Here's a very interesting interview with Suze Orman who says that in the wake of the real estate crisis, renting may be the new American dream:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/3041440/ns/today-money#41965570
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
9 Ways to Become a Better Board Member Today
by Jean S. Frankel
Ultimately the choices are yours. What kind of board member do you want to be? What kind of relationships do you want to build? What kind of impact do you want to have? What kind of difference do you want to make?
Reprinted with permission; Jean S. Frankel is President of Ideas for Action, LLC, Boca Raton, Florida. Email: jsfrankel@ideasforaction.com
- Educate yourself on both your industry and your association. Too many board members don't even know all the programs and services their association offers.
- Do you homework before meeting. Read the background materials, understand the issues to be discussed and take part in on-line pre-meeting discussions. (Board leaders should also make certain they understand the decisions that need to be made. If you are to lead the dialogue in a decision-making process, you must be clear on what the board actually needs to decide on.)
- Be an engaged listener. Don’t plan what you're going to say while someone else is speaking; actually listen to what people are saying. Ask questions so you understand all views.
- Have an open mind. Don’t solidify your opinions before you hear the views of your peers. Be open to all possibilities and don’t tune out what you don’t agree with.
- Learn and use facilitation skills. Use open-ended questions, rephrasing and other skills to help to draw out ideas. This is very important for all board members, but essential for board leaders. In fact, I believe facilitation is the most underrated board leadership skill of all. Leadership is not just about running the board meeting according to the agenda; it’s about promoting full and rich dialogue, encouraging all board members to contribute, and ensuring that you get the best out of the board as a team.
- Respect the board’s time. No me toos or trying to restate what the last three people said, just to go on record as having said it. Don’t ask questions that could have been answered by reading the background materials. Don’t engage in side conversations or other disruptive behavior. (Board leaders, your role here is to set reasonable ground rules for dialogue that the whole board can agree to. Once the rules are established, any board member should feel comfortable speaking up when the board steps outside those parameters.)
- Respect board decisions and be a full participant. Don’t be silent during discussions and then share your real views later in the hallways; support all decisions of the board publicly.
- Lead change and don’t resist it. Ask tough but non-confrontational questions: Seek out all voices, both supporters and detractors (this is a critical role for board leaders to play.) Build relationships and trust across the organization. Help your board, staff and membership to be ready for change in your industry and your association.
- Challenge yourself and grow as a leader. Seek out professional development opportunities to further your leadership skills. Mentor new board members and prospective ones. Share your experiences and insights. Board leaders who are ambassadors for the experience of association leadership can ensure their associations have an ample pipeline of qualified, enthusiastic future leaders.
Ultimately the choices are yours. What kind of board member do you want to be? What kind of relationships do you want to build? What kind of impact do you want to have? What kind of difference do you want to make?
Reprinted with permission; Jean S. Frankel is President of Ideas for Action, LLC, Boca Raton, Florida. Email: jsfrankel@ideasforaction.com
Friday, March 4, 2011
Storm Drain Grates, Manhole Covers Stolen Around Kent
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Michelle Witham, City of Kent
253-856-5709
mwitham@ci.kent.wa.us
Storm Drain Grates, Manhole Covers Stolen Around Kent
Likely Lifted for Scrap Value
Likely Lifted for Scrap Value
KENT, Wash. – February 25, 2011 – During the last month, nearly 40 storm drain grates and manhole covers have been stolen from neighborhood streets and businesses across Kent and the City’s Public Works and Police Departments are asking the for the public’s help in solving the crimes.
"We are very worried with this type of crime because it produces a huge public safety issue by the mere fact that when the storm drain grate or manhole cover is missing, there is a deep and wide hole," Kent’s Utilities Superintendent Greg Reed said.
Reed said storm drain grates prevent large objects from entering the system and are an important part of ensuring proper flow of water and traffic safety.
"If a car hits a storm drain or manhole with no cover over it, then it can cause significant damage to the car," Reed said. "And also if we have pedestrians walking or even children playing they could actually fall into a 20 feet deep hole."
Depending on the size, the grates weigh between 80 and 106 pounds. The manhole covers weigh 113 pounds.
"Typically, the grates will be taken to a recycle center and sold as scrap metal," Reed said.
Reed added besides the hazardous situation and the cost of the new grates and covers, which is about $127 each or more if they have to be specially made, there’s also the time and cost of re-installing them. “We’re now securing the grates to prevent future thefts, but it’s a gradual process given the expense and number we’re dealing with. We have about 20,000 grates and 16,000 manhole covers in the city."
Anyone with information about the thefts may contact the Kent Police Department Tip Line at 253-856-5808. To report a missing grate or cover, contact Public Work Operations at 253-856-5600.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Dawn and Carrie's 3-Day for the Cure
Dawn and Carrie are at it again, raising money and awareness for breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen in Seattle. The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days. Net proceeds from the 3-Day for the Cure are invested in breast cancer research and community programs. We are very proud of them and their hard work.Click here to visit Dawn's information page and here to visit Carrie's information page.
Bell-Anderson & Associates is proud to participate in fight by sponsoring the 2011 shirts for "Operation Save-a-Rack." T-shirts, beanies, or baseball caps can be purchased for $20 each. This year's t-shirt is charcoal gray with pink writing. E-mail Carrie at cfjeld@bell-anderson.net if you would like to purchase one. Thanks to Bell-Anderson's sponsorship, all proceeds from the shirts go to the 3-day.
Did you know that there's no Federal holiday called "President's Day?"
True story..at least at the federal government level. I set out this fine week before President’s Day to give you some interesting facts about the holiday and the great men behind it. Much to my surprise, I found out that the executive order issued by President Nixon in 1971 defined the third Monday of February as “Washington’s Birthday.” Since then, individual states have decided to celebrate in their own way.
Here in Washington, our President’s Day celebrates the birthdays of both George Washington (2/22) and Abraham Lincoln (2/12). In Connecticut, Missouri and Illinois, Washington’s Birthday is celebrated according to the federal calendar, and Lincoln’s Birthday is observed as a state holiday, always falling on the 12th. In Alabama, the third Monday is called “Washington & Jefferson’s Birthday,” even though Thomas Jefferson wasn’t born until April. Kansas don’t recognize it as a state holiday. If you were a state employee in New Mexico, you would have the day after Thanksgiving off as a “holiday in lieu of Presidents' Day.” Attempts to clarify the date and name have been unsuccessful (is it “Presidents,” “President’s,” or “Presidents’?”) For more information, visit: http://www.snopes.com/holidays/presidents/presidentsday.asp And now, some interesting facts about two of our great presidents!
5 Things You Didn’t Know about George Washington:
5 Things You Didn’t Know about Abraham Lincoln:
Here in Washington, our President’s Day celebrates the birthdays of both George Washington (2/22) and Abraham Lincoln (2/12). In Connecticut, Missouri and Illinois, Washington’s Birthday is celebrated according to the federal calendar, and Lincoln’s Birthday is observed as a state holiday, always falling on the 12th. In Alabama, the third Monday is called “Washington & Jefferson’s Birthday,” even though Thomas Jefferson wasn’t born until April. Kansas don’t recognize it as a state holiday. If you were a state employee in New Mexico, you would have the day after Thanksgiving off as a “holiday in lieu of Presidents' Day.” Attempts to clarify the date and name have been unsuccessful (is it “Presidents,” “President’s,” or “Presidents’?”) For more information, visit: http://www.snopes.com/holidays/presidents/presidentsday.asp And now, some interesting facts about two of our great presidents!
5 Things You Didn’t Know about George Washington:
- He was the only president who did not live in Washington D.C.
- The nation's capital, along with 1 state, 31 counties and 17 cities (Maybe 18 counting the town of "George," in central Washington State) are named in his honor.
- As a farmer, Washington grew marijuana on his farm and promoted its growth. (In the 1790s, the crop was grown mainly for its industrial value as hemp and for soil stabilization. It was many years later that the recreational and illegal use of marijuana became popular.) Also, he is credited with introducing the mule to America. (the animal, not the trafficker)
- He was the only president to win a unanimous vote of the Electoral College.
- Washington's 2nd inaugural address was the shortest ever delivered - 135 words.
5 Things You Didn’t Know about Abraham Lincoln:
- Born in Kentucky in 1809, Abraham Lincoln was the first president born beyond the boundaries of the original 13 states.
- In 1849, Lincoln obtained Patent No. 6,469 on a device that was designed to keep boats afloat when they passed over a sandbar or entered shallow water; to this day, he is the only president to hold a patent.
- A turkey was sent to the White House for a holiday dinner in 1863, and Lincoln's son Tad pleaded that it not be executed. Lincoln issued "an order of reprieve," sparing the turkey's life.
- The Lincoln Bedroom was never a bedroom in Lincoln's time; it was an office where Lincoln met with cabinet members and signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
- Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks, was a distant relative of Tom Hanks, making the president and the actor fourth cousins, four times removed.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Update on the Howard Hanson Dam
The following information is copied from an e-mail written by Michael Mactutis with the City of Kent, Public Works/Environmental Engineering department in response to these questions: Is there any ‘news’ on the levees? When will the sandbags be removed? Have engineers sampled our levees to see if they need to be re-consructed before they can be certified?
Mike's Response:
It has been a good little test. There have been areas of minor damage that have been spotted, and we are watching those. No areas of major damage have been found on the levees.
The dam held approximately 38,000 acre feet of water at the peak (about half of the storm in Jan., 2009), and it is releasing it now. The volume in the reservoir is now down below 20,000 acre feet. I have not had any word of problems at the dam. The river in the valley rose to 11,000 cfs at its peak and is now in the low 8000’s. When the river level goes back down, King County Flood Control District Staff will perform a full inspection on the levees. King County staff are continuing patrols on the levees today. The City had patrols for several days while the level was above 10,000 cfs and the Corps also had 24-hr. patrols on the Green River through this week. Even with the eyes we have on the levees, please do not hesitate to call us or the King County Flood Warning Center if you see anything unusual on the levees.
We are in the final stages of executing contracts with consultants to examine four reaches of levees, including the reach along The Lakes. That is the longest reach, extending 2.75 miles from the SR 516 crossing downstream to the S. 231st Way Bridge. The certification reports for these four reaches will be complete and submitted to FEMA in June. Three certification reports were submitted to FEMA in 2010 for levee reaches upstream of SR 516, and we are working through those with FEMA and will be able to use those to have the other four done more quickly. Other agencies have spent several years going through the certification process with FEMA, but we are optimistic that we will be able to get it done quicker.
Shortly after the consultant contracts are executed, which for your levee should be the first week of February, there will be soil borings taken along the levees. That information will be used to determine factors of safety for freeboard, erosion, seepage, sloughing, and resistance to earthquakes. There are also studies that are already started related to biological assessments of the levee projects and historical research of the areas along the river. These things are all required by FEMA as part of the certification package.
As the consultants complete their geotechnical studies over the next few months, we will know much more about what repair or upgrade work it will take to certify the levees and how much that will cost but it still remains to be seen whether will FEMA accept the consultants’ recommendations.
We are also working very hard to get additional state and federal funding to help offset the costs. The costs of certification will likely exceed the City’s entire stormwater utility fund by several times. The work that has already been turned in to FEMA and levee segments that have gone under construction could not have been done without State funding that we were able to get two years ago. We have met with the Governor’s staff as well as our local state and federal representatives quite a few times to make sure they completely understand the impacts of the Howard Hanson Dam and the Levees on the valley businesses and residents and have all their questions answered.
I am assuming you have heard about the upcoming public meeting regarding the FEMA flood insurance maps, but in case you haven’t – the meeting in Kent is on February 7 at 6 to 8 pm at the Kent Senior Center. FEMA and the City will be having short presentations followed by an open house with tables where people can ask questions and pick up maps showing the proposed flood plain. The meeting in Auburn is at 6 pm next Wednesday, Jan. 25 at Dick Scobee School and in Renton at 6 pm at their City Hall next Thursday. Here is a link to more information. If it hasn’t already gone out, there will be a post card going out in the mail early next week to all the mailing addresses in the Kent Valley. I hope to see you there!
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ken/news/114320934.html
Regarding when the bags can be removed, it will be up to the Corps of Engineers to tell us when the dam is back to full working capacity. They are working on improvements to the drainage system within the dam abutment, and that work will continue through the summer. When the completed work is tested and responds satisfactorily, the local agencies will be able to remove the bags.
Thank you Mike and the City of Kent for allowing us to share this news!
Mike's Response:
It has been a good little test. There have been areas of minor damage that have been spotted, and we are watching those. No areas of major damage have been found on the levees.
The dam held approximately 38,000 acre feet of water at the peak (about half of the storm in Jan., 2009), and it is releasing it now. The volume in the reservoir is now down below 20,000 acre feet. I have not had any word of problems at the dam. The river in the valley rose to 11,000 cfs at its peak and is now in the low 8000’s. When the river level goes back down, King County Flood Control District Staff will perform a full inspection on the levees. King County staff are continuing patrols on the levees today. The City had patrols for several days while the level was above 10,000 cfs and the Corps also had 24-hr. patrols on the Green River through this week. Even with the eyes we have on the levees, please do not hesitate to call us or the King County Flood Warning Center if you see anything unusual on the levees.
We are in the final stages of executing contracts with consultants to examine four reaches of levees, including the reach along The Lakes. That is the longest reach, extending 2.75 miles from the SR 516 crossing downstream to the S. 231st Way Bridge. The certification reports for these four reaches will be complete and submitted to FEMA in June. Three certification reports were submitted to FEMA in 2010 for levee reaches upstream of SR 516, and we are working through those with FEMA and will be able to use those to have the other four done more quickly. Other agencies have spent several years going through the certification process with FEMA, but we are optimistic that we will be able to get it done quicker.
Shortly after the consultant contracts are executed, which for your levee should be the first week of February, there will be soil borings taken along the levees. That information will be used to determine factors of safety for freeboard, erosion, seepage, sloughing, and resistance to earthquakes. There are also studies that are already started related to biological assessments of the levee projects and historical research of the areas along the river. These things are all required by FEMA as part of the certification package.
As the consultants complete their geotechnical studies over the next few months, we will know much more about what repair or upgrade work it will take to certify the levees and how much that will cost but it still remains to be seen whether will FEMA accept the consultants’ recommendations.
We are also working very hard to get additional state and federal funding to help offset the costs. The costs of certification will likely exceed the City’s entire stormwater utility fund by several times. The work that has already been turned in to FEMA and levee segments that have gone under construction could not have been done without State funding that we were able to get two years ago. We have met with the Governor’s staff as well as our local state and federal representatives quite a few times to make sure they completely understand the impacts of the Howard Hanson Dam and the Levees on the valley businesses and residents and have all their questions answered.
I am assuming you have heard about the upcoming public meeting regarding the FEMA flood insurance maps, but in case you haven’t – the meeting in Kent is on February 7 at 6 to 8 pm at the Kent Senior Center. FEMA and the City will be having short presentations followed by an open house with tables where people can ask questions and pick up maps showing the proposed flood plain. The meeting in Auburn is at 6 pm next Wednesday, Jan. 25 at Dick Scobee School and in Renton at 6 pm at their City Hall next Thursday. Here is a link to more information. If it hasn’t already gone out, there will be a post card going out in the mail early next week to all the mailing addresses in the Kent Valley. I hope to see you there!
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ken/news/114320934.html
Regarding when the bags can be removed, it will be up to the Corps of Engineers to tell us when the dam is back to full working capacity. They are working on improvements to the drainage system within the dam abutment, and that work will continue through the summer. When the completed work is tested and responds satisfactorily, the local agencies will be able to remove the bags.
Thank you Mike and the City of Kent for allowing us to share this news!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Tacky Sweater Day 2010
We had another stiff round of competition at this year's annual tacky sweater/comfort food potluck. Here's Ken showing off his creation:
Shannon also put forward an impressive effort and installed lights in her sweater (including a giant battery pack). Alas, the grand prize went to Debi whose crystal lights and jingle bells creation actually had a twin, worn to elementary school by her daughter on the same day who not only helped Debi make this one but is encouraging her teacher to start their own tacky sweater day! We loved that this was a family effort.
Let me take a moment to introduce you to the real star of our show: The Trophy. Carefully crafted by Maria and myself three or four years ago (in about 5 minutes from the dollar store), each year's winner is required to donate a bauble from their sweater to the trophy. Looking good!
Tune in next year as we shine, jingle, and spend a day getting odd looks in public in pursuit of the tackiest sweater. Hope everyone had a safe holiday season.
Shannon also put forward an impressive effort and installed lights in her sweater (including a giant battery pack). Alas, the grand prize went to Debi whose crystal lights and jingle bells creation actually had a twin, worn to elementary school by her daughter on the same day who not only helped Debi make this one but is encouraging her teacher to start their own tacky sweater day! We loved that this was a family effort.
Let me take a moment to introduce you to the real star of our show: The Trophy. Carefully crafted by Maria and myself three or four years ago (in about 5 minutes from the dollar store), each year's winner is required to donate a bauble from their sweater to the trophy. Looking good!
Tune in next year as we shine, jingle, and spend a day getting odd looks in public in pursuit of the tackiest sweater. Hope everyone had a safe holiday season.
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