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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 28 No. 4J, J , 14, 901 Miyoshi delegation enjoys memorable Sister City visit THE HAZELNUT A City of Tukwila publication for our residential and business communities VOLUME 28, NUMBER 4 SEPTEMBER 2007 The first official delegation from Miyoshi, Japan arrived for a brief visit in Tukwila on Thursday, August 23. The delegation consisted of 19 members, ten junior high school students and nine adults, representing the Sister City Committee and Miyoshi's Exchange Association. The group was welcomed to the "Land of the Hazelnuts" at a traditional Ameri- can barbecue, complete with ribs and s'mores, hosted by Vern and Joan Mery- hew. Jumping in the swimming pool proved to be a welcome activity on the 80 -degree Seattle -blue-sky day, before each visitor ended the day at one of nine different host homes. The following day included a special tour of Safeco Field, a trip to the Mariners Team Store, and more individual host family activities for the delegation members. When the group departed early Saturday morning to spend several days in The Dalles, Oregon, Miyoshi's other Sister City, the common request voiced by many was, "we need more time in Tukwila." Past delegations have typically spent four to five days here with their host families A Tukwila delegation of students and adults will travel to Miyoshi City for the first time in April 2008. This will be the tenth delegation traveling to Japan under Tukwila's Sister City program. Presentations will be made this fall to stu- dents at Showalter and Foster about what can be the trip -of -a -lifetime opportu- nity. Students and adults wishing to be part of the delegation must complete an application process, as well as raise their own funds and participate in cultural and basic language training sessions. For trip planning purposes, delegation membership needs to be determined prior to the end of the year. The Sister Cities Program offers a unique and unequaled opportunity to estab- lish friendships with people of a different culture. It has proven to be one of the most enjoyable and personally enriching programs offered in our community. If you have questions regarding the Sister Cities Program, please contact the Mayor's Office at 206 433-1844, or email sistercities@ci.tukwila.wa.us. Tukwila City Council Actions: June, July and August, 2007 June Awarded contract to L. W Sundstrom, Inc., for construction of Macadam Winter Garden. Approved contract with Museum of Flight for marketing Tukwila and Seat- tle Southside Visitor Services to visitors from outside the region. Approved supplement to existing con- tract with Siemens ITS for software integration services for Tukwila Urban Center Signal Interconnect & ITS Proj- ect. Approved declaration of emergency and authorized contract with R. L. Alia Co., for repairs to collapsed sewer. Approved seven street vacations for the Sound Transit Link Light Rail Project. Approved amendment to Foster Golf Course food concessions agreement with Gordy's of Tukwila. Approved consultant contract with Beckwith Consulting Group for devel- opment of Six -Year Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan. Authorized Mayor to increase Park Dept. staff by .25 full-time employee. Held public hearing on and approved resolution adopting 2008-2013 Trans- portation Improvement Program. Approved resolution declaring two city - owned properties on S. 180th St. to be surplus and authorizing their sale. Awarded contract to Road Construc- tion Northwest, Inc., for construction of seven projects in 2007 Small Drain- age Program. Approved permit for "Family 4th at the Fort" fireworks display. Approved ordinances adopting 2006 International Fire Code and making minor clarifications. Approved resolution rejecting bid for Tukwila International Boulevard Phase 1 Final Cleanup Project. Awarded consultant agreement to Mi- rai Transportation Planning & Engineer- ing for update to Concurrency Model. Approved extension of lease agree- ment with Timothy O'Brien for Neigh- borhood Resource Center. July Held public hearing and approved ordi- nance adopting moratorium on filing of permits for animated, electronic, and holographic signs. Approved ordinance adopting the 2006 State Building Code. Pedal with the President The July Pedal with the Presi- dent was great! A group of residents took the opportunity to take a short bike ride with Council President Verna Grif- fin and other Councilmembers along the Duwamish Trail from the Tukwila Community Cen- ter to Fort Dent Park and back. Awarded consultant contract with KPFF for Type, Size and Location Re- port for Tukwila Urban Center Pedes- trian/Bicycle Bridge. Approved resolution rejecting bids for repair and painting of Green River Pe- destrian Bridge near S. 180th Street. Approved ordinance authorizing con- demnation of land, if necessary, for construction of Tukwila International Boulevard Phases 2 & 3. Approved resolution authorizing pur- chase of emergency advisory AM radio station from Information Station Spe- cialists, Inc. Held public hearing and adopted zon- ing code amendments to raise thresh- old for SEPA environmental review, create process for determining number of wetland mitigation credits for off- site mitigations, restrict expansion of houses into non -conforming setbacks, and allow retaining walls in residential setbacks. August Reappointed Elda Mercado and ap- pointed Terra Straight to Human Ser- vices Advisory Board. Appointed Trish Gilmore to Arts Com- mission and Brad Knutson, Mhairi Voelsgen, Mike Schabbing to Lodging Tax Advisory Board. Approved ordinance establishing sew- er and water connection fees for Allen- town Phase 2 and Foster Point. Approved change order to contract for the Westfield North Sewer Repair. Approved supplement to contract with Abacus Engineered Systems for Stand- by Power Upgrades to City facilities. For up-to-date information about Council meetings/agendas/activities, visit our website: http://www.cLtukwila.wa.us 2 THE HAZELNUT COUNCIL CORNER Changing the World One Place at a Time by Verna Griffin, Council President I've been reading a very good book — "The Great Neighborhood Book — A Do -it Yourself Guide to Place - making," by Jay Walljasper. The in- troduction explains the following: "The neighborhood is the basic unit of human civilization. Unlike cities, counties, wards, townships, enterprise zones, and other artificial entities, the neighborhood is easily recognizable as a real place. It's where our lives unfold day after day — meeting friends at the coffee shop, chatting with neighbors on the street, going about our busi- ness in stores, parks, gathering spots, and our own backyard... At their best, neighborhoods function as villages, in which residents' lives overlap in posi- tive ways. We look out for one another and share a public life in common. Ev- eryone who wants to change the world, or simply make improvements in their own lives, is well advised to sit down with the neighbors and work together to make their dreams come true. You'll be surprised what can be accomplished if you are willing to think big about your little place in the world." How many of us truly know our neigh- bors? How often do we chat before we leave for work or when we get home? How often do we speak with our neigh- bors about how to make our world a little bit better? How can we foster a sense of community in our neighbor- hood? The book outlines these ways: Smile! Wave! Greet everyone! When you see your neighbor, say hello! A simple smile and a hello can turn your day around. Add a bench! Does your yard have room for a simple bench? The book talks about a gentleman who thought that his house, which sat on a corner, was one of the great places in the neigh - borhood. He tore out his fence and put in a bench. He threw a street party and pretty soon everyone came by to sit on the bench. It was a place for young and old alike. Pretty soon oth- ers in the neighborhood started adding benches. It's a chance to meet people you would not otherwise meet. Spark a revival of old-fashioned neighborliness! When I was younger my mother and the others in the neigh- borhood would always take a casserole over to the family down the block that had a sick family member or a death in the family. You could say that was when women did not work outside the home and now we are so busy that we hardly have time to feed our own fami- lies let alone others. However, with a little effort, a neighborhood could chart out how everyone can take turns doing yard work and household errands for older people or people who are over- whelmed with everyday life. Give yourself a break! We can live in the best city in the world (which I be- lieve I do) and the best neighborhood, but if you don't slow down and take the time to find out what is right outside your front door and down the street, chances are it won't feel that great for too long. Slow down, get outside and see what's up in your neighborhood. Get your daily dose of vitamin TI Do you miss the days when everything seemed more spirited and spontane- ous? Instead of having to phone or email friends to arrange time together three weeks from now, you wish you'd just run into them. Nicholas Albery, an English author and social vision- ary, was a pioneer using the Internet to build community. But he was also aware of how modern conveniences keep us from our local world. He wrote that "new technologies enable us to expand our horizons by hooking up with far-flung people who share our exact same interests, yet it can still feel like something's missing... for most of human history we lived in small tribal groups of 50 to 250 people, and at an instinctive level we still crave bonds to people outside our immediate fami- lies." Albery called this Vitamin T. He organized a tea party. I challenge you to see if you need more Vitamin T. Ask yourself, How many local people: ...have you chatted with in the last week? ...have you said "hi" or nodded to in a public place during the last week? ...have you interacted with — a reli- gious service, a meal with neigh- bors, a drink at the local Starbucks — in your neighborhood last week? ...would you count on to visit you or help with meals and other tasks if you were seriously ill? ...would you feel comfortable drop- ping in for a conversation without a prior invitation? ...do you feel comfortable discussing personal matters and worries? ...understand your goals and aspira- tions in life and support you in try- ing to achieve them? To what extent do you feel that you are part of a connected and caring local community? I would be curious to hear from you as to what you do in your neighborhood to make your little piece of the world a better place. Send me an email, give me a call, or stop on by. Remember, a smile is a great way to start. SEPTEMBER 2007 3 PUJBLIC WORKS PROJECT UPDATES Allentown/Foster Point water/sewer improvements The Tukwila City Council formally ac- cepted the project as complete, as well as set the water and sewer connection fees by City ordinance. Notices that provide information regarding fees, permits, and getting hooked up to the new water and sewer mains have been mailed out to all affected property owners in the Allentown Phase II and Foster Point areas. WSDOT's South 178th bridge repair On December 13 last year, a vehicle exceeding the height restriction on I-5 struck the South 178th street overpass. WSDOT is designing repairs to the overpass and making a plan to replace the damaged girder. On July 9, 2007, WSDOT crews moved the traffic bar- rier a few feet and re -striped two nar- rowed lanes across the overpass. This temporary traffic revision allows two- way traffic on the overpass again and should improve travel for drivers who cross the overpass. WSDOT's goal is to complete repairs this winter, which will require the overpass to be reduced to one lane again for several months. For status updates, check the WSDOT webpage: http://www wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/ I5/S 178thOverpass. Green River pedestrian and utility bridge update The arched wooden bridge that cross- es the Green River and is part of the Green River Trail near South 180th Street and Andover Park East is now scheduled for repairs this fall. Staining and sealing the bridge is scheduled for next spring. Walk & Roll Plan: Bicycle -Friendly Routes On Sunday, September 16, Tukwila City Councilmembers and the Department of Community Development, in conjunction with Cascade Bicycle Club, invite you to take part in a seven -mile group bike ride. With stops at City parks along the way, the bike ride is expected to last approxi- mately two hours, and will allow cyclists of all levels the opportunity to discuss bicycle friendly routes in Tukwila. Staff from the Department of Community De- velopment will be on hand to discuss walk and roll options. Participants will meet at 10:00AM in the City Hall parking lot (6200 Southcenter Boulevard). All riders are required to sign a release in order to participate. For more information, contact Assistant Planner Jaimie Reavis at 206-431-3659. Local libraries offer "The Big Read" The King County Library System will be one of 117 communities participating in The Big Read this fall. This initiative, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, is designed to bring people from different generations and walks of life together to read and discuss literature. The focus is to demonstrate that reading is necessary to the cultural, civic and economic fabric of our communities. The Big Read will focus on Fahrenheit 451 and the themes around this work, which include intellectual freedom, banned books, the effect of mass media on culture, and science fiction literature. Need homework help? Get it at the library! The Study Zone — a free service of the King County Library System — is a great place for students to study, do homework, and get help with their questions. Stu- dents in grades K-12 can drop in for homework help any time during Study Zone hours, so there's no need to sign up in advance. Stop by a local KCLS community library and find your Study Zone. Get the homework help you need. Learn new study skills. Discover the resources in your library. Ask questions and share what you know in the Study Zone. Look for a Study Zone Leader in a teal shirt. Volunteer tutors are available at participating KCLS community libraries during Study Zone hours, to help students with their homework. Study Zone tutors are volunteers who must pass a Washington State Patrol background check and complete a program orientation before they begin tutoring. Study Zone tutors can provide help in all subject areas up to the 6th grade level and also specialize in one or two subjects each up to the college prep level. Each tutor works with one to five students in a group setting. The Study Zone needs dedicated volunteers Become a Study Zone Leader! Academic community service credit available for high school juniors and seniors and college students. Training is provided. For more information about The Study Zone, visit a KCLS community library or call Study Zone coordinator Annie at 425-369-3312 or email aholloma@kcls.org. Foster Library 4060 5 144th Street 206-242-1640 Tukwila Library 14475 59th Ave. S. 206-244-5140 Library Connection @ Southcenter 206-242-6044 1 4 THE HAZELNUT I Applying for a passport? Here's some answers to your questions There's been a lot of information in the news recently about U.S. passports. As a passport acceptance agency, the City of Tukwila City Clerk's Office accepts applications every week, and receives regular updates from the Department of State. Based on the record number of applications being received across the country, along with the timeline imposed by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative for implementing new requirements, additional changes can be expected in the coming year. Fol- lowing are answers to some common questions. Cf/Wy 14 it "gAtifty 44, Aviv to 2eceive a pa44p6vit itatv.2 Beginning in January of this year, U.S. citizens traveling by air between Can- ada, Mexico, Central and South Amer- ica, the Caribbean, and Bermuda are required to present a valid U.S. pass- port (or Air NEXUS card or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner document) to re-enter the U.S. In the past, U.S. citizens have been able to travel to and from these countries by presenting proof of citizenship (such as a birth cer- tificate or Certificate of Naturalization) and their ID. (This is still the case for the remainder of 2007 if you are travel- ing to these countries by land or sea.) The new requirement for air travel has resulted in an unprecedented num- ber of passport applications. During the past six months, the normal turn- around time for receiving a passport jumped from 6 weeks to 8 weeks and then to 10-12 weeks. (', at'f T need Az t.avd at2tmic ? You may request expedited passport processing when you apply for your passport. By paying an additional $60.00 (over normal passport fees) for expedited service, you can expect your passport in 2 to 3 weeks. Faster service is available if you have proof that your departure date is within 14 days, but you would need to apply at the Seattle Passport Agency in downtown Seattle, for which an appointment is required. lite aI ea4 app ied624 a 1aa 4p 94t. f/ma cam T deck onthe4 ate142 You can monitor the status of your ap- plication on-line at www.travel.state. gov. The on-line status check will verify that the application is in process, and will be updated to confirm that the completed passport has been mailed. ff2e�nt maktifty a temp-awl/1,y excefat' m'n /m2 64~1 'Yryawl can p4,6we yaw a%1p 0'""` a pa44; 62tkat dacr�ntlecacted ity Due to the current delays, U.S. citi- zens — traveling to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean region — who have applied for but not yet received a passport can re-enter the United States by air with govern- ment -issued photo identification and a Department of State official proof of application for a passport. This con- firmation document is available from the website listed above. This accom- modation is in effect for travel through September 30, 2007. (At Hazelnut press time, there was no indication this date would be extended. Howev- er, please call the City Clerk's office if you wish to check on that possibility) Be advised this accommodation does not mean that Americans are exempt from meeting the entry requirements of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean, some of which do require a passport or other proof of citizen- ship for entry. It is recommended that you check the "Travel Information by Country" section at wwwtravel.state. gov, or contact your airline before de- parting. ((Mate cicaifu arae exfaected iin the Alta/m.2 As early as January 1, 2008, U.S. citi- zens traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries) may be required to present a valid U.S. pass- port or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Secu- rity. While legislative changes permit a later deadline, government officials are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Alternatives to the passport require- ment for travel to Canada continue to be discussed also, including exemp- tions for children ages 15 or younger, and for those ages 16 to 18 traveling with school, religious, cultural or ath- letic groups. Other future possibilities include an optional enhanced -security driver's license for Washington resi- dents crossing the border from British Columbia, and a passport card that would be valid only for re-entering the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mex- ico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. For additional information on pass- port applications and renewals, visit the Department of State's website at wwwtravel.state.gov, or call the City of Tukwila at 206-433-1800. Please note that when applying at the City Clerk's office, part of the passport fee must be paid by check or money order; credit cards and debit cards are not ac- cepted. Tukwila City Clerk's Office Passport Applications accepted for processing: Mondays - 9:OOAM to 4:OOPM Phone: 206-433-1800 1 SEPTEMBER 2007 Let us help you shape up this fall! The Tukwila Community Center is offering several NEW fit- ness classes this Fall. Pilates is back with a new, enthusiastic instructor. The class is designed to stretch, strengthen and balance the body. Classes will be held Mondays and Fridays at 6:OOPM. Boot Camp is new this fall. If you are ready to be tested physically, then this is the class for you. It's a hard work- out packed into a quick hour, to push you to the next level. Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30AM. Sign up today!! Total Body Conditioning is a full body workout that fo- cuses on strength training for muscle building and sculpting for weight loss. This class will meet on Tuesdays at 5:30PM. If one of the new classes doesn't interest you, don't forget to check all of our other classes like Jazzercise, Body Sculpting and Yoga. Sign up now and shape up for fall! All Aboard! Tukwila Parks and Recreation is proud to an- nounce the arrival of a new mid-size bus, which carries 21 passengers and will be used to transport participants for Se- nior trips & tours and recreation programs, as well as some Youth trips and tours. We are excited to be able to provide you with a nice ride that is spacious, comfortable, and easy to get in and out of. Septembertest aQrmerly Mayfair) Saturday, September 15 - 11:OOAM to 3:OOPM at Tukwila Community Center In collaboration with the Tukwila Community Schools Col- laboration, Tukwila Parks & Recreation is sponsoring our fifth annual Septemberfest — a community -wide health and safety fair at the Tukwila Community Center. Come check out activities, which will include inflatable bouncers, community service providers, healthy snacks, music performances and MUCH more! Transportation will be provided from Foster High School and Cascade View Elementary School. Call Nate Robinson at 206-768-2822 for more information. Join us for this can't -miss event. All ages are welcome. Daddy/Daughter "Heart to Heart" Dace Saturday, October 6 - 5:00 to 7:30pm Tukwila Community Center Banquet Hall Cost: $18 per couple ($5 for each additional attendee) Dads, spend a memorable evening with your daughter(s) that all will cherish and remember. This gala event features an evening of entertainment, a photograph of you and your daughter(s), and dancing. Come formally dressed to dance and dine. Advanced registration is required: space is very limited, so register early! For more information, please call 206-768-2822. Family Fright Dight Tuesday, October 30 - 6:00 to 7:30pm Tukwila Community Center Cost: FREE (non-perishable food items for the Tukwila Food Pantry will be accepted at the door) Join us once again for some ghoulish games and spooky fun at our annual Family Fright Night! Grab your friends and family, dress up in your favorite costumes, and win some fab- ulous prizes! Game booths are open to kids in preschool up to grade 5. We'll be offering hot dogs and chips for $2.00. Parents must accompany their children. Tukwila Volunteer Program Keep Our Parks Beautiful! October 5 — Cascade View Community Park, 14211 - 37th Ave. S. Please join our efforts to help keep our Tukwila parks beautiful. On the first Friday of each month (April -October) we'll be meeting at a lo- cal Tukwila park for a day of beautification. Volunteers will be asked to sign in, so that we can track your volunteer hours. Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers and bring work gloves and a water bottle. For more information, please call the Volunteer Pro- gram office at the Tukwila Community Center at 206-768-2822. United Way Day of Caring Friday, September 21, 2007 Join Tukwila Parks & Recreation as we clean up the area in and around Tukwila Pond Park. This United Way Day of Caring event is one of many opportuni- ties that will be available in the Tukwila area. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact us by September 14. Email us at volunteer@ci.tukwila. wa.us or call the Tukwila Volunteer Program office at 206-768-2822. Don't miss Rainier Symphony's opening season concert! �,������ �,@����� one, General Tickets are now on sale General season ticket: $76 Senior/student: $55 October 21 - 3:OOPM, Foster Performing Arts Center Featuring Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, Berlioz Beatrice & Benedict Overture, and Tschaikovsky's Symphony No. 4. Admission: General — $17; Senior/student — $12 Children 12 and under are free To purchase tickets: Call the Symphony Main Office at 206-781-5618, or Email tickets@RainierSymphony.org Program at a glance: wwwrainiersymphony.org r' '�` Things are happening on the Duwamish Riverbend Hill! The year 2007 has already proven to be a big year for the Duwamish Riverbend Hill! In April, a robust group of volun- teers turned out for the Earth Day Duwamish Alive! event, and subsequent monthly work parties followed. In May, Jones and Jones Architects released the long-awaited Master Plan for the site, which can now be viewed at www.du- wamishhill.org. In October, the second Autumn Duwamish Alive! event will take place and the area used as staging for light rail will be vacated and restored to a grassy area with a small temporary parking lot. The Master Plan for the Hill Preserve divides the develop- ment into three phases. The first phase will focus on the hill itself, developing trails, removing invasive plants and re- planting with native vegetation. Phase 1 will also include cultural and environmental interpretation. The second phase will focus on the flat area around the base of the hill, with a wetland to the north and parking, bio- swales, restrooms and a welcome/information area to the south of the hill. The third phase will focus on the shoreline, the creation of salmon habitat and a hand-held boat launch area. Phase 3 will be the most costly phase and will require ambitious fundraising. To see the current progress on the Hill firsthand, mark your calendar for Saturday, October 13, when volunteers will turn out for the next Duwamish Alive! event. Hosted by various organizations and municipalities, the event's purpose is mobilizing citizens to reclaim the river shoreline and near shore lands, and to make them better for wildlife and people. To find out more about the event visit the website at http:// www pugetsound. org/index/duwamishalive. The April Earth Day Duwamish Alive! event brought out a fabulous group of volunteers from the neighborhood, the Southcenter REI store, City staff and others. Thank you to all the participants for the great work you did sheet mulch- ing and removing invasive plants!! And thank you to Pacific Topsoil for their donation of six yards of mulch and to the Tukwila Harley Davidson store for letting us scrounge all of their cardboard for the sheet mulching! The collaboration made a very successful event on the Hill and overall, the Duwamish Alive! event brought out over 350 volunteers to work simultaneously on eight different sites along the Duwamish River. For more information about: Duwamish Riverbend Hill www.duwamishhill.org Friends of Duwamish Riverbend Hill Brooke Alford bmarie2@earthlink.net Volunteer Events Stacy Cachules, CLC Volunteer Coord. stacycOcascadeland.orq See you on the Hill! The master plan is available for viewing at www.duwamish- hill.org; wwduwamish- hill.org; click on the Master Plan May 2007 link. JULY2007 7 Ir 1. 19 1I �I Enforceni iii The Importance of Calling 9-1-1 Did you know that dialing 9-1-1 is the fastest, easiest way to communicate with Tukwila's Police and Fire Departments? Citizens are often confused about when to dial 9-1-1. Usual- ly when they have a fire, need an ambulance or see a serious crime, they know dialing 9-1-1 is appropriate for true emer- gencies. However, dialing 9-1-1 is appropriate for other less obvious reasons. For example, loud music, abandoned ve- hicles on public streets, suspicious people, drug activity, and filing police reports are all reasons to call 9-1-1. Of course, for the police to serve you best, it's important to call while the activity is taking place. Although many residents are hesitant to call 9-1-1, that call is needed in order to dispatch an officer to the area. 9-1-1 is for both emergency and non -emergency use, and it is how we prioritize our public safety calls, assign the appropriate response units and track incidents. When you make a non- emergency 9-1-1 call, it is important to tell the operator immediately that it is a non -emergency call. Community members should call 9-1-1 any time they need to report anything to the police, not just emergencies. When you see something suspicious or out of the ordinary (and you'll know best what is ordinary in your neighborhood), call 9-1-1. Be a good witness by getting as much information as you can, but never put yourself in danger. A safe neighborhood is not a privilege, it is neighborhood responsibility. If you'd like information on forming a Neigh- borhood Block Watch with your neighbors through the assis- tance of our Police Department, contact Community Polic- ing Coordinator Robbie Burns at 206-431-2197. Parties with neighbors make Night Out Against Crime fantastic This year, 22 neighborhoods hosted Night Out Against Crime parties. This annual event gathers neighbors together, along with representatives from City Police and Fire Departments, Code Enforcement, Economic Development, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, and Police volunteers. The Night Out parties bring neighbors together to meet one another and talk about ways to keep their neighborhood safe. Three representatives from the Tukwila Target store came along (Target is a national sponsor of Night Out) and shared good- ies with Tukwila kids. Everyone had a great time. Thank you to the hosts and hostesses who organized neighborhood events and made the 2007 Night Out one of the best ever! Back -to -school driving reminder It's the time of year to start thinking about our children going back to school and the importance of traffic safety around our schools. Pedestrian traffic will increase as our children walk to school in the morning and return home in the after- noon. Children don't always make the best decisions when it comes to traffic safety; they might not safely use a cross- walk or even run into the roadway when you least expect. Please remember to slow down and obey the speed limits (as we always should) in our school zones, and drive with an extra measure of caution because a child's life depends on it. The Tukwila Police Department's Traffic Unit will be out enforcing all our traffic laws. The fine for speeding in a school zone is $177. Drive safely. Officer rolls to raise funds for Special Olympics Officer Ted Rutt turned his focus from suspects to strikes (and spares, and possibly a gutter ball or two) as he bowled for 72 hours straight for Special Olympics Washington at Acme Bowl. Officer Rutt — along with "Fastlane" Phillips from 97.3 KBSG radio and a bowling alley full of participants — raised money for local athletes participating in Special Olympics activities. The Bowl-a-Thon event, held on July 29, was one of many activities led by Officer Rutt and Tukwila's Police Department with a goal of raising $20,000 for Special Olympics. 8 THE HAZELNUT Washington's "Streamlined Sales Tax" will affect Tukwila retailers starting in 2008 Beginning July 1, 2008, if you are a Washington retailer conducting busi- ness within this state and the City of Tukwila and you deliver or ship fin- ished goods, products and merchan- dise to customers within the state, you will need to change how you collect retail sales tax. Under current law, retail sales tax is collected based on the location from which merchandise is shipped or deliv- ered ("origin -based sourcing"). How- ever, with the change in the law under Substitute Senate Bill 5089, Wash- ington retailers delivering goods to customers within the state must start collecting sales tax based on where the customer receives the merchandise — the destination of the sale or "desti- nation -based sourcing". Why the change? Washington businesses that collect sales tax are losing sales to out-of-state retailers that do not charge sales tax. These retailers have a competitive ad- vantage over traditional brick -and -mor- tar businesses located in Washington. The brick -and -mortar businesses often serve as showrooms for online and mail order sellers. Consumers may look at major purchase items in a lo- cal area store, but order elsewhere to avoid paying sales tax. A national effort, the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement, simplifies and standardizes the way each state taxes goods so it is easier for online and mail order retailers to collect sales tax. In order to join this national effort, Wash- ington had to change its method for collecting local sales tax. Sales not affected This change does not affect: • deliveries or shipments outside the state; Washington sales tax is not charged on those sales. • the rate charged on deliveries and shipments within a taxing jurisdic- tion, such as deliveries within the same city or county. • sales when customers take posses- sion at the selling location. Partnership with the WA State Department of Revenue The Washington State Department of Revenue is working directly with business merchants and associations, chambers of commerce, and Rotary clubs throughout the state affected by this change. Informational as well as educational tools and resources are being developed throughout the com- ing year to help businesses make the transition to destination sourcing with ease by July 1, 2008. These resources will include: • Comprehensive web resources • Informational mailings • Workshops and tutorials sponsored by the Department of Revenue • Business forums After July 1, 2008, small businesses that make a certain percentage of de- liveries outside their home jurisdiction and gross less than $500,000 per year may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 in tax credits (to offset any necessary changes to their accounting, point-of- sale, or other systems) or two years of complimentary service from companies authorized to assist them with destina- tion -based retail sales tax collections and reporting. Available tools and resources If your business will be affected by the Streamlined Sales Tax change, comprehen- sive information is available on the WA State Department of Revenue's website: Website: http://dor.wa.gov Online Tax Rate Lookup Tool (GIS) Workshops and Vendor Fairs • Online tutorial • Questions and answers • Examples • Local sales and use tax rate flyers • Address lookup • Map lookup • Downloadable database (by state or county) • Spokane — September 12 • SeaTac — October 17 • Vancouver — November 8 Register online at http://dor.wa.gov under "Workshops & Education" Personal assistance Call center: 1-800-647-7706 Speaking engagements (upon request) rickst@dor.wa.gov E-mail https://fortress.wa.gov/dor/elf/content/contactus/emai I/sst. aspx E-mail distribution service (listserv) http://dor.wa.gov/sstlistserv.htm 1 SEPTEMBER 2007 9 Grants for women in need The philanthropic organization Wash- ington Women in Need encourages grant applications from low-income women in need of education grants, assistance with health insurance pre- miums, and mental health counseling. This nonprofit has provided financial assistance to over 3,700 low-income women. The purpose of the organi- zation is to "improve the quality of women's lives by supporting their edu- cational goals. We improve the quality of their lives by helping them maintain their physical and mental health." Applications for physical, dental, vision and hearing care grants will become available on September 19 at 8:OOAm. Among the services are mammograms, eye exams and glasses, hearing exams, yearly physicals, and dental check-ups. Due to the great need for dental ser- vices and the lack of low-income den- tal coverage in Washington, this grant is WWIN's most sought-after program, and fills up completely within min- utes of being opened to new clients each quarter. Applications can be ob- tained by calling 425-451-8838 or by downloading an application from their website, www.wawomeninneed.org. Applications can be found by clicking onto programs and services and then scrolling down to "How Do I Apply?". Applications are limited and cannot be guaranteed. Returning an application does not guarantee funding. Stomp out domestic violence Join us on Saturday, October 6, for the second annual Steppin' Out to Stop Domestic Violence Walk-A-Thon starting at Fort Dent Park. Sponsored by the Domestic Violence Task Forces of South King County, this event helps raise awareness about domestic vio- lence and how it affects children, and raises funds to support prevention ser- vices for families experiencing domes- tic violence in South King County. The Walkathon will offer a 5k or 10k walk along the Green River and In- terurban trails. Either individuals or teams may register to walk. Registra- tion is only $10; a $20 minimum spon- sorship will help cover costs as well as raise funds for this cause. For more Walk-A-Thon information, call 253-850-5927 ext. 3, or email info@SOSDomesticViolence.com. Human Services Office Evie — 206-433-7180 Stacy — 206-433-7181 Crisis Clinic (24-hour line) 206-461-3222 READY! for Kindergarten class Parents often wonder what a typical 5 -year-old knows, or should know, on the first day of school. The goal of the READY! for Kindergarten program is to provide information to parents about how children learn at each age level, along with essential "tools" and activities to do together so that chil- dren can have a happy and successful learning experience! If you have young children at home (newborn to age 5), you are encouraged to sign up for this class now to ensure that your child will continue to enjoy learning later. Fall class: Tuesday, October 16, 6:30PM, at Thorndyke Elementary School. Families new to the program should ar- rive at 5:45PM for registration and ori- entation. Call Mary Fuller at 206-988- 4015 or email READYforK@tukwila. wednet.edu for more information. Program helps small immigrant -owned businesses This year the Office of Human Services developed a contractual relationship with Jump$tart, a micro -lending program of the Episcopal Migration Ministry's Diocese of Olympia. The program helps low-income refugees and asylees start, strengthen or expand small businesses. An example is local business owner Muhubo, a dedicated member of the Somali community. Forced to flee violence and civil war in her native Somalia, she spent two years in a Kenyan refugee camp before coming to Seattle in 1993. After work- ing for the local Muslim Housing Authority and Somali Community Coalition, in 2002 she opened Bishaaro Store, a unique East African furniture, clothing and accessory store serving the Tukwila refugee and immigrant community. At first Bishaaro Store carried smaller items, such as clothing, rugs and perfume, but — af- ter learning about Jump$tart from a friend and flyers posted in her neighborhood — Muhubo applied for a riba(interest)-free "Muslim" loan to expand her inventory to include furniture. However, she received more than just a loan. She also had access to the technical business assistance and, as she says, the "moral support" she needed to help her business, assisting her in designing advertisements, manag- ing cash flow, and filing taxes. Muhubo believes that running her own business is a rewarding challenge. Bishaaro Store and Muhubo are a place where people in the Somali community can seek help with social issues... and now, a wide selection of traditional clothing, Persian rugs, and quality furniture. 1 10 THE HAZELNUT ;i- u- rs TUKWILA Fight identity theft! Community paper shredding event returns Community Secure Paper Shredding Event for Tukwila Residents and Businesses Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 10: 00AM to 2: 00PM BECU Parking Lot - 12770 Gateway Drive, Tukwila Cost: FREE (up to 150 pounds) Are you concerned about identity theft when you dispose of your sensitive bt ness or personal documents and records? If so, bring up to 150 pounds of do ments for "secure" shredding at this free community event. Learn how y( family or business can help fight identity theft and fraud, and see the safest w; to dispose of your sensitive materials. Iron Mountain, a professional document disposal service with a location in Tukwila, will provide a mobile shredding unit for your documents, as well as information about identity theft. The Tukwila Police Department will be there with the latest and most effective tips on fighting identity theft, and the Tukwila Recycling Pro- gram will be on hand to answer questions. Refreshments will be provided. LARRY POTTER GOES GREEN! U.S. publisher Scholastic partnered with the Rainforest Alliance to "green up" Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final Harry Potter book that hit the bookstores in late July. The 784 -page book had a first printing of 12 million copies in the U.S., and nearly two-thirds of the 16,700 tons of paper used was certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as coming from sustainable timber. It's the larg- est -ever purchase of FSC -certified paper to be used in a single book printing (and the whomping willows are certainly thankful). In addition, the books contain at least 30% recycled fiber, while the deluxe edition – with a first printing of a mere 100,000 copies – is printed on 100% recycled paper in a renewable -energy -pow- ered factory. Production of the book spurred the development of 32 new ecological papers, six for Potter exclusively, and prompted 300 publishers to adopt new environmental policies, according to Markets Initiative, a Vancouver, B.C.-based environmental group. Publishing the English-language editions of the latest book alone on eco -friendlier paper has re- sulted in a savings of 197,685 trees—an area about 2.5 times the size of New York's Central Park—and reduced greenhouse -gas emissions by 7 9 million ki- lograms, Markets Initiative reports. Not bad for Muggles! Penguin winner! Tukwila resident Brian Gonzales, age 10, contributed the winning recy- cling tip and won a recycled plastic penguin in a contest held during the Tukwila Days Community Festival at the Tukwila Community Center. Bri- an graduated from Cascade View last spring and will be attending Showalter Middle School in the fall. He wants to be an astronaut, and one of his favor- ite places in Tukwila is the Museum of Flight. Brian said that after he finishes his chores, he enjoys playing with his brother and sister (who are pictured with him). Brian is interested in recycling and en- vironmental issues. Brian's winning tip: "I think that you should reuse empty water bottles by filling them up with water or juice instead of throwing them away." Congratulations, Brian! Want more information about recycling or composting in Tukwila? Contact Recycling Coordinator Rebecca Fox at 206-431-3683, or send an email to rfox@ci.tukwila.wa.us SEPTEMBER 2007 11 CITY DIRECTORY TUKWILA CITY HALL 6200 Southcenter Boulevard Hours: Monday—Friday, 8:30AM-5:00PM Telephone: 206-433-1800 Fax number: 206-433-1833 TTY number: 206-248-2933 Website: http://www.citukwila.wa.us E-mail: tukwila@citukwila.wa.us TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL Joe H. Duffle (beeper #J 206-994-7229 Joan Hernandez 206-248-0260 Pam Carter 206-244-0558 Jim Haggerton 206-244-7846 Pamela Linder 206-439-2473 Dennis Robertson 206-242-6373 Verna Grin, Pres. 206-901-9251 Kimberly Matej, Analyst 206-433-1834 Council Message Line 206-431-3652 CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 7:OOPM in Council Chambers Regular Meetings 1st/3rd Mondays Work Meetings 2nd/4th Mondays Agenda Info Line 206-431-3656 CITY OFFICES Mayor Steve Mullet 206-433-1805 Rhonda Berry, City Admin 206-433-1851 Municipal Court 206-433-1840 Human Services 206-433-7180 Economic Development 206-433-1832 Tourism/Marketing 206-575-2489 Finance Department Kevin Fuhrer, Director 206-433-1838 Fire Department Nick Olivas, Chief 206-575-4404 Dept. of Community Development Jack Pace, Acting Director 206-431-3670 Code Enforcement 206-431-3682 Parks/Recreation Department Bruce Fletcher, Director 206-767-2342 Police Department David Haynes, Chief 206-433-1808 Public Works Department Jim Morrow, Director 206-433-0179 Dept. of Administrative Services VkiJessop, Director 206-433-1831 City Clerk's Office Personnel City Job Line Emergency Fire, Police 911 TUKWILA COMMUNITY CENTER 12424 - 42nd Avenue South Recreation Division 206-768-2822 Senior Center/Services 206-767-2323 TUKWILA CITY POOL 4414 S. 144th Street 206-267-2350 FOSTER GOLF LINKS 13500 Interurban Avenue South Pro Shop 206-242-4221 Restaurant 206-267-7427 206-433-1800 206-433-1831 206-433-1828 THE HAZELNUT newsletter is published five times a year by the City of Tukwila, and written by City staff Editing/production: Stacia Norris FREE TICKET TO FUN — FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT IN THE PARK Charlotte's Web will be playing at the Tukwila Community Center, outdoors on the softball fields. The park will be open at 6:30; arrive early to get some food and tickets for a free drawing! Moviegoers are welcome to bring low -back lawn chairs, blankets and picnics. Pets, BBQs and alcohol are not allowed. First 100 kids will also receive a prize! 6:30Pm FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 Movie starts at dusk Agreement formalized with Tukwila's "new" Sister City On August 17, 2007, a new trilateral Sister City Agreement was officially signed in Miyoshi, Japan. Mayor Mullet attended the signing ceremony on behalf of Tukwila. The agreement reaffirms the affiliation originally made between Tukwila and Ikawa, Japan, and is based upon the principals stated in that agreement. Ikawa and Tukwila first became Sister Cities in 1979. In March of 2006, the former city of Ikawa merged with the towns of Mino, Ikeda, and Yamashiro, and the villages of Hagashiiyayama and Nishiiyayama, to form the new city of Miyoshi, Japan. Because of the merger, Tukwila now shares a sister city with The Dalles, Oregon, the former Ikeda's sister city. The mission of the program, as stated in resolutions adopted by both cities, is to foster international peace, harmony and goodwill through understanding and tolerance. The program's emphasis has been on youth and education, and will continue to be focused in that direction. Mayor Mullet's visit coincided with the Bon Odori dance festival that has been held on August 12-15 in Tokushima for more than 400 years. The Awa Odori dance is a "progressive" line dance through the streets of every city, with outdoor temperatures usually soaring over 100 degrees. The dance step is very simple, but can become quite sophisticated as more practice and experi- ence is gained. Tens of thousands of peo- ple, both Japanese and visitors, partici- pated in this fun event across Tokushima this August, including our own Mayor Steve Mullet. THE HAZELNUT City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 Postmaster: If named addressee has moved, deliver to current resident. PRESORT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SEATTLE, WA PERMIT NO. 12698 To help us correct addresses or eliminate duplicates, please call 206-433-1800.