Our Renton Weekly

Press release from the City of Renton:

December 4, 2020

Our Renton Weekly contains news and information about city events, activities, and initiatives. It is emailed to subscribers every week.

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Our Renton Weekly for December 4, 2020

Holiday Fun for All Ages

The Recreation & Neighborhoods Division has put together several fun events for all ages, which can be found at rentonwa.gov/holidayfun.

Elf Academy, register by Monday, Dec. 7

Open Elf recruitment—Santa needs more certified Elves! Kids, do you have the elf skills required to join the team? Register for the Elf Academy by Monday, Dec. 7, then look for your Elf Academy Kit in the mail to begin your good deeds! After testing your skills, you will send your Elf Resumé back by Dec. 17. Each elf will receive a certificate in a special drive-thru Elf Academy Graduation experience at the Renton Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 19, 9 to 11 a.m. with special guests to help kick off your call to kindness and fun this holiday season.

Email Santa Claus, register by Dec. 10

Santa has agreed to share his Renton email address with up to 300 girls and boys who would like to send him an email! Santa's email is only available through Thursday, Dec. 10, or until his inbox reaches the maximum of 300 emails. Replies from Santa will be mailed via the U.S. Mail no later than the week of Dec. 14. Be sure to review these writing tips for a successful email to Santa so his reply letter can reach you!

Have You Been Jingled?

Bring holiday cheer and “jingle” your neighbors by secretly leaving treats for them to find this holiday season. Download and print the Jingled flyer to inspire these acts of kindness and encourage your neighbors to pay it forward. Brought to you by the City of Renton Neighborhood Program and Renton Chamber of Commerce.

Holiday Singalong with RJ & Company, Dec. 21

With Renton community seniors in mind and heart, connect with longtime Renton residents and performing husband/wife team of Ray and Julie Johnson on Dec. 21, 2-3 p.m. Together they will feature accordion, alto saxophone and vocal harmonies. Sing along from home, as well as make song requests. Wear your favorite holiday attire! Register to receive Zoom information.

Virtual Talks for Seniors, Tuesdays, Dec. 8 & 22

This month, Age-Friendly Renton Virtual Talks explores resources from the King County Library System (KCLS) and discusses mental health in these trying times.

KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM: On Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2-3 p.m., chat with Wendy Pender, KCLS Older Adults Program Coordinator, as she highlights KCLS-provided programming and resources for seniors, including books, movies, databases, music, remote printing, curbside pick-up, Wisdom Cafés, Tech Tutors and more.

EMBRACING MENTAL HEALTH: Participate in an interactive discussion on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2-3 p.m. focusing on our well-being, mental health and life’s balance to help us through challenging and uplifting, joyous times. Presented by Dr. Avanti Bergquist, MD, MS, FAPA, DFAACAP; Child/Adolescent/Adult Psychiatry.

Register for both sessions at rentonwa.gov/register using code 9383 to reserve your spot on Zoom. For help, call 425-430-6633.

Holiday Gift Drive, Dec. 10

Everything is very different for the holidays this year but not the spirit of giving! Drop off new unwrapped toys or clothes such as jackets, hats, gloves or socks at the Gift Drive on Thursday, Dec. 10, 12:30-6:30 p.m. at Renton Community Center (1715 Maple Valley Hwy.) Collected gifts will be donated to children and seniors that are in need of our help. Families are screened by Renton Salvation Army.

Native American Storytelling "Changing of the Seasons," Dec. 10

Come together on Thursday, Dec. 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m. for this culturally engaging session, which imparts wisdom and explores meaning within stories and how stories highlight changing of seasons in nature and in life. Great for all ages. Reserve your spot and “Zoom” online with friends and community members.

Presented by Roger Fernandes (Coast Salish Tribes of Western Washington; member of the Lower Elwha S’Klallam Tribe) and Fern Renville (South Dakota; member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate)

Virtual Trivia "Holidays Around the World," Dec. 15

Grab a cup of cocoa and curl up on your couch for a fun evening of “Holidays Around the World” Virtual Trivia on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 6:30 p.m. Play by yourself or with your quarantine group. Compete for a chance to win a variety of prizes and to be crowned Renton’s Trivia Champion. Presented by City of Renton Neighborhood Program, Recreation & Neighborhoods Division and TriviaHub! Register with Zoom information found on rentonwa.gov/trivianight closer to the event. Participants will be placed in a waiting room until 6:30.

State launches WA Notify to fight COVID-19

Your phone has become the latest tool the state of Washington uses to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Earlier this week, the state launched WA Notify, an anonymous exposure notification tool. WA Notify can alert you if you’ve been near another user who later tests positive for COVID. It is entirely private, simple to use and free.

iPhone users need to go to Settings, enable Exposure Notifications and follow the prompts. Android users can download the WA Notify app from the Google Play Store.

The more people who use WA Notify, the more effective it will be. So please wear a mask, keep physical distance, delay even small gatherings for now and add WA Notify to your phone.

Renton LIVE!

Tune in to Renton LIVE at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays featuring new guests and information on what's happening in our community. The show is streamed live on the Renton Chamber of Commerce's YouTube channel or the Renton LIVE Facebook page. Be sure to check the event schedule for weekly updates.

City Council Update

Council did not meet on Monday, Nov. 30. The next meeting will be Monday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m.

From previous meetings:

• Approved Minutes (from the November 16, 2020 Council Meeting)
• November 23, 2020 - Council Meeting Documents (Approved Committee Reports, Motion Sheets, & Council Committee Meeting Calendar)

This press release was produced by the City of Renton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.