I’m in the midst of posting several new articles. I got delayed by some fun birthday activities and a few other obligations. Here is one birthday photo that is a little scary.
There are not even 48 candles, and it still looks like it could burn the house down
As a reminder, I am exactly the same age as the Space Needle. Here is the cover of LIFE Magazine from two days before my May 6, 1962 birth:
By now, most people in the area are familiar with the GREAT news that the risk of flooding from the Howard Hanson Dam has been diminishing. As a reminder, the abutment of the dam was leaking; I described it in detail in the photo-journal entry here .
The Renton Reporter covers the most recent development in this story here . Thanks to hard work from many, many people, Senator Murray was recently able to secure 44 million dollars to install a temporary fix to the dam to prevent flooding in the near term. Meanwhile, the Army Corps of Engineers is working on designing a permanent fix that will cost about half a billion dollars.
These developments are enormous for the security of our region, as a flood in this area could have done many billions in damage and immense human misery.
Our own Mayor Denis Law represented us expertly to help obtain this money. He was back in Washington DC a couple weeks ago meeting with numerous federal agencies, elected representatives, and White House staff to help obtain money for the interim fix. Public officials from all levels in our region were there with him, and their solidarity and good planning helped us get this funding and avoid catastrophe.
Senator Murray speaks at a recent news conference announcing the procurement of 44 million dollars for the interim repair of Howard Hanson Dam. (Renton’s Mayor Law is standing on her right side.)
I’m enjoying my birthday today, and I think all of you that have sent me birthday greetings.
I have to admit, I was a little worried today when the stock market almost seemed to turn my birthday into an infamous day on Wall Street. As it turned out, the unprecedented sharp drop followed by an equally unprecedented sharp rise only succeeded in letting a little helium out (and left investors a little dizzy), but May 6 has come out okay.
I’m staying in the stock market, but I’m not sure if TD Ameritrade pitchman Sam Waterston is making me feel any more confident with his new banner:
Is it just me?…
Anyway, I have plenty of great birthday plans left. I’m soon headed down to emcee a talent show, and then drinks with friends. I’ve got more city stuff to write about, and I’ll try to get some stories posted this weekend.
We’ve been having a great time with our oldest daughter Katie and her husband Brandon since their return from Japan. Cathy has one of her favorite shopping-buddies back! Yesterday, they came back from Ross (at the Landing) with some cute coffee shirts which gave me a nice photo.
Arlo Guthrie’s concert in Kent last night was an inspiring celebration of family just as much as a wonderful celebration of folk music. Here he performs with his children, their spouses, and his grandkids.
Arlo Guthrie sings with his three daughters, all accomplished musicians carrying the flame from their legendary grandfather Woody Guthrie.
Forty-one years after Arlo Guthrie’s performance at Woodstock, the American folk-singer is as vital and relevant as ever. Last night Arlo, his children, and his grandchildren put on a beautiful sing-along performance at Kent’s Showare Center.
Arlo Guthrie’s son Abe covered the Keyboard through the show, and his three daughters played major performance roles on guitar, ukulele and auto-harp. His grandchildren, ranging from adult to as young as two, played many other instruments from bass to tambourine. In-laws rounded out the band and added additional music styles. And of course, everybody sang.
Arlo explained that this Kent performance was their third-to-last stop on a special family tour that begun last October. The family was looking forward to being home, but was also going to miss the time they have spent together as an extended family on the road. It was obvious that they are a big, loving family, and it was simply heart-warming and uplifting to see the three generations perform together. There were times in the show when it seemed like Arlo was entertaining his kids and grandkids just as much as he was entertaining the audience. Arlo Guthrie still tells funny, funny stories, recites poems, and makes up crazy song verses like his famous father Woody Guthrie did. Arlo’s story-telling is arguably what propelled him to fame with Alice’s Restaurant.
After their next two stops, Arlo Gurthrie will be returning to his home in rural Massachusetts, where he performs and socializes regularly at the church where Alice once lived during the Alice’s Restaurant days. His children are all accomplished musicians in their own right, and they have been producing albums on their own. His youngest daughter Sarah and her family just released Go Waggaloo, an album of kids music, and Cathy and I picked up a copy after they performed some of their tracks from it.
The family ended the show on a very high note with the family singing Woody Guthrie’s best known song ever “This Land is Your Land, ” Arlo stopped the song mid-way to explain that his mother once heard this song performed in China, by children, back in the 70s. The family has since heard it sung all over the world, with some countries, like Canada, changing the words to reflect their own geography “from the Arctic, to the great lakes”. When Arlo hears another nation sing it without changing the words, he figures they are referring to the LONG way around the world when they sing:
“From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me”
After a standing ovation, the family offered an encore with “My Peace”, another beautiful and spiritual song that uses lyrics written by his father Woody, put to music by Arlo.
They will be performing in Bellingham tonight, and then hopefully Arlo will be back this way on tour again in a couple more years.
I last saw Arlo Guthrie perform a year ago in Wichita Kansas, when I was on a business trip and his band stayed in the same hotel. Here is a link to my journal entry about that.
For those who want to see more photos, click below.
My wife Cathy on a recent ride on Honey Creek trail (photo by Katie Jones)
Any time of year, Renton’s Honey Creek trail looks like it could be in the Hoh Rain Forest. This time of year is especially bright green and heavy with fresh foliage.
The trail can be reached by walking or riding a non-motorized vehicle down Devils Elbow road, from either the Renton side (NE 27th Street) or the King County side (SE 95th way). The Renton side of Devils Elbow road takes off from Kennydale Memorial Hall.
Another freshly-minted 737 leaves Renton for Boeing Field
How cool is this!? MSNBC has chosen Boeing, our city’s largest employer, and our own Renton factory as a shining example of American business staying on top. We are extremely fortunate to have Boeing in our region and our city. I’m lucky to work there.
Here is the MSNBC story . Be sure to watch the video– there is some great footage of the inside of the factory.
In this journal entry I roughly estimated that from a value standpoint, typical Renton airplane production compares to making about 2,500 new cars per day. And the existing 737 backlog, not counting future orders, extends for about 7 years. This highly successful factory, squeezed between the Landing, Lake Washington and the Renton Airport, pumps billions of dollars into our local economy.
Lindbergh high senior Kathy Chou has been missing for nine days, and her family and friends are desperate to find her. Police are also very concerned.
KIRO TV ran a story tonight which you can read or watch on video here .
Everybody please continue to keep an eye out for Ms. Chou, and let the Renton police know immediately if you have any clues to her whereabouts.
Great new from the Teamsters and Waste Management tonight. A contract agreement has been reached, so there is no more risk of disruption to our garbage service. Here is the email we received this evening from Waste Management;
_______________________________
From: Robinson, Susan [srobinson@wm.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 8:58 PM
To: Don Persson; Greg Taylor; King Parker; Marcie Palmer; Denis Law; Randy Corman; Rich Zwicker; Terri Briere
Cc: Jay B Covington; Gregg A. Zimmerman; Lys L. Hornsby; Linda R. Knight; Preeti Shridhar; Kathleen Johnston
Subject: WM & Teamsters Reach Agreement!
Dear Mayor Law and Renton City Councilmembers,
I am pleased to announce that Waste Management and the Teamsters reached agreement tonight on a new five-year Union contract. The Union leadership will fully recommend that their members approve the new contract at a ratification vote scheduled for this Sunday.
The contract offers a solid compensation package to our hardworking and professional drivers, and recognizes the valuable service that our drivers provide in our local communities.
I want to thank you all for your support during the past month. We are glad to put this behind us and to focus on our daily operations.
Collection service will be on schedule the rest of the week!
Regards,
Susan Robinson
Waste Management, PNW and British Columbia
Phone: (206) 264-3073
Cell: (206) 915-9183
The actors, directors, stagehands, producers, staff and their supporters at Renton Civic Theater have entertained us and made our city a nicer place for over two decades. Their shows, which include both original productions as well as familiar favorites, are outstanding.
Tonight they have moved a step closer to making yet another huge contribution to the city of Renton…they are working to save Renton’s Summer Teen Musical.
At Renton Civic Theater’s request, and consistent with city policy for non-profits seeking to contribute to the public good, Renton City Council agreed to waive fees for six nights of performance for a summer teen musical, this June and July, at Carco Theater.
Renton Civic Theater has asked for this waiver as part of a plan to ensure that the “show goes on” for Renton teens who enjoy participating in our annual summer musical.
As a reminder, council had made the bleak decision to eliminate city funding for this musical after city revenues had dropped and we had to prioritize what was left for public safety and programs used by greater numbers of people. But all of us on council hated to make the cut. This cut was especially painful given that this year will be the 25 year anniversary for this program.
Renton Civic Theater is working to save the day, by putting together a plan to keep this musical in operation.
Anyone who wants to help can do so by buying tickets for Renton Civic Theater’s excellent productions. Season tickets are an especially outstanding entertainment value.
And if the team at Renton Civic Theater is successful at bringing back the teen musical this summer, be sure you buy tickets for that summer teen production. Our city has some extremely talented youth, and they never fail to put on an excellent show. And with the Renton Civic Theater sponsoring them, their talent will continue to grow and their shows will flourish.
Sadly, the body of Jerry Seldon, a Renton man who had been reported missing, was discovered in the Cedar River. The Renton Reporter has a recent story on this tragic loss here .
Those of us in city hall extend our condolences to Mr. Seldon’s family and friends.
The Municipal League is seeking citizens who can help rate political candidates and issues in the next election cycle. The Municipal League has been helping evaluate candidates for a century, and their evaluations are widely broadcast. By joining this effort, you can have a positive and direct effect on the public’s selection of their public servants.
While the Renton Event was held on Thursday…I was in Oklahoma City so I missed posting it :-(… there are still great opportunities to go to other nearby get-togethers or email the Municipal League that you are interested.
For a press release with the event schedule Click Here
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More info from coordinator Brit Sojka:
For more information about the CEC program or to download a 2010 Candidate Investigator application, please visit the Municipal League website and don’t hesitate to contact the Municipal League via email (cec@munileague.org) or by phone at (206) 622-8333 with any questions. Candidate Investigator applications are due May 28th. All registered voters in King County are encouraged to apply.
The Municipal League of King County Facebook Group is also another great place to learn about upcoming MuniLeague events and other great community networking opportunities. We hope you will also join us there, if you haven’t already.
This arrived in today’s email from Mayor Law. I think it’s a good idea.
______________________________
From: Denis Law
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 2:33:13 PM
To: Council
Cc: Julia Medzegian; April Alexander; Preeti Shridhar; Jay B Covington;
Marty Wine; Alexander Pietsch; Gregg A. Zimmerman; Iwen Wang;
Kevin Milosevich; Larry Warren; Mark Peterson; Nancy Carlson;
Terry Higashiyama
Subject: Accident on the Cedar River Trail
Dear Council,
I plan to convene a group of administrators and city staff to review the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of an 83-year-old pedestrian who was struck by a bicyclist last weekend. I’m waiting a couple days until detectives have completed their investigation. I have received a number of emails and citizen comments regarding this accident, varying from recommendations to ban bicycles to enhanced enforcement of speed laws and other park regulations.
As you know, our parks and trail system is heavily used by walkers, joggers and bicyclists, especially on nice days. We will examine current rules and regulations and also try to assess what improvements or other action may be prudent to improve safety on our trails. We will meet with you to discuss our findings and any recommendations we have once we have completed our review. This should be within the next couple weeks.
Denis Law
Mayor, City of Renton
1055 S. Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
425 430-6500
rentonwa.gov
Police are asking for help to find a missing 19-year-old woman. Click here for the Story
A sad, tragic incident on our Cedar River Trail.
——————————————-
From: Kevin Milosevich
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2010 1:34:17 PM
To: Council; Jay B Covington; Denis Law; Terry Higashiyama;
Gregg A. Zimmerman; Alexander Pietsch; Larry Warren; Mark Peterson;
Nancy Carlson; Iwen Wang; Preeti Shridhar
Subject: Pedestrian-Bicyclist accident update
Auto forwarded by a Rule
The pedestrian from yesterday’s accident on the trail passed away.
Renton Police Department
Media Release
On April 18th, 2010 at 4:47 pm the Renton Police Department responded to a bicycle vs. pedestrian collision on the Cedar River Trail approximately a quarter of a mile east of Hwy 405.
The initial investigation revealed that an 83-year-old female was walking eastbound on the Cedar River Trail and that two bicycle riders were also traveling eastbound behind her and off to her left side. As the bicycles began to pass the pedestrian she stepped in front of them and was struck by one of the bicycles. The cyclist and the pedestrian were both knocked to the ground as a result of the collision. The 57-year-old male bicycle rider was treated at the scene for minor injuries. The female pedestrian is a Renton resident and was transported to Harborview Hospital in critical condition with head injuries.
The Renton Police Department Traffic Division responded to the scene and is investigating the incident.
Commander Paul Cline
Patrol Operations Division
Renton Police Department
