Seattle News and Events for March 26 Through April 2015

PHOTO: Jaron Crawford, from Olympia High School, won this year’s Seattle-area August Wilson Monologue Competition by doing a dramatic speech from ‘Fences.’  He and second place finisher Noah Skillman, from South Kitsap High School, and third-place Anthony Toney, from Timberline High School, will travel to New York City to participate in the national finals on Broadway at the August Wilson Theatre in May 2015. Susan Fried photo

Tacoma Alumni of Kappa Alpha Psi Hosts 68th Western Province Council

The Tacoma Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. will hosts the Western Province Council Meeting, March 26-28, at the Seattle Marriott Hotel. The theme for the Council Meeting is Reaching for the Peak: Achievement, Scholarship, Service. Tacoma Alumni, and Kappa Alpha Psi promises to reward achievement, promote scholarship and encourage service in the communities we serve.

The Council Meeting will have Brothers and their guests from Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Alaska, Hawaii and Washington attend to perform business, and enjoy the social events scheduled for all to participate.
They will also sponsor a Health Screening at Allen AME Church in Tacoma, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The screening is free of charge. Kappa encourages the community to be aware of their physical health.

On Saturday we will offer our Kappa Foundation Luncheon, featuring Keynote Speaker, Rev. Dr. Leslie D. Braxton. Please visit tacomakappas.org for ticket information. The Council Meeting will reach its peak Saturday evening, with Lady in RED, a semi-formal to formal affair for those Grown and Sexy adults that have what it takes to have a good time.

Find out more at Seattle Area Nupes on Facebook.

Eliminating Upfront Costs for NW Natural Customers in Washington

NW Natural is partnering with Energy Trust of Oregon and local nonprofit lender Craft3 on a groundbreaking new program that removes a major barrier to homeowners making energy-efficiency improvements: upfront costs.

Instead of paying out of pocket for these home energy upgrade projects, qualifying NW Natural customers in Washington will now be able to make monthly payments on their already low natural gas bills.

Individual loans are available for up to $15,000 to install high-efficiency gas equipment, such as, fireplaces, furnaces and tank water heaters; insulation; windows and air sealing - that qualify for Energy Trust cash incentives.

On-bill Repayment is being piloted in Washington state. Customers interested in this program can apply at www.energytrust.org/repayment.

Voter Registration Deadlines Approaching for Special Election

Registered voters in King County will have an opportunity to decide a countywide measure in the April 28 Special Election that will also include propositions from six local districts. Be sure you’re ready to vote by updating your voter registration if you’ve changed your name or address. If you’re not yet registered, now is a good time to register to vote.

The following voter registration deadlines apply to vote in the April 28 Special Election:

Monday, March 30: Deadline for current voters to update voter registration and address
Monday, March 30: Deadline for new voters to register online and by mail
Monday, April 20: Deadline to register to vote if not registered in Washington; citizens must register in person during business hours at King County Elections’ Renton or Seattle offices

To register to vote, you must be: A citizen of the United States; a legal resident of Washington State; at least 18 years old by Election Day; not disqualified from voting due to a court order; and not under Department of Corrections supervision for a Washington felony conviction.

For more information on registering and voting, call 206-296-VOTE (8683) or visit the King County Elections website.

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Health Care Access Made Easy' March 30

The Seattle Public Library has partnered with the Chinese Information & Service Center (CISC) to offer a health care workshop aimed at removing barriers to health care access for low-income adults ages 55 and up. The workshop will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 30 at the Beacon Hill Branch, 2821 Beacon Ave. S. (206-684-4711).

Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Free parking is available in the lot on the west side of the building.
CISC provides assistance to help meet the needs of low-income, non and limited English speaking adults living in Seattle or the King County area who are 55 years or older, as well as those with disabilities. Social workers provide information, assistance and advocacy to help adults live healthier and more independent lives.

Help topics at the workshop will include (but are not limited to):

• Transportation and taxi vouchers
• Gift cards for eyeglasses or contact lenses
• Interpreter and interpretation services
• Health insurance options
• Pro bono medical service providers
• Incentives for accessing preventive services

For more information, contact the Library at 206-684-4711 or www.spl.org.

Free help with Tax Forms at the Rainier Beach Library

The Seattle Public Library and AARP have consolidated the free tax preparation service available in southeast Seattle. Tax help is no longer offered at the NewHolly Branch, but remains available at the Rainier Beach Branch.

Drop-in tax help at the Rainier Beach Branch, 9125 Rainier Ave. S., 206-386-1906 is offered on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays through April 11.

Due to federal budget cuts, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is unable to provide the Library with certain tax forms and instruction booklets. Most IRS forms are available online at www.irs.gov. Black-and-white prints of the forms may be printed from Library computers for 15 cents per page. To request forms by mail, order online at IRS.gov/orderforms or call 1-800-829-3676.

Tax help at the Rainier Beach Branch is provided by AARP.

For more information, call the Rainier Beach Branch at 206-386-1906, visit spl.org/taxhelp, or www.spl.org.

Artist Talk: '3-D Printing and Publishing'

Seattle-based artist ReMike will discuss the relationships between visual art, 3-D printing technology and self-publishing from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 8 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium.

ReMike will present an interactive talk on how the art world, disruptive technology and self-publishing relate to each other. The discussion will include current-day art and 3-D printing topics, from singer Katy Perry’s "Left Shark" to artist Damien Hirst’s 12 million dollar stuffed shark installation.

Visual elements of the presentation will include a slideshow of ReMike's work, selections from other 3-D printing visual artists, samples of 3-D prints and a live 3-D printing demonstration. Attendees will learn how to harness DIY technology, and a Q&A session will follow the presentation.

ReMike, also known as Mike Leavitt, is a visual artist who uses both classic sculpture and 3-D technologies to focus on the cultural space between art and product. He is represented by Jonathan Levine Gallery in New York and has exhibited worldwide, from the United Kingdom to Singapore. His work has been featured in numerous publications, including the London Observer, Wired, Juxtapoz and the cover of The Stranger.

For more information, call the Central Library at 206-386-4636 or Ask a Librarian.

April is Earth Month

Kent Parks’ annual Earth Day volunteer event on Saturday, April 18, at Morrill Meadows Park is already drawing great response from community members. One of two Earth Day-related celebrations in Kent, this is for volunteers of all ages and abilities, especially those who love destroying blackberry thickets. Please note that once we reach our maximum of 100 volunteers, registrations close. So, if you’re interested, check the website to see if there’s still room: KentWA.gov/ComeVolunteer. Or call 253-856-5113.

Both events start at 9 a.m., rain or shine, and work ends at noon. Tools, snacks, water, coffee and even lunch will be provided, the latter courtesy of Starbucks and Ivar's. Online pre-registration is required to keep events safe, manageable and fun for everyone.

For more information, visit KentWA.gov.

For more Seattle and Portland area events, check our Community Calendar.