seem to be seeking vengeance. They will be the Super Bowl favorites once again.

New York Jets (AFC East): C+ RB Chris Ivory has become a household name for the Jets, ranking in the top 10 in both rushing yards and touchdowns. After QB Geno Smith was injured in a preseason altercation, Ryan Fitzpatrick has done well. The defense continues to keep the Jets close every game and will need the offense to be more consistent each week to have a chance at a wild card spot.

New Orleans Saints (NFC South): CQB Drew Brees is still finding ways to be productive, including a seven-touchdown performance against the Giants. The defense continues to plague them weekby-week. They are dead last in the league in total defense, which has put too much pressure on the offense to score big points.

Unless the defense turns it around, expect the Saints to remain at the bottom of their division.

Oakland Raiders (AFC West): BThe Raiders are finally trending in the right direction thanks to the rise of three guys on the offensive side of the ball: QB Derek Carr, WR Amari Cooper, and RB Latavius Murray. These three have helped the Oakland offense to be very well-balanced.

Cooper looks poised to be a finalist for ROY. Even if the playoffs don’t happen in 2015, Raiders fans have a lot to look forward to in the near future.

New York Giants (NFC East): BQB Eli Manning and WR Odell Beckham Jr. continue to be the focal point of the Giants.

Manning boasts a healthy 3:1 touchdowninterception ratio while Beckham Jr. just continues to get open. The Achilles heel remains an awful pass defense. The Giants have given up 2,770 yards through the air, which is good enough for 32nd in the league. Until that is straightened out, the offense will continue to be pressured to put up around 30 points per game to win.

Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East): C+ While the Raiders may be the NFL’s biggest surprise, the Eagles may be the NFL’s biggest disappointment. Big free agent acquisition Demarco Murray was dreadful in his first two games having more rushing attempts (21) than actual rushing yards (11). The only reason their grade isn’t lower is because after starting 2015 with a 1-3 record, they’ve managed to win three of their last four with the lone loss coming against undefeated Carolina.

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In the wide open NFC East, the Eagles could steal it from underneath everyone if Murray and company manage to perform up to expectations.

Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC North): BMany may think this grade is high. But I am giving the Steelers the benefit of the doubt after seeing QB Ben Roethlisberger go down for a few weeks, as well as star RB Le’Veon Bell suffering a season-ending MCL tear. To be able to retain a winning record through these injuries is impressive in its own light. Deangelo Williams is a capable replacement in the backfield.

Roethlisberger and star WR Antonio Brown still make this a dangerous team moving forward and should be considered a favorite to win a wild card spot.

San Diego Chargers (AFC West): D It’s hard to assign a D to a team that currently possesses the quarterback with the most yards passing in Philip Rivers.

The problem is a Charger defense that currently ranks toward the bottom in both rush and pass defense. Any defense that allows 27.6 PPG is going to make it difficult for the offense to keep pace. It’s sad to see another productive year in Philip Rivers go to waste.

San Francisco 49ers (NFC West): F After such a massive roster overhaul and head coaching change in the off-season, the way the 49ers have fared to this point comes as no surprise. QB Colin Kaepernick has been a disaster (five interceptions and five fumbles) and lost his starting job to Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert found a way to pull out a win against Atlanta in his first start, but the rest of the season will be hard to watch for 49ers fans.

Seattle Seahawks (NFC West): C+ The Seahawks are a perfect example of how preseason predictions can prove to be futile. For anyone that read my NFL season preview article in September, I had high praise and expectations for a Seattle team coming off back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. SS Kam Chancellor’s contract holdout proved to be devastating to the Seahawk’s defense for the games he missed. RB Marshawn Lynch has had injury problems, but has been a nonfactor even when on the field (103 rushes for 375 yards and only 2 touchdowns).

QB Russell Wilson has been nothing but average (1,878 yards, 9 touchdowns and 6 interceptions). What was supposed to be a solid offensive group has been underwhelming. The defense still ranks toward the top of the league. With Arizona doing so well, the Seahawks may be looking more toward a wild card this year.

A third straight Super Bowl on the other hand isn’t looking so good in the Emerald City this season.

St. Louis Rams (NFC West): C+ Rookie RB Todd Gurley has been impressive for a Rams team that hasn’t had many stars in recent years. He has been vital to the offense as the Ram’s rank at the very bottom of the league in the passing game. If the Rams could get that passing game even just to league average, they could have a real chance at taking the West.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC South): C Rookie QB and 1st overall pick Jameis Winston has already done enough to double Tampa Bay’s win total from last season. The most important thing for this team is their steady improvement

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each week. While nobody was expecting playoffs heading into this season, people were expecting improvement. Winston and company have done just that. The future is looking bright in Tampa.

Tennessee Titans (AFC South): DRookie QB Marcus Mariota has been great and will be in the conversation for ROY. He already has two games with four touchdown passes and no interceptions (which tied an NFL record). The defense has been phenomenal under new Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau (fifth in total defense). The issue lies in offensive inconsistency and not being able to hold on to fourth quarter leads. With the AFC South being so weak, all the Titans need is one hot streak and they could actually make their way into the playoffs.

Washington Redskins (NFC East): CThe Redskins continue to disappoint. After the Robert Griffin III experiment failed, the torch was handed off to Kirk Cousins, who has kept the passing game toward the middle of the pack. The ground game continues to be the weight that slows down this team from making any serious run.

Over half of the games left on the Redskins’ schedule are against teams with losing records. Does Cousins and company have what it takes to make a run and capture the weak NFC East?

So how did your team do? I know mine did not do well (spoiler alert: I’m a Titans fan).

Thankfully, for those like me whose team didn’t do well, hope springs eternal with half a season left. For those whose team is doing well, we hope to feel what you feel sometime soon.

LOCAL FLARE

THERE’S A FAMILY IN THE CHOIR

Peninsula High School fosters supportive atmosphere

By Kellie French among fine arts Photos by Diana Fetzner

According to the National Association for Music Education, there are many aspects of music educational programs that enrich a young person’s life and educational experience. Included in these are the following: Musical training helps develop language and reasoning; it provides a mastery of memorization; it provides increased coordination; people feel a sense of achievement; kids stay engaged in school; stimulates emotional development; students learn pattern recognition; students generally experience better SAT scores; it fine-tunes auditory skills; music builds imagination and intellectual curiosity; music can be relaxing; music can develop spatial intelligence; kids can learn teamwork; responsible risk-taking and increased self-confidence.

“T

he ability to create a family atmosphere in a volunteer organization, workplace, school or class is nothing short of sheer brilliance. It takes leadership with a proactive response to recognize this and build morale in a group of people.

High school is a period of time students especially need a positive environment and uplifting morale to build selfconfidence. The high school years are formative and build a foundation for life. Allison Ellis, the choir director at Peninsula High School, has created such an environment. It is an environment of family.

Ellis has been the choir director at Key Peninsula for two years. She has also worked at Kopachuck Middle School. Ellis

bubbles over with energy as she describes her students and program.The choir at Peninsula High School is running a pilot program – a musical theater program – in collaboration with the band. Kara Beloate is the musical theater director on staff with the high school and Justin Hli is the band director. The pilot program has been running for two years, but this is the first year class collaboration has been involved.

The pilot program with the live band and live choir collaboration came about because the principal of Key Peninsula wanted to develop and expand the fine arts program. This also included a way for students to receive academic credit.

He enlisted Ellis to help get it going. This year the result of this program and class collaboration will come in the form of the high school’s concert choir on Thursday, December 10 at 7 pm.

PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR CONCERT One of the things most people enjoy more than anything during the holidays is the musical joy that fills the air. From the carolers to the choir concerts, the music is a gift of the season.

Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the talent of the students at Peninsula High School as they perform their concert on December 10 at 7pm.

Sit back, relax and hum a few bars. You’ll be surprised at how the joy of music can lift your spirits!

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She has seen students with low grades and low self-confidence improve drastically through the support and comfort of music.

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Giving ideas and feedback to students and then asking them for his or her input goes a long way in developing leadership skills.

Currently the concert choir has 120 students and the musical theater has 72 students. One awesome highlight of the musical theater program is that they won “Best Choreography in the Fine Arts Program” for high schools last year. They had a display in the lobby with the students posing as live exhibits. It’s like ending with a huge exclamation point.

The family atmosphere is essential to the choir and fine arts program. Ellis feels that how the arts touch lives affects the way music impacts the students and, in turn, the community. She has seen students with low grades and low self-confidence improve drastically through the support and comfort of music.

Ellis shared that the results she sees from the impact of the program makes her job completely worthwhile. In her choir group, there is a diversity of students, and they all grow close. Everyone talks and collaborates; there is little to no exclusion or cliques.

It’s is a safe place for the students to build confidence, and it impacts the students’ overall success. For example, some of the kids in the choir class have formed a tutoring club where they use their diverse talents and keep each other accountable not only musically, but also academically.

confidence. Ellis promised to never put the students in a situation to perform where they felt they were not quite ready. She always tells them that kindness matters.

All the time. Every time. No exceptions.

Sometimes the activities are not just about the music. To build strong bonds there are mini-retreats where the students will just play board games and eat pizza.

Leadership training is a strong component and requirement of the choir members.

Every child in some capacity works as a leadership trainer. Ellis says the training and feedback is personalized toward individual students. There are formal officer meetings, which require structure and protocol in class. However, giving ideas and feedback to students and then asking them for his or her input goes a long way in developing leadership skills. The students respond to the feedback and the inclusion they are given in the process. Ellis proudly comments that the students take pride in leadership activities and could run the class if she was absent due to illness.

Each year several students participate in the State of Washington choir contest.

Among the thousands of submissions, 20 students were selected from Key Peninsula High School. This is quite an honor and achievement.

The environment in the choir group is one that is built upon acceptance no matter what. Students can be themselves. Senior Riley Egge shared that the atmosphere

An important element that went into creating a family atmosphere within the choir program is the desire to help bolster self-

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trickles down from the leadership. Students step in to help each other in their areas of strength. For example, if a student is strong in music theory, they can help another who may be struggling. Everyone looks out for each other like that.

Ciela Ashworth, another senior choir member, moved here from North Dakota.

The school she attended had a fine arts program which was the jewel of the high school. It was not sports centered as high schools in the Pacific Northwest tend to be.

Ciela mentions that when there is conflict as a group they identify the core issue and work it from there.

Such is the life of a family. Tight-knight relationships. Everyone has your back.

The right kind of leadership in a family is one that builds trust. Families work together through problems and conflict. It’s exciting and messy all at the same time.

Congratulations to Ellis and the choir at Peninsula High School!

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