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2013-01 Tukwila Reporter
2 JANUARY 2013 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com Tukwila Pool set to open in February BY STEVE HUNTER SHUNTER@TUKWILAREPORTER.COM Swimmers will soon be able to see and feel the many changes at the renovated Tukwila Pool. The pool is expected to reopen Feb. 19, said Robert Eaton, city parks and recreation project coordinator. Met- ropolitan Park District officials closed the pool Nov 5 for a $1.66 million renovation project. "We're updating a 39 -year-old facility to keep it func- tional for the next 20 -plus years," Eaton said during a re- cent tour of the pool, 4414 S. 144th St. Crews continue to work on a long list of repairs, includ- ing a new pool liner and tile as well as new deck flooring around the pool. The flooring will go over the concrete surface that has served as the deck area. New fluorescent lighting has been installed above the pool. New fans, motors, dampers and controls will great im- prove the air handling systems and the humidity. A worker fixes a hole along the Tukwila Pool wall near the slide. The pool is expected to reopen Feb. 19 after a $1.66 -million renovation project. Steve Hunter, Tukwila Reporter "To control the air system will be the biggest factor in our energy savings," Eaton said. "We can control it now and before we couldn't because the return air dampers were stuck." The motor and pump replacements and boiler upgrades will help the heating and cooling systems run more effi- [ more POOL page 3] WhirooI� 1�- upto 650 MASTERCARD® PREPAID CARD** rebate by mail with the purchase of a qualifying Whirlpool® Appliances. Offer good January 16 through January 22, 2013. See store for details. 14ioung groupnwide 4rke 2 BILLION BUYING POWER We're proud to be a member of the largest buying organization in the country which brings you the combined purchasing power of thousands of retail stores nationwide. 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King and BUflflYJ APPLIANCES smart,-tU Store Hours: from Albertson' Starbucks in the Renton Highlands Mon-Frilit-9 'til WWWkin andbunn • 425-277-0600 - ��"i Sat 9 'til 6 • Sun 12 'til 5 www.kingandbunnys.com We do Business the Old Fashioned Way! The merchandise n this ad was selected far in advance of publication.lherefore, if an item is out of stock, and a replacement is unavailable, we will offer a comparable value to you.We appreciate your understanding and your business. Any typographic, photographic, or production errors are subject to correction in pricing and description.All models 1 shown may not be on display in store but are available from our warehouse stock. 4608 NE Sunset Blvd DEAL • Renton WA ore ir* 4.1 Utility savings estimated at about $30,000 a year [ POOL from page 2] ciently. "We're going to save $30,000 a year on utilities, mostly on gas and electric and a little on water and sewer," Eaton said. Officials had to delay the open- ing by two weeks when workers discovered the heat exchanger used to heat pool water needed a new burner and valves. Crews renovated the pool filter tank so that park district employ- ees will be able to maintain the fil- ter tank with a pulley rather than contracting out the work each year. "That will save us a couple of thousand dollars," Eaton said. Just about everything will be new in the locker rooms, except for a couple of urinals that were saved. A volunteer group already painted the walls. New floor tile, lockers, toilets, sinks and showers are all part of the renovation. "There will be push button sinks that helps keep the water from running so long," Eaton said. Swimmers are expected to have plenty of hot water when they shower, which wasn't the case before. New hot water tanks will resolve that problem. "We had complaints from the public that the shower tempera- ture would fluctuate," Eaton said. "Now whether one or 12 people are in the showers it can support the demand. That's one thing the public will be excited for is warm $8M industrial building bought REPORTER STAFF San Francisco -based Terreno Realty Corp. has bought a 110,000 -square -foot industrial building in Tukwila for ap- proximately $8 million. Terreno, an acquirer, owner and operator of industrial real estate in six major coastal U.S. markets, acquired the building on Dec. 14, according to a company media re- lease. As part of the acquisition Terreno assumed a mort- gage loan with a total principal amount of approximately $5 million with a fixed annual interest rate of 6.31 percent. The mortgage loan has a maturity date of July 2016. The building is at 17600 West Valley Highway in the northern Kent Valley submarket, approximately 3 miles from Sea -Tac International Airport, adjacent to Interstate 5 and I-405 and is 100 percent leased to six tenants. Terreno owns industrial real estate in Los Angeles; Northern New Jersey/New York City; the San Francisco Bay Area; the Seattle area; Miami; and Washington, D.C./ Baltimore. In January 2012, the company purchased 169,000 square feet of industrial property in the Kent Valley for approxi- mately $15 million. The company also bought 138,000 square feet of industrial property in Kent in 2010 for ap- proximately $8.3 million. For more information, go to www.terreno.com. www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » JANUARY 2013 3 entryway into the pool facility. Once crews are done with pool repairs and water is added, it will take 14 days to chemically bal- ance the water before the pool will open. While the pool is expected to open Feb. 19, a Grand Re -Open- ing Celebration is tentatively scheduled for April Pool's Day, Saturday, April 20. Voters in 2011 approved the formation of a metropolitan park district to fund the pool and the capital improvements through a property tax levy of 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation or about $36 per year for the owner of a $240,000 home. The levy will keep the pool op- erating for the next 20 years. Tukwila took over ownership of the pool in 2003 from King County. For more information about the pool project, go to www.tukwilapool.org/prof ectup- dates.html. Robert Eaton, Tukwila parks and recreation project coordinator, discuss- es the new boiler room pipes and fittings. Steve Hunter, Tukwila Reporter showers?' The men's and women's locker rooms also will feature three pri- vate dressing rooms, a request from swimmers. Family changing rooms also will be available near the pool lobby. The Americans with Disabili- ties Act (ADA) required pool of- ficials to upgrade the facilities for the disabled. A new ADA chairlift will allow a disabled person to get into the pool on their own. Locker rooms also will meet ADA standards. Workers have finished a new Ti SEGA- J-� s51s 1-11 1', J,,1±]J�f • Millions of school hours are lost each year to dental -related diseases. • Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease. egular visits to Southcenter Children's Dentistry are the best way to combat these problems. Dr. Buda yERYTHING , 'and his staff will make your child's visit a fun and comfortable experience from the very first visit. At Southcenter Children's Dentistry - we take your child's oral health and dental care seriously! IS GEARED'TD"'�ARD . J1IJ J -,J Tukwila, WA 206-575-1 130 * fax: 206-575- www.doctorbuda.co + • .�•• 4 YOUR CHILD'S • ;COMFORT AND . ENIOYMENT •. 6 mont preventative exams Free Orthodontic exams * Brushing for toddlers * Teething tips *White Fillings * Sports Guards * Space Maintainers Thumb Guards .%• *Anxiety Medicatio • * General Anaesthesia available ur office is fun and kid friendly. We have great games and giveaways during the year. Your child gets a prize and sticker at every v: Dr. Buda is currently accepting many different insurance plans. Over the last four years we have become a preferred provider for 7 major insurance companies including: •Aetna •Assurant •Cigna •Delta •DSHS *Great West •Guardian •Humana •Metlife •Premera •Regence •WDS •United Concordia 726273 index 2 poolsoon Because of extra work, the Tukwila Pool will reopen in mid-February, with a grand opening planned for mid-April 3 bigsale A 110,000 -square -foot industrial building has been purchased in Tukwila for $8 million 4 bright2013 Tukwila's interim school superintendent is looking forward to a new year of innovation, student achievement 8 coverstory Mary Stratton knows a lot about dogs and she's putting that knowledge to work helping others and teaching dogs to be well- behaved companions 10 topawards The Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce has honored local businesses and individuals tukwila reporter SOUND PUBLISHING INC. >19426 68th Avenue South > Kent, WA 98032 >253.872.6600 > www.tukwilareporter.com 4 JANUARY 2013 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com • (1) write staff regional publisher polly shepherd publisher ellen morrison publisher@ tukwilareporter.com editor dean radford editor@ tukwilareporter.com contributors steve hunter > reporter tracey compton > reporter circulation james kostoroski 253.872.6610 The Tukwila Reporter encourages reader participation in your community newspaper. Share your thoughts in a letter to the editor (200 words or less) including your full name, address and phone number. HERE'S HOW To submit a letter to the editor, E-MAIL: submissions@ tukwilareporter.com FAX: 253.437.6016 MAIL: 19426 68th Ave 5, Ste. A, Kent, WA 98032 CALENDAR/EVENTS: calendar@ tukwilareporter.com SOUND z PUBLISHINGINC. tukwilacommentary 2013 promises big steps forward The holiday season has come and gone and we venture into the new year of 2013. I nursed a stubborn cold during the holidays which necessitated taking the time to sit and relax. Each year I ponder the New Year, in doing so I reclined in front of the fireplace reflecting on the prog- ress we've made toward our goals and recommitting to our district's mission to "educate all students for academic and personal excellence:' As we reach the half way mark of the school year, my contempla- tion began with the progress we Dr. Mellody have made with facility improve- Matthes ments. We are in the final stages of adding two new portable class- rooms at Showalter Middle School, so fewer teachers will have to travel to different class- rooms throughout the day. Three interactive classrooms are being piloted at Showalter (Interactive projector and an integrated voice -enhancement system) and a fourth interactive classroom will be piloted using a new SMART interactive projector which is the first fully integrated touch -enabled interactive projector produced. We are the first pilot of this projector in the area. Look- ing into the second half of the school year, we are planning on having interactive class- rooms installed throughout the district by this summer. Additionally, with strong com- munity engagement, we are in the process of finishing the fastpitch field between Showalter and Foster so that the girls' teams will be able to play on this field, rather than travel to one of our elementary schools for home games. These initiatives will provide improved facilities for our students. Thinking about the shock of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary has been a sad reminder that we must continue our commitment to safety. In the weeks to come, our Tukwila police school security will meet with school staff in each building to review safety plans and ensure each building is equipped to handle potential incidents. We will also continue our monthly building emergency drills and continue to upgrade our security cameras and electronic entry systems. While we already have a strong partnership with the Tukwila Police Department, we are al- ways looking at ways to improve our school safety. As more information becomes avail- able from Connecticut and as our nation continues to have discussions about school safety, we will review recommendations from the Department of Education and law enforcement. Together, we will work on sus- tainable plans for implementing improved safety measures across the district to keep our children safe. As I continue to reflect on our accom- plishments this year, I am so proud to have Tukwila included in the seven south sound school districts who won the "Race to the Top" grant. As I consider the "wrap around services" for our students, I know we, as a community and school district, care about the whole child. The first half of the school year, we've made many new efforts to meet our goals. These examples are just a small portion of the progress happening every day in the Tukwila School District. We'll keep pushing to add to the list. So here's to 2013! I hope we all find the energy and passion to continue striving toward our goals. Mellody Matthes is interim superintendent of the Tukwila School District. She will write regularly for the Tukwila Reporter about school issues. My City Council MVP, MIP, LVP Guess what? There's another election in November! OK, you can stop cheering now. In November, we will vote for City Council positions currently served by Councilmembers Verna Seal, Allan Ekberg, De Sean Quinn and Joe Duffle. Our City Council functions reason- ably well; there are no chairs thrown and police do not have to be called in. Pretty low bar, right? Here's the problem. In a com- munity of 19,000, in- cluding children, we have few serious candidates for office and a voting populace that does not pay much attention. It appears that if a council member never showed up, he or she could still be re-elected if popular. Small- town politics. We elect and pay council members $12,000 to $13,000 to create good public policy. Good policy making requires Chuck Parrish time consuming study of staff reports, reflection on the is- sues and preparation to discuss matters in detail. A good policy maker will ask questions, offer insights and suggestions and, most importantly, make mo- tions to be voted on. Without motions, nothing happens. My MVP (most valuable player) on this council is Coun- cilmember Dennis Robertson. While sometimes controversial, Robertson is always prepared to discuss matters in depth. His contributions are consistent and thought provoking. His propos- als and motions almost always reflect a good grasp of the is- sues and how they relate to each other. While not always right (who is?), he is prolific. Robert- son doesn't show up to a lot of community events. That is OK. Policy making is his job. He is a work horse, not a show horse. My MIP (most improved player) is Councilmember Kathy Hougardy. Not knowing all that much about city govern- ment when she started, she has studied, taken lots of notes and asked lots of questions. Along with a great sense of humor, she has demonstrated a greatly im- proved understanding of how the city works, what is impor- tant and what is not and a will- ingness to change her mind if someone has a better idea or the facts as previously understood change. My LVP (least valuable player) is Councilmember Duffle. After some 30 years on the council, per- haps motivation changes. Making only the most general observa- tions about policy issues and serving the citizens, he seems to rely on the efforts of other coun- cil members to come to an un- derstanding of the issues. Coun- cilmember Duffie is popular and shows up for many events. Audio recordings of all coun- cil and planning commission meetings are available online. Video recordings of council meetings areanticipated to be available in the next couple of months. Tukwila Reporter columnist Chuck Parrish can be reached at editor@tukwilareporter.com. FREE DELIVERY ON TAKE-OUT ORDERS OF $20 OR MORE r6 www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » JANUARY 2013 5 tukwila's Remembering leaders from the past BY LOUISE JONES - BROWN Helen Nelsen lived in Tukwila from 1906 to 1996 and was a huge influence on history and preservation in Tukwila and King County. The Nelsen Family Trust is one of her legacies which is working to preserve the Nelsen family home. She was quoted as saying "When someone says 'you can't do that; it becomes a challenge to do it." The December 2012 meeting of the Tuk- wila Historical Society was held at the Nelsen House with more than 35 people attending, many of whom had never been inside the 1905 farmhouse. We were treated to the same hospi- tality that one can imagine would have been offered by Ms. Helen herself. John The photo for this article was by the Strander family. It was taken Dec. 4, 1967, at the Old Tukwila City Hall/School building at the swearing in of the new mayor and City Council. Seated from left are: outgoing Mayor J.B. Strander, new Mayor Stan D. Minkler, re-elected councilman and council president Richard A. Bowen; standing, from left, new councilman L.E."Bill"Cro- stick, carryover councilman Dwight R. Gardner, outgoing councilman A.G. Radford, outgoing councilman E.W. "Gene" Ives, re-elected councilwoman Helen B. Nelsen, newly elected councilman Thomas M. Forsythe, newly elected councilman Larry D. Popejoy. Not shown is carry-over councilman, Robert B. Anderson. recently donated to the Tukwila Historical Society Strander and Stan Minkler both had involvement in the development of "South Center" shopping mall. A.G. "Arlie" Radford was a local building contrac- tor and built many of the homes in Tukwila. It is also recorded the Tukwila Historical Society which was formed in 1975 had influence from several people who had been part of the Tukwila govern- ment. The original society board members included Rudolph Regel as president former Tukwila council- man, Helen Nelsen, finan- cial secretary, also a former Tukwila councilwoman) and Louise Strander, wife of the former Mayor John B. Strander. We are hoping that sto- ries and photographs about other Tukwila residents and representatives can be brought to the Tukwila Historical Society so that we can archive these mem- ories for the future. Of spe- cial interest would be any photos or personal stories about the former mayors and council members who helped shape our city and local history. The Tukwila Historical Society is located at the Tuk- wila Heritage and Cultural Center 14475 59th Ave S in Tukwila. The center phone number is 206/244 -HIST and email is tukwilaheri- tagectr@tukwilahistory.org. The Center is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or by appointment. Louise Jones -Brown is the acting director. ...local cuisine ry our stuffed and fluffy omelettes. 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(206) 575-0990 ! 6 JANUARY 2013 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com • City of Tukwila • 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, WA 98188 • 206-433-1800 • Online: TukwilaWA.gov MAYOR: Jim Haggerton COUNCIL PRESIDENT: Kathy Hougardy www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » JANUARY 2013 7 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Joe Duffle • Dennis Robertson • Allan Ekberg Verna Seal • De'Sean Quinn • Kate Kruller TUKWILA CITY PAGES THE CITY'S MISSION: To provide superior services that support a safe, inviting and healthy environment for our residents, businesses and guests. STRATEGIC PLAN PROVIDES TUKWILA WITH A NEW VISION Early in 2012, the City embarked on an exciting journey, beginning a Strategic Plan- ning process designed to create a plan that would be compelling enough to unite the community and practical enough to be realized. The course of action included outreach, analysis, discussion and consensus build- ing. Spearheading the process was a steering committee, comprised of diverse community representatives from a wide range of groups — business, City Council, school board and students, City Board and Commission members, and residents — many of whom play key roles within the extensive network of community and special interest groups in Tukwila. Also guiding the vision was the staff commit- tee, a cross -departmental team of employees representing services and functions throughout the City. Throughout the planning process, the City prioritized community engagement to ensure the Plan is fueled by community members' aspirations for themselves and for their City. Over the course of the eight-month process, hundreds of conversa- tions about the community and its future established new community connections — important first steps toward making Tukwila's vision a reality. This Strategic Plan will guide the City of Tukwila's actions and investments for the next five to ten years, providing structure and direction about what the City and its partners should do to enhance the community. Through this process, community representatives, Tukwila employees and the City's elected leaders have agreed on the goals and strategies — shown at right — to best position Tukwila for the future. On December 10, the Tukwila City Council adopted the Strategic Plan which set forth Tukwila's Vision as "the city of opportunity, the community of choice." City government cannot accomplish the community's vision and goals on its own. A variety of strategies have been established to rally and focus the efforts of a team of partners — residents and businesses who call Tukwila home, local and regional community-based organizations, the school districts serving our neighborhoods, and Tukwila's City departments and staff. There is much work ahead, but the Strategic Plan will be the guide for keeping this team partnership on course, to ad- dress the most important needs and issues of the community. More information about the strategic planning process, a copy of the final plan, and periodic updates and progress reports will be available on the City's website at www.TukwilaWA.gov. 'glli51123IMIII7Illtill tic A community of inviting neighborhoods and vibrant business districts One of Tukwila's greatest strengths is its combination of well-defined residential neighborhoods and a diverse business base. The commit- ment to making the City's neighborhoods more inviting and its busi- ness districts more vibrant is essential to achieving the City's vision. s2#2 A solid foundation for all Tukwila residents The City will work to establish a solid foundation from which all residents have access to opportunity and the ability to pursue their dreams. It is our aspiration to be a model community, showcasing our strengths as a dynamic and diverse community. oci#3 A diverse and regionally competitive economy To strengthen the competitiveness of Tukwila's economy, the City will support existing businesses and work to attract new commerce by increasing communication and ensuring that City -controlled factors (permitting, business regulations, etc.) are business -friendly. High performing and effective organization The skill and dedication of Tukwila's employees is a core strength. The City has provided high-quality services to its community for the past 100+ years, and is committed to enhancing capabilities and efficien- cies within the City to ensure the delivery of greater value services with available resources. L#5 Positive community identity and image As the City's relationships with its many communities grow, it will seek to build bridges among all these groups. These connections — togeth- er with the investments in neighborhoods, business districts and other community supports — will bolster our identity, strengthening shared understanding and appreciation for who we are as a community, and we will work to communicate a positive view of Tukwila to outsiders. Local group works to keep neighborhood clean Volunteers from the Abu-Bakr Mosque, the Sabey Corporation, other local businesses and residents took part in the December 1st clean-up activity along Tukwila International Boulevard. This important community service is performed monthly by the Tukwila International Boulevard Action Com- mittee (TIBAC), which has picked up over 39,000 pounds of trash to date. Visit www.TIBAC.org to learn more about this organization. Free smoke alarm program for homeowners The Home Depot, in partnership with Kidde — the world's largest manu- facturer of fire safety products — and the National Fire Protection Asso- ciation (NFPA), is donating 2,500 10 -year, sealed lithium battery smoke alarms to the Tukwila Fire Department. The local donation is part of a nationwide giveaway of $1 million worth of smoke alarms, or 50,000 units. This program urges homeowners to log on to www.AlarmPledge.com and promise to diligently main- tain their home with sufficient, up-to-date and working smoke alarms. Following the launch of the program's public service campaign, Kidde and The Home Depot will make a $25,000 contribution to The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation's "Be a Hero, Save a Hero" initiative. The pledge also encourages families to create and practice a home fire es- cape plan. For every pledge shared, Kidde will make another contribu- tion to the Foundation, as well as to the nonprofit organization "Help the Good Guys," which provides assistance to injured firefighters and surviving families. The smoke detectors are available for pick-up by Tukwila homeowners by contacting the Tukwila Fire De- partment at 206-575-4407. For those residents who do not own their residence, it is the property owner's responsibility to provide working smoke detectors. If the property owner will not install them for you, please contact the Tukwila Fire De- partment at 206-575-4407. Tukwila Pool project update One of the challenges coming from the renovation of the Tukwila Pool was the discovery of a leaking heat exchanger in the pool's recirculating system, which necessitated purchasing a replacement. The late January delivery date of the on -order part will delay the completion of the sub- sequent work items by several weeks. The current estimate for the pool to be available for swimming is no sooner than February 19. To view project construction photographs or to get the most up-to-date information about the progress of the pool renovation, please visit www.TukwilaPool.org/project-updates. City's Comprehensive Plan to be updated in 2013 Tukwila's Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 1995, set the long-range standards for how the City should grow and change over time. Tukwila's other regula- tions — for example, its Zoning Code — need to be consistent with these guidelines. The State requires that Comprehensive Plans are periodically reviewed, to make sure they are still up-to-date and reflect changes that may have taken place. During 2013 Tukwila plans to review its Comprehen- sive Plan chapters regarding Utilities, Capital Facili- ties, Transportation, and Natural Environment guide- lines. The City will also be looking for any changes needed to align with the priorities of the recently ad- opted Strategic Plan. The review will involve a public meeting with the City Council in February, and hear- ings in front of the Planning Commission throughout the first half of the year. For more information about any of these topics or to get on the email list, please call Rebecca Fox at 206-431-3683, or you can email Rebecca.Fox@TukwilaWA.gov. Prescription discount cards available at City Hall and TCC Beginning in February, CVS Caremark will be offer- ing prescription discount cards — made available at several City facilities — for residents who are without health insurance or a traditional pharmacy benefit plan, or have prescriptions not covered by insurance. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee and no restrictions or limits on the frequency of use. The discount card is accepted at more than 65,000 pharmacies nationwide, including all major pharma- cy chains and most local independent pharmacies. All family members are covered for use of the card, and even some pet prescriptions are covered. Tuk- wila residents can save an average of 230/0 off the full retail cost of prescription medication. The program is administered by CVS Caremark, and is made available to residents by the City of Tukwila in collaboration with the National League of Cities. Prescription discount cards will be available by mid- February, for pick-up at Tukwila City Hall and the Community Center or for printing online. For ad- ditional information, please contact Kimberly Matej, Government Relations, at 206-433-1834. Disclaimer: This is not insurance. Discounts are only available at participating pharmacies. By using this card, participants agree to pay the entire prescription cost less any applicable discount. Savings may vary by drug and pharmacy. Holiday miracles made possible by local citizens and businesses An amazing outpouring of compassion and support from the Tukwila community made the 2012 Holi- day Giving Program a success. Each year the Tuk- wila Parks and Recreation Department, along with the Tukwila School District, coordinates this program that provides local children and families with gifts, food, and a lot of hope for the holiday season ahead. Thanks go to the businesses, community organi- zations and local citizens who generously helped make this program possible. Because of their con- tributions, the program helped more than 250 local children have a wonderful holiday! Special thanks go out to those identified here, and the countless volunteers, citizens and anonymous donors! • Advent Print Resources • Anonymous Donor • Barnes and Noble • California Pizza Kitchen • City of Tukwila Employees • Courtyard by Marriott Seattle SeaTac • Fatigue Technology • Grainger • Insurance Professionals of South King County • Macy's Operation and Logistics Department • Marie Parrish • Northwest Research Associates, Inc. • The Rayner Family • Riverton Park Methodist Church • Southgate Garden Club • Strong -Bridge • T -Mobile CRM Team • Tukwila Children's Foundation • Tukwila Firefighters Local 2088 • Tukwila Food Pantry • Tukwila Library Advisory Board • Tukwila Pet Hospital • Tukwila Police Department • Tukwila Rotary • Tukwila School District Employees • Tukwila Trading Company • Westfield Southcenter • Zee Medical How will you respond during a disaster? Learn how to coordinate emergency response ef- forts through Community Emergency Response Team — CERT — training. This hands-on class in- cludes topics such as fire suppression, disaster first aid, search -and -rescue, and more. The cost for this training is FREE! Developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), this important course is taught by City of Tukwila first responders and emergency man- agement personnel, and includes 21 hours of class- room training. The once -a -week classes are held in the evenings for seven weeks. Participants must be at least 16 years of age. Tukwila's next CERT class starts on March 20. An RSVP is required. To register, send an email to CERT@TukwilaWA.gov, or call 206-971-8710. C441 - Come join the talk from 10:OOAM to 12:OOPM at FOSTER GOLF CLUBHOUSE 13500 Interurban Ave S Council Chat is a chance to stop by and informally talk with one of your Tukwila City Councilmembers about anything 9/644 on your mind regarding your community. cRiNuicag 9 Meeting agendas, City programs, recreation activities, publications and more... get the most current information at TukwilaWA.gov! 8 JANUARY 2013 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com cover When dogs help us learn to read, heal BY DEAN A. RADFORD EDITOR@TUKWILAREPORTER. COM They're called man's best friend for a reason. A dog is a constant companion, unconditionally accepting what- ever is the plan for the day, says someone who knows. "They spend time with you re- gardless of how you feel, what you look like, where you are in soci- ety," said Mary Stratton of Tuk- wila. "Your pet shares every single moment with you." It's that "present moment;' she said, that someone gets from their pet dog. Stratton's dogs come with an extra wag of the tail, a soulful look or simply a willingness to sit patiently next to someone that can't help make everyone around them feel better, including lower- ing your blood pressure. She and her husband Todd have three dogs - Hanzee, Miss 011ie and Beau - and a fourth one, Ogi, is a regular companion that she refers to as her "nephew." They are (or have been, in the case of Hanzee) pet therapy dogs that travel with Stratton to hos- pitals, nursing homes or other Miss 011ie listens as Jonathan Houston, left, reads a book at the Tukwila Community Center. Listening, too, or keeping an eye on 011ie are Rita McGarry, center, then Isabella Kehoe and Joaquin Kehoe. Dean Radford, Tukwila Reporter facilities to help in the medical treatment of humans. And the patient and non -judg- mental Miss 011ie goes with Strat- ton to Reading with Rover events where kids read books to her, im- proving their literacy skills. Chil- dren will have chances to read to Miss 011ie at the Tukwila Com- munity Center and at Barnes and Noble in Southcenter. Stratton, who is an instructor and an evaluator of pet -therapy animals for Delta Pet Partners, is offering two classes at the Tuk- wila Community Center to help pass on some of the skills she has learned to give dogs "really good manners." She owns a dog -obedience business in Tukwila that's called Begin Again Dog Training that offers classes and personalized instruction. Her "day job" is as a commercial real-estate closer. She's offering two obedience classes, one geared toward pup- pies up to a year old and one for dogs 1 year and older. They last eight weeks and when a test is passed, the dogs receive a Canine Good Citizen certificate. Apartment complexes will sometimes ask prospective ten- ants with a dog whether their pet has that certificate, she said. The puppy class is like "pre- school for kids. It's basic man- ners;' she said. Those manners? • Waiting in line • Learning to share • Standing in line • Learning to let mom go out the door. The second class for older dogs is more advanced, with emphasis on building trust between dog [ more DOGS page 9 ] KENT FAMILY REPORTER° PACK Sun, Jan.20 vs. Lethbridge Hurricanes 4FAMUYs floss 4soc, nlws fA� $4$ PURCHASE TICKETS AT THE SHOWARE BOX OFFICE PUB NIGHT Fri, Jan.25 vs. Kelowna Rockets 10+10 TICKS BEERS Has FOR $200 253-239-7825 CiioliVareKT EN -'== CENTER IK jJ1 J THUNDERBIRDS Mary Stratton walks with, from left, Hanzee, Miss 011ie, Ogi and Beau at the Tukwila Community Center. Dean Radford [ DOGS from page 8] and owner through such lessons as consis- tent communication and socialization. Information about the classes is available by calling the Tukwila Community Cen- ter at 206-768-2822. The city's Recreation Guide also has a detailed description of the classes. A handler can train any dog to show good behavior, Stratton said. "They can be a pleasant companion if we are willing to put in the time shie said. Becoming a therapy dog is like earning a master's degree, she said. Not every dog, she said, would want to be a therapy dog. Hospital alliance challenged Public Hospital District No. 1 will ap- peal to the Washington Supreme Court a decision by a King County Superior Court judge dismissing its challenge of the strate- gic alliance with UW Medicine. The vote at this month's hospital district commission meeting was 3-2, with Dr. Paul Joos, Anthony Hemstad and Dr. Aaron Heide voting for an appeal, and Sue Bow- man and Carolyn Parnell against it. Joos said after the meeting the appeal would go to the Supreme Court in the next few weeks. He indicated that Phil Talmadge, a former state Supreme Court justice who argued the case before county Judge Michael Hayden, would file and then argue the appeal, along with the hospital district's attorney, Bruce Disend. In 2011, the hospital commission Read us online 24/7 with regular updates www.tu kwilareporter.co m voted 3-2 to approve the strategic alliance with UW Medicine, which is designed to improve and expand medical care in South King County. However, that major- ity changed with the election of Joos to the commission. Joos, Hemstad and Heide argue that the commission in 2011 overstepped its legal authority to enter into the agreement. Heide said the challenge was no so much about the alliance, but the precedent that was being set regarding delegating powers. Lisa Jensen, who chairs the strategic alliance's 13 -member Board of Trustees, said after the meeting she was disappointed with the commission's decision because the lawsuit is a distraction for some. She attended the commission meeting as an observer. FOSTER-TUKW LA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 14401 56th Ave S JOIN US FOR CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLE LIGHT SERVISE 7:30 pm Monday, Dec. 24ti. Fall Sunday Schedule: CE 9:00 am; Worship 10:30 am 206-243-4455 • www.ftpc.org TO ADVERTISE YOUR PLACE OF WORSHIP Please call: Brenda 425-255-3484 ext. 5052 or email bcantelon@rentonreporter.com 719261 www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » JANUARY 2013 9 Urban forests get some help in Tukwila REPORTER STAFF The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is helping restore de- graded urban forests in Tukwila. In January, a Washington Conservation Corps team is tackling two environmental restoration project sites in Tukwila - Cot- tage Creek and the Duwamish River, ac- cording to a city media release. Cottage Creek is adjacent to Tukwila City Hall. The Cottage Creek project is an ongoing urban forestry/stream habitat restoration project that the city has been working on with the help of many commu- nity volunteers, including the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. The Duwamish River project - the "Re- store the Duwamish Shoreline Challenge" is being carried out with several partners including BECU (Boeing Employees Cred- it Union), Forterra, local businesses and community volunteers to restore degraded shoreline vegetation and improve the ur- ban forest, water quality and habitat for fish and wildlife along the Duwamish River and the Green River Trail. The Washington Conservation Corps team will remove invasive plants such as English ivy and blackberry and plant na- tive trees, shrubs and ground cover along the water's edge and on steep banks. In- stallation of native plants will improve the health of these areas of our urban forest, while also improving water quality and providing good habitat for fish and wild- life. "We appreciate the assistance of the DNR Urban Forestry Restoration Project;" said Jack Pace, director of the city's Depart- ment of Community Development. "This will improve the city's urban forest health and restore important salmon habitat on one of our streams and along the river;' To learn more about how to help keep Cottage Creek and the Duwamish River shoreline urban forests healthy in the fu- ture, contact the city's Volunteer Coordi- nator, Tracy Gallaway, at 206-768-2822 or see the Duwamish Shoreline Restoration Challenge website for announcements of upcoming volunteer work parties at www. restoretheduwamish.org. Or you may call Forterra at 206-905-6931. For more information about the Depart- ment of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Restoration Project, visit the project online or contact Micki McNaughton at 360-902- 1637 or micki.mcnaughton@dnr.wa.gov. FREE Bingo Imperial Bingo Connection 3100 East Valley Rd. Renton 425-656-5257 Wednesday - Thursday - Friday - Saturday - Sunday FREE Bingo All Saturdays In January Buy Morning = Pay $150 Play Afternoon FREE = Pay $125 Buy 11 AM Session Regular Games Play Same FREE For 2:30 Session Includes Machines and Paper Includes Power Ball + Cash Cow www.ibcbingo.com 10 JANUARY 2013 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com Chamber honors businesses, individuals The Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce recognized outstanding businesses and individuals from Burien, SeaTac, Tukwila, and Des Moines at the Annual Recognition and Awards Luncheon at the Doubletree Guest Suites in Tukwila on Jan. 11. The chamber's Board of Directors recognized the efforts, commitments and achievements of businesses and orga- nizations that help make the Burien, Des Moines, SeaTac and Tukwila communities viable places to work and live. There were awards for Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Ambassador of the Year, Business Ad- vocate, Outstanding Community Service and Outstanding Leadership. The following business and individuals were awarded in the categories for 2012: LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR A business with more than 10 employees and has achieved excellence through innovative business practic- i dieen Plnot Ary' Recycling made FREE & EASY ilk • Computers, Printers, Monitors • Appliances • Electronics: TVs, Stereos • Cell Phones • Medical Equipment • Batteries: Car, Computer • Scrap Metal, Machinery washington FREE DROP OFF RECYCLING FORTHE PUBLIC ^ GREEN P14t 1 O W ,Ita l 425-996-3513 Monday -Friday B:30am to 5:OOpm 850 SW 7th St, Renton, WA 98055 www.1greenplanet.org A non-profit organization Affordable Wills Simple Will $200.00 Trust Will for minor children $250.00 Community Prop. Agreement $150.00 Durable Power of Attorney $100.00 Directive to Physician $100.00 Mention this ad for package discount. MOGREN, GLESSNER & ROTI, P.S. Attorneys at Law 15 So. Grady Way, 100 Evergreen Building, Renton, WA 98057 (425) 255-4542 * www.mgrlaw.com ft Shift Into 1 savings. Brenda K Kulju, Agent 525 Strander Blvd Tukwila, WA 98188 Bus: 206-575-1300 brenda@brendakulju.net www.brendakulju.net Se habia espaiiol Get discounts up to 40%*. Saving money is important. That's why you can count on me to get you all the discounts you deserve. GETTO A BETTER STATE'" CALL METODAY. State Farm *Discounts vary by state. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company Bloomington, IL 726265 Here are the winners recognized at the the South- west King County Chamber's Annual Recognition and Awards Luncheon. From left: Randy Coplen, The Quincy Group, SWKCC Board Chair for 2013; Kris Van Gasken, Des Moines Area Food Bank, Outstanding Leadership Award; Michael Schabbing, Courtyard by Marriott/Southcenter, Business Advocate Award; Barbara Panush,The Ink Stop, Ambassador of the Year Award; Kathy Powers, Orion In- dustries, Large Business of the Year Award; Ashley Fos - berg, Highline Schools Foundation, Outstanding Com- munity Service Award; Jackie Bea, Basil's Kitchen & Bar, Small Business of the Year Award. BrennaArnesen es, products, and/or employee programs and community commitment. Orion Industries was launched 55 years ago by Boeing employees who had children with disabilities. The caring parents wanted to support their children's transition into the workforce. This original vision is still at the core of Orion's mission and vision. Today, Orion has three divi- sions: Aerospace Manufacturing; Training & Employment and Contact Center Services. Orion's training programs provide assessment and train- ing of technical skills, soft skills training, education and case management, ultimately resulting in job placement in the community. SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR A business with 10 or fewer employees that demon- strates the same qualities as the large business. Since Tom Hope joined the team at Basil's Kitchen they have seen tremendous growth in the business. Tom and staff have brought many new and exciting ideas to Basil's Kitchen that has led to a great fourth quarter. Basil's Kitch- en is definitely making a great impact in the restaurant in- dustry for the South sound. AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR Award presented to the outstanding Ambassador of the Year. Must have served on the Ambassador Committee for at least one year. YJICKERT LAW OFFICE MAUREEN A. WICKERT Attorney at Law Elder Law • Estate Planning • Probate Medicaid Planning for Long Term Care Straightforward Discussions for Informed Decisions Complimentary Initial Consultation 206.931.6307 • wickertlaw@comcast.net www.wickertlawoffice.com 14900 Interurban Avenue So., Suite 271, PMB 66 Tukwila, WA 98168 Illi l l4 NAELA' lYeilunol Aco,feu,v of Elle, 1.enr ARW.uwr.. enc. fVYF IVY R FR 726270 Barb Panush has been a member of the Ambassadors Committee for the last several years, completing a two- year term of chair in 2011. Barb attends more chamber events than any volunteer. Not many more members are as present and involved as she is. Barb is friendly, kind and gracious, setting an excellent example for the chamber in words and deeds. OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE An individual or organization that has enhanced the community through an outstanding demonstration of community service and volunteerism. Highline Schools Foundation in partnership with Glob- al Connections High School has helped the Global Con- nections Jazz and Wind Ensemble travel to the 2013 Presi- dential Inauguration Music Festival in Washington, D.C. Most school music groups are required to audition for this opportunity — Global Connections was one of four groups across the country that were actually invited to perform without auditioning. It would cost nearly $60,000 to send the entire ensemble to this once-in-a-lifetime event. The Highline Foundation did not hesitate to join this partner- ship and help support the effort to raise the funds needed to send the full ensemble to Washington, D.C. BUSINESS ADVOCATE An individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to advocacy on behalf of busi- ness rights. Michael Schabbing, general manager at the Courtyard Marriott/Southcenter, has invested many hours to pro- mote the needs of the business community. Mike is a lead- er in Tukwila for the advocacy of the creation of a Tourism Promotion Area to increase the tourism promotion and awareness in the South King County area. OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP An individual or organization that has demonstrated leadership through turning an idea into a reality. The ac- complishment benefits the community at large. Kris Van Gasken, executive director of the Des Moines Food Bank, has initiated many new programs over her 11 -year tenure, including switching over to a system of self-select, creation of a cooking class with nutrition edu- cation, creation of a backpack program and development of a summer meal program. The summer meal program, in particular, represents a new and enormous effort engaging multiple partners in our community and impacting the lives of hundreds of children. Caring, Compassionate, Encouraging Counseling Sandy Tudor, MA, LMHCA « PTSD & Trauma « Depression « Anxiety « Behavioral issues « Grief & Loss « Life Transitions « Abuse Recovery « Adults « Adolescents « Children « Couples « Families « First Responders « Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Survivors [206] 914-0426 sandyetudor@gmail.com www.sandytudor.com Cedar River Counseling 304 Main Ave. S. #301, Renton Sliding scale available for those who qualify 725087 13310 Interurban Ave. S. Tukwila, WA 98168 Tues -Fridays 11am-Spm Saturdays 12pm-7pm Sunday -Monday Closed 206-605-8814 49.2 We accept Credit & Debit Cards Brenda K Kulju, Agent 525 Strander Blvd Tukwila, WA 98188 206-575-1300 brenda@hrendakulju.net www.brendakulju.net Se habla espaiiol GETTO A BETTER STATE'". CALL METODAY. f J State Farm Washington Chiropractic 425-251 -3101 Serving Tukwila/Renton Community for 14 Years. Open Mon. -Sat. Dr. Mark Huck Dr. Jay Adams 7100 Fun Center Way Suite 120 wachiropractic.net RAGA THAI &ASIAN KITCHEN The FRESH TWINKIN HEALTHY SATIN Buy 1 Get 1 Free Expires 2/16/13 381 Strander Blvd. (next to Target) 206-575-7934 Fax 206-575-7939 (Fax in orders for dine in/ to go) www.pitapitusa.com We are a Full Service Companion Animal Hospital. It is our commitrnent to provide quality veterinary care throughout the life of your pet. 13802 Military Rd. S. Tukwila, 98168 W W W.tt Swila ethos ►ital, J 1-_ffJ 1 _;;JJ'_) 411 Strander Blvd. Suite 303 Tukwila, WA 98188 206-575-1130 * fax: 206-575-1133 WWW.doctorbuda.com 727797 t ha li ra J'ai dReerfaaiom1 V r 1 375 Strander Blvd, Tukwila, WA 98188 (Across from TARGET South Center) (253) 277-3940 Chachathairestaurant.com www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com » JANUARY 2013 1 1 ifrbarro A ¶ree:e. ISLAND GRILLE Hours Sun -Thur: 11 am -11 pm Fri -Sat: 11 am -12 pm Happy Hour Mon -Fri: 4 pm -6 pm Sun -Thur: 10 pm -Close 15700 Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila, WA 98188 206-241-4448 www.bahamabreeze.com VOTE TODAY: www.tukwilareporter.com Mail -in or Drop-off: 19426 68th Ave. S., Kent, WA 98032 tukwila reporter BEST0F2O 20 1 TUKWILA • SEATAC • DES MOINES AWARDS Sponsored by: ISLAND GRILLE YOUR BALLOT WILL BE ENTERED TO WIN SOME WONDERFUL PRIZES! One of two "Happy Hour Parties" for up to 10 people held Mon. -Fri. 4pm to 6pm from Bahama Breeze. This includes appetizers and one drink per person. Also a $50 & $25 Gift Card from Rachaihai & Asian Kitchen and a Family Bowling Pakage from Acme Bowl will he given away. Community Community Volunteer Police Officer/ Firefighter Public Official Teacher / School Health/Fitness Chiropractor Dentist Eye Doctor Healthcare Facility Massage Therapist Physician Skin Care/Cosmetics Spa Services Shopping Small/Large Appliance Store Bookstore 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Clothing/Shoe Store Consignment/Thrift Store Furniture/Home Decor Gift Store Grocery Store /Location Jewelry Store Pet Store Plant Nursery Winery/Wine Shop Services Bank/Credit Union Car Dealer /Automotive /Tire Service Catering Hair Salon/Barber Shop Hotel/Motel Nail Salon Senior Living Facility Restaurants Asian Cuisine 1 BBQ 1 Breakfast Coffee Shop 1 Family Restaurant Fine Dining Hamburgers Italian Cuisine Lunch Mexican Cuisine 1 Pizza 1 E-mail 'Name Phone . Address City Zip 1 Please mail or bring your completed entry to Best of... c/o Tukwila Reporter: 19426 68th Ave. S., Kent, WA 98032 or vote online at www.tukwilareporter.com. One entry I per person. Employees of participating sponsors are not eligible to win. Voting ends and all ballots must be received/postmarked not later than at 4pm on Friday, March 1 1, 2013. Entry must be at least 50% completed with name, address & phone to be eligible for drawing and be counted. No photo copies of ballot. Nominee MUST be a business in Tukwila, Seatac or Des Moines, WA. This information is for contest only. We do not sell this information to outside sources. People Attorney/Law Firm Bartender / Location Insurance Agent Pet Groomer Realtor Veterinarian Waiter -Waitress / Location 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 BOWLING BIC L LLIARDS EVENTS • Newly remodeled Break Room restaurant • Seven 10 private bowling lounge • Kids, private and corporate parties 100 Andover Park West, Tukwila, WA 98188 206-340-2263 acmebowl.com f/Tires/Es SCHWABI SOUTHCENTER 6804 S 180th St Tukwila 206-575-0507 1.1H0 t„.1.,..„. . lib� g) ft . TUKWILA 17250 Southcenter Pkwy • 206-575-0330 SEATAC 20402 International Blvd • 206-592-5928 if(iikhiropractic "Helping people get the most out of life" Interurban Philip F. Kogler, D.C. David Studer, L.M.P 13028 Interurban Ave. S, Suite 106 Tukwila, WA 98168 www.interurbanchiropractic.com (206) 957-7950 728367 CASCADE MEMORIAL low cost cremation & funerals $495 Simple Cremation $895 Direct Burial 425.641.6100 CascadeMemorial.com 12 JANUARY 2013 « www.TUKWILAREPORTER.com J ^11 �r� JJw tJ) STMTArr The State's Best for Joint Replacement With more than 12,000 joint replacement surgeries performed, Washington's first joint center is also the state's best, according to HealthGrades® for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013—and has received its Five -Star Rating in Joint Replacement for ten consecutive years. State-of-the-art surgical techniques and implant selection, all -private rooms on a dedicated floor in our South Tower, attentive care and personalized therapy, and the success of nearly 1300 surgeries performed just last year make The Joint Center your top choice for joint replacement. For more information, to obtain a physician referral or to attend a FREE joint replacement seminar, please visit valleymed.org/numberl. HEALTHGRADES' 2010 2011 2012 2013 The Joint Center UW Medicine VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER Remarkable things happen here: