Our Renton Weekly contains news and information about city events, activities, and initiatives. It is emailed to subscribers every week.
- Use the language button at the top of the page to translate
Our Renton Weekly for Feb. 2, 2021
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Helping older adults stay connected
Staying connected with our seniors during this time of social distancing is crucial. It might be helping with shopping or as simple as a check-in phone call.
Our Recreation & Neighborhoods Division, with help from partner Sound Generations, reacted quickly to the pandemic providing almost 30,000 meals to seniors in 2020, by far the most of any city in our area. These daily lunch pickups are as much about providing a nourishing meal as they are about staying connected. They allow staff to visibly see how our seniors are doing during their lunch pickups. There is a strong rapport with these seniors and staff will call to check on a participant if their familiar face is missing from that days pick up. Last week’s Blanket Drive for Seniors was another way they’re staying connected with senior living residents.
Today they’re asking you for help in sending our seniors some love this Valentine’s Day with a handwritten note or card. These messages will be distributed throughout the community through agency partners and prior senior program participants to continue to show our seniors how much we care. Drop off your cards no later than Feb. 10 at Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Ave. N, Renton, WA 98057, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or Regency Newcastle, 7454 Newcastle Golf Club Rd., Newcastle, WA 98059, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you prefer to mail your card, please allow enough time for it to arrive at either location by Feb. 10.
Recreation Activities for February & March
Shake off your cobwebs with February and March activities from Recreation & Neighborhoods Division.
Some of the offerings include virtual youth dance, youth sports from Skyhawks, African-American music and Renton Outdoors. Register at rentonwa.gov/register.
Program highlight: Renton Outdoors features guides from Coast & Forest who lead fun, engaging outings in our local parks as well as virtual experiences. Birding adventures, guided nature walks, creative nature journaling and more are available each month. Search "Renton Outdoors" at rentonwa.gov/register.
Age-Friendly Renton Virtual Talks
Our next two months of Age-Friendly Virtual Talks will feature presentations from First Financial Northwest Bank, Puget Sound Energy, Renton Technical College and our own Renton Police Department.
- Feb. 9, 2 p.m. Winter and Storm Preparedness, and Energy Assistance. Puget Sound Energy
- Feb. 23, 2 p.m. Scams, Alerts and Fraud. Renton Police Department
- Mar. 9, 2 p.m. Healthy Meals at Home.
- Mar. 23, 2 p.m. Virtual Coffee with a Cop. Converse with members of our Renton Police Department.
Reserve your spot for this free series at rentonwa.gov/register, code 9497. If you need help registering, please call 425-430-6633.
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHT
Councilmember Prince elected SCA president
Councilmember Ed Prince has been elected president of the Sound Cities Association (SCA).
SCA represents 38 King County cities and provides a regional voice for more than one million people. With his election, Councilmember Prince becomes the first African American elected official to serve as SCA president.
Mr. Prince was elected to the City Council in 2011. He has been a member of the SCA Board since 2018.
AROUND THE CITY
Sunset Park Art reflects community’s history
Last week’s opening of Phase II of Sunset Neighborhood Park was the culmination of a 10-year plan to revitalize the Sunset neighborhood.
This 3.2-acre park contains playgrounds for ages 2-5 and 5-12, a parent plaza, covered and uncovered seating, open space, and natural areas and will serve as a community gathering place.
In planning, the Parks Planning and Development division wanted to pay homage to Sunset’s history, which traces back to World War II and Boeing-produced B-29 bombers. They worked closely with the Renton Municipal Arts Commission to identify a one of a kind piece that properly reflects the rich history and vibrancy of Renton. The result is the stunning “The Color of Flight,” a sculptural salute by artist Kirk Seese from Lutherville, Maryland.
“The Color of Flight" is one of several art projects added to Renton in recent months. If you'd like to know more about the Renton Municipal Arts Commission, they want to hear from you. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Museum receives grant from King County Council
King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn recently awarded $2000 in Councilmanic funds to the Renton Historical Society. The grant will support a traveling exhibit, “A Plate at the Table,” which documents immigrant restaurateurs’ contributions to Renton’s food scene.
“A Plate at the Table” was developed by Brandi Mason, a University of Washington Museology Program M.A. candidate. Brandi conducted oral histories with five local restaurateurs and chefs who have brought their home countries’ food traditions to a broader Renton audience. The resulting exhibit will be shared at local venues and festivals, as well as online.
Thank you, Councilmember Dunn, for your continued support of the Renton Historical Society and our local history.
RECYLCING OPTIONS
Are you upgrading to a new household appliance?
Recycle your old oven, washer & dryer, fridge, toaster and more! Fees apply to some items.
Our Solid Waste Division suggests checking out 1 Green Planet, 425-996-3513 or Bow Lake Recycling & Transfer Station, 206-477-4466.
COVID UPDATES
Courtesy of The Seattle Times
King County moves into Phase 2 of Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery
Last week, Gov. Jay Inslee announced the relaxation of some COVID-19 restrictions on businesses in King and three other counties effective Feb. 1.
The move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of the governor’s Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery will allow:
- Restaurants reopening indoor service at 25% capacity through 11 p.m.
- Indoor fitness centers and live entertainment venues–including museums, bowling alleys and concert halls–reopening to 25% capacity.
- Bars that don't serve food, however, will remain closed.
Phase 2 also affects indoor and outdoor gatherings, religious services, weddings, and funerals.
The governor also announced that the state Department of Health (DOH) would evaluate each region's metrics every two weeks rather than every week, as initially stated.
The four metrics are:
- a 10% decreasing trend in case rates during the previous 14-day period
- a 10% decrease in COVID-19 hospital admission rates during the previous 14-day period
- an average ICU occupancy rate that’s less than 90% during a seven-day period
- a positive-test rate of less than 10% during a seven-day period.
Community Vaccine Centers open in Kent and Auburn
Yesterday, King County opened two COVID-19 community vaccination sites: at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent and at the General Services Administration (GSA) Complex in Auburn.
These south King County sites will serve those at the highest risk from COVID-19 and face barriers to accessing the vaccine through traditional healthcare systems.
Currently, registration is open to residents of South King County who are:
- Age 65 and older OR
- A caregiver or home care worker taking care of someone age 50 or older who cannot live independently. The caregiver or home care worker does not need to be 50 or older OR
- Specific groups of people age 50 and older. Those who are:
- Unable to live independently and receiving care from a caregiver, relative, in-home caregiver or someone who works outside the home.
- Living with AND caring for kin (examples include caring for a grandchild, niece or nephew. This does not include parents living with their child.)
The Kent and Auburn COVID-19 vaccine sites will be open Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Vaccinations are by appointment only. South King County residents can register for an appointment at Public Health-Seattle & King County’s vaccine website.
Alert on hand sanitizers from Mexico
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning on hand sanitizer products imported from Mexico.
Their analysis found 83% of the samples were not in compliance. Additionally, more than half of the samples contained unacceptable levels of toxic ingredients, including methanol and/or 1-propanol.
The FDA advises checking hand sanitizer products in your home. They also recommend reviewing their list of hand sanitizers with confirmed and potential methanol contamination & other safety issues before buying.
Here are a couple things to keep in mind:
- Choose a sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid products that say "FDA-approved" on the label – the FDA does not approve hand sanitizers.
- Keep hand sanitizers out of reach of children and supervise their use.
CITY COUNCIL UPDATE
For general meeting and council information, go to rentonwa.gov/council.