Palm Springs inspires local author

By Jesse Nance
The Beacon

Hundreds of Edmonds folks and thousands of Seattleites vacation each year in Palm Springs, arguably the golfing capital of the United States.

Michael Thompkins, a retired Edmonds psychologist, was on vacation there four years ago when he met a young street musician and, for no particular reason, imagined:

“What if? What if this young man had witnessed a hit man in action?  What if the Palm Springs police psychologist, Dr. Tom Reynolds, and his friend Lt. Brett Wade tried to keep the young man alive?”

This chance encounter Thompkins inspired Thompkins to write his first novel, “Gun Play, vol. 1,” the first in a series of crime fiction novels aptly dubbed “The Shooting Shrink.”

It took only several months for “Gun Play” to sell out its first printing last year.  The unique crime fiction setting of Palm Springs, Thompkins says, no doubt adds to the book’s allure.

 “Palm Springs is a paradox,” he says.  “It’s diverse – Indians were there first.  Then, Mexicans, whites, gays and straights.  It has to work out, and both the left and the right realize that.”

In doing research for the crime series, Thompkins has cultivated connections to police officers in both Edmonds and Palm Springs. 

He recently gave a copy of “Gun Play” to every Edmonds police officer. 

The next book in the series - which will features some familiar main characters in a slightly different setting (Honololu) - has already been written.  It is scheduled to be published sometime next year.

Crediting his background as a psychologist and veteran of counseling police officers as excellent training in fiction writing, Thompson routinely offers workshops and conferences around the country for aspiring crime fiction writers. 

Thompkins recently started a website where fans can read interesting blog articles on both the characters and locations of the novels, and the real people and places in Palm Springs. 

He and wife Judith Babcock, M.D., physician at the Edmonds Birth and Family Clinic at Stevens Hospital, have lived in Edmonds since 1980, raising two grown children, Colin and Katie. 

“He can’t hear you,” his wife often complains jokingly to friends.  “He’s lost in the series.”

Public Works swallows engineering division

In the continuing process of examining city departments and staff in order to increase efficiencies, Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson has permanently placed the engineering division under the umbrella of the Public Works department.

Previously, the engineering division was under the Development Services department, along with the planning and building divisions. After internal discussions, it was determined that changing the engineering division’s reporting sequence was both logistically practical at this time and more in line with organizational structures of comparable jurisdictions.

The City engineer position, which is currently open due to the retirement of Dave Gebert, who served in that position for over seven years, will be filled, and this individual will report directly to the Public Works director.

Noel Miller, the City’s Public Works director, will serve as the interim City engineer until the position is filled.

Donations sought for firefighter
garage sale

The proceeds from this annual garage sale benefit you.

The sale, to be held July 25 and 26, is the Edmonds Fire Safety Foundation’s 7th annual sale to help support the local fire department with equipment and training aides used in fire and rescue services. 

         Ultimately, of course, this benefits residents in emergency situations.

         Since the Foundation was founded in 1996 it has donated more than $150,000 worth of fire and life safety tools and equipment to the Edmonds Fire Department. 

         So if you have items you no longer use, they will gladly accept your donation and assist in transporting those items. (Due to space limitations, the foundation regrets not being able to accept large appliances, computers, TV sets, clothing or exercise equipment.)

         The garage sale will be held on the grounds of the Cain Residence (520 - Forsyth Lane).

         Whether downsizing or decluttering, the Foundation asks that you think of them when donating your no longer used treasures.

         For more information, call president Greg Jorgenson at (425) 772-8115 or email Mark Foote at jefe12@comcast.net. 

New opportunities for those with MS

Since its founding 10 years ago, the MS Donor Closet at 409 Howell Way has recycled 56,000 medical items and contributed $110,000 in financial assistance to people afflicted with MS.

Starting in May, the Edmonds-based non-profit organization will hold free monthly drawings for a free recycled scooter or power chair for someone with multiple sclerosis.

The scooters and power chairs have all been checked out, refurbished with new batteries, and are ready for use.

To qualify for the monthly draws, an individual needs to provide proof from a doctor that he or she has MS.

They must also complete an MSHH Donor Closet monthly drawing form, available by email: info@mshelp.org or by calling (425) 712-1804.

One drawing form is all that’s needed to be entered in all future drawings.  The winning client need not be present at the drawing to win – all winners will be notified after the event.

For a minimum suggested donation, recycled scooters, power chairs and other medical and mobility equipment items are also available to those who have been denied help from Medicare, Medicaid, DSHS, private insurance companies and other social-service agencies.

For information about other services and resources available to people with MS, call the organization’s president, Bill Brayer, at (425) 712-1804.

Culinary student to help cater Cannes Film Festival

             Culinary Arts student Robert Schaudt of Edmomds Community College will help prepare food for guests attending the internationally renowned Cannes Film Festival this month, as part of the American Pavilion culinary team.

            The team, which serves press, filmmakers, stars and industry professionals,

prepares up to 1,000 meals per day during the festival in France.  Schaudt

was one of 35 culinary students selected for the program from a pool of

1,200 applicants.

            While taking classes toward a two-year culinary arts degree, Schaudt works as a Chef at Dan Thiessen’s O/8 Seafood Grill in Bellevue. After graduation, Schaudt plans to open his own restaurant, specializing in tapas, desserts and wine.

            Schaudt’s favorite dessert? Chocolate lava cake, he says.

            Before coming to the college, Schaudt sold cars. “I was making great money, but it wasn’t my dream,” he said. “My wife encouraged me to go back to

school for a career I really loved and I have passion for food and wine.”

            For more information about Culinary Arts at Edmonds Community College, call (425) 640.1644, or visit http://clart.edcc.edu.