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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10_Mayors Newsletter_091516SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 This Week from the Mayor Denis Law, Mayor VOL. 1, NO. 10 If you have comments, questions or suggestions, or just want to share all the great things that are happening in the city, please email me. Thanks for reading. FEEDBACK Renton Farmers Market challenges our next generation Renton Farmers Market showcases some of the best our city has to offer: fruits, vegetables, arts & crafts and foods from local farmers. The market stresses education by demonstrating the latest ideas in food preparation, storage and conservation, and teaching our youth about healthy eating through the Kids Passport Program. This program gives young visitors a project each week—coloring, drawing, scavenger hunts–and upon completion they get their “passport” stamped. The aim was to have them see fruits and vegetables as more than something they don’t like. Over the program’s 10 weeks, 323 children participated and I was pleased to present certificates to the 10 who completed all 10 challenges. Congratulations to all who participated and thanks to the market for providing a fun way to educate and challenge our youth. MAYOR LAW AND BLITZ, THE SEAHAWKS MASCOT, HONOR THE MARKET’S KIDS PASSPORT PROGRAM WINNERS DID YOU KNOW? Helping those in need - Renton Housing Authority and the Emergency Feeding Program As we enter fall and the weather gets colder, my thoughts focus on the less fortunate among us and the struggles they will face to provide food and housing, two of life’s basic necessities. Fortunately in Renton, we have two entities that work tirelessly year-round to provide help to those in need. The Renton Housing Authority is celebrating 75 years of assisting those needing a warm, safe place to live. They own and manage approximately 1,600 units and provide assistance to another 100 units of affordable housing operated by other non-profits in Renton. They have partnered with the city to support our revitalization efforts in the Sunset area, which is absolutely game-changing for our low-income families in the area and our community as a whole. Having a roof overhead is just one of the challenges our low-income families confront. It’s no secret we’re seeing a rising tide of hunger throughout the region. Despite the outstanding work from hundreds of volunteers representing our food banks, faith communities, social service agencies and emergency and hot meal programs, there are still those in need of food. Fortunately in Renton, families can turn to our Emergency Feeding Program, backed by your support. Their annual food drive is this Saturday, September 17, so look for donation bins in grocery stores all over King County. Safeway stores in Sunset, downtown and the Renton Highlands will be accepting donations on Saturday. I have proclaimed September 17 as the Mayor’s Day of Concern for the Hungry and strongly urge you to join the Emergency Feeding Program and the Salvation Army Renton Rotary Food Bank in their efforts to nourish those who are hungry. Return to Renton Car Show donates $13,000 to police scholarship fund The Return to Renton Car Show and Cruise-In is one of my favorite events in downtown Renton. For 26 years it has brought together people from all over the region to enjoy a unique part of American ingenuity and sample Renton hospitality. This year 350 cars were entered and over 3,500 spectators visited downtown. But it’s more than that. The show’s proceeds benefit the Renton Police Department’s youth scholarship program, which sponsors educational and academic programs. At Monday’s City Council meeting, event chairman Ryan Runge presented a check for $13,000 to Police Chief Milosevich, bringing the event’s total contributions to over $235,000. “COFFEE WITH A COP” This week, several citizens got to meet our police officers and have coffee at a local Starbucks. We have several more meetings planned on Mondays through mid-October. Our next Coffee with a Cop is September 19, at the Starbucks at 4112 NE 4th from 10 a.m. to noon. Hope to see you there. CONGRATULATIONS ALICIA! Miss Washington, Alicia Cooper, was third runner-up at the 2016 Miss America competition. I had the chance to meet Alicia at Renton River Days. The Miss Washington pageant is headquartered in Renton.