Seattle Powerball Growing

Seattle Powerball Tonight Get Your TicketIt’s here one of the biggest lottery drawings in history.  Tonight the Powerball drawing is at $600 million dollars and that number is expected to climb as the drawing time gets closer.  Even Though the odds are ONLY 1 in 175 million you can’t win if you don’t play.  The gas stations and convenience stores are reporting higher than usual numbers and in some states lines are gathering just to buy a ticket.  Starting January 15 2012, the Powerball ticket prices increased to $2 per ticket thus making the pool much higher.

The Powerball drawing tonight is the second highest in history just behind the previous Mega Millions in March 2012 which was $656 million.  With the amount of people playing there is a very high chance a winner will be decided.  In the event there is no winner, the jackpot could increase to over $1 billion dollars.  That would make it the biggest pay day in history.

Take a chance!

On a side note, the IRS really needs your money right now.  Considering the scandals and shady practices (no surprise) they will be waiting for their fair share.  The good news is that you won!  The bad news is that you’re going to pay A LOT more than you would have paid just 1 year ago.  The IRS is really sticking it to people whenever possible.

Here is some food for thought…. in the event you’re the big winner tonight and you take the lump sum of $376.9 million (spread out over 30 years), you’ll have to pay $149 million out of that to Uncle same.  Soo…. $600 million is more like $225 million net.  Congrats the IRS is the big winner here.  Not complaining or anything but just pointing out the obvious….we’re all getting ripped off.

About Jeff Jacobs

Having lived in the Pacific Northwest his entire life, Jeff understands and delivers a different perspective about politics. Even though many may disagree with his language and writing style, you can't debate his passion for the Seattle area and his committment to a better society.

Restoration of Golden Gardens Seattle

Seattle – To coincide with National Volunteer Week and activities around Earth Day, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its members lines Holland America Line, Seabourn, Windstar Cruises and Paul Gauguin Cruises, will host a volunteer event in partnership with volunteer organizers from Seattle Works, representatives from the Port of Seattle and staff from Seattle Parks and Recreations. Employees and other volunteers will help restore the Golden Gardens Park shoreline, dunes, and wetland area to ensure that hundreds of visitors can continue to enjoy this popular park with extraordinary views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

The Volunteer Day promotes and supports employees of cruise lines that are based, or with operations in, the greater Seattle area. The restoration efforts are part of CLIA’s “Cruise Forward” initiative that highlights the economic benefits, community partnerships and environmental stewardship of cruising.

The restoration of Golden Gardens is just one of many ways in which the cruise industry gives back to its port communities.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 23, 2013
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Golden Gardens Park
8498 Seaview Pl NW, Seattle, WA 98117

WHO:
Seattle Works, Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Port of Seattle and employees from Seattle based CLIA member cruise lines – Holland America Line, Seabourn, Windstar Cruises and Paul Gauguin Cruises – will attend.

Cruise line spokespersons from Holland America, Searbourn, Windstar Cruises and Paul Gauguin Cruises will be available for interviews

MORE INFO: CLIA: www.cruising.org
Cruise Forward: www.cruiseforward.org
Seattle Works: www.seattleworks.org
Seattle Parks and Recreation: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=243
Port of Seattle: www.portseattle.org/

About Jeff Jacobs

Having lived in the Pacific Northwest his entire life, Jeff understands and delivers a different perspective about politics. Even though many may disagree with his language and writing style, you can't debate his passion for the Seattle area and his committment to a better society.

Voice of Hope: Seattle Author, Artist Nadine C. Keels Says, “Keep Going.”

Seattle, WA, April 16, 2013 — “Nadine” is a French name that means “hope.” With the ongoing purpose of spreading hope to her readers and audiences, Seattle author and spoken word artist Nadine C. Keels recently released her ninth book, Love Unfeigned, and her first poetry album, Hope. Lyricized., within five weeks of each other. The album was released on April 1 in celebration of National Poetry Month.

“Bad news is inevitable,” Keels says, “so we must keep good news in demand. People need to be reminded that authentic love yet exists and that life, with all of its triumphs and trials, is still worth living. My novella, Love Unfeigned, is an invitation for imperfect human beings (in a word, everyone) to take their self-imposed bounds off of love and to let it live. After years of my listeners’ requests for an audio recording, Hope. Lyricized. is my response to the demand for hope in uncertain times, to positively impact how we view our circumstances and make decisions.”

Keels has been performing spoken word since 2006. Her latest presentation took place on March 30 at the One Love Urban Poetic Experience at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute in Seattle. The event, which featured nine selected local and national poets, was hosted by the nonprofit organization Of One Body, to support their relief work for underserved communities around the world.

Keels is one in a group of authors, with 20 books published between them, at Kingdom Family Worship Center International in Kent, home to a number of writers, actors, dancers, songwriters, and recording artists. The authors are currently working on their second anthology, set for a mid-May release. Keels says, “Conveying hope through literary and performing arts is a powerful way to tell humanity, ‘We haven’t set our goals for life in vain. We’ll make it if we keep going.’”

Find out about Nadine C. Keels and her books and spoken word at: www.prismaticprospects.wordpress.com

About Jeff Jacobs

Having lived in the Pacific Northwest his entire life, Jeff understands and delivers a different perspective about politics. Even though many may disagree with his language and writing style, you can't debate his passion for the Seattle area and his committment to a better society.

Joe Biden $585K Spending Spree In Paris (1 Night)

Joe Biden Paris Visit

The spending continues with Joe Biden making a trip to Paris last February.  The one night stay for him (and his team) came to $585,000.  Joe Biden and his team rented out 100 rooms at the Hotel Intercontinental Paris Le Grand (a 5 star hotel).  The average cost for a hotel room there is $475 per night and the presidential suite is a cool $3,900 per night.  The government contract was recently released to the public discussing the trip.  Specifics about whether he stayed in the presidential suite is not known, however.  There is another case of him and his team staying at the Hyatt Regency London in early February which total $459,000.  At least we don’t have a spending problem in America – two solid cases of the administration blowing more tax money.  Both contracts are available for the public to read it on the Fbo.gov website.

If spending your all your tax money like this doesn’t make you angry (and it should) then think about this… how about their honesty in reporting the facts about the visit?  Think about this… even if they purchased 100 presidential room suites for him and his team at the hotel for $3,900 each, they still wouldn’t have spent the full contracted amount of $585,000.

I have said it time and time again.  Before Obama and Biden are out of the office, our national debt will hit at least $20 trillion dollars.  It just continues to go up everyday and they simply don’t have courage to cut any real spending.  Just like the first 4 years in office, they are going to kick the spending can down the road for the next guy to handle.

Joe-Biden-Spending-Money-Photo

VP-Joe-Biden-Funny-Picture

 

About Jeff Jacobs

Having lived in the Pacific Northwest his entire life, Jeff understands and delivers a different perspective about politics. Even though many may disagree with his language and writing style, you can't debate his passion for the Seattle area and his committment to a better society.

Good Bye Century Link – I’m Cancelling

CenturyLink Cancelling

I’m so tired of the extra fees and taxes for services (phone, cable, heating, hotels etc).  It seems anymore the extra hidden fees are more than the services.  It’s like an open checkbook for companies and city officials to tack on the fees thus over inflating the prices.  You can’t even book a hotel in Seattle without paying a 20% tax on top of it!  With that being said, I am officially done with Century Link.  The time has come when a land line phone simply is not needed in my life.  Cells phones have greatly improved and the convenience of having a cell phone on you is a big bonus.  My home phone system will consist of a Straight Talk cell phone.  The service is prepaid and runs me $30 per month.  It uses all the cell phone towers of AT&T so the quality is great and consistent.  No extra fees, no BS, no personal info, no contract.  I pay online every month and it’s done.  They don’t bother me with [Read more...]

About Jeff Jacobs

Having lived in the Pacific Northwest his entire life, Jeff understands and delivers a different perspective about politics. Even though many may disagree with his language and writing style, you can't debate his passion for the Seattle area and his committment to a better society.

Hillary Clinton Comes Clean About Gay Marriage (Support)

Hillary Clinton Gay Marriage Support

Hillary Clinton came out of the closet this weekend with a video of her (more like a campaign pitch) view of supporting gay marriage.  The video included below is very much like a TV political campaign ad.  Watch it for yourself.  Many are saying this is her buildup for the 2016 presidential election.  Considering her Benghazi attack failure, I’m not sure that is possible.  That is whole another topic, however.

What I find most interesting about Hillary Clinton and her video release of supporting gay marriage is how long it took her.  My gosh Hillary Clinton was the first lady back in 1994.  So what the hell took so long to make the statement?  The reality is Hillary Clinton is just another [Read more...]

About Jeff Jacobs

Having lived in the Pacific Northwest his entire life, Jeff understands and delivers a different perspective about politics. Even though many may disagree with his language and writing style, you can't debate his passion for the Seattle area and his committment to a better society.

Davy Crockett Ship Owner Going To Prision

Going To Jail Bret Simpson, the owner of The Davy Crockett, will be sent to federal prison for 4 months (plus home detention time).  He was sentenced and charged due to him abandoning an old beat up barge in the Columbia River.  When Mr. Simpson got the 400 ft former Navy ship he figured he would just scrap it and walk off with a tidy sum of money.  It is believed his company, Principle Metals LLC, made $88,000 just for the first haul of metal.  Of course, it’s hard to provide an accurate number of metal as it would be easy to hide in my opinion.  With that being said, it probably was much more.  One thing we know for sure about the Federal Government is that if you’re hiding money, accept cash, or making it in a way that cannot be traced back then they get very angry.  They don’t support issues in which they are not getting their cut such as marijuana or prostitution for example.

This is the first case in Washington State that a boat owner was sent to [Read more...]

About Jeff Jacobs

Having lived in the Pacific Northwest his entire life, Jeff understands and delivers a different perspective about politics. Even though many may disagree with his language and writing style, you can't debate his passion for the Seattle area and his committment to a better society.

St Patrick’s Day Seattle

St Pattys In Seattle

Break out your bag pipes, irish food, and green beer because Seattle is celebrating St Patrick’s Day.  This weekend is going to be so much fun and the real party starts today (Saturday) and end late on Sunday.  This year there is even a St Patrick’s Day parade which starts at 12:30pm (Saturday) on 4th ave S from Jefferson.

On Sunday, over 17,000 runners are going to take over the city with The St Patrick’s Day Dash.  The event supports the Schrempt Foundation and children charities.  The St Patrick’s Day Dash is in its 29th year now.

The nightlife will of course be very exciting.  Some of my favorite spots tonight and tomarrow will be [Read more...]

About Jeff Jacobs

Having lived in the Pacific Northwest his entire life, Jeff understands and delivers a different perspective about politics. Even though many may disagree with his language and writing style, you can't debate his passion for the Seattle area and his committment to a better society.

Utrecht Art Supplies Self Portrait Art Contest

SEATTLE, WA – March 12th 2013 – Premier art supply retailer Utrecht Art Supplies announced today a painting contest entitled “Self Portraits” will begin taking submissions starting on Saturday March 15th at the Seattle store located on Capitol Hill.

Utrecht Art Supplies – Seattle chose to start their first annual art contest with the theme of “Self Portrait” in honor of the Seattle Art Museum’s European Masters exhibit, now on display, centered around the famous self portrait of the master himself – Rembrandt.

Contestants are asked to come into the store to fill out a formal entry form. Contestants will then be asked to complete a self portrait (of themselves) using the color palette of one of these old masters – Gainsborough, Rembrandt, or Van Dyck. Utrecht will make available the lists of the colors required to the public and will be selling discounted sets in the Seattle store only. Entries are due no later than Monday April 15th 2013 by 7pm. Contestants are entering for the chance to win one of four Utrecht Gift Cards in two categories, juried and popular vote. Contestants must be at least 18 years old or older.

Once all submissions have been received Utrecht will then showcase the submissions at the store starting on Wednesday April 17th 2013, wherein the public will be allowed to vote for their favorite self portrait. Popular vote submissions will no longer be accepted after 6PM on Saturday April 20th 2013. Utrecht will also hold a Juried exhibit during the same period the popular vote is occurring. The jury will be composed of one local artist – Damien Puggelli, a Seattle Art Museum representative, and one Utrecht store staff member – Chris Rollins, Assistant Manager.

Utrecht will hold an opening event on Saturday April 20th 2012 from 9am to 9pm to announce the juried and popular vote show winners. Winning artists will also be awarded their prize(s) at the show. The Juried show winners will be announced at 7PM with the popular vote winner announcement to follow at 8PM. The Juried competition winners will receive a Utrecht gift card in the amount of $100 for first place, $75 for second place, $50 for third place, and $150 for the most popular votes.

The show starting on Wednesday April 17th 2013 will run at the Utrecht Store until Wednesday May 15th 2013. Starting on Thursday May 16th the entries will be returned to the artists.

Utrecht Art Supplies – Seattle has been supplying Pacific Northwest artists and students on Capitol Hill for more than 14 years.

Contest Eligibility & Rules:

Eligibility

The Utrecht Art Supplies in Seattle, WA “competition title” Competition is open to legal residents of the United   States who are at least eighteen (18) years old at time of entry.

Timing

The Competition begins on Friday March 15th 2013 and ends on Wednesday April 17th 2013.

How to Enter

Visit Utrecht at 1124 Pike St in Seattle, WA and fill out the official contest registration form. Entry into contest is free.

Self Portrait must be 9”x12” and can be on any backing the artist chooses. Contestants may use Oil, Acrylic, or Watercolor paint only and must use a color palette from Rembrandt, Van Dyck, or Gainsborough (see attached list for specific colors).  Any Entry submitted after deadline of April 17th, 2013 at 7:00PM PST will be ineligible for Competition. Entries to the Competition must be submitted through the Utrecht Seattle Store.

Competition LIMITED TO THE FIRST 75 ENTRIES (in total) turned into UTRECHT.

Multiple entries not permitted. All entries become sole & exclusive property of Utrecht.

Winner Selection

On or about Thursday April 18th 2013 Customers visiting the Utrecht location at 1124 Pike St. in Seattle, WA will be eligible to cast a voting ballot selecting one entry based on quality and originality of work. Winners will be notified on or about April 20th, 2013. Results will be tabulated by Utrecht and be deemed Final upon completion of the voting process.

Prizes

Juried – 1 Utrecht Staff, 1 Museum Staff, 1 Local Artist*

1st Prize Winner – $100 Utrecht Gift Card

2nd Prize Winner – $50 Utrecht Gift Card

3rd Prize Winner – $25 Utrecht Gift Card

Popular Vote

Winner – $150 Utrecht Gift Card

Entry Conditions.

By entering the Competition, entrant represents and warrants to Utrecht as follows: (a) all elements of the Entry Materials may be reproduced and generally used by Utrecht as contemplated in these Official Rules without the knowledge, consent or approval of any third party; (b) entrant hereby grants Utrecht the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, assignable and royalty-free right to use the name, image, likeness, comments and biographical data of entrant, and to photograph, adapt and reproduce the Entry Materials, in its various products and services and the related advertising, publicity, promotional and marketing materials of Utrecht in any and all media, and to permit others to do so.

General Conditions

Utrecht reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Competition. Utrecht reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike, distasteful or disruptive manner.

About Jeff Jacobs

Having lived in the Pacific Northwest his entire life, Jeff understands and delivers a different perspective about politics. Even though many may disagree with his language and writing style, you can't debate his passion for the Seattle area and his committment to a better society.

Raising The Social Security Age

Social Security Age Increasing

Every year we hear the same news… people are living longer. These “studies” say the average expectancy now is 72 years old. Me, personally, know a lot more people who have died at a younger age than actually living until 72+. In fact, a just heard a friend of mine say her Mom died in her sleep just a few days ago. She was 54. Yesterday (3/5/13) we got the news one of the biggest managers in wrestling’s history (WWE) died and he was 58. His WIKI page is here. I honestly don’t believe the hype coming out of these “studies”. The realty is that everything you hear on the news/media, government, or these “age studies” needs to really be analyzed. All these organizations have a motive and propaganda to change your mind on issues. The scarcity or news (for or against) helps to convince the public to vote [Read more...]

About Jeff Jacobs

Having lived in the Pacific Northwest his entire life, Jeff understands and delivers a different perspective about politics. Even though many may disagree with his language and writing style, you can't debate his passion for the Seattle area and his committment to a better society.