February 21, 2018 The Skanner Seattle Page 5
Events & Announcements
Community
Calendar 2018
Black Panther
Premier in
Columbia City
Visit us at a store near you
Seattle Metro
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23
FAMILY – FRIENDLY LEARNING EXHIBIT: Visitors will receive a
firsthand look at the Reggio Emilia approach to education which
provides visibility to the values of its experience. 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
,One Convention Place, 701 Pike St. Floor 9.
PHOTO BY SUSAN FRIED
The Arklodge Cinemas in Columbia City premiered the
highly-anticipated superhero film “Black Panther” to sold-
out audiences on Feb. 15, the night before the official
release of the film, and on Feb. 16. Both nights were
organized by 4USCollective as a way to bring Seattle’s
Black Community together in a community theatre
located in Seattle’s south end. Some of the money from
the screening will go to the Seattle Chapter of the Black
Panther Party’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in April.
Pictured here outside the Arklodge Cinemas are Elmer and
Aaron Dixon, two of the original members of the Seattle
Black Panthers stand outside the Arklodge Cinemas
in Columbia City before the premier of the film Black
Panther. Some of the money from the screening will go
to the Seattle Chapter of the Black Panther Party’s 50th
Anniversary Celebration in April.
brought to you by
Seattle News Briefs
Major Jenny Durkan Announces
Pilot Program to Reduce Energy Bills
for Seattle Seniors
Mayor Jenny A. Durkan today announced a new in-
novative joint pilot program by the Seattle Office of
Housing and Seattle City Light to help senior home-
owners stay warm while reducing their energy bills.
Under the pilot program, senior homeowners with
electric heat already receiving help with their utility
bills will be notified that they can now automatically
qualify for energy efficiency upgrades to their home
that provide additional utility bill savings, freeing
up resources to pay for other important household
needs.
As part of the pilot, the Office of Housing and Seat-
tle City Light will notify almost 800 senior homeown-
ers who participate in the Utility Discount Program
about their eligibility for energy-saving improve-
ments to their home. The improvements, such as in-
sulation and new heating systems, are made available
through the Office of Housing’s HomeWise weather-
ization program.
Seattle City Light will pay for 100 percent of the en-
ergy efficiency upgrades for homeowners eligible for
this pilot program. On average, a low-income house-
hold receiving energy efficiency improvements can
save $270 a year off their utility bill before utility dis-
counts are applied.
Since 1980, the Seattle Office of Housing, in con-
junction with Seattle City Light, has offered energy
efficiency upgrades, helping thousands of neighbors
decrease their energy bills and increase their com-
fort and safety. Office of Housing staff perform an
audit to identify energy efficiency opportunities,
hire and manage the contractor, and perform a final
inspection to ensure quality work. Energy efficiency
improvements are contingent upon an audit to de-
termine upgrade needs. Some homeowners may not
qualify if weatherization work is not needed or if oth-
er repairs need to be done first. If additional repairs
are needed, the Office of Housing offers home repair
loans and grants to help.
The Utility Discount Program provides in-
come-qualified households a 60 percent reduction on
their City Seattle Light bills and a 50 percent cut on
Seattle Public Utility bills.
For more information on Office of Housing energy
efficiency improvements, contact (206) 684-0244 or
homewise@seattle.gov. For more information on the
Utility Discount Program, contact (206) 684-0268.
City of Seattle Launches Communi-
ty Input Survey to Kick Off Public
Outreach for New Permanent Police
Chief
Seattle (Feb 20) – To help select a permanent Chief of
Police to lead the Seattle Police Department, the City
of Seattle is kicking off public outreach by launching
an online Community Input Survey to allow Seattle
residents to provide their input during the search
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24
process. Seattle community members can visit http://
www.seattle.gov/policechiefsearch to complete the
survey. In the upcoming weeks, a series of communi-
ty events and workshops will be announced to allow
Seattle residents to share their thoughts in person on
the personal characteristics and professional experi-
ence that are most important for the individual lead-
ing our police.
“The next police chief must be able to lead our rank
and file and be committed to an accountable, diverse
police department focused on meaningful and lasting
reforms and building trust in the community they
serve,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan. “To find our next
police chief, our Police Search Committee is commit-
ted to listening to all our residents, including those in
communities that have the greatest distrust of police
and the criminal justice system. The input and lead-
ership from Seattle neighborhoods and communities
is critical to helping recruit the right Chief, so I hope
our residents will take this quick survey to ensure
their voice heard.”
“The next police chief will be critical to the City’s
ability to continue advancing critical public safety
initiatives and police reforms, as well as, continuing
to build trust with historically underrepresented and
over-policed communities. Members of the Chief of
Police Search Committee care deeply about the public
safety and reform priorities of our community mem-
bers. I strongly urge people from all backgrounds to
complete this survey and tell us what you want to see
in your next police chief,” said Councilmember M. Lo-
rena González (Position 9, Citywide).
The 25 member Police Search Committee is com-
prised of a broad range of community leaders, in-
cluding many with extensive and unique experience
in criminal justice reform and policing. Led by four
co-chairs, this diverse Search Committee is leading
a national search process to find the best candidate
for Seattle’s next police chief and is working with a
national search firm, Public Sector Search & Consult-
ing, to gather and screen applications. Following the
community engagement process, the Police Search
Committee will conduct interviews with applicants,
the Search Committee will submit their recommen-
dations to Mayor Durkan.
Seattle
Introduces
Resource Hub
Community
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods announces
the Community Resource Hub (http://www.seattle.
gov/resourcehub) – an online portal of City resourc-
es, information, and tools to help community mem-
bers connect and engage with city government and
with each other. The site features “how-to” docu-
ments, videos, websites, tip sheets, links to discount-
ed City resources, and more.
“To create opportunities and broaden accessibility,
we are constantly striving to make improvements,”
said Kathy Nyland, director of Seattle Department
of Neighborhoods. “The city has so many valuable
resources available that we wanted to create a “one-
stop shop” to make it easier for community members.
Their requests are what inspired the Community Re-
source Hub.”
The portal is divided into three sections:
MORNING TREATS AND TWEETS: Are you interested in learning
about birding? Join Naturalist Ed Dominquez for a casual bird-
ing experience aimed at beginning and intermediate birders. We
start off by filling our cups with hot tea or coffee and a donut!
Cost is $7.00 ages 8 and older. 10 a.m. – noon, Seward Park Audu-
bon Center, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27
LEARN ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD MARCHING FUND: A program
of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, is hosting this work-
shop for those interested in applying to the fund. Neighbor-
hoods and community groups interested in the fund are invited
to attend. 6 P.M. -7:30 p.m., Columbia City Library, 4721 Rainier
Ave. S.
GOSPEL CHOIR CONCERT: The SPU Gospel Choir’s will present an
evening of prayers, black spirituals and ecumenical readings as
they honor Black History Month. This concert will be held at
7:30 p.m. in First Methodist Church, located across the street
from the SPU campus at 3200 3rd Ave. W.
THURSDAY, MARCH 1
COUNTDOWN TO ZERO OPENING CELEBRATION! Join us for the
opening celebration of our special exhibit “Countdown to zero:
defeating disease in the 21st century”. Featuring musicians Tiffa-
ny Wilson and Sohoyini West, African music and dance, connect
with local organizations and much more!5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation Visitor Center, 440 5th Ave. N.
SATURDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 3 – 4
JOSEPHINE’S REDEEMED REVIVAL VINTAGE MARKET: Come shop,
wander and leave inspired at this once a year vintage market!
Find that treasure for your home! Located in the heart of Kitsap
County! This event is worth the drive. Over 100 vendors, food,
music, fun and more! 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Kitsap County Fairgrounds,
1200 Fairgrounds Rd. NW. Bremerton. Admission is $7.00.
GET INFORMED provides the basics of govern-
ment, along with information on City resources and
opportunities.
GET ENGAGED shares useful web tools to help peo-
ple connect and engage with government and with
each other.
GET ORGANIZED provides City resources for those
ready to organize their neighborhood or community.
Here are a few highlights of the new Community Re-
source Hub:
• The Community Connector website is a crowd-
sourced list of community and not-for-profit orga-
nizations to help Seattleites connect with organiza-
tions that share their interests.
• Our Accessing Government video series shares
information on how government works, how to ac-
cess it, how to connect with it, and how to use your
voice within it.
• The Add Your Voice webpage is where you can find
opportunities to give your input and feedback on a
variety of City plans and projects.
• Get Informed Toolbox provides links to informa-
tion, workshops, and resources that are free or dis-
counted.
• Get Organized Toolbox has tip sheets and templates
for organizing a neighborhood/community group,
such as successful meeting tips, recruitment ideas,
and publicity tools.