Pet of the Week: Thor
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
By thunder, Thor is our Pet of the Week!
This young Australian Shepherd mix was brought in by his previous owner because they could not keep him. They described Thor as playful, timid, and protective. Thor is definitely a handsome boy with an overbite that makes him cute and unique! He is also smart and knows how to sit, stay, come, down, and shake.
Since Thor is an independent boy who likes to do his own thing, he’s one of our “Rambunctious Red” pets – full of energy and loves to play. He does best when he gets lots of exercise and something to keep his mind busy! He also tends to be calmer when the people around him stay calm.
Thor may not get along with other dogs and may do best as the only dog in his new home, or need to meet any current dogs before being adopted. He has lived in a home with cats, but his previous family said he is very excited and loud around other animals. Thor also lived with an older child, but should be around dog-savvy children only as he can be a bit nervous with handling. Since he is still working on his manners, we think Thor would do best with a family who is willing to work with him and help him become the best dog he can be!
Thor is neutered, current on vaccinations, and microchipped. His adoption fee includes a certificate for a free veterinary exam and the option of 30 days of free pet insurance through Trupanion.
You can find out more about Thor on our website at kingcounty.gov/AdoptAPet, or visit him in person at the Pet Adoption Center in Kent.
View the original post and more on Tails from RASKC!
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Introducing Balanced You
King County Executive Dow Constantine and Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams launched Balanced You last week, the successor to the County’s award-winning Healthy Incentives℠ program.
Balanced You offers a variety of health and well-being tools to support employees so they can feel good, get the most out of life, and do their best work for the people of King County.
Balanced You is built from the ideas and recommendations of employees across the County. Learn more about Balanced You in this short video and on the Balanced You website at KingCounty.gov/BalancedYou.
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Big Backyard 5K 2018 in photos
Crossposted from King County Parks Plog
Thank you to all of our participants and partners for your support! Your involvement helps make your King County parks a better place. We appreciate your involvement and thank you for making Your Big Backyard that much more awesome.
Visit the Parks Plog and @iheartkcparks on Twitter to check out a few of the photos we’ve shared, and we’ll see you next year for the 10-year anniversary of the BBY5K!
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Pride T-shirt orders due Friday
If you want to pre-order a King County Pride T-shirt, orders and payment are due to Public Health by Friday, June 8.
For guaranteed delivery of a specific size, download and complete the order form. T-shirts are $9 each and available in adult and children’s sizes. A limited number of T-shirts in adult sizes will be available for free on parade day, June 24, on a first-come, first-served basis. Completed forms and cash/checks can be delivered to Mariah Taylor, 12th floor of Chinook, CNK-PH-1250.
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Executive Constantine releases statement on passing of Executive Revelle
King County Executive Dow Constantine released the following statement on the passing of Executive Randy Revelle, who served from 1981-1985:
Randy Revelle, 1941-2018
“I considered Executive Randy Revelle’s legacy of public service last month when I announced a plan to protect tens of thousands of acres of farmlands, forests and shorelines. It was Executive Revelle who first launched the Conservation Futures Program in 1982, following a proposal from Executive Spellman. For many decades, we have protected green space in our county, and I am honored to have the opportunity to build on his original plan. Executive Revelle and his family wrote the history of this place.
“Their accomplishments over the generations as city councilmembers and other elected and appointed positions made us a more prosperous and inclusive community. Executive Revelle’s tirelessness, his passion for the underserved and, in particular, his commitment to health care for all, will continue to inspire our work, and provide an enduring example of a life dedicated to the betterment of our region.”
Flags at King County facilities will be lowered to half-staff on the day of Executive Revelle’s interment.
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EcoConsumer Repair Event at Kent Library June 12
The next King County community repair event, Kent Repair Time, is at the Kent Library Tuesday, June 12 from 3 to 6 p.m.
The King County EcoConsumer public outreach program sponsors free repair events around King County, where residents can bring small household items and clothing and our experienced, all-purpose fixers and sewers will work on them. You can learn repair tips as well! People bring in items such as lamps, vacuums, fans, chairs, tools, VCRs, music players, blenders, toasters, toys, pants, dresses, hijabs and more. Our overall success rate at these events for repairing and mending items – or helpfully diagnosing the problem (e.g., you may need to get a new part) – has been 80 percent or better.
Visit the King County website for more details about what you can bring and a full schedule of area repair events. Contact Tom Watson at Tom.Watson@KingCounty.gov or 206-477-4481 if you have any questions about these events.
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Applications for 2018 Bridge Fellowship Program due Friday
If you are looking for an opportunity to expand your skills, grow as a leader, and gain a deeper understanding of King County government, why not apply to be part of the 2018 King County Bridge Fellowship Program. The fellowship is an 18-week professional development program that expands participants’ mindsets, strengthens current competencies, and helps participants develop new skills. Applications for the 2018 Bridge Fellowship Program are due this Friday, June 8, 2018.
The 2017 Graduating Bridge Fellows with Executive Constantine, Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams, and Bridge Fellowship Program Manager Debra Baker.
Debra Baker, a Bridge Fellow herself, now manages the program and says, “The Bridge Fellowship Program is an energizing and educational experience that reinforces and introduces leadership methods and skills that help participants both professionally and personally. Even though I’ve graduated the program, I still gain new learning and insights each year!”
Debra Baker
The Bridge Fellowship, open to all full-time and TLT employees, was reestablished in 2013-2014 by King County Executive Dow Constantine. Bridge Fellows will participate in a rigorous application and interview process before joining this year’s cohort. Over the course of the program, participants engage in classroom learning, group projects, presentations and career development activities, as well as interviews and site visits to explore the County’s agencies and their priorities.
The Bridge Fellowship – part of Executive Constantine’s Investing in YOU strategy – is helping employees across the County be their best work. “The Bridge Fellowship Program provides tools and insights for individuals to grow and thrive in their careers no matter who you are or where you are in the organization,” said Debra. “I highly recommend Bridge!”
To find out more and apply, please visit the Bridge Fellowship website, and direct questions to BridgeFellowship@KingCounty.gov.
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2018 Equity & Social Justice Speaker Series
You’re invited!
The next event in the ESJ Speaker Series is MOHIA, sponsored by KCIT, and takes place June 19 from noon to 1 p.m. in room 123 of the Chinook building.
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King County is now a leading producer of clean, renewable biofuel that can be used by commercial vehicles
King County — which has converted methane to natural gas for more than 30 years — is now a leading producer of clean, renewable biofuel that can be used by commercial vehicles.
Converting waste into clean energy
The purified renewable natural gas produced at King County’s South Treatment Plant in Renton can replace diesel fuel in commercial vehicles, capitalizing on a federal program designed to power more transportation with renewable energy. Renewable natural gas sales last year yielded more than $6 million in revenue for King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division.
“We are demonstrating to the rest of the country how local governments can work together to build a sustainable clean-energy economy,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “By producing renewable natural gas at our treatment plant, we are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the region’s reliance on fossil fuels.”
Infographic: King County is using wastewater to create energy. Click the image to view it larger.
King County has been purifying and selling renewable natural gas from its South Treatment Plant for longer than any other wastewater facility in the country. It is a direct substitute for the fossil-fuel derived natural gas that typically flows through local pipelines.
The environmental benefits of renewable natural gas are significant. Biogas is a byproduct of the wastewater treatment process, and is often burned off. By converting this waste gas to a transportation fuel, the emissions profile of both wastewater treatment and transportation is significantly lowered.
As a transportation fuel, renewable natural gas also generates far fewer air pollutants than diesel fuel. Each year, the volume of renewable natural gas produced at the South Treatment Plant is the energy equivalent of about 1.7 million gallons of diesel fuel.
Clean Energy, the leading provider of natural gas fuel and renewable natural gas fuel for transportation in North America, is currently delivering the renewable natural gas produced from South Plant to its Washington fueling station network.
The five stations fuel about 1.5 million gallons of renewable natural gas annually, sourced from this local production facility. One of the largest local end users is Recology, an employee-owned waste management company that uses the renewable natural gas for their garbage trucks that roam the region’s neighborhoods.
In addition to renewable natural gas production at South Treatment Plant, King County’s Cedar Hills Regional Landfill in Maple Valley is also a large producer of renewable natural gas. Collectively, King County’s efforts to convert waste products into resources resulted in more than $14 million of revenue from the sale of renewable natural gas and renewable electricity generated in 2017.
Read more in the official press release.
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Metro’s 42nd Annual Metroadeo
Shared from Metro’s For employees site
King County employees: join Metro General Manager Rob Gannon and Metro’s Safety team on Saturday, June 16 to recognize the skills of our fantastic bus operators!
There are three ways King County employees can participate.
- Bus operators can sign up now to compete in the Metroadeo.
- Employees can bring their antique, classic or special interest cars, trucks, motorcycles or any other vehicle to the 30th Annual Employee Car Show.
- Save the date and attend the event. Bring your family and friends!
Metroadeo
Operators can sign up now to show off their skills to Metro employees and their families at the June 16 BBQ and car show event!
The winner receives an all-expenses-paid trip to the state championship August 18-19 in Kennewick, WA, and the national championship in Louisville, KY next May.
- Roadeo judge’s breakfast orientation 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM
- Roadeo competition 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM*
- BBQ Lunch 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- VIP Golf Cart Rodeo 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM*
- Award Ceremony 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM*
*Exact time depends on the number of Roadeo competitors
Car Show
All King County employees, their families and friends are invited to show off their antique, classic or special interest cars, trucks, motorcycles or any other vehicle at the 30th Annual King County Employees Car Show sponsored by the Metro Employees Historic Vehicle Association (MEHVA).
Great prizes and giveaways will be awarded. Registration is free.
- Registration 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Car Show 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Awards ceremony 1:30 PM
For more information e-mail info@mehva.org or call the MEHVA hotline at 206-477-0460.
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