Senior Times - May 2022

DELIVERING NEWS TO MID-COLUMBIA SENIORS SINCE 1982

MAY 2022

Vol. 10 | Issue 5

Senior dining centers reopen after two-year closure

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels reopened its eight senior dining rooms on May 2, ending a two-year closure that forced patrons of its meal services to reheat frozen meals at home.

The menu featured barbecue chicken, cornbread, potato salad, broccoli and fruit.

Reservations for meals are required, but seniors can sign up for a hot lunch, served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays at senior and community centers throughout the TriCity region.

Senior Life Resources Northwest, the Richland-based nonprofit that runs the senior meal program, halted in-person dining more than two years ago as the Covid-19 pandemic forced the state and nation into lockdowns. It cut back to delivering frozen meals to clients at home.

It resumed serving hot meals in 2021 when it offered them at a drive-thru at its headquarters, 1834 Fowler St., north of Columbia Cen-

Photo by Wendy Culverwell Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels volunteers Colleen Grall, left, and Joan Gilmore pack oranges to serve with lunch for the senior meal program, which reopened its eight dining rooms on May 2.

ter mall.

Kristi Thien, nutrition services director, said restoring in-person dining was a top priority. It was a rare day when no one asked about reopening.

“Our dining centers provide a great opportunity for local seniors to enjoy a nutritious meal with friends new and old,” she said.

The program began planning a return to in-person dining in mid-2021

when Covid-19 infection rates appeared to be flattening out. It backed off when the omicron variant sent infections soaring in July. By April 2022, the numbers were down and appeared to be staying down, Thien said.

Low infection rates coupled with the end of mask mandates offered a sign it was time to get back to normal.

“We’re here to serve seniors,” she said.

Closing the dining rooms was meant to protect seniors, but Meals on Wheels noted its clients were going out to eat in restaurants. Reopening its dining rooms means they can eat for free and with friends. Masking is optional.

Meals on Wheels provides meals free of charge to those age 60 and over both in person and through its home delivery program. There are no financial qualifications though those who can afford to pay are welcome to make donations.

Reservations are required at all uMEALS ON WHEELS, Page 6

Richland, Pasco ready to make the case for a third high school

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

The Richland and Pasco school districts each are preparing to make the case for a third high school.

It will be the first new full-service high school for the Richland district since Hanford High opened in 1972 and for the Pasco district since Chiawana High School opened in 2009.

Both plan to ask voters to approve new bonds to pay not only for new high schools, but smaller fa-

cilities as well. Richland will seek $300 million or more, depending on which of three sets of projects its board chooses. Pasco will seek nearly $200 million.

Both are targeting the Feb. 14, 2023, election day. If approved, the districts will assess new property taxes to pay for them starting in 2024. Low-income seniors and those with disabilities may be eligible for some exemptions from some voter-approved property taxes in Washington.

Richland is reviewing three poten-

tial scenarios. But with a starting price of $300 million, it will be the biggest ask it has ever submitted to voters. The most expensive version is more than $380 million and would put Richland at the top of its capacity to borrow money.

“We know it’s a big number,” said Ty Beaver, the district’s spokesperson.

“Costs aren’t going down any time soon.”

Superintendent Shelley Redinger said that once the board settles on a package

Senior property tax exemptions Low-income seniors and those with disabilities may be eligible for some exemptions from some voter-approved property taxes in Washington.

See story on page 3.

uBONDS, Page 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

MONTHLY QUIZ

What was the first Tri-City high school team to win a state basketball Tri-City families were big boosters of the Seattle World’s Fair

Page 7

Owners of Chinese Gardens in Pasco plan to retire

Page 14

championship?

ANSWER, PAGE 9

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of projects to fund, the campaign will shift into high gear, though the district itself is limited to sharing information without openly advocating for passage.

Bonds typically are repaid over 20 years from revenue generated by new property taxes, which must be approved by voters.

The proposed bond amounts do not include additional matching funds the state provides to build new schools and other capital projects.

Richland School District

• Option A builds a new comprehensive high school in West Richland, a new River’s Edge High School and a new maintenance and operations facility. Relocating the facility from central Richland would free space at Richland High, which is landlocked. The $303 million bond would cost property owners an estimated $1.04 per $1,000 of assess value in new property taxes, or $520 a year for a home with a tax value of $500,000 home.

• Option B includes the features of the first package and adds amenities at Hanford and Richland high schools, expands options at Three Rivers HomeLink and makes safety and security updates throughout the district. The $336 million bond would cost property owners an estimated $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed value on their property tax bills, or $670 a year for a home with a tax value of $500,000.

• Option C includes the projects in the first two packages and funds an additional elementary school at a location to be determined. The $383 million bond would cost property owners an estimated $1.94 per $1,000, or $970 a year for a home with a taxable value of $500,000. Option C would push the district to the top of its debt limit, precluding it from borrowing more money for a decade or longer, said Clinton Sherman, the district’s executive director for financial services.

Pasco School District

The district will ask its voters to support a bond totaling $198.5 million, a

figure that excludes Proposed site of new Pasco high school matching funds from the state.

The breakdown includes $140 million for a full-service, 2,000-student school on district-owned land off Burns Road, $38 million for a small “innovative” Burns Road high school with capacity for 600, Proposed site of new West Richland high school $2 million for athletic fields, $11 million to modernize Pasco and Chiawana high schools and $7.5 million to purKe en eR chase land. oa d The cost to taxLeona Libby payers: 47 cents per rd Middle School va ule $1,000, or $235 for o tB on a home with a tax lm e B value of $500,000.

The figure could be ing to the Office of the Superintendent lowered if the district leverages other resources, including of Public Instruction.

Since Pasco’s last bond passed in proceeds from a 2017 bond and impact 2017, the city of Pasco and Franklin fees levied on new development.

Both new high schools would open in County – the entities that share borders with the school district – authorized August 2025. a combined 2,876 new single-family Crowded high schools homes, excluding townhomes, condos, Both the Richland and Pasco disapartments and so forth. tricts have discussed adding third high Over the same period, enrollment schools for several years, which is why grew to 18,749, from 18,401 in the 2017both have already purchased sites.

2018 school year.

Richland set aside 65 acres for its Both districts say their primary high next high school in West Richland. It schools are crowded. planned to submit a bond to voters in Richland and Hanford, designed for February 2021 but delayed because of about 1,600, have more than 2,000 stuthe Covid-19 pandemic.

Since its last bond passed in 2017, dents each.

Pasco High School serves 2,466 stuRichland and West Richland – the cities dents and Chiawana clocks in at a statethat share a border with the school district – authorized a combined 2,537 sin- leading 3,150 students.

Over-enrollment reduces opportunigle-family homes. That figure excludes townhomes, apartments and other resi- ties for students.

“There are only a certain number of dential developments that contribute players on a basketball court,” Redinger students to local schools.

Over the same period, enrollment said. Leadership opportunities, spaces was mostly unchanged, dropping to in music, band, drama and other activi14,027 from 14,069 in 2017-18, accord- ties are under pressure too. rd

BONDS, From page 1

Broadmoor Bouleva

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SENIOR TIMES • MAY 2022

3

Seniors, disabled eligible for property tax breaks in Washington

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

The Pasco and Richland school districts will ask voters to financially support needed new schools in early 2023.

The case for both is compelling and while seniors naturally want their grandchildren – and their future physicians – to be well educated, footing the bill on a fixed income can be a challenge.

Washington state helps low-income seniors and disabled homeowners by exempting them from the cost of “excess” levies, generally the voter-approved aspect of property tax bills for school bonds, fire stations and so forth.

They also are exempted from something called “Part 2” of the Washington state school levy, which was imposed by the Legislature after the Washington State Supreme Court ruled it was failing its constitutional duty to fully fund schools Voter-approved taxes can represent about 40% of the typical property tax bill.

Nearly 3,000 Tri-Citians are enrolled in the tax exemption program – 2,207 in Benton County and 691 in Franklin

uBRIEFS RSA celebrates seniors with the Dust Devils

Active4Life is hosting a senior celebration during the July 17 TriCity Dust Devils baseball game at Gesa Stadium in Pasco.

Tickets are $25 and include adult admission, access to the first base line pavilion and all-you-can eat pulled pork and beverages, including beer, prior to the game.

Tickets for children are $20.

Early registration is encouraged as tickets are limited. Call the Richland Seniors Association information line, 800-505-4070, by July 6. Messages will be returned promptly.

The July 17 game is the fifth in a six-game series against the AquaSox of Everett.

Nominate a neighborhood for free TLC

Rebuilding Mid-Columbia and the Tri-City Association of Realtors are seeking nominations for its June 25 community revitalization project.

More than 100 volunteers will team up to revitalize older neighborhoods in need of help with painting, landscaping and more.

The all-volunteer effort is free and is designed to increase curb appeal and promote a sense of community

County.

Applications come in waves, often tied to publicity from AARP or other senior-focused organizations, said Danielle Hayes, chief deputy assessor for Benton County.

In Franklin County, the exemptions knocked nearly $63 million off the assessed value of affected properties, saving their owners a combined $558,000, or $808 on average a year, according to the county’s 2022 tax booklet.

Comparable figures weren’t available for Benton County, but the 2022 tax booklet shows the exemption typically shaves about $4 per $1,000 of assessed value off a total tax bill of about $10 per $1,000.

Those who qualify for the exemption do not have to repay the money later, but they do need to verify current income every six years.

The tax burden is shifted to the rest of the tax base. A separate property tax deferral – with taxes owed when a property is sold, or estate settled – is available to some of those who qualify for the exemption.

Who is eligible

• Those age 61 and over, or at least

in the neighborhoods it touches.

Benton and Franklin county residents are asked to identify potential neighborhoods to include. Go to: rebuildingmc.org or call 509-4204854 for information.

age 57 and the surviving spouse or domestic person of a person who participated in the exemption program at the time of his or her death.

• Those unable to work because of a disability.

• Disabled veterans with a serviceconnected evaluation of at least 80% or receiving compensation from the Department of Veterans at the 100% rate for a service-connected disability.

• Participants must own their home

by Dec. 31 of the assessment year. Fractional ownership may qualify. The exemption is limited to the residence and one acre.

• Participants must occupy their home for more than six months in the assessment year, with exemptions for time spent in a hospital, nursing home or similar.

• Combined disposable income that does not exceed 65% of the county median income.

How to sign up

Local assessors as well as the state Department of Revenue offer plenty of online information as well as forms that can be filled out online or printed and mailed in. Assessors welcome calls

and emails and can help people work through the process.

Hayes reminded would-be participants that eligibility is based on gross and not net income, though there are some deductions available for Medicare parts A, B, C and D, as well as out-ofpocket medical expenses.

Eligibility is available in three tiers for exemptions and one tier for deferrals. The lower the income, the higher the exemption.

The annual income thresholds for Benton County are $30,000, $35,610, $42,084 and for deferred taxes it is $48,559. Contact the county assessor at 509-786-2049 for information. The assessor’s Kennewick office is open regular business hours. The Prosser office is open by appointment.

In Franklin County, the tiered annual income thresholds for exemptions are $30,681, $37,498, $44,316 and for deferrals it is $51,134. Call 509-545-3506 for more information or assistance.

Go to bit.ly/SeniorPropertyTaxBreaks for information and links to forms.

Happy 105th

3 Rivers distributed $1.2M in grants

3 Rivers Community Foundation distributed nearly $1.2 million in grants in 2021, a record for the organization which serves as the philanthropic arm of the community.

The total represents grants given through its Covid-19 response grant program, annual grants, donordirected giving and a grant cycle focused on health.

All grants are overseen by the community foundation’s board of directors and 99% went to nonprofits in or supporting Benton and Franklin counties. In all, it distributed 157 grants to 103 organizations.

“We are fortunate to work with individuals and couples from across our community who are charitablyminded and we treasure the opportunity to get to know them and help them achieve their charitable goals,” said Abbey Cameron, executive director.

Go to 3rcf.org or contact 3 Rivers at office@3rcf.org or 509-7355559.

Courtesy Parkview Estates Senior Living Community Maxine Reed celebrated her 105th birthday on April 14 at Parkview Estates Senior Living Community in Kennewick. Reed told the Senior Times in an April 2021 profile that “good clean living will get you a long ways.” She’s lived at Parkview for about three years.

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SENIOR TIMES • MAY 2022

CALENDAR OF EVENTS MAY 5

• Windsong presents, an evening with Dr. Cameron Camp: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Uptown Theatre, 1300 Jadwin Ave., Richland. Camp will discuss the Montessori inspired approach to caring for those living with dementia. RSVP by calling 509202-4327 or email ktodd@ windsongmemorycare.com.

MAY 6

• Pasco Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., 101 S. Fourth Ave., Pasco. Call 509-528-8131 or email omartinez@downtownpasco.com.

• Richland Players present, “These Shining Lives” by Melanie Marnich: 7:30 p.m., 608 The Parkway, Richland. Go to: richlandplayers.org.

MAY 7-8

• Pasco Cinco de Mayo Festival: Parade: 9 a.m. May 7, downtown Pasco; May 8, concert series and Mother’s Day celebrations throughout the day. Vendors, kids zone and other activities. Details at downtownpasco.org or call 509380-5111. Free.

MAY 7

• A Day at the Races-Kentucky Derby Style Fundraiser benefiting TROT: 1-4 p.m., 104 E. 41st Place, Kennewick. Event features TVs displaying the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby, entertainment, pulled pork lunch, drawing, minicourse buggy ride, photos with horses and an auction sale of derby hats. Cost: $7 at the door.

• Watercolor 101 class: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Kennewick High School, Room B208. Register at communityed.ksd.org or to pay by check: KSD Administration Center, 1000 W. Fourth Ave., Kennewick.

• Richland Players present, “These Shining Lives” by Melanie Marnich: 7:30 p.m., 608 The Parkway, Richland. Go to: richlandplayers.org.

MAY 8

• Richland Players present, “These Shining Lives” by Melanie Marnich: 2 p.m., 608 The Parkway, Richland. Go to: richlandplayers.org.

MAY 12

• Honoring Operation Sandblast: 10 a.m., USS Triton Sail Park, 3300 Port of Benton Blvd. A recognition ceremony to honor the

2022 A special thank you to our sponsors and everyone that attended the expo!

Brought to you by:

Fleur de’ Lis I-IV

Bring your grandchildren and families to events with a star. ✪ original crew members aboard USS Triton during the submarine’s historic mission.

check: KSD Administration Center, 1000 W. Fourth Ave., Kennewick.

MAY 13

• Callaway Gardens Senior Resource Luncheon: 11:30 a.m., South Hills Church, 3700 W. 27th Ave., Kennewick. Lunch provided.

Call 509-405-0943 to RSVP. • Healthy Ages Virtual April Wellness Program: 1-2 p.m., virtual event. Call 509-943-8455 or register online at kadlec.org/KNRC. • “Understanding Israel,” a lecture by Nancy Koppelman: 7 p.m., Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive, Richland.

• Pasco Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., 101 S. Fourth Ave., Pasco. Call 509-528-8131 or email omartinez@downtownpasco.com.

• Richland Players present, “These Shining Lives” by Melanie Marnich: 7:30 p.m., 608 The Parkway, Richland. Go to: richlandplayers.org.

MAY 14

• Richland Players present, “These Shining Lives” by Melanie Marnich: 7:30 p.m., 608 The Parkway, Richland. Go to: richlandplayers.org.

MAY 15

• Richland Players present, “These Shining Lives” by Melanie Marnich: 2 p.m., 608 The Parkway, Richland. Go to: richlandplayers.org.

MAY 18

• Torn Paper art class: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Kennewick High School, Room B208. Cost $30. Pay instructor $5 supply fee. Register at communityed.ksd.org or to pay by

MAY 19

MAY 20

• Pasco Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., 101 S. Fourth Ave., Pasco. For more information, call 509-528-8131 or email omartinez@ downtownpasco.com.

MAY 21

• Heart of Healing, a benefit and auction to support Cork’s Place: 5:30-9 p.m., Red Lion Hotel, 2525 N. 20th Ave., Pasco. Social hour, dinner and auction. Tickets are $100, or $775 for a table for eight.

Go to: bit.ly/CorksPlaceEvent.

SENIOR TIMES • MAY 2022

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Renovated railroad trestle connects east, west

By Wendy Culverwell editor@tcjournal.biz

Fierce wind raked the Beverly Bridge but the challenging weather didn’t deter crowds who turned out to dedicate the Beverly Bridge, the newest link in the Washington State Park system’s Palouse to Cascades State Trail.

Gov. Jay Inslee joined a crowd of more than 300 to officially open the former railroad trestle near Vantage to hikers, cyclists and horseback riders on April 8.

A $6 million facelift transformed the abandoned railroad trestle into a friendly crossing with new decking and protective rails high enough to accommodate people atop horses. It links the two sides of the east-west trail and ends the need to trek north to the Interstate 90 bridge to get across the Columbia River.

State engineers noted the freeway bridge lacks any semblance of facilities for non-motorists, making it a “dicey” proposition for trail users crossing from one side to the other.

Beverly Bridge is more than a convenient bridge. It is a worthy destination on its own, offering sweeping views of a stretch of the Columbia that has hosted Indigenous tribes for millennia.

The children of the late Rex Buck, the leader of the Priest Rapids band of the Wanapum, spoke about a landscape that has nurtured – and been nurtured by – native people since long before a railroad came through.

Johnny Buck said it was home to an 18-mile village and gathering spot. His sister, Lelah Buck, invited future users to experience the sacredness of the setting.

The governor touted the renovation as a commitment to the state’s clean energy future and a symbol of “one Washington,” reflecting its position between the two sides of the state.

He tossed off a dig at California, noting that Washington has the Beverly Bridge, and “California has the Beverly Hillbillies.”

More seriously, the bridge is the culmination of decades of work to complete the state trail along the former Milwaukie Road rail corridor, which extends from Cedar Falls, an unincorporated community in King County, to the Idaho border.

It carries the Washington state segment of the Great American RailTrail, a work in progress that will eventually connect Washington state and Washington, D.C. A Toppenish man working on the rehabilitation fell to his death during construction.

Photo by Wendy Culverwell Horseback riders, pedestrians and a dog cross the Columbia River on the newly opened Beverly Bridge, which carries the Palouse to Cascades State Trail between eastern and western Washington near Vantage, Washington. Gov. Jay Inslee and a crowd of some 300 dedicated the bridge on April 8.

The Department of Labor and Industries fined the Bellingham contractor, Boss Construction Inc., $284,000 for safety violations leading to the death of Gabriel Zelaya, 39. Speakers honored his sacrifice and welcomed his family to the ceremony.

The railroad bridge was built in 1909 as part of the Milwaukie Road Pacific Extension, an electric railway that failed in the early 1970s. By 1980, the bridge was abandoned. The wheels of a railcar that tumbled to the island below are still visible.

What happened next is a testament to the vision of hikers, cyclists and backcountry equestrians who wanted the old rail corridor for public use, said Ralph Munro, who was elected secretary of state in 1981.

Munro, 78, said the railroad corridor presented a rare opportunity.

Visionaries spied a statewide public access corridor. Agricultural interests resisted the idea.

As recently as a year ago, critics were calling it a waste of money for a project that would get just a few hundred users a year.

There were a lot of ideas about what to do, Munro recalled.

“If the bicycle people and the horse people and the trail people keep at it, it will happen,” Munro recalled.

In the end, the state paid $4.3 million for the Milwaukie Road and called it the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, after making a concession to a fan of the late western icon.

“One House member wouldn’t vote for it unless it was named for John Wayne, so that’s where ‘John Wayne’ came from,” Munro ex-

plained. The John Wayne Pioneer Trail was renamed in 2018.

While the trail took shape on either side of the river, the bridge itself languished. A fire destroyed some of its components.

In 2017, it came to the attention of historic preservationists, said Chris Moore, executive director of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.

The trust added the span to its “most endangered properties” list.

That alone would not have been enough to save it. But opportunity smiled in the form of BNSF Railway.

The railroad needed to remove three historic railroad bridges that crossed Columbia.

Moore said the trust couldn’t block their removal, but it could mitigate the impact. The Beverly Bridge, a steel truss structure regarded as a feat of early 20th century engineering, was the ideal candidate. Repurposing it would save the bridge and support the trail vision.

BNSF provided $125,000 for a feasibility study that sussed out the cost associated with repurposing it.

The project was put in the state capital projects budget and won support from the governor. The Legislature included it in the capital budget and work took off. In addition to Boss, the project team included Exeltech Consulting, the structural engineer, and project manager Adam Fulton of Washington State Parks.

Moore said the Beverly Bridge highlights the powerful impact of dedicated advocates.

“What I wanted to get across is advocacy is tremendously important,” he said.

The bridge is about 90 minutes from the Tri-Cities via the Vantage Highway. Users can access it from the town of Beverly on the east, or travel around via I-90 to Vantage and drive seven miles south on Wanapum/Hunzinger Road to the trailhead.

Learn more about the Palouse to Cascades Trail at parks.wa.gov/521/ Palouse-to-Cascades.

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SENIOR TIMES • MAY 2022 MEALS ON WHEELS, From page 1 meal sites other than the Meals on Wheels Café at 1834 Fowler St. In mid-May, the Fowler café will resume offering soup/salad/sandwich combos as an alternative to its featured hot meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Elsewhere, seniors can make reservations 24 hours in advance to dine at the following sites: Kennewick Community Center, Richland Community Center, Benton City Desert Rose Facility, Connell Community Center, Pasco First Avenue Center, Prosser Community Center and Pasco Ray Pfleuger Center.

Meals are served Monday to Friday at all of them except for Connell, which is closed on Mondays.

Seniors have the option to bring home frozen meals to carry them through weekends.

In-person dining may have been suspended for two years, but the organization never stopped advancing its mission to serve seniors and help them retain their independence.

In January, Senior Life Resources dedicated its new $1.6 million, 6,100-square-foot building to provide much needed space to Meals on Wheels, which serves more than 2,100 seniors and people with disabilities in the Mid-Columbia, and its home care services arm, which provided more than 1 million service hours in 2021, a record.

It also ramped up meal deliveries to its homebound clients, which had been cut to a weekly delivery of frozen meals. It resumed daily deliveries earlier this year.

Home delivered hot and/or frozen meals for seniors will continue to be offered Monday through Thursday during the month of May. Friday home deliveries are to resume in June, contingent on adequate staffing and volunteers.

Meals on Wheels relies heavily on volunteers for all aspects of its operation, including food preparation, greeters, servers, meal tray packagers, van drivers and home

How to find a senior dining center near you Senior dining sites will serve hot meals from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday (Tuesday through Friday in Connell).

Meals are free for seniors age 60 and older.

For the May menu, see page 10.

Seniors must make reservations 24 business hours in advance by calling 509-735-1911 for the following sites: • Kennewick Community Center, 500 S. Auburn St. • Pasco First Avenue Center, 505 N. First Ave. • Pasco Ray Pfleuger Center, 253 W. Margaret St. • Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Road North.

• Benton City Desert Rose Facility, 510 14th St. • Prosser Senior Center, 1231 Dudley Ave. • Connell Community Center, 211 E. Elm St. • Meals on Wheels Café, 1834 Fowler St., Richland.

No reservations required at this site.

delivery drivers. The need is ongoing, Thien said.

To make a meal reservation, sign up for Meals on Wheels, or learn about opportunities to volunteer, call 509-735-1911 or go to: seniorliferesources.org.

SENIOR TIMES • MAY 2022

7

Tri-City families were big boosters of this premier state event business in the state and most Tri-City businesses were willing. The bronze coins, featuring a monorail looping around the Space Needle as its main image, with Mount Rainier in the background, circulated in and out of cash registers just like the silver and copper coins of U.S. mintage. They were exclusive to the period of the exposition. They could not be used in stores before April 21 or after Oct. 21.

Today, collectors maintain them.

By East Benton County Historical Society

Sixty years ago the world came to Washington, and Tri-Citians enthusiastically participated in an event putting the state on the international map for six months – the Seattle World's Fair.

Or, more officially, the Century 21 Exposition, on 74 acres now known as the Seattle Center.

Beginning on a Saturday, April 21, 1962, and concluding on a Sunday, October 21, 1962, it drew some 10 million visitors. Tri-City families were among its biggest boosters.

The exposition centered around a central theme of science, with a futuristic look at what the world might look like in the 21st century, on earth and in outer space.

Planning for such an event in Seattle began in the 1950s. The futuristic theme came later. In June 1960, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) certified the Century 21 Exposition as a world’s fair.

The 74-acre exposition was separated into different “worlds,” including the World of Science, the World of Tomorrow, the World of Commerce and Industry, the World of Art, the World of Entertainment and Boulevards of the World. An exhibit fair and a food circus were among many other features.

The most notable feature of the event remains today more than two decades into the 21st century and 60 years after it became the most prominent feature on the Seattle skyline – the Space Needle.

World of Science

Courtesy Seattle Municipal Archives An aerial view of the Century 21 Exposition site now known as Seattle Center shows the Space Needle, designed from concepts by Edward E. Carlson and John Graham Jr., under construction by Howard S. Wright Construction. The private venture was the iconic structure for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair.

At 605 feet high with an observation tower, it remains a visitor’s must see and a diner’s delight with its rotating restaurant offering a 360-degree view of the city. It is considered an iconic piece of Seattle history and is designated a Seattle landmark.

Another remaining mainstay of the exposition is the Seattle Center Monorail, a straddle beam system still employing its original fleet of two Alweg trains. It runs 0.9 miles from and to the Seattle Center and the Westlake Center. In 2003, the city

designated the monorail a historic landmark.

Unique to a fair with statewide circulation was a trade dollar, made of bronze. It could be redeemed for $1 on purchases at any participating

Its centerpiece was the United States Science Pavilion with its NASA display blending models and makeups of various satellites with the actual Project Mercury capsule flown

by Alan B. Shepard on May 5, 1961, in America’s first manned space flight. Up to 750 people could simultaneously ride the Spacearium on a simulated voyage that would take them throughout the solar system and on into the Milky Way. Among many other scientific features was a look at “man’s concept of his place in an increasingly technological world.”

The pavilion was converted into today’s 7.1-acre Pacific Science Center. uWORLD’S FAIR, Page 10

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8

SENIOR TIMES • MAY 2022

SENIOR ACTIVITIES Pasco First Avenue Center 505 N. First Ave., Pasco 509-545-3459 pascoparksandrec.com

• Billiards: 9 a.m.-noon. Mondays; 1:30-4 p.m. Wednesdays; 9 a.m.noon, 1:30-4 p.m. Fridays.

• Mexican Train Dominoes: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Mondays.

• Pinochle: 1:30-4 p.m. Tuesdays.

• China Painting: 9 a.m.-noon.

Wednesdays.

Kennewick Community Center

500 S. Auburn St., Kennewick 509-585-4303 go2kennewick.com

• Bunco: 1-3 p.m. Fridays. Cost: $1 per day.

• Bridge: 12:30-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost: $1 per day.

• Chinese Mahjong: 1-3 p.m.

Wednesdays. Cost: $1 per day.

• Dominoes: 12:30-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. Cost: $1 per day.

• Pinochle: 12:30-4 p.m. Mondays,

Wednesdays and Thursdays. Cost: $1 per day.

• Creative Palette Art: 9 a.m.noon, Tuesdays.

• Sewing: 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays.

• Woodcarving: 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays. Cost: $1 per day. 9 a.m.-noon Fridays. Bring supplies or borrow from the class.

• Billiards: Daily. $2 per day or $20 monthly pass.

Richland Community Center

500 Amon Drive, Richland 509-942-7529 ci.richland.wa.us

• Fitness Room: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Mondays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Saturdays and noon-4 p.m. Sundays.

Location: Fitness room. Cost: $2 per day or $8 per month.

• Billiards: Daily. $2 per day.

• Greeting Card Recycling: 1-3 a.m. Tuesdays. Cost: free.

• Pinochle Players: 6-8:30 p.m.

Fridays. Location: game room.

Cost: $1.

• Party Bridge: 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Mondays and Wednesdays. Location: game room. Cost: $1.

• Senior Duplicate Bridge: 12:303:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.

Location: game room.

• Table Tennis: 6:30-8:45 p.m.

Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:303:45 p.m. Sundays.

Prosser Senior Community Center

1231 Dudley Ave., Prosser 509-786-2915 cityofprosser.com

• Pool: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. MondaysFridays. Cost: free. Location: pool room, membership is required.

• Mahjong: 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays Location: living room. Membership is required.

• Daytime Bingo: 9 a.m.

Wednesdays. Location: dining room Cost: 3 cards/$1.

• Evening Bingo: First Friday of every month. 6 p.m. Cost: $10.

Location: dining room • Foot Care: Second Wednesday of each month: Appointments can be made by calling 509-790-1905.

• Pinochle: 1 p.m. Thursdays.

Location: living room, membership is required.

• Crafts: 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays.

Register by calling 509-786-2915.

• Bunco: Third Friday of month.

6 p.m. Cost is $2 per person.

Location: dining room.

• All You Can Eat Community Breakfast: Last Sunday every month, 8-11:30 a.m. Location: dining room. Cost: Suggested donation $7 per person and $3 per child, 8 and under.

West Richland Senior Center

616 N. 60th, West Richland 509-967-2847

• Bunco Potluck: noon, first Wednesday and third Friday of the month.

SENIOR TIMES • MAY 2022

Just for Fun

Crossword

Across 1 Title after tying the knot 4 As Barrie’s boys were 8 Stop, afloat 10 Engrave 11 Senior 12 Land measures 14 Row of buttons 16 Cleo’s nemesis 17 Cover 18 Very small 19 Picnic favorite 24 Post-operative room 25 Muscleman’s pride 26 Sawbuck

9

Solutions on page 11

33 Southwest Native American

9 Eye socket 13 Raced

34 Common sign gas

15 Solar-treated brick

35 “Cosmos” co-creator Carl --36 Assassinate

19 Name of two British PMs

37 It’s east of Eden

20 Huge amounts 21 Underpass

Down 1 Kind of maize

22 Lushes

2 Make over

23 TV detective --- Monk

3 Designer --- McCartney

27 High-class

4 Father of Goneril

28 Funk music style

5 Kind of market

29 Big bucks

6 Poor penmanship

27 Riot-squad weapon

7 The Old Man and --(Hemingway)

31 Steamy ballroom dance

8 Rent out

30 Spanish saint 32 Former part of Portuguese India

Word search - Baseball Assist

First

Nine

Throw

Ball

Foul

Out

Vault

Base

Game

Park

Walk

Bat

Hits

RBI

Win

Bunt

Home

Run

Card

Lose

Slide

Catcher

Mitt

Sport

Club

Mound

Tag

MVP STR8TS STR8TS

How to How beat to Str8ts beat–Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single 1 to 9 can repeat any row Like Sudoku, nonumber single number 1 to 9 caninrepeat in any row or column.

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© 2022 Syndicated Puzzles

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© 2022 Syndicated Puzzles

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Str8ts - Easy

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How to beat Str8ts: No single number, 1 to 9, can repeat in any row or column.

But rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. Each compartment must form a straight, a set of numbers with no gaps but it can be in any order, eg: 7, 6, 8, 9. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight.

Rules of Sudoku - To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains ever number uniquely.

For more strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org and www.str8ts.com.

To complete Sudoku, fill the by entering May 2: ToAcomplete fire broke outboard atfillthe Sunshine Sudoku, the board by entering numbers numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 and 3x3 1 to 9 such that each row, column Silver Mine near Kellogg, Idaho, 3,700 feet box contains every number uniquely. box contains every number uniquely. underground. It killed 91 miners.

5 strategies, hints and tips, For many strategies, hintswon and tips, 3For 2many May 11: The Boston Bruins the Stanley Cup visit www.sudokuwiki.org for Sudoku visit www.sudokuwiki.org for Sudoku 2and 1 www.str8ts.com for Str8ts. after beating the New York Rangers 3-0 in Game and www.str8ts.com for Str8ts.

5 the National Hockey League finals.

16 of If you like Str8ts and other puzzles, check out our If you like Str8ts and other puzzles, check out our 4books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

May 23: In Moscow, presidents Richard books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much moreNixon on our store. and Nikolai Podgorny signed, on behalf of the U.S. and the Soviet Union respectively, the “Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Environmental Protection.”

ANSWER Quiz answer from Page 1

The Pasco Bulldogs in 1947.

— Source: East Benton County Historic Society and Museum

10

SENIOR TIMES • MAY 2022

MEALS ON WHEELS MENU Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels senior dining sites serve hot meals from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday (Tuesday through Friday in Connell). Meals are free for seniors age 60 and older. Seniors must make reservations 24 business hours in advance by calling 509735-1911.

For a roundup of senior dining sites, see page 6.

• Thursday, May 5: Chicken enchiladas, Spanish rice, black beans, Mexican coleslaw.

• Friday, May 6: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, brown gravy,

glazed carrots.

• Monday, May 9: Turkey tetrazzini, green peas, tossed salad.

• Tuesday, May 10: Cranberry chicken, confetti rice, garden vegetables.

• Wednesday, May 11: Sloppy Joes, mixed vegetables, apple cabbage slaw.

• Thursday, May 12: Roast pork with gravy mashed potatoes dilled carrots.

• Friday, May 13: Chicken salad sandwich, broccoli, salad.

• Monday, May 16: Spaghetti and meat sauce, garden vegetables,

breadstick.

• Tuesday, May 17: Baked cod with dill sauce, herbed potatoes, squash medley.

• Wednesday, May 18: Teriyaki chicken, fluffy rice, Asian vegetables.

• Thursday, May 19: Roast beef with gravy, mashed potatoes, Italian vegetables, wheat roll.

• Friday, May 20: Three-bean chili, chuckwagon corn, cornbread, chilled peaches.

• Monday, May 23: Sweet and sour chicken, fluffy rice, Asian vegetables.

• Tuesday, May 24: Meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables.

• Wednesday, May 25: Tuna noodle casserole, Lyonnaise carrots • Thursday, May 26: Chicken Caesar salad, breadstick, cottage cheese and pineapple.

• Friday, May 27: Hamburger, baked beans, apple cabbage slaw.

• Monday, May 30: Closed for Memorial Day holiday.

• Tuesday, May 31: Chicken pot pie, cauliflower with red peppers.

WORLD’S FAIR, From page 7

later was renamed KeyArena at Seattle Center, and today is named Climate Pledge Arena.

gallery was Northwest coastal Native American art.

World of Art

National and internationally famous entertainers performed throughout the Century 21 Exposition. Opening night the Seattle Symphony Orchestra was led by legendary conductor Igor Stravinsky. World famous pianist Van Cliburn was a guest soloist.

“The Ed Sullivan Show” made live telecasts. A science fiction panel included Ray Bradbury, and Rod Serling, creator of television’s “The Twilight Zone.” The New York City Ballet performed, and the Ukrainian State Dance Company made its U.S. premier.

Elvis Presley made his movie “It Happened at the World’s Fair” with the Seattle World’s Fair as the backdrop. It also starred Gary Lockwood of “2001: A Space Odyssey” fame.

Kurt Russell, just a boy, made his film debut.

President John F. Kennedy was to visit the Century 21 Exposition to close the Seattle World’s Fair on its last day. But news reports came that he was suffering from a “heavy cold.”

He would close the fair remotely from the White House, came the word.

One day later, Oct. 22, 1962, in a national telecast, the president announced the unfolding Cuban missile crisis, secretly learned about days earlier.

Search East Benton County History Museum: 205 W. Keewaydin Drive in Kennewick; 509-582-7704; ebchs.org. Gale Metcalf, a lifelong Tri-Citian and retired Tri-City Herald employee, as well as a volunteer for the East Benton County Historical Society, writes the monthly history column.

World of Century 21

Found in the Washington State Coliseum, a 160,000-square-foot building, World of Century 21 housed a variety of exhibitions that included a “city of the future” and other futuristic visions like a high-tech home of the future, and the future in travel.

After the fair, the coliseum was remodeled into the Seattle Center Coliseum and became home to major Seattle professional sports teams and two university basketball programs. It

Displayed in the Fine Arts Pavilion, World of Art featured the works of contemporary American artists, including Pacific Northwest painters, American sculptures, contemporary international artists and exhibited masterpieces from among the greatest artists who ever lived, including the likes of El Greco, Rembrandt, Monet and Picasso. Featured in a separate

Spring into Parkview for a tour today!

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SENIOR TIMES • MAY 2022

Hundreds turn out for expo

TRI-CITY BOOK CLUBS • 6:30 p.m. May 16, Richland

Photos by Vanessa Guzmán More than 650 seniors and vendors participated in the April 19 Senior Times Expo at the Numerica Pavilion at Southridge Sports & Events Center. It was the first to be held in person since the Covid-19 pandemic began. The free event offers Tri-City seniors an opportunity to meet with a wide range of businesses and groups catering to seniors and to pick up free goodies. If you missed the event but want to learn more about the participants, go to: bit.ly/2022STVendorDirectory. The Senior Times Fall Expo is Oct. 18.

11

Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive, THE TUSCAN CHILD,

by Rhys Bowen THE MOMENT OF LIFT, by Melinda Gates is the June 20 book.

The group meets the third Monday of the month. Contact: Sue Spencer, sue_spencer_ england@hotmail.com or 509572-4295.

• 1:30 p.m. May 19, Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive, THE FOUR WINDS, by Kristin Hannah The group doesn’t meet during the summer and resumes in September.

Contact: Evelyn Painter, ec_ painter@yahoo.com or 509420-4811.

• 1 p.m. May 18, Mid-Columbia Libraries, Pasco branch, 1320 W. Hopkins St., Pasco, UNSETTLED GROUND: THE WHITMAN MASSACRE AND ITS SHIFTING LEGACY IN THE AMERICAN WEST, by Cassandra Tate.

THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, by Richard Osman is the June 15 book.

The group typically meets the third Wednesday of the month but changed the date for the April meeting.

Contact Susan Koenig at 509302-9878 or SMKoenig@ymail. com.

• 6 p.m. May 23, Mid-Columbia Libraries, West Pasco branch, 7525 Wrigley Drive, THE FOUR WINDS, by Kristin Hannah.

• 6 p.m. May 24, Mid-Columbia Libraries, Benton City branch, 810 Horne Drive, MAID by Stephanie Land.

BEFORE WE WERE YOURS

by Lisa Wingate is the June 28 book.

• 7 p.m. the first Friday of the month, Caterpillar Café at Adventures Underground, 227 Symons St., Richland. Contact Sarah at 509-946-9893 for upcoming titles. To add your book club to this list, email details to info@ tcjournal.biz.

Puzzle answers from page 9

Crossword

Str8ts

Str8ts Solution

6 5 1 7 6 2 4 8 3 8 7 9 9 8 5 4 6 5 4 3 7 6 2 1 3 7 3 2

The Senior Times Spring Expo wasn’t just for seniors. Treasure Valley Coffee and Spudnut Shop, both of Richland, donated coffee and spudnuts to fuel participants. The fall expo is Oct. 18.

Word search

Str8ts Solution

6 5 1 7 6 2 4 8 3 8 7 9 9 8 5 4 6 5 4 3 7 6 2 1 3 7 3 2

9 2 3 4 1 2 5 4 5 3 3 2 7 1 4 5 8 1 8 9 6 6 7

7 8 8 9 6 7 1 3 2 2 4 5 5 4

9 2 3 4 1 2 5 4 5 3 3 2 7 1 4 5 8 1 8 9 6 6 7

Sudo

7 8 8 9 6 7 1 3 2 2 4 5 5 4

Sudoku

Sudoku Solution

4 8 3 1 9 5 7 6 2

2 5 6 3 4 7 1 8 9

7 9 1 8 6 2 3 4 5

8 7 5 9 3 6 4 2 1

1 6 4 2 5 8 9 3 7

9 3 2 4 7 1 6 5 8

For more strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org and www.str8ts.com.

6 1 9 5 8 3 2 7 4

3 2 8 7 1 4 5 9 6

5 4 7 6 2 9 8 1 3

4 8 3 1 9 5 7 6 2

2 5 6 3 4 7 1 8 9

12

SENIOR TIMES • MAY 2022 uBRIEFS Visiting Angels is in running for national honors

Taking care of tomorrow’s health…today!

Did you know?

• By law, you can order your own lab tests in the state of WA – a “doctor’s order” is NOT required!

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Treat yourself to the Tomorrow’s Health Experience where you can TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR OWN HEALTH, and where you will receive FAST AND FRIENDLY SERVICE, and TRANSPARENT AND REASONABLE PRICES!

Call us at (509) 943-2174 or go to tomorrowshealth.net for more information.

José De La Torre Gonzalez is a semifinalist for Visiting Angels National Caregiver of the Year, the company’s top José De La honor.

Torre Gonzalez De La Torre Gonzalez is one of 11 semifinalists. The Tri-Citian is a four-year employee of Visiting Angels of Kennewick, which is owned and operated by Christine Rose-Van Wormer.

The program honors caregivers for delivering quality care for clients and families.

“He exudes kindness and joy. He has an ability to connect with his clients unlike any other caregiver.

José brings peace of mind to all family members, and they feel confident their loved one is in good hands,” said Rose-Van Wormer.

Visiting Angels employs 600 nationwide. The winner will be announced July 5 and will receive $5,000. Two finalists will receive $2,500.

Port marks anniversary of USS Triton mission

The Port of Benton will observe the 62nd anniversary of when the USS Triton surfaced off the coast of Delaware, ending its 60-day mission, called “Operation Sandblast,” to circumnavigate the planet underwater.

The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. May 12 at the USS Triton Sail Park, 3300 Port of Benton Way in Richland, the final resting place for the submarine’s 75-foot long sail and conning tower.

The boat, under the command of Capt. Edward Beach Jr. and powered by dual nuclear reactors, descended from the Hanford B Reactor, covered nearly 27,000 nautical miles between Feb. 24 and April 25, 1960, generally following the route Ferdinand Magellan attempted to navigate in 1521.

It was the first submarine to do so. It surfaced only once, to transfer a sick sailor to another vessel.

The 447-foot Triton completed its mission underwater, surfacing at Delaware on May 10, 1960.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower presented Beach with the Legion of Merit and Triton’s crew received the presidential unit citation. Beach was a published author whose books included, “Run Silent, Run Deep,” and an account of the

Triton mission. He died in 2002 at age 84.

Triton was swiftly rendered technologically obsolete and was placed in the inactive fleet at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1969 and remained there until being removed from the Navy’s fleet in 1986.

It was towed to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Bremerton where it was dismantled by the Navy’s Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program between 2007-09.

Triton’s sail tower overlooks the port’s barge slip and high dock, where the Navy transfers nuclear reactor components from decommissioned vessels – including Triton – en route to the Hanford site for permanent storage.

Alzheimer’s Association supports caregivers

The Alzheimer’s Association serving Washington and north Idaho has formed a Tri-Cities Caregiver Support Group.

The group offers a support system and an opportunity to exchange practical information.

The group meets from 1-2:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at 609 The Parkway, Richland.

Participants are asked to contact Pam Bisconer, the facilitator, prior to attending. Call 509-551-0277 or email pbisconer@charter.net.

Go to: alz.org.

Richland names a new top cop

Brigit Clary has been promoted to Richland police chief after being appointed to the role on an interim basis in January.

A 24-year veteran of law enforcement, Clary joined the Richland Police Department in 2017 as an officer and rose through the ranks to sergeant, lieutenant, then captain. She also supervised the Special Investigations Team and in November 2021 was named deputy police chief.

She succeeds Chief John Bruce, who resigned, and is the city’s first female police chief.

Clary earned a bachelor’s in law and justice and sociology from Central Washington University and has received additional industry training. She previously worked as an officer in Ellensburg, for the Port of Seattle Police Department and the Federal Way Police Department.

She oversees 120 staff. Her appointment took effect on April 18.

SENIOR TIMES • MAY 2022

13

New legislation eases consumers’ financial concerns It was a race to the finish, as AARP advocates and volunteers worked tirelessly to pass legislation during this year’s 60-day legislative session. Several priority bills received most of our attention, as AARP focused on legislation to help older Washingtonians hold onto as much of their income as possible.

This multi-pronged approach to keeping money in our pocketbooks spanned a variety of issues, including help paying for hospital visits, expanding senior property tax exemptions, preparing for the cost of long-term care and providing digital users with the tools they need to thwart online scams.

Charity care (HB 1616)

Too many low-income Washingtonians are one hospital bill away from financial ruin.

About two-thirds of individuals who file for bankruptcy cite medical debt as a key contributor. Charity care laws require hospitals to forgive some or all out-of-pocket costs for essential health care to low-income patients.

But Washington’s charity care law only covered those who make up to 200% of the federal poverty level.

A single parent working two mini-

mum wage jobs is not eligible for charity care under current law.

AARP joined the state Attorney Cathy MacCaul General’s AARP Office in GUEST COLUMN advocating for the successful passage of House Bill 1616, which will strengthen Washington’s social safety net for low-income residents by expanding access to those who make up to 400% of the federal poverty level.

More information on the new income guidelines is available at CharityCare@doh.wa.gov or by calling 360-236-4210.

Personal Needs Allowance (SB 5745)

Some 50,000 Washingtonians receive Medicaid-funded in-home care services. The Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) is the income that a Medicaid recipient can keep after paying co-pays for in-home care.

While Washington is often a leader in home health care, our PNA rate was set at $1,074 a month, well

below the national average.

Too many vulnerable adults faced a monthly struggle to pay for rent, food, utilities, internet, cellphone, prescription drugs and personal items with such a limited amount.

The new legislation more than doubles the previous allowance to $2,382. This crucial adjustment means fewer Washingtonians will have to choose between paying for their care or necessities like food, rent and utilities.

Senior property tax exemption

At the beginning of 2022, the state’s senior property tax exemption program has expanded the number of deductions taxpayers can take to determine if they are eligible for partial tax relief.

According to the new changes, older adults and those with disabilities can deduct out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs, home care costs, Medicare and Medicare supplemental insurance premiums, longterm care insurance and medical equipment.

To be eligible, property owners must be at least 61 years of age or disabled, a veteran with an 80% service-connected disability, or the sur-

viving spouse or domestic partner who is at least 57 years old and was married to someone previously receiving the exemption.

Digital navigator fraud training

The Covid-19 pandemic forced us to rely on the internet for practically everything: food, medicine, doctor visits, shopping and social connection to family and friends. During the pandemic, a great deal of work went into expanding access to internet service. Still, those new to the internet or with limited understanding need support and training to utilize the technology.

Digital Navigator services are essential in helping new internet users get online. These resources will support individuals seeking work, families supporting students, English language learners, Medicaid clients, people experiencing poverty and senior citizens.

Digital Navigator services will include developing a hotline that community members can call during standard business hours for assistance or to schedule an appointment.

It offers digital literacy skills training, including technical skills and uMACCAUL, Page 14

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14

SENIOR TIMES • MAY 2022

Owners of Pasco’s oldest restaurant plan to retire

By Laura Kostad for Senior Times

Pasco’s oldest continuously operating restaurant has been serving the TriCity community for 58 years.

Chinese Gardens at 1520 N. Fourth Ave. has been a Pasco cornerstone since late founder Jack Lee opened it in 1965.

The building is hard to miss with its mashup of pagoda-esque midcentury brick architecture and flamboyant, dragon-flanked neon signs. And it’s unofficially up for sale for the third time in its history.

Owners Ted and Amy Wong plan to retire after operating it for the past 33 years. Ted turned 70 this year.

“Until the past two years, (Ted) has been working at the restaurant seven days a week, 10 hours per day,” Amy said. The couple decided to scale back and close on Mondays and are no longer offering delivery on takeout, but this hasn’t put a damper on business.

“People have lots of memories there,” Ted said. “A lot of people move out of town but when they come to visit, they still like to pick up food to take home. We have a lot of longtime customers.”

Scrolling through the pages of customer restaurant reviews reveals fond

memories and experiences spanning decades: birthday traditions, outings with grandparents and now grandchildren, retirement parties, Friday night takeout, memorable dates and more.

Customers old and new praise Chinese Gardens for maintaining its original vibe and not giving in to a cookiecutter overhaul.

Ted said there have been updates over the years – upholstery, carpeting and a restroom refresh, for example – but they have otherwise preserved Lee’s original vision.

Jim Beam collection One of Chinese Gardens’ trademarks is its extensive collection of vintage Jim Beam whiskey decanters on display throughout the bar and restaurant.

Produced between 1952 and the mid-1980s as a promotion to drive sales, Jim Beam’s detailed ceramic bottles came in a variety of shapes, sizes and themes, commemorating predominately American historical events, peo-

Photos by Laura Kostad Ted and Amy Wong have owned Pasco’s longest continuously operating restaurant, Chinese Gardens, for 33 years. With Ted now 70, they are ready to sell. Customers enjoy its established menu and interior décor that fuses a classic diner layout with an elegant, moody feel.

ple and more. They are popular among collectors. Chinese Gardens’ collection numbers 325.

Whether they simply circulated through the bar over the years or were sought out by Lee is unknown.

The Wongs said they don’t know the collection’s history, as the bottles were already there when they took over in 1989.

Becoming owners

The couple spent nine years working at the restaurant after immigrating to the U.S. from Canton, China, in 1980.

Ted’s father immigrated in 1963 and later found work in the kitchen at Gim Tuen ‘Jack’ Lee’s then newly opened restaurant.

Lee also was an immigrant from Canton, arriving in 1948. He grew up in Walla Walla where he graduated from high school in 1956.

MACCAUL, From page 13

application support across a broad spectrum of devices, platforms, and applications in communities throughout Washington. More information is at TechConnect at connect-wa.org or by calling 800-216-1132.

WA Cares

In December 2021, the Legislature paused the start of WA Cares to iron out sticking points. The original legislation had a narrow path for those who would retire before the 10-year vesting requirement to be eligible for WA Cares. Including benefits for near-retirees, it was the No. 1 priority for AARP. With the passing of HB 1732, more than one million near-retirees

After a stint as an Army paratrooper, he briefly attended Washington State University before becoming a restaurateur with the purchase of the New China Restaurant in Walla Walla.

In 1964, he moved to Pasco and opened Chinese Gardens the following year.

Ted’s father’s arrival paved the way for Ted and Amy to immigrate, and later other family members seeking opportunity in America. Some also went to work for Lee. When asked about the challenges they faced as immigrants and later as business owners, Amy said, “At the beginning, my husband didn’t even know A-B-C-D, so that was a big step for him.”

“We worked hard,” she added.

Amy recalled starting out as an asuCHINESE GARDENS, Page 16 are now covered by the WA Cares program to help pay for care services that keep us in our homes as we age.

Washington workers born before 1968 will qualify for partial benefits on a pro-rated basis, which equals 10% of the $36,500 benefit for each year they have paid into the fund.

As we navigate our reemergence from the pandemic roller coaster, AARP will continue to work on policies and legislation to help ease the challenges facing older Washingtonians. You can learn more about our activities by visiting aarp. org/wa. Cathy MacCaul is the advocacy director for AARP Washington.

SENIOR TIMES • MAY 2022

15

Make a personal network part of your emergency plan A punishing heat wave savaged Chicago in the summer of 1995. The heat index hit a record 117 degrees and the weather was blamed for at least 700 deaths.

Studies showed those most likely to die from the heat were the elderly, especially those with underlying medical conditions.

Most of the victims lived solitary, isolated lives. Those who survived the heat mostly had support groups of friends, neighbors and family who kept watch until temperatures cooled down.

To Debbie Crosby of the American Red Cross Northwest Region, the lesson could hardly be clearer: isolation in times of severe stress can be deadly.

The key to surviving disasters of any sort is having a personal support network of individuals who can rally around you. Crosby spent years putting her words into practice, as adult preparedness lead for the region that includes Washington and northern Idaho.

Crosby said she learned still more about caring for the elderly within her own family. She had two great-aunts who lived to 100. Her mother is 91 and “still taking care of little old ladies at church,” she said.

If any more proof were needed, Covid-19 produced it. “During the pandemic, people who were isolated became very depressed,” she said. “In some cases they stopped eating and lost weight. They had absolutely no quality of life.”

A report by the Red Cross advises seniors to create a personal support network to check in during an emergency.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the same. It points out that more than half of older adults have a physical limitation that would hamper their ability to reach safety in a disaster.

Without outside aid, those using

wheelchairs, canes or walkers could be trapped if elevators stopped working because of a power outage.

Gordon Williams Many seniors American Red Cross would need GUEST COLUMN help if exposed to extreme temperatures or smoke. Those with hearing loss might not hear evacuation orders.

Would you remember, without someone to remind you, to take vital papers, medical devices, house and car keys and extra cash if you had to evacuate? Just having someone make sure you have all your medications — and take them on schedule — could make a difference in how well you manage an emergency.

The CDC warns, “If people who are evacuated do not have the medications that have kept their heart disease, diabetes or breathing problems stable, in three days their conditions could require emergency management.”

So who do you enlist for your support network? The Red Cross guide, “Disaster Preparedness Information for Seniors,” offers advises enlisting friends, roommates, family members, relatives, personal attendants, coworkers and neighbors to your network.

Ideally a minimum of three people at each location where you regularly spend time.

Finding the right people for your network should not pose much of a problem if you live in a settled neighborhood with lots of people.

Crosby said to start the process by introducing yourself to the neighbors.

“Get to know the people around you,” she said. “Build relationships of trust with neighbors who can help you and who you can help.” The time to build your network is when all is

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calm and peaceful. If you wait until disaster strikes, you have waited too long.

Of course, not all seniors live in settled communities.

So what should you do if there is no support group close at hand? Talk to members of your church and of any fraternal groups or other organizations you belong to. In every county and many towns, there is a Department of Aging that you can turn to for advice.

For instance, there is a Kennewick Department of Aging reachable at 509-374-2100.

Also, consult with your police and fire departments and your county Department of Emergency Management. Make sure local disaster responders know if you have special needs — if you have trouble walking, for instance, or need oxygen.

If there is a disaster, they will know to respond to those needs when they arrive on the scene.

Tips for a support network

With a support network in place, create a plan for how it should function. The Red Cross offers these suggestions: • Make arrangements for your support network to immediately check on you after a disaster and, if needed, offer assistance.

• Agree on and practice methods for contacting each other in an emergency. Do not count on the telephones working.

• Exchange important keys for access.

• Notify each other when you are going out of town and when you

expect to return.

• Show them where you keep emergency supplies. Share copies of your relevant emergency documents, evacuation plans and emergency health information card.

• The relationship should be mutual. Learn about each other’s needs and how to help in an emergency. You might take responsibility for certain food supplies and preparation, child or pet care, organizing neighborhood meetings or other needs.

I once agreed to help prepare a disaster plan for a large apartment building. It wasn’t implemented because none of the seniors in the building would admit they’d need help in an emergency.

A 90-year-old woman who needed a helping hand navigating the three low steps that led from the lobby to the front door insisted she would have no trouble climbing down 19 floors of stairs, probably in the dark and possibly filled with choking smoke.

A critical first step in building a support net is admitting to yourself that you will need help in a crisis.

Everyone eventually reaches a point where they can’t function as they once did. “You have to accept that everyone reaches that point,” Crosby said. “The spirit may be willing but the body is not.” Gordon Williams is a volunteer with the American Red Cross’ Northwest Region Communications Team.

16

SENIOR TIMES • MAY 2022

Dri -Th ru

t

1-4 pm

at 4000 W. 24th Ave. Kennewick, WA 99338

Come by and purchase a plant potted by our residents!

Bring the kids to pot your own

$5 each G

BENEFITTIN

CHINESE GARDENS, From page 14 Hard work pays off The Wongs noted there’s a lot more sistant to the waitresses, setting and competition today. clearing the tables.

When asked their secret to success, “Then, later, I was a waitress, so just a step by step. Even Ted was not a cook both Ted and Amy replied, “Hard at the start; he was just cutting vegeta- work.”

And of course, good food. bles for a long time and then he became “We try to keep the quality and the a cook,” she said. menu the same and just add new items, In 1985, Lee sold Chinese Gardens but not take any away,” Amy said. to the Rupp family, the owners of Cost Ted said customers really enjoy the Less Carpet, and the Wongs managed variety of flavors offered, especially in the kitchen.

In 1989, the Rupps decided to sell the chicken dishes. Their most popular meals are lo mein, almond chicken, and so Ted and Amy stepped up.

Lee died in 2004 and according to pineapple chicken, barbecue pork and his obituary, “he was always involved in all aspects of his restaurant.

Besides managing it, he tended bar, cooked, and mingled with his customers. Good food and good service were his main priorities.”

Tri-Cities’ longtime restaurants

Chinese Gardens isn’t the only Tri-City restaurant with longevity.

Kennewick’s oldest Photo by Laura Kostad is fast casual dining faChinese Gardens displays an extensive vorite Zip’s (including collection of vintage Jim Beam whiskey its Richland location), decanters throughout the bar and restaurant established at its spot numbering 325. by the cable bridge in egg rolls.

1953, according to the city of KenHe mentioned that Panda Express newick. As far as sit-down establish- is going in on Court Street, but they ments go, it’s Hill’s Restaurant, which aren’t fazed. opened in 1962 at Columbia Center be“We make our food fresh, so I don’t fore moving in the 1990s to its current think Panda Express will bother me. location on Vista Way. Ten or 20 years ago, I might have been, Richland’s oldest is the Spudnut but it doesn’t bother me much now,” he Shop, which opened in 1948 at the said. “A lot of restaurants have come Richland Wye before moving to its and gone, but we’re still here.” present location in the Uptown ShopSearch Chinese Gardens: 1520 N. Fourth ping Center in 1950. Close on its heels Ave., Pasco; 509-545-6324; chineseis Lee’s Tahitian, also in the Uptown, gardens.com; Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. which opened in 1952 as Vina’s Ta- Tuesday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. hitian, according to the East Benton Friday-Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday; Closed Mondays.

County Historical Society.

uBRIEF Study: Nursing home closures picking up

a Montessori Inspired Lifestyle Memory Care Community www.WindSongMemoryCare.com 4000 W. 24th Avenue | Kennewick, WA 99338

More than 400 U.S. nursing homes will close in 2022 for financial reasons, accelerating a crisis that began before the Covid-19 pandemic.

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living report that more than 1,000 nursing homes have closed since 2015, including 327 since the pandemic began, in a new report that highlights the growing crisis.

The report highlights the need for

solutions to the effects of the pandemic and a shortage of qualified workers.

The report notes that more than 45,000 residents have been displaced by the closures since 2015.

The report analyzes federal data that found that the nursing homes most likely to close were smaller facilities in urban settings where most residents rely on Medicaid.

Nearly half the closed homes receive 4- or 5-star ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

More than a quarter were in rural areas and a growing number were nonprofits.

Go to: bit.ly/AHCNursingHomes.