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Memorial for Don Smathers this Wednesday in The JunctionMarch 30, 2015 at 9:34 am | In Obituaries, West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 3 Comments
We promised to let you know when we heard about memorial plans for Don Smathers, whose death at age 65 was reported here one week ago. We now know the gathering will be at 5 pm this Wednesday (April 1st) at Junction Plaza Park.
Congratulations to new West Seattle Eagle Scouts Jacob Carney, Spencer Gjording, John RoachMarch 29, 2015 at 8:09 pm | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 5 Comments
Thanks to Julie Nugent-Carney for the photo and report:
On Saturday, March 21st, Troop 282 recognized Jacob Carney, John Roach, and Spencer Gjording for achieving the Boy Scouts of America's highest award during their Eagle Court of Honor ceremony at Camp Long. Guest Speaker Joe McDermott, King County Councilmember, acknowledged their achievement and recalled his own experiences as a Boy Scout. Dow Constantine, King County Executive (and Eagle Scout), sent a congratulatory video message to the boys that was shown at the ceremony.
In addition to meeting all the requirements to achieve the Eagle Rank, the three young men led local community projects including revitalizing the community garden at Longfellow Creek near Sealth High School, restoring 150 feet of trail at Camp Schoenwald in Burien, and constructing raised garden beds for the Seattle Nativity School which was founded to help low-income, at-risk children prepare for college.
Julie shared this report on Jacob's project (Longfellow Creek) last May.
FOUND: Teenager no longer missingMarch 27, 2015 at 5:15 pm | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 2 Comments
SATURDAY UPDATE: Elvis was found at a friend's home. Thanks for being on the lookout.
Click to read the rest of FOUND: Teenager no longer missing…
UPDATE: Amanda Knox's conviction overturned by Italian courtMarch 27, 2015 at 2:47 pm | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 47 Comments
2:47 PM: The Associated Press reports that the much-awaited verdict is finally in from Italy, and that the murder conviction of Amanda Knox, who grew up in West Seattle, has been overturned. We're told paparazzi have been staked out in Arbor Heights, where much of her family lives, so you may see unusual media-type activity in the hours ahead. (Photo added – some of the photo/video turnout we saw there around 3:30 pm)
More to come.
3:04 PM: The British newspaper The Guardian is live-chronicling the verdict's aftermath on both sides of the Atlantic and says Knox supporters are celebrating at Salty's on Alki (WSB sponsor), where, their reporter writes, "When news of the verdict broke, the sound of fireworks briefly echoed triumphantly over the water." Knox has remained stateside during this legal proceeding; The Guardian says her lawyer told her about the decision, and she told him she was "very happy." The decision also exonerated her former boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito in the 2007 Perugia, Italy, killing of Knox's then-roommate Meredith Kercher.
4:46 PM: The Guardian's ongoing live chronicle includes a statement from Knox, including: "I am tremendously relieved and grateful for the decision of the Supreme Court of Italy. The knowledge of my innocence has given me strength in the darkest times of this ordeal. And throughout this ordeal, I have received invaluable support from family, friends, and strangers. To them, I say: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness has sustained me. I only wish that I could thank each and every one of you in person." In a separate statement, her family says they are "thrilled" and "grateful" and "want to express our profound gratitude to all of those who have supported Amanda and our family."
8:37 PM: Just before 8 pm, Knox made a short statement to the crews who had been staked out outside the Arbor Heights house. KING5.com has the video up.
Good luck to all in the State Geographic Bee today, including one more West Seattle competitor, Devin GravesMarch 27, 2015 at 10:29 am | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 2 Comments
The Washington State Geographic Bee is just getting under way at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. We've already featured three West Seattle competitors – and just learned about one more. At right, Devin Graves of Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) was crowned EWMS champion and then, as did the other competitors in Tacoma today, scored high enough on a written exam to make the state Bee. It's the third consecutive year that EWMS has been represented in the statewide competition. Good luck to Devin, and also to Jack Crowley from Madison Middle School (featured here March 13) and Aiden Houlette from Schmitz Park Elementary and Jean-Pierre Dufour from Westside School (WSB sponsor), both featured here Tuesday. We hope to know by late afternoon who's advancing to the national Bee in Washington, D.C., in May!
West Seattle Veteran Center reopening in The TriangleMarch 27, 2015 at 9:27 am | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 2 Comments
Just announced by American Legion Post 160 Commander Keith Hughes:
The West Seattle Veteran Center, an outreach of American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary Post 160, will reopen on Monday, March 30th.
The Center is located in the American Legion Hall at 3618 SW Alaska. Hours of operation will be:
Mondays 9 am-4 pm
Wednesdays/Thursdays 2 pm-8 pm
Fridays 9 am-4 pm
Closed Tuesdays/weekends
The West Seattle Veteran Center is an all-volunteer operation, and is here to serve all Veterans and their families, regardless of what branch of service or what time period they served.
If you are a Veteran living in the Southwest Corridor, you can help support the Center by joining American Legion Post 160. Membership is only $35 per year.
Award-winning basketball coach Sonya Elliott is leaving West Seattle High SchoolMarch 26, 2015 at 10:19 am | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people, WS & Sports | 2 Comments
(WSB photo from February 2015: Coach Elliott helps cut down net after Metro League title win)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
It's the epitome of "going out on top."
After a history-making season in which her team made it to the state tournament and won the Metro League championship, West Seattle High School girls' basketball head coach Sonya Elliott is leaving.
Elliott, a longtime West Seattle resident, was honored as Metro League Coach of the Year twice, in 2013 as well as this year, a showstopping season that concluded March 7th (WSB coverage here) – a season that, as she remarked at the WSHS pep rally before the team's first state game, had the whole school (and community!) cheering for girls' basketball.
She shared the news with WSB via e-mail late last night and said her players already know: "I won't be coaching at West Seattle next year. It was a really tough decision, because as you know there are some amazing girls on the team and we have all worked hard over the last 5 years to build the program, but it was time."
2014-2015 was Coach Elliott's fifth season leading the team. We first checked in with her during the first season – noting that she took over after a season in which the WSHS girls had won a total of three games, and that she brought in new initiatives including a holistic focus on academics as well as basketball fundamentals.
That first 2010 story featured an inspirational guest Elliott brought in to talk with her team; she continued that initiative up through this year, too. Elliott herself proved an inspirational figure beyond her basketball-coaching skills, with a story she turned into a book titled "Back on the Court," telling how she came back from a life-threatening and heartbreaking tragedy.
We have a followup question out about what's next for her, and we're also asking WSHS what's next for the team; we'll add updates as we get them.
Congrats and good luck! Local students Jean-Pierre Dufour and Aiden Houlette are also State Geography Bee-boundMarch 24, 2015 at 5:31 am | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 4 Comments
We now know at least three local students will be competing for the state Geography Bee championship this weekend:
Congratulations and good luck to Westside School (WSB sponsor) 6th grader Jean-Pierre Dufour. His dad Rene says this is Jean-Pierre's second year in the competition! Read more about his achievement on the Westside website.
Also Bee-bound, Schmitz Park Elementary 5th-grader Aiden Houlette:
Congratulations and good luck to Aiden, who won the schoolwide competition at SP. Aiden's mom Sarah says, "He has always had lots of questions about different regions of the world, been interested in maps, and enjoys his school's 'Passport' program. For now he's busy studying his geography books!"
Earlier, we featured Jack Crowley, a Madison student who'll be competing at the state Geo Bee too. It's happening this Friday (March 27th), 9 am-3 pm at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. The state champ will go to the national competition May 11-13 in Washington, D.C.
RIP, 'familiar friend in The Junction,' Don SmathersMarch 23, 2015 at 5:31 pm | In Obituaries, West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 49 Comments
(WSB photo, July 2012)
Sad news about someone we'll miss seeing around The Junction. Even if you didn't know his name, you've probably seen Don Smathers, shown at center in our photo from 2012, when Southwest Precinct officers helped him with one of the tasks he's handled over the years – putting up the flags for the 4th of July. We got word today from Susan Melrose at the West Seattle Junction Association that Don has died:
Don Smathers has been a familiar friend in The Junction for many years. This morning he passed away peacefully in his home in the Campbell Building, where he had lived for 25 years. We will have a memorial in Don's honor, but for now, we can take a moment to remember this kind soul.
We'll let you know when that is scheduled.
ADDED SUNDAY: 5 pm Wednesday, April 1st, in Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska).
Memorial service Friday for Jeffrey A. Hays, 1949-2015March 22, 2015 at 11:25 am | In Obituaries, West Seattle news, West Seattle people | No Comments
Long-time West Seattle resident Jeff Hays will be remembered and celebrated at a service this Friday. Here's the remembrance his family is sharing today:
Beloved husband, friend, and partner of 45 years, Jeffrey Allen Hays passed away suddenly on March 20, 2015. You know the answer to the Great Secret now, My Love. Go in Peace, taking my heart with you.
Born October 20, 1949, in Albuquerque, Jeff is survived by his wife, Janet, a West Seattle native; his brother and sister-in-law, Jonathan and Jenny Hays of Henderson, Nevada; five nieces, two nephews, two grandnieces, two grandnephews, and friends too numerous to count – we all love and miss you, Jeff.
Memorial Service takes place on Friday, March 27, 2015, from 1-4 p.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery and Funeral Home, 6701 30th Avenue SW. All are welcome who knew and appreciated this wry, suave, romantic gentleman. He could dance, too!
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to firstname.lastname@example.com)
Memorial on Monday for Roger Osman Loken, 1920-2015March 21, 2015 at 11:34 am | In Obituaries, West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 1 Comment
Memorial services are planned on Monday for Roger O. Loken, a U.S. Army veteran whose long and storied life also included careers in teaching and real estate. Here's the remembrance his family is sharing:
It is with deep sadness that we announce our dad, Roger Osman Loken, passed away on March 15, 2015 at the age of 94. He was born on November 26, 1920, in Seattle to Gilbert and Maud Loken. He grew up in Ballard, where he met his wife of 69 years at a dancing school. He graduated from Ballard High School in 1939 and shortly thereafter enlisted in the Army at the age of 18, serving as a First Lieutenant in WWII in the Army Signal Corps in North Africa and Italy.
In 1948 Roger graduated from the University of WA with a BS in Zoology and earned his degree in teaching. He was awarded a full scholarship to Oregon State University, earning a Masters Degree in Biology in 1962; he learned to write and speak German in order to research his thesis on tardigrades.
His teaching career began in 1949 at Kettle Falls High School, where he taught science and was Principal until 1954. For over 60 years, his beloved Kettle Falls students kept in touch with him through annual reunions and correspondence. After leaving Kettle Falls, he returned to his native Seattle, where he taught science at Denny Middle School from 1954-1957. He finished his teaching career at West Seattle High School from 1957-1967 where he taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
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West Seattle St. Patrick's Day celebrations: Pipes and drums at Alki Elementary, and …March 17, 2015 at 11:43 am | In Holidays, West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 5 Comments
11:43 PM: Thanks to Dave for sharing that video of the King County Firefighters Pipes and Drums outside Alki Elementary School this morning. What else is going on around West Seattle for St. Patrick's Day? Tipsters told us the famous "green stripe" in Admiral has been refreshed, so we're off to check that out. Anything else? Let us know and/or send a pic – thanks!
1:52 PM: The green stripe on 41st SW, looking north from the shamrock toward its end, at SW Hill:
VIDEO: See Art Wolfe's special West Seattle presentationMarch 15, 2015 at 4:45 pm | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people, WS culture/arts | 7 Comments
Award-winning West Seattle-based environmental/cultural photographer Art Wolfe has published more than 80 books and taken more than 2 million images in his storied career, according to his website. While he travels much of the year to seek and photograph what's beautiful in our world, on occasion he is able to stop down for a presentation – like the one shown in these two video clips, a recent gathering with the Southwest Seattle Historical Society's top supporters. While there wasn't enough room at the venue to open this event to the public, SWSHS executive director Clay Eals explains, Wolfe agreed to allow it to be recorded on video so it could be shared, and that's what we're doing here. His presentation included his most famous images as well as West Seattle photos from his early days.
Wolfe is a lifelong West Seattleite; his main gallery is in Pioneer Square. And, checking his website, we note he has a presentation coming up one month from today at Benaroya Hall downtown (April 15th) – find out more here.
Congrats! Madison student Jack Crowley heads to state Geo BeeMarch 13, 2015 at 6:37 pm | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people, West Seattle schools | 1 Comment
(Photo courtesy Sam Crowley)
Congratulations to Madison Middle School seventh grader Jack Crowley, who is headed to the Washington State Geographic Bee! It's the geography version of a spelling bee, and Jack's trip is hard-won, after months of competition at school, according to his mom Sam Crowley. The state-level competition happens two weeks from today (Friday, March 27) at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. Competitors are in grades four through eight; each state and U.S. territory will send its winner to the national competition in May at National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. Good luck, Jack!
MISSING PERSON: Search for Mark SponsellerMarch 12, 2015 at 10:04 am | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 3 Comments
FRIDAY UPDATE: Mr. Sponseller's family says he has been found, deceased.
Click to read the rest of MISSING PERSON: Search for Mark Sponseller…
VIDEO: Mayor Murray Q/A at 34th District Democrats' meetingMarch 11, 2015 at 11:21 pm | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people | No Comments
Big attention for West Seattle tonight from city leaders – while Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole answered questions in The Junction, Mayor Ed Murray answered a few in Fauntleroy. He was a semi-late addition to the 34th District Democrats' agenda, with growth, development, homelessness, and even architecture among the topics on which he was questioned in his 13-minute appearance – all on video above. Homelessness, Murray pointed out, is a national crisis, and Seattle can't solve it alone – state and federal assistance is necessary. He opened with what sounded a bit like a campaign speech, quick hits on points such as the increase in the city's minimum wage on April 1st (this city page explains who goes to $10 and who goes to $11 then).
Also there, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen:
He brought up city leaders' concern about a bill moving through the Legislature, asking people to pressure state legislators not to approve two bills that would change the rules for payday loans. While the 34th District's legislators are solidly against it – State Sen. Sharon Nelson led the charge to tighten payday-loan rules in 2009 – that's not a universal position for the party in this area, he said.
Next month's highlight: A full candidate forum for the District 1 City Council race.
Services Thursday in memory of Dr. J. Robert Long, 1923-2015March 8, 2015 at 6:34 pm | In Obituaries, West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 4 Comments
Family and friends will gather in West Seattle on Thursday to remember Dr. J. Robert Long. Here is the remembrance his family is sharing:
Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather Dr. J. Robert Long, born May 19, 1923, peacefully passed away in Seattle March 6, 2015.
He obtained his Doctorate of Education from the University of Washington. He was a life-long educator/administrator at West Seattle High School, Seattle University, University of Washington, and Shoreline Community College. He was dedicated to always being available to serve students.
He was a World War II Veteran, serving in the South Pacific. As a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, he led the meteorology unit in Okinawa.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Mercedes Long; his four children: Kathie Salonen (Bob), Bob Long, Sherrie Williams (John); and Kristie Farnworth (Steve). He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew him for his positive outlook. He always had a smile on his face and a joke on his lips. Above all else his primary dedication was to his family.
Services will be held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home on Thursday, March 12, 2015 at 2 pm, 6701 30th Ave. SW. Graveside services to follow. Reception to follow at Boulevard Park Place, 2825 S 125th St.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to firstname.lastname@example.com)
Memorial, reception this Sunday for Bob Dowding, 1947-2015March 6, 2015 at 1:14 pm | In Obituaries, West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 7 Comments
A bittersweet week for the Seattle Lutheran High School community – cheering its basketball team in the state tournament, while mourning longtime athletic director and teacher Bob Dowding. The service and reception to celebrate his life are set for this Sunday afternoon. Here's the remembrance his loved ones are sharing with the community:
Robert (Bob) Earl Dowding went to his Heavenly home on February 24, 2015, after valiantly battling cancer.
He was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, March 31, 1947, to Gerald and Eva (Rockenbach) Dowding. He attended country schools through 6th grade, after which he attended Palmyra, Nebraska, public schools. He graduated from Palmyra High School where he was active in football, basketball, track, chorus and class plays. Bob attended Sunday School and was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Eagle, Nebraska. He attended Concordia Teachers' College, Seward, Nebraska, where he majored in secondary education and played football.
After graduating from college, Bob taught 24 years in Southern California, 21 of those years at Orange Lutheran High School, Orange, California. He was one of the original five founding staff members. He served as Athletic Director/teacher and in the beginning set up and coached all-new sports programs. Bob then worked for 20 years at Seattle Lutheran High School as Athletic Director/teacher.
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Meet West Seattleite Erden Eruç, whose trip around the globe made history, Thursday at Emerald Water AnglersMarch 3, 2015 at 12:01 pm | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 4 Comments
(Photos courtesy Around-N-Over: Above, Erden's arrival in Louisiana during circumnavigation)
Did you know that Erden Eruç is one of your neighbors here in West Seattle?
He's in the Guinness Book of World Records as the first person to complete a solo human-powered circumnavigation of the planet. He did it without much fanfare, but fanfare wasn't the point – read about it here.
That would be the achievement of a lifetime, to say the least, for just about anyone. But it's one of many for Erden: Among other things, he's also the first person to have rowed the three major oceans (including 5,465 nautical miles across the Atlantic).
If you haven't met him yet – or even if you have! – you'll want to be at Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) in The Junction this Thursday night, 7-9, to see and hear from him and find out what he's planning next. He's not just resting on his achievements; he leads the nonprofit Around-N-Over, which supports his goal of educating and inspiring people, especially students, who he often tells: "When we dream big and choose to embark on a larger-than-life journey, success depends on taking a few big steps which are noteworthy in their own right or many small steps at a rapid pace."
Erden has been a West Seattleite for a year and a half, but has resided in Seattle "since 1999 except for a 1 year stint in Sydney, Australia," he tells us. He's getting ready for a new adventure you can read about here, but at EWA this Thursday night, he'll focus on the human-powered circumnavigation tale, plus "footage of fish that I caught given the focus of Emerald Water Anglers' store." If you haven't been to EWA yet (where the merchandise includes outdoor apparel, too, for more than fishing), it's on the ground floor of Oregon 42, southeast corner of 42nd and Oregon.
VIDEO: Record-setting WestSide Baby Benefit Tea crowd gives big, encouraged to 'look for the hidden need'March 1, 2015 at 9:53 pm | In How to help, West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 1 Comment
(Auction-style cards were held up at the tea to answer calls for donations)
Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers
While a room packed with more than 630 people giving to a nonprofit is a visible sign of caring and support, the people they're helping are too often not so easy to see. That reminder – to "look for the hidden need" — was the theme of this year's WestSide Baby benefit tea this afternoon at the SeaTac Hilton Conference Center.
The festive and friendly event not only set an attendance record, it raised more than $300,000 (midweek update: $315,000!) – up from last year, which in turn (despite a snow-suppressed turnout) was more than the year before. The increase in donations is vital because of an increase in what WS Baby is doing already, and what more it could be doing, as the nonprofit's leaders explained.
(Tea chair Beth Wright with WS Baby executive director Nancy Woodland)
The first speaker of the event, tea chair Beth Wright. said she is in awe of "neighbors helping neighbors" via WS Baby. When it began in the early 2000s, almost 200 children were served. This past year – more than 27,000 children. "So how do we get all of this done?" Wright answered her own question: Through donations and volunteers, comprising "an amazing network of support." Its partners number more than 120 – social-service agencies and other organizations serving families. "In supporting WestSide Baby," said Wright, "you are actually supporting those agencies" as well.
While WS Baby is known best for getting diapers to families who cannot afford them – executive director Nancy Woodland, who's been with WS Baby for nine years, told the tea attendees that so many other needs exist: "Every single baby deserves to have a safe place to sleep," for example, she said. Last year, WS Baby received 600 requests for cribs – a number roughly equal to those in attendance. But two-thirds of those requests could not be fulfilled. Here's video of her full speech:
That can change with actions beyond attending today's event, Woodland said: "Spread the word – host a donation drive – invite others to hear our stories – have members of the WestSide Baby board of directors come speak to your friends, or your workplace."
WestSide Baby needs to grow, said Woodland, explaining that it hopes to move to another location in White Center, "just down the block." And it needs a better online-ordering system. When they last increased their space in 2010, she noted, they were able to serve 26 percent more kids immediately: "More things can go in, more things can go out." She said WS Baby is now helping 1/20th of the number of families in need, around the county, illustrating this by having a few tables of teagoers stand up – about 1/20th of those in attendance. She stressed repeatedly that those in need don't display it – "to truly understand it, we need to look for the hidden need. … keep our eyes open so that our heart can act on this."
Those in the room got to meet one of WestSide Baby's clients, Karen, first via a video, then when she came up to speak.
She talked about having been homeless, and having become a mom at 16. She and her family have a home now, but she and her husband, both working full time, "live paycheck to paycheck." She spoke of having dreams for their sons, including a 4-month-old held by Woodland as his mom spoke, with his big brother standing alongside:
An early life of financial struggles was also described by featured speaker Kathy LeMay, founder/CEO of Raising Change:
"When Nancy talks about hidden need … I spent all my time (in childhood) trying to hide how poor I was." Her mother scraped to enable LeMay to go to college, and she talked about how surreal it seemed to have classmates asking "where do you summer?", and talking herself out of "the Pennsylvania mill-town accent." She also spoke of compassion – everyone is your neighbor, not just someone who lives by you – yet she is troubled to see "the shift away from compassion," as people try to set themselves apart from those in tough times, especially those who have made mistakes, though those are the people who need it most.
LeMay lauded those on hand for "showing big business and government what it's like to help people without judgment. … You just showed people what your character is. … We are all just trying to bring each other home." Compassion transforms you, she said. And she lauded the attendees again, for spending a Sunday afternoon to gather in an airport hotel to give. That preceded the card-raising gift-making opportunity.
After the speeches, the event moved to raucous rounds of giving and receiving. Cards were waved as calls were made to donate certain amounts, some of which were matched; emcee Ian Lindsay thundered through what seemed like amazingly endless lists of numbers, of people choosing to give beyond what they had donated for entry to the tea, with the hundreds of donors including County Councilmember Joe McDermott:
As for receiving, first, necklaces were sold as entries in the Tombola drawing – as modeled by Josh Sutton of the West Seattle YMCA (tea sponsor and WSB sponsor), at right below with City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen:
Woodland's children McInnis and Phineas helped with the drawings, as has become a WS Baby Tea tradition:
What they are holding in our photo are two of the famous Baby Cakes that also are available for purchase at the tea each year – created by Avalon Glassworks. The twist is that one box also included a $1,000 necklace donated by Wyatt's Jewelers (WSB sponsor) – so purchasers are asked to wait and open theirs simultaneously to see who got the necklace.
This year, it was Aileen, who was clearly thrilled:
The tea concluded with Lindsay's announcement of the grand total, which we recorded in this quick Instagram clip:
ALSO AT THE TEA: As seen in our video above of Nancy Woodland's speech, two volunteers were honored with the Donna Pierce (WS Baby founder) Service Award – Jerry Johnson of First Student, for making the "Stuff the Bus" diaper-drive bus happen every year (even though it's usually his birthday weekend!):
And devoted volunteer Laurie Pinard was honored too:
SPONSORS: The local businesses and organizations backing the tea included WSB sponsors too – Ventana Construction, Jackson, Morgan, & Hunt PLLC, Budget Blinds of West Seattle, West Seattle Thriftway, WEdesign, Inc., West Seattle Design Build, and as mentioned earlier, West Seattle YMCA and Wyatt's Jewelers; Alki Party Treasures donated part of the kids' birthday party package that was one of the Tombola prizes. Other organizations on the long list of sponsors included the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank; WCFB's executive director Rick Jump posed with board member Kari Holsberry (and a "babycake"):
HOW TO HELP WESTSIDE BABY ANY TIME: Money, volunteering time, items – how to give to WS Baby is all explained online. (Speaking of online, Woodland gave the crowd a quick sneak peek of a remodeled WS Baby website, launching soon!)
West Seattle(ites) weekend scene: Local Hot Chocolate runnersMarch 1, 2015 at 12:17 pm | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people | Comments Off
Thanks to Brenda for the photo. She reports:
11 of us women from West Seattle participated in and finished the Hot Chocolate 15k from the Space Needle. Beautiful day and a great race!
By the way, now that the race is over, the Highway 99 closure north of downtown is over too, and SDOT confirms that 99 has reopened both ways.
SIDE NOTE: Upcoming runs in our area (with online registration under way right now) include the White Center 5K on March 28th and the West Seattle 5K (co-sponsored by WSB) on May 17th!
2 days until Girl Scout Cookie sales in West Seattle (and beyond)February 25, 2015 at 1:45 pm | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 17 Comments
1:45 PM: If you're a fan of Girl Scout Cookies and haven't already procured them some other way, you should know that the official cookie-selling season begins Friday (February 27th). This year the online cookie-finder tool is at a different place – find it here – but works the same way: Put your zip code in the search box and you'll get a list of cookie-selling locations, dates, and times. Earliest ones we're seeing outside West Seattle businesses are at 2 pm Friday. If you're involved with a local Girl Scout troop, by the way, we welcome info and photos related to your sale (maybe somebody has a photo from the cookie-pickup event?) – e-mail email@example.com – thanks and good luck!
ADDED 2:41 PM: Thanks to Cheryl for obliging with the photo we've added above, from
this last year's event in which troops from all over this area retrieve their cookies from a loading dock on West Marginal!
Remembering Frederick W. Burns, 1947-2015February 18, 2015 at 4:01 pm | In Obituaries, West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 2 Comments
A celebration of life for Frederick W. Burns is planned for March 1st. His family shares this remembrance:
Frederick Wycliffe Burns passed away suddenly February 8, 2015 at Swedish Hospital surrounded by family. Born February 27, 1947, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Fred was a lifelong Seattle resident and Husky fan. He graduated from the University of Washington School of International Business and worked in the municipal bond business for more than three decades.
Fred was passionate, charismatic, and had a huge heart. He was dearly loved by many, including Shari, the love of his life; his daughter and son-in-law Catherine and Olivier Humbert, grandchildren Camille and Theo, his parents Donald and Elaine Burns, and his predeceased brothers Billy and Don Burns.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute in his memory to West Seattle Helpline or West Seattle Food Bank.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday March 1, 2015, 4-6 pm, at Salty's on Alki.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to firstname.lastname@example.com)
Centennial celebration next Saturday for West Seattle's Troop 284February 15, 2015 at 2:13 pm | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 3 Comments
"Happy birthday" wishes go out to West Seattle's Boy Scout Troop 284 – and this is a BIG birthday: The troop's centennial celebration. You're invited to join them for the party – whether or not you are or have been associated with Troop 284:
February 21, 2015, 5:30 pm
The Brockey Conference Center, at South Seattle College
On February 21, 2015, Boy Scouts of America Troop 284 will celebrate their 100-year anniversary as a continuously chartered troop in Seattle by hosting a Centennial Reunion & Dinner Celebration. We welcome friends, family, Scouts, and other interested persons to join us at the Brockey Conference Center at South Seattle College at 5:30 pm. Please register at seattlebsa.org/new/event-registration
Questions regarding banquet registration and Troop 284 information can be addressed to: email@example.com
Troop 284 was established in 1915 under the commission of William Barnet and remains chartered to the Boy Scouts of America through the West Seattle Kiwanis. Over the last 100 years, Troop 284 has proudly graduated 102 Eagle Scouts and provided 15,000 hours of service in and around the West Seattle community and beyond.
Since 1988, Troop 284 has maintained their commitment to the West Seattle Food Bank through the Scouting for Food drives; an annual program where the Scouts collect food donations from the West Seattle community. Over the last 27 years, Troop 284 has collected and donated more than 1,000 pounds of food per year to the food bank.
In keeping with their commitment to service, Troop 284 gathered at the West Seattle Food Bank on Jan. 24 to help assemble and install some much needed storage shelving.
Their Centennial Service Project was completed with assistance from Walter F. Toth Construction.
As our Troop transitions to our next 100 years, we hope you will stay in touch and continue to share in our Boy Scout journey. We welcome your support and involvement. For current Troop events: facebook.com/WSTroop284
Memorial on February 19th for Jimmy D. Picinich Jr., 1971-2015February 7, 2015 at 7:21 am | In Obituaries, West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 7 Comments
Services for Jimmy D. Picinich Jr., 43, are planned February 19th at Holy Rosary Church. Here's the remembrance his family is sharing:
Jimmy D. Picinich Jr., born April 30, 1971, passed away at home on January 30th.
Jimmy attended Holy Rosary, John F. Kennedy Catholic High School, and Shoreline Community College.
After completing his education, Jimmy began his career as a Seattle Longshoreman, a proud member of ILWU Local 19 for 25 years.
Jimmy leaves behind his wife Kelli, daughter Taylor, his loving parents Jim and Janet Picinich, sister Krista, brother-in-law Colin, nephew Jimmy, and niece Addison.
Services will be held at West Seattle Holy Rosary Church on Thursday, February 19th, at 10:30 am; reception to follow in Lanigan Gymnasium at Holy Rosary School.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to email@example.com)
Congratulations! Tomboy X founders' surprise football weddingFebruary 1, 2015 at 11:56 am | In West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 11 Comments
Thanks to Heather for tweeting the photo and the news of two West Seattle entrepreneurs tying the knot – in the Super Bowl teams' jerseys, no less: Naomi Gonzalez and Fran Dunaway, the West Seattleites who founded clothing company Tomboy Exchange in 2013, are newlyweds. Their Saturday wedding, according to a note on the Tomboy X website, was a surprise: "Everyone thought they were coming to play flag football but at halftime they sprung a surprise ceremony amongst their friends and family in Seattle." Heather adds via Twitter that the game resumed after the wedding, and ended in a 27-27 tie.
West Seattle brothers join in youth-led 'State of the Planet' eventJanuary 24, 2015 at 10:03 pm | In Environment, West Seattle news, West Seattle people | 11 Comments
(Photos by Andy Clark, courtesy 350 Seattle)
Last year they sang downtown at a rally of concern about exploding oil trains; today, West Seattle brothers Aji and Adonis Piper were part of the "State of the Planet" event at City Hall. Though City Councilmember Mike O'Brien was on hand, this event was led by young sustainability ambassadors, campaigning for two initiatives – first, the Billion-Tree Challenge:
According to the young advocates supported by 350 Seattle, if each person in our state planted 150 trees, that would add up to a billion new ones, creating, advocates say, a "carbon bank" to get through the rest of this century. The other proposal discussed today: Climate-change-warning labels on gas-pump nozzles in Seattle, something like this:
The Northern California city of Berkeley passed an ordinance last November approving that type of label; San Francisco is reported to be considering it. Those who attended today's event heard from Rob Shirkey, who has been campaigning for the pump labels in Canada. There is no formal proposal pending in Seattle yet.
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text:
Mr. Michael B. Lafleur
Neurological Surgery
- 7460 Docs Grove Cir
Orlando, FL 32819
- 2 Locations
- (407) 903-9360
Mr. Lafleur works in Orlando, FL and 1 other location and specializes in Neurological Surgery. Mr. Lafleur is affiliated with Dr P Phillips Hospital, Florida Hospital East Orlando, Florida Hospital Orlando, Health Central Hospital and Orlando Regional Medical Center. Mr. Lafleur speaks English and Spanish.
Gender: Not Available
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Neurological Surgery
Medical School: Not Available
*This physician has multiple office locations. See Office Information for details.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Are you Maria R Parkhurst?Claim your profile
Publications (31)241.81 Total impact
Article: Cancer Immunotherapy Based on Mutation-Specific CD4+T Cells in a Patient with Epithelial Cancer[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Limited evidence exists that humans mount a mutation-specific T cell response to epithelial cancers. We used a whole-exomic-sequencing-based approach to demonstrate that tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from a patient with metastatic cholangiocarcinoma contained CD4+ T helper 1 (TH1) cells recognizing a mutation in erbb2 interacting protein (ERBB2IP) expressed by the cancer. After adoptive transfer of TIL containing about 25% mutation-specific polyfunctional TH1 cells, the patient achieved a decrease in target lesions with prolonged stabilization of disease. Upon disease progression, the patient was retreated with a >95% pure population of mutation-reactive TH1 cells and again experienced tumor regression. These results provide evidence that a CD4+ T cell response against a mutated antigen can be harnessed to mediate regression of a metastatic epithelial cancer.Science 05/2014; 344(6184):641-5. DOI:10.1126/science.1251102 · 31.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Cancer testis antigens, such as NY-ESO-1, are expressed in a variety of prevalent tumors and represent potential targets for T-cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy. DNA encoding a murine anti-NY-ESO-1 TCR gene (mTCR) was isolated from immunized HLA-A*0201 transgenic mice and inserted into a γ-retroviral vector. Two mTCR vectors were produced and used to transduce human PBL. Transduced cells were cocultured with tumor target cell lines and T2 cells pulsed with the NY-ESO-1 peptide, and assayed for cytokine release and cell lysis activity. The most active TCR construct was selected for production of a master cell bank for clinical use. mTCR-transduced PBL maintained TCR expression in short-term and long-term culture, ranging from 50% to 90% efficiency 7-11 days after stimulation and 46%-82% 10-20 days after restimulation. High levels of interferon-γ secretion were observed (1000-12000 pg/mL), in tumor coculture assays and recognition of peptide-pulsed cells was observed at 0.1 ng/mL, suggesting that the new mTCR had high avidity for antigen recognition. mTCR-transduced T cells also specifically lysed human tumor targets. In all assays, the mTCR was equivalent or better than the comparable human TCR. As the functional activity of TCR-transduced cells may be affected by the formation of mixed dimers, mTCRs, which are less likely to form mixed dimers with endogenous hTCRs, may be more effective in vivo. This new mTCR targeted to NY-ESO-1 represents a novel potential therapeutic option for adoptive cell-transfer therapy for a variety of malignancies.Journal of immunotherapy (Hagerstown, Md.: 1997) 03/2014; 37(3). DOI:10.1097/CJI.0000000000000019 · 3.20 Impact Factor
Article: Clinical scale rapid expansion of lymphocytes for adoptive cell transfer therapy in the WAVE® bioreactor.[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To simplify clinical scale lymphocyte expansions, we investigated the use of the WAVE®, a closed system bioreactor that utilizes active perfusion to generate high cell numbers in minimal volumes. We have developed an optimized rapid expansion protocol for the WAVE bioreactor that produces clinically relevant numbers of cells for our adoptive cell transfer clinical protocols. TIL and genetically modified PBL were rapidly expanded to clinically relevant scales in both static bags and the WAVE bioreactor. Both bioreactors produced comparable numbers of cells; however the cultures generated in the WAVE bioreactor had a higher percentage of CD4+ cells and had a less activated phenotype. The WAVE bioreactor simplifies the process of rapidly expanding tumor reactive lymphocytes under GMP conditions, and provides an alternate approach to cell generation for ACT protocols.Journal of Translational Medicine 04/2012; 10:69. DOI:10.1186/1479-5876-10-69 · 3.99 Impact FactorThis article is viewable in ResearchGate's enriched formatRG Format enables you to read in context with side-by-side figures, citations, and feedback from experts in your field.
Article: Adoptive Transfer of Autologous Natural Killer Cells Leads to High Levels of Circulating Natural Killer Cells but Does Not Mediate Tumor Regression[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Adoptive transfer of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) can mediate regression of metastatic melanoma. However, many patients with cancer are ineligible for such treatment because their TIL do not expand sufficiently or because their tumors have lost expression of antigens and/or MHC molecules. Natural killer (NK) cells are large granular lymphocytes that lyse tumor cells in a non-MHC-restricted manner. Therefore, we initiated in a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of adoptively transferred autologous NK cells to treat patients with cancers who were ineligible for treatment with TIL. Patients with metastatic melanoma or renal cell carcinoma were treated with adoptively transferred in vitro activated autologous NK cells after the patients received a lymphodepleting but nonmyeloablative chemotherapy regimen. Clinical responses and persistence of the adoptively transferred cells were evaluated. Eight patients were treated with an average of 4.7 × 10(10) (± 2.1 × 10(10)) NK cells. The infused cells exhibited high levels of lytic activity in vitro. Although no clinical responses were observed, the adoptively transferred NK cells seemed to persist in the peripheral circulation of patients for at least one week posttransfer and, in some patients, for several months. However, the persistent NK cells in the circulation expressed significantly lower levels of the key activating receptor NKG2D and could not lyse tumor cell targets in vitro unless reactivated with IL-2. The persistent NK cells could mediate antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity without cytokine reactivation in vitro, which suggests that coupling adoptive NK cell transfer with monoclonal antibody administration deserves evaluation.Clinical Cancer Research 08/2011; 17(19):6287-97. DOI:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-11-1347 · 8.19 Impact Factor
Article: A TCR targeting the HLA-A*0201-restricted epitope of MAGE-A3 recognizes multiple epitopes of the MAGE-A antigen superfamily in several types of cancer.[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Adoptive immunotherapy using TCR-engineered PBLs against melanocyte differentiation Ags mediates objective tumor regression but is associated with on-target toxicity. To avoid toxicity to normal tissues, we targeted cancer testis Ag (CTA) MAGE-A3, which is widely expressed in a range of epithelial malignancies but is not expressed in most normal tissues. To generate high-avidity TCRs against MAGE-A3, we employed a transgenic mouse model that expresses the human HLA-A*0201 molecule. Mice were immunized with two HLA-A*0201-restricted peptides of MAGE-A3: 112-120 (KVAELVHFL) or MAGE-A3: 271-279 (FLWGPRALV), and T cell clones were generated. MAGE-A3-specific TCR α- and β-chains were isolated and cloned into a retroviral vector. Expression of both TCRs in human PBLs demonstrated Ag-specific reactivity against a range of melanoma and nonmelanoma tumor cells. The TCR against MAGE-A3: 112-120 was selected for further development based on superior reactivity against tumor target cells. Interestingly, peptide epitopes from MAGE-A3 and MAGE-A12 (and to a lesser extent, peptides from MAGE-A2 and MAGE-A6) were recognized by PBLs engineered to express this TCR. To further improve TCR function, single amino acid variants of the CDR3 α-chain were generated. Substitution of alanine to threonine at position 118 of the α-chain in the CDR3 region of the TCR improved its functional avidity in CD4 and CD8 cells. On the basis of these results, a clinical trial is planned in which patients bearing a variety of tumor histologies will receive autologous PBLs that have been transduced with this optimized anti-MAGE-A3 TCR.The Journal of Immunology 01/2011; 186(2):685-96. DOI:10.4049/jimmunol.1001775 · 5.36 Impact Factor
Article: Rapid production of clinical-grade gammaretroviral vectors in expanded surface roller bottles using a "modified" step-filtration process for clearance of packaging cells.[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Production of clinical-grade gammaretroviral vectors for ex vivo gene delivery requires a scalable process that can rapidly generate large amounts of vector supernatant, clear large numbers of residual packaging cells with minimal decreases in vector titer, and satisfy all current regulatory guidelines regarding product biosafety. To that end, we have developed a simplified method that is compliant with current good manufacturing practices for the production of clinical-grade gammaretroviral vectors in a clinical research environment. We validated a large-scale production platform utilizing 1,700-cm(2) expanded surface roller bottles and a "modified" step-filtration process consisting of a 40/150-μm dual-screen filter for aggregate removal followed by a Sepacell 500II leukocyte reduction filter for removal of residual packaging cells. This clarification process can clear at least 2 × 10(9) viable producer cells using a single filter set-up without any significant loss of titer post-filtration. This platform typically generates 18 liters of vector supernatant to support small-scale clinical trials, but can easily be scaled up to 70 liters during a single manufacturing run. To date, this platform has generated five clinical-grade gammaretroviral vector products, four of which are now being used in adoptive cell therapy clinical trials for the treatment of a variety of solid cancers.Human gene therapy 01/2011; 22(1):107-15. DOI:10.1089/hum.2010.064 · 4.20 Impact Factor
Article: T cells targeting carcinoembryonic antigen can mediate regression of metastatic colorectal cancer but induce severe transient colitis.[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Autologous T lymphocytes genetically engineered to express a murine T cell receptor (TCR) against human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were administered to three patients with metastatic colorectal cancer refractory to standard treatments. All patients experienced profound decreases in serum CEA levels (74-99%), and one patient had an objective regression of cancer metastatic to the lung and liver. However, a severe transient inflammatory colitis that represented a dose limiting toxicity was induced in all three patients. This report represents the first example of objective regression of metastatic colorectal cancer mediated by adoptive T cell transfer and illustrates the successful use of a TCR, raised in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) transgenic mice, against a human tumor associated antigen. It also emphasizes the destructive power of small numbers of highly avid T cells and the limitations of using CEA as a target for cancer immunotherapy.Molecular Therapy 12/2010; 19(3):620-6. DOI:10.1038/mt.2010.272 · 6.43 Impact Factor
Article: Characterization of genetically modified T-cell receptors that recognize the CEA:691-699 peptide in the context of HLA-A2.1 on human colorectal cancer cells.[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor-associated protein expressed on a variety of adenocarcinomas. To develop an immunotherapy for patients with cancers that overexpress CEA, we isolated and genetically modified a T-cell receptors (TCRs) that specifically bound a CEA peptide on human cancer cells. HLA-A2.1 transgenic mice were immunized with CEA:691-699. A CEA-reactive TCR was isolated from splenocytes of these mice and was genetically introduced into human peripheral blood lymphocytes via RNA electroporation or retroviral transduction. Amino acid substitutions were introduced throughout the complementarity determining regions (CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3) of both TCR alpha and beta chains to improve recognition of CEA. Murine lymphocytes bearing the CEA-reactive TCR specifically recognized peptide-loaded T2 cells and HLA-A2.1(+) CEA(+) human colon cancer cells. Both CD8(+) and CD4(+) human lymphocytes expressing the murine TCR specifically recognized peptide-loaded T2 cells. However, only gene-modified CD8(+) lymphocytes specifically recognized HLA-A2.1(+) CEA(+) colon cancer cell lines, and tumor cell recognition was weak and variable. We identified two substitutions in the CDR3 of the alpha chain that significantly influenced tumor cell recognition by human peripheral blood lymphocytes. One substitution, T for S at position 112 (S112T), enhanced tumor cell recognition by CD8(+) lymphocytes, and a second dually substituted receptor (S112T L110F) enhanced tumor cell recognition by CD4(+) T cells. The modified CEA-reactive TCRs are good candidates for future gene therapy clinical trials and show the power of selected amino acid substitutions in the antigen-binding regions of the TCR to enhance desired reactivities.Clinical Cancer Research 02/2009; 15(1):169-80. DOI:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-08-1638 · 8.19 Impact Factor
Article: Extrathymic generation of tumor-specific T cells from genetically engineered human hematopoietic stem cells via Notch signaling.[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of tumor-reactive lymphocytes has been shown to be an effective treatment for cancer patients. Studies in murine models of ACT indicated that antitumor efficacy of adoptively transferred T cells is dependent on the differentiation status of the cells, with lymphocyte differentiation inversely correlated with in vivo antitumor effectiveness. T-cell in vitro development technologies provide a new opportunity to generate naive T cells for the purpose of ACT. In this study, we genetically modified human umbilical cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to express tumor antigen-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) genes and generated T lymphocytes by coculture with a murine cell line expressing Notch-1 ligand, Delta-like-1 (OP9-DL1). Input HSCs were differentiated into T cells as evidenced by the expression of T-cell markers, such as CD7, CD1a, CD4, CD8, and CD3, and by detection of TCR excision circles. We found that such in vitro differentiated T cells expressed the TCR and showed HLA-A2-restricted, specific recognition and killing of tumor antigen peptide-pulsed antigen-presenting cells but manifested additional natural killer cell-like killing of tumor cell lines. The genetic manipulation of HSCs has broad implications for ACT of cancer.Cancer Research 04/2007; 67(6):2425-9. DOI:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-3977 · 9.28 Impact Factor
Article: Presentation of tumor antigens by dendritic cells genetically modified with viral and nonviral vectors[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Genetic modification of dendritic cells (DCs) with recombinant vectors encoding tumor antigens may aid in developing new immunotherapeutic treatments for patients with cancer. Here, we characterized antigen presentation by human DCs genetically modified with plasmid cDNAs, RNAs, adenoviruses, or retroviruses, encoding the melanoma antigen gp100 or the tumor-testis antigen NY-ESO-1. Monocyte-derived DCs were electroporated with cDNAs or RNAs, or transduced with adenoviruses. CD34+ hematopoietic stem cell-derived DCs were used for retroviral transduction. Genetically modified DCs were coincubated with CD8+ and CD4+ T cells that recognized major histocompatibility complex class I- and class II-restricted epitopes from gp100 and NY-ESO-1, and specific recognition was evaluated by interferongamma secretion. Cytokine release by both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells was consistently higher in response to DCs modified with adenoviruses than cDNAs or RNAs, and maturation of DCs after genetic modification did not consistently alter patterns of recognition. Also, retrovirally transduced DCs encoding gp100 were well recognized by both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. These data suggest that DCs transduced with viral vectors may be more efficient than DCs transfected with cDNAs or RNAs for the induction of tumor reactive CD8+ and CD4+ T cells in vitro and in human vaccination trials.Journla of Immunotherapy 11/2006; 29(6):616-27. DOI:10.1097/01.cji.0000211312.36363.56 · 3.35 Impact Factor
Article: Comparison of common gamma-chain cytokines, interleukin-2, interleukin-7, and interleukin-15 for the in vitro generation of human tumor-reactive T lymphocytes for adoptive cell transfer therapy.[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The adoptive transfer of human tumor-reactive T lymphocytes into autologous patients can mediate the regression of metastatic melanoma. Here, the in vitro generation of melanoma-reactive T lymphocytes was compared using 3 common gamma-chain cytokines, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-7, and IL-15, alone or in combination. The proliferation, function, and phenotype were evaluated for tumor-reactive T cells derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients previously immunized with the melanoma-associated peptide gp100:209-217(210M) and PBMCs transduced with a retrovirus encoding the alpha and beta chains of a gp100-reactive T-cell receptor (TCR). IL-7 alone did not induce significant proliferation of any tumor-reactive T-cell population, whereas IL-2 and IL-15 induced significant proliferation of tumor-reactive T lymphocytes from both sources. Cells cultured in the presence of IL-2 or IL-15 secreted comparable amounts of interferon-gamma and IL-2 in response to melanoma cells in vitro and were phenotypically similar in terms of costimulatory molecules (CD27 and CD28), cytokine receptors (CD25, CD122, and CD127), and a lymphoid homing molecule (CD62L). In addition, the proliferation, function, and phenotype of T cells cultured with combinations of IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15 were similar to those grown with IL-2 alone. The effects of these cytokines on TCR stimulation of CD45RA+ naive cells derived from adult patients and from human umbilical cord blood were also compared. Similar to the data with activated tumor-reactive T lymphocytes, IL-7 alone did not support significant proliferation of naive T cells after TCR stimulation with anti-CD3, although IL-2 and IL-15 induced comparable proliferation of T lymphocytes with similar phenotypic attributes.Journla of Immunotherapy 01/2006; 29(3):284-93. DOI:10.1097/01.cji.0000190168.53793.6b · 3.35 Impact Factor
Article: Immunization of patients with the hTERT : 540-548 peptide induces peptide-reactive T lymphocytes that do not recognize tumors endogenously expressing telomerase[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Telomerase is an attractive target antigen for cancer immunotherapies because it is expressed in >85% of human tumors but is rarely found in normal tissues. A HLA-A*0201-restricted T-cell epitope was previously identified within telomerase reverse transcriptase hTERT:540-548. This peptide was reported to induce CTL that recognized tumor cells and transfectants that endogenously expressed telomerase. Therefore, we initiated a clinical protocol to evaluate the therapeutic and immunological efficacy of this peptide. Fourteen patients with metastatic cancers were vaccinated with hTERT:540-548 emulsified in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. In 7 patients, peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected after immunization recognized hTERT:540-548, whereas those collected before vaccination did not. However, none of these CTLs recognized tumors that endogenously expressed telomerase, and none of the patients had an objective clinical response. Several highly avid T-cell clones were generated that recognized T2 cells pulsed with <or=1 nm hTERT:540-548, but none of these recognized HLA-A*0201(+) hTERT(+) tumors or cells transduced with the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene. Also, an antibody specific for hTERT:540-548/HLA-A*0201 complexes stained peptide-pulsed cells but not telomerase(+) tumors. Our results are discordant with previous studies and those of a clinical trial that claimed peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients vaccinated with peptide-pulsed dendritic cells lysed hTERT(+) tumors. However, our findings are consistent with a previous study that demonstrated that the hTERT:540-548 peptide is cleaved in the proteasome. These results suggest that hTERT:540-548 is not presented on the surfaces of tumor cells in the context of HLA-A*0201 and will not be useful for the immunotherapy of patients with cancer.Clinical Cancer Research 08/2004; 10(14):4688-98. DOI:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-04-0325 · 8.19 Impact Factor
Article: Induction of CD4+ Th1 lymphocytes that recognize known and novel class II MHC restricted epitopes from the melanoma antigen gp100 by stimulation with recombinant protein.[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: CD4+ T helper cells may play a critical role in the induction and maintenance of a therapeutic immune response to cancer. To evaluate the efficacy with which a recombinant tumor-associated protein can induce antigen-reactive CD4+ T cells, we stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with melanoma in vitro with the purified melanoma antigen gp100 produced in Escherichia coli. In preliminary experiments, we observed that peripheral blood mononuclear cells could process and present known HLA-DRbeta1*0401 and HLA-DRbeta1*0701 restricted epitopes to gp100-reactive CD4+ T cell lines after being loaded exogenously with protein. Therefore, we used autologous protein-loaded peripheral blood mononuclear cells as antigen presenting cells. From four of nine patients who expressed both HLA-DRbeta1*0401 and HLA-DRbeta1*0701, we raised five gp100-reactive CD4+ T cell populations that secreted TH1 type cytokines in response to exogenously loaded protein as well as target cells that endogenously expressed gp100 and MHC class II molecules, including transfectants and melanoma cells. Four of the five cultures specifically recognized the known HLA-DRbeta1*0401 and HLA-DRbeta1*0701 restricted epitopes gp100:44-59 and gp100:170-190, respectively. The fifth culture, and 30 T cell clones derived from it, specifically recognized a new peptide, gp100:420-435, in the context of HLA-DRbeta1*0701. These results suggest that recombinant tumor-associated proteins may be clinically applicable for the generation of CD4+ T helper cells in active vaccination strategies or adoptive cellular immunotherapies.Journla of Immunotherapy 03/2004; 27(2):79-91. DOI:10.1097/00002371-200403000-00001 · 3.35 Impact Factor
Article: Hybrids of dendritic cells and tumor cells generated by electrofusion simultaneously present immunodominant epitopes from multiple human tumor-associated antigens in the context of MHC class I and class II molecules.[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Hybrid cells generated by fusing dendritic cells with tumor cells (DC-TC) are currently being evaluated as cancer vaccines in preclinical models and human immunization trials. In this study, we evaluated the production of human DC-TC hybrids using an electrofusion protocol previously defined for murine cells. Human DCs were electrically fused with allogeneic melanoma cells (888mel) and were subsequently analyzed for coexpression of unique DC and TC markers using FACS and fluorescence microscopy. Dually fluorescent cells were clearly observed using both techniques after staining with Abs against distinct surface molecules suggesting that true cell fusion had occurred. We also evaluated the ability of human DC-TC hybrids to present tumor-associated epitopes in the context of both MHC class I and class II molecules. Allogeneic DCs expressing HLA-A*0201, HLA-DR beta 1*0401, and HLA-DR beta 1*0701 were fused with 888mel cells that do not express any of these MHC molecules, but do express multiple melanoma-associated Ags. DC-888mel hybrids efficiently presented HLA-A*0201-restricted epitopes from the melanoma Ags MART-1, gp100, tyrosinase, and tyrosinase-related protein 2 as evaluated by specific cytokine secretion from six distinct CTL lines. In contrast, DCs could not cross-present MHC class I-restricted epitopes after exogenously loading with gp100 protein. DC-888mel hybrids also presented HLA-DR beta 1*0401- and HLA-DR beta 1*0701-restricted peptides from gp100 to CD4(+) T cell populations. Therefore, fusions of DCs and tumor cells express both MHC class I- and class II-restricted tumor-associated epitopes and may be useful for the induction of tumor-reactive CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells in vitro and in human vaccination trials.The Journal of Immunology 06/2003; 170(10):5317-25. DOI:10.4049/jimmunol.170.10.5317 · 5.36 Impact Factor
Article: Stimulation of tumor-reactive T lymphocytes using mixtures of synthetic peptides derived from tumor-associated antigens with diverse MHC binding affinities[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The use of reverse immunology may be necessary to identify new tumor-associated antigens, particularly for cancers, against which tumor-reactive T cell populations have been difficult to establish. One approach has been to screen peptides derived from a candidate antigen with high major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binding affinities for the induction of tumor-reactive T lymphocytes in vitro. However, many candidate antigens that are overexpressed in tumors are nonmutated self-proteins, and unlike foreign or mutated proteins, immunodominant epitopes may not be expressed at high density on the surface of tumor cells. Therefore, to identify tumor-associated epitopes, it may be necessary to screen large panels of peptides with wide ranges of MHC binding affinities. The current methodology of stimulating peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from donors expressing the MHC molecule of interest with individual peptides is impractical for screening such large panels. Therefore, we evaluated the use of mixtures of peptides with variable MHC binding affinities for the induction of tumor-reactive T lymphocytes with the melanoma antigens gp100 and an alternate isoform of tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP2-6b) as models. A mixture of 10 known human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*0201-restricted peptides from gp100 induced melanoma-reactive cytotoxic T lymphoycte (CTL) from multiple patients with metastatic melanoma. The majority of these T cell populations recognized the known immunodominant epitopes gp100:209-217 and gp100:280-288, even though the HLA-A*0201 binding affinities of these peptides were much lower than other peptides in the mixture. Similarly, melanoma-reactive CTL were generated with a mixture of HLA-A*0201-restricted peptides from TRP2-6b, and these responses were directed against the previously identified tumor-associated epitopes TRP2-6b:180-188, TRP2-6b:288-296 and TRP2-6b:403-411. These results suggest that the use of peptide mixtures may facilitate the identification of new tumor-associated antigens through the application of reverse immunology.Journal of Immunological Methods 06/2003; 276(1-2):103-19. DOI:10.1016/S0022-1759(03)00078-4 · 2.01 Impact Factor
Article: Identification of BING-4 cancer antigen translated from an alternative open reading frame of a gene in the extended MHC class II region using lymphocytes from a patient with a durable complete regression following immunotherapy.[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Multiple human cancer Ags have been identified, although little is known concerning which would be most effectively used in cancer immunotherapy. To gain insight into the selection of appropriate Ags, the immunologic reactivity of a patient who had a durable complete regression of melanoma metastases was measured. PBMCs were directly cloned using the monoclonal anti-CD3 Ab OKT3 and IL-2 without any bias introduced by previous culture. A lymphocyte clone recognized a previously unknown shared melanoma Ag that was identified as the BING-4 protein encoded in a gene-rich region of the extended class II MHC. The HLA-A2-restricted BING-4 immunodominant peptide was translated from a 10-aa-long alternative open reading frame. In vitro sensitization against this peptide generated lymphocytes reactive against HLA-A2(+) melanomas. Real-time semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that 8 of 15 melanoma cell lines overexpressed BING-4, and this correlated with recognition by lymphocytes. Overexpression was not found in normal tissues or other tumor types. Thus, BING-4 represents another candidate Ag for possible use in the immunotherapy of patients with melanoma.The Journal of Immunology 04/2002; 168(5):2402-7. DOI:10.4049/jimmunol.168.5.2402 · 5.36 Impact Factor
Article: Identification of a New Shared HLA-A2.1 Restricted Epitope From the Melanoma Antigen Tyrosinase.[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Tyrosinase has many advantages as a target antigen for the immunotherapy of patients with melanoma because it is expressed in nearly all melanoma specimens with a high degree of cellular homogeneity, and its distribution in normal tissues is limited to melanocytes. To broaden our ability to direct cellular immune responses against this protein, we pursued an investigation to identify new shared human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2.1 restricted epitopes from tyrosinase. Peptides were synthesized that fit a permissive HLA-A2.1 binding motif and did not span common sites of polymorphism. The binding affinity of each peptide to HLA-A2.1 relative to a standard peptide with intermediate binding affinity was evaluated in a competitive inhibition assay. Twelve peptides were selected that had binding affinities within 80% of that of the standard peptide, and these were used to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro from three HLA-A2.1+ patients with metastatic melanoma. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes that specifically recognized peptide-pulsed target cells as well as HLA-A2.1+ tyrosinase+ melanoma cells were raised from one patient with tyrosinase:8-17 (CLLWSFQTSA). To evaluate further the immunogenicity of this peptide, PBMC from 23 HLA-A2.1+ patients were stimulated in vitro with tyrosinase:8-17. Eleven bulk T-cell cultures demonstrated specific peptide recognition, and six of these also recognized HLA-A2.1+ tyrosinase+ melanoma cells. These data suggest that tyrosinase:8-17 may be clinically useful for the treatment of patients with melanoma.Journal of Immunotherapy 06/2001; 24(3):212-220. DOI:10.1097/00002371-200105000-00004 · 3.35 Impact Factor
Article: Sequential 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine-Depsipeptide FR901228 Treatment Induces Apoptosis Preferentially in Cancer Cells and Facilitates Their Recognition by Cytolytic T Lymphocytes Specific for NY-ESO-1.[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: SUMMARY: Global alterations in chromatin structure profoundly influence gene expression in thoracic neoplasms, silencing tumor suppressors while facilitating the expression of various cancer testis antigens such as NY-ESO-1. Although recent studies have shown that histone deacetylase inhibitors can potentiate tumor suppressor gene induction mediated by demethylating agents in cancer cells, the ability of these agents to augment cancer testis antigen expression have not been fully defined. The authors designed the current study to determine whether the histone deacetylase inhibitor, depsipeptide FR901228 (DP), could enhance NY-ESO-1 induction mediated by the DNA demethylating agent 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC) in cell lines established primarily from thoracic cancers. Quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that, under exposure conditions potentially achievable in clinical settings, DAC dramatically induced NY-ESO-1 expression in cultured cancer lines. DP alone mediated negligible target gene induction but significantly augmented DAC-mediated induction of NY-ESO-1. After DAC or sequential DAC-DP treatment, HLA-A*0201 cancer cells were recognized by an HLA-A*0201 CTL specific for NY-ESO-1. Although sequential DAC/DP exposure did not uniformly enhance immune recognition of target cells compared with DAC alone, this treatment mediated profound induction of apoptosis in cancer cells but not normal human bronchial epithelia. The apoptotic effects of DAC, DP, or sequential DAC-DP did not correlate in an obvious manner with histology, or the magnitude of NY-ESO-1 induction in cancer cells. Although the mechanisms have not been fully defined, sequential DAC-DP treatment may be a novel strategy to augment antitumor immunity in cancer patients.Journal of Immunotherapy 04/2001; 24(2):151-161. · 3.35 Impact Factor
Article: Induction of tumor-reactive cytotoxic T-lymphocytes using a peptide from NY-ESO-1 modified at the carboxy-terminus to enhance HLA-A2.1 binding affinity and stability in solution.[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: NY-ESO-1 is an attractive candidate tumor antigen for the development of immunotherapy for a wide variety of cancers. It is expressed in multiple types of tumors, but its normal tissue distribution is predominantly limited to the testes and ovaries; furthermore, both humoral and cellular immune responses can be mounted against this protein. Three overlapping HLA-A2.1-restricted T-cell epitopes have been identified within NY-ESO-1. In this investigation, the authors evaluated the in vitro immunogenicity of these peptides. From 2 of 12 HLA-A2.1+ patients with metastatic melanoma, peptide-reactive cytotoxic T-lymphocytes were generated using either NY-ESO-1:157-167 or NY-ESO-1:157-165 but not NY-ESO-1:155-163. Because NY-ESO-1:157-165 is a 9 amino acid peptide completely contained within NY-ESO-1:157-167, it seemed likely that this peptide was the minimal determinant, and thus it was selected for continued study. An amino acid substitution of C to V was introduced into NY-ESO-1:157-165 at P9 to attempt to improve its immunogenicity by enhancing its binding affinity to HLA-A2.1 and increasing its stability in solution, because the C residue is readily oxidized, leading to dimerization of the peptide. From 5 of 20 HLA-A2.1+ patients with metastatic melanoma, NY-ESO-1:157-165(165V) stimulated cytotoxic T-lymphocytes in vitro, which recognized peptide-pulsed target cells and HLA-A2.1+ NY-ESO-1+ tumor cells, suggesting that this peptide may be clinically valuable for the treatment of patients with NY-ESO-1+ tumors.Journla of Immunotherapy 01/2001; 24(1):1-9. DOI:10.1097/00002371-200101000-00001 · 3.35 Impact Factor
Article: MHC class I-restricted recognition of a melanoma antigen by a human CD4+ tumor infiltrating lymphocyte.[Show abstract] [Hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: It is generally considered that MHC class I-restricted antigens are recognized by CD8+ T cells, whereas MHC class II-restricted antigens are recognized by CD4+ T cells. In the present study, we report an MHC class I-restricted CD4+ T cell isolated from the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) of a patient with metastatic melanoma. TIL 1383 I recognized HLA-A2+ melanoma cell lines but not autologous transformed B cells or fibroblasts. The antigen recognized by TIL 1383 I was tyrosinase, and the epitope was the 368-376 peptide. Antibody blocking assays confirmed that TIL 1383 I was MHC class I restricted, and the CD4 and CD8 coreceptors did not contribute significantly to antigen recognition. TIL 1383 I was weakly cytolytic and secreted cytokines in a pattern consistent with it being a Th1 cell. The avidity of TIL 1383 I for peptide pulsed targets is 10-100-fold lower than most melanoma-reactive CD8+ T cell clones. These CD4+ T cells may represent a relatively rare population of T cells that express a T-cell receptor capable of cross-reacting with an MHC class I/peptide complex with sufficient affinity to allow triggering in the absence of the CD4 coreceptor.Cancer Research 01/2000; 59(24):6230-8. · 9.28 Impact Factor
Top Journals
NCI-FrederickФредерик, Maryland, United States
National Institutes of Health
Maryland, United States
- Branch of Surgery
National Cancer Institute (USA)
Maryland, United States
- • Surgery Branch
- • Center for Cancer Research
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas, United States
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Maryland, United States
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation


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The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Santa Monica
Relaxed, historic vibe
The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, a 1921 Santa Monica landmark, blends elegance with the relaxed comfort of a family beach hotel. On a bluff overlooking the Pacific, the property is right across Ocean Avenue and PCH from the state park. Ocean Front Walk is half a mile away.
Walk to shops, pier
Santa Monica offers plenty to do, much within walking distance of the hotel, like Palisades Park, about a 10-minute walk. The shops and restaurants of Third Street Promenade are about 3 blocks away. Santa Monica Pier is less than a mile south.
Luxuries galore
Available WiFi and a 24-hour business center make work a snap, but it's more fun to explore with the free shuttle service. You can get your health fix on site at the 24/7 fitness center, swimming pool, or Exhale Spa. Later, kick back at the poolside bar or dine at FIG restaurant.
Relaxing hideaway
Guests can choose an elegant guestroom, spacious suite, or secluded garden bungalow with private patio. While you take in the ocean or city views your room's coffee maker can give your mornings a nudge. At night, you can sink into Frette bed linens in front of the TV.
The stay was comfortable and enjoyable.
Arrived at 4:30P, was told that our room wasn't ready. The whole family had to sit in the…
Enter dates to check prices
Hotel Info: 866-539-8117from $382
- Junior Suite
- Signature Bungalow
- Signature Palisades Ocean View Suite
- Fairmont Palisades King
- Palisades Suite
- Premier Ocean View King
- Signature Bungalow King with Patio
- Deluxe King
- Miramar Ocean View Suite
- Fairmont Palisades Double
- Deluxe King - Ocean View
- Fairmont Double
- Fairmont King
- Deluxe Double
- Deluxe Double - Ocean View
Recommended hotels
At a glance
Key facts
Hotel size
- This hotel has 302 rooms
- This hotel is arranged over 10 floors
- Check-in time starts at 3 PM
- Check-out time is noon
- Express check-out
Required at check in
- Credit card or cash deposit required
- Government-issued photo ID required
Travelling with others
- Children (17 years old and younger) stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding
- Babysitting/childcare
- Pets allowed (dogs and cats only)
- Restrictions apply *
- 1 per room
Extra people
- Roll-away beds available, charges may apply*
- WiFi and wired Internet access in public areas *
- WiFi and wired Internet access in rooms *
- Valet parking *
- Accessible parking
Nearby Four Star Santa Monica hotels
In the hotel
- Breakfast (surcharge)
- Restaurant
- Bar/lounge
- Poolside bar
- 24-hour room service
- Outdoor pool
- Beach/pool umbrellas
- Health club
- Full-service spa
- Spa treatment room(s)
- Spa tub
- Sauna
- Number of meeting rooms - 11
- Conference space
- Meeting rooms
- Conference space size (feet) - 25000
- Conference space size (meters) - 2323
- Computer station
- 24-hour front desk
- Limo or Town Car service available
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Hair salon
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Luggage storage
- Wedding services
- Number of buildings/towers - 3
- Year Built 1914
- Elevator/lift
- ATM/banking
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Designated smoking areas (fines apply)
- Garden
- Television in lobby
- Disabled parking
- Accessible path of travel
- Braille or raised signage
- Accessibility equipment for the deaf
- Accessible bathroom
- In-room accessibility
- Roll-in shower
In the room
- Climate control
- Air conditioning
- Minibar
- Coffee/tea maker
- Bathrobes
- Iron/ironing board
- Hypo-allergenic bedding available
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Turndown service
- Private bathroom
- Shower/tub combination
- Designer toiletries
- Hair dryer
- 42-inch LCD TV
- Pay movies
- Premium TV channels
- IPod docking station
- Desk
- Free newspaper
- WiFi (surcharge)
- Phone
- Refrigerator (on request)
- Free bottled water
- Daily housekeeping
- In-room safe (laptop compatible)
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
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"Good location. Check in was a problem as both keys did not work. Needs to offer non feather pillows as very allergic."Mar 8, 2015
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Nearby hotels
Special features
The Exhale Mind/Body Spa at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows offers a relaxation lounge; a menu of therapy services and fitness programs; and fully appointed changing rooms with steam, sauna, lockers, and showers. A spa pavilion includes five therapy rooms and an area dedicated to nail care.
Awards and affiliations
Green / Sustainable Property
This property participates in Green Key Eco-Rating Program, a program that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural-heritage, the local economy.
- The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows is listed in the 2011 Travel + Leisure 500.
The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Santa Monica's small print
Also known as
- Fairmont Miramar Hotel
- Fairmont Miramar Hotel Santa Monica
- Fairmont Miramar
- Fairmont Miramar Santa Monica
- The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
- Bungalows
- Fairmont Hotel Santa Monica
- Santa Monica Fairmont
- Miramar Santa Monica
- Fairmont Santa Monica
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
Pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation.
Optional extras
Valet parking costs USD 42.90 per night with in/out privileges
WiFi is available in guestrooms for USD 5.99-15.99 per 24-hour period (rates may vary)
WiFi is available in public areas for USD 5.99-10.00 per 24-hour period (rates may vary)
High-speed Internet access (wired) is available in guestrooms for USD 5.99-15.99 per 24-hour period (rates may vary)
High-speed Internet access (wired) is available in public areas for USD 5.99-15.99 per 24-hour period (rates may vary)
We have included all charges provided to us by this hotel. However, charges can vary, for example, based on length of stay or the room you book.


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5168 Civic Center Drive · Waterford MI, 48329 · 248.674.4831
Teen Summer Reading starts today! If you'd like to participate, stop by the Adult Reference Desk to register.
Here's some information about the program: Read more
The Taken by Vicki Pettersson
"Mystery, crime-scene drama, and more than enough romance to keep the herat pumping blend seamlessly into an enthralling read." - Kim Harrison
The Neruda Case by Roberto Ampuero
"A sweeping mystery set against the backdrop of the Chilean coup." - Isabel Allende
The Wrong Man by David Ellis
"David Ellis's pages throb with action and suspense." - James Patterson
Curse of the Jade Lily by David Housewright
Rushmore McKenzie, a St. Paul detective, acts as go-between with the local art museum and the ransomer of a stolen gem.
Burning Midnight by Loren D. Estleman
P.I. Amos Walker helps his friend Inspector John Alderdyce with a teen gang member in Detroit's Mexicantown.
Starting June 1, the Library has a new web-based system for our calendar of events. The new calendar allows you to
You can see how many spaces are available for programs and get automatically signed-up on a waiting list if a program is full. From the home page, select Events/Programs to access the new calendar of events. If you don't care to register yourself online, Library staff can still register you or cancel your registration over the phone or in person. (It will be easier and more streamlined for staff to use too!)
The Reckoning by Jane Casey
"To the public, he's a hero: a brutal killer who targets sex offenders... but to Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan, he's a murderer - no matter the sins of his victims - and catching him is her job."
Nightworld by F. Paul Wilson
Nightworld brings the Repairman Jack series to "an apocalyptic finale as Jack and Glaeken search the Secret History to gather a ragtag army for a last stand against the Otherness and a hideously transformed Rasalom."
Hard Country by Michael McGarrity
A novel of the Old West and one family's struggle to settle in the untamed territory of New Mexico.
As the Crow Flies by Craig Johnson
Wyoming Sheriff Walt Longmire investigates a death on the Cheyenne Reservation.
The Stonecutter by Camilla Lackberg
A Swedish bestseller by the same author of The Ice Princess.
The Lower River by Paul Theroux
The Solitary House by Lynn Shepherd
Historical suspense set in the world of Charles Dickens.
The Reverend's Wife by Kimberla Lawson Roby
Another installment in the Reverend Curtis Black series
A Fatal Fleece by Sally Goldenbaum
A Seaside Knitters Mystery
Ada's Rules: a Sexy Skinny Novel by Alice Randall
With her twenty-five-year college reunion coming up, Ada Howard decides to to find time to take care of herself for a change.
Life Without Parole by Clare O'Donohue
The second mystery to feature the television producer Kate Conway, following Missing Persons.
Afterwards by Rosamund Lupton
"In the aftermath of the devastating fire that almost destroys her family, Grace embarks on a mission to find the person responsible and protect her children from further harm."
This is a very touching book about how 8 brides come to the Magic Room at Becker's Bridal, for their special wedding dresses. It focuses on the changing views of how they dress for the occasion, as things have changed from the young sheltered brides of the early 20th century to the modern brides now. Each story speaks of their hopes for the future and for what we wish our daughters to find in a marriage. It is told from the Becker family multi-generational oowners of the shop and is very touching. I really enjoyed it, although I often had to stop and dab at my eyes as the stories unfolded. It's a shame that Jeffrey Zaslow was recently killed in an auto accident and won't live to share this moment with his young daughters. As he reflected that he was looking forward to doing that, just before he died.
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5168 Civic Center DriveWaterford, Michigan 48329 248.674.4831 Location Map
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25 Easy to Make Homemade Jewelry Crafts
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Ocean Opulence Earrings
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Enjoy the colors of the ocean no matter where you are with these Ocean Opulence Earrings. Perfect for wearing year round, these elegant and lovely earrings are great for pairing with all your favorite outfits. These earrings are easy to make for beginners and also make a great gift for all the women on your list. While these earrings showcase lovely blue beads, you can easily use any beads you happen to have on hand to make these lovely DIY earrings.
- 4x Silver Eye Pins
- 2x Silver Bead Caps
- 2x Flat Silver Bead Caps
- 2x Large Glass Blue Beads
- 2x Small Blue Beads
- 2x Earring Hooks
- 4x Jump Rings
- Wire Cutters
- Round Nose Pliers
- Chain Nose Pliers
- After threading on the large glass beads onto 2 eye pins, thread a silver bead cap onto each one. Then Clip off extra wire and make a loop with round nose pliers.
- Then thread both small blue beads onto separate eye pins, clip of extra wire and make a loop with round nose pliers.
- Taking your chain nose pliers open 4 jump rings. Connect large glass beads to the flat bead cap, then attach the top of the flat bead cap to another jump ring which is attached to the small blue bead on the eye pin.
- Open earring hooks and thread on both earrings.
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