HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-08 Hazelnut Newsletter - Volume 4 No. 3THE Na7IILUT
PUBLISHED QUARTERLY
bthe ON or Tulwila
Volume4, Number3
FRANK TODD, Mayor
AUGUST 1981
MEMORIES OF JAPAN
by Doug Gibbs
Shoboshi desu
Kirei, Suteki, Subarashi-i! ! ! Yes, beautiful, neat and
wonderful are definately three words that describe my
recent encounter with our sister city people from
Ikawa, Japan. But, words don't seem to adequately
portray the wonderful experience I had. If you have a
second I'd like to tell you a little about my adventure.
As I heard it described by someone else...."It was
like the hostages must have felt when they finally
arrived home!!!" - They treated us like heroes and
heroines. this was especially true of the treatment I
received from the firefighters and people of Ikawa City
and vicinity.
The excitement started almost immediately for me as
I caught my first glimpse of a Japanese fire truck on the
way into town. Our first glorious stop was City Hall,
where our welcoming party was anxiously waiting.
"Have you ever been welcomed by hundreds of waiving
and cheering Japanese people?" I can honestly say,
the feeling (with a lump in your throat and moisture in
your eyes) is heart warming!!!
I was then introduced to my host family and a couple
of the Chief Officers of the local fire department. Then
it was off to the warm reception of Japanese hospitality
at my home away from home. During the evening
hours we were visited by several neighbors and friends
(asking every question possible) and again by a few
members of the fire brigade. All the time they kept
saying, as interpreted to be, "Tomorrow -Joyful
festivities"...Well, it wasn't until the next day that I
realized what they meant. It all started early the next
morning. The "Firemens Ceremonies!!!" I had heard
that they had postponed these ceremonies from an
earlier date because they had been notified an
American firefighter was coming. As I arrived there
were a couple hundred firemen all in full dress uniform
including spit shined rubber boots practicing their
ceremonial routines. The days schedule included an
outside demonstration of hose evolutions and a
firefighters competition (which unfortunately was
cancelled due to rain), awards presentations and a
grandiose banquet. The presentation of awards to
those deserving firefighters was in military fashion
with everybody standing at attention while receiving
their medallions or badges. After the prestigious
awards were received by the fire personnel -
arrangements were made to convert the assembly hall
to a banquet room. You talk about banquets...Well
this one was the tops...Banzai...Banzai...Banzai (a
Japanese cheer) was returned by Hip -Hip Hurrah...Hip-
Hip hurrah...Hip-Hip hurrah (by the American
counterparts) and the fun began. Gift exchanges,
flower bouquets and the official toast of Sake by
Yasunobu Takeichi, Governon of the Tokushima
Prefecture commenced the evenings festivities. Com-
radery between sister cities was at an all time
high...(hic).
After many friendship toasts with the firemen, I was
chosen (luck for me, I was the only American fireman
there) to accept the great honor of the Deputy Leaders
of the fire brigade. Their coveted badges and
commemorative medals of honor. Kazumi Yamashita,
the chief, presented me with the medallion he had
received for graduation from their firefighters academy
and his chiefs badge that he had for thirty year!!!
Breath -taking is an understatement. I also received
from the Assistant Chief of the fire brigade, his
medallion for meritorious service that he had just
received in the ceremonies that day.
You would think, after these wonderful presen-
tations waht more could possibly happen? Well, it
seems that a couple of days prior I had made a
comment to my host that I would dearly love to vist
some of the fire stations. Guess what? Right!! The
Chief said"Lets go"and off we went to the fire station.
As we arrived at the first fire station (I say first because
as my foggy mind remembers it, this was to be the first
of about ten fire stations we visited in the next four to
six hours), there they were. More firemen, all in their
dress uniforms - standing outside at attention to greet
me...Boy, what an honor (for me -that is). I was then
lead inside where there was a whole new banquet
formulating. "Bonzai, Hip -Hip hurrah" - singing (yes,
they even got me on stage with my not so terrific
voice), eating and imbibing was the continuous cycle
for the rest of the evening. We went from station to
station, fireman to fireman, from good time to good
time until they kindly delivered me to my doorstep.
(It's a lucky thing there were no emergency calls for
help that night!)
*Editors Note: I might add at this point that my host
family was most understanding and later explained to
me that had I not returned the toasting gesture it could
have been interpreted as an insult. (Far be it from me
to insult the Japanese culture).
Needless to say...the next day I rested, and relaxed
quietly in the back of the tour bus as we made our way
to Kotohiras Shrine (The one with 1000 steps). Some-
one, I don't remember who, softly whispered in my ear,
"They called you Superman last night - hope you feel
better, soon."
How does one end a beautiful story like this? -
There's more...but you'll have to ask some of the other
49 people that were lucky enough to go - I'm sure that
their tales are equally as exciting as mine.
Banzai, Hip -hip hurrah, Mataaimasho
and
Sayonara, osewani narimashita
SOUTHCENTER-TUKWILA
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S CLUB
The Southcenter-Tukwila Business and Profes-
sional Women's Club meets the 2nd and 4th
Wednesdays of each month at the Alcapulco
Restaurant (formerly Los Arcos), in Southcenter Mall.
Meeting starts at 6:00 P.M. and we are always looking
for new members to help us achieve special goals for
all Professional and Business women. For more
information please call Arla Jensen at 631-4242 or
655-1349 or Bobbie Zepp at 242-5198 or 242-4650.
AN AWESOME TRIP
BY Dan Saul
As the mayors appointed representative of the City
of Tukwila to the City of Ikawa, it gives me great
pleasure to report on our trip.
I heard the trip described as awesome, unbelievable,
fantastic, heavenly, super, and outrageous. These are
but a few of the adjectives that describe our trip. The
people, the cherry blossoms, the clean country air, the
cities, the homes, the streets, the small cars, the
narrow roads, left us all with an impression we will
never forget.
We were all treated as if we were kings and queens.
There was no obstacle to great to overcome to please
us. The people of Japan and lkawa are the warmest,
most gracious, most gentle people of the world. I am
sure we all came away with good will toward our fellow
man and an understanding of the feelings of another
country.
The Sister City program is a people to people
exchange and I feel we all gained so much and gave so
little. I am looking forward to our next trip to Japan.
Please join us if you can.
The Pacific Northwest totem pole made it's way from
Washington to Japan in one piece. It was placed in
front of lkawa Junior High School. Pictured are Wynn
and Maxine Anderson with a group of jr. high girls
gathered around the totem pole.
OUR ADVENTURE
by Doris Phelps
The trip to our sister city in Japan was likely to be the
travel thrill of a lifetime for many of us. We arrived in
Tokyo on March 31st and stayed at a hotel near the
airport. We spent the next two days touring popular
sites in and around Tokyo. Most of us experienced the
social and cultural differences of Japan for the first
time --things like food, language, city and countryside
scenery, transportation, and warm hospitality.
On April 3, we were up at 5:00 A.M. to make
connections with the superfast bullet train. We
traveled comfortably south to Okayama where lkawa
representatives greeted us and accompanied us on the
ferry to the island where our sister city, lkawa, is
located upland, downland and inland. It's a beautiful
place - very green and hilly, a river flowing through the
valley, the landscape dotted with bright blue tile roofs
and frothy pink cherry blossoms. We arrived by bus at
Ikawa City Hall for a brief ceremony and were then
claimed by our host families.
Our experiences in the homes of our hosts were
very similar and we were pampered like royal guests.
Even where language was a difficulty, communication
of our friendship was not. While in lkawa, we
attended the Firemen's annual convention, saw the
City of Tukwila's totem pole gift at the junior high
school, toured local points of interest and shopped in a
nearby city, Takamatsu. We were entertained in the
homes with singing, playing of traditional Japanese
instruments or dancing. We toured local industrial
sites including a modern tobacco factory and a
computerized railroad system. We were treated to
ceremonies at lkawa City Hall which was decorated
with ikebana floral arrangements. We ended the day
and our visit in lkawa with a grand banquet and bon
odori dancing where everyone joined in the fun.
The next morning we bid a tearful sayonara to lkawa
and traveled northward for our overnight destination of
Hakone, a lovely resort area famous for its sulphur hot
springs. On April 8, we left Tokyo and traditional
Japan behind. I think about going back someday and
I'm sure the others in our group do too.
TOASTMISTRESS CLUB
The Tukwila Toastmistress Club will resume
meetings September 1st. at 6:00 P.M. for a dinner
meeting at the Country Vittales Restaurant on Highway
99, just North of 144th. Street. Guests and potential
new members are always welcome. Come join us for
fun, fellowship, food and self confidence. For further
information call Eileen Avery at 242-5371 or 583-6702 or
Bobbie Zepp at 242-4650 or 243-5198.
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The colorful street scenes make
it look like there is always a fes-
tival.
Upper R / H corner
The hospitality was wonderful.
There was always plenty to eat.
Because there is not much flat
land and there are many people
to live on it every inch must be
used wisely.
TUKWILA CITY COUNCIL
Dan Saul, President 244-5408
L.C. "Bud" Bohrer 243-7679
Mable Harris 242-5359
George Hill 244-2785
Reid Johanson 243-1526
Doris Phelps 244-9761
Gary VanDusen 243-6743
Frank Todd, Mayor 243-1625
Anyone who has a question regarding matters before the
council, or interpretations of existing city statutes are encour-
aged to call City Hall at 433-1800, or the councilmembers at
their homes.
UP -COMING ELECTION
The City of Tukwila has 4 council positions coming
up for election this November:
Position #1 - L. C. Bohrer
#2 - M. J. Harris
#3 - J. R. Johanson
#4- D. J. Saul
A candidate for office must be a resident of the City
of Tukwila for a period of at least one year prior to
his/her election and must be a registered voter in that
city.
Affidavits of Candidacy must be filed with the King
County Election Department (5th Floor, King County
Administration Building, Seattle). The filing period is
July 27 through July31 and the fee for all Tukwila
Council positions is $24.00.
August 15 Last day to register or transfer voter
registration for primary election
September 15 PRIMARY ELECTION
October 3
Last day to register or transfer voter
registration for General Election
November3 GENERAL ELECTION
r
TELL IT TO THE CITY
This form is for your use. It is one way for good communi-
cation between citizens, elected officials and City staff.
Please write in your question or comment, cut this out,
drop it in the mail, or drop by City Hall.
QUESTION OR COMMENT:
If you wish a personal contact, please
provide the information below.
Name:
Address:
Phone'
RETURN TO:
City of Tukwila
Mayor's Office
6200 Southcenter Blvd.
Tukwila, WA 98188
L J
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
LETTERS
TO THE
EDITOR
The editors of the Hazelnut welcome comments from
readers, both on the newspaper and on views or ques-
tions about our City government. All letters will be
answered, and if space permits, be published in the
Hazelnut.
POLICE - AID - FIRE
852-2121
WANTED: CALL FIRE FIGHTERS
The Tukwila Frie Department is seeking qualified individuals to
help in fire suppression and fire prevention activities. The city
offers the following benefits:
` $2.50 per hour wage
Pension
• Medical coverage
• Education
• Opportunity to serve your community
All applicants will have to pass a physical examination, paid
for by the department, and probationary training. Training hours
are flexible to meet the requirements of interested parties
working second and third shifts at their normal employment.
Persons interested should contact the Tukwila Fire
Department at 575-4404 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The stations are open 24 hours. Stop by for a visit and have your
questions answered.
•
— — -- - -- -- -s -- -- a- as -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -�
'4
I
►1
by
ILK RATE
.S. POSTAGE
U.S.U
l 1j?1LNUTU PAID
TUKWILA, WA.
FUBUTSNEDQUARTERLY PERMIT NO. 12698
the City or Tukwila
6200 Southcenter Boulevard
Tukwila, Washington 98188
Written by City employees
Edited by Jan Sproul
Printed by Buzard Printing
1
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,
4
HOME REPAIR
by Robert A. Conner
Does the task of locating a reputable, moderately -
priced contractor for home repairs or improvements
seem difficult and even a little frightening? If you are
an elderly homeowner, does this task seem almost im-
possible? Well, It should! In Washington State, just
about anyone with a pickup truck, an answering
service, and an advertisment can operate freely as a
contractor regardless of skills, experience, or
financial stability.
Government agencies and consumer groups report
an increase in the number of complaints against
incompetent, and even fraudulent, contractors. One
reason for this increasing problem is the insufficient
number of good referral services and a lack of
community awareness of consumer rights and
protections. Another possible cause is directly related
to our troubled economy. Many unqualified people,
recently unemployed or in need of additional income,
are operating fly-by-night, and often illegal,
contracting business.
In March of 1980, a coalition of consumer groups,
government agencies, and concerned contractors was
formed to study and to combat this menace in our
community. Named the HOME REPAIR TASK FORCE,
the coalition includes representatives from the
following organizations: Mayor's Office for Senior
Citizens, Senior Information and Assistance, Senior
Rights Assistance, Seattle Consumer Action Network
(SCAN), Seattle Division of Consumer Affairs, Better
Business Bureau, Evergreen Legal Services, North
End Home Improvement Program, Washington
Housing Resource Corporation, Seattle Master
Builders Association, King County Prosecutor's
Office, and the Attorney General's Office.
The HOME REPAIR TASK FORCE soon realized that
the problem needed to be analyzed and attacked from
both a legislative and community perspective. As a
result, a Legislative Advocacy Subcommittee was
formed to work toward more effective enforcement of
and possible amendments to existing laws regulating
general contractors. A Community Education
Subcommittee was also formed to create better
referral services, as well as to enhance community
awareness of consumer rights and protections in this
area.
There are numerous individuals who are in the com-
munity who are bunco artists. Especially in the home
repair or improvement areas. These individuals look
for a retired middle class homeowner over 60 years of
age who often cannot understand what repairs are
being offered. The price quoted for their services
sounds low and appears desireable. Often the victim
does not know that they have been swindled and some
are reluctant to admit it. Only a small portion of total
offences are reported to police.
Typical home repair frauds are roof repair, termite
extermination, tree pruning, plumbing and electrical
repairs, vehicle repairs (tune-up, body damage,
painting).
If anyone contacts you for any repair investigate
before you invest by calling the city offices for
verification or the Tukwila Police Department office of
Community Crime Prevention PHONE 433-1822.
HOUSING REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM
King County and several banks are offering eligible
citizens the opportunity to participart in the Affordable
Monthly Payment Loans--AMPL. The loans can be
used to fix up your house, make it safe, and energy
efficient. AMPL makes it possible for people of
modest income to fix up their homes.
To make payments affordable, King County
combines a loan from a bank at their interest rate with a
loan from King County at no interest. You make
payment to the bank for their share of the loan, but you
do not make any payments to King County. The
County's loan is repaid from the proceeds when you
sell your property. Maximum loan amount is $15,000
and the maximum loan term is 15 years.
To be eligible for this program, you must meet
certain income criteria.
For further information on the AMPL program and
income guidelines, contact the King County Housing
and Community Development office at 344-7640.
Request their AMPL brochure.