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This Week in Renton
Friday, July 30, 2021 | Vol. VI | Issue 29
COVER STORY
Mayor Armondo Pavone cuts the ribbon officially opening the FitLot outdoor exercise equipment park at North Highlands Neighborhood Center. The mayor is joined by Councilmember Kim-Khánh Văn, Washington AARP’s Doug Shade, FitLot’s Adam Mejerson, and Councilmember Valerie O’Halloran and Council President Randy Corman. The fitness equipment resulted from a partnership between the city, AARP, and FitLot.
Partnership results in unique exercise area
Yesterday, Mayor Armondo Pavone, alongside AARP Washington and FitLot, Inc., opened the only FitLot outdoor exercise equipment park in Washington state at our North Highlands Neighborhood Center.
In 2019, AARP partnered with FitLot to plan, build, and program one outdoor fitness park in every state over three years. The effort helped celebrate AARP’s 60th Anniversary and was an opportunity for AARP, FitLot and recipient cities to improve the quality of life for senior citizens.
“We value and prioritize partnerships like this one because they utilize the expertise and resources of different sectors,” said the mayor at the ribbon cutting. “The results are services or infrastructure at a better value for our residents.
“We’re dedicated to helping our senior residents have opportunities to stay active. Working with organizations like AARP allows them to live active, healthy lives in Renton.”
Residents attending the celebration were able to use the equipment and received information about free upcoming classes.
RECREATION & NEIGHBORHOODS
Spend a “Night Out” tonight
The first of our two “Night Out in the Neighborhood” events is tonight. Enjoy live entertainment and a movie at our parks.
Highlands Park and Neighborhood Center hosts “Tom & Jerry.” Then on August 13, enjoy "Raya and The Last Dragon" at Thomas Teasdale Park.
Renton Road Shows will kick off each evening at 7 p.m. with live music. The movie will follow at dusk.
Can’t make it? You can register to watch online. Go to rentonwa.gov/register. Put code 9916 for July 30 or 9917 for Aug. 6 into the search box.
“Dog Days of Summer” wraps up with Yappy Hour benefit
This Sunday, from 12-4 p.m., Hyatt Regency at Lake Washington hosts Yappy Hour! on their dock. The Hyatt will donate $1 from every Tito’s drink purchased at Dock & Drink to the Seattle Humane Society during the event. You can also register your dog for Pooch Plunge and get information on pet licensing and animal recreation opportunities in the city.
Yappy Hour is the last of our four “Dog Days of Summer” events that celebrated the special relationship we have with our dogs. The events were enjoyed by pets and pet owners alike, and a successful pet food drive collected 450 pounds of food.
COMMUNITY
Free health fair and vaccination clinic on Saturday
Public Health Seattle & King County will host a free Health Fair & Health Insurance Enrollment event this Saturday. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Renton Bible Church, 973 Union Ave. NE, 98059.
In addition to health insurance enrollment, the event will feature basic food applications, information on subsidized annual ORCA LIFT Cards, and the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
Mammograms are also available by appointment only, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 800-756-5437 to make an appointment.
This is a walk-in event, and face masks or face coverings are required. They will be provided.
For more information, call King County CHAP at (800) 756-5437 or visit kingcounty.gov/outreach.
Summer Meals program
Renton School District families can pick up free 7-day summer meal packs at sites throughout the district on Wednesdays.
Now–Aug. 18
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10:45-11:30 a.m.: Royal Hills Apartments
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11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Creston Point Apartments
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11:50 a.m.-12:35 p.m.: Stonebrook Apartments
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12:15-12:45 p.m.: Kennydale Elementary, Renton Park Elementary, Sartori Elementary, Dimmitt Middle School, McKnight Middle School, Renton High School
Aug. 4-11
- 12:15-12:45 p.m.: Nelsen Middle School, Risdon Middle School, Hazen High School, Lindbergh High School, Talley High School
RENTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Celebrate National Night Out on Aug. 3
Celebrate neighborhood unity, awareness, safety, and police-community partnerships during National Night Out with Renton Police Department at Renton Farmers Market on Tuesday, Aug. 3, from 3 to 7 p.m.
Officers and staff will be available to answer your questions and concerns. In addition, there will be art activities and a prize wheel, where youngsters can spin to win prizes.
The department is also collecting new pairs of shoes in partnership with Communities In Schools of Renton-Tukwila. The shoes will be distributed to local students during their Back-to-School event in August.
Police receive reports of email scam
Renton police have been receiving reports of an email scam that indicates the victim is guilty of speeding or running a red light. The email includes a link to view a video of the incident, pay the fine, or contest the violation. This official-looking email may even have convincing details, including street names, speed limits, and/or date and time of the violation.
The department wants to remind residents that any such violation notice is mailed to the vehicle's registered owner. No email is sent.
Please be vigilant and follow these simple rules:
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Do not click links in an email from anyone you do not know.
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If you receive a suspicious email, even from a company you know, hold your cursor over the recipient's email address. It may not read out as an address you recognize.
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If you have any misgivings about an email, go to the official website or phone that person/company to verify the email.
REMEMBRANCE
Vietnam Veterans Memorial comes to Enumclaw
A half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be in Enumclaw from Thursday, Aug. 5 through Sunday, Aug. 8. It will be open to the public around the clock.
The memorial will be located at the Sunrise/Southwood Elementary School soccer fields.
Saturday, Aug. 7, will feature a series of special events to celebrate National Purple Heart Day:
8 a.m. – Trumpet call to colors
10 a.m. – Special ceremony for National Purple Heart Day, dedicate the City of Enumclaw as a Purple Heart City
12 p.m. – Military flyover in missing man formation (tentative)
1 p.m. – Huey flyover and landing (tentative)
Sunset – Flag colors
10 p.m. – Taps
COVID-19
Health officials recommend a return to face coverings in some indoor situations
Several local health officers have recommended wearing facial coverings in indoor public settings where vaccination status is unknown.
Public Health Seattle & King County is one of those making the recommendation. The health officers see wearing a mask as an effective and simple measure that people can take. This added layer of protection comes as rates of COVID-19 are increasing in the region and around the country.
SERVICES
Limited services available at city hall
We’re continuing our limited in-person services at city hall.
Finance and police counters are open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Court Services are available Thursdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The in-person permit counter is closed, but is available online.
CITY COUNCIL
July 19 meeting
There were no council meetings held on July 26.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Renton City Council meets via Zoom. For information on viewing or participating in a council meeting, go to rentonwa.gov/council. Past meetings are available at rentonwa.gov/youtube.
The council will not meet at on Monday, Aug. 3. Committee of the Whole has been cancelled for that evening.
CALENDAR
Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m., Senior Meals. Free, drive-thru sack lunch pick up at Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Ave. N. Limited quantities.
Mondays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Sustainable Renton free drive-through grocery store at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 1700 Edmonds Ave. NE.
Tuesdays, 3-7 p.m., Renton Farmers Market, Gateway Park, S. Third St. & Logan Ave. S. Through Sept. 28.
Tuesdays in July, 12:30–2 p.m., Emergency Feeding Program at Liberty Park. Weekly free lunch event for the unsheltered and residents with food insecurities. Along with ready-to-eat food and drinks, personal hygiene kits, socks, and cleaning supplies will be available.
Wednesdays, 6 p.m., Renton Live! online connection promoting business, nonprofits and activities within the greater Renton community. Find the weekly link on the Renton Live Facebook page.
Through July 30, Renton History Museum hosts Facing the Inferno: The Wildfire Photography of Kari Greer through July 30. The museum is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Daily, Library resources and events, ongoing. Filter by event, program, and location.
Renton Outdoors Coast & Forest presents an outdoor adventure in our own city parks this summer. On Sunday mornings, discover local feathered friends and other wildlife in Birding Education, Birding Social, or River Walks series. Monday evenings dabble in Journaling in Nature for your creative side. Register online and type “Renton Outdoors” in the search box for the full lineup.
Friday, July 30, 3-5 p.m., Skyway Resource Center at Campbell Hill Elementary. Free drive-through event held every other Friday providing access to resources. Find under "events" on the Renton Innovation Zone Partnership Facebook page.
Saturday, July 31, 12-3 p.m., Art Festival at The Landing. The event will include chalk artists, interactive artists, kids chalk zone and live painting. Free.
Saturday, July 31, 3-8 p.m. Black Love Market hosted by Elevate PR Management at Renton Chamber of Commerce (625 S. 4th St.). July kicks off this monthly market with a Family Picnic theme, including a BBQ contest, pie bake and cobbler contest. Black-owned businesses wanting to take part should email elev8prm@gmail.com. Future markets will be Sunday, Aug. 22, 2 -7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 25, 3- 8 p.m.
COVID-19 VACCINE
Valley Medical Center
HealthPoint
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Drive through testing and vaccination site (805 SW 10th St., 98057), offers drive-through access for the Pfizer vaccine.
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Appointments for 12-16 year olds or new patients can be made by calling 866-893-5717.
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Current patients over age 18 can use MyHealthPoint Portal to schedule an appointment.
Kaiser Permanente
- To schedule by phone, call 1-877-832-9915, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Interpreters are available. Patients who are 16-17 years old must have a parent or guardian call to schedule their appointment.
Car-side vaccination in Auburn
Mass vaccination sites
Kent: The ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St., Kent, WA 98032
Auburn: 1101 Outlet Collection Way, Suite 1333, Auburn, WA 98001
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Register for an appointment (available in English only)
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Schedule via phone: If you need language interpretation or online help, the following hotlines are available. Please say your preferred language when connected:
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WA State COVID-19 Assistance hotline: 1-800-525-0127 or 1-888-856-5816 (then press #), 6 a.m.-10 p.m. (Monday), 6 a.m.-6 p.m. (Tuesday-Sunday)
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King County COVID-19 Call Center: 206-477-3977, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
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For telephone-to-text relay service, dial: 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384. For tactile interpretation, contact: http://seattledbsc.org/.
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Walk-in vaccination (no appointment required) is also available Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., while supplies last.
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