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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 7, 2015)
Seattle and NW Washington S P O T L I G H T S Ethnic Heritage Council to Hold Free Workshops on Recording Stories County Council Declares October Filipino American History Month Filipino history in North America predates the arrival of the first colonists from Great Britain and continues through- out the U.S. The Metropolitan King County Council this week recognized that rich tradition and heritage by declar- ing this October, “and every October thereafter,” Filipino American History Month in King County. The first documented proof of Filipino presence in what would become the United States was in 1587 in what is now California, almost a half-century prior to when the colonists arrived in the “new world.” Over the last five centuries, Filipinos have become a vital part of the American history, especially on the West Coast and in the Pacific Northwest. In Washington, Filipinos have worked in a number of industries, but were prominent in the state’s maritime, agricultural and fishing industries. Filipino organizers played a vital role in the desegregation of the unions that represented those who worked in the fish- ing industry including the Alaska Cannery Workers Union, International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Initiated by the Filipino American National Historical So- ciety in 1988, Filipino American History Month recognizes the contribution of Filipinos throughout King County and all of the state of Washington. Officials Urge Residents to Prepare for Potential Floods This Winter Forecasts of an El Niño weather pattern may suggest a warmer, drier Puget Sound winter ahead, but King County leaders warn that our rivers remain serious flood risks, and urge everyone to prepare now for the possibility of severe flooding. King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, Chair of the King County Flood Control District, noted that the county’s ongoing population growth could mean scores of new resi- dents are living in flood-prone areas and not even know it. King County has experienced 12 flood disasters declared by the President since 1990. To prepare for a flood emergency, families can assemble a basic emergency preparedness kit for the home, with items Sybrina Fulton Speaks Sybrina Fulton met with local mothers and family members who had lost children to gun violence Oct. 5 follow- ing “We Are All Trayvon: An Evening With Sybrina Fulton,” a Moral Mon- days event at Seattle University. Ms. Fulton spoke to a full house about her own experience losing her son and the need to continue to fight for social justice and civil rights. PHOTO BY SUSAN FRIED The Ethnic Heritage Council invites members of the pub- lic to join two free workshops on how to tell and record family and community stories. Participants will also discuss ways to share heritage, featuring “The Greeks in Washing- ton,” a virtual online museum, discussion of the power of video storytelling and information about online and local research sources. The workshops will also feature enter- tainment by ethnic performers, information about ethnic organizations and information about the Ethnic Heritage Council Youth Video Contest. The first workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at South Bellevue Communi- ty Center (not College), 14509 SE Newport Way, Bellevue. The second will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67th St. Beverages and light snacks will be provided, but participants should plan to bring lunch. Space is limited. Register at info@ethnicheri- tagecouncil.org by Oct. 15. such as a flashlight with spare batteries, a portable radio, non-perishable food, drinking water, and books or games for younger family members. King County also offers free access to KC Flood Alerts, an automated system that allows subscribers to receive cus- tomized alerts of potential flooding for any or all of King County’s six major river systems. Immediate notifications about pending high water are sent to email, smart phone text or voicemail, providing subscrib- ers with the maximum amount of warning about potential high water. Sign up for KC Flood Alerts at www.kingcounty.gov/ flood. This website is a valuable preparedness resource, with all of the latest information about river levels and road conditions, plus weather reports and other critical links. King County also issues flood-related notifications and other emergency information via RPIN, the County’s re- gional emergency information and notification system. Learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/RPIN. Additional preparations for flood season include: • Buying flood insurance now; it takes 30 days for a poli- cy to take effect, and a standard insurance policy will not cover flood damage. Contact your insurance agent or visit www.floodsmart.gov. • Monitoring area news media for information when severe weather is predicted. Listen for alerts about evacuation routes, and monitor local road conditions and obey clo- sure signs. • Minimizing flood damage by storing valuables and elec- tronics higher, and by moving vehicles and equipment to high ground before flood waters rise. • Disposing of hazardous chemicals, such as lawn and gar- dening herbicides, at one of the county’s household haz- ardous waste sites to help reduce harmful contaminates in flood waters. Learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/haz- waste. When the Flood Warning Center is open, citizens can di- rectly contact King County staff 24-hours a day with their flooding concerns and questions by calling 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263. Questions or assistance with flooding on smaller streams or urban drainage problems can be called in to 206-477- 4811 during business hours, or 206-296-8100 after hours or on weekends. Efforts to protect people and property have earned King County the highest rating of any county in the United States under Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Commu- nity Rating System. As of 2014, King County’s high CRS rating saved flood insurance policyholders in unincorporat- ed King County $830,265 – an average of $578 per policy. View the Community Calendar and regularly updated News Briefs at SEATTLE COMMUNITY CALENDAR 2015 If you have an event you want to share with the community, email it two weeks in advance to The Skanner at info@theskanner.com FOR THE FUTURE THE UPTOWN PLANNING OPEN HOUSE: If you live or work in the neighborhood, you won’t want to miss this event! You’ll have an opportunity to: Get a copy of the draft Uptown Urban Design Framework, provide environmental impact study and so much more. 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., Allen Foundation for the Arts Room at Marion McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St. Thursday, October 15 Saturday, October 10 Thursday, October 8 THE 38TH FILM NOIR SERIES AT SEATTLE ART MUSEUM: “Ride the Pink House.” Movie starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at the ticket desk at the Seattle Art Museum or Asian Art Museum. Show is at the Seattle Art Museum, 1300 1st Ave. KING COUNTY CONSTRUCTION DAY: This is a high school career day. About 700 people are an- ticipated. The event will close a portion of the W6 Parking lot for heavy equipment and will use Building 30’s South Parking lot for demonstrations. 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Hanger 30, Magnuson Park. HELP SHAPE HOW UPTOWN GROWS: FRAMEWORK CENTRAL CO-OP’S CASCADIA CHEESE FESTIVAL: Come celebrate regional artisan cheesemakers and their craft. Meet local cheesemakers and sample amazing, creative cheese. Bring your kids (or your inner farmer) to pet some adorable pets and much more. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Central Co-Op, 1601 E Madison St. BEYOND HB 1079 CONFERENCE 2015: This is a conference dedicated to advancing and provid- ing educational opportunities for undocumented students in Washington State. Regardless of their immigration! This conference is open to high school, college students, parents, educators, community members and advocates. 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Everett Community College, Everett. WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY OPEN HOUSE: The Depart- ment of Services for the Blind is hosting an open house to showcase the tools, techniques and technologies that help people with visual impair- ments enjoy independence at home, in the com- munity, and in the workplace. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Washington State Department of Services for the Blind, 3411 S. Alaska St. Saturday, October 17 FREE HOMEBUYER WORKSHOP – MARYSVILLE, WA: Learn about: The steps to today’s buying process, first – time homebuyer tax credit, the common mistakes many buyers make and much more. 10:30 a.m., Marysville Public Library, 6120 Grove St., Marysville. HARDWARE STORE FOOTBALL PARTY DECORATING IDEAS: Be the MVP at your home football party with great decorating ideas from the experts. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. McLendon’s Hardware, 440 Rainier Ave. S., Renton. October 7, 2015 The Portland and Seattle Skanner Page 5
