March 29, 2017 The Skanner Page 5
News
Events & Announcements
Community
Calendar 2017
cont’d from pg 4
to people and understanding different needs across Multnomah
County. Now is the time to share your ideas. Join us to see a
draft vision of library spaces! 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., North Portland
Library, 512 N. Killingsworth St.
PHOTO BY SUSAN FRIED
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5
Celebrating Our Queens
Toyia Taylor, founder of We.APP (We Act. Present. Perform.) Young Artists Academy, which works with youth to find their voices
through public speaking is presented with the Africatown Community Building Award, by Wyking Garrett March 26 at Washington
Hall during the “Celebrating Our Queens” Community Builders Brunch. Taylor was among several women and organizations honored
including long-time community activist Janet Preston, Melba Ayco, owner of the renowned Seattle dance studio,Northwest Tap; Dolls
and Gents Drill Team and Drum line founders Jameelah Cage and Makessa Jackson and a tribute to Vickie Williams, the owner of Lem’s
Life Enrichment Bookstore, who died earlier this month.
Briefs cont’d from pg 4
cently she was a panelist for the Arlene Schnitzer Vi-
sual Arts Prize Jury at Portland State University and
a presenter of a Curatorial Slam at the Associate of
Art Museum Curators Annual Conference in Hous-
ton, Texas.
Blake Shell succeeds Bryan Suereth, Disjecta’s
founder, who guided the organization for 15 years
at several locations throughout Portland, before it
settled into its current home in the vibrant Kenton
neighborhood of North Portland.
Seattle News Briefs
Seattle Civil Rights Groups to Gather
on Anniversary of King’s Death
In commemoration of the 49th anniversary of the
assassination of rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a
peaceful gathering will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30
p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park,
located at 2200 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way South in
Seattle.
Featured speakers include leaders of sponsoring
organizations who work closely with those impact-
ed by growing xenophobic sentiment and Rev. Dr.
Samuel B. McKinney, pastor emeritus at Mount Zion
Baptist Church. Rev. McKinney was a classmate of Dr.
King’s at Morehouse college and was responsible for
Dr. King’s only visit to Seattle in November 1961.
More than 20 organizations representing govern-
ment offices, faith, labor, communities of color, im-
migrants, refugees and civil rights advocacy groups
have joined together with the Seattle MLK Commit-
tee to denounce the recent uptick in hate crimes and
overt violence committed in King County, Snohomish
County and the continued marginalization of African
Americans in all aspects of society, including their
own neighborhoods.
Mayor Murray, City Attorney
Holmes Respond to Sessions’ Threats
Against ‘Sanctuary Cities’
This week, Mayor Ed Murray and City Attorney
Pete Holmes issued the following statements in re-
sponse to comments made by U.S. Attorney General
Jeff Sessions threatening to withhold grants from so-
called “sanctuary cities”:
“Attorney General Jeff Session’s latest threat does
not change our position,” said Mayor Murray. “As
I’ve said, I’m willing to risk losing every penny of
federal funding to stand by our commitment to pro-
tect everyone in our community. Attorney General
Sessions’ threat to claw back federal funding only
strengthens our resolve to fight back. We will keep all
our Welcoming Cities policies in place. Attorney Gen-
eral Sessions accused Welcoming Cities like Seattle of
harming their respective communities. However, we
are helping those in our community by assisting resi-
dents on the path to citizenship and warmly integrat-
ing immigrant schoolchildren into our classrooms.
But the federal government is intent on driving peo-
ple underground. If Attorney General Sessions is so
concerned about Seattle’s safety, pulling law enforce-
ment dollars from cities nationwide is the height of
hypocrisy and makes us less safe. Research shows cit-
ies with larger foreign-born populations experience
less violent crime. Bigotry, not safety, seems to be at
the heart of the White House immigration policy.”
City Attorney Pete Holmes added, “Just like the orig-
inal executive order targeting so-called ‘sanctuary
cities,’ today’s press statements in D.C. provided lit-
tle if any legal clarity to guide otherwise law abiding
Welcoming Cities like Seattle. The Attorney Gener-
al’s comments appear to be little more than cynical at-
tempts to talk about anything other than Trumpcare
or Russia following a bad week for the Trump admin-
istration. At the same time, Seattle should know that
my office and the Mayor’s Office have been working
ever since President Trump’s ‘sanctuary cities’ order
was signed to explore all avenues to protect Seattle’s
interests, and most of all its values. The City will not
be bullied into abandoning its principles. Stay tuned.”
On Wednesday, the city announced it is suing
Trump over the order to withhold funding.
State Senate Confirms New UTC
Commissioner
Last week, the Washington State Senate unani-
mously confirmed Jay Balasbas as commissioner of
the Washington Utilities and Transportation Com-
mission.
Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Balasbas to a six-year
term that runs until Jan. 1, 2023. Balasbas joins Chair-
man David Danner and Commissioner Ann Rendahl
on the three-member panel.
Balasbas has been serving as senior budget assis-
tant to the governor in the Office of Financial Man-
agement since 2012.
He worked for the Washington House of Represen-
tatives in a variety of roles, including senior fiscal an-
alyst, assistant director of policy, and policy analyst.
Balasbas also worked for the Department of Trans-
portation.
Balasbas is a graduate of Seattle University and has
a bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s
in finance.
His first day at the commission will be May 1.
The UTC regulates the rates and services of the
state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utili-
ties, landline telephone companies, solid waste haul-
ers, private water systems and residential movers
among other industries.
The agency also manages the state’s pipeline, rail-
road and intrastate bus and trucking safety pro-
grams.
HELP US PLAN LIBRARY SPACE: As our community grows and
changes, the library should change, too. We’ve been hard at
work gathering information, listening to people and under-
standing different needs across Multnomah County. Now is the
time to share your ideas. Join us to see a draft vision of library
spaces! 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., Midland Library, 805 NE 122nd Ave.
EARTHQUAKE: PREPARE FOR “THE BIG ONE”: Presenter Scott
Johnson, emergency management division manager for Clark
Regional Emergency Services Agency, will inform us on what to
expect and how to prepare for Cascadia Subduction Zone Earth-
quake a.k.a. “The Big One.” The one-hour presentation will be
offered at 3 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. WSU, Vancouver, Dengerink
Administration Building, Room 110, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave.,
Vancouver.
SATURDAY, APRIL 8
41ST ANNUAL PETER RABBIT BREAKFAST & CARNIVAL: West Linn
Community Preschool is hosting their 41st Annual Peter Rabbit
Pancake Breakfast and Carnival. We are looking forward to
serving over 600 breakfasts as well as hosting a fun-filled carni-
val, raffle and visits with Peter Rabbit at this annual event. Ad-
mission: Adults $5.00 pre-sale, $6.00 at the door, Children (3-12)
$4 pre-sale, $5 at the door. 8 a.m. – noon, West Linn High School,
5464 W “A” St., West Linn.
BROOKWOOD SPRING BAZAAR: Please join us at the Brookwood
Elementary Spring Bazaar. We have 80 vendor tables of fun and
exciting items. Handmade items, direct sales consultants, food
and also door prizes. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Brookwood Elementary
School, 3968 SE Cedar St., Hillsboro.
Seattle Metro
FRIDAY, MARCH 31
EASTER BUNNY PHOTOS AT TACOMA MALL: Take treasured snap-
shots with the Easter Bunny. He’ll be waiting for you near JC
Penney Court. Simply go to simonbunny.com and reserve your
appointment for a photo with the fluffy bunny ahead of time. 10
a.m. – 8 p.m., Tacoma Mall, 4502 S. Steel St., Tacoma.
SATURDAY, APRIL 1
FREE FORM DANCE: Open free form dance for anybody, any size,
any age, any movement ability. People attend this dance ages
5 to 80. $10 and you can pay at the door. Children suggested
donation of $5. 10 a.m. – noon, Northgate Community Center,
10510 5th Ave. NE.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 5
PRAIRIE HOUSE MUSEUM KIDS’ DAY! This will be our 27th Kids’
Day! Enjoy life at the turn of the century. Tour our 1890’s farm
house and outbuildings, make butter, pop popcorn, see farm an-
imals and so much more! This is a free Kids’ Day event! 1 p.m. – 3
p.m. Prairie House Museum, 812 E. 176th St., Spanaway.
FRIDAY, APRIL 7
FAMILY BINGO NIGHT: Gather your friends and family for our
Family Bingo Night at Chambers Creek Regional in University
Place. Prizes will be awarded to the winner of each game. $5
per person. 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., Environmental Services Building,
9850 64th St. W. University Place.
SATURDAY, APRIL 8
KIDX CLUB EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA AT THE OUTLET COLLEC-
TION: Children are invited to hop down the connector corridor
for the Kidx Club’s Easter Hop with the Bunny. Kids will spend a
morning in wonderland enjoying story time with Mother Goose,
seasonal arts and crafts and activities, they will also get to meet
the Easter Bunny. Each child will also have the opportunity to
hunt for Easter eggs filled with special springtime prizes. 8 a.m.
– noon, Outlet Collection, 111 Outlet Connection Way, Auburn.
COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT: We will have 30,000 eggs, pop-
corn and drinks for the entire family. We will have specific times
for each age group. This is a very popular event. To avoid lines
and save time we recommend you to pre-register. Please visit
www.lovebellevue.com This is a free event for the children. 3
p.m. – 6 p.m., Lake Hills Elementary School, 14310 SE 12th St.,
Bellevue.
