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Archives for June 2018

Concerns raised over new Seattle police chief selection process

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Then-deputy Chief Carmen Best, left, and then-Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole listen as Mayor Jenny Durkan

By PATRICIA MURPHY 

Seattle’s Community Police Commission is asking the City Council to delay confirmation hearings for a new police chief until it can examine the selection process more closely.
The civilian advisory commission sent a letter to Council President Bruce Harrell Thursday expressing concerns about finalists selected by Mayor Jenny Durkan.
The commission says it asked the mayor’s office for multiple records on the search process three weeks ago, but has not received them. Of chief concern to commission members is that acting Police Chief Carmen Best wasn’t a finalist. Best was the only woman and the only local candidate.

Neither the council nor the mayor’s office have commented on the letter.  The Mayor’s office sent a response to the CPC Friday.

Isaac Ruiz, co-chair of the commission, said they had been assured orally from the mayor’s office that the documents are coming soon. “What we’re hoping to accomplish is to have the CPC get that information and issue findings or recommendations or whatever comes out of this process — at a time when it could actually still make a difference in the process,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz said the commission is just trying to do its job and there are still a lot of unanswered questions. Even though he’s been closely following the search, Ruiz said he still doesn’t have a clear understanding of how the finalists were selected. “On the other hand, I think we have to wait to see what the documents show. And if those documents lead to other questions, we’ll ask those follow-up questions. It’s what we owe the community,” Ruiz said.

The commission has retained an equal employment opportunity expert to review the search process for legal problems. It plans to report back to council when the review is complete.

Expanding broadband to every corner of Washington topic of tour

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Inslee met high students in Quincy who are part of the 4‑H Tech Changemakers, sponsored by Microsoft. The program works to increase access to technology, including broadband. (Office of the Governor photo)

Cody Bye is one of thousands of people who works for his employer remotely. He grew up in Pomeroy, a city of about 1,400 people, but left town for college and a career. In 2015, he and his wife moved back to his hometown to raise their family, but before doing so, Bye made sure their new home was close to Pomeroy’s DSL internet hub so he could still do his job.

Bye is a video game developer consultant for a company called Vivox. The company is based in Boston, his supervisor works in Austin, Texas, and Bye spends a lot of his time video conferencing with people from around the world. The 34-year-old also runs a startup specializing in digital advertising.

“Garfield County is a beautiful place with nice, hard-working, industrious people, but my №1 concern was: Can I do my job? The answer was: kind of,” Bye said.

Expanding high-speed internet statewide is a priority for Gov. Jay Inslee, who visited rural communities across the state this week to discuss broadband needs and solutions. His three-day tour, which began Wednesday, included stops in the Eastern Washington communities of Pomeroy, Pullman, and Chewelah, the Central Washington communities of Quincy and Wenatchee, and the coastal community of La Push on the Quileute Indian Reservation.

Access to quality and affordable broadband internet helps create jobs, improves public safety and health services, and increases education opportunities — but some less populated communities in Washington state don’t have access to adequate broadband service.

Federal Way tenants protest steep move-out costs; demand rental inspection ordinance

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Tenants who were charged surprise and expensive fees after moving out of their rentals will protest their landlord Wednesday and call on Federal Way City Council to enact a rental inspection program with a legal process to hold landlords accountable.
Tenants who moved out of a Federal Way building, because they were escaping unhealthy living conditions, are now facing surprise fees. The landlord of the building is demanding moving tenants pay up to $4,000.
Now many of these tenants are in debt, simply because they didn’t have a legal process to hold their landlord accountable. Tenants and advocates have repeatedly appeared before Federal Way City Council to urge them to pass the Rental Inspection Ordinance. If passed, the law would provide summary proceedings options for tenants, giving them the ability to hold their landlord accountable at no extra cost to the city.
Unfortunately, the council hasn’t even introduced the ordinance, which has left many tenants, including the tenants protesting on Wednesday, in precarious conditions under neglectful landlords.
Now renters are joining together to demand fair treatment from their landlord.

Celebrating 2018 University of Washington Graduate Anzhane’ Julia Slaughter-Julien

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Anzhane’ Julia Slaughter-Julien

Anzhane’ Julia Slaughter-Julien
Earning a Bachelors Degree in Law, Societies and Justice
Your family is very proud of you!
Your dedication and will to succeed is an inspiration to us all.
We look forward to the wonderful opportunities that will come and the continued accomplishments that you will make moving forward. But for now, celebrate, relax and relish in this moment of YOUR SUCCESS!!
With Love and Happy Birthday June 5th!, your family; Mom, Zhalena Slaughter-Mathis(Steadman), Father, Ken Julien, Halls, Slaughters, Mathises, Langworthys, Bundys, Hendrixes, and Joneses

“Upbeat on Jackson” Concert Total Experience Gospel Choir

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LIHI Announces Free “Upbeat on Jackson” Concert Total Experience Gospel Choir

LIHI is excited to announce a free Central District performance by the amazing Total Experience Gospel Choir, featuring Pastor Pat Wright.
The choir will be performing for The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) as part of the “Upbeat on Jackson” concert series. LIHI, a Seattle housing non-profit that has been fighting homelessness for over 25 years, is now at the forefront of the “Tiny House Village” movement, providing shelter, safety, and community to people and families experiencing homelessness.
The Concert is 7pm-9pm at Ernestine Anderson Place, located at 2010 South Jackson Street. Ernestine Anderson Place is named after the jazz vocalist legend from the Central Area and provides housing for over 65 low income and formerly homeless seniors. All are welcome to this free concert.  Free dinner will be provided for all guests as well.

Under the direction of founder Pastor Pat Wright, the Total Experience Gospel Choir is a well-oiled spiritual machine of perpetual movement, having toured and done charitable works locally and across the country and world since 1973, winning over 150 awards. Pastor Wright is a long-time resident of the Central District, home to many other internationally known artists including Ernestine Anderson, Quincy Jones and Jimi Hendrix.

If you want to be engulfed by a good foot tapping, multicultural, heart thumping, soul saving, gospel music extravaganza, you need to take a listen to Pastor Pat Wright and the Total Experience Gospel Choir.

Opening act is singer/songwriter, raconteur and well-known Pike Place busker Michael Dare.

The concert will be preceded by a live oral history interview with Pastor Wright, conducted by two-time Peabody Award winning music documentarian Steve Rowland.  They will discuss Wright’s childhood in Texas, the importance of Gospel music, the heyday of the Central District music scene, and the current gentrification of the neighborhood.

Join us in the historic Central District for an evening of community and uplifting spirits honoring LIHI and its tireless work for social justice and dignity.

The UpBeat on Jackson Concert Series is funded through a Department of Neighborhoods grant.

Washington Student Named Best in the U.S. at Microsoft PowerPoint

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She bested 350,000 competitors to demonstrate superior Microsoft PowerPoint skills and advance to the World Championship
The winners of the 2018 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) U.S. National Championship have been announced by Certiport, the leading provider of performance-based IT certification exams that accelerate academic and career opportunities for learners.

Linh Nguyen, a 17-year old who just graduated from Auburn Mountainview High School in Auburn, Washington, took top honors at the competition that included more than 350,000 total entrants and 147 finalists in Atlanta, Georgia.  She won first place in the Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 category, and in addition to a $3,000 cash prize, she and a chaperone will now head to Orlando, Florida for the MOS World Championship from July 29 – August 1, 2018. “I did not think I would become the winner, so I was so surprised when they called me for first place – I can’t believe that,” said Linh. “I feel happy but it is so scary to move on and compete against other countries.  There are many people who are so smart but I can try my best.” Linh just completed her final exams and graduated from Auburn Mountainview High School.  She plans to go to community college and study computer science before transferring to a four-year university.  Linh taught herself English as a second language after moving to the United States from Vietnam three years ago.  She is the only female MOS U.S. National Champion this year.

This success comes from a significant investment since 2011 made by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washington State to bring Microsoft Office Specialist Certification to all secondary and middle schools.  Over 260 schools offer the MOS exams across the state of Washington. Another Washington student placed third in the competition in the Microsoft Word category.  Bailey Griffin attends Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens.  He is 16 and qualified for the event last year as well, and has mastered each of the Microsoft Office programs. After entering a passing score on an eligible MOS Exam in the qualifying round, 147 finalists were given a printed copy of a document, spreadsheet or presentation to recreate along with printed instructions and digital assets. They were then scored according to the accuracy of the recreation compared to the original. “We’re so impressed by all of these students – they’ve proven they can use Microsoft Office tools effectively which will be a key to successful academic and career pursuits,” said Raymond Murray, Vice President, Business Development, Pearson VUE. “Our goal is to turn these students from learners to earners, and many of them go on to win internships and jobs as a result of proving their skills in Microsoft Office.”

Certiport anticipates more than 150 finalists from more than 30 countries will compete at the MOS World Championship where students will again participate in a unique competition exam in their track. Six winners will receive cash prizes, medals and the title of Microsoft Office Specialist Word, Excel or PowerPoint World Champion. 

About Certiport

Certiport is the leading provider of learning curriculum, practice tests, and performance-based IT certification exams that accelerate academic and career opportunities for learners. Certiport provides certification development, delivery, and program management services through an expansive network of more than 14,000 Certiport Authorized Testing Centers worldwide. More than 3 million Certiport exams are delivered in 26 languages across 148 countries each year throughout the academic, workforce, and corporate technology markets. Certiport is a Pearson VUE business, and is a part of the world’s leading learning company, Pearson. To learn more, go to www.certiport.com.

“Certiport” and “IC3” are registered trademarks of NCS Pearson, Inc. in the United States and other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Domestic workers breaking down doors to power in Seattle

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Councilmember Mosqueda to introduce breakthrough legislation which would establish a Domestic Workers Standards Board with the power to address wages, benefits, training, and other issues in the industry

Nannies, house cleaners, and other domestic workers in Seattle are breaking down doors to win higher standards and a voice at work. City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda will introduce a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in committee Thursday which will take domestic workers from invisible to powerful.

After generations of exclusion from basic federal labor rights, domestic workers in Seattle are leading the way to a new model of worker power.

Who:  Nannies, house cleaners and other domestic workers with the Seattle Domestic Workers Alliance. They will be joined by City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda.

What: Announce introduction of landmark Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, share stories, visually break through doors, then head to committee hearing.

When & Where:
Thursday, June 21, 2018:

  • 8:30am: briefing on the legislation by Councilmember Mosqueda, City Hall. Contact Councilmember Mosqueda’s office for more information on the 8:30 briefing at 206-233-7801.

  • 9:00am: domestic workers, employers of domestic workers, and community supporters will rally on the 4th Avenue side of Seattle City Hall, immediately following Councilmember Mosqueda’s briefing.

  • 9:30am: Committee hearing begins in council chambers at 9:30 am.

Currently, thousands of domestic workers in Seattle don’t get the full protections of our workers’ rights laws. Some types of domestic workers are specifically excluded from federal labor protections, and for many others the rights spelled out in the law simply aren’t realities on the job. Few have access to basic benefits like healthcare and retirement, and there’s no good way for workers to set industry-wide standards and improve conditions.

For months, Seattle domestic workers have been working with elected officials to develop a Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights that will address the inequities faced by a workforce that’s mostly women and disproportionately people of color.

Key components of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights being introduced Thursday:

  • Covers all part-time and full-time domestic workers in the city — regardless of whether they are technically employed by an agency or a family, and regardless of whether they are classified as employees or contractors.

  • Ensures all domestic workers are covered by the minimum wage and receive rest breaks.

  • Establishes a Domestic Workers Standards Board which includes workers, employers, and community representatives and has the power to establish industry-wide standards on wages, benefits, training, and other issues.

The Domestic Workers Standards Board would be a breakthrough step for workers rights in Seattle and across the country — a new model of collective bargaining being led by women and people of color who have been too long excluded from other basic legal protections.

More information

The Seattle Domestic Workers Alliance (SDWA) unites nannies, house cleaners, and other domestic workers across Seattle. Workers have established SDWA a project of Working Washington, with support from Casa Latina, SEIU 775, and the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

Need Diversity In Your Workplace?

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The Numbers Say Role Models Are Lacking

It might feel more comfortable to work with people who are – more or less – just like you, but study after study has shown that’s not the best way to do business.  Research finds that diverse workforces are more effective workforces, which is why many large companies now have diversity programs for the recruitment and development of women, racial minorities, and LGBTQ individuals. “And that’s a good thing, but having a diverse workforce doesn’t go far enough,” says Jeremy Greenberg, founder of Avenue Group (www.AveGroup.com), a firm that advises private equity firms, Fortune 500 executives, and mid-market companies.  “It’s also important to have diversity represented in leadership and role model positions, and America’s institutions – from large corporations to universities to the music world – are lacking on that front.”

Avenue Group recently conducted a study to determine the level of diversity among role models in today’s America. The study looked at the top 100 leaders in nine categories: Fortune 100 CEOs, U.S. senators, presidents of top-ranked universities, best-selling authors, top-selling musicians, directors of the highest-grossing films, producers of the highest-rated TV shows, stars of the most-popular YouTube channels, and hosts of the most-popular podcasts. For the most part, Greenberg says, white men dominate in percentages far beyond their representation in the overall population. “There’s a stark difference in diversity between the leadership role models and the general population,” Greenberg says. “White males account for 69 percent of the role models, even though they make up just 31 percent of the U.S. population.”

Greenberg says a few things worth knowing about diversity include:

  • The benefits of diversity. Studies have found that a diverse workplace comes with proven benefits, including an increase in innovation, reduction in turnover, a higher level of creativity, and a more effective understanding of the needs of different market segments.
  • The importance of role models. Role models – the people we look up to, who take up media space, and earn our attention – play a key part in getting us comfortable with our differences. “Improving diversity in leadership positions can go a long way in helping to improve diversity in a company’s overall workforce,” Greenberg says.
  • Lack of diversity among Fortune 100 CEOs. Far and away the least diverse group that the Avenue Group study examined was Fortune 100 CEOs. Among these business leaders, 95 percent are white, 94 percent are men, and 90 percent are white men.
  • Authors and musicians boast most diversity – sort of. Musicians proved the most diverse in terms of race, with 49 percent of the top performers non-white and 41 percent of them Black. Yet the top performers aren’t so diverse in gender with women representing only 14 percent. “That makes them one of the worst gender-diversity offenders,” Greenberg says. The best category for women was best-selling authors, yet they still represent just 38 percent of that category. Racial minorities, though, make up just a small percentage of the best-selling authors, with 93 percent of them white.

“There is certainly a long way to go to improve diversity across all categories,” Greenberg says. “As our role models become more diverse, those who aspire to emulate them will be more inspired and provide tangible examples of success to help them move through their career journeys.”

You can review the findings from the Avenue Group role model diversity study here.

 

About Jeremy Greenberg

Jeremy Greenberg (www.AveGroup.com) is the founder of Avenue Group, which advises Fortune 500 executives and mid-market companies. He is also the co-founder and CEO of Flyte Fitness, an exercise equipment and education company. Jeremy built multi-million-dollar businesses for two Fortune 500 companies (Capital One and Avon Products) and is an Entrepreneur in Residence at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he holds an MBA.

Washington State Dyslexia Advisory Council Seeks Applicants

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Applications now being accepted

Dyslexia has been defined in statute as a

specific learning disorder that is neurological in origin and characterized by:

Unexpected difficulties with accurate or fluent word recognition, and poor spelling and

decoding abilities that are not consistent with the person’s intelligence, motivation, and

sensory capabilities.

These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological components of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities.

The Washington State Dyslexia Advisory Council was created via Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6162 during the 2018 legislative

session. The Council will advise the

superintendent on matters relating to dyslexia in an academic setting.

Applicants can apply here: Deadline is July 12, 2018. Appointees are expected to:

Attend in–person meetings;

Respond timely to emails and meet deadlines and,

 Spend time beyond council meetings to

support outcomes of the council.

Appointments are voluntary for a two–year term with an option to renew for an additional two years. Travel for meetings and meals (based on per–diem) will be reimbursed by OSPI.

 

 

8th Annual Gig Harbor Wings and Wheels expanded to two days, June 30-July 1

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Gig Harbor Wings and Wheels is back for its eighth year with airshows featuring aerobatic performances, fly-overs, airplane, car and motorcycle displays, live music, food, a beer garden and kids’ activities.

The air show and car show, which is presented by the Tacoma Events Commission, will be held at Tacoma Narrows Airport, 1202 26th Ave. NW in Gig Harbor. The event runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 30 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 1.

“We are excited to expand Gig Harbor Wings and Wheels to two days,” said Doug Fratoni, Gig Harbor Wings and Wheels director. “This will be the only airshow in Pierce County this year. Come out to Gig Harbor to see amazing airplanes while getting your car and motorcycle show fix at the same time.”

Highlighted performances and activities include:

  • Smoke-N-Thunder jet car racing down the runway at 300 miles per hour
  • Olympic Flight Museum flying an AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter and Bell UH-1 Huey
  • World War II P-51D Mustang flyover
  • Vietnam-era TA-4J Skyhawk fighter jet flyover
  • 1943 Boeing Stearman biplane flying aerobatics
  • West Coast Raven RV team flying formations
  • Extra 300C flying aerobatics
  • Live music by: U.S Army Rock Band “Courage,” Kim Archer, The Spud Makers, The Jim Valley Project with Jim Valley of Paul Revere and the Raiders.

Private airplane and helicopter rides will be available at an additional cost. Details will be available at the gate.

A full schedule of events is available at www.freedomfair.com/wings-and-wheels.

Ticket information

Tickets are available at www.freedomfair.com/wings-and-wheels or at the door. Tickets for adults 18 and older are $15 in advance/$20 at the door, seniors are $10 in advance/$15 at the door, military ID holders are $10 in advance/$15 at the door. Tickets are $10 for children ages 5 to 17, while those ages 4 and under get in free. VIP Chalet tickets are $50 and include admission, reserved shaded seating, catered lunch, and soft drinks.

Les Schwab, Smoke-N-Thunder Jetcar and Veterans of Operation Iraqi/Enduring Freedom (VOIEF) are partnering to offer free tickets to current and former military personnel. Visit any Les Schwab Tire Center in Pierce County and show your military or VA ID. Mention Jetcar or VOIEF. This offer is available while supplies last.