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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-09 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 19 No. 5A City of Tukwila publication for our residential and business community VOLUME 19, NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER 1998 REACH volunteers paint their hearts out to provide a fresh coat of pride for homeowners In July, REACH launched its house painting program — Paint Your Heart Out! — for low-income senior and disabled homeowners in SeaTac, Tukwila, and unincorporated South King County. Crews of volunteers converged on seven homes between July 18 and August 9 to prep the houses and give them a new coat of paint. On August 1, the main Paint Day, five crews with about 60 volunteers worked diligently to finish the job. Two additional homes were completed the following week. Over- all, more than 100 volunteers participated in the fort. Tukwila Police Chief Keith Haines organized a crew of fifteen officers and friends to work on a house in Allentown. The home owner, Henrietta Senior, has lived in the City for 35 years. The crew not only painted but also built new steps to replace rotting ones on the front and back porches. "It's something I've wanted to do for years but couldn't afford it," says Mrs. Senior. "I'm so thankful." "I feel great about the work we accomplished during Paint Your Heart Out!," says Chief Haines. "We helped people in need in our community and contributed to making a differ- ence here. It is through this type of service to others that I find deep meaning in my own life." Two other freshly painted homes are in the Tukwila neighborhoods of Cascade View and Ryan Hill. Crews for these jobs were organized, respectively, by the City of Tukwila and Habitat for Humanity of South King County. Volunteers from the Foster Community Club and Tukwila Knights of Columbus also participated. "This type of project provides a benefit not only to the homeowner but also to the neighborhood," says REACH Program Manager Kris Zawisza. "It's the support from the City and our volunteers that makes it possible." Volunteer crews in other communities were orga- nized by Boeing Bluebills, SeaTac Kiwannis Seattle Works, and St. Paul's United Methodist Church from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. True Value Hometown Hardware provided supplies and equipment at a discounted rate; four painting contractors — All City Painting, Horizon Painting Services, Gateway Paint- ing Company, and Shamrock Painting — contributed technical assistance to the work crews. Denny's, Larry's Market, and Starbucks donated food and beverages for the August 1 event. REACH, which stands for Regional Effort to Achieve Commu- nity Housing, is a joint effort of the City of SeaTac, City of Tukwila and King County, to address affordable housing needs. Homeowners selected for Paint Your Heart Out! met low-income guidelines, based on household size. Other factors used to select the homes included age of owner, disability and painting needs of the house. Volunteers from several community groups put the finishing touches on a grateful senior citizen's house. PAINTED BY !HACH.. 2 Highway 99 community dialogue meeting set for October Streetscape... redevelopment... street design... what images do these terms bring to mind? Join your neighbors at a series of meetings with City officials and staff concerning changes on Pacific High- way South. Comments from previ- ous community meetings are being incorporated into the design for this thoroughfare, and we'd like to know what you think about them. On September 1, Public Works engi- neers, Planning Division staff, and consultants hosted an Open House at the Foster High School Commons. Talks centered around the results of the Washington State Department of Transportation's review of the City's proposed street improvement. Top- ics included curb cuts, street trees, landscaping, options for a streetscape theme, and the potential for public art. This was a continuation of ongo- ing talks with property owners and interested community members. And coming up... In October, a second expanded meet- ing will be held. This meeting will be of interest not only to property own- ers, but also to anyone who cares about what happens in the Highway 99 corridor. Graphics and photo- graphic examples of the types of de- velopment allowed in current zoning will be on display. Hopefully these displays will stimulate some lively discussion. Ideas generated at this meeting will form the foundation for redevelopment of the area. Look for more information about Com- munity Dialogues in your mailbox. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to help shape the future of Tukwila. Tukwila in partnership with its community receives honor The City of Tukwila, working with the Highway 99 Action Committee, was recent_ _ awarded the annual Association of Washington Cities Municipal Achievement Award at their recent convention. The award recognizes the partnership between the City and the Highway 99 Action Committee in their commitment to clean up the highway. By working together with both its business and residential commu- nities, significant improvement has been realized along the highway. From litter clean-up and beautification projects to assisting in identifying and discouraging criminal activity, the Committee has made a noticeable difference. This is the second award received by the City and the Committee for their work and the second Municipal Achievement Award. Two years ago, Tukwila was recognized for its innovative, highly effective Crime -Free Multifamily Housing program. Last year the City and the Committee were recognized by the Washington Research Council with the Pathfinder Award, for innovations in public and private partner- ships. These awards demonstrate what can be accomplished by working together! City enters into new contract for towing services On July 20, the City Council approve a new contract for towing services for Tukwila. This contract is with Skyway Towing of Renton, who was the lowest qualified bidder during a competitive bid process. With this contract, all Police impounds will be with Skyway Towing unless a vehic owner specifically requests a different tow company. As a result of the bidding process, the cost for an impound has been significantly reduced. The average tow will now cost $63.53 with Skyway Towing, instead of the tow rates prior to this contract which were usually twice as much. The new contract also gives the Police Department one company to work with instead of a lengthy list of companies. It is expected that dealing with one company will assist in resolving complaints and ensuring quality service. If you have any comments, concerns or questions about our new contract for towing services, please call Sergeant Larry Richardson at the Tukwila Police Department, 206-433-1824. County's local pet licensing program returns Larry's Market in Tukwila will again serve as a pet license outlet to assist area residents in licensing their dogs and cats. September 12th through 16th Hours: Saturday and Sunday—10:OOAM to 6:OOPM Monday thru Wednesday — 3:OOPM to 9:OOPM A11 dogs and cats within Tukwila, which is served by King County Animal Control, must be licensed. By purchasing a license, your pet gets a "free ride home" on its first impound, if possible. Pet owners also receive a FREE cat collar or dog leash. License cost for a spayed or neutered dog or cat is $15 per year; licenses for unalter pets are $55 each, which includes a $25 spay/neuter voucher. A juvenile license for pets under six months of age is $5. A pet license purchased by a senior citizen for an altered dog is $20, for an unaltered cat is $12, and is valid for the lifetime of the pet. Homebound pet owners can call 206-296-3488 for license home delivery. Pet licensers will be wearing King County photo ID and bright blue polo shirts. THE HAZELNUT Residential solid waste p,rvices receive scrutiny Two public meetings have been sched- uled to hear comments on the current residential solid waste services in Tuk- wila. The first is scheduled for 7:OOPM on Thursday, September 3rd at Fos- ter High School Commons. The second is scheduled for 7:OOPM on Wednes- day, September 9th at Tukwila City Hall. All residents are encouraged to attend and provide their views on the existing residential solid waste services. These meetings are a key element in a Council -initiated consultant review of residential solid waste services. The review consists of: 1) evaluation of the existing services provided by SeaTac Disposal, and 2) examination of the option to contract for solid waste ser- vices through a competitive bid process. In late September the review will be resented in a final report .J the City Council, who will then consider the find- ings and decide on how to proceed. Call 206-433-0179 for info. City recognized for financial accounting standards Under the directorship of Finance Director Alan Doerschel, the City has received the results of its 1997 financial audit from the Office of the Washington State Auditor. In the report the City was cited for its excellence in financial re- porting . According to the State Auditor, the City has an admirable record of legal compliance with state and federal laws and its own policies and procedures. Tukwila is committed to accurate and timely financial reporting and to serving its residents in a cost-efficient manner. ie Finance Department has received the Certificate of Excellence in Finan- cial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers' Association since 1988. Copies of the audit are available upon request to the Finance Department. The City of Tukwila is considering a proposal to change the name of Pacific Highway South as it runs through our City. Renaming the street "International Boulevard" would continue the How do YOU feel about a new name for Highway 99? J name that starts at SeaTac's south- ern end, extending it to Tukwila's northern border to the Boeing Access Road. If the change were made, it would be done over the course of more than a year, giving businesses and others a chance to plan for the change. Proponents of a name change believe "International Boulevard": • reflects the international character of Tukwila's citizenry • logically ties in with the highway's name through SeaTac • reduces the perceived negative image of "Highway 99" Opponents believe that changing the name "Pacific Highway": • burdens businesses with unnecessary change -of -address costs • requires City time and expense to change street signage • won't actually add anything positive for Tukwila. To get opinions from many citizens about this proposed change, the Council is taking an informational poll until November 1. We're very interested in what you think! Mark this ballot and mail it to the Tukwila City Council, 6200 Southcenter Boulevard, Tukwila, WA 98188 OR Email us at tukcounc@ci.tukwila.wa.us OR Mark the ballot and fax the page to us — 206-433-1833 OR Call and leave us your opinion on our Council message line - 206-431-3652 1. I think Pacific Highway South in Tukwila should: ❑ be renamed International Boulevard ❑ remain Pacific Highway 2. I am a: ❑ City resident ❑ Business community member 3. (Optional) Comment: 4. (Optional) Name & phone: SEPTEMBER 1998 3 Parks and Recreation Happenings Parks projects on parade! Riverton Park Starting this fall, the former location of Tukwila's community center will be transformed into a neighborhood park. Irrigation, top soil and hydroseed will be added to the former building location. A walking path will be added around the upper western play area. In the northwestern corner, a new picnic shelter with tables will be installed. Paul Surek, Parks Superintendent, will head up the project, which should be completed by early winter. Interurban Trail, Phase IV The existing trail stretches northward from the Kent boundary to a deadend under Grady Way. This fall the City will advertise a contract to complete Phase IV, which will include the trail paving and construction of a new pedestrian bridge over the Green River where the trail will end as it connects to the river trail. The route of the trail will go around the new Family Fun Center, a private amusement park, along the river. It will take about one year to build the trail and bridges. Foster Golf Links Master Plan A new six-year plan will be developed to plan additional course improvements and a new clubhouse. Exactly what "new clubhouse" entails has yet to be determined. Such decisions will be part of the planning process in which the public will be invited to participate. More on this plan will appear in future editions of the Hazelnut. Duwamish/Green River Trail In North Tukwila A 12 -foot wide trail section is included along with the Public Works Department plans to replace the Highway 99 bridge over the Duwamish River. The contract for the project has been awarded, and it is hoped the trail will be opened in late 1999. A temporary route following East Marginal Way and South 112th Street will continue to be utilized until the river trail crossing is completed. Gateways Project Four new City gateway signs will be installed this fall. The City entrance signs are part of Tukwila's continuing effort to identify out city boundaries. The City park crew will work with several private companies to install the carved brick signs and landscaping. Signage for Tukwila Pond Park This new park in the central business district, just east of the Doubletree Suites, officially opened July 16th. Two new roadway signs and gravel paths provide pedestrian access. One path and sign is located on Strander Boulevard just west of the Target Store, and the second is located on the north side of the Bon Marche store on Southcenter Parkway. Educational and historical signs will be installed within the park in late fall. 4 Sound Transit Update Sound Transit (formerly the "region'' Transit Authority" or "RTA") is making great progress bringing Tukwila and the regions new electric Link light rail, die- sel -powered Sounder commuter rail, and high-speed Regional Express bus service as called for in Sound Move — the Ten - Year Regional Transit Plan — approved by voters in 1996. In early 1999, Sound Transit will iden- tify the preferred route for the Link light rail system that will connect Seattle, Tukwila and SeaTac. Four routes in Tukwila remain under study. A forum will beheld November 17 at the Tuk- wila Community Center to discuss the project and how the public can partici- pate in the decision-making process. Sounder commuter rail is on schedule to start service between Tacoma and Seattle by the end of 1999, and to Everett in 2001. Sound Transit we' work with local citizens to make Tui wila Station one of the nicest stations in the system. Regional Express held a public meeting in Tukwila on July 28 to begin gathering input on potential routes for its 20 new express buses, scheduled for late 1999. A preview of the potential routes and a workbook with maps are available. For more information about Sound Tran- sit, or to schedule a presentation for a group of any size, please contact Sound Transit at 206-684-6776 or visit our website at www.soundtransit.org. Dump trucks and runways The Port of Seattle has begun stockpil- ing dirt at the north end of the runway for a taxiway extension project. The haul routes for the dump trucks were approved by the City of SeaTac and do not include the use of Southcenter Bo levard and South 154th Street in Tukwila. Should you observe viola- tions, you should direct your calls to the City of SeaTac Department of Public Works at 206-241-1996. THE HAZELNUT fine dance performances eturn to Tukwila Prepare to be captivated with two evenings of professional dance in October. The Tukwila Arts Commission is hosting the second season of the King County Performance Network which is a collaboration between the King County Arts Commission and fourteen suburban arts commissions and councils. Saturday, October 10 at 7:30PM — TriDANCE Featuring an evening of selected works presenting individual pieces by three dance companies and choreographers. KT/Dance will presenta new work, "Residue," which combines silent black and white film, provocative live music and thrilling dance. The work explores the idea of imprint- ing, and how residual emotions and past experiences impact us and the places we inhabit. rntenselyFUNDance Theatre will iesent `Twirl, " an autobiographi- cal, humorous and entertaining piece which points out larger issues of our culture's obsession with weight and body image. Dixie FunLee Shulman is perhaps the world's only baton twirling, modern dance and text artist. She was 1984 Miss Majorette of America. Crispin Spaeth Dance Group will perform 1 -land Over Fist" which is a daring and humorous exploration of excess and greed. Densely woven musical phrases and full -out partnered movement combine to tell a fable -like tale in which desire is unleashed and runs head-on toward destruction. Saturday, October 17 at 7:30PM UMO Ensemble 1998 Bringing their internationally acclaimed production of "El Dorado" to Tukwila. An original work, "El Dorado" was created in the style of European "Buffoon Theater." Director Janet McAlpin explains that the fantastical, irrever- ent Buffoons are both likable and theatrically powerful be- cause they have a unique perspective. "Buffoons are derived from the outcasts of medieval society, so they aren't attached to society's boundaries" McAlpin reports. In "El Dorado," the clutch of Buf foons focus their unbridled energies on the Conquistadors' quest for the legendary "Kingdom of Gold" in the Americas. The Buffoons entertain themselves with extra -human flare while searching ruthlessly for the city of El Dorado, its secrets and treasures. Through dark humor, live music, stylized text and fantastical images, UMO's Buffoons reveal the spirit of conquest and domination that has flavored the European set- tling of the Americas fors centuries. og� Performances will be held at the Foster Performing Arts Center, 4242 South 144th Street. Admission is $5.00. For ticket information, please call the City of Tukwila Arts Com- mission at 206-433-1858. The King County Performance Network is supported by funds from the NEA and King County Arts Commission. The Tukwila Arts Commission presents a performance by the Rainier Symphony Impressionism in Music Sunday, October 18 at 3:OOPM Foster High School Performing Arts Center 4242 S. 144th Street, Tukwila RAINIER Symphony Paul Mori, Music Director `Me - A great symphony... without the drive to Seattle! SEPTEMBER 1998 5 Featuring Shari Muller Ho, flute Elgar: The Wand of Youth Suite No. 1 Sibelius: Karelia Suite Schubert: Symphony 8 - the "unfinished" Griffes: Poem for Flute Stravinsky: 'Bercuse and Finale" from the Firebird General admission — $10; Students 8 Seniors — $6 For tickets, call 206-781-5618 _So Mtait's Nero (S) LN Et#an SS Office of Human Services 768-0402 Crisis Clinic (24-hour line) 461-3222 Tukwila residents helped through program funding For 1999, Tukwila will receive $176,404 in Community Development Block Grant Funds. These are funds that come to Tukwila from the Depart- ment of Housing and Urban Develop- ment via King County. This money is used to serve low- and moderate - income residents in Tukwila. Funds can be used in three areas: human services, planning, and capital (infrastructure) projects. The Mayor's Office will con- sider suggested projects for funding. A public hearing will be held in Septem- ber before the City Council. This year, these special funds are being used for the following projects: • King County Housing Repair (for homeowners) • Utility connection assistance • R.E.A.C.H. (Regional Efforts to Achieve Community Housing) • Human Service Plan - Consultant • Senior Prog. Nutrition Coordinator • Youth Program Leader If you would like to suggest ideas or give feedback on how to use these Commu- nity Development Block Grants, please call Evie at 206-768-0402. Employment help available Tukwila residents are being targeted for free two-week job assistance workshops. Washington Women's Employment and Education offers assistance on effective work habits, communication skills, con- flict building and much more. WWEE also offers a free 6 -week computer class for eligible residents. Contract Reini at 253-859-3718 for more details on how to enroll and dates for upcoming classes. Home repair funds still available for Tukwila residents You are a homeowner. You know that your house needs some major repair, maybe a leaky roof, or electrical work; maybe your porch or front steps need replacing. You may be a person with a disability and need handicap modifications like wheelchair ramps, lowered countertops, or widening of doorways. And you're concerned about costs. Help is available. These improvements are eligible for assistance from the King County Housing Repair program, funded in part by Tukwila, to help homeowners with the costs of major housing repairs. Low and moderate income residents are eligible for no -interest loans up to $13,500 per household. These loans don't have to be paid back until your house is sold or the title is transferred. In addition, low income residents may be eligible for emergency grants (up to $1,500 per person) or mobile home grants of up to $2,700 to owner occupants of mobile homes sited on real estate which is not owned by the mobile home owner. For over 20 years, King County has been operating housing repair programs. Many staff members have years of both public and private experience. They are eager to help Tukwila homeowners and provide information. For information and to determine eligibility, call the Housing Repair Hotline at 206-296-7640. Volunteer help needed WAY BACK INN needs your help. This all -volunteer organization reha- bilitates and maintains houses to help homeless families get back on their feet. They currently manage two houses in Tukwila. They are looking for community members to help maintain the houses; this may in- clude cleaning, painting, yard work, plumbing, etc. Your skills and time may also lead you to help with their newsletter, organize and supervise work parties, move furniture, and more. Call them at 206-682-7382 or - better yet - come to a 7:OOPM meeting, held the 2nd and 4th Thurs- days of the month, at St. Anthony Parish Ministry Center, 314 S. 4th Street in Renton. Parent support in South County Is your family being torn apart by adoles- cent defiance? The CHANGES Parent Sup- port Network is a not for profit organiza- tion that provides support, education and service to communities and parents deal- ing with unruly young people. Parents in South King County meet at the Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines, 22975 - 24th Avenue South. This weekly self-help group is confidential and provides a structured program of active constructive behavior change for parents and their fami- lies. Using peer support, it helps parents regain control of their home and teach their children to accept responsibility for their behavior. It offers strength through the combined experiences and wisdom of other parents sharing common problems. One parent of two teens, ages 15 and 1" said about the program, "Coming to th, CHANGES meetings made me realize I wasn't the only person with these prob- lems. Other caring, loving parents also were struggling with issues of isolation and fear from what their kids were doing." 6 THE HAZELNUT Th RECYCLING TUKWILA REPORTER g lgiglgiglgigIgIglgt@lgIgIgIgIJLgIgIgglgiglglgIgLg17g 1 City of Tukwila's employee E a recycling program wins honor g I Tukwila's city employee recycling program (at City Hall and g ▪ its offices in the 6300 Building next door) has been named a E g • "Distinguished Business in the Green" by the King County g g Solid Waste Division's Green Works Program. The Green E CJS Works program commends businesses and organizations E I which meet specific goals in recycling, waste prevention and I 1 using products made from recycled materials in the work- g place. The "Distinguished Business in the Green" is the g g higher of two levels of awards the County gives! g • To be selected as a Distinguished Business in the Green, the E g • City of Tukwila meets the following goals: g g • Practices at least six waste prevention strategies (Tukwila 1 g employees practice 16 strategies!) g g • Recycle at least 60% of solid waste (Tukwila employees gel g recycle approximately 60% of solid waste). E g• Use six or more recycled products (Tukwila employees E g use 6 products). g g • Involve employees and/or the public in preventing waste, g g recycling and using recycled products. g g Through recycling and waste prevention activities, the City of I Tukwila and its employees demonstrate commitment to a g I healthy environment and make a significant, positive impact g g in the community. g 6151gIGIGI51g1g1g1GIG1glffilGIGIGIglglgIgIGlg1§1g1 1g1gIg "Composting Made Easy" class offered Date: Thursday, September 17 Time: 7:00 to 8:30Pm Place: Tukwila Community Center, 12424 - 42nd Avenue S. Cost: No charge! *70 11111111181 //i161�11`1(t�il►�lf f�� you have kitchen scraps and/or yard debris, you have the "ingredients" for a free resource—compost! Once created, compost can enrich your soil and improve plant growth. Learn the different ways to compost both food and yard debris—what to put in the compost bins and what to avoid, how to keep the compost cycle going and how to work finished compost back into your soil. The instructor will bring compost samples for you to see and compare. SEPTEMBER 1998 Fifth annual Community Garage Sale is a best seller A little rain didn't dampen spirits on August 15 and 16, as bargain hunters from around the area converged on nearly 150 Tukwila locations to search for values at yard, garage, tag and rum- mage sales across the community. Bright yellow signs marked the sale locations. Ads in the Seattle Times South Edition and the South County Journal raised interest and awareness among potential shoppers. Channel 13 even reported on the Community Garage Sale during its 10:OOPM news broadcast. By most accounts, the Community Ga- rage Sale was a fun way to recycle which encouraged residents to clean out their homes and keep items out of the landfill by reusing them. The sales also gave neighbors a good chance to visit. Re- member, reduce, reuse, recycle... and hold a garage sale! (P.S. Thanks to all who completed their evaluation forms!) Recycling can be a real picnic Summer's end often means outdoor parties, picnics and barbecues. But even the most thrifty and waste -conscious of us can end up really "trashing" the great outdoors and the party's budget. Why not skip the mess and expense of dispos- able plates and cups, and make your party a "minimum waste" event! Here are a few ideas to get you going. Host a "BYOPS" (Bring Your Own Place Setting) party. With each per- son truly in charge of "cleaning his plate," you can skip the extra -large garbage bag. Save money, too! Recycle pop cans on site! Bicenten- nial, Crystal Springs, Duwamish, Foster and Tukwila Parks, and the Community Center have recycling containers for aluminum cans. • Set out boxes or bags for recycling glass and plastic soda bottles. Recruit a volunteer to take home a bag of recyclables to include with their curbside collection. 101 7 CITY DIRECTORY TUKWILA CITY HALL 6200 Southcenter Boulevard Hours: Mon. thru Fri., 8:30Am-5:00Pm Telephone: (206) 433-1800 Fax number: (206) 433-1833 TTY number: (206) 248-2933 Website: www.ci.tukwila.wa.us E-mail:: tukwila@ci.tukwila.wa.us TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL Pamela Linder, President 439-2473 Pam Carter 244-0558 Joe H. Duffle (beeper #) 994-7229 Dave Fenton 246-4980 Jim Haggerton 244-7846 Joan Hernandez 248-0260 Steve Mullet 244-7553 Lucy Lauterbach, Analyst433-1834 Council Message Line 431-3652 CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers Regular Mtgs ... 1 st/3rd Mondays Work Mtgs 2nd/4th Mondays Agenda Information Line .... 431-3656 CITY OFFICES Mayor John "Wally" Rants 433-1805 City Administrator John McFarland 433-1832 Municipal Court 433-1840 Finance Department Alan Doerschel, Dir 433-1835 Fire Department Tom Keefe, Chief 575-4404 Dept. of Community Development Steven Lancaster, Dir. 431-3680 Parks/Recreation Department Don Williams, Director 433-1843 Police Department Keith Haines, Chief 433-1808 Public Works Department Ross Earnst, Director 433-0179 Dept. of Administrative Services Viki Witschger, Director433-1831 City Clerk's Office 433-1800 Personnel 433-1831 City Job Line 433-1828 Emergency Fire, Police, Aid Car 911 TUKWILA COMMUNITY CENTER 12424 - 42nd Avenue South Recreation Division 768-2822 Senior Center/Services 768-2822 Human Services 768-0402 FOSTER GOLF LINKS 13500 Interurban Avenue South Pro Shop 242-4221 Restaurant 241-5784 THE HAZELNUT is a bimonthly newsletter published by the City of Tukwila and written by City staff. Editing/production: Stacia Norris Printed on recycled/ recyclable paper using soy -based inks Cars Et cameras, trips Et tours, smiles & waves... Japanese guests come to Tukwilr A ride from the airport in vintage Ford Thunderbirds, trips to Wild Waves, the Museum of Flight, the Ballard Locks, an old-fashioned barbecue in the park, and a banquet... just a sampling of activities that the 45 visitors from Tukwila's sister city of Ikawa, Japan experienced in their recent 4 -day stay in our community. The highlight of their trip, according to their delegation chief, Mr. Yoshiharu Okamoto, Superintendent of the Ikawa Board of Education, was the homestay experience. By all accounts it was equally enjoyable for the families that hosted the delegation. With the program's emphasis on youth and education, the adult members of the delegation enjoyed visits to the Tukwila School District summer school program and tours of the newly refurbished Showalter Elementary as well as the always impressive Foster High School. During a formal ceremony in the Council Cham- bers, the two cities exchanged gifts. Mayor John Rants presented the Town of Ikawa with a handmade glass bowl etched with the seals of both cities and adorned with etchings of frogs. The frog symbolizes a commitment to return in Japanese culture. This visit from Ikawa mar' the seventh in nineteen years of affiliation.. Tukwila citizens have traveled to Ikawa on six occasions. The mission of the program — as stated in the resolutions of affiliation adopted by both cities in 1979 — is to foster international peace, harmony and goodwill through understanding and tolerance. The greatest benefit to the participants in the programs is that it is just plain fun! Special thanks goes to the Sister City Committee for their super ef- fort in planning and coordinating this event. If you are interested in learning more about the opportuni- ties afforded through the Sister City Program, please contact City Hall at 433-1850. THE HAZELNUT City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Blvd. Tukwila, WA 98188 POSTMASTER: If named addressee has moved, deliver to current resident. BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID TUKWILA, WA PERMIT NO. 12698 To help us correct addresses or eliminate duplicates, please call 433-1800.