USCIS to host e-verify information session
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will host a two-and-a-half-hour, free information session in Seattle on July 8. The session is part of a larger USCIS initiative to help employers learn about the E-Verify program, and how they can participate. E-Verify is a Web-based system that lets employers check the work eligibility of newly hired workers within three days after they're hired. E-Verify, administered by USCIS, works by allowing participating employers to electronically compare employee information taken from the Form I-9 against more than 444 million records in the Social Security Administration database, and more than 60 million DHS immigration records. Results are returned in a matter of seconds.
Currently, more than 200,000 employers use this free and voluntary system at more than 750,000 hiring sites. Employers and other interested parties are invited to join this workshop and learn how they can enroll, and be certain that their workforce is fully work-authorized. The event is at 9 a.m., Thursday, July 8 at the USCIS Seattle Field Office Auditorium at 12500 Tukwila International Blvd. For further questions contact Sharon Rummery at 415-987-0191.
Washington winemaker selected as 'Legend'
Attention Queen Anne and Magnolia wine lovers: Gordon Hill, longtime Washington enologist and, currently, winemaker with Milbrandt Vineyards Winery, was selected as winemaker for the 2010 Legends of Washington Wine event.
The Legends event, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 28 at WSU-IAREC in Prosser, annually honors an inductee into the Washington Wine Hall of Fame who exemplifies legendary status because of substantial commitment and contributions made to the Washington wine industry.
For the 2010 Legends wine, Hill created a 70 percent Petit Verdot Red Blend, tamed by 28 months of barrel aging with the addition of barrel-aged Cabernet Sauvignon. A dash of Merlot was added for smoothness, with a splash of Malbec, contributing up-front character.
Hill grew up in Bellevue and attended Washington State University. While earning a food-science degree there, he worked under the guidance of Dr. Chas Nagel, another celebrated Washington wine pioneer. He began his career at Chateau Ste. Michelle in 1980, where he eventually became winemaker. Hill was involved in the creation of Northstar, the Bordeaux- style Merlot he made in conjunction with renowned Lake County (California) winemaster, Jed Steele. In 2005, Hill joined Milbrandt Vineyards Winery where he has developed several award-winning wines.
Hill's selection continues a Legends tradition of highlighting the skills of a winemaker in addition to honoring the Washington Wine Hall of Fame inductee. Past Legends winemakers include Co Dinn from Hogue Cellars; Ray Einberger from Columbia Crest; and Rick Small from Woodward Canyon Winery.
The Legends of Washington Wine Hall of Fame is a project of the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center. Named after the late Dr. Walter J. Clore, the Clore Center will be a learning center that promotes Washington food and wine by engaging visitors to experience the diversity and quality of Washington's food products.
Golden Gardens creek testing reveals low levels of fecal coliform
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) informed Seattle Parks and Recreation (Parks) today that test results from samples taken this week at Golden Gardens Creek reveal very low levels of fecal coliform.
Parks requested that SPU take samples from the creek to determine the health and safety of the creek for recreational use. SPU has a team of inspectors who are trained to detect sewage inflow that is entering stormwater systems. Sampling on Wednesday confirmed that sewage from the City's system is not entering the stream.
"As a result of the information released today, Public Health - Seattle & King County does not recommend closing the creek," said Charles Wu, King County Public Health & Environmental Investigator. "However, there is always the potential for urban streams to be contaminated from a variety of sources, including pet and wildlife waste, and so we advise people to stay out of urban creeks at all times."
It is normal for bacteria levels in urban creeks to fluctuate due to changing conditions, such as rainfall and the presence of other sources of bacteria including wildlife, pets and human activity.
There are actions that people can take to minimize bacterial levels in the creek, such as cleaning up after pets and not feeding wildlife.
The City values volunteers who care about our urban parks and streams and intends to work cooperatively with volunteers from Surfrider Foundation to compare sampling information, provide technical support and develop a better common understanding of the data that are being collected.
Council requests Space Shuttle for Museum of Flight
The King County Council unanimously passed a motion requesting that one of three retiring space shuttles be permanently housed at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.
The motion calls on President Barack Obama, NASA, and Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum to award the Museum of Flight one of the three space shuttles scheduled for retirement in late 2010 or early 2011.
Twenty-one facilities across the country responded to a NASA request for information for potential host sites. The Museum of Flight is believed to be among the last six finalists. Hosts must provide a suitable climate-controlled indoor facility, be ready to take delivery between July and December 2011, and may be required to pay some of the costs to prepare and transport the shuttle.
The Museum of Flight is building a new gallery for the shuttle across the street from the current museum. The museum has raised $8 million of the $12 million necessary to build the facility. Construction will begin this fall in order to be ready to for shuttle delivery by July 2011.[[In-content Ad]]
