KCHA NEWS - July 2009
A resource for King County Housing Authority residents
Single mother moves out of College Place, buys condo in Renton
Even when she was on welfare, Aster Tareken would regularly check the homes-for-sale listings and imagine a day when she’d be able have a place all her own.
“As soon as I moved to America, I loved the idea of having a home and a garden,” she said.
Tareken moved to California from Ethiopia in 1991 with her then husband and five-month-old daughter. But when her marriage didn’t work out, Tareken decided in 1994 to move to the Seattle area, which she heard was a more affordable place to live on the West Coast. A single mother with a young child, Tareken lived briefly in YWCA housing before moving into KCHA housing 12 years ago, most recently at College Place in Bellevue.
Throughout that time, she always had a strong work ethic.
“I always want to work,” said Tareken, who has had a job as a teacher in the toddler program at Newport Children’s School in Bellevue for the past four and a half years. “It makes me feel good. It makes me feel like everybody else. So I felt like I was working hard, but I hadn’t really changed anything in my life.”
Tareken thought her aspiration to own a home might be slipping away as she watched housing prices rise exponentially between 2005 and 2007. When home prices began falling last year amid the housing crisis, she saw her dream come back within reach and decided to go for it.
Tareken was able to receive assistance from Washington’s House Key State Bond Home Buyer Program for low-and moderate-income first-time buyers. The program loaned her the money for a down payment on a two-bedroom condominium in Renton where she and her daughter moved in June.
“This is not about owning your dream home,” Tareken said. “This is about first starting your dream. This is about trying to invest a little to reach better things.” Tareken expects to receive a federal housing tax credit because she purchased her first home this calendar year. The tax credit is one part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Tareken said she is grateful to many people for helping to make her dream possible: her agent at John L. Scott Real Estate, her broker at Puget Sound Bank, and the staff members at KCHA.
“These people are great,” she said. “Thank you so much.”
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?
Find a participating bank or credit union in your neighborhood by going to www. everyoneiswelcome.org or by calling 2-1-1 or 800-621-4636.
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).
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.
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 features are there?
Some features 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 800621-4636.
Dry summer weather leads to an increase in outdoor fire risk. Plus, it’s always important that all of us take precautions to avoid fires in our homes. Below are tips on how to avoid fires outside and at home.
Outside your home:
Remember that all fireworks are banned at KCHA properties. All fireworks carry some safety risks, and many can cause fires or severe injuries.
Don’t discard cigarettes carelessly, such as by tossing butts from car windows or dropping them on the sidewalk. This habit can be very dangerous if the weather has been dry. Safely dispose of cigarettes in ash trays.
Inside your home:
Never leave cooking unattended.
Wear short or close-fitting sleeves when using the stove because loose clothing can catch fire.
Watch children closely around the stove when you’re cooking.
Clean cooking surfaces daily to prevent food and grease build-up.
Keep curtains, towels, pot holders, and other flammable items away from stove surfaces.
Turn pan handles inward to prevent food spills.
Don’t overload electrical outlets. You might cause an electrical fire by plugging too many appliances into the same outlet.
Don’t tack extension cords to walls, or run them under rugs or through doorways.
Replace any cracked or frayed electrical cords.
When not in use, unplug small appliances, like toasters.
If you smoke and live at a property that allows smoking in your unit:
Never smoke in sleeping areas.
Do not smoke on or near upholstered furniture.
Only smoke when you are awake and alert. Never smoke when you’re tired, on medications, on medical oxygen, or consuming alcohol.
News for Seniors and Disabled Residents of KCHA Communities
Leonid Pilipchuk grew up grew up in a family of gardeners in rural Ukraine. Leslie Riolland started helping her family with gardening and other yard work at age 3. And Janice Rollwagen did landscaping work as a high school student and also just loves being outside.
The trio has teamed up to beautify the outdoor landscape at Burien Park, clearing brush, planting flowers, and making sure their plantings are well tended to.
“Gardening has always been my passion,” said Pilipchuk, with KCHA’s Serguei Nikitine acting as an interpreter. “It gives me a lot of satisfaction and pleasure to hear how people respond to the work I’ve done. I like knowing that I’m leaving something behind after I’m gone.”
In addition to the community landscaping spaces in the front of the building, Pilipchuk and Riolland have their own personal gardens in the back. Riolland – who grows many varieties of flowers and vegetables – said that taking care of the community and individual garden
spaces gives her great joy. “It’s my sanctuary where I can find
peace and calm,” she said.
Rollwagen has focused particularly on clearing invasive plants from the property and said she jumps at the chance to work outside whenever she can.
“I really appreciate that KCHA has allowed me to help with the yard work,” she said.
Older adults are vulnerable to
the negative effects of summer
heat because aging impairs the
body’s cooling mechanisms.
Chronic illness and medications
also can make you more sensitive
to heat. Below are ways to
help you combat the ill effects
of excessive heat.
• Avoid going outside during
the hottest times of the day.
• If you must be outside, try to
rest often in shady areas and cut
down on exercise. If you do exercise,
drink two to four glasses
of water each hour.
• Drink plenty of water even
if you’re not thirsty. By the time
you feel thirsty, your body may
already be dehydrating. Older
adults are less sensitive to the
thirst sensation: some medications
increase the likelihood of
dehydration.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol,
which can speed up dehydration.
• Pull down the drapes or
shades, turn off lights and close
windows to keep cool air in.
• Sponge off with cool, damp
towels.
• Consider chilling a gel pack
in your freezer and then wrapping
it in a towel. Overnight,
sleep with the cold pack resting
against your torso to keep you
cool.
• Wear lightweight clothing.
• Eat small meals, and eat
more often. Avoid foods that are
high in protein, which increase
metabolic heat. Avoid using salt
tablets unless directed to do so
by a physician.
• Use a fan or find a cooler
place to go such as a nearby
public building or mall. Many
KCHA apartments can’t have
air-conditioning units due to
fire code regulations. Get to
know your neighbors better by
visiting community rooms and
other common areas, which offer
cooler environments.
• In some cases, residents
are allowed air-conditioning
units following approval of a
reasonable accommodation due
to a disability. To find out about
reasonable accommodations,
contact your property manager.
• Watch for signs of heat-related
illness such as hallucinations,
headache, weakness, profuse
sweating, nausea, fainting, and
rapid breathing or heart rate. If
you see any of these signs, seek
medical attention, and take immediate
measures to cool off.
• Have a buddy system. Check
frequently on other older adults,
those who have a mental illness,
and those who are physically ill,
especially with heart disease or
high blood pressure. Don’t forget
to check on your pets, too.
Living alone can be hazardous to your diet.
That probably comes as no surprise to older adults who find that they have little incentive to eat well when there’s no one else to share their table.
Living alone can be as much a barrier to healthy eating as illness, financial difficulties, and a lack of mobility, according to the Healthy Aging Partnership (HAP), a coalition of more than 35 Puget Sound area not-for-profit and public organizations dedicated to the health and well-being of older adults.
HAP notes that older adults living alone often develop poor eating habits at a time in their lives when it’s more important than ever to eat right. A diet rich in nutrients helps prevent osteopororsis, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and other problems that tend to increase as we age.
The partnership offers the following tips for healthier, more enjoyable solo eating:
• Add meal appeal with spices (hold the salt), herbs, variety, and color. A diet that follows the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Guide Pyramid (fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein) is more interesting and provides the nutrients that help fight disease and the effects of aging.
• Set the table with your best dishes and play your favorite music to remind yourself that dining can be leisurely and pleasurable.
• Invite a friend over for dinner or go to your local senior center for a low-cost and balanced meal with other older adults.
• Prepare a big pot of stew or cook a casserole that can be divided into smaller portions and frozen.• Eat smaller, more frequent meals if you don’t have the appetite for three large ones, but take time for breakfast.
• Prevent tooth decay by selecting food and beverages that are low in sugar.• Make low-cost foods — including beans, rice, and frozen vegetables — the foundation of meals.
• Consider applying for the Washington Basic Food Program (formerly the Food Stamp Program).
For more information about nutrition and other issues related to life as an older adult, call HAP’s free and confidential information and help line at 1-888-4ELDERS (1-888-435-3377).
By KCHA Staff
Now that Paramount House has finished a $2.5 million renovation, resident Mariya Lavrova thinks the Shoreline property looks like a five-star hotel.
“The building has become so wonderful and so light,” she said at an open house in June to celebrate the renovation’s completion. “It’s just excellent. When people come to visit me, they say ‘You live in paradise.’”
Paramount House is one of eight public housing complexes that received vital safety improvements – such as new fire sprinklers – and remodeled community spaces as part of a recent $25 million financing transaction.
“One of our top priorities is to maintain the highest possible standards of safety and well-being for our seniors and for persons with disabilities,” said Stephen Norman, executive director of the King County Housing Authority.
Additionally, the City of Shoreline allocated $60,000 to the project from its share of the King County Community Development Block Grant Program.
“The City of Shoreline is pleased to be a partner with the King County Housing Authority to help provide high quality housing for our most vulnerable residents,” said Shoreline Mayor Cindy Ryu, who attended the recent open house.
The improvements at Paramount House included:
• Replacement of the fire alarm and communication system and installation of a fire sprinkler system
• An upgrade of emergency stairways with new railings, flooring, and lighting
• The addition of new lighting and finishes for hallways, lobby, elevator, and laundry room
• Replacement of doors and hardware at unit entries, common areas, and main entry
• Replacement of the building entry ramp, improving handicapped accessibility
• Reconfigured lobby and supportive services offices
• Improved unit and common area ventilation and
• New roof and cleaned and resealed exterior siding.
W.G. Clark was the construction contractor. Apollo Equity Partners was the tax credit syndicator. Nationwide Insurance is the tax credit investor.
Resident Kay Vosika said she feels even safer at Paramount House now that her unit has a fire alarm in every room, and she’s grateful for motion-censored lighting in the hallways that save energy. Vosika also appreciates the remodeled community spaces throughout the building.
“Everything is very, very nice,” she said. “It is just really pleasant to come home.”
Sadly, the majority of people who become victims of scam artists are seniors. Seniors are attractive targets because they often are home a larger portion of the day than most people and because they are trusting.
You can lessen the odds of becoming a victim by becoming an educated consumer. Scams come in various disguises, from sweepstakes that you “have already won” and need pay only a modest handling fee to salespersons offering you a product or service.
How can you tell the difference between legitimate offers and scams? There are common signs of a scam to keep in mind:
• Pressure to act quickly before the “great opportunity” disappears
• Cash or wire transfer only transactions
• Payments requested in advance
• Inability to give an estimate until the service has begun
• Reluctance by a worker to sign a work contract
• Unsolicited offers, either on the phone or in person
• Requests for a lot of personal identification information (birth date, Social Security number, credit card number, bank account number)
• Lack of physical address (beyond a PO Box) or phone number to contact the company
• “Free prizes” with modest shipping and handling fees attached
• Unwillingness to provide written information
• Inability to provide references
• Telephone solicitors eager to meet you in your home to describe their services. It is often hard to get them to leave once they are in the home.
Should you encounter any of these scenarios, or if there is anything about the call or visitor that makes you uncomfortable, you should think twice. Ask for time to consider the offer. Consult with a neighbor, family member, friend, or Senior Information and Assistance about the situation. Scam artists are skilled at what they do. Being aware of how they operate will help keep you from becoming a victim.
The King County Housing Authority is committed to providing accommodations to persons with disabilities so that their living arrangements are, as a whole, comparable to that of other applicants and residents.
Requests must be medically necessary and sufficiently tied to the individual’s disability. 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 Senior Services
When you call Senior Information
and Assistance,
you’re well on your way
to accessing thousands of
resources, services, and
programs available to King
County residents who are
age 60 and older. Think of
us as a free, one-stop shopping
gateway. Our professional,
highly trained
advocates make it easier
for seniors, their family
members, and caregivers
to get the assistance they
need.
You’re just a phone call
away from referrals to a
wide range of services,
including:
• Case management
• Chores
• Legal
• Medicaid
• Nutrition
• Transportation
• Wellness and fitness
• Counseling
• Employment
• Health care
Our information and resources
are available in
two ways:
Your call to our toll free
number – 1-888-435-3377 – will be answered live by
a highly trained advocate
who can help you assess
your needs and pinpoint
the most helpful information
and assistance. We
are available from 8 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Monday through
Friday.
If you e-mail info@seniorservices.org, you’ll receive
a prompt response.
When necessary, we will
contact other organizations
on your behalf. If you’re
a person with intensive
needs, we can arrange a
home visit. Regardless of
the circumstances, we follow
up with you to make
sure you received the help
you needed.
Our advocates also answer
questions about financial
eligibility requirements
for a number of Medicaid
programs.
The services of Senior
Information and Assistance
are free. Some of
the community resources
we link people with do
have eligibility criteria and
costs. Please contact us for
current information on program
eligibility or cost.
News for Families Living in KCHA Communities
Youth in the Ballinger Action Teens (BAT) program recently painted the shed outside the Family Support
Center. The teens regularly do community service projects throughout King County to learn more about their community and to help better it. They worked with a local artist who taught the teens about mixing colors and blending them to create the desired affects. The mural includes three panels featuring the Ballinger Action Teens symbol, the Seattle skyline at dusk, and a sunset scene. “I think the shed will be great for visitors to see,” said Rahwa Ghebremichael, 16, a Ballinger Homes resident and BAT member. “It shows our personalities and how we care about our community.”
We’re all feeling the pinch during this tough economic time. But when we don’t pay our bills on time, our money issues can become even more challenging. Paying bills on time helps you avoid late fees and interest rate hikes. It also helps you keep your credit record clean.
Below are some tips to help you develop a system that makes sense for your household so that you can be sure to pay all of your bills on time.
• Figure out a date every two weeks or every month when you can sit down and pay your bills. Mark the date and time on your calendar, and make sure you keep the appointment.
• List out the bills that you owe, and prioritize them by due date.
• Make up a schedule showing which bills you will pay first and which you will pay last, factoring in the due date and the schedule of your own monthly income.
• Be sure to pay at least a small amount on every debt every month.
• It’s important to pay bills such as rent, auto payments, and utilities first as not paying these bills can have fairly immediate consequences.
• If you have accumulated debt on multiple credit cards, make a list showing the balances you owe and the interest rate on each card. Unless you can afford to pay more, make sure to pay the minimum payment on all of the cards except the highest rate card. Then, pay as much as you can on the highest interest rate card. When that card is paid off, apply as much money as you can to the next-highest rate card and so on.
• While it’s important to pay off all of your medical bills, late payments are rarely reported to credit bureaus and will not result in late fees. Also, your medical provider may be able to work with you to set up a payment plan if you can’t afford to pay off everything you owe at one time.• Pay as many bills online as you can. This saves paper waste, the cost of stamps, and the cost of checks. Even if you do a couple like this, it will save you money.
By Marsha Iverson
Special to The Voice
Though the financial sky may be
falling around you, parenting remains
a full-time job. Your children still want
your time and attention, need help with
their homework, and crave something
to do in their spare time. And you still
need to put food on the table, keep up
with the chores, and perhaps find a
new job, too.
Before you tear out what’s left of
your hair, take an exploratory visit to
your nearest community library and
discover free library resources that are
there to meet your needs. If possible,
carve out an hour or so just for yourself
and go to the library without your
children. If that can’t be done, find a
free program for the kids to keep them
busy while you explore the library. Ask
the librarian for a program schedule
and perhaps some tips on favorite
resources to try.
Make this your own personal adventure.
If you don’t already have
your own library card, get one while
you’re there. You’ll need some form
of identification that shows you live in
the library’s service area. If you don’t
have a photo ID, a current utility bill
with your name and address will work
as well.
If you’re new to the library, you
might start by wandering around and
looking at the place. Browse shelves
and look at the displays and the artwork.
If you’re a list-maker, take a
notebook and a pencil, a deep breath or
two, and jot down three or four of your
favorite things to do. Then, take your
list to a librarian and ask for suggestions
on where to find library materials
about your interests.
The library also is filled with resources
to help you find a job, including
computers with Internet access
that are free to use once you have a
library card.
If you’re a regular library user, try
a new approach. Go to a different part
of the library, just to see what’s there.
Go to the magazine section. Pick up
something that interests you, find
a comfy chair, and leaf through the
magazines for relaxation, information,
or new ideas. If you see anything that
tickles your fancy – new recipes, activities
with kids, or how to knit – ask the
librarian where to find more.
Though times are tough, look to the
library for a wealth of information,
experiences, entertainment, and activities
for the entire family. For more
library exploration ideas, check out
the new “Look to your Library: More
Resources” section of the King County
Library System’s Web site: www.kcls.org/looktoyourlibrary/more_resources.cfm.
If you’ve landed a job interview, that
probably means your resume stood out from
the pack of applications this employer has
received. Now, the employer wants a chance
to get to know you better and see if you’d be a
good fit for the job and the workplace.
An interview is a make-or-break opportunity,
which is why it’s so important that you
make a strong, convincing sales pitch to the
interviewer that you’re the best possible choice
for the job.
Here are some tips to help you shine during
an interview.
• When you’re introduced to the interviewer,
shake hands, smile, and say your name. This
helps to present yourself in a friendly, confident
way.
• Throughout the interview, pay attention
and speak clearly. Listen, think, and then
answer questions completely. If a question is unclear to you, ask for clarification.
• Don’t be afraid of short pauses. You may need
a few seconds to formulate an answer. The interviewer
may need time to formulate an appropriate
question. It is not necessary to fill up every second
with conversation.
• Sell yourself. The interview is your chance to
set yourself apart from the pack; it’s not the time to
be humble, but you also don’t want to come across
as arrogant. Develop a 25-second sales pitch that
sings your praises – a compelling version of why
the employer should hire you. It should include
your strengths, your abilities, and what sets you
uniquely apart from other applicants.
• Be sure to emphasize how your experience fits
in with the goals of the prospective employer.
• Remember that it is not enough to “look good
on paper.” During the interview, you also must
demonstrate solid “soft skills.” That can mean
showing that you have:
1. A strong work ethic;
2. A positive attitude;
3. Good communication skills;
4. Time-management abilities;
5. Problem-solving skills;
6. The ability to act as a team player;
7. Self-confidence;
8. The ability to accept and learn from criticism;
9. Flexibility and adaptability;
10. The ability to work well under pressure;
and
11. A personality that is compatible with the
employer’s culture.
• Be positive. Employers don’t want to hear
excuses or bad feelings about a negative experience.
If you are asked about a weakness in your
background, don’t be defensive. Focus instead on
briefly stating the facts and what you learned from
the experience.
• Ask questions. Research the employer in advance
and ask how the responsibilities of the open
position relate to the company’s goals and plans
for the future. Interviewers often are favorably
impressed by candidates who show that they are
knowledgeable about the organization.
While a healthy diet is the cornerstone
to good health, meeting that goal can be a
challenge. The recipe below conforms to
the recommendations contained in the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans. We hope
you find it easy, tasty, and economical.
Summer Vegetable Spaghetti
This lively, vegetarian pasta dish is
delicious hot or cold.
Serves 9. Serving size is 1 cup of the
spaghetti and 3/4 cup of the sauce with
vegetables.
Ingredients:
2 cups small yellow onions, cut into
eighths
2 cups ripe tomatoes, peeled and
chopped
2 cups yellow and green squash, thinly
sliced
1 ½ cups of fresh green beans, cut
2/3 cup of water
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Black pepper (to taste)
6 oz. can of tomato paste
1 pound of spaghetti, uncooked
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Directions:
1. Combine the onions, tomatoes,
squash, green beans, water, parsley,
garlic, chili powder, salt, and pepper in
a large saucepan. Cook for 10 minutes,
then stir in tomato paste. Cover and cook
on medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring
occasionally, until the vegetables
are tender.
2. Cook the spaghetti in unsalted water,
according to the package directions.
3. Spoon the sauce over drained hot
spaghetti, and sprinkle parmesan cheese
on top.
Nutritional facts per serving
Calories: 271
Total fat: 3 grams
Saturated fat: 1 gram
Cholesterol: 4 milligrams
The Federal Way Public Schools will offer free meals to children younger than 19 at many times and locations this summer. Meal times, dates, and locations are listed below.
Summer meal information for other King County school districts was printed in the June issue of the KCHA News section and can be found at www.kcha.org/currentresidents/documents/KCHANews06-09.pdf.
Adelaide Elementary school, 1635 S.W. 304th St.
Lunch: 11-11:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday, through July 30; and 10:45-11:15 a.m. Monday-Wednesday, Aug. 10-12.
Snack: 2:30-2:45 p.m. Monday-Thursday, through July 9.
Camelot Square Community Center, 3001 S. 288th
Lunch: Noon-12:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, through July 9.
Snack: 3:30-3:45 p.m. Monday-Thursday, through July 9.
Federal Way High School, 30611 16th Ave. S.
Lunch: 10-10:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday, through July 16.
Illahee Middle School, 36001 First Ave. S.
Lunch: Noon-12:20 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27.
Kilo Middle School, 4400 S. 308th St.
Lunch: Noon-12:20 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27.
Lake Grove Elementary, 303 S.W. 308th St.
Lunch: 10:45-11:15 a.m. Monday-Wednesday, Aug. 10-12.
Lakota Middle School, 1415 S.W. 314th St.
Lunch: Noon-12:20 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27.
Mark Twain Elementary School, 2450 S. Star Lake Road
Lunch: 10-10:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday, through July 30.
Meredith Hill Elementary School, 5830 S. 300th St.
Lunch: 10-10:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday, through July 30.
Mirror Lake Elementary School, 625 S. 314th St.
Lunch: 10-10:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday, through July 30; and 10:45-11:15 a.m. Monday-Thursday, Aug. 10-13.
Olympic View Elementary, 2626 S.W. 327th St.
Lunch: 10:45-11:15 a.m. Monday-Thursday, Aug. 10-13.
Sacajawea Middle School, 1101 S. Dash Point Road
Lunch: Noon-12:20 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Aug. 24-27.
Saghalie Middle School, 33914 19th Ave. S.W.
Lunch: Noon-12:20 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Aug. 24-27.
Sequoyah Middle School, 3425 S. 360th St.
Lunch: Noon-12:20 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27
Silver Lake Elementary School, 1310 S.W. 325th Place
Lunch: 10:15-11:15 a.m. Monday-Thursday, through July 16; and 10:15-10:45 a.m. Monday-Thursday, July 20-30.
Star Lake Elementary School, 4014 S. 270th St.
Lunch: 10-10:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday, through July 30.
Sunnycrest Elementary School, 24629 42nd Ave. S.
Lunch: 10-10:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday, July 13-July 30.
Thomas Jefferson High School, 4248 S. 288th St.
Breakfast: 8:15-8:45 a.m. Monday-Friday, through July 10, with the exception of July 3.
Lunch: 11:15-11:45 a.m. Monday-Friday, through July 14, with the exception of July 3; and 11:05-11:25 a.m. Monday-Thursday, Aug. 17-20.
Todd Beamer High School, 35999 16th Ave. S.
Lunch: 10-10:20 a.m. Monday-Thursday, through July 30; and 10-10:20 a.m. Monday-Thursday, Aug. 24-27.
Totem Middle School, 26630 40th Ave. S.
Lunch: Noon-12:20 p.m., Monday-Thursday, Aug. 24-27.
Westway Community Center, 33400 21st Ave. S.W.
Lunch: Noon-12:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, through July 9.
Snack: 3:30-3:45 p.m. Monday-Thursday, through July 9.
Translated Articles for Our Families
Sida looga fogaado dabka gudaha iyo dibadda hoyga
Cimilada xagaaga ee qallalan wax-ay kor u qaadaa khatarta keenta dabka bannaanka guryaha. Hoos waxaa ku qoran tusmooyin aad uga fogaan kartid arintaas.
Dabka Gurigaaga bannaankiisa:
Xusuusnow in bullolairka uu mamnuuc ka yahay guryaha KCHA. Dhamaan bullo bayrku waxay leeyihiin khatar, kuwa badan oo ka mid ahna waxay sababaan dab iyo dhaawac halis ah.
Gaandhada sigaarka si kharul masuulnimo ah ha u tuurin, sada marka aad gaari saran tahay ama aad lugeynaysid marinnada dadka. Si amaan leh ugu dami sigaar damiska.
Gudaha Gurigaaga:
Waligaa ha ka tegin cunto dabka kuu saaran.
Isticmaal maro gacantaada ku dhegen markaad stoveka isticmaalayso. Waayo marada dabacsan dabka ayey qabsan og tahay.
Carruurta indhaha ku hay markaad stoveka wax ku karinaysid.
Nadiifi stove-ka maalin kasta si aad uga illaalisid in dufanka iyo wax yaabaha ku daatay aysan uga badan kuwaas oo dab keeni kara.
Ka fogee stove-ka istiraashooyinka, daahyahyada, shukumaannada yaryar ee wax lagu qabto iyo wax yaabaha kale ee guban kara.
Gacata gaaweetada gudaha u jeedi si aan cuntadu u dadan marka gacn ku dhacdo.
Korontadana ha dhaafin tankeeda.
Hadii kale dab ayey dhalinkartaa.
Qaybisada ha ka taagin darbi hana hoos marin Rooggagga ama albaabada dhexdooda.
Bedel haddii aad aragto fiilo dillaacsan.
Markaadan isticmaaleyn ka bixi bareeska qalabka korontada ku shaqeeya oo dhan.
Hadii aad sigaarka cabto, kuna nooshahay guryo ogol arintaas.
Waligaa ha ku cabin sigaarka goobta jiifka
Waligaa ha ku cabin sigaar rooggaga iyo maryaha kale agtooda.
Kaliya cab markaad soo jeedidd feejigan tahayna. Waligaa ha cabin markaa daalan tahay, ama aad daawo qaadatay. Ama midda neefsashada ama aad khamri cabayso.
NHỮNG CHỈ DẪN ĐỂ TRÁNH LỬA CHÁY TRONG NHÀ HAY NGÒAI NHÀ
Thời tiết mùa hè khô hạn dẫn đến sự gia tăng nạn lửa cháy ở bên ngòai. Dưới đây là những chỉ dẫn cách tránh nạn cháy bên ngòai , và ở trong nhà.
Ơ bên ngòai nhà qúi vị:
Hãy nên nhớ rằng mọi việc đốt pháo bông đều bị cấm ngặt ở các khu nhà thuộc quận King KCHA. Mọi cuộc đốt pháo bông mang đến nguy hiểm về vấn đề an tòan, và nhiều cuộc đốt pháo có thể gây ra cháy nhà hay thương tích.
Đừng bỏ tàn thuốc lá bừa bãi, như ném tàn thuốc từ xe ra ngòai, hay bỏ xuống lề đường. Hãy bỏ tàn thuốc lá vào cái gạt tàn cách an tòan.
Bên Trong Nhà Của Qúi Vị:
Đừng bao giờ nấu nướng mà không trông chừng
Hãy ăn mặc ngắn tay hoặc cho gọn gàng lúc nấu ăn, áo tay rộng dễ bắt lữa
Trông chừng trẻ em quanh bếp lò lúc qúi vị đang nấu ăn.
Hãy lau chùi bếp lò mỗi ngày để tránh cặn bả đồ ăn hay dầu mở đóng vào
Hãy để khăn, màn, đồ treo nồi niêu và các vật dễ cháy tránh xa bếp lò.
Hãy để tay nắm các nồi niêu quay vô trong lúc nấu ăn, tránh cho đồ ăn tràn ra ngòai
Đừng làm quá tải các ổ cắm điện. Điện có thể bốc cháy nếu qúi vị cắm vào cùng một ổ điện nhiều đồ điện gia dụng quá.
Đừng nhém dây nối dẫn điện vào tường, hoặc để dưới các tầm thảm trải, hay luồn qua khe cữa.
Hãy thay các dây dẫn điện đã bị nứt hay bị vặn chéo lại.
Khi không dùng các đồ điện trong nhà, như máy nướng bánh mì chẳng hạn, thì hãy rút điện ra.
Nếu qúi vị hút thuốc lá và đang cư ngụ ở các khu nhà cho phép hút thuốc lá:
Thì đừng bao giờ hút thuốc lá ở phòng ngủ.
Đừng hút thuốc lá lúc ngồi ỏ các bàn ghế có nệm vải
Chỉ hút thuốc khi mình còn tỉnh táo. Đừng bao giờ hút thuốc lá khi mình mệt mỏi, đang uống thuốc trị bịnh, đang được gắn ống dưởng khí, họặc đang uống rượu.
Translated Articles for Our Senior and Disabled Residents
Waayeelku waa u nugul yihiin waxyeelada kulaylka kulaylaha waayo da’da ayaa wax u dhinta hadka isqaboojinta jirka. Xannuun joogto ah iyo daawoba waxay kaa dhigi karaan mid u nugul kulaylka. Hoos waxaad kala socotaa sidii aad isaga difaaci lahayd waxyeealadauu keeno kulayluhu.
Ha u bixin bannaanka marka ay aad u kulushahay.
Biyo badanna cb xataa hadii aaddab oomanayn. Markaad oon dareento, jiraagu waaba qallalan yahay.
Daahyaha dariishdaha sii daa, albaabadana xir,nalalkana dami si aad u celiso hawada qabow ee gudaha.
Isticmaal marwaxad ama qaboojiye ama aad meel qaboojiye leh sida mallka iyo dhimayaasha waaweyn. In badan oo ka mid ah KCHA malaha qaboojiyeyaal sababtoo ah cabsi dab.
Baro dariskaaga, booqana goobaha jaaliddu isugu yimaadaan kuwaas oo ah bii’o qaboow. Dadka qaarkiis waxay helaan shuqooyin qaboojiye leh curyaanimo darted. Si aad u ogaato arringtaas, la xiriir maamulka dhismahaaga.
fiiro gaar ah u lohoow xannuunada uu keeno kulayka. Sida neef ku dhegga, madax xanuunka, diciifnimada, dhidid fara badan, lab-labbo, indho madoobaad, neeftuur, iyo wadno garaac.. haddii aad aragto qaar ka mid ah calaamadahaan, la xiriiir dhakhtarkaaga. Sameena arrin deg-deg ah oo aad jirkaaga ku qaboojiso.
HÃYTỰ BẢO VỆ TRÁNH ĐI SỰ NÓNG BỨC CỦA MÙA HÈ
Những người già cả thường dễ bị tổn thương bởi nhiệt độ nóng của mùa hè, nguyên nhân là do sự khiếm khuyết trong khả năng giải nhiệt nơi cơ thể người già. Các chứng bịnh kinh niên hay các lọai thuốc uống trị liệu cũng có thể làm cho qúi vị dễ nhậy cảm với nhiệt độ nóng. Dưới đây là những cách giúp qúi vị chống lại những ảnh hưởng bịnh họan do sự nóng bức gây ra:
Hãy tránh đi ra khỏi nhà lúc nóng nhất trong ngày
Hãy uống nhiều nước dù cho mình không thấy khát nước, vì lúc khi mình cảm thấy khát nước, thì có thể lúc đó cơ thể mình đã bị khô nước rồi. Những người lớn tuổi thường ít cảm thấy khát nước, và số thuốc men làm gia tăng việc cơ thể bị thiếu nước.
Hãy kéo các tấm màn che cửa xuống, hãy tắt đèn và đóng cửa lại để giữ cho khí lạnh ở bên trong nhà. Khi nhiệt độ mát lại, hãy mở cửa ra để cho khí mát lạnh lùa vào nhà.
Hãy lau người với miếng thấm nhúng nước lạnh, hoặc với khăn ẩm lạnh
Hãy mở máy quạt, hoặc tìm tới các cao ốc công cộng hay các khu thương xá (có máy lạnh). Có nhiều khu chung cư thuộc quận King (KCHA) không thể có máy lạnh được vì qui định luật phòng chống hỏa họan. Hãy làm quen với người hàng xóm bằng cách đến các phòng họp cộng đồng, khu vực công cộng mà có thể có máy lạnh.
Trong một vài trường hợp, thì cư dân có thể đuợc phép gắn máy lạnh vì lý do bịnh tật. Để biết có được phép gắn máy lạnh hay không ,xin liên lạc Người Quản Lý , manager của cộng đồng mình đang cư ngụ.
Hãy để ý đến các triệu chứng của các bịnh do thời tiết nóng gây ra, như bịnh ảo giác, nhức đầu, cảm thấy yếu ớt, ra mồ hổi đầm đìa, buồn nôn, ngất xỉu, tim mạch đập nhanh. Nếu qúi vị thấy bất cứ triệu chứng nào trên đây, hãy đi chữa trị ngay, và lập tức tìm trú nơi thóang mát
News About the Greenbridge and Park Lake II Communities
Members of the Southwest Boys & Girls Club might not spend their entire lives in White Center, but their imprint on the community will last well into the future.
Eleven club members took a field trip in June to artist Steve Jensen’s Seattle studio. Jensen will carve a 16-foot wooden sculpture that will eventually be installed along the main walking trail at Greenbridge between Sixth Avenue Southwest and Sixth Place Southwest. He had the club members draw the images that he will carve onto the piece.
“I will keep as much integrity from their original work as possible,” said Jensen, who is making the sculpture from a naturally fallen Cedar tree. “They’re the artists; I’m the craftsman.”
Jensen had the youth draw more than a dozen pictures from their community and the surrounding landscape, such as trees, houses, the sun, rain, their own family members, and much more.
“You can draw it however you want, as long as you draw the very best you can,” he told the youth. “You are ambassadors for your community.”
Daniel Netere, a Boys & Girls Club member who attended, said he always has liked art and appreciated that Jensen only gave the youth 20 seconds to complete each drawing. That way, he said, no one had time to over-think their work. Daniel believes the drawings were better as a result.
“I think that permanent piece of art now shows that I’m immortal,” he said. “One of those pictures, my grandsons can come up and go, ‘My granddad did that.’”
After they finished the drawings that Jensen will use for the sculpture, he brought out wooden animal masks for the children to paint and take home.
“It was fun,” said Imaj Royster, a Boys & Girls Club member who participated. “I really liked all of the pictures.”
Residents are starting to see the fruits – or vegetables
– of their labor in the raised garden beds at Nia that they
planted earlier this year.
Lettuce, spinach, snow peas, and herbs such as cilantro
and mint are ready to eat, and many other edibles are showing
promise.
KCHA AmeriCorps member Mike Pierce organized a Nia
garden club for residents that meets weekly to socialize and
trade gardening tips.
“It takes a lot of the stress off a person when the group
is together because we get to talk and exchange ideas,”
said Trudy Auxier, a Nia resident. “You also get to see the
accomplishments of some of the gardeners.”
Greenbridge Library
• Family Story Time: 2 p.m. July
1, 8, 15, and 22. Children ages 2 to
6 with an adult are welcome to join
us for 30 minutes of books, songs,
rhymes, and silliness! Siblings are
also welcome.
• Smile! Let’s Draw Manga Faces:
2 p.m. July 21. Children ages 7 and
older learn the basics of Manga-style
drawing with steps for drawing faces,
including emotions, angles, Manga
eyes, and that super cool Manga
hair.
• Wiggle, Waddle, Stomp, and
Sing!: 2 p.m. July 29. Children ages
3 and older can join Eric and his
fuzzy puppet friend, Sticky the Fly,
for a “movin’ and groovin’” concert
just right for preschoolers and their
caregivers.
The Greenbridge Library is at
9720 Eighth Ave. S.W., Seattle. It’s
open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday
through Wednesday, from 1 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, and from noon to 4 p.m.
Saturday. For more information,
please call 206-762-1682.
KCHA residents and others who took a job preparation
class taught by Walsh Construction Co. this spring
posted big gains in their construction safety and vocabulary
skills.
Walsh Construction is the general contractor who
worked on the Seola Crossing project and YWCA Learning
Center at Greenbridge and who is now taking on
the community’s
newest phase: Eastbridge Apartments.
The class was
intended to help
job seekers – many
of them immigrants – prepare for interviews
and jobs in
the construction
field. The class
also focused on
helping non-native English speakers practice listening
and speaking in English.
“I have learned a lot in this class,” said Loi Nguyen, a
Greenbridge resident who took the course. “I have learned
about safety warnings, tools, understanding instructions,
and directions. This class make me better.”
The students took a pre-test on the second day of the
class, largely answering questions about construction
work safety and vocabulary. The average score of 11
test-takers was 48 percent. Of the nine test-takers who
took the test on the last day of the class, the average score
was 93 percent.
“We had a great class,” Instructor Yvette Leland said. “They were all wonderful and very enthusiastic. I think
the time frame was perfect also.”
The Greenbridge YWCA Career Development Center
hosted the classes.
“The Greenbridge YWCA is a fantastic place to hold
classes,” Leland said. “The staff members were all so
helpful.”
Attend a job fair
Walsh Construction Co.
will host a job fair from 10
a.m. to noon July 10 at the
YWCA Career Development
Center at Greenbridge, 9720
Eighth Ave. S.W., Seattle.