April 2017
Volume 5 • Issue 3
Six-story hotel opens at Legends Casino in Toppenish Casino attracts thousands of Tri-Citians annually BY KRISTINA LORD editor@tcjournal.biz
New arts studio opens in Richland
Page 3
Sun Downs gears up for horse racing
Page 7
Trios Health seeks 70 volunteers Page 15
save the date
Tuesday, April 18 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Senior Times Expo Pasco Red Lion 509-737-8778
The 7,000 people who hop aboard the free shuttle buses in the Tri-Cities to travel to Legends Casino in Toppenish each year won’t have to rush back home that same day. They now have the option of staying overnight with the opening of a six-story, 200-room hotel and conference center. “There’s a lot going on in the area with agritourism,” said Letisha Peterson, general manager of Legends Casino and Hotel. She said many travelers weigh the costs of a Vegas vacation against a more affordable staycation, and believes it’s a “good time for us” to open the hotel. Peterson, who has worked at Legends for 14 years, grew up in Toppenish and is a member of the Yakama Nation. She said the hotel prides itself on honoring tribal culture and pointed to the artwork in the hotel’s rooms and lobby featuring historical Yakama Nation photographs, as well as the huckleberryscented soaps and shampoos. The huckleberry has been valued by tribal people for centuries. The Legends Hotel, which opened Feb. 25, features valet parking, WiFi, an indoor pool and hot tub, and a fitness center, and soon will open a mini museum featuring items from the Yakama Nation Museum. The hotel offers free valet service to all guests. Those wishing to use the service can drive to the entrance of the hotel and an attendant will assist them. uLEGENDS, Page 14
Viola Lawler is one of many seniors who have benefited from People For People’s transportation services in Southeast Washington. Pictured with her are drivers Gilbert Escobar and Jamie Mauldin. (Courtesy People For People)
People For People offers seniors rides across 12 counties
BY JESSICA HOEFER for Senior Times
Madelyn Carlson knows what drives seniors to lead longer, more productive lives. “If they don’t have transportation services—if they can’t access critical services—they’re going to be institutionalized much earlier,” said Carlson, CEO of People For People, a nonprofit committed to empowering senior citizens with resources, such as medical transportation. “And when
they have to be displaced in an unfamiliar place and can’t participate in their community, their health declines more rapidly. I look at it as we’re able to maintain healthier individuals by keeping them in their home.” People For People has been around since 1965 and was originally founded as Yakima County Community Action Council with a focus on employment training services, Head Start programs and community action agency services. uTRANSPORTATION, Page 6
‘Smart home’ research aims to keep seniors in their homes longer BY KRISTINA LORD editor@tcjournal.biz
In the not too distant future, “smart homes” could be as common as smartphones. A Washington State University researcher believes so-called “smart homes” might be a way to keep senior citizens independent and in their homes longer. “We want to provide intervention to increase independence,” said Diane Cook, whose research work in data mining and artificial intelligence focuses on the design of “smart homes” to provide health monitoring and intervention.
Her research has been noticed at the national level. Cook recently was named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. Diane Cook “Smart home” Washington research uses proState University grammed sensors — they look like smoke detectors — to monitor, predict and improve quality of life, particularly in elder care. uSMART HOME, Page 2
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