Seattle and NW Washington
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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