Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Y O U R C I T Y . Y O U R N E W S . M A Y 2 0 1 4
TAKE5
Page 5Get on a Bike at TMB
Page 6Eco-Champ Amy McBride
Page 8artTown wins Telly Awards
IN THIS ISSUE
Page 2BUZZWORTHY
Page 4PERSONAL TOUCH
Page 8OUT ON THE TOWN CELEBRATIONS
Page 9KUDOS OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE BACK
Page 10CITY EXCHANGE HEALTH + WELLNESS
CONTENTS
TABL
E OF
CITY OF TACOMA LAUNCHES NEW SHOW: URBAN GREEN Urban Green is the City of Tacoma’s new environmental efforts and sustainable lifestyle program. It aims to highlight City and community achievements, and help educated residents.
The show is hosted by Office of Environmental Policy & Sustainability Active Transportation Coordinator Diane Wiatr. Her colleague, EnviroChallenger John Inch, provides a quick tip for including youth. While the legwork is executed by Media and Communications Office staff members Carrie McCausland and Andy Hillier, there are other teams that also come together to bring residents a new episode every two months. In fact, even the show’s opening sequence was a team effort. Watch closely and you may see employees Tansy Hayward, Maria Lee, Larry Dunn, Dan Eberhardt, Rob Ross and Amanda Borchers as a seedling tree is handed off via kayak, bicycle, the Tacoma Link, TAGRO Truck and children from Titlow Beach through downtown and on to Wapato Park, for planting by the next generation.
The inaugural episode features:• Recovery of the Foss Waterway with
Mike Slevin, Martha Anderson and Citizens for a Healthy Bay
• The Tacoma Recycling Center with Mark Tveit
• Using reusable water bottles with John Inch• Tacoma’s 4-STAR community
sustainability assessment • Alina’s Soups with the Proctor Farmers Market
For programming information or program streaming, go to cityoftacoma.org/urbangreen.
TAKE5 MAY 20142
JUNE
TRAI
NING
NEWSBUZZWORTHY...Required Training16 New Employee Orientation
TMB 1444 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
17 Domestic Violence Policy Awareness TMB 1444 9 - 9:30 a.m. This class is also offered online.
Discrimination/Sexual Harassment Prevention TMB 1444 9:30 a.m. - Noon
Cultural Awareness TMB 1444 1 - 4:30 p.m.
Computer Training11 Excel 2010 Pivot Tables
TMB 1530 8:25 a.m. - Noon
Excel 2010 Macros TMB 1530 1 - 4:30 p.m.
12 Word 2010 Level 2 TMB 1530 8:25 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
18 Excel 2010 Level 2 TPU Computer Training Room 8:25 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
19 Excel 2010 Level 1 TPU Computer Training Room 8:25 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
General Training 3 Emotional Intelligence
TMB 1444 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
10 Conflict Management (Resolution) TMB 1444 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
17 HR Process Training—Project Positions & Project Employees TMB 248 10:30 a.m. - Noon
EDPR Overview TMB 1444 8:30 - 9 a.m.
26 Leading Effective Meetings TPU ABS B-1 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 14 TPU Auditorium
NEW EPISODE OF ‘ARTTOWN’ FEATURES AUTHORS MARISSA MEYER AND ERIK HANBERG, OTHERS IN TACOMA’S CREATIVE COMMUNITYWorking with Tacoma Arts Administrator Amy McBride and Cultural Arts Specialist Naomi Strom-Avila in the Community and Economic Development Department’s Arts Program, Maria Lee, John Miller and Andy Hillier in the Media and Communications Office put out a new episode of “artTown” recently. “artTown” is a cultural documentary-style TV initiative exploring Tacoma’s emergence as a major creative hub in the Pacific Northwest. The new episode features music composed by local artist Isaac Solverson. It includes viewpoints from two local authors: Marissa Meyer, whose work has graced the New York Times bestsellers list, and Erik Hanberg, a downtown Tacoma resident who also serves as a Metro Parks Commissioner. It spotlights Tacoma’s growing microbrewery scene, thriving skate culture and locally grown story slam. And it highlights local artists April Nyquist, Diane Hansen, Eddie Sumlin and Jason Skipper.County. Go to cityoftacoma.org/artTown for programming information and program streaming.
NATIONAL ARTS PROGRAM VISUAL ART EXHIBIT REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAY 19The National Arts Program is a visual art exhibit open to all City of Tacoma employees, retirees, volunteers and their family members. Showcase your creative side, receive recognition, and possibly even win some money. It is free to participate! Ribbons, certificates of participation, and $2,400 in cash prizes will be awarded. The exhibit will be on display in the Tacoma Municipal Building and at Tacoma Public Utilities from June 5 to Aug. 29, and a reception and awards ceremony at the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, Studio #2 (901 Broadway) will be held on June 30 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. This program is coordinated by the Community and Economic Development Department. To register online, go to surveymonkey.com/s/14NAP. For more information, contact Naomi Strom-Avila at (253) 591-5191 or [email protected].
Occasionally, training schedules are revised. For the latest information, please view the Human Resources Department’s intranet site.
TAKE5 MAY 20143
NEWSBUZZWORTHY...
CITY OF TACOMA JOBSFor the latest City of Tacoma job postings, and to submit an application, visit cityoftacoma.org/jobs. Occasionally, closing dates are revised. For additional assistance, call (253) 591-5400, Ext. 1.
UPCOMING TOPICS ON TACOMA REPORTHistoric Preservation Officer Reuben McKnight discusses local events in May that mark Historic Preservation Month, Code Enforcement Officer Gary Crawford shares the latest on rules surrounding garage sales, and you’ll learn how to do a more environmentally friendly car wash. For programming info and program streaming, go to tvtacoma.com.
The City of Tacoma’s Mentoring
Program enhanced my passion for my career and helped me
redirect my focus.– La’Toya Mason,
Customer Support Center Manager
For a high level overview of the City of Tacoma’s accomplishments in 2013 to elevate our city in the areas of economic stability, financial prosperity, smart growth, innovation and cultural vitality, go to annualreport.cityoftacoma.org.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MENTORING PROGRAMThe City of Tacoma’s mentoring program continues to attract employees interested in leadership, goal setting, networking and much more. It can also help you develop the skills and competencies you need to take the next step in your career. Options for mentoring include a traditional approach to mentoring, situational mentoring, group mentoring and more. Review them in this Program Guide, complete the Mentoring Application, and plan to attend the next quarterly meeting on June 11. For more information contact Mary Morrison at (253) 573-2318 or Sarah Quinn at (253) 591-5428.
TAKE5 MAY 20144
NEWSBUZZWORTHY...PERSONAL TOUCH
PERS
ONAL EMPLOYEES APPROVED
FOR DONATED LEAVE
John SuvegEnvironmental ServicesLarry Wakefield Environmental ServicesLee Walston Environmental ServicesKatherine Perez FinanceGeoffrey Crib Information TechnologyStephanie Peterson Information TechnologyTroy Ihlen Public WorksCoral Singletary Public WorksPaul Howard Tacoma Fire DepartmentJustin Anderson Tacoma Public UtilitiesMegan Buck Tacoma Public UtilitiesDonald Carroll Tacoma Public UtilitiesBrett Copeland Tacoma Public UtilitiesCeCe Noll Tacoma Public UtilitiesDouglas Johnson Tacoma Public Utilities Roxanne Johnston Tacoma Public UtilitiesGeorgia Marion Tacoma Public UtilitiesBuck Murphy Tacoma Public Utilities
If you wish to donate leave, please contact your timekeeper or Human Resources, (253) 591-5400, for a Sick Leave/Paid Time Off Donation Form.
Tip
SU
PERVISOR
Q: Why do supervisors avoid confronting employees about their performance issues?
A: The most common reason for avoiding confrontation is fear. Overcoming this fear is accomplished by understanding how to use an effective approach. Being firm and direct and not sugarcoating the message is important, but this can be accomplished in a way that eliminates heavy-handedness and engenders cooperation. For example, “Bill, I received feedback about your customer presentation yesterday, and I want to share it with you.” “Bill, some customers felt your presentation lacked depth in its details, leaving them feeling more confused. Were you aware of these concerns?” “Bill, I want to work with you to improve your marketing presentation; how would you suggest we go about making such improvements?” Notice in these examples how the supervisor elicits a “partnering” approach to solving problems. The concerns of the supervisor are concrete and the approach is likely to elicit better cooperation in solving the performance issues, as opposed to harming the relationship by making the employee feel scolded.
Source: First Choice Health EAP
SUMMER IS ON ITS WAY! Are you looking for summer activities for your children? Day camps or overnight camps? Child Care Aware can help. You will find something for every child, whether they love bugs or horses or rocket ships, in Child Care Aware’s Summer Activities Guide.
Do you need child care for the summer or for next fall? It’s not too early to start looking. For a child care search and information to help you find the best child care for your family, contact Victoria Jones at [email protected] or (253) 591-5870.
TAKE5 MAY 20145
NEWSBUZZWORTHY...
THE STATE OF WASHINGTON COMMUTING SURVEYis coming up soon! Watch for
communications from your Employee
Transportation Coordinator (ETC).
Completing the survey enters you in
a drawing for gift cards! Contact your
ETC for more information.
DOHOW
COMMUTE?
YOU
There are seven things you need to know:1. Anyone can use one of the four bicycles for personal or work trips.
Sophia, Isabell, Hugo and Victor are ready to enjoy spring with you at the wheel!
2. Reserve, check availability and pick up the bicycle cage/lock keys through the Customer Support Center… (253) 591-5000.
3. Choose a fashionable yet functional helmet from the fleet bicycle cage (it’s both sensible and a Tacoma law).
4. Enhance your work day and brain activity by having fun riding to your destination and improving your health (while netting environmental kudos).
5. Ride safely and follow the rules of the road (do we have to remind you that you would be, and always are, representing the City of Tacoma?).
6. If you have any issues (weather, mechanical, emotional) use your free ORCA card (all employees have access to this amenity) to get youreslf and the bicycle back to the Tacoma Municipal Building. If needed, Pierce Transit customer service would help you find the best bus route via (253) 582-8000.
7. Plan to return your new bicycle friend by their 7 p.m. curfew.
Find fun bicycle events in May, and beyond, at bike253.com.
Bicycles come accessorized with front baskets (sans Victor), lights, fenders, reflective gear, U-bolt locks and bells.
GIRL BIKES
Sophia
prefers female
riders of short
to medium
stature.
Isabel favors
female riders of
medium to tall
height.
BOY BIKES
Hugo does
best for short to
medium height
men and taller
women.
Victor
performs well
under hard
work requiring
a rear rack (no
basket here)
for those of
medium to tall
height.
IT’S BIKE MONTH! GIVE THE TMB BICYCLE FLEET A SPIN!
The George Strait concert last month at the Tacoma Dome was the venue’s highest grossing concert of all time for food and beverage sales. Net sales generated after taxes were $259,260.47, with a net record of $13.89 spent per person. This record surpassed the previous one set at the Van Halen concert in 2012 by more than 40 percent!
FACT
DOMEFUN
TAKE5 MAY 20146
LACEY AREA VANPOOL LOOKING FOR RIDERSDo you live in the Lacey / Thurston County area? Are you interested in saving on fuel, and wear and tear on your vehicle? Or do you just want to rest while others do the driving to and from work? A vanpool that works a flex schedule (9/80) from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Fridays, is looking for new riders. It stops at the Center of Urban Waters, TV Tacoma and the Tacoma Municipal Building. Please contact Ed Bolibol at [email protected] or (253) 591-5041.
NEWSBUZZWORTHY...GET TO KNOW AN ECO-CHAMPAMY MCBRIDE Community and Economic Development, Arts Administrator
At work: She tries to drive as infrequently as possible and recycles, re-uses and repurposes the basic stuff, plus she watches for items that can be used by our Arts EnviroChallenger program such as colored paper, ribbons, socks and berry containers.
At home: She recycles, buys local produce, is energy conscious and prefers to frequent small independent businesses.
Most fun: She makes intentional clothing choices by finding quality vintage, reused, and designer items made from vintage fabrics. “So many wonderful things already exist that I can put together to create a unique and individual style. You can connect and better appreciate items that had a story before you owned them. If you’re another chapter in that item’s existence, then it makes you part of something bigger.”
Guilty pleasure: Long showers
Philosophy: She believes it’s just about having high quality of life. “Not being wasteful forces you to be creative, use your hands, connect with your community and really appreciate craftsmanship.”
Got an Eco-Champ to highlight? Email Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability Manager Kristin Lynett at [email protected].
PUGET SOUND-THEMED FAMILY FUN DAY MAY 10 Join Environmental Services at a free Puget Sound Starts Here month Family Fun Day event at Tacoma’s Foss Waterway Seaport. This event, with activities for all ages, will bring out residents for games, crafts, kids’ music, free food, prizes and the chance to see and learn about local sea life and Sound-healthy behaviors to protect it. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Foss Waterway Seaport, 705 Dock Street in Tacoma, and include:
• A diver in the water sharing Foss Waterway sea life
• Gardening fun and natural yard care tips• A live reptile exhibit• Discovering marine mammal skulls,
plankton, seaweeds, and shellfish• Touch tanks with critters from local
waterways• Arts and crafts, songs and games• May is Puget Sound Starts
Here Month!
Puget Sound Fun Facts: • Puget Sound has 2,500 miles of
shoreline, 43 of them in Tacoma.• Puget Sound is home to countless
species, including orcas, sea lions, salmon and shellfish, as well as 4.5 million people who live, work and play across the 12 counties.
• Puget Sound is the second-largest estuary in the nation.
TAKE5 MAY 20147
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS AT THE CONVENTION CENTER“Wow! Is what comes to mind when I think about celebrating our 10th birthday. It all began with hard hat tours, which I thought would never end, and now we’re a thriving full service Convention Center. I must say, it has been a very magical ride. Events like the Ink & Iron Ball, cheerleading competitions, America’s Got Talent, and of course Festival of Trees have kept this building, and of course my experience with the Convention Center, very colorful and definitely memorable. I am so thankful to work at such a beautiful building, with such an amazing staff. Our staff is the heart and soul of the building and I couldn’t imagine working with any other crew. Happy 10th birthday, Convention Center!”
– Greg Parkhurst Greater Tacoma Convention
and Trade Center
NEWSBUZZWORTHY...CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS IN TACOMA Two celebrities were spotted in Tacoma last month. Grover, from Sesame Street Live, appeared at the LeMay –America’s Car Museum lobby. He gave hugs and high fives to children as they learned about road signs and car safety. He was also seen the next day at Wright Park for the kick-off of Downtown on the Go’s Walk Tacoma program. Grover was there offering support and encouragement to walkers and even registered for the walk himself! He’ll be back at the Tacoma Dome in May with all his good friends.
The second April celebrity sighting was at Cheney Stadium. Baby T. Rex, of Walking With Dinosaurs – The Live Spectacular, was honored to throw out the first pitch at the Tacoma Rainiers game on April 9. Not your usual start to America’s favorite pastime. Walking With Dinosaurs – The Live Spectacular debuted in North America at the Tacoma Dome in 2007 and they will be back this December with nine shows.
Follow facebook.com/thetacomadome for a heads up on upcoming shows and special appearances.
TAKE5 MAY 20148
OUT ON THE TOWN
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE TACOMA DOMEMAY
Sesame Street Live May 9 -11
Life in Color May 17AUGUST
Color Run Aug. 10
EaglesAug. 25 SEPTEMBER
Katy Perry Sept. 13
Blake Shelton Sept. 19 NOVEMBER
Fleetwood Mac Nov. 20
For more information please go to tacomadome.org or facebook.com/thetacomadome.
Check out the special events calendar for more information on other upcoming events around Tacoma.
TACO
MA
DOM
E CONGRATS!CELEBRATIONS
‘ARTTOWN’ EARNS TELLY AWARDS FOR THE CITY OF TACOMA “artTown” – a cultural documentary-style TV initiative produced by the City of Tacoma’s Media and Communications Office in partnership with the Community and Economic Development Department’s Arts Program – has earned Silver and Bronze Telly Awards this year. Out of 12,000 entries from across the globe, less than 10 percent were awarded the Silver Telly, the Telly Awards’ highest honor. Approximately 25 percent were awarded the Bronze Telly. The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 and is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and online commercials, video and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators and corporate video departments in the world.
Launched in October 2013, “artTown” explores Tacoma’s emergence as a major creative hub in the Pacific Northwest. The quarterly series features diverse perspectives on a variety of creative disciplines. Offering a more holistic look at creativity in Tacoma, the show stretches beyond what people might traditionally think of as “creative” – such as fine art, music or dance – to spotlight other creative areas of interest that have flourished in Tacoma like food, fashion, innovative education practices, architecture and more.
A new episode of artTown began airing last Monday. For programming information and program streaming, go to cityoftacoma.org/artTown.
TAKE5 MAY 20149
KUDOS
WAY
TO
GO! GIVINGOPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE BACK
VOLUNTEER BY JUNE 25 TO BE A HEART WALK TEAM CAPTAIN In last year’s Heart Walk, the City of Tacoma raised nearly $30,000, and was the top fundraising organization in Pierce County for the fourth year in a row. The American Heart Association has set a goal this year to raise $360,000, and the City of Tacoma is striving to raise $50,000. This year’s event will take place on Oct. 4 at Cheney Stadium. If you would like to participate in this year’s event as a team captain, please contact Joe Nienalt by June 25 at [email protected] or (253) 779-7067.
WAYS TO HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY THE RECENT MUDSLIDECity of Tacoma employees have historically demonstrated great generosity to help those in need of assistance. Governor Jay Islee obtained approval from President Barack Obama for a declaration of a major disaster for the mudslide that occurred in the communities around Oso, Darrington, and Arlington, Washington. A number of programs are available to help individuals, families and businesses that are impacted by this terrible crisis. For more information, please visit the Snohomish County Website.
CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE’S TELEPHONE TOWN HALL ON APRIL 17 A TEAM EFFORTKudos to Elizabeth Pauli, Jean Homan, Martha Lantz, Doris Sorum, Wendy Fowler, Lisa Anderson, Linnea Meredith, Jennifer Joyce and Nicole Emery from the City Attorney’s Office; Linda Trehuba, Dan Baltazor, Kurt Andres and Doug Walter from the Information Technology Department; Joy St. Germain and Cathy Journey from the Human Resources Department; Justin Davis from the Public Works Department; John Miller and Andy Hillier from the City Manager’s Office; and Jeanne Harris, staff liaison to the Charter Review Committee, for their work on the evening of April 17 to make the Charter Review Committee’s telephone town hall event possible.
OSO
TAKE5 MAY 201410
EXCHANGE
CITY
Would you like to see the great things your
department is doing highlighted in Take5? Have workplace tips, kudos, fun
stories and more that you’d like to share with your fellow employees? Submit content for the
June issue of Take5 by May 15 at 10 a.m. to [email protected]. If you have
general comments, questions or suggestions about Take5, contact Maria Lee in the Media
and Communications Office at [email protected] or
(253) 591-2054.
WE
WANT T
O HEAR FROM YOU!
There are no new items listed.
For full details about items available through City Exchange, please visit the Green Team site at gnet/greenteam, go to “Waste Reduction,” then “City Exchange.” Contact the Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability at [email protected] or (253) 502-2223 if you would like to add or remove items from the list.
BE WELLHEALTH + WELLNESS
APPRECIATING DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES AT WORKPerhaps you’ve noticed that certain personality styles at work complement yours, while others rub you the wrong way. Research shows that dominant parts of one’s personality don’t change and are genetic, not learned or attributable to environment. This is good news because you can be confident that changing others’ personalities is out of the question. A better approach is recognizing their strengths and using these strengths in areas where you fall short. At work, three dominant categories appear when you’re trying to solve a problem – employees who are imaginative (the idea people), those who are analytical and ask effective questions that impartially challenge the idea people, and those who are inherently critical, driven to find the rub, the catch, why something won’t work, and the risk. Accepting each of these personalities as resources takes real guts because you must appreciate and value a style unlike your own—one you may usually avoid. This week, practice this resource approach with the benefit of your employer’s goal or mission in mind, and see if the end result isn’t better solutions, found more quickly, that improve productivity.
Source: First Choice Health EAP
JOIN DOWNTOWN ON THE GO FOR THIS YEAR’S WALK TACOMA SERIES Join Downtown on the Go for the 2014 Walk Tacoma Series. No need to register, just show up and join in. Walks are one and a half to two miles twice a month. Visit downtownonthego.com for information on the Walk starting locations & times, Walk Tacoma maps, and other downtown events and information.
