Q: Mr. Federal Way, we were so disappointed that the Mirror did not cover the recent “Shindig” fundraiser for the Performing Arts and Conference Center. Why doesn’t the Mirror support such a worthwhile project?

A: Mr. Federal Way doesn’t need to spell out what happens to people when they assume things — at least not in this community paper.

But before Mr. Federal Way answers your question, some context to the situation may offer more illumination than the mini-flashlight some keep in their pockets.

Last week, Mirror staff heard feedback and criticism from several people in Federal Way, expressing disappointment that newspaper staff were not at the event. On Monday, the newspaper received two letters to the editor on the subject. On Tuesday, the editor was approached during an election night party at the Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club with similar comments.

These people were probably prompted by one of the Shindig’s performers, who made a big fuss during the event that no one from the Mirror was present. Mr. Federal Way will leave it up to your imaginations to decide whether Mr. Federal Way heard the artist’s comment from him, or from Mr. Federal Way’s insiders.

Nevertheless, the puzzling thing is that Mirror staff had been in touch with the event organizers since early October trying to land an interview with one of the Shindig’s performers, Robert McPherson. The Mirror hoped to interview McPherson and publish a preview story prior to the event to ensure a packed house the night of the fundraiser.

An event organizer notified staff that she contacted the artist and urged him to contact the newspaper on numerous occasions. The Mirror was disappointed that the artist never responded.

The newspaper published a write-up about the event in print a week prior to the event and also included information in our community calendar for weeks leading up to the Shindig — the same treatment we would give to any other community effort such as this. So the assumption that the Mirror doesn’t support the Performing Arts and Conference Center is outrageous. Mr. Federal Way is certainly a patron of the arts and may purchase tickets to future performances there if the price is right.

And Mr. Federal Way will stress that our editorial board has never endorsed the project, one way or the other.

The bigger question is, what prompted the Shindig performer to call out the Mirror?

Donning Mr. Federal Way’s investigative cap, Mr. Federal Way discovered that the artist who made the comment was McPherson himself.

Mr. Federal Way can only conclude the following: that McPherson’s inbox was full and he did not receive any of the emails that the event organizers allegedly sent him notifying him of the Mirror’s requests for an interview; that those alleged emails went into his spam folder; that event organizers never sent said emails or spoke to a McPherson look-alike; that McPherson made those comments in jest and some attendees have a weak sense of humor; or the artist didn’t have time to respond to the Mirror and, as a result, the event organizers blamed the Mirror for not publishing the story they had envisioned.

Whatever the case, Mr. Federal Way hopes whoever is behind this strange madness will stop playing games and, if you feel like the newspaper is unsupportive of a particular endeavor, then write a letter to the editor with substantial reasons why.

Q: Mr. Federal Way, I shop at the Costco right along Enchanted Parkway in Federal way and also across the street at the Crossings complex. In the last year, I have noticed an increase in the number of panhandlers in this area. They used to be only at the stop sign next to the Olive Garden as you exit the business center, but now they are at every single corner, including the major traffic signals. What do you think is the cause of this increase and do you think something can be done about it?

A: Mr. Federal Way has noticed panhandlers in these areas too and even saw a woman with two young daughters panhandling in front of Walmart recently. While Mr. Federal Way sympathizes with panhandlers whose dire situations lead them out on the streets, Mr. Federal Way generally refrains from doling out dough and gives, rather, to local organizations that combat more systemic issues, such as homelessness.

While some organizations do not correlate homelessness and panhandling because they don’t keep track of the latter, Mr. Federal Way has no doubt the two are connected.

And you are probably seeing a surge in panhandlers this year because King County experienced a significant surge in homeless people from 2013 to 2014.

King County has one of the nation’s best-established counts of the homeless called the One Night Count. Every year at the end of January, hundreds of volunteers take to the streets of various cities throughout the county for three hours and take an actual head count of homeless people.

In 2013, volunteers counted at least 2,736 men, women and children without shelter during the count throughout the county — including 118 homeless in Federal Way.

This year, volunteers counted over 9,294 homeless people. A total of 113 homeless people were counted in Federal Way, including 28 men, three women, one minor and 81 with unknown genders.

Fifty-five were found sleeping in cars and trucks, two in doorways, 19 in bushes, 18 walking around, among other places. While this year’s count in Federal Way found five less people than last year, Mr. Federal Way doesn’t think that means much.

Homelessness and panhandling are transient by nature and people migrate to wherever they can find resources, shelter and safety.

There are two trends largely responsible for the homelessness surge over the past 20 years: a growing shortage of affordable rental housing and a simultaneous increase in poverty, according to FUSION (Friends United to Shelter the Indigent, Oppressed and Needy).

The most common causes of homelessness for families include a lack of or reduced income, medical and family emergencies and domestic violence, according to FUSION’s website.

So panhandling is no doubt an issue if you correlate it to the number of homeless people on Federal Way streets.

But if you’re looking for a legal remedy to the issue, you’re not going to find one. It’s not illegal to panhandle.

But Federal Way does have an ordinance prohibiting aggressive panhandling. City ordinance article 6, section 188 defines aggressive begging as begging with intent to intimidate another person into giving money or goods. Police don’t approach men or women who are simply holding signs on public property.

So what can you do?

Volunteer to participate in this year’s One Night Count to gain a deeper understanding of homelessness and the issues homeless people face.

Or donate to a worthwhile local organization that addresses homelessness and poverty. Three of Mr. Federal Way’s favorites are FUSION (www.fusionfederalway.org, 253-874-1257), Reach Out (www.reachoutfederalway.org, connect@reachoutfederalway.org) and Multi-Service Center (www.multi-servicecenter.com, 253-838-6810).

Q: Mr. Federal Way, I attended the veterans flag raising event with U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and it was very touching. Are you a veteran?

A: None of your business.

Got a question for Mr. Federal Way? Email mrfederalway@federalwaymirror.com