Senior Times June 2019 by Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business/Senior Times

June 2019

Volume 7 • Issue 4

Kennewick school being torn down as new one being built

Page 2

Motorcycle, auto events merge for joint festival West Richland chamber sets Cool Desert Nights, Hogs & Dogs schedule BY JEFF MORROW for Senior Times

A third of the workforce connected to Hanford eligible to retire in five years

Page 8

Our Forever Friends allows pet owners to plan for animals’ care in their estate Page 9

MONTHLY QUIZ

What unusual animal remains have been found near Ringold and Kennewick’s Coyote Canyon? Answer, Page 13

The community is about to find out what happens when you combine the Tri-Cities’ most popular classic car, street rod and motorcycle shows. The West Richland Area Chamber of Commerce jumped in to take on organizing Cool Desert Nights car and uFestival street festival, schedule. along with its wildPage 5 ly popular West Richland Hogs & Dogs Regional Family Festival, now in its 19th year. The action-packed, four-day festival runs June 20-23 in West Richland and Richland. It only made sense to combine the two events into the same week, said May Hays, executive director of the West Richland chamber. “We feel the two events will complement each other and become the most amazing regional event ever,” Hays said. The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce announced in October 2017 that it was stepping away from running the annual Cool Desert Nights after 2018, saying the event no longer aligned with its mission of supporting businesses. uFESTIVAL, Page 5

Courtesy city of Richland The new 44,000-square-foot Richland City Hall that replaced the city’s 60-year-old building opened for business at the end of May at 625 Swift Blvd.

Richland City Hall opens in new space

BY KEVIN ANTHONY for Senior Times

he numbers aren’t all that far apart — from 505 Swift Blvd. to 625 Swift. And the physical move into Richland’s new City Hall from the old building amounts to several hundred feet across Jadwin Avenue. But after $18.4 million and 20 months of construction — plus some 14 years of planning and negotiations before the first shovel broke ground — the move into the new City Hall is the culmination of an almost Herculean

effort when it opened to the public in May. “It’s so rewarding on behalf of the community to see the final product,” said Joe Schiessl, Richland’s director of parks and public facilities. “I think everybody will be really pleased when they see it.” The nuts and bolts of the new building are straightforward: It’s 44,000 square feet with three stories above ground and a partial basement for storage, built on 1.8 acres purchased from the federal government in the oversized uCITY HALL, Page 14

WSU grad completes education by degrees

PNNL worker earns degree after 40 years of classes BY MAEGAN MURRAY for Senior Times

A lifelong learner earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration by taking one class at a time over 40 years. Vanessa Moore received her degree during Washington State University TriCities’ graduation ceremony in May. She said earning the degree has given her a sense of professional security and knowledge she can use throughout the

remainder of her career — especially at her job at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. “Getting my degree was important to me, and I Vanessa Moore wanted to finish it without accruing any student loans. The feeling of completion and accomplishment and uEDUCATION, Page 14

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Senior Times • June 2019

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Advertising Account Manager 509-737-8778 ext. 1 chad@tcjournal.biz Senior Times, a publication of TriComp Inc., is published monthly. Subscriptions are $21.67 per year, prepayment required, no refunds. Contents of this publication are the sole property of TriComp Inc. and can not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent. Opinions expressed by contributors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Senior Times staff, other contributors or other advertisers, nor do they imply endorsement by Senior Times staff, other contributors or advertisers. Every effort will be made to assure information published is correct; however, we are not liable for any errors or omissions made despite these efforts.

Kennewick High School, circa 1950.

Courtesy East Benton County Historical Society

Old Kennewick High will be history Building to join other storied schoolhouses as Lions to get new home

BY EAST BENTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY for Senior Times

On June 1, Kennewick High School opened its doors for a final public open house before construction begins on a new school. Once school finishes later this month, the old campus closes as contractors begin to build a new campus that will overtake the existing grounds by 2021. Once complete, the only remnants of the existing structure will be the Get the Senior gymnasium and a renovated version Times every month of the auditorium. Even the track, tennis courts and ball fields will in your mailbox move during this massive overhaul. This process is not new, although Subscriptions: the scale may be unprecedented. The earliest Kennewick High One year - $21.67 School dates back to 1904. It was Two years - $34.70 replaced by the current building in Three years - $42.30 1951, originally named the Edwin S. Black Senior High School, after a All prices include Kennewick sales tax. former superintendent of the district. To subscribe, send your name, After the completion of the current mailing address, and a check building, parts of the original high school served as Park Junior High payable to School before its own stand-alone Senior Times to: campus (Park Middle School) was 8919 W. Grandridge Blvd. built in 1966. This building also housed for some administrative funcSuite A-1, tions before it was ultimately demolKennewick, WA 99336 ished in the 1990s. OR Today the only thing from this go to srtimes.com photo that remains is the lawn and rock retaining walls. These themto subscribe online selves beckon back to now-forgotten

Museum happenings

u First Thursday: Noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 6. Watch song and dance moments of Fred Astaire from 4 to 7 p.m. Admission for children is free all day with paid adult admission and all guests are free from 5 to 7 p.m., thanks to sponsorship from Gesa Credit Union. u Tea and Tiaras: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29. The Fred Astaire film, “Royal Wedding” will be featured. One of Astaire’s most famous films, it is renowned for the sequence in which Fred Astaire dances on the ceiling. Many don’t realize this film that revolves around a brother and sister dance act borrows from Fred and his sister Adele’s own experience. Adele retired after dancing with Fred for 27 years to marry Lord Charles Cavendish. This event features a presentation on the history of the film, cupcakes from Frost Me Sweet, trivia, door prizes and more. Cost is $15 per person, with a $5 discount for museum members. Pre-registration is required. u History Hangout at the farmers markets: The East Benton County History Museum is bringing history to the Kennewick and Richland farmers markets this summer. Members will bring scrapbooks and other notable items for the public to peruse while they are shopping. Learn about all the museum has to offer and featured exhibits as the summer progresses. Questions? Ebchsmuseum@gmail.com or call 509-582-7704. The museum is at 205 W. Keewaydin Drive in Kennewick.

elaborate horticultural garden planted and maintained by George Byrd. For information on the new replacement high school, go to https://ksdbond.com/kennewickhigh-school. The website includes renderings of the new building, a timeline and a budget. The East Benton County History Museum honors the legacy of all area schools, but especially Kennewick High, with several exhibits on display in our permanent collection. We have a variety of Kennewick Lions artifacts including one of the original giant bass drum heads. Several class photos from the early

graduating classes adorn our Hallowed Hall. These large framed photos of the individual students in each graduating class originally bordered the school hallways, before moving to O’Henry’s Restaurant for years, and then coming to us. In addition, numerous photos of students, classes, reunions and candid photos are in our digital photo archives. We also keep in our Smith Family Library annuals, school newspapers and other paper memorabilia. While the buildings and students may come and go, their memories will live on in our archives for generations.

Senior Times • June 2019 uBRIEFS Kadlec Healthy Ages offers free Medicare classes

Are you new to Medicare in 2019 or considering retirement and eligible for Medicare? Learn more about Medicare, Medigap and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Classes are offered twice monthly at Healthplex, 1268 Lee Blvd., Richland. The next class is Friday, June 14. Call Healthy Ages at 509-942-2700 for class times and to reserve a spot.

Washington rolls out new long-term care program

The state’s 2019 legislative session wrapped up with health care legislation that creates a first-in-the-nation long-term care benefit program. Gov. Jay Inslee signed the bill into law May 13. The long-term care security act creates a benefit similar to a Social Security or Medicare benefit. Because Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care, the benefit will be important to the growing numbers of workers and families who do not have long-term care insurance and find themselves unable to pay for necessary health and care services, according to Inslee’s office. Washington workers pay into the trust through a payroll assessment and are then able to become eligible for benefits that help with a range of daily tasks, ranging from bathing and dressing to taking medicine. Margaret Gallacher, a 94-year-old Renton woman, attended the bill signing with her family. She had been recuperating in an adult home and is experiencing this type of financial hardship after she fell and broke her leg earlier this year. While her healing process is on track, she needs professional care at her adult family home until her leg heals and she feels confident again to live on her own or with her family. While Gallacher has some modest savings through her pension, she — like a large number of people in similar situations — pays 100 percent of the long-term care costs out of pocket.

Libraries launch adult summer reading challenges

Summer reading programs aren’t just for kids. Mid-Columbia Libraries and the Richland Public Library kick off their summer reading programs for adults and kids in June. Adults who finish the MidColumbia Libraries’ summer reading challenge of reading or listening to an audiobook for 15 hours receive a book bag, while supplies last. All finishers are entered to win a variety

of grand prizes. Kids who finish receive a free book. Beginning July 8, finishers may turn in their completed logs to their local branch library and collect their prize. Those who register by June 28 will be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Richland Public Library’s adult summer reading program sign-up begins June 4 at the help desk or online at richland.lib.wa.us. Rather than logging reading hours, the Richland library rewards those who complete an activity grid and book reviews. The finished grid is submitted for a grand prize drawing, and book reviews can be turned in all summer to be eligible for additional prizes. The grid of nine squares requires activities like reading a book published in the last two years or attending a local program or event. Book reviews may be submitted in person or online. Completed entries must be received by Friday, Aug. 30. Several Tri-City businesses have donated prizes for finishers.

Southridge pavilion renamed in corporate sponsor deal

The Southridge Sports and Events Complex Pavilion has a new name, thanks to a corporate sponsor donation. The city of Kennewick and Numerica Credit Union have reached an eight-year agreement worth $680,000 that will change the 30,000-square-foot building’s name to the Numerica Pavilion. The agreement was approved by the Kennewick City Council at the May 21 meeting. Corporate partnerships help community assets to grow and thrive, said Kennewick Parks and Recreation Director Emily EstesCross in a news release. This partnership will allow the city to promote upcoming special events and programs on new signs at its Highway 395 location, making it easier for patrons to find the pavilion, which currently has no identifiable building signage, she said. The name change comes on the heels of a name change at another prominent Tri-City venue: Franklin County’s TRAC facility. In March, HAPO Community Credit Union paid $1 million for naming rights over a 10-year period. It’s now called The HAPO Center.

Real estate philanthropist named Tri-Citian of the Year

The 2019 Tri-Citian of the Year award went to Dave Retter, owner of Retter & Co. Sotheby’s International in Kennewick. Retter is well-known for his philanthropic work, which includes his role in helping launch the Kennewick

Police Community Cares Fund, which empowers police officers to pay for minor expenses to help those in need. He was nominated by Kennewick police Chief Ken Hohenberg, who received the honor in 2009. The award ceremony was May 2 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.

Red Cross offers free smoke alarms, installation

Through the generosity of donors and volunteers, free smoke alarms are available for installation by the American Red Cross. Community members may register households in need, those who cannot afford to buy smoke alarms, or those who are physically unable to install them. Having a smoke alarm in your home can cut the risk of death from a fire in half, the Red Cross said. Request smoke alarms and installation at GetASmokeAlarm.org.

Day’s Pay fundraiser for Reach museum set June 20

The Reach Foundation’s aims to keep the spirit of the Day’s Pay alive with its annual fundraiser. The 1940s-themed fundraiser is based on when 51,000 employees from Hanford Engineer Works donated a day’s pay toward the purchase

of a B-17 bomber in 1944. Money raised at the event, which runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 20 at 1943 Columbia Park Trail in Richland, will go toward the operations of the Reach Museum. The museum has ongoing efforts to share, educate and focus on the history of the Hanford area. Tickets are $45 a person, or $360 for a table, and includes a buffet dinner and open wine bar. For tickets, call 509-943-4100 or email diannam@visitthereach.org.

Classic Fords earn honors at Classy Chassy show

The owners of two Fords received honors during the 20th annual Classy Chassy Show and Shine show. Bruce MacKissock received the first-ever “Participants Choice Award” for his 1933 Ford Factory Five, and Adam Watters received “Best in Show” for his classic 1960 Ford Thunderbird. The event boasted a record 218 registered vehicles, with 28 classes including cars, trucks, motorcycles off-road, imports and more. The Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership held the 20th annual event during the second weekend of May. Next year’s 21st annual Classy Chassy Show and Shine is May 8-9, 2020.

Senior Times • June 2019

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Bring your grandchildren and families to events with a star.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5

• National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, Tri-Cities Chapter 1192, monthly meeting: noon, Red Lion, 1101 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick. Call: 509-378-2494

THURSDAY, JUNE 6

• The Art of Travel Planning: 7-8 p.m., Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive. Contact: 509943-7680 or glightfoot@ci.richland. wa.us. • First Thursday Art Walk: 5-8 p.m. downtown Kennewick. Go to: 1stthursdaykennewick.com. • CBC Jazz Nite: 7-9 p.m., Columbia Basin College theater, 2600 N. 20th Ave., Pasco. Free

FRIDAY, JUNE 7

• Sunset at Southridge: 5:30-8 p.m., Southridge Sports Complex, 2901 Southridge Blvd., Kennewick. Go to: sunsetatsouthridge.com. STEAM Family Fun Workshop, Plants & Art: 10 a.m. to noon, REACH Museum, 1943 Columbia Park Trail, Richland. • Know Your Brain educational series: 6-7:30 p.m., Richland Community Center, 500 Howard Amon Park Drive, North Riverview Room.

JUNE 7-10

• Sacajawea Bluegrass Festival: Times vary. Sacajawea State Park, 2503 Sacajawea Park Road, Pasco. Tickets: mctama.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

Strawberry Jamboree: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Bill’s Berry Farm, 3674 N. County Line Road, Grandview. Call: 509-882-3200. • Second Saturday Uptown Art Walk: 3-7 p.m., Uptown Shopping Center, Richland. • ACT Garden Arts Tour & Party: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., tour.; 3-5

p.m. party. Self-guided tour. Tickets: academyofchildrenstheatre.org.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12

• Understanding Grief class: noon to 2 p.m. or 6-8 p.m., Chaplaincy Grief Care. RSVP: 509572-0593. Free. • Tri-Cities Genealogical Society monthly meeting: 7 p.m., Benton County PUD Auditorium, 2721 W. 10th Ave., Kennewick. Monthly topic is military records. • The Moneta Project Memory Café: 8-10 a.m., 1834 Fowler St., Richland. Free breakfast for those with dementia and their care partners. RSVP: 509-735-1911 or smcdonald@seniorliferesources.org.

JUNE 13-15

Academy of Children’s Theatre “Keeping Mr. Lincoln”: 7 p.m., each day, 213 Wellsian Way, Richland. Tickets: academyofchildrenstheatre.org.

FRIDAY, JUNE 14

• Strawberry Jamboree: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Bill’s Berry Farm, 3674 N. County Line Road, Grandview. Call: 509-882-3200. • Prosser Scottish Fest and Highland Games: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Prosser Food and Wine Park, 2880 Lee Road, Prosser. • Know Your Brain educational series: 6-7:30 p.m., Richland Community Center, 500 Howard Amon Park Drive, North Riverview Room.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19

• Crafternoons: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive. Participants will create a button moon collage. Preregistration required. Register at Eventbrite.com or contact 509-9437680 or glightfoot@ci.richland.wa.us • Juneteenth History Program: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive.

THURSDAY, JUNE 20

• Parkinson’s Workshop for Newly Diagnosed: 1-2:30 p.m., Kadlec Healthplex, 1268 Lee Blvd., Richland. Register: 509-943-8455. • Community Lecture Series “From Mexican to MexicanAmerican: A Family Immigration Story”: 7 p.m., Franklin County Historical Museum, 305 N. Fourth Ave., Pasco. Free. • Senior Prom: 2-5 p.m., Richland Red Lion Hotel, 802 George Washington Way. For those 55 and older. Reservations required. Tickets: 509-837-1676 or heartlinkshospice.ejoinme.org/ seniorprom. Hogs & Dogs Regional Family Festival: 4 to 10 p.m., Bombing Range Sports Complex, 3200 Bombing Range Road, West Richland. • Reach Foundation Day’s Pay Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Reach Museum: 5:30-8 p.m., Reach Museum, 1943 Columbia Park Trail, Richland. Tickets: 509943-4100 or diannam@ visitthereach.org.

FRIDAY, JUNE 21

Sunset at Southridge: 5:30-8 p.m., Southridge Sports Complex, 2901 Southridge Blvd., Kennewick. Information: sunsetatsouthridge.com. • Know Your Brain educational series: 6-7:30 p.m., Richland Community Center, 500 Howard Amon Park Drive, North Riverview Room.

JUNE 20-23

Cool Desert Nights: Events and times vary. Information: westrichlandchamber.org.

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

• Three Rivers Folklife Society Contra Dance: 6-9 p.m., Memorial

Park, 350 N. 14th Ave., Pasco. Information: 3rfs.org. • Cherry & Berry Days: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Bill’s Berry Farm, 3674 N. County Line Road, Grandview. Information: 509-882-3200.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23

Mariachi & More Festival: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Columbia Park, 2701 Columbia Park Trail, Kennewick. Contact: 509-542-0933. Free.

TUESDAY, JUNE 25

• A Universe of Board Games: 6-8 p.m., Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive. Space-themed board games and refreshments. Information: 509-943-7680 or glightfoot@ci.richland.wa.us.

JUNE 27-30

Wings of Freedom Tour: 2-5 p.m., June 27; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. other days, Pasco Aviation Museum, 4102 Stearman Ave., Pasco.

FRIDAY, JUNE 28

• Know Your Brain educational series: 6-7:30 p.m., Richland Community Center, 500 Howard Amon Park Drive, North Riverview Room.

SATURDAY, JUNE 29

• Cherry & Berry Days: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Bill’s Berry Farm, 3674 N. County Line Road, Grandview. Information: 509-882-3200. • Summer bazaar: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tri-Cities Retirement Inn, 2000 N. 22nd Ave., Pasco.

THURSDAY, JULY 4

5th annual Cardboard Regatta: Noon to 1:30 p.m., Memorial Aquatic Park, 1520 W. Shoshone, Pasco. Registration: pascoparksandrec.com. Information: 509-545-3456.

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Senior Times • June 2019 FESTIVAL, From Page 1 That’s when the West Richland chamber stepped in. “I took it to the board right away,” Hays said. “We are a smaller chamber.” But it’s also an enthusiastic one. The West Richland chamber agreed to take over the annual hot rod and car show, shadowing the TriCity Regional Chamber members during last year’s Cool Desert Nights to learn the ropes. And now they’re ready to roll. The key idea, Hays said, is getting the motorcycle people involved with the car people. That’s why there will be motorcycle events during Cool Desert Nights. “The thought on Hogs & Dogs was how do we incorporate it into Cool Desert Nights,” Hays said. “I think these extra events will help.” Having the two events coincide with each other means a lot of work for the organizers. Josh Hanson, co-chairman of Cool Desert Nights, has jumped in by meeting with numerous car clubs to listen to members’ concerns about past events. “The initial struggle was some of them letting go of the past,” Hanson said. The numbers of cars entered into the Cool Desert Nights competition had dropped to 330 in recent years, down from an all-time high of 1,015. Hanson listened to complaints. One concern was that there were too few categories. That’s been remedied. “There used to be 10 trophies handed out for Cool Desert Nights,” Hanson said. “This year there will be

Schedule of events

Photo by Jeff Morrow Josh Hanson, left, and May Hays, co-chairs of Cool Desert Night, are excited about combining Hogs & Dogs and Cool Desert Nights, planned for June 20-23.

25 categories. And there will be four awards per category. So, we’re looking at 110 to 120 awards.” To make the event even more family-friendly, Hanson said the Kids Zone has been expanded, moving it to the Uptown parking area by the Spudnut Shop. “And as far as food trucks, we have a lot more room for food trucks,” Hanson said. “We’re hoping to have 12 to 15 food trucks, including some kid-friendly ones.” Hays said they’ve done their homework for this year. “Josh created a page on social media. He’s worked with vendors,” she said. “We did surveys last year before Cool Desert Nights, and surveys during Cool Desert Nights. We’ve been gathering names of peo-

ple to help. And the city of Richland has been fantastic. We shadowed the people in Richland last year.” Hanson said his organization is ready to start its engines: “The West Richland Chamber of Commerce has done a really good job of establishing a community-driven chamber. There is a lot of enthusiasm for this. Our goal is for this to be a big event again.” Hanson and Hays would like to up the car count by more than doubling the number of entrants from last year. “I’d love to see 750 cars, and people raving about the show,” Hanson said. For more information or to register for the Show N’ Shine events, go to westrichlandchamber.org.

u Thursday, June 20: The Hogs & Dogs Regional Family Festival rumbles into town from 4-10 p.m. at the Bombing Range Sports Complex in West Richland. Hogs & Dogs will continue its motorcycle drawing. Tickets cost $10 for a vintage Harley Davidson 1978 FXE HD, built by TriCity Cycle Works. The drawing, which is a major fundraiser for Combat Veterans International, runs through Nov. 9. The winning ticket will be drawn at West Richland’s Veterans Day Parade. The first Cool Desert Nights event kicks off from 6-9 p.m. at the Richland Dairy Queen on Jadwin Avenue with a Show N’ Shine. Afterward, head across the street to the Emerald of Siam restaurant at the Uptown Plaza to hear the Roostertails Band and watch a pinup girl pageant. u Friday, June 21: Cool Desert Nights highlights include a Les Schwab Tire Center Poker Run for classic cars; a Salute to Scoots for Fallen Rider Fund for motorcycles; a participant-only city cruise; a party in the park. u Saturday, June 22: There will be a Kiwanis pancake breakfast; a classic car Show N’ Shine; a motorcycle Show N’ Shine; a flyover of a World War II plane; an Uptown merchants’ poker walk; expanded Kids Zone; and another party in the park. u Saturday, June 23: Autocross event, hosted by the Sand & Sage Sports Car Club.

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Senior Times • June 2019

uBRIEFS Cancer-fighting cooking classes kick off in June

Take a cooking class to learn about the cancer-fighting properties of common produce found at Tri-City area farmers markets starting Thursday, June 13. The Cancer Crushing Cuisine classes are a partnership between the Tri-Cities Cancer Center and Red Mountain Kitchen, both in Kennewick. Education on cancer-fighting properties of produce and other ingredients will be provided by a Lourdes Health dietician and Tri-Cities

Cancer Center naturopathic Dr. Lindsey Josephson. Participants will prepare a healthy dish to enjoy at the kitchen or to take home under the guidance of Chef Kyle Thornhill. Classes will coincide with the downtown Kennewick farmers market from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, June 13, Aug. 8 and Oct. 10. The Red Mountain Kitchen is at 212 W. Kennewick Ave. Each cooking class will be unique, focusing on seasonal produce. An RSVP is required. To register, call 509-737-3413. Cost is $50 per individual per session, which includes all supplies, with $25 going toward the Tri-Cities

Cancer Center Foundation in honor of its 25th anniversary. For more information, go to tccancer.org/cuisine.

History professor to give talk on Mexican immigration

A University of Washington professor will spotlight his family’s experience as Mexican immigrants in Southern California and draw parallels with Washington state during a Humanities Washington talk. Professor Carlos Gil, an emeritus professor of history, will be the featured speaker at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 20 at the Franklin County Historical Society and Museum, 305

N. Fourth Ave. in Pasco. Gil is the author of “We Became Mexican-American: How Our Immigrant Family Survived to Pursue the American Dream” and has taught the history of Latin America for more than 30 years at the University of Washington. Gil sought to understand immigration by tracing his family’s history from the 1920s to the 1970s. In the process, he discovered the excitement, culture shock, inter-family conflict and questions of identity that many immigrants face when seeking a better life in another country. His free talk is available in English and Spanish.

West Richland voters say yes to $12.5M police station

West Richland voters approved a $12.5 million bond to build a larger police station during the April 23 special election. The bond will add 42 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to property taxes. That means owners of a $200,000 home will pay $84 a year. The measure passed 61 percent to 39 percent. A 60 percent majority was needed to pass. The bond will pay for 22,500-square-foot police building that will have a secure armory and evidence room and a safer lobby for visitors and staff. It also will provide more space, including for officer training, community meetings and an improved kennel for animal control. The location for the station isn’t set in stone, but two properties are under consideration: a 2.5-acre Bureau of Land Management-owned lot just east of Bombing Range Road off Morab Street and a privatelyowned, 2.5-acre lot off Mount Adams View Drive. Both properties are near the Benton Fire District 4 station on Bombing Range Road.

Benton Fire District 4 improves insurance rating

The Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau recently notified Benton Fire District 4 that it has earned water tender credits. This means some homeowners may see lower insurance premiums. A water tender is a piece of apparatus that can hold up to 3,000 gallons of water to provide a consistent water source when fire hydrants aren’t available. The credit applies to properties within five road miles of a responding fire station but not having a standard fire hydrant within 1,000 feet. The credits applied June 1. Homeowners are encouraged to contact their insurance companies or agents to see if it applies to their insurance policies.

Senior Times • June 2019

Be wary of oﬀers for free medical equipment Don’t fall for the free durable medical equipment scam that’s making the rounds among senior citizens. The Better Business Bureau is hearing from consumers — more than 200 since the first of the year — who have been targeted by scammers offering “free” back or knee braces. Here’s how the scam works: seniors get a call saying they qualify for a back brace or a knee brace — completely paid for by Medicare. Tyler Russell The scamBetter Business mers may preBureau tend to be from Medicare, or they may claim to be the maker of durable medical equipment. They tell seniors they qualify for the equipment for free, and they repeatedly call until seniors relent and allow them to submit an order to their doctor for the equipment. Or seniors may say no, but the company ships the brace anyway. Other times the equipment just shows up on their doorstep, and Medicare receives the bill. Often, consumers have a difficult time returning the unnecessary equipment. By law, no one is allowed to make unsolicited calls to consumers about durable medical equipment. If they do, it’s Medicare fraud. And taxpayers foot the bill for all the unwanted products. If you get such a call, just hang up. Here’s how to protect yourself and Medicare from durable medical equipment fraud: u Refuse and report anyone offering “free” equipment, supplies or services in exchange for your Medicare number. u Know that Medicare medical suppliers are not allowed to make unsolicited telephone calls or send emails to sell equipment unless the customer has done business with them in the past 15 months u Never sign a blank form from a health care provider or equipment supplier. u Always read your Medicare summary notice or explanation of benefits paperwork to look for any charges for equipment you do not need or did not receive. u Protect your Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security cards; keep them in a safe place (not your wallet) and only get them out when you are going to see a health care provider. u Report scams to the Medicare fraud hotline: 800-633-4227 (800-MEDICARE).

Avoid scams by taking these precautions: u Never send money to someone you have never met face-toface. Seriously, just don’t ever do it. And don’t do it if they ask to use wire transfer, a prepaid debit card, or a gift card — those cannot be traced and are as good as cash. u Don’t click on links or open attachments in unsolicited email. Links can download malware onto a computer and/or steal your identity. Be cautious even with email that looks familiar; it could be fake. u Don’t believe everything you see. Scammers are great at mimicking official seals, fonts and other details. Just because a website or email looks official does not mean that it is. Even caller ID can be faked. u Don’t buy online unless the transaction is secure. Make sure the website has “https” in the address bar (the extra “s” is for “secure”) and a small lock icon appears. Even then, the site could be shady. Check out the company first at bbb.org. Read reviews about the quality of the merchandise and make sure you are not buying cheap and/or counterfeit goods. u Be extremely cautious when deal-

ing with anyone you’ve met online. Scammers use dating websites, Craigslist, social media and many other sites to reach potential targets. They can quickly feel like a friend or even a romantic partner, but that is part of the con to establish trust. u Never share personally identifiable information with someone who has contacted you unsolicited, whether it’s over the phone, via email, on social media, even at the front door. This includes banking and credit card information, birth date and Social Security numbers. u Don’t be pressured to act immediately. Scammers typically try to make you think something is scarce or a limited time offer. They want to push you into action before you have time to think or to discuss it with a family member, friend or financial advisor. High-pressure sales tactics also are used by some legitimate businesses, but it’s never a good idea to make an important decision quickly. u Use secure, traceable transactions when making payments for goods, services, taxes and debts. Do not pay by wire transfer, prepaid money card, gift card or other nontraditional payment method. Say no

to cash-only deals, high pressure sales tactics, high upfront payments, overpayments and handshake deals without a contract. u Whenever possible, work with local businesses which have proper identification, licensing and insurance, especially contractors who will be coming into your home or anyone dealing with your money or sensitive information. Check them out at bbb. org to see what other consumers have experienced. u Be cautious about what you share on social media and consider only connecting with people you already know. Be sure to use privacy settings on all social media and online accounts. Imposters often get information about their targets from their online interactions and can make themselves sound like a friend or family member because they know so much about you. To report a scam, go to BBB.org/ ScamTracker. To learn more about health care and Medicare scams, go to BBB.org/ HealthCareScam.  Tyler Russell is the marketplace manager for the Better Business Bureau Northwest and Pacific.

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Senior Times • June 2019

DOE expecting wave of Hanford retirees DOE evaluating methods to hire qualiﬁed workers

BY ROBIN WOJTANIK for Senior Times

Hanford’s workforce is made up of more professional support staff than engineers, scientists or technicians. More than 9,000 people are directly employed with efforts at the Hanford site, based on recent U.S. Department of Energy data. That’s more than the individual population of three neighboring cities: Prosser numbers 6,125, Connell 5,460, and Benton City 3,405. Employment at Hanford and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory accounted for about 12 percent of total employment across Benton and Franklin counties, based on the most recent data through 2017. This represents about a quarter of the total wages earned in the region, with an average annual wage of $97,000 for jobs related to Hanford and PNNL. The Hanford site is gearing up for a regional “silver tsunami” that will see thousands of retirements and a turnover in its aging workforce. Nearly 60 percent of those in jobs connected to Hanford are older than

Courtesy Bechtel National Inc. The U.S. Department of Energy and Hanford contractors are making efforts to recruit qualiﬁed workers, as a third of the workforce connected to Hanford will be eligible to retire within the next ﬁve years.

age 50, and more than a third are eligible for workforce retirement within the next five years. “When we hear the statistics about average age, it is cause for concern,” said David Reeploeg, vice president of federal programs at Tri-City Development Council. “When we think of losing that institutional knowledge, we want to make sure someone can take that and build on it.”

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This has created a need for the Department of Energy and its prime contractors to look for ways to replace retirees with a qualified workforce. The Department of Energy’s Office of River Protection reports efforts to recruit replacement workers include partnering with nearby schools and universities, in addition to holding an annual community forum to build awareness of the workforce needs at the site. “We want a thoughtful and strategic transition from one generation of Hanford workers to the next,” Reeploeg said. Under prime contractor Bechtel National Inc., about 2,600 employees work on the project to create the world’s largest radioactive waste vitrification plant. That number is expected to be cut in half as the work transitions from construction and startup to its commissioning phase, which will cover daily operation of the plant. A workforce described as “steady” is expected to include about 1,500 to 1,800 employees, once direct feed low-activity waste operations begin. The Department of Energy says its contractors tend to categorize employees into one of nine divisions, with not all nine categories represented by every employer: managers, engineers, scientists, professional administrative staff (accountants, attorneys and human resources), administrative assistants, technicians, health care, union members represented by the Hanford Atomic Metal Trades Council, and union members represented by building and construction trades. The perception of the Hanford site often includes workers heavy in professions related to science, technology, engineering or math fields. Yet, professional administrative staff often represent the highest number of

employees used by prime contractors, with Mission Support Alliance, CH2M Hill Plateau Remediation Co. and Washington River Protection Solutions each dedicating about 20 percent of their workforce to roles like auditors, communications and cost estimators. Bechtel does not break this number out of its workforce total, instead including these workers in the catchall category “all others.” While most WRPS employees fall into the professional support staff category, the contractor employs about the same number of managers as it does engineers, totaling about 375 each as of the end of 2018, or about 16 percent of its workforce. All contractors are stocked with hundreds of managers, representing 13 percent to 22 percent of their staff, depending on the employer. Bechtel reported the fewest number of managers, with 365, or 13.6 percent of its staff, while CHPRC is the most top heavy, with 354 managers among its 1,600 employees, or 22 percent. While the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant remains a hub of new construction, to build both the plant itself and many support buildings, the number of trade workers is the highest for Bechtel across the site’s largest contractors. The company employs about 1,100 trade workers out of its 2,668 employees, or more than 40 percent of its workforce. Since MSA holds the contract responsible for security and infrastructure at the site, it also employs a high number of people in trade or craft jobs. A quarter of MSA’s workforce is comprised of roles like pipe fitters, welders, electricians, crane operators and other similar roles. Many of those in trade or craft roles are represented by labor groups, including those employed with CHPRC, MSA, WRPS, Bechtel and Veolia Nuclear Solutions-Federal Services. Collectively, jobs connected to Hanford remain the largest source of employment in the Tri-Cities. A report from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory done in 2009 found that jobs at Hanford represented 16 percent of total jobs in the local economy between 1970-94. The same report recalled downsizing at the site in the mid-’90s that reduced employment from a peak of 14,462 in 1996, to 6,706 in 1998. Today’s numbers hover just over 9,000, which doesn’t include the 1,100 workers at Energy Northwest or the 4,500 at PNNL, which puts Battelle atop the list of the largest employers in the Tri-Cities.

Senior Times • June 2019

Plan provides for pets’ life after owners’ death Humane Society teamed with investment advisor to create Forever Friends BY LAURA KOSTAD for Senior Times

Many seniors’ wills include provisions for who gets their dog, cat, horse, guinea pig or other furry or feathered friend when they die. But what if the appointed guardian for the surviving pets can’t or won’t take them? What if the pets unintentionally end up at an Todd Halterman animal shelter or local Humane Society instead? Kennewick’s Benton-Franklin Humane Society has a no-kill policy, and the agency transfers animals to other no-kill Humane Societies throughout the Pacific Northwest and California if its facility becomes crowded, or if the animal might have a better chance of being adopted in another area. However, it still can be difficult to place pets in a new forever home. But what if those pets came with an incentive to adopt in the form of free food and veterinary care for life? What if that money supported pets during their time at the shelter and in their new home? That is what the Our Forever Friends pet protection plan aims to do for pets left behind after their owners die. The Humane Society teamed up with Todd Halterman, a Tri-City investment advisor for more than two decades, who saw a need for postmortem care for orphaned pets, and founded Our Forever Friends. “Eighty-five percent of the time, the person designated to take care of the (orphaned) pet can’t,” Halterman said. “Three to 5 million animals are euthanized per year in the U.S., just

Pet owners can plan for their pets’ long-term care after their death with Our Forever Friends, a pet protection plan that enables pet owners to allocate money in their estate

from owners’ plans not working out.” Our Forever Friends allows people to create a financial plan so their pet can maintain its lifestyle with IRA funds while bypassing the IRS completely, Halterman said. “Loved ones, charity and the IRS are who you have to choose from for your estate to go to when you die,” said Halterman during a talk at the Humane Society’s recent Feel the Love volunteer recognition event. With a pet protection plan, owners designate who they want their pets to go to and set up a trust fund for their pets’ ongoing care from IRA funds, Halterman said. Plans range from free to $249. Halterman offers three options: A simple do-it-yourself pet protection decree, which is free, includes a video conference to learn how to complete the plan; complete pet protection plan, which is $89, offers a “turn-key concierge service” to develop the plan and assistance with guaranteed funding and adoption strategies; and the platinum plan, which is $249, guarantees the pet protection plan is complete and followed through with funding, and when needed, work with customers’ local legal team.

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If their first-choice plan fails to entrust the pet to a friend or family member, they can specify in their will that their pet is to be surrendered to the nonprofit Humane Society, with the IRA funds set aside being donated to the agency in the form of a monthly stipend. The stipend reflects the average monthly cost for food and veterinary care, tailored to that specific animal. Halterman said the average is “$112 per pet, per month.”

The Humane Society uses the money to ensure the pet’s health is up to date and could include spaying/ neutering, vaccinations, microchips, flea treatments and deworming. Once the pet transitions into foster care or is adopted, the monthly stipend is distributed by the Humane Society to the new caretaker or owner in the form of ongoing veterinary care and food. When the pet dies, any remaining money in the trust is passed on to the Humane Society. Last year, the Humane Society took in 776 owner-surrendered animals, 99 strays and more than 200 transfers from other organizations and adopted out 1,116 animals. The local Humane Society is Our Forever Friends’ first nonprofit partner. “We’re going to take it national, but want to prove it here local,” Halterman said. “The average cost of housing and adopting a pet here at the Humane Society, if they have to stay in there because there’s medical issues, is $3,000 or $4,000. That is not sustainable.” » Our Forever Friends: our foreverfriends.com; 509-713-9495. » Benton-Franklin Humane Society: bfhs.com; 509-374-4235; 1736 E. Seventh Ave., Kennewick.

Senior Times • June 2019

Pasco First Avenue Center

505 N. First Ave., Pasco • 509-545-3459 • pascoparksandrec.com

Most of Pasco’s senior services programs take place at the First Avenue Center, unless otherwise listed. Activities, times and location subject to change. For more information, call 509-545-3459. • Adult Lap Swim: Noon to 1 p.m. and 6-7 p.m., June 17 to Aug. 23. Memorial Aquatic Park, 1520 W. Shoshone. $2 per person. • Basin Wood Carvers (18+): 1-3 p.m. Thursdays. Cost: Free. • China Painting (18+): 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays. Bring your own

project and supplies. • Cribbage (40+): 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. • Drop-In Snooker (50+): 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cost: $1 per day. • Enhance Fitness (40+): Class focuses on stretching, balance, low impact aerobics and strength training. 10-11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Call 509545-3456 to register. Location: Pasco City Hall Activity Center, 525 N. Third Ave., Pasco.

• Foot Care for Adults (18+): Get your feet cared for by a licensed, registered nurse. 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays by appointment only. Cost: $30. Call 509-545-3459. • Happy Feet Foot Care (60+): Get your feet cared for by a licensed, registered nurse. 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays by appointment only. Cost: Free with suggested donation of $12 to $15 per person. Clients must meet federal and state guidelines for eligibility.

Call: 509-545-3459. • Mexican Train Dominoes (40+): 12:30-3 p.m. Mondays. Cost: Free. • Pinochle (40+): 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. • Wavemakers Aqua Fit: Class for those with arthritis, fibromyalgia, lower back pain, muscle weakness, those who use a cane or a walker and anyone who loves the pool. Location: Oasis Physical Therapy, 6825 Burden Blvd., Suite D, Pasco. This class is offered on various days. To register, call 509-545-3456.

Prosser Senior Community Center 1231 Dudley Ave., Prosser • 509-786-2915 • cityofprossser.com

All activities are at the Prosser Senior Community Center unless otherwise listed. Activities, times and locations subject to change. For more information, call 509-786-2915. cityofprosser.com • All-you-can-eat breakfast: 8-11:30 a.m. the last Sunday of each month. Suggested donation: $6 adults, $3 for those 10 and younger. Dining room. Includes pancakes, eggs, ham, apple juice and coffee.

• Bingo (18+): 9:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Cost: Three cards for $1. Location: dining room. • Bingo at Night (18+): 6 p.m. second Friday of the month. $10 buy-in. • Birthday Celebration: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Typically the third Friday of the month. Call 509-786-1148 to verify. Provided by Meals on Wheels. Suggested donation of $2.75. Location: dining room.

• Lunch and Learn Program: 1-2 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month. Subject changes every month. Cost: Free. Location: dining room • Mah Jongg: 1-3:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost: Free. Location: living room. • Meals On Wheels: 11:45 a.m. Monday through Friday. Suggested donation of $2.75. Location: dining room. For reservations, call 509-7861148. • Monthly Potluck: Noon to 3 p.m. the third Sunday of every month. Cost: Free. Location: dining room. Bring potluck dish to share. • Pinochle: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays. Cost: $1. Location: liv-

ing room. Bring potluck dish to share. • Prosser Friendship Quilting: 1-4 p.m. second Thursdays. Cost: Free for members ($5 per year). Location: dining room. Bring sewing machine and project to work on. • Table Pool: Noon to 3 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays. Free. • Wellness Class: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Taught by Cheri Eisen of Sirius Therapeutics. Cost: $25 per month for members, $32 per month for others. Location: living room. • Zumba Gold (55+): 10:4511:15 a.m., Tuesday and Fridays, May 7-31. Cost $22. Call: 509-7868226.

West Richland Senior Center

616 N. 60th, West Richland 509-967-2847 westrichland.org All activities are at the West Richland Senior Center. For more information, call 509-967-2847. • Potluck Lunch: noon, second Tuesday of the month. Bring a dish to share. • Bingo: noon, third Monday of the month. Hot dog luncheon at noon. $3 suggested donation. • Pinochle: 1 p.m. Mondays.

• Bunco Potluck: noon, first Wednesday and third Friday of the month. • TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Fitness: 11 a.m. Thursdays. • Exercise: A co-ed, light cardio class, led by exercise video, 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. A donation of 50 cents for members and $1 for others is requested.

Senior Times • June 2019

Kennewick Community Center

500 S. Auburn St., Kennewick • 509-585-4303 • go2kennewick.com All activities are at the Kennewick Community Center unless otherwise listed. Activities, times and location subject to change. For more information, call 509-585-4303. • Bingo: 1-3 p.m., every Wednesday. Cost: $1. • Bingo Tournament: 1-3 p.m., Wednesday, May 15. Cost: $8 at the door. Advanced registration: $5.

• Bridge Tournament: 2-6 p.m., second Sunday of each month. Cost: $1. RSVP 509-586-3349. • Bunco: 1-3 p.m. Fridays. Cost: $1 per day. • Chinese Mahjong: 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays. Cost: $1 per day. • Clay Sculpting: 1-2 p.m., Mondays. Cost: $1 per day. Bring your own supplies. • Dominos: 12:30-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. Cost: 50 cents

per day. • Hair Cuts and Clips: Haircuts provided by Pam Eggers. Second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 9-11 a.m. by appointment only. Cost $1. Call 509-585-4303. • Indoor Walking: 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. Cost: $1 per day. Location: Southridge Sports Complex, 2901 Southridge Blvd., Kennewick. • Party Bridge: 12:30-4 p.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost: 50 cents per day. • Pinochle: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays. Cost: 50 cents per day. • Sewing: 6-8:30 p.m. Thursdays. Cost: $1 per day. • Woodcarving: 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays. Cost: 75 cents per day. 9 a.m. to noon Fridays. Cost: $1 per day. Bring supplies or borrow from the class.

Richland Community Center

500 Amon Drive, Richland • 509-942-7529 • ci.richland.wa.us All activities are at the Richland Community Center unless otherwise listed. Activities, times and location subject to change. For more information, call 509-942-7529. • ACBL, Duplicate and Party Bridge: Various groups. For a schedule of each group, cost and location, visit the Richland Community Center or call 509-942-7529. • American Mahjong: 12:30-4 p.m. Thursdays. Location: game room. Cost: free. • Birthday Club Social: noon to 12:30 p.m. Second Tuesday of each month. Location: lounge. Cost: free. • Bridge Buddies: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays. Location: game room. Cost: $1. • Chess Club: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sundays, Richland Public Library, • Cribbage: 8:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Location: lounge. Cost: free.

• Dominoes: 1 p.m. Thursdays. Location: lounge. Cost: free. • Fitness Room: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Location: Fitness room. Cost: $2 per day or $8 per month. • Foot Care for Fabulous Feet: Have a licensed registered nurse specializing in geriatrics care for your feet. 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays. Location: wellness room. Cost: $30. Appointment: call 509-942-7529. • Greeting Card Recycling: 9-11 a.m. Mondays. Location: meeting room. Cost: free. • Golden Age Pinochle: 6-8:30 p.m. Fridays. Location: game room. Cost: $1. • International Folk Dancing: 7-9 p.m. Thursdays. Location: Riverview room; 6-9 p.m. the first Saturday of the month for a potluck and dancing. Location: activity room. • Party Bridge: 8:30-11:30 a.m.

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Mondays and Wednesdays. Location: game room. Cost: $1. • Pie Socials: noon to 12:30 p.m. Third Tuesday of each month. Location: lounge. Cost: free. • Pinochle Players: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays. Location: game room.

Cost: $1. • Poker: Noon to 3 p.m. Mondays. Location: game room. Cost: $1. • Richland Senior Association Dance: 1-3:30 p.m. Third Friday of the month. Location: Riverview room. Cost: $7 per person.

Senior Times • June 2019

Alternative treatment methods explored

DOE explores methods to treat Hanford waste that could cut expenses BY JENNIFER L. DREY for Senior Times

Cleanup of the nuclear waste-contaminated Hanford site will cost another $323.2 billion to $677 billion and continue until at least 2078, according to the latest projections released by the U.S. Department of Energy. That’s why the Department of Energy is exploring new approaches that could reduce both the timeline and costs associated with the cleanup of the 586-square-mile site, said Geoff Tyree, external engagement lead with the Department of Energy at Hanford. “We’re looking for ways that we can reduce the cost of cleanup while making sure we’re meeting the regulatory requirements and that it’s still safe and protective of people and the environment,” Tyree said. The Department of Energy reported the projections in its 2019 Hanford Lifecycle Scope, Schedule and Cost Report, a document released in February that serves as the foundation for

The Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant is preparing to start treating tank waste as early as 2022. Courtesy U.S. Department of Energy

preparing federal budget requests and informational briefings to affected tribal governments and Hanford stakeholders. The report is required annually under the Tri-Party Agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy, Washington State Department of Ecology and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Costs associated with the nearly 30

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years of cleanup that have taken place thus far totaled $53 billion as of September 2018. Work completed during that time included the movement of 2,300 tons of spent nuclear fuel from near the Columbia River to dry storage, stabilization of 20 tons of leftover plutonium that was shipped off site and treatment of 20 billion gallons of contaminated groundwater. The footprint of active cleanup now stands at 76 square miles compared to 586 square miles in 1989. The Department of Energy’s previous lifecycle report released in 2016 estimated the remaining cleanup cost at $107.7 billion and saw most of the work being done by 2060. The increased cost and delayed schedule included in the latest report were not unexpected, but they highlight the need to look at things differently, Tyree said. “(The report) definitely shows that the current approach will leave waste in the tanks for too long, it will expose workers to unnecessary risk and require taxpayers to pay too much, and so the report supports the department’s exploration of other approaches to treating tank waste to complete the Hanford cleanup,” Tyree said. One of the alternatives the Department of Energy is exploring is a process known as the test bed initiative, which looks to mix some of the less radioactive tank waste with a groutlike mixture for it to be disposed of as low-level waste outside of Washington. The Department of Energy also is considering new ways for treating the more radioactive, high-level waste, Tyree said. At the same time, Bechtel National Inc.’s construction of the vitrification plant remains on schedule to begin

turning the 56 million gallons of highlevel waste in Hanford’s 177 underground tanks into glass by 2023. “I know the (Department of Energy) is looking at a number of different options, and I think all of those options, from my perspective, are worth a lot more examination and might be a really good direction to move in,” said David Reeploeg, vice president of federal programs for the Tri-City Development Council. However, dealing with nuclear waste policy and disposal inherently holds a wealth of challenges, one of the most significant being securing the necessary funding for it, Reeploeg said. Further complicating the situation is the fact that the longer it takes to complete the cleanup, the more expensive it becomes to maintain the site for nuclear safety, said Alex Smith, program manager of the state Department of Ecology’s Nuclear Waste Program. “We’re getting to a tipping point where just the costs to maintain the site are eventually going to eclipse the whole budget for the site,” Smith said. The Department of Ecology supports the Department of Energy’s efforts to shorten the timeline and reduce the costs associated with the Hanford cleanup but also has concerns about new methods that may be used to do so, she said. “Although we agree that it needs to be cleaned up—and the faster it’s cleaned up the better all-around— we’re worried that methods that aren’t as protective of health and the environment will be used in order to do it more quickly rather than to do it right,” said Randy Bradbury, communications manager for the Department of Ecology’s nuclear waste program.

Senior Times • June 2019

Meals on Wheels June menu Meals on Wheels is a program of Senior Life Resources Northwest and is supported by donations. For those 60 and older, the suggested donation is $2.75 per meal. Meals may be purchased by those younger than 60 for $7.25. Menu substitutions may occur. For reservations, call between 9 a.m. and noon the day before your selected meal. For reservations in Richland, call 509-943-0779; Kennewick: 509-5854241; Pasco: 509-543-5706; Parkside: 509-545-2169; Benton City: 509-588-3094; Prosser: 509-786-1148; and Connell: 509-234-0766. The Senior Dining Café at 1834 Fowler St. in Richland serves soups, sandwiches and salads without a reservation. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 509-736-0045. • Tuesday, June 4: Chicken fajitas, rice and beans, chilled diced pears and pineapple upsidedown cake. • Wednesday, June 5: Hamburger, lettuce/tomato/ onion, baked beans, cabbage and apple slaw and chocolate chip cookie. • Thursday, June 6: Roasted pork chop with gravy, mashed potatoes, glazed baby carrots, bread and lemon bar. • Friday, June 7: Dijon chicken, mashed sweet potatoes, peas and onion, bread and cherry oat bar. • Monday, June 10: Salisbury steak and gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli, bread and mandarin oranges. • Tuesday, June 11: Teriyaki chicken, fluffy rice, oriental vegetables, bread and pear crisp. • Wednesday, June 12: Scrambled eggs and pep-

» For more information about Senior Life Resources Northwest, go to seniorliferesources.org.

uBRIEFS Former Hanford workers get free pass to Dust Devils game

Former Hanford workers may attend for free the third annual former Hanford Worker Appreciation Night at the Tri-City Dust Devils baseball game. All former atomic workers are invited to attend the game, free of charge. The game is Saturday, June 15 at Gesa Stadium, 6200 Burden Blvd. in Pasco. Gates open at 6:15 p.m. and the Dust Devils game begins at 7:15 p.m. A celebratory fireworks display follows the game. A local former Hanford worker will throw out the first pitch. Former Hanford workers will have the opportunity to participate in special giveaways and will be honored throughout the baseball game. For more information or to RSVP for free tickets, former workers may call 509-420-5222. Free parking passes are available for the first 50 people to RSVP

Meals on Wheels needs drivers, volunteers to package meals

Snowbird home for the summer? Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels is in need of volunteers as summer vacations reduce the number of regular volunteers. The agency has immediate volunteer openings for meal delivery drivers and meal packagers. Contact Penni Richter at Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels: 509-735-1911 or prichter@seniorliferesources.org.

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pers, sausage patty, chuck wagon potatoes, bran muffin and fruit cocktail. • Thursday, June 13: Shepherd’s pie, broccoli Normandy, spinach salad with dressing, wheat roll and blueberry crisp. • Friday June 14: Beef lasagna, mixed vegetables, tossed salad with dressing, bread and brownie. • Monday, June 17: Herbed chicken with mushroom gravy, au gratin potatoes, tossed salad with dressing, green beans, bread and yogurt with berries. • Tuesday, June 18: Beef tacos, refried beans, lettuce/tomato/cheese/salsa/sour cream and citrus salad. • Wednesday, June 19: Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, mixed vegetables, three bean salad and chocolate chip cookie. • Thursday, June 20: Tuna noodle casserole, lyonnaise carrots, wheat roll and blueberry crisp. • Friday, June 21 (birthday day): Roast beef with gravy, mashed potatoes, Italian vegetables, dinner roll and ice cream. • Monday, June 24: Chicken and white bean chili, cornbread and yogurt and berries. • Tuesday, June 24: Lemon pepper cod, white rice, pea and cheese salad, bread and cranberry oatmeal bar. • Wednesday, June 26: Baked ziti, broccoli, tossed salad with dressing, breadstick and fruit cocktail. • Thursday, June 27: Pulled pork sandwich, baked beans, coleslaw, mandarin oranges and oatmeal cookie. • Friday, June 28: Chicken and rice casserole, glazed baby carrots, bread and chocolate cake.

How to beat Str8ts – How to beat Str8ts – To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering Like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in any row complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering Like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in anyon rowpage numbers 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 Solutions 151 toTo or column. But... rows and columns are numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 or column. But... rows and columns are box contains every number uniquely. divided by black squares into compartments. 2 1 4 5 box contains every number uniquely. divided by black squares into compartments. 2 1 4 5 Each compartment must form a straight For many strategies, hints and tips, 6- 4 5 3 2 Each compartment must form a straight For many strategies, hints and tips, 6 4 5visit 3 www.sudokuwiki.org 2 a set of numbers with no gaps but it can be for Sudoku 4be 51: Tobacco 2 1 advertising a set numbers withinnoblack gaps but it can visit www.sudokuwiki.org for Sudoku in any order, eg of [7,6,9,8]. Clues cells June 4 5 2 1 and www.str8ts.com for Str8ts. in any order, Clues in black 6 2 1 5Canadian radio 4 iscells 3banned and www.str8ts.com for Str8ts. remove that number as eg an [7,6,9,8]. option in that row on 4 3 6 2If you 1 5 remove thatnot number anstraight. option in that row answer from and column, and are part ofas any like Str8ts and other Quiz puzzles, check out our Page 1 3 5 2 1 4 and TV.3 5 2 1books, column,toand not‘straights’ part of any straight. If you like Str8ts and other puzzles, our 4 iPhone/iPad Glance at and the solution seeare how Apps and much more on ourcheck store. out Th e Camelops hesternus 2 1 3 Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much moreor ongiant our store. are formed. 2 1 3 June 8: President Nixon says western camel. Learn more about are formed.

Turn Back the Clock...

1969

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.

Answer

25,000 U.S. troops would leave Vietnam by the end of August.

the prehistoric creature at Franklin County Historical Society Museum, 305 N. Fourth Ave., Pasco.

Str8ts example

Senior Times • June 2019

CITY HALL, From Page 1

parking lot that serves the Federal Building. Ground was broken in September 2017, and Schiessl said there were no major hiccups from there. The money for the project came from selling councilmanic bonds, or non-voted debt, backed by general fund revenue. To pay down the 30-year debt, the city will use revenue from paying off the debt for the city shops near Vintner Square and existing electric utility taxes. The contractor on the project was Leone & Keeble of Spokane. Architects West of Coeur d’Alene drew up the plans with assistance from Opsis Architecture of Portland. “The new building is beautiful,” said City Manager Cindy Reents in an email. “It was important to us to bring over design elements from the original City Hall as a way to honor our city’s past. I think this was achieved, and our new City Hall is something our community can be proud of.” The new building consolidates three buildings into one: the old City Hall and the city manager annex building, plus the nearby building at 840 Northgate Drive that houses the city’s engineering and planning departments. “This was one of the main project objectives — making services more efficient and easier for the public by putting all services in one building,” Schiessl said. He said the new building also has some interesting features. Chief among them is a glass wall in the council chamber that opens to the lobby. “During those times when we have a large gathering for city council meetings, we can open up those doors to accommodate more people and EDUCATION, From Page 1 knowing that I did well is so validating,” she said. Her journey to her degree began after getting involved in a variety of business programs in the mid-1970s as a student at Hanford and Richland high schools. Moore said she always had a yearning to go into business. She participated in the Cooperative Office Education program at her school, which was business-related, and also in Future Business Leaders of America. She decided to attend WSU in Pullman to pursue business administration because she liked the smaller university size, compared with other public schools and the close-knit community. But shortly afterward, her plans shifted. “My plan was to go for five years and get two degrees: one in accounting and the other in business administration,” she said. “But plans change.” Moore got married in the spring of 1976 and afterward decided to continue with an associate’s degree at Columbia Basin College in Pasco. There, while raising two sons, she took one class at a time before earning her associate’s. The slow process allowed her to focus on her family. All the while, her husband managed his family’s business. “I was fortunate to be a stay-athome mom at the time, so I was able

make sure they feel like part of the meeting,” he said. Reents said many of the conference rooms are named after local areas and landmarks, such as the Parkway, Uptown, White Bluffs, Badger Mountain, Hanford and Columbia River rooms. The city is working on a water feature in front of the building featuring a 1940s valve that diverted drinking water from the Columbia River. “We had it in one of the storage yards,” Schiessl said. “We took a sandblaster to it to clean it up, and we’re going to turn it into public art.” The building that has served as Richland City Hall for six decades will be demolished, then sold or leased for development. The demo should happen in mid-June. “Although it will be sad to see the existing City Hall go, it will be very exciting to see the opportunity for economic development in this key area of our city,” Reents said. “I’m looking forward to seeing our downtown transform over the coming years as city council has envisioned.” Simultaneous to the City Hall project has been work on the Swift Boulevard corridor. Crews are working on the street, widening the sidewalks and improving the stormwater system. The work is expected to wrap up in early fall. The third floor of the new building houses the city manager, city attorney, clerical staff and administrative services, and the human resources and finance departments. The second floor move includes the public works department and development services. The first floor includes all customer services as well as marketing and communications. The doors opened to the public the first Tuesday after Memorial Day. A grand opening

ceremony is planned for Monday, June 10 and will include tours, an official ceremony and flag raising. The first city council meeting in the new building was Thursday, June 4. “It’s a big day for us,” Schiessl said. “The current City Hall is 60 years old, and we won’t get another City Hall for at least 70 years. “This building was built to last.” Along with construction workers and architects, the project required the effort of the area’s congressional representatives, as well as lobbyists, to get Congress to OK the sale of the land. Part of the deal was the city purchasing a halfacre lot next to the Federal Building to create 50 parking spaces for federal services. That happened before groundbreaking for the new building. The city will have additional parking in the oversized lot. In return, it will manage that entire lot — snow removal and making sure people aren’t parked there too long being the primary responsibilities. “There have been stops and starts,” Schiessl said, referring to when the planning for a new building started in 2003. “It took a literal act of Congress for us to acquire the land. “I’d say that’s fairly unusual for land acquisition.” Which isn’t to say that the city and federal governments were at loggerheads over the deal. There was just a lot of red tape to work through. “A lot of times in government, different organizations are watching out for their own interest,” Schiessl said. “In this case, we’ve been working with the federal government since 2003 on this. “We’ve had a similar vision for a lot of years.”

Courtesy Washington State University Tri-Cities Recent Washington State University Tri-Cities graduate Vanessa Moore earned her bachelor’s degree after 40 years of taking classes while ﬁtting it into married life, raising children and jobs.

to take one class at a time and study,” she said. “I wouldn’t have to be away from home that much. I could fit study time in between. And all the while, I could make sure there was no financial burden on our family.” In 1985, Moore returned to the workforce, holding various positions with Bank of America until taking a job with a prime contractor at Hanford. With improved financial security, she said complacency set in and she took a break from school. A few years later, however, she was laid off due to

workforce restructuring. Knowing that getting her bachelor’s would provide her with more job security, she decided in 2009 to go back to school for her bachelor’s at WSU Tri-Cities. Once again, she took one class at a time. “I never wanted to be in that position again — not having a bachelor’s,” she said. “I remember looking at the job postings when I wasn’t working, thinking, ‘Sure, I have years of relevant experience, but you have to have a degree.’ It motivated me to get back

in and go until I was finished. You always want to be prepared.” Moore said WSU Tri-Cities provided a great local option for higher education. She said many of her family members are also WSU Cougs. Moore’s brother, Duke Mitchell, also previously served on the WSU Advisory Council of Tri-Cities, in addition serving on the board at Columbia Basin College. “Of the six of us siblings, four of us are Cougs,” she said. “It’s special knowing that you all have this connection to the same school.” She said she appreciates her family and employer’s support throughout the process. “My husband, Leonard Moore, was so supportive of it all and patient in understanding why it was important for me,” she said. “He, I and the boys kind of went on this journey together … I am also thankful to my employer for the tuition reimbursement program, and to my colleagues. My manager at work was so excited for me when I finished.” Moore encourages people to take advantage of educational opportunities while they are younger. “It definitely got harder as I got older,” she said. “The ability to stay up late and study and remember it all. I noticed a big difference in my 60s as compared to my 40s.”

Senior Times • June 2019

Prosser’s Wine O’Clock marks 10 years BY JESSICA HOEFER

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

For the first five years of business, Bunnell Family Cellar operated out of the Susan and Ron Bunnell’s home. Located in the country, people visited by invitation, traveling down a gravel road to taste wines and visit with the couple. That was in 2004, a time when the number of wineries in the state hovered around 300. But as Washington’s wine industry started to boom, the couple realized it was time to have a public façade beyond their family home. “It was really important to us that people spend time with the wine and find the wine that was right for them. And one of the ways to get people to slow down and really look at tasting is to put some food in front of them,” said Susan Bunnell. And that’s how Prosser’s Wine O’Clock Wine Bar & Bistro came to be. The couple hired Western Building Design LLC of Yakima to finalize the plans for the nearly $750,000 project at 548 Cabernet Court. Chervenell Construction broke ground in July 2008. By January 2009, the Bunnells were ready for a soft opening. “At this point, we were going to be a wine bar, and we were thinking we’d have flat bread, meat and cheese—real simple. I had the image of walking in the back door with a couple of bags of groceries. I kept thinking we’re going to be able to keep this low-key,” said Susan, reflecting on the soft opening a decade ago. “It sort of kept expanding. People wanted a little more of this and that. ‘Can you add this to the menu?’ It kind of grew one dish at a time.” After about three years, the menu expanded to include two entrees— one meat and one fish—a couple of salads, and appetizer and five pizzas. Today, there are about 20 employees on staff, including executive chef Kyle Meinecke. The problem the business has run into is that after a decade, the restaurant has become so successful, customers don’t always realize they’re also at a winery, Susan said. “They ask, ‘Where can we get the wines on the menu?’” she said. “And I say, ‘Here.’ ” Bunnell Family Cellar has 23 current release wines. Along with the Bunnell label, customers can sample and buy wine from Newhouse Family Vineyards. The brother and sister team of Steve and Marla Newhouse are 50-50 owners of the Wine O’Clock Wine Bar &

Photo by Jessica Hoefer Executive chef Kyle Meinecke and co-owner Susan Bunnell of Wine O’Clock Wine Bar & Bistro in Prosser celebrate their 10th anniversary of wining and dining, pouring wines from Bunnell Family Cellar and Newhouse Family Vineyards labels, while serving meals from an upscale bistro menu.

Bistro building, and Ron Bunnell is the winemaker for both wine labels. To remind guests they are at a winery, Susan would like to remodel the space near the garden area, opening up the wall on the west side of the building to establish a separate wine bar for a more traditional tasting experience. “We’d like to be a place that isn’t a restaurant first and foremost,” she said. “We still have that special res-

taurant area, but also a place where people can do more traditional tasting.” The building has about 4,000 square feet of space, including an office area, kitchen and seating for about 36 people. Guests, who are a mix of locals and out-of-towners touring wine country, are encouraged to stay and enjoy wines while they dine. On average, it takes a table for two about an hour and a half to dine. For

Parkview Estates Annual Car Show

Str8ts Solution

7820 W. 6th Ave., Kennewick, WA

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

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

Classic Cars, Live Music Complimentary BBQ! RSVP: 509-734-9773

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

5 6 3 1 2 4 9 8 7

8 5 6 3 1 2 4 7 9

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

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

Sudoku Solution Sudoku Solution

Str8ts Solution

8 5 6 3 1 2 4 7 9

» Wine O’Clock Wine Bar & Bistro: 548 Cabernet Court, Prosser; bunnellfamilycellar.com/wine-oclock; 509-786-2197.

Puzzle answers from page 13

Tuesday, June 11 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

5 6 3 1 2 4 9 8 7

a group of six, tables are booked out for about two-and-a-half to three hours. By opening the left side of the building, Susan said she hopes to offer a more casual atmosphere for guests looking to taste rather than dine in an environment that would be less labor intensive. Bunnell Family Cellar has about 400 wine club members, and while they can enjoy a glass of wine on the patio, the weather doesn’t always cooperate. “It can be too hot or too cold or too windy. We’d like to have a space glassed in — an atrium — the patio feel but be casual and more quick service,” Susan said. “It’d be nice to have those two options and keep them separate.” She said they’ve taken measurements but have no timeline on when they would start a remodel. Even though the restaurant fills up fast and reservations are recommended, there are always a couple of seats at the bar reserved for wine tasting.

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

8 3 9 2 1 7 6 5 4

2 5 7 4 6 8 1 3 9

4 6 1 5 9 3 2 7 8

9 4 6 1 3 2 5 8 7

1 7 5 6 8 4 9 2 3

3 2 8 9 7 5 4 1 6

7 1 2 8 4 9 3 6 5

6 8 4 3 5 1 7 9 2

5 9 3 7 2 6 8 4 1

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

Sudoku

8 3 9 2 1 7 6 5 4

2 5 7 4 6 8 1 3 9

Senior Times • June 2019

uBRIEFS Richland hires Texan as new police chief

The city of Richland has hired a Texan with more than 30 years of law enforcement experience as its new police chief. John Bruce of Frisco, John Bruce Texas, is scheduled to begin his Richland post in early June. Bruce replaces Chris Skinner, who

last year accepted a position as police chief in Eugene, Oregon. Jeff Taylor had been serving as interim police chief Bruce has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience and comes to Richland after climbing the ranks within the city of Frisco’s police department, where he has served since 1996. He was named police chief there in January 2013, leading a department of 215 sworn personnel and 115 civilians in the fast-growing community, which has a population of more than 185,000 residents. Bruce earned a bachelor’s in sociology in 1992 and a master’s degree

in public affairs in 1994, both from the University of Texas at Dallas. Among his other educational accomplishments, Bruce completed Session 216 of the FBI National Academy and is an alumnus of the Leadership and Command College. In addition, Bruce is committed to community involvement and participating on professional boards and organizations. He has served as an executive partner for the Children’s Advocacy Center since 2013. John is an avid runner and outdoorsman. He is married to his wife, Anita, and they have two sons, who also are public safety professionals.

Yakima Valley health care system files for bankruptcy

The parent company of hospitals in Sunnyside, Toppenish and Yakima has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Astria Health and 13 related companies, including Astria Sunnyside Hospital, Astria Toppenish Hospital, and Astria Regional Medical Center in Yakima, filed for Chapter 11 protection May 6 to restructure its finances, give it time to replace its existing corporate billing office with another company and develop a reorganization plan with its creditors. The court’s has approved $28 million in debtor-in-possession financing to allow Astria to address supply and staff shortfalls and pay off two lenders. Astria Health’s goal is to emerge from Chapter 11 by year end 2019. The health system had $71.7 million in outstanding unsecured debt, according to court documents. Astria pointed to running into financial issues after converting to a new electronic health record system last year after buying the Yakima and Toppenish hospitals. Astria Regional Medical Center, Astria Toppenish Hospital, Astria Sunnyside Hospital and Astria Health Centers will remain open and continue to care for patients as usual as the organization moves through the process. There is no plan to close facilities. Employee jobs and wages will not be effected, according to a news release from Astria Health.

AARP seeks community service award nominations

AARP Washington is accepting nominations for its 2019 Washington Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors Washingtonians 50 and better who are sharing their experiences, talents and skills to enrich the lives of their community. In addition to receiving the award, AARP Washington will donate $2,000 to an approved and registered charity or nonprofit of the winner’s choice. Nominees must meet the following eligibility requirements: be 50 years or older; achievements, accomplishments or service on which the nomination is based must have been performed on a volunteer basis, without pay and must reflect AARP’s vision and mission; and couples or partners who perform service together are eligible but teams are not. This is not a posthumous award. For more information and for the nomination form, go to aarp.org/ andrus. To have a paper nomination form mailed to you, call 866-2777457. Applications will be accepted through Monday, July 15. The award recipient will be announced in early fall.