| Jun |
| 3 |
| 6:30 pm |
Rep. Tina Orwall, elected to serve as State Representative for the 33rd Legislative District (which includes Des Moines, SeaTac, Normandy Park, large parts of Kent and Burien, and parts of Renton in King County), will be holding a re-election campaign kick-off on Thursday, June 3rd.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Re-elect Tina Orwall – campaign kick-off party.
WHEN: Thursday, June 3rd from 6:30pm – 8pm.
WHERE: At Tina’s home, which is located at 550 South 240th in Des Moines.
INFO: Refreshments provided, and King County Executive Dow Constantine will be a special guest.
| Apr |
| 9 |
Every year, Members of Congress are allowed to display one piece of artwork by a high school student from their district in the U.S. Capitol for one year.
Congressman Adam Smith, who represents Washington’s 9th Congressional District (which includes Des Moines), is holding an annual judged art competition to select which local art receives this honor, with a deadline of April 9th.
The selected student will win prizes and be invited to attend the national reception for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 24, 2010 in Washington, DC. two round-trip airline tickets are donated for travel to DC. The winning entry will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.
Prizes also include a scholarship to the Savannah Collage of Art and Design.
If you have any questions or want to receive electronic updates about Rep. Adam Smith’s Congressional Art Contest please contact Ms. Debra Entenman (253) 593-6600 or email: Debra.Entenman@mail.house.gov.
For contest guidelines, please download the forms from Adam’s website here.
2010 Congressional Arts Competition:
The Congressional Arts Competition allows each Member of Congress to display one piece of artwork, created by a high school student in their district, in the Capitol for one year.
Entries for the 9th Congressional District Art Contest are due by 5:00 PM on Friday April 9, 2010. All submissions should be sent to:
Congressman Adam Smith
2209 Pacific Avenue, Suite B
Tacoma, Washington 98402Additionally, during the month of April, most entries will be on display at Tacoma Art Museum (1701 Pacific Avenue). However, please be advised that due to space limitations it may not be possible to display all entries.
The winner of the competition will be announced at the Art Exhibition and Reception on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 1:00 pm at The Tacoma Art Museum.
The winning student will win prizes and be invited to attend the national reception for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 17, 2010 in Washington, DC. Three round-trip airline tickets are donated for travel to DC. The winning entry will be displayed in the Cannon tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year.
2010 Congressional Art Competition Guidelines:The competition is open to high school students only. Exceptions will be made for schools that have 7th through 12th grades on one campus. Each Member’s office can choose whether or not to include 7th and 8th grades in the art competition if there are schools in its district that fit these criteria. Additionally, official resources are to be used only to the extent authorized by the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
In order to allow artwork to hang in the Cannon Tunnel in the U.S. Capitol, the following restrictions are enforced:
- Artwork must be two dimensional;
- Each piece can be no larger than 28”x28”x 4” (28 inches high, 28 inches wide, and 4 inches deep) including the frame. Artwork cannot weigh more than 15 lbs;
- Each entry must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate any U.S. copyright laws. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo (not the student’s own), painting, graphic, advertisement, or any other work produced by another person is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted. Work entered must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing);
- Artwork must arrive in Washington by May 24, 2010 for inclusion in the exhibition.
- Artwork will hang in the Capitol for the entire year of the exhibition and cannot be returned to the students earlier. Students should, therefore, submit artwork they will not need for other purposes.
Last year's Congressional art contest winner Arunan Mukphrom with Congressman Adam Smith at his office in Washington DC. The winning artist and their family were invited to Washington, D.C. to see their artwork hung in the Capitol.
Artwork accepted mediums are as follows:
- Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
- Drawings: pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers
- Collage: must be two dimensional
- Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
- Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
- Computer-generated art
- Photography
Paper Work:
A typed and securely affixed large label must be applied to the back of each piece. Also provide a typed copy of the Student Release form, signed by both the teacher and the student, must be attached to the back of the artwork to certify the originality of the piece.
The winning artist’s student release form along with the Member Approval form should be sent to DC via fax to 202.225.3012, attn: 2010 Art Competition, as soon as you have chosen a winning artwork .
Release forms and Member Approval forms must be received by May 28th. This will allow us to determine if more information is required from the student before actually receiving the artwork.
The final decision regarding the suitability of all artwork for the 2010 Congressional Art Competition exhibition in the Capitol will be made by a panel of qualified persons chaired by the Architect of the Capitol.
Artwork must adhere to the policy of the House Office Building Commission.
In accordance with this policy, exhibits depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or a sensationalistic or gruesome nature are not allowed.
It is necessary that all artwork be reviewed by the panel chaired by the Architect of the Capitol and any portion not in consonance with the Commission’s policy will be omitted from the exhibit.
Framing Guidelines:
High School students in Washington's District 9 are eligible.
Framing guidelines apply only to the ONE winning artist/artwork that will be sent to Washington, DC.
All artwork must be framed. Frames should be kept as simple and sturdy as possible.
Metal frames are recommended. No “snap on” frames with glass are to be used.
All artwork must be protected by Plexiglas or glass. Plexiglas is preferred. If glass is used, special packing and shipping arrangements are encouraged to ensure that the work is not damaged if the glass breaks.
All works, including frame, should be no larger than 28 inches high, 28 inches wide, and 4 inches deep, to the outside of the frame, and 15 lbs. in weight. Please double check the size before sending the entry to Washington, DC. Due to wide participation of Member offices, framed work larger than the specified dimensions will be turned away.
Matting can enhance or detract from a work of art and should be carefully prepared.
Use sturdy picture hangers on the back of the frame. Two sturdy eye hooks should be attached at the top right and left sides of the back of the work for hanging in order to prevent the work from leaning forward or hanging unevenly. Do not put wire between the hooks for hanging; these will be added when the artwork is hung in the Capitol.
Do not attach labels, ribbons, etc. to the front of the piece or underneath the glass or Plexiglas.
If the artwork is abstract in design, please indicate on the backside which side is “up” with arrows.
As directed by the House Oversight and Standards of Official Conduct Committees, each district winner is responsible for framing his or her own entry. Any hardship case should be assisted at the district level; works can no longer be framed by the Architect of the Capitol.
A typed copy of the Student Information & Release Form must be securely attached to the back of the artwork.
More information on this art competition is available at Adam Smith’s website.
In the continuing saga of STITA vs the Port of Seattle, on Monday (Feb. 22nd), the Washington state Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the cab company by granting a temporary injunction against the Port of Seattle’s planned contract with Yellow Cab/Puget Sound Dispatch.
This means the Port cannot sign the planned contract “until further order of the Court” (click here to download/read the order as a PDF file), which could happen in April.
STITA’s request to expedite the appeal was granted by Commissioner Mary Neel. The Commissioner’s order states that this case will be heard by a three-judge panel “toward the end of the April 2010 term,” meaning that this ongoing SeaTac soap opera is far from over.
Members of STITA, who filed the original lawsuit against the Port of Seattle on Jan. 29, were obviously pleased with the decision.
“We are thrilled that the court stopped the Port from proceeding with an illegal contract,” said Jesse Buttar, a STITA member and spokesperson. “We’ve only ever asked for a fair process and a legal contract and now we hope the Port has finally listened and will re-do its flawed bidding process.”
Here’s more info from STITA’s press release, issued late Monday afternoon:
STITA, a non-profit co-op with one of the greenest cab fleet in the country, was created in 1989 by the Port of Seattle to exclusively serve the airport and provide reliable service to airport users. Now, after an unfair proposal process, STITA and its approximately 450 members and drivers will essentially be put out of business. They have the airport contract through August 2010.
STITA’s lawsuit claims that the Port’s bidding process violated state law by requiring bidders to commit to pay an unfair concession fee of at least 10 percent of their airport-based revenues to the Port. This revenue system violates the Airports Act, which says airport concession fees must be based upon the actual cost of operations and be reasonable and uniform. Previously, the Port had charged a per-trip fee to taxis based on the airport’s actual cost of services provided to the cabbies.
Additionally, the lawsuit contends that the Port’s new concession fees violate the King County Code and takes away from the King County Council’s authority to set “just and reasonable” taxi meter rates.
Despite protests from STITA to the Port about these glaring problems with the process and the proposed contract, the Port has so far declined to re-do its flawed contract bid.
A second lawsuit against the Port and Yellow Cab by Farwest Taxi was filed on Feb. 12.
Read our previous coverage of this ongoing legal battle here.
by Just after 9pm Wednesday evening (4/29), King County Public Health Department announced that three probable cases of swine flu (H1N1) have been identified in the county.
All three were reported to be in Seattle, with none reported as being specific to the Des Moines area, but keep in mind that no associated zip codes of where the victims were from were released.
Laboratory samples have been sent to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Public Health – Seattle & King County is awaiting final confirmation.
Also today, the World Health Organization raised its pandemic swine flu alert level to Phase 5 – its second-highest level, and one that includes the language “a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent.”
The CDC has determined that the swine flu virus H1N1 is contagious and is spreading from human to human.
Symptoms of swine flu include:
- A fever of more than 100°F
- Coughing
- Joint aches
- Severe headache
- And, in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea
“Now that swine flu is likely in King County, we expect to see more infections, but it’s too early to say how severe the illnesses will be. We are working to provide needed information and assistance to these people and their families. We are also working with health care providers and community partners to prepare in the event that the situation becomes more serious,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County.
“We’ve prepared for this day for the past four years, and now we must all do our part to reduce its spread,” said Ron Sims, King County Executive. “We encourage everyone to get prepared at home, find out about plans at your job, and take steps to protect yourself, your family and the community by staying home when you are sick, washing your hands often and covering your coughs and sneezes.”
“In the last few years, Seattle has prepared for pandemic flu. We will activate our Emergency Operations Center at the first level so our emergency operations personnel can coordinate procedures and communications,” said Greg Nickels, Seattle Mayor.
As of April 29, there are three probable cases of swine flu in King County, in addition to two cases in Snohomish County and one case in Spokane County.
The three King County residents with probable swine flu include:
- A male child of Seattle who was hospitalized and is improving
- A male in his 20s from Seattle, not hospitalized and improving
- A woman in her 30s from Seattle, not hospitalized and improving
Officials did not release any other information, such as whether the victims had traveled to Mexico recently.
When should you seek medical care?
Use the same judgment you would use during a typical flu season. Do not seek medical care if you are not ill or have mild symptoms for which you would not ordinarily seek medical care. If you have more severe symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, body aches or are feeling more seriously ill, call your health care provider to discuss your symptoms and if you need to be evaluated.
Public Health will continue to work with health care providers to test flu patients who develop severe illness or are associated with clusters, but does not currently recommend testing for all flu patients.
If the following flu-like symptoms are mild, medical attention is not typically required: runny nose or nasal stuffiness; low-grade fever for less than 3 days; mild headache; body aches and mild stomach upset.
What can I do now to get prepared?
This is an excellent time to get prepared at home and work for a possible influenza pandemic. See www.kingcounty.gov/health/pandemicflu
Everyday behaviors to stay healthy
- If you are sick, stay home from work or school.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- To further prevent the spread of germs, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Avoid close contact with sick people
What is swine flu?
“Swine flu” is an influenza A (H1N1) virus normally found in pigs. There are many such viruses and they rarely infect humans. The virus currently causing human illness is a new type of swine flu that has developed the ability to infect people and be transmitted from person to person.
Although this new virus is called “swine flu,” it is not transmitted from pigs to humans, or from eating pork products. Like other respiratory diseases, it is spread from person to person through coughs and sneezes. When people cough or sneeze, they spread germs through the air or onto surfaces that other people may touch.
Rest assured The Waterland Blog will be following this story closely, and we urge all readers to be vigilant in following the directions listed above, as well as seeking immediate help if you suffer from any associated flu-like symptoms.
For more information and frequent updates: www.kingcounty.gov/health/swineflu, or call the Public Health Hotline: 206-296-4949.
Here’s a link to a PDF called “Pandemic Flu Planning Guide” which is probably now worth a close read.
by Mark Neuman
The Waterland Blog spoke recently with Metropolitan King County Councilmember Larry Phillips, who, along with fellow councilmember Dow Constantine are the leading contenders in the race to replace outgoing King County Executive Ron Sims.
THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE:
We asked Phillips who he regards as the best King County Executive since the office came into existence some 40 years ago.
Phillips named three, starting with the first Executive, John Spellman, who served three terms.
“I think Spellman set the framework for successful (county) government. I hold him in high regard. He’s a fabulous individual.”
Phillips admires Randy Revelle, who served in the early 1980s and for whom Phillips served as chief of staff for four years.
“I got to know the executive branch very, very well during that period,” Phillips said. “I was in the room for all the tough decisions.”
“I am also partial to Ron Sims, who I believe had an extraordinary run during his years two through eight” as Executive.
RESPONDING TO DOW’S BULLET POINTS:
Phillips agreed to respond to five bullet points that appeared on a direct mail piece the Constantine campaign mailed out to prospective voters the week of March 30th.
The Constantine bullet points appear in italics below.
CLAIM: Dow fought for parks, open space and Puget Sound. He has a 97% lifetime environmental voting record
RESPONSE: “I completely trump Dow when it comes to parks, open space and Puget Sound. If there is one hallmark to my service over the years it’s the contributions that I’ve made to open space in King County and our regional parks system. I could go on beyond that significantly. I trump Dow in spades.”
CLAIM: Dow helped lead passage of light rail expansion
RESPONSE: “That one he doesn’t get to claim for himself.”
Phillips recalled the failure of area voters to approve light rail during his school days in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.
“I’ve been fighting for light rail ever since, including my time in the Washington State legislature.
“I’m a growth management guy, so I look ahead ten to twenty years. My dad was an architect, so planning is part of my DNA.”
CLAIM: Dow is a champion for jobs and working families
RESPONSE: “I have a fabulous labor voting record. I emphasize jobs and infrastructure.” Phillips named several labor endorsements his campaign has received to date.
CLAIM: Dow demanded efficiency in audits in county government
RESPONSE: “No one has led more reforms in county government than I have. I was the one who called for the audit of Metro Transit last year before anybody else did.”
CLAIM: Dow is the only candidate who represents rural areas, suburban cities, Seattle neighborhoods and the broad diversity that is King County. Dow will unify, not divide our county
RESPONSE: Phillips responded by pointing out that he has received endorsements of the rural county mayors of Enumclaw, Maple Valley, Black Diamond and Issaquah.
“I have a long, long history of working with the rural communities of King County. I know their issues and I know their people.”
RED LIGHT CAMERAS:
Phillips says he does not see the use of red light cameras by some cities in King County (such as Burien) at certain intersections as a revenue-generating effort.
“Sparingly and appropriately used, red light cameras are a public safety and traffic calming effort,” he says. “However, there needs to be some balance and common sense in how much they are utilized.”
ANNEXATION:
Phillips says that King County “does not have the taxing authority that cities have. It’s very hard for King County to continue to provide the levels of service that people normally expect in urban areas.
“The state’s Growth Management Act strongly encourages incorporation or annexation in urban areas, but does not require it.”
Phillips says it’s up to the citizens in the remaining pockets of non-annexed and unincorporated areas to decide for themselves whether they want change or the status quo.
Short of incorporation or annexation, Phillips says, “our ability to provide current levels of services to North Highline and the White Center community will likely continue to diminish over time.”
THIRD RUNWAY:
Does Phillips think the residents living northwest of Sea-Tac Airport were, perhaps, duped with respect to the intended use of the now functioning third runway?
“I think the Port, from my perspective, can always do a better job of communicating with the public on what they’re doing, with respect to high profile or contentious issues,” Phillips said. “I’ve haven’t been a student of this issue as perhaps other citizens living around Sea-Tac Airport are.”
STATE INCOME TAX:
Does Phillips support a state income tax?
“I have supported a state income tax, yes,” he said. “Dow’s very proud of the fact that he supported the commission that just talks about an income tax. I actually supported the legislation.”
GO HUSKIES:
Phillips is a University of Washington alum, who played basketball on his high school varsity team. He went out on a non-political limb: Regardless of who wins the race for King County Executive in November, he predicts the Husky men’s basketball team will come out on top as National Champs in the Final Four next spring.
“I am three generations deep into being a Husky and I believe in Purple!”
Here’s Phillips’ YouTube video announcement for his campaign:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0IC4itxbg0[/youtube]
So who will you vote for as Ron Sims’ replacement? Please answer our poll:
Loading ...[EDITOR'S NOTES: The primary election is August 18th; the general election is November 3rd.]
| Mar ’09 |
| 31 |
| 5:00 pm |
The City of Des Moines is currently updating the Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Master Plan for years 2010-2016, and they’re seeking resident feedback by March 31st in the form of a short survey.
Here are the details:
Please print and complete the following questionnaire and return it using one of the following methods:
- 2010-2016 Master Plan Questionnaire (PDF, requires free Adobe Reader)
Fax to:
- 206-870-6587
Drop off at:
- Des Moines Activity Center
- City Hall
- Des Moines Field House
Mail it to:
City of Des Moines Parks, Recreation and Senior Services
1000 S. 220th Street
Des Moines, WA 98198
You may also complete the questionnaire online by clicking here: www.desmoineswa.gov/2009parkssurvey
Completed questionnaires are due by March 31, 2009
Photo of historic Field House and Field by Carmen Scott.
Here’s a great way you can help beautify Des Moines as it celebrates its landmark 50th birthday – donate to help restore the historic Field House Park grandstand, field #1 and play area.
We know times are tough and all, but you can donate as little as just $1 buck to help out!
Some info from the City’s website:
With the help of the Des Moines community, the Des Moines Legacy Foundation and outside grants, the City plans to restore, preserve and bring up to code, a community treasure and regional historic resource, the Baseball Grandstand, Field #1 and the Play area at Des Moines Field House Park. The grandstand is currently closed due to structural deterioration.
Des Moines Field House Park was built in 1938 by a dedicated civic group with assistance by the Works Progress Act. The park became the first park in the King County Parks system. There are no other remaining historic wooden baseball grandstands in the King County Park System and only a handful of wooden grandstands standing in the northwest.
The park received King County Landmark designation in 1984 due to its significance as a strong example of Depression-era public architecture also known as CCC-style or Park Service Rustic and was also identified as the first King County Park and is eligible for listing on both the Washington and National Historic Registers.
The Grandstand Restoration Project includes the following improvements:
- The removal of existing superstructure (walls, roof framing, roof sheathing, and roofing)
- Design and reconstruction of the superstructure
- The reuse, repair or replacement of existing trim, railing, etc.
- Repair to some areas of the seating structure which includes seating and seat framing
- Priming and painting of all new materials, as well existing surfaces
An ADA survey will be completed as part of the project to determine needed ADA modifications. The Legacy Foundation also plans to work with the Des Moines Arts Commission to provide future artist designed enhancments.
Significant funds have been awarded to the Grandstand project through grants from the State of Washington Heritage Capital Fund $420,000 and 4Culture $10,000. Outside funding for Ballfield #1 and the Play area come from the Boeing Mariners Care Athletic Field Grant $100,000, State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board Grant $75,000, King County Youth Sports Facilties Grant $75,000 and the Rotary Club of Des Moines $10,000.
Work is scheduled to begin in Spring 2009, but we need your help!
Additional donations are needed to meet the community fundraising goal of $50,000. Tax deductible contributions from $1 up to any amount may be made to:
Grandstand Project
c/o the Des Moines Legacy Foundation (a 501c3 non-profit organization)
1000 S. 220th Street
Des Moines, WAor call 206-870-6527 for more information.
Coming soon from the Publishers of The B-Town (Burien) Blog, The White Center Blog and many others…the Waterland Blog!
Focusing on the “Waterland City,” aka Des Moines, WA, this website will feature:
- Updated Local News
- Feature Stories on Local Citizens
- Photos
- Videos
- Webcams
- Businesses
- Events Listings
- And yes…even great Advertising Opportunities!
So…please check back soon as we prepare to launch!
