June 14, 2017 The Skanner Page 5
News
Events & Announcements
Community
Calendar 2017
cont’d from pg 4
Seattle Metro
THURSDAY, JUNE 15
FESTIVAL OF SAIL 2017: Join us on the shores of the Puget Sound
for Festival of Sail. It’s a rare chance to catch a glimpse, step
aboard and even set sail on some of the grandest ships. 11 a.m. –
7 p.m. Thea Foss Waterway, 1804 Dock St., Tacoma.
FRIDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 16 – 18
PHOTO BY SUSAN FRIED
BERRY DAIRY DAYS: Berry Dairy Days is a celebration of the lo-
cal agriculture and dairy industry that has shaped Burlington
& the Skagit Valley for many years. You will be treated to the
traditional Strawberry Shortcake, local foods, kids’ activities &
fireworks, live music, parade and tons of fun. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Fri-
day, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, Burlington
Visitors Center, 520 E. Fairhaven Ave., Burlington.
SATURDAY, JUNE 17
Festival Sundiata
Four little Northwest Tap Connection students watch the older kids perform on the Armory Stage during Festival Sundiata, Black Arts
Fest 2017 at the Seattle Center. The annual two-day event featured a wide variety of entertainment, workshops and food.
Briefs cont’d from pg 4
Scammers contacted the consumer by phone and
claimed that somebody wanted to buy the consumer’s
land. The scammers claimed to work with “Resort
Closing Inc” and that Resort Closing Inc would close
the sale.
The scammers told the consumer to wire money to
individuals in Largo and Lakeland, Florida repeated-
ly. Over several months the consumer wired money
to the scammers more than seventy times. In total, the
consumer wired more than $30,000.
There is no evidence that the land sale was real or
that the individuals involved in the scam actually
worked with an escrow agent. The consumer has not
recovered his money.
“Resort Closing Inc” should not be confused with
Resort Closings, Inc., an escrow company licensed in
Montana, or Resort Closing Network LLC, a company
registered with the Florida Secretary of State.
Escrow agents offering services related to the
purchase and sale of property in Washington State
must be licensed by DFI. To verify an escrow agent’s
license, visit www.dfi.wa.gov and click “Verify a Li-
cense.”
In Washington State, escrow services may also
be performed by several other types of businesses.
These include:
• Insurance companies registered with the Washing-
ton State Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
• Attorneys licensed to practice law in Washington
State.
• State and federally chartered banks and credit
unions.
• Real estate brokers licensed by the Washington
State Department of Licensing (provided they do
not charge a fee for escrow services).
Resort Closing Inc is not licensed by DFI or other-
wise authorized to perform escrow services in Wash-
ington State.
Washington State residents only: If you suspect
illegal or fraudulent activity involving a financial
product or service, please contact the Department at
1-877-RING-DFI (746-4334), or at www.dfi.wa.gov.
If you feel you have been the victim of a scam please
contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-
HELP (382-4357) or online at www.ftc.gov; or contact
the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (855) 411-
CFPB (2372) or online at www.consumerfinance.gov.
You may also wish to contact the Office of the Attor-
ney general at www.atg.wa.gov.
If you feel you have been the victim of a scam involv-
ing the internet please contact the Internet Crime
Complaint Center online at www.ic3.gov.
County Council Appoints Javier
Valdez to State House
The Metropolitan King County Council this week
approved the appointment of Javier Valdez to the va-
cancy created in the Washington state House of Rep-
resentatives with the resignation of Jessyn Farrell.
Valdez will serve as a Representative in the state’s
46th Legislative District and complete Farrell’s term,
which runs through 2018.
Valdez will represent a Legislative District that in-
cludes parts of Council districts represented by Dem-
bowski, Gossett and Kohl-Welles.
Javier Valdez was the first member of his family
to obtain a college degree, graduating from the Uni-
versity of Washington and receiving his Masters
from New York’s Baruch College. An employee of the
city of Seattle for over 20 years, Valdez has directed
Seattle City Light’s Woman and Minority Business
(WMBE) Program and is currently advising Seattle
Mayor Murray on WMBE issues.
Pursuant to the State Constitution, the Council must
choose from a list of three names submitted by the
state central committee of the same political party as
the legislator whose office is vacant. The King County
Democratic Party submitted three names, identify-
ing Valdez as the preferred candidate of the 46th Dis-
trict Precinct Committee Officers for the House seat,
listing Melissa Taylor and Nigel Herbig as second and
third choices. 
All three of the candidates were interviewed today
by the members at a special meeting of the Council’s
Committee of the Whole.
Valdez was sworn in by King County Superior
Court Judge Dean Lum and will begin representing
the 46th District immediately as the State Legislature
continues its special session in Olympia.
Seattle Releases Employee Gender
Identity Guidelines
This week the Seattle Department of Human Re-
sources released “Guidance on Gender Identity in the
Workplace,” a new resource for City departments on
gender identity and transitioning employees.  This
guidance sets forth the City’s expectations to sup-
port transitioning, gender-diverse and transgender
City employees.  It also provides a roadmap to help
departments better serve employees who transition
while on the job.
In March 2016, Mayor Murray signed an Executive
Order outlining clear steps to ensure that City facil-
ities continue to be safe and welcoming places for
all residents and employees, including transgender
and gender-diverse people. The Executive Order in-
structed the Seattle Office for Civil Rights (SOCR) to
work with community-based organizations to devel-
op uniform guidance and trainings for City staff on
providing safe and inclusive spaces for residents.
It also directed SOCR to collaborate with the Seattle
Department of Human Resources (SDHR) to develop
best practices for creating gender inclusive work en-
vironments at the City. The City will supplement this
guidance with training on gender identity for City
AN AFRICAN AMERICAN ODYSSEY WITH NORTHWEST TAP CON-
NECTION: Northwest Tap Connection returns to the History Mu-
seum, An African American Odyssey, interprets the economic,
social, political. Artistic and racial imprints that have cultivated
the Black experience in American Culture. This is included with
your general admission, or if you are only wanting to view the
exhibit itself you may pay $5 at the door. 2 p.m. Washington
State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma.
OLD TOWN HISTORY WALK – TACOMA’S 1ST WORKING WATER-
FRONT: Learn about the businesses, events and people who
gave Tacoma the name “Lumber Capitol of American” as well as
those who helped establish Tacoma Maritime Trades. FREE to
enjoy: 11 a.m. – noon, Job Carr Cabn Museum, 2350 N. 30th St.,
Tacoma.
FREMONT SOLSTICE FAIR: The 46th annual Fremont Solstice Fair
is a community celebration. The Fremont Fair includes perfor-
mances by local bands, arts and crafts, shopping, food and
much more. 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Fremont Neighborhood, First Ave.
to Stoneway & 34th St. to 45th St.
SUNDAY, JUNE 18
FATHER’S DAY: Bring your dad to the museum day. Bring your
dad to the museum for free and enjoy all the fun that will be
taking place on Father’s Day. Free.Noon – 5 p.m., Harbor History
Museum, 4121 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor.
FRIDAY, JUNE 23
AUBURN’S KIDS DAY: The perfect day for any child. Live enter-
tainment, inflatable rides, mini golf, arts & crafts and much
more! Free for all to come and have fun. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Les
Gove Park, 910 9th St. SE., Auburn.
SATURDAY, JUNE 24
BLACK ARTS LOVE SUMMER MIXER AND MARKETPLACE! Join us
for a free and fun Community event celebrating African Ameri-
can arts and culture. Event will feature over 25 artists and busi-
nesses, live performances, DJ, Paint party for kids, interactive
activities, good food and community fun! Noon – 5 p.m. Franklin
High School, 3013 S. Mount Baker Blvd.
employees, supervisors, and managers beginning in
2018.
Guidance on Gender Identity in the Workplace is
available to City departments and employees through
SDHR and is available to the public at www.seattle.
gov/civilrights/gender-justice-project/what-we-do.
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