KCHA NEWS - October 2009

A resource for King County Housing Authority residents

 

Locally owned coffee shop to open at Greenbridge

By Heather Miller
King County Housing Authority

Sibelle Nguyen had her first espresso at age 12. As a teenager, she and her friends frequently spent time in coffee shops. Now, she’s opening one of her own.

“This has been such a long-time dream,” Nguyen said.

Dubsea Coffee is expected to open at Greenbridge in mid-November. The café sits on the southeast edge of the plaza in one of the new retail spaces within the Salmon Creek development.

The name stems from a term of endearment sometimes used by those who live in White Center, referring to the community’s initials: W.C.

“Really what I’d like it to be in the community is a space for people to come gather and connect with each other over really great coffee,” Nguyen said of the café.

Though her background is in business and technical fields, Nguyen found herself drawn to community service and working with youth. Well before the Greenbridge project broke ground, she participated in KCHA’s AmeriCorps program and worked as a tutor and mentor to youth growing up at the former Park Lake Homes I community.

“I’m excited about opening up at Greenbridge specifically because there’s some personal history here and also I’m still in contact with a lot of the families and kids that at one point I had tutored and mentored a few years back,” she said. “Seeing them grow older and in the same community is really enjoyable, and the opportunity to offer them jobs and introduce them to the world of coffee is really exciting because it’s a very interesting world.”

Beyond coffee, Dubsea will offer baked goods, sandwiches, and wireless Internet.

Nguyen also has hired a curator to bring in new artists each month who can showcase their works at the coffee shop. She hopes the art will be inspiring to those who visit the café and will introduce a diversity of thoughts and mediums.

 

Better Budgeting Basics

This month: More ways to save money on food

During these tough economic times, we’re all feeling the pinch to our pocketbooks. Below are tips on how you can save money on an essential part of your monthly budget: food.

  • A typical piece of fruit is significantly larger than one serving. Many people would be just as happy eating a small apple as eating a large one. So buy smaller fruits. You will save money by the pound.
  • Eat vegetables and fruits that are in season. When certain types of produce are plentiful, their prices are lower.

  • Plan around your vegetables. Lettuce deteriorates much faster than broccoli. Plan salads with your meals for the days immediately following your shop, and save hardier vegetables for the end of the week.

  • Divide meat into family-sized portions immediately upon returning home from the grocery store. If you are a family of two, and you buy a package of six chicken breasts,

    prep three packages of two breasts each for freezing. This way, you only thaw what you need when you are ready to cook, thus avoiding wasting the rest. Don’t become guilty of defrosting an entire package of meat, only to let the unused portion spoil.
  • Another way to avoid wasting food is to give young children small portions. They can always have more if they’re still hungry. For example, give them a half glass of juice and half a sandwich.

  • Speaking of portion size, numerous studies have shown that the portion sizes we eat at home have been growing, and the amount we think of as the typical or appropriate portion has grown with it. Serve up one less chicken breast in your stir-fry – you can use it for sandwiches the following day.
  • Eat two meatless meals every week. Beans, pasta, and rice offer filling low-cost alternatives to eating meat with every meal.

  • Don’t give in to convenience foods. For example, instant rice packets are $3 or so for a single serving while a 1 kg bag of rice has 10 or more servings and costs the same.

  • Trying cooking up a big batch of rice on Sunday night, using it for dinner that night. Then, put it in salads for lunch and dinner the next day.
  • Stop buying things like toaster pastries and breakfast bars for breakfast. Instead, eat oatmeal, pancakes, granola, and fruit instead.

  • Drink water for your meals. If you family is used to drinking milk, juice or pop for every meal, then start by serving only water at one meal or snack a day. After you get used to this, cut from another meal until you drink only water for meals and a glass of juice or milk at snack time. You also can try allowing one glass of juice at meal times and then water after it’s gone. You can save more than $500 a year by cutting just one glass of juice per person per day for a family of four.

  • • Plan a rummage night with your family once a week. Look in the pantry and fridge and make dinner from whatever you find that’s leftover or spare. You can come up with some creative meals this way, and it’s good for using up random cans hiding in the cupboard.

 

HEALTHY FAMILIES

News for Families Living in KCHA Communities

 

Wells Wood residents hear emergency preparedness tips

By Amy Moe
King County Housing Authority

Because major fault lines run through King County, this area has the potential to experience a major earthquake. That’s one of several possible disasters that make it important for all of us to prepare ourselves and know how to react in the event of an emergency.

The American Red Cross chapter that serves King and Kitsap counties recently gave a presentation about that topic to Wells Wood residents.

Earthquake response

David Shannon, Red Cross program manager/community disaster education, explained the “Stop, Drop, and Hold” technique we should follow if an earthquake occurs. It’s important to stop where you are, drop to the ground, and cover your head to protect yourself from falling objects. If there’s something to hold onto near where you are, grab onto it and brace yourself.

Other safety guidelines if experiencing an earthquake:

  • Stay where you are. Most earthquake-related injuries occur when people try moving from “Point A” to “Point B.”
  • If you’re in bed, stay there, curl up, and hold on. Protect your head with a pillow.

  • Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered glass.
  • Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you’re sure it’s safe to exit.

  • If you’re outside, find a clear spot and drop to the ground. Stay there until the shaking stops.
  • If you’re in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. If a power line falls on your vehicle, don’t get out. Wait for assistance.

Emergency preparedness

Because emergency responders won’t be available for at least 72 hours after a disaster occurs, we all need to make sure we could survive without help for three days. One way to prepare is to assemble an emergency kit for your family, with the following items:

  • Water. One gallon, per person, per day is recommended.

  • Food. Non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items are best. Pack a can opener for canned goods.

  • A flashlight with working batteries. Pack extra batteries in a zip-close bag to

    keep them dry.
  • A battery-operated radio.

  • A first aid kit.

  • Cash. Remember that ATMs at most stores may not work.

  • Copies of personal documents in a water-proofed container, such as birth certificates, passports, photo ID, the lease to your unit, insurance policies, medical cards, and pertinent medical information.

At the meeting, KCHA’s Dean Proudfoot and Amy Moe barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers for residents; Rickie Robinson helped coordinate the event.

For more information, please call the Red Cross at 206-323-2345 or visit www.seattleredcross.org.



Hopelink program can assist north, east King County residents with job, career choices

By Hopelink

Hopelink’s Employment Program doesn’t just help you get a job; it also can help you with your career choices.

Employment Program staff help those living in north and east King County explore different types of jobs or careers, choose the job or career that matches your interests and goals, understand the steps that you need to take, then complete the steps to reach your job or career goals. The program also helps support you after you get the job. That support helps you be successful on the job.

The Employment Program works with other Hopelink programs, including Adult Education, to help make sure all of your needs and goals are met. Many people also need other Hopelink services to meet self-sufficiency and other life goals.

When you start the Employment Program, the staff will get to know you and what you want in a job or career. You may receive a “homework assignment’” to find out about the job duties and skills needed
for a certain job you are interested in. Then, you take a test or assessment to identify your skills. This will help show the types of jobs you would feel most comfortable doing. It will also help you think about what career path will meet your income needs and your wishes for a better job. You may have to go to training or other education programs before beginning to look for your job.

Program staff will help you with:
• Writing a résumé
• Interviewing skills
• Dressing for the interview
• Learning “soft skills” needed to keep the job such as how best to resolve a conflict with a co-worker

After you have been hired, you can still get coaching from Employment Program staff for one year. They can help you with how to ask your boss for a raise and how to take part in a job evaluation. Also, Hopelink staff will help you to keep using all the resources you may need as you continue on your way to self-sufficiency.

“It is so important that not one of these steps is left out,” said Amy Arquilla, Hopelink’s senior manager in charge of the Employment Program. “Every step helps our clients be successful in their journey.”
For more information, please call 425-885-0043 ext. 100.



Simple ways to conserve water in your home

By Angela Wallis, Resource Conservation Manager
King County Housing Authority

The average American now uses about 100 gallons of water each day – enough to fill 1,600 drinking glasses – according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That means here and across the country we’re using more than three times as many gallons of water as the average American in 1950.

Meanwhile, our population is growing. Those trends are taking a toll on our water supplies and water quality. So it’s important for all of us to do everything we can to limit the amount of water we use.

How can I conserve water at my home?

  • Report faucet, shower, or tub leaks to your property manager immediately. Even the smallest leaks waste a lot of water.
  • Do not remove low-flow faucet aerators or showerheads. If you feel that you’re not getting enough water, please talk to your property manager.
  • Turn off the water while you’re brushing your teeth or shaving.

  • Wash only full loads of laundry. Doing multiple small loads wastes water.

  • Shorten your showers. Even a one-or two-minute reduction can save hundreds of gallons per month.

  • If you wash dishes by hand, please don’t leave the water running for rinsing. If you have two sinks, fill one with rinse water. If you only have one sink, use a spray device or short blasts instead of letting the water run.
  • Capture tap water. While you wait for water to come down the pipes, you can catch the flow in a watering can to use later on house plants or your garden.
  • Only water your gardens during the late evening or morning hours. The heat of the sun during midday causes much of the water to evaporate before it can reach your vegetables or flowers.
  • Don’t defrost frozen foods with running water. Try to plan ahead by placing frozen items in the refrigerator overnight.

  • Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.

Thanks so much to all of you for your efforts to conserve water.




Simple Delights

This month: Garden Fritatta

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.

Garden Fritatta
Makes four servings.

Ingredients
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
6 eggs lightly beaten
10 oz. package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Directions
1. In a saucepan, sauté onion, garlic, and tomatoes in oil over medium heat until tender.

2. Add Italian seasoning, pepper, and salt to the beaten eggs and add to onion mixture.

3. Stir in spinach and cheese.

4. Cover with a tight-fitting lid, and turn heat to low.

5. Cook for 15 minutes, and check for firmness.

6. Cut into wedges with spatula and serve.

Nutritional facts (per serving)
Calories: 152
Total Fat: 10 grams
Saturated Fat: 4 grams
Cholesterol: 197 milligrams
Sodium: 347 milligrams

 

TRANSLATIONS

Translated Articles for Our Residents

H1N1 вирус свиного гриппа

Многие люди в Соединённых Штатах и во всём мире были заражены свиным гриппом. Во многих случаях симптомы были похожи на обычный сезонный грипп. Но учёные и специалисты по здоровью не перестают беспокоиться. Новый штамм уже появился этой осенью и на время написания этой статьи зарегистрированные случаи остаются лёгкими.

Ниже приводятся советы по сохранению здоровья и предупреждению распространения гриппа:

• Мойте почаще руки с мылом, особенно после кашля или чихания. Если у вас нет возможности вымыть руки с мылом, используйте спиртосодержащее дезинфицирующее средство для рук.

• Не трите глаза, нос и рот.

  • Прикрывайте нос и рот салфеткой, когда кашляете или чихаете. Выбрасывайте салфетку в мусор после использования.

  • Избегайте тесного контакта с больными людьми.

Сделайте прививку против гриппа. ЗдравоохранительныеклиникиСиэтла и округа Кинг делают прививки от гриппа по предварительной записи. Прививки от гриппа обычно делаются с октября до января, насколько хватает вакцины. Люди должны сделать прививки даже после того, как в окружении появились заболевания гриппом. Для того, чтобы найти клинику, выйдите на вебсайт www.

kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/

locations.aspx или позвоните по тел. 206-296-4600.

• Если вы заболели, оставайтесь дома, не ходите на работу или в школу. Мы предполагаем, что вакцина от гриппа будет в округе Кинг в октябре. Для свежей информации посетите вебсайт здравоохранения о гриппе H1N1 www.kingcounty.gov/health/ H1N1 или позвоните по горячей линии , тел. 877-903-5464.

SIÊU VI KHUẨN H1N1-CÚM

HEO

Có nhiều người trong xứ Mỹ và trên thế giới đã bị nhiễm siêu vi khuẩn cúm heo H1N1.

Phần lớn các trường hợp đều tương tự như chứng bịnh cúm theo mùa

Nhưng các khoa học gia và chuyên viên y tế vẫn còn quan tâm. Luồn dịch mới đã tái xuất hiện trong mùa thu này, và vào lúc có bài viết này, thì báo cáo các trường hợp bịnh đều nhẹ.

Sau đây là những phương cách sống để được mạnh khỏe và phòng ngừa sự lây nhiễm bịnh cúm:

Hãy rữa tay thường xuyên với xà bông, nhất là sau khi ho hay nhảy mũi.

Nếu không có nước hay xà bông, thì hãy dùng lọai nuớc khử trùng có chứa chất cồn.

Hãy tránh đừng chạm vào mắt, mũi, hay mịêng.

Hãy che mũi hay miệng với khăn giấy khi qúi vị ho, hay nhãy mũi. Hãy bỏ khăn giấy đó vào thùng rác.

Hãy tránh đừng va chạm đến người đang bị bịnh.

Hãy đi chích ngừa bịnh cúm. Các cơ sỏ y tế công cộng ở Seattle sẽ cung cấp chích ngừa cúm, cần làm hẹn. Thường có các cuộc chích ngừa cúm từ tháng 10 đến tháng 1 tây hoặc bao lâu còn thuốc chích ngừa. Mọi người nên đi chích ngừa cho dù sau khi thấy có bịnh cúm xuất hiện trong cộng đồng. Để biết các trạm y tế (có chích ngừa cúm) hãy vào trang mạng www.kingcounty.gov/

healthservices/health/locations.aspx,

hoặc gọi cho số 206-296-4600.

Nếu qúi vị bị bịnh, hãy ở nhà, đừng đi làm hay đến truờng học.

Chúng tôi tiên đóan sẽ có chủng ngừa cho bịnh cúm heo H1N1 trong quận King vào tháng 10. Để biết thêm thông tin mới, hãy vào trang mạng của Sở Y Tế Công Cộng nói về siêu vi khuẩn H1N1 ở www.kingcounty.gov/health/ H1N1, hoặc gọi cho đường dây nóng về bịng cúm 877-903-5464.

H1N1 (swine flu) virus

Dad badan oo ku nool wadankan iyo meelo badan oo ah dunada kale ayuu cudurkan H1N1 ku ku dhacay. Intiisa badan ee la shoogeegayna wuxuu lamid ahaa hargabka xillilaha ah. Blasé culumada sayniska iyo khuburada caafimaadkuba waa walwalsan yihiin.

Viruskani markale ayuu xilliga fallka oo bannaan baxay. Hadda oo qoraalkan samaynayno, kaysaska la soo sheegay waa kuwo fudud.

Halkan hoose waa taaboyinka aad ku joogi karto fayo qab isagana dhowri karto hargabkan.

• Ku Mayr (dhaq) gacmahaaga biyo iyo saabuun mar walba, gaar ahaan markaad hindhisto amaba qufacdo. Haddii aadan haysan biyo iyo saabuun, isticmaal shay ay aalkolo ku jirto oo dhacmaha loogu talo galay.

  • Ka fogow taabashada sanka, indhaha iyo afkaba

    • Ku dabool afkaaaga iyo sankaagaba fasaleeti markaad hindhisayso amaba qufacayso. Fasaleetigana qashinka ku rid isla markiiba.

        • Ha udhowaan dadka xanuunsan.

      • Qaado talaalka xilliga. Goobaha

        caafimaadka ee Seattle biyo kowniguba way ku siinayaan talaalka haddii aad ballan ka qabsato. Inta badan talaalku wuxuu socdaa bisha Octoobar illaa Janaayo haddii uusan dhamaan ka hor.

Dadku weli waa qaadan karaan tallaalka xataa kadib marka uu bilowdo ku dhicidda hargabku. Goobaha tallaalka waxaad ka heli kartaan www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/locations.

aspx amasoo wac 206-296-4600

• Haddii aad xanuunsan tahay jog gurigaaga hana aadin shaqo iyo iskuul toonna.

Waxaa la filayaa in uu hargabka H1N1 ku soo aadan yahay kawniga bishan Octoobar. Waxaad wixii cusub kala socon kartaan. Bogga internetka ee H1N1 oo ah www.kingcounty.gov/ health/H1N1/ ama soo wac hotline flu 206-903-5464

 

GENERATIONS

News for Seniors and Disabled Residents of KCHA Communities

 

Burien Park property manager retires

After more than three decades with the King County Housing Authority, Property Manager Maureen Powers has retired effective Oct. 1.

She began her career with KCHA in the late 1970s, working briefly at the Central Administrative Office before becoming a housing clerk at the property formerly known as Springwood (now Birch Creek) in Kent. A little more than a decade later, she became an administrative assistant at the property formerly known as Park Lake Homes (now Greenbridge) in White Center. She’s been a property manager at Burien Park for the past four years.

Residents organized a party in Powers’ honor in September, drawing a quite a crowd to Burien Park’s community room. At the event, the residents presented Powers with a large postcard – featuring her picture – that they had all signed.

Many residents had kind thoughts to share about their property manager, and written on the cake they bought were the words: “We will miss you, Maureen.”

 

Homebound residents can receive food deliveries

Several local nonprofit organizations deliver food to low-income, homebound residents living in King County communities. Please review the listings below to find out what services are available in the area where you live.

AUBURN

The Auburn Food Bank delivers food bags of groceries, once each month, to low-income homebound residents who living in the Auburn School District.

Call 253-833-8925 to obtain an application. A physician must fill out a portion of the application to verify the applicant’s inability to leave home.

BELLEVUE, KIRKLAND/ NORTHSHORE, REDMOND, SHORELINE

Hopelink can arrange for food delivery for homebound clients who meet federal income guidelines and live in the communities listed above.

To receive assistance, you will be required to show current proof of address and income, photo identification, and verification of Social Security number.

For more information, call:

Bellevue: 425-943-7555 Kirkland/Northshore: 425-889-7880

Redmond: 425-882-0241

Shoreline: 206-440-7300

ISSAQUAH

Issaquah Valley Community Services provides food delivery for homebound clients with disabilities who live in the Issaquah School District.

Call 425-392-4123 for more information. To receive assistance, you will be required to show photo identification and proof of address.

WHITE CENTER

The White Center Food Bank provides food delivery to clients in special circumstances, such as those with special medical needs, clients of advanced age, clients who have multiple pre-school-aged children and those who, for other reasons, are homebound. Residents can live in White Center and parts of southwest Seattle and Burien.

Call 206-762-2848 for more information. To receive assistance, you will be required to show identification and proof of address.

 

 

Older adults should get flu shots this fall

By the Healthy aging Partnership

For most people, getting the flu means a week or two of misery and a few missed days of work or school. But for older adults and those with chronic health conditions, it can be deadly.

Each year, about 114,000 Americans are hospitalized and some 36,000 die because of the flu, a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that brings on fever, muscle aches, chills, coughing and other symptoms.

The Healthy Aging Partnership (HAP) urges everyone age 50 or older to get an annual flu shot. It won’t protect you against the H1N1 (swine) flu virus, but if you can keep from getting seasonal flu, your immunity against H1N1 flu may be strengthened. 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, says October through mid-November is the best time to be vaccinated.

Those at risk of getting seriously ill from influenza should get their shots in October – as soon as the vaccine becomes available in their communities. HAP recommends early flu shots for those 65 or older and people with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems.

The vaccine is safe for most people. The risk of an allergic reaction to the vaccine is much less than the risk of dangerous complications, including pneumonia, from the flu. But don’t get a shot if you’re allergic to eggs, have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome or have had reactions to flu shots in the past.

Always check with your doctor before getting any medical treatment, even a flu shot. You can also ask your doctor whether or not it’s advisable for you to get a vaccine that helps fight pneumonia, one of
the leading causes of death among older adults.

To find out where you can go to get low-cost flu shots, call the Healthy Aging Partnership’s free and confidential help line at 1-888-4ELDERS (1-888-435-3377). The toll-free line also offers answers to any other questions you may have about living a healthier life as an older adult.

Stay tuned for more information about H1N1 (swine) flu, for which a vaccine is being developed. When the vaccine becomes available, groups at highest risk for complications will be given priority, including people with chronic health conditions.

 

Residents with disabilities can seek Reasonable Accommodations

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.