Tech Tip: Calendar shortcuts
It’s fast and easy to show or hide other people’s calendars that you have to access often. Here’s a screen shot of an example on my own Outlook calendar pane. Right click on My Calendars and select New Calendar Group to create a “folder” so you can organize your calendar shortcuts in a way make sense for you. Then right click the new group/folder and select Add Calendar, then From Address Book… find the person whose calendar you want to add and click OK. Then you can drag and drop the calendar… Read More
Seven lessons from Harry Potter about letting youth lead
Crossposted from the Best Starts for Kids Blog We’ve all seen movies where an adult walks into a young person’s life and everything changes. There are heartfelt monologues, touching moments, and in the best of them, at least one inspiring musical number. While there is a special place in our hearts for these movies, the truth is that young people don’t need adults to save them—they need us to get out of their way. But that doesn’t mean there is no role for adults in youth movements. We need to get behind our… Read More
All-purpose fixers do their thing at free public events
The King County EcoConsumer public outreach program sponsors free repair events around King County (outside Seattle), where people can bring small household items and clothing. Our experienced all-purpose fixers and sewing fixers will work on them, and can help you learn repair tips as well. Each repair event might operate a little differently, based on the venue, the needs of the local community, and more. They might be one-time events, or they may eventually be adopted by a local community and run by other organizations. At these repair events, people bring in items such… Read More
Considering buying a home?
Homestreet Bank offers King County employees a variety of free home buying seminars at Homestreet Bank each month to help demystify the home buying and financing process. In addition, they offer free on-site seminars on a range of topics—from refinancing and remodeling to budgeting and buying your first (or second!) home—in the Chinook Building and King Street Center. For more information and to sign up for a seminar, go to homestreet.com/KingCO and scroll to Upcoming Events.
Director Taniguchi honored for his advocacy of the leadership of women in transportation
Crossposted from Inside Transportation From the time he joined King County in 1983, Harold Taniguchi has always made it a point to surround himself with leaders dedicated to excellence — and in particular with professional women who, in his words, felt “free to speak their minds and were not intimidated by anyone else’s position.” Over his expansive 35-year career, Taniguchi has built a reputation as a leader who supports the professional development of his employees and advances people based on merit and talent. As director of the King County Department of Transportation,… Read More
Code changes strengthen emergency management in King County
King County Council has passed a series of ordinances, strengthening the role and responsibilities of emergency management within King County government. One bill designates Office of Emergency Management Director Walt Hubbard as the lead authority for emergency planning, response, and recovery for King County government, as required under RCW 38.52. This represents a transfer of title and authorities previously assigned to the Director of the Department of Executive Services. Another ordinance codifies our Emergency Management Coordinating Committee (EMCC), charging the group with specific roles and responsibilities for interdepartmental coordination of emergency preparedness matters. The EMCC… Read More
Golden anniversary: King County Metro operator marks 50 years working full-time
Crosposted from Metro Matters John Helm never thought he’d have lasted this long, in the same job, the same city. But given the chance to fulfill his childhood dream, he said retirement surely could wait. Helm reached his amazing milestone Wednesday, March 7, which was 50 years to the day since he first became a bus driver for the Seattle Transit System, a predecessor to METRO and King County Metro. Over modest pizza and cake, surrounded by longtime friends, colleagues and family, John took it all in, a little shy at the… Read More
King County scorecard on legislative session: Progress made on key priorities
King County’s legislative agenda was focused on five priorities: reforming the state’s tax system, protecting Public Health – Seattle & King County’s ability to respond to communicable disease outbreaks, reforming juvenile justice, stabilizing the community behavioral health system, and addressing local roads and bridges. The Legislature took meaningful action on most of these fronts. “In a short session, the Legislature made much progress on issues that have long languished in Olympia,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “For the residents of King County, that means more property tax relief, and more access… Read More
DCHS shares evaluation work at J-PAL convening in Santa Clara, CA
Shared from the DCHS Touching Base Newsletter Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) Deputy Director Josephine Wong, June Lee, DCHS Chief, Performance Measurement and Evaluation, and Abby Schachter, Homeless Housing and Services Evaluator attended the J-PAL (Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab) State and Local Innovation Initiative Convening in Santa Clara, CA on Feb. 15-16. They joined other J-PAL grantees, researchers, philanthropy and government officials to share work and learn how other communities have partnered with researchers to conduct evaluations and broker cross-sector data sharing agreements to support evidence-informed decision-making. DCHS received a J-PAL planning… Read More
Employee News 