Civil Rights Training
The King County Office of Civil Rights (OCR) will hosts free drop-in information sessions to provide practical advice on the civil rights basics – how to recognize discrimination, where and how to report it, and how to stop discrimination from occurring.
These sessions will give practical help to renters, property managers, employers, employees, and building and business owners who have questions about their responsibilities and civil rights under anti-discrimination laws.
The sessions are Wednesday, Dec. 10, 3 – 5 p.m. at the Maple Valley Library, 21844 SE 248th Street, Maple Valley; and Monday, Dec. 15, 3:15 – 5 p.m., Kent Regional Library, 212 2nd Ave. N., Kent.
For more information call 206-296-7592, e-mail to [email protected], or go to www.kingcounty/civilrights.
CAYA Holiday Event
The Central Area Youth Association holds an event for the holidays Friday, Dec. 12, from 5–8 p.m. (doors open at 4:30 p.m.). There will be free photos with a Soulful Santa (one photo per family) and refreshments will be served. Call to reserve your space at the party, 206-322-6640. Volunteers are needed.
King Day Celebration Planning
The 27th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is Monday, Jan. 19 at Garfield High School.
Volunteers of all ages are needed to help in planning the event. The next meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the CAMP Building, 722 18th Ave. For more info go to www.mlkseattle.org/index.php.
NAACP Membership
The next NAACP General Membership Meeting is Monday, Dec. 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Urban League Building on 14th and Yesler. Meeting times are the fourth Monday of the month.
The organization says now is a good time to update your membership if you haven't already done so. In addition, volunteers are always needed. Please call or email membership coordinator Ashley Dunn for more information on joining or renewing your membership, at [email protected], or 504-975-4703
Citizenship Workshops
The Seattle Public Library and the city of Seattle's Human Services Department offers citizenship workshops in December. Participants will receive information about becoming a United States citizen. Information will be provided in multiple languages.
The workshops are free and open to the public. No registration is required. Free parking is available in the branch parking lots.
On Thursday, Dec. 11, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Jim Wiley Community Center, 9800 Eighth Ave. S., assistance will be provided in English, Spanish, Lao, Khmer and Somali.
On Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Columbia Branch, 4721 Rainier Ave. S., assistance will be provided in English, Chinese, Korean and Tagalog.
For more information or assistance in other languages, call The Seattle Public Library at 206-386-4148.
Real Change Protest
Real Change Organizing Project presents Campout for Change at City Hall. Join the group at City Hall Dec. 16 at 6 p.m., or donate survival gear to be handed out Dec. 17 after the protest. For more info, visit www.realchangenews.org
Foster a Pet
If you're interested in becoming a foster parent for homeless, sick or immature dogs and puppies from the Seattle Animal Shelter, plan to attend a free orientation session on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the shelter, 2061 15th Ave. W.
The session runs from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be held in the conference room located on the shelter's upper level. Space is limited, so please RSVP to [email protected].
Those who attend an orientation session are under no obligation to foster a dog. The orientation is just the first step in the process.
Each foster parent is provided with a manual and a "consultant" who provides advice and answers questions. The Seattle Animal Shelter pays for all pre-approved veterinary care for dogs in foster care.
For more info, call 206-386-PETS or visit www.seattleanimal shelter.org
Polar Bear Plunge
Come take part in the Seventh annual Polar Bear Swim at noon on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009 at Matthews Beach, 9300 51st Ave. NE. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m.
There will be refreshments and a "2009 Official Patch of Courage" for all heroic polar bears who immerse themselves neck-deep in the lake. Nearly a 1,000 people took part last year. Dressing up in a costume is encouraged.
For younger swimmers, "Polar Cub Club," will launch just before.
Parks offers a few tips for enjoying a fun, safe swim:
· Come early, and carpool or take the bus.
· If you have heart problems or other serious medical concerns, we recommend you consult your health care professional before taking the Polar Plunge. Come and watch!
· Don't drink alcohol - it doesn't warm you up, it accelerates hypothermia.
