A resource for King County Housing Authority residents
This month: Holiday gift ideas that won’t break the bank
We’re all feeling the financial pinch during this tough economic time. But remember that when it comes to giving and getting gifts, it’s often the thought that counts.
Here are 10 gifts that you can buy or make without spending too much:
1. A pair of gardening gloves with a packet of vegetable seeds.
2. A package of coffee or tea tucked inside a new mug or teacup. An alternative could be homemade cocoa mix in a pretty jar. You could use any glass jar that you bought at the grocery store – a jar of jelly, for example – and decorate it at home with ribbon, beads, stickers, etc., to make it personal.
3. A basket filled with small kitchen gadgets – such as a spatula, mixing spoon, meat brush, can opener.
4. Handwritten copies of your favorite recipes. You could put them all into a notebook that you decorate with craft supplies.
5. Prepaid long distance phone cards.
6. A knitted hat, scarf or some socks that you made for the holidays.
7. Home-made goods – bread, cookies, muffins, jellies and jams, etc. – and be sure to include the recipe.
8. Photo gifts – online sites can help you make calendars, mugs, key chains or you can give a collage of special photos, a framed photo or a photo album/scrapbook that you decorated yourself.
9. Magazine subscriptions – especially for kids.
10. Books. Many used-book stores feature high quality copies for half the price or less.
An alternative to traditional gift-giving is the gift of your skills or your time. You can still present the gift in a wrapped package or envelope, but inside, write a note that explains the gift.
Here are five ideas:
Fall Fun!
Green River Homes resident Viktor Zalutskiy, 25, enjoys helping to pick up fallen
leaves on the grounds of the Auburn property that has been his home since 2004.
“I like to make it nice and clean,” he said.
Zalutskiy regularly stops by the Green River office and asks for bags, and then he
places them on the sidewalk for maintenance staff to pick up. His volunteer efforts
have encouraged many other residents to do the same.
“It’s great to see everyone helping to keep their yards clean,” Property Manager
Penny Bradley said.
Digital television arrives in February; new TVs not required
Starting in 2009, all analog televisions will need a converter box to receive free TV. That’s because after Feb. 17, full-power TV stations will only broadcast in a digital format.
A federal law was passed to require the switch in an effort to improve picture and sound quality, provide more programming choices and allow for commercial advanced wireless services.
If you already have a digital TV, this change won’t affect you. Digital TVs usually will be identified as HDTV or Digital TV (DTV) somewhere on the front of the set.
If you have an analog TV, it’s important for you to know that you don’t have to buy cable service or a new TV to continue receiving free television after Feb. 17. However, you will need to purchase a digital-toanalog converter box, which has a one-time cost between $40 and $70.
To help you pay for the boxes, the federal government is offering two $40 coupons per household. You can request a coupon through March 31 by:
Once you have the coupon in hand, you must use it within 90 days, or it will expire, and you’ll have to pay full price for the converter.
Also, please keep this change in mind if you ARE thinking about buying a new TV. Remember that if you purchase an analog television – which may be offered at a dramatically reduced price – you also will need to buy a converter box.
Reducing waste is especially important during the holiday season. Americans throw away 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than during any other time of the year.
Here are some great alternatives to gift-wrapping and packaging this year that can save you money and are better for the environment: Gift-wrapping and decorating alternatives
Old posters and maps
Pages of your children’s artwork – original or from a coloring book
Old sheet music
Old newspapers (the comic section works especially well) and magazines
A plain box decorated with any art supplies – pens, markers, paint, glitter, etc. – that you have at home
A present in a present (for example, a hat wrapped inside a matching scarf, cookies in a reusable tin or kitchen gifts wrapped in a towel)
Last year’s holiday cards cut up for gift tags
Stencils or pictures from holiday cards pasted onto a plain brown paper bag or box
Scarves, old neckties, scrap fabric, lace, yarn, beads, buttons and reusable items such as hair bows, ornaments, shoe laces or toys can all take the place of store-bought bows
Packaging alternatives
• Dry, popped popcorn with a note explaining that birds can eat it
• Crumpled ads from newspapers
After the holidays
News for Families Living in KCHA Communities
Through a new partnership with the King County Housing Authority, Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA) is trying to help women and their families in the Somali/ Somali Bantu Community become self-sufficient. That new effort is called the ReWA Somali/Somali Bantu Outreach Project.
ReWA provides the following services to women and their families in the Somali/Somali Bantu Community:
Services through the Somali/Somali Bantu Outreach Project are now available to residents living at the following KCHA properties: Birch CreekApartments (including relocated families living off site), Valli Kee, Cascade Apartments, Burndale Homes, Evergreen Court, Firwood Circle, Green River Homes and Kings Court.
For more information, please contact the Refugee Women’sAlliance at 206-306-4395 or 206-246-3397. Additional information also will be available in future issues of The Voice.
Abdullahi Hassan is the program coordinator for ReWA.
BARNAMIJKA GACANSIINTA QOYSASKA SOMALI/SOMALI BANTU OO KA DHEXEYA KCHA IYO REWA
Hawalaha uu barnamijka fulinayo waa xirfadaha nololeed.
Nadaafadda Guryaha, Tarjumida, Guriyen iyo shaqo iyo caafimad helid iyo kuwa
Kale oo fara badan.
Hey’ada ReWA waxay u shaqeysaa haweenka qaxootiga iyo qoysaskooda.
Hawlo ayey ka fuilsaa xaafadaha ay degenyihiin qoysaska Somali/Somali Bantu
Sidii ay horumar uga gaari laahyeen noloshooda.
Heyadda ReWA waxay si wadajir ah u wada shaqeyaan Hay’adda Guriyeenta ee King County Housing Authority. Sidii ay dadka deggan guryaha ay isugu filaan laahayen.
Barnaamijka wuxuu ka hawalagaya xaafadaha Birch Creek Apartments (oo ay ku jiiraan qoysaska loo raarey meelo kale), Cascade Apartments, Valli Kee, Evergreen Court, Burndale Apartments, Firwood Circle, Green River and Kings Court.
Barnaijka waxaa mid qaban doona howlaha ay ReWA u qaban doonto Hawenka Qaxootiga iyo qoysaskooda.. Waxaa kaloo barnamija xooga saaraya sidii uu ula shaqeyn lahaa mujtamaca deggan guryaha ay bixiso KCHA.
La xariir ReWA Xafiiska Cascade Tel. 206-306-4395 ama Xafiiska Seatac 206246-3397.
KCHA planning improvements to rent process for families
We are beginning an effort to review the
way we verify income and calculate rent
for the working families and work-able
adults in our Public Housing and Housing
Choice Voucher (Section 8) programs.
As part of our effort to simplify how
we calculate rent and to make our policies
easier to understand, we want to find
ways to help you increase your income
and save money.
KCHA wants to see you achieve stability
and success for yourself and your
family.
As part of the planning process, we
have been meeting with residents and our
community partners to gather ideas, input
and questions.
Many thanks to those of you who have
already participated. We would like to
encourage all of you to share your thoughts
about possible rent policy changes.
What kinds of changes would be helpful
to you to make it easier for you to save
money or go to work? Are there aspects
of our current policies that hinder your
ability to go to work or save money? You
can share your comments by e-mail at
rentreform@kcha.org.
Would you like to open a bank account
and stop paying fees to cash checks? A new
program involving more than 300 partner
bank and credit union branches throughout
King County can help you reach that goal.
Through the Bank on Seattle-King
County program – launched by the City of
Seattle – you can take advantage of checking,
savings, credit and financial education
opportunities such as zero- or low-balance
accounts.
Even if you have never opened a checking
or savings account before or if you’ve
had problems with an account in the past,
Bank on Seattle-King County wants to help
you open an account with a bank or credit
union and begin saving for the future.
Bank accounts keep your money safe,
add convenience and save you money on
check-cashing.
What do I need to do?
1. Find a participating bank or credit
union in your neighborhood. You can find
a participating bank or credit union in your
area by going to www.everyoneiswelcome.org or by calling 2-1-1 or 800-621-4636.
2. Plan a trip to the participating branch,
and remember to bring two forms of identification
with you. You will need at least
a passport, a Washington state ID or a
Mexican Matricula card. If you don’t have
a Social Security number, you can use
your Individual Tax Identification Number
(ITIN).
3. When you arrive at the participating
branch, ask a staff member about opening a
Bank on Seattle-King County account. The
participating branches have special checking
and savings programs designed just for
you. Staff members will answer your questions
and help you open an account that’s
best for your needs.
4. The staff member will walk you
through the entire process. And they can
show you how to sign up for free money
management training classes to help you get
the most from your new account.
What benefits are there?
Some benefits of signing up for an account
through Bank on Seattle-King County
include:
• Your first deposit doesn’t have to be
a large amount of money. Also, many accounts
won’t require you to keep a minimum
balance.
• Your account will have no or low monthly fees, and staff members will
clearly explain all fees to you.
• Even if you’re in the Chex system – a
network that lets banks know if you’ve
mishandled past accounts – you can open
an account through Bank on Seattle-King
County.
• The partner branches will accept a
Mexican Matricula Consular card as your
primary identification and an Individual
Tax Identification Number instead of a
Social Security Number.
• The partner branches will waive
one set of non-sufficient funds/overdraft
fees annually and will provide an additional
feature or service to help you
avoid instances of non-sufficient funds/
overdraft.
For more information, go to www.everyoneiswelcome.org or call 2-1-1 or
800-621-4636.
Are you low on cash and worried that
the economic crisis and upcoming holiday
season will break your pocketbook?
At times like these, the payday loans
you’ve probably seen advertised on television
or at a neighborhood check-cashing
business may seem more tempting than ever.
But beware. Payday loans come at a very
high price that many cannot afford.
What are payday loans?
Payday loans are small, short-term loans
intended to cover borrowers’ expenses until
their next payday. In most cases, borrowers
write a post-dated, personal check for the
loan amount plus a fee. The lender holds the
check for the loan period and then deposits it,
or the borrower returns with cash to reclaim
the check.
Why should I avoid payday loans?
Payday loans come with very high interest
rates – the fees that borrowers pay in order to
borrow money. For example, a 14-day, $500
payday loan with the maximum fee permitted
in Washington would have an annual
percentage rate of interest that is more than
15 times higher than a typical credit card.
Why does the interest rate matter?
Often, borrowers continue to have financial
problems and cannot pay back the loan
as promised. Their interest keeps growing
and so does the debt. It’s easy for borrowers
to get trapped in a payday loan cycle of debt
by taking out loan after loan.
What alternatives are there to payday
loans?
• Try a small loan from a credit union
• Ask your employer for an advance on
your paycheck
• Ask about delaying or making payment
arrangements on your non-interest bills, such
as your telephone bill
• Ask to borrow money from a friend or
family member (be sure to have the terms of
the loan in writing)
• Use a credit card advance
Source: Most of the information for this
article came from the Washington State Department
of Financial Institutions.
By Marsha Iverson – King County Library System
Special to The Voice
In King County and across the nation, public libraries are getting busier as growing numbers of Americans face economic uncertainty. Rising prices for groceries, transportation and utilities mean finding ways to cut costs just to meet daily needs.
While there’s small comfort in knowing that so many are facing the same challenges, affordable help is at hand – at your library! Whether you need to learn a new skill, look for a new job, find fresh books to read with your toddler, or tackle those minor car repairs on your own, your public library can help you find the information you need to get started. Public libraries provide materials, information and answers to your questions, all without charge.
Need help with challenging school assignments? Try your library for the latest reference materials, research tools and computer work stations.
Don’t know what to do with the kids on a rainy weekend? Head to the library, where everyone can find something to do: read a magazine, listen to a story, learn something new or find books, music or movies to take home – free!
If you’re facing financially bleak winter holidays, turn to your library for ideas on affordable gifts, easy crafts, basic recipes, home-grown entertainment and celebrations from simpler times.
The library is a garden for your mind, where you can cultivate imagination and create new opportunities for growth and community. Join a book group. Start a knitting circle. Learn a new language. Update your resume. Read to your child. Talk to your librarian to help you find the right library resources for you, and get started!
Team up with a neighbor and walk to your closest library branch this week. To find your nearest location, go to www.kcls.org or call 425-462-9600 or 800-462-9600.
Pregnant mother’s flu shot may protect newborns
While the flu shot is not licensed for babies six months old and younger, a new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study has found that newborns can be protected when their mothers receive the shot during pregnancy. Infants born to vaccinated mothers had a 63 percent lower likelihood of developing the flu, and a 36 percent lower likelihood of developing a number of other serious respiratory infections. The findings are especially important because although the flu shot is recommended for all pregnant women, only about 15 percent actually get it.
Flu shots are not licensed for infants younger than 6 months old, and the alternative nasal flu vaccine is not available for children younger than 2 years old. The flu shot has been recommended for pregnant women in the United States since 1997.
“It’s a two-for-one benefit,” said Mark Steinhoff, the study’s senior author and a professor in the Bloomberg School’s Department of International Health. “Infants under 6 months have the highest rates of hospitalization from influenza among children in the U.S. These admission rates are higher than those for elderly and other high-risk adult groups.”
For complete information about where to get a flu vaccine and costs in King County, please visit the Public Health Seattle-King County Flu Season Web pages at www. kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/immunization/fluseason.aspx or call 206-296-4949.
Source: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
High food prices and the country’s economic uncertainty are taking a toll on all of us and could make for a stressful holiday season. However, many local charities and social service organizations have planned food and gift programs to help families in need. Below is a list of assistance programs throughout King County.
AUBURN
Auburn Food Bank
What: Holiday food bags are provided to low-income residents of the Auburn School District. Holiday toys are provided for children ages birth through 12.
Where: 930 18th Place N.E.
When: Register by Dec. 22 for food bags; register by Dec. 19 for toys.
More information: 253-833-8925
His Ministry
What: Christmas Dinner
Where: Grace Community Church, 1320 Auburn Way S.
When: Time and date to be announced the first week in December.
More information: 253-315-9570
BELLEVUE
Bellevue Parks and Community Services
What: Youth Holiday Party for ages 5 to 18 that includes gifts
Where: Crossroads Community Center, 16000 N.E. 10th St.
When: Dec. 16 More information: 425-452-4874
Hopelink
What: Select holiday food items and gifts for youth are offered to low-income residents from Bellevue, Medina, Newcastle and Mercer Island.
Where: 14812 Main St.
When: Call before Dec. 12 for registration information.
More information: 425-943-7555
Salvation Army
What: Toys are provided for children in eligible low-income East and North King County families.
Where: Social Services Department – East King, 911 164th Ave. N.E.
When: Walk in to register through Dec.
12. More information: 425-452-7300
BOTHELL
Hopelink – Northshore
What: Holiday gifts for children ages birth-18 and holiday food items are provided to low-income Northshore School District families.
Where: 18220 96th Ave. N.E.
When: Register by Dec. 5 for children’s gifts; register before Dec. 12 for holiday food. More information: 425-485-6521
DES MOINES
Des Moines Area Food Bank
What: Holiday food is distributed to low-
income residents of Des Moines, SeaTac and Kent. Where: United Methodist Church, 22225
Ninth Ave. S. When: Dec. 19, 22 and 23 More information: 206-878-2660
KENT
Kent Food Bank and Emergency Services
What: Holiday gifts and food are provided for residents of the Kent School District. Gifts are available for children ages 12 and younger.
Where: 515 W. Harrison St. Suite 107 When: Walk in to register by Dec. 9. More information: 253-520-3550
Kent Seventh Day Adventist Church
What: A traditional Christmas meal is
provided for anyone in need. Where: 25213 116th Ave. S.E. When: 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 20
More information: 253-852-3883
Salvation Army
What: Eligible families from Kent and surrounding areas can call to sign up for the “Christmas Giving” program, which includes “Toy ‘n’ Joy.”
Where: Social Services Department, 1209
Central Ave. S. Suite 145 When Call to sign up between Dec. 8-10. More information: 253-852-4983
KIRKLAND
Hopelink
What: Select holiday food items are offered, and holiday gifts for children ages birth
through 18 are distributed to low-income Kirkland residents. Where: 13013 N.E. 65 St.
When: Call to register for an appointment by Dec. 12.
More information: 425-889-7880
REDMOND
Hopelink
What: Select holiday food items are offered, and holiday gifts/clothing for children in grades K-12 are provided to Redmond and Sammamish residents.
Where: 16225 N.E. 87th St. Suite A1
When: Call to make an appointment by Dec. 5.
More information: 425-882-0241
SHORELINE
Hopelink
What: Gifts for children ages birth through 18 are provided, and select holiday food items are offered to low-income residents of the Shoreline and Lake Forest Park areas.
Where: 15809 Westminster Way N. When: Register by Dec. 5
More information: 206-440-7300
SOUTHWEST KING COUNTY
Highline Area Food Bank
What: Self-select holiday food items are provided to residents of Burien, SeaTac, Normandy Park and unincorporated King County.
When: Registration begins Dec. 2
More information: 206-433-9900
News for Senior and Disabled Households of KCHA Communities
Older adults may be better able to
comply with medication schedules
by working with their providers
to fill out simple paper tables that
track what medicines they take and
when.
Many older adults take multiple
medications. But with a greater
number of medications comes a
greater risk of dosage and other
errors.
However, keeping a chart of
medications and instructions for
taking them can provide a simple
solution. That’s according to a new
study from the University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign, which
found that a simple, pre-designed
table had a significant impact on
reducing medication errors. Research
has shown that about half
of all older adults take medication
incorrectly, and nearly a third of
hospital admissions among this age
group can be attributed to medication
errors.
So if you take multiple medications,
you might want to consider
tracking what you take every day
on a chart to be sure that you’re
following your provider’s instructions.
Another tool that may help those
taking multiple medications is a
prescription bottle magnifier – a
magnifying lens designed to fit on
most standard prescription bottles.
The magnifiers cost about $6 and
can help older adults avoid mistakes
in reading vital dosage or
instructional information listed in
difficult to read type.
Source: American Psychological
Association
Avoid fire hazards
• Don’t overload your home
circuitry with a space heater. Use
extension cords that have the necessary
rating to carry the amp load.
• Avoid using electrical space
heaters in areas where devices
can come into contact with water,
paints, solvents or flammable
liquids, and place heaters at least
three feet from bedding, furniture,
drapes and others objects that can
catch fire.
• Never leave a space heater on
when you sleep or leave the area.
This is a carbon monoxide and fire
hazard.
• Don’t keep trash near your
heating system.
• Never leave burning candles
unattended. Don’t burn candles on
window sills or on any furniture
that has a cloth covering. Use an
appropriate candle holder at all
times.
Power outage safety
• Use a flashlight to help you
find your way around.
• Don’t use candles because they
can cause a fire hazard.
• Turn off any electrical equipment
that you were using before
the outage. Leave one light turned
on to alert you when power returns.
• Don’t use gas appliances such
as ovens or clothes dryers for heating.
• Don’t use generators or other
fuel-burning devices such as heaters
or grills inside your home.
Those can cause potentially deadly
carbon monoxide poisoning.
• If you suspect that a person
has carbon monoxide poisoning,
immediately move them into fresh
air. Make sure the person gets to a
hospital.
• Try not to open your refrigerator
unless absolutely necessary.
That will help preserve the perishable
food you have inside.
Paramount House residents Marjorie Harbin and David Schofield each celebrated their birthdays with a joint celebration last month at their Shoreline building.
The celebration marked a big milestone for Harbin, who turned 85. She has lived at Paramount House for the past 20 years.
“We have a really good circle (of people) here,” Harbin said. “Everyone looks out for each other.”
KCHA residents with disabilities
can seek reasonable accommodations – or a modification to their
home or living environment so that
their living arrangements are, as a
whole, comparable to that of other
applicants/residents.
Such accommodations may be
made for qualified persons with disabilities.
Requests must be medically
necessary and sufficiently tied to the
individual’s disability. You might
have to provide documentation (not
medical records) that shows your
need for the particular accommodation.
There are limits to the reasonable
accommodations KCHA can fulfill.
We can’t provide you with supportive
services beyond those already
offered to all residents.
Also, while
we’re happy to make modifications
to enable you to live in one of our
communities, we’re not required to
offer you housing that is fundamentally
different from what we already
have.
To request a reasonable accommodation,
please talk to your property
manager or resident services coordinator.
Also, a copy of the reasonable
accommodation request form
for public housing applicants and
residents is available on the KCHA
Web site at www.kcha.org/currentresidents/sh_reasonable.aspx.
By Dr. Kyra Becker
University of Washington Regional Stroke Center at Harborview
Although the risk of stroke increases
as we age, preventive steps
can dramatically lessen the chances
that older adults will suffer the devastating
effects of this leading cause
of disability and third-leading cause
of death in the United States.
There are a number of risk factors
for stroke that can be directly modified
by medications or lifestyle changes.
Here are a few ways you can decrease
the chances that you will suffer a
stroke.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure,
is the most important condition
that should be modified to help prevent
stroke. The lower the blood pressure
the better. For most people, that
means a reading of less than 140/85.
For people with diabetes, it should be
even lower.
Smoking significantly increases the
risk of stroke. The good news is that
if you stop smoking, over time, you
can reduce the risk of stroke back to
that of a non-smoker. Many programs
exist to help older adults stop smoking.
For a list, call 1-888-4ELDERS
(1-888-435-3377) or visit the Web site
at www.4elders.org/resources/, then
click on “Stop-Smoking Assistance.”
Diabetes is associated with an
increased risk of stroke, and aggressive
blood sugar control probably
decreases that risk.
High cholesterol can also contribute
to stroke. While cholesterol-lowering
medications known as “statins” appear
to decrease the risk of stroke, the best
way to keep your cholesterol within
acceptable levels is to exercise, maintain
a healthy weight and limit your
intake of fats and other high-cholesterol
foods.
Healthy diet and exercise
can also lower the risk of diabetes and
high blood pressure, further reducing
the risk of stroke.
Medications prescribed by your
physician can treat conditions that
may cause stroke. Atrial fibrillation is
an abnormal heart rhythm that is very
common in the elderly, occurring in
10 percent or more of people over the
age of 80. The risk of stroke for people
with atrial fibrillation can be decreased
by as much as 50 percent by medicines
that thin the blood (anticoagulants).
If preventive efforts fail, it is important
to recognize the symptoms
of stroke in order to benefit from
new medicines that can minimize
the detrimental effects of a stroke if
they are administered immediately.
Here are some symptoms of stroke:
• Weakness or numbness on one side
of the body
• Loss of vision in one eye or to one side of the body; double vision
• Trouble speaking or understanding
speech
• Vertigo (the sensation of spinning)
especially when it occurs with any of
the other symptoms
• Sudden onset of the worst headache
of your life
Along with new medications that, if
given within three hours of a stroke,
can increase the likelihood of quick
recovery, an aspirin at the time of
stroke onset is also helpful and a daily
aspirin after a stroke can help prevent
recurrent strokes.
For more information on stroke or
any other issue affecting your life as
an older adult, visit www.4elders.org
or call 1-888-4ELDERS (1-888-435-3377), a free and confidential resource
sponsored by the Healthy Aging Partnership,
a coalition of 28 nonprofit and
public senior service organizations in
King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish
counties.
Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke discussed the city budget, local sidewalks, upcoming projects and much more during a recent question and answer session with residents from Harrison House.
The mayor’s visit has become an annual Harrison House tradition, and the residents came well prepared with many questions and comments to share.
City sidewalks
Cooke asked residents for feedback on city-owned sidewalks. Resident concerns included: sidewalks that come to an end prematurely and sidewalks that are uneven or have tree branches growing roots beneath them.
Cooke encouraged residents to submit any sidewalk concerns that they have to her office either via e-mail or a phone call. She said she could not guarantee that all sidewalks would be fixed, but she’s hoping to smooth uneven edges.
Cooke also explained that although property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalks in front of their businesses, she understands residents’ concerns and will have city employees make safety improvements.
Meeker Street tunnel
Residents also were concerned about the dim lighting, the large amount of bird droppings and trash found in the Meeker Street underpass.
Cooke agreed to request that reflectors be installed along the outside lane to increase safety. She also said city employees have been picking up the trash and are developing ideas to divert birds from nesting on the underpass’ ledges.
Aquatic Center
The city is exploring the possibility of a new aquatic center to replace the 36-year-old Kent Meridian Pool, though any project would be subject to approval by Kent voters. Possible challenges with building an aquatic center include cost and recent developments by private fitness clubs.
Other options include upgrading the existing pool or investigating a partnership with a private group.
Budget
Cooke explained that city employees are very busy right now working on next year’s budget. She was proud to announce that even though the country is in a financial crisis, the city managed to save 10 percent of its budget for emergency situations.
A resident thank you
Harrison House residents thanked the mayor for the beautiful hanging baskets and potted flowers in the city. Cooke said that the city’s parks department and downtown businesses work together to maintain the flowers.
The mayor concluded by encouraging residents to e-mail at mayor@ci.kent.wa.us, call 253-856-5700 or drop by her office at 220 Fourth Ave. S., Kent, with comments.
Translated Articles for Our Families
HÃY TRÁNH ĐỪNG MƯỢN NỢ MÀ PHẢI TRẢ VÀO CÁC KỲ LÃNH LƯƠNG (PAYDAY LOANS)
Qúi vị có đang bị hết tiền và lo lắng về khủng hỏang kinh tế, và mùa lễ sắp đến làm cho qúi vị bị hết tiền túi ?
Có nhiều lúc như trong hòan cảnh trên đây, qúi vị có lẻ đã thấy những quảng cáo về việc cho mượn nợ đến kỳ lãnh lương mới trả, hoặc ở các cơ sở dịch vụ đổi tiền hay cho mượn nợ trong khu phố, dường như hấp dẫn qúi vị hơn lúc nào hết. Nhưng hãy coi chừng, việc mượn nợ đến kỳ lương trả thường tốn kém cao đến độ khó trả nổi.
Việc mượn nợ đến kỳ lương trả, thì như thế nào ?
Đó là món nợ nhỏ, ngắn hạn để giúp cho người mượn chi xài cho đến kỳ lãnh lương sắp tới.
Tại sao tôi nên tránh việc mượn nợ đến kỳ lương trả ?
Tại vì các món nợ đến ngày lãnh lương trả lại có mức tiền lời rất cao – lệ phí mà người mượn phải trả khi đi vay mượn. Thí dụ như, để mượn một số tiền là $500 trong 14 ngày, thì người mượn nợ phải trả số tiền lời theo qui định của tiểu bang Washington, gấp 15 lần cao hơn số tiền của các thẻ tín dụng credit card.
Tại sao mức tiền lời là có vấn đề ?
Thường thì, người mượn nợ tiếp tục gặp khó khăn về tài chánh, không thể trả nợ như đã hứa. Số tiền lời tăng theo số tiền nợ. Do đó người mượn nợ lại bị sụp vô vòng lẩn quẩn của các món nợ trả theo kỳ lương bằng cách tiếp tục vay thêm.
Có cách nào khác hơn là mượn nợ rồi trả vào ngày lãnh lương không ?
Hãy thử mượn món nợ nhỏ ở các ngân hàng tín dụng- credit union.
Hãy hỏi chủ sở làm xin được rút tiền trước từ chi phiếu lãnh lương của mình.
Hãy xin tạm trả tiền trong các món nợ không tiền lời, như hóa đơn điện thọai chẳng hạn.
Hãy mượn tiền của bạn bè hay người trong gia đình (nên viết ra điều kiền của món nợ trên giấy)
Hãy dùng thẻ tín dụng- credit card.
Avoid payday loans
Ka fagow deynta goobaha wax deymiya
Lacagtu ma kugu yar tahay, mase ka walwalaysaa dhaqaalahan liita iyo ciidahan soo socda inay meekhaaminta dakhligaaga wax u dhimaan?
Waa mararkaan marka ay goobaha wax deymiyaa sida payday loans iyo kuwa jeegagga sarifa ee dariskaaga ah oo aad xayeysiintooda ku aragtid TV-ga ay isku dayaan inaad deynqaadato ooh or marsato mushaarkaaga soo socda. Iska jir yeysan ku dagine. Goobahaan la macaamilkoodu aad buu qaali u yahay, dadka badankiisna ma awoodaan.
Maxay yihiin Payday loans-ku?
Deymaha noocaan ihi waa deymo yar, waqti gaaban oo loogu talo galay in deynsaduhu ku daboolo baahida biilasha inta aan lagaarin jeegiisa kale.
Maxaana u rabin deymaha noocaan ah?
Deymanka noocaan ah waxaa la socda ribo aad u sareysa-khidmada laga qaadayo densadaha si uu ;lacag u densado. Tusaale ahaan, 14 maalmood deyn ah oo dhan $500 oo laga qaaday khidmada ugu sareysa ee Washington laga ogol yahay waxay 15 jeer ka badan tahay khidmada sanadkii laga qaado cridt card caadi ah.
Maxay khidmadu (interst) u xuntahay?
Inta badan dhaqaala xumidda haysata deynsadaha way sii socotaa, wuxuuna awoodi waayaa inuu iska bixiyo deyntii uu qaatay. Taasoo keenta in interest-tigii ku sii koco deyntiina ku sii badato, uuna lugta kala bixi waayo deymihii. Arintaani waxay baddaa deny deyn ku gud.
Ma jirtaa dariiqad kale oo deymaha la isaga bixiyo?
Isku dey inaad credit Union-ka ka qaadato deyn yar
Waydiiso shaqadaada inay lacag horumaris ah ku siiyaan
Isku day inaad daahiso ama inyar u bixin la sameyso biilashaada aan interstiga lahayn. Sida biilka telefoonka.
Isku day inaad ka deny sato saaxiib ama qaraabo( markasta qor waxa lagu heshiiyey)
Isticmaal credit card advance
Translated Articles for Our Senior and Disabled Residents
Make your home safe during winter weather
HÃY LÀM CHO CĂN NHÀ CỦABẠN AN TÒAN TRONG MÙA ĐÔNG-
PHÒNG TRÁNH BỊ CHÁY NHÀ
Đừng xài máy sưởi rời khiến các cầu dao điện bị quá tải. Hãy dùng các dây dẩn điện có đủ công xuất cần thiết.
Hãy tránh đừng dùng các sưởi rời ở những nơi gần nước, sơn, chất lỏng dễ cháy, và hãy để máy sưởi cách xa giường, ghế bàn, màn cữa và các vật dễ cháy độ 3 bộ.
Đừng bao giờ để các máy sưởi họat động trong lúc qúi vị đang ngủ hay đi vắng. Dễ có nguy cơ cháy nhà hay bị nhiểm thán khí.
Đừng để rác rến gần các máy sưởi
Đừng bao giờ để đèn nến cháy mà không trông chừng. đừng để nến đang cháy trên các bàn ghế có phủ khăn lụa. Hãy luôn dùng
Ka dhig gurigaaga guri badbaado inta lagu jiro xiliga xagaaga
Iska illaali khatarta dabka
Ha u isticmaalin korontata gurigaaga si xadka dhaafsan, adigoo isticmaalaya kulayliyaha korontada ku shaqeeya. Badanaa adeegso qaybiso leh cadeymaha in amp oo ay qaadi karto.
Ka fogow isticmaalka kulayliyayaasha korontata ku shaqeeya. Hiddii aad ka fursan wedo isticmaalkooda, ka fogee meelaha qoyan, rinjiga iyo waxyaabaha dabku si sahlan u qabsan karo. Sidoo kale waa inuu kulayliyaahi 3 feet u jirsadaa gogosha oo dhan sida sariiraha, fadhiga, iwm.
Waligaa ha ka tagin kulayliyaha oo daaran markaad seexanayso ama aad guriga ka tageyso. Kulayliyuhu waa Carbon Monoxide iyo dab dhaliye khatar ah.
Waligaa ha dhigin meel u dhow qashinka.
Ha ka tagin shumac daaran, hana saarin daaqadaha ama miis/armaajo ay saran tahay maro. Markasta isticmaal shayga shumaca la saaro.
giá để đặt đèn nến.
AN TÒAN LÚC BỊ CÚP ĐIỆN
Hãy dùng đèn pin để di chuyển
Đừng dùng đèn nến vì dễ gây cháy nhà
Hãy tắt đi các máy móc đang xài điện trước khi bị cúp, chỉ giữ lại một ngọn đèn để biết được lúc có điện trở lại.
Đừng dùng các máy xài gas như bếp lò, máy xấy quần áo để sưởi ấm
Những máy này có thể gây nhiểm độc thán khí gây chết người
Nếu qúi vị nghi ngờ có nguời bị nhiễm độc thán khí, hãy đem họ ra chỗ thóang. Và đưa họ đến bịnh viện.
Cố gắng đừng mở tủ lạnh khi không cần. Điều này giúp giữ cho đồ ăn lâu hư.
Badbaadada marka korontadu tagto
Isticmaal toosh si aad mugdiga ugu adeegato.
Ha isticmaalin shumac waayo waa dab dhaliye.
Demi dhamaan qalabkii aad isticmaalaysay intaan korontadu tegin
H al nal hakuu daarnaado si aad u ogaato marka korontadu imaato.
Marnaba ha u isticmaalin kulayliso ahaan qalabka gaaska ku shaqeeya sida foornada iyo qalajisada.
Marnaba gurigaaga dhexdiisa ha ku isticmaalin qalabka bansiinka ku shaqeeya sida generatorka iyo kulayliyaha.. qalabka noocaan ihi waxay abuuri karaan carbon monoxide oo ah shey lagu sumoobo, dhimashana keena.
Haddii aad aragto qof ku sumoobay carbon monoxide, sida ugu dhaqso badan leyrta ugu saar. Hubsana in qofkaanu isbitaal tago.
Isku day inaadan furfuran faranjiyeerkaaga haddaadan ubaahnayn. Waxay ilaalinaysaa qudaarta iyo cuntada kale inaysan kaa halaabin inta korontadu maqan tahay.
News about the Greenbridge and Park Lake II Communities
Now that we’ve won the $20 million HOPE VI grant to renovate Park Lake Homes II, we’re taking steps to begin helping you relocate while the project is under way.
“We’ll do all we can to help you move where you want to move,” said Nikki Parrott, KCHA senior development manager.
Everyone will need to move away from Park Lake Homes II by fall 2009, but you’ll have some control about your exact move-out date. You’ll receive at least 90 days notice before you have to move.
Your relocation options include:
We’ll provide you with relocation assistance. Now, through February 2009, relocation staff want to meet with you to talk about your moving preferences. Those meetings are important; so please make time to meet with your family specialist. Information about your relocation will be translated into the major languages spoken at Park Lake II to ensure you understand the process.
We’ll help you find a new place to live, ensure you get the best rent price and assist with moving expenses. KCHA staff can help you settle into your new surroundings, offering assistance with everything from learning the new bus schedule to enrolling your child in school.
Please don’t pull your children out of their school. KCHA staff will work with you to transfer them to a new school or keep them at their current school.
Throughout relocation, you will be a part of the decision-making and always should ask as many questions as you need to.
“Your relocation team is going to be here every step of the way,” said Christina Friedenthal, KCHAsenior resident services manager. “You are not alone.”
We’ll also stay in touch with you while you’re living away from Park Lake II to ensure you receive the services you need. You’ll also receive case management services to help you achieve goals, such as finding a better job or purchasing your own home.
Once the project is finished, former Park Lake II residents in good standing with KCHAwill be the first to be invited to move into the redeveloped homes.
For more information about relocation, please contact the HOPE VI Office at 206-574-1160.
By Heather Miller
King County Housing Authority
Greenbridge resident Shugri Ugas had a little trouble convincing her daughter to go to school one morning last month. The 13year-old was so excited about the new King County Library System branch opening directly across the street from her home that she wanted to check it out right away.
Ugas promised they could visit right after her daughter got home from school that day.
“We are going to be here a lot,” Ugas said with a smile. “We are so happy that the library has opened here inside this community. It’s great for the kids so they can read the books and use the computers.”
The new YWCA Learning Center at Greenbridge – which had its grand opening celebration in November – offers much more than a new library branch.
It’s also home to the YWCA’s Green-bridge Career Development Center and the GirlsFirst leadership program, both formerly operating in temporary locations. The new 10,000-square-foot building includes classrooms and a state-of-the-art computer learning lab.
“It’s an incredible resource for the community,” said Sue Sherbrooke, the chief executive officer of the YWCA of Seattle-King County-Snohomish County.
The new 2,300-square-foot library branch
specializes in services to children and includes
a World Languages Collection. It
also features public computers, and a meeting
room is available for non-commercial
purposes.
KCHA Executive Director Stephen Norman
said the new center is important partly
because it provides area families with free
and equal access to information.
“That’s what enables households to succeed,”
he said.
The new building meets Built Green™
standards. It also offers ample parking and
access to nearby community facilities.
Celebrating fall
Teenagers and children take part in a game during the Southwest Boys & Girls Club’s recent Fall Festival. The club’s gymnasium became a makeshift carnival featuring everything from a big inflated jumping toy to trivia games. Children also could make their own scary eyeballs out of marshmallows and try to throwing a ball through the cutout eyes of a wooden Halloween ghost.
Free Knitting Classes
Starting Jan. 8, you can join in free knitting classes twice a month at Nia Apartments at Greenbridge, 9935 Eighth Ave. S.W., Seattle. The classes will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday every month.
The classes are geared toward beginners but are open to knitters of all levels. Yarn and needles provided.
For more information, please call 206-574-1167.
Highline Public schools
Dec. 12: K-12 Waiver Day (No students)
Dec. 22-Jan. 2: Winter Break (No school)
White Center library
Game On!: 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 and 17. Teens in middle and high school can play their favorite multi-player video games.
World Language Story Time: 6 p.m. Dec. 23. Join us for Vietnamese stories, songs, rhymes, dances and more!
The White Center Library is at 11220 16th S.W., Seattle. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, please call 206-243-0233.