 January 27, 2023
On Monday evening we celebrated Lunar New Year with a reception, lion dance, and proclamation.
“We were honored to host this recognition and celebration of Asian culture. As one of the most significant holidays in greater Asia, Lunar New Year provides a time of forward-looking hope and optimism for the coming year,” said Mayor Armondo Pavone. “Renton is an extremely diverse community, with nearly 25% of our residents of Asian heritage. Understanding and celebrating the cultures that comprise Renton makes us a stronger and more inclusive community.”
Asian community leaders, city councilmembers, and city staff attended a reception before the regularly scheduled city council meeting. The event was coordinated by the city’s Equity, Housing, and Human Services Department and included festive decorations, traditional Lunar New Year Asian foods, red envelope giving with quotes wishing good fortune and health, and a Lion Dance.
During the council meeting, Mayor Pavone issued a proclamation designating Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, as Lunar New Year Day in Renton.
Community leaders Duc Tran, CEO of Viet Wah Market, and Tony Au, of the International Lion Dance Martial Arts Team, accepted the proclamation on behalf of Renton’s Asian community.
“It is my honor to represent my community and accept this proclamation,” Mr. Tran told the mayor, city council, and packed council chamber audience. “This city always helps the minorities who live in and work here. Everybody is one family. I hope that by working together, all ethnic groups will contribute to the city’s strong economy. Thank you for including all of us as one family.”
In Asian cultures, Lunar New Year focuses on bringing together family, celebrating love, and reaffirming bonds, while wishing good luck for the new year and celebrating the imminent arrival of spring.
2023 is the Year of the Rabbit in China and the Year of the Cat in Vietnam. Celebrations in China run from Jan. 22 to Feb. 1 and in Vietnam from Jan. 2 to Jan. 26.
 Mayor Armondo Pavone, city councilmembers Kim-Khánh Văn, Ruth Pérez, Valerie O’Halloran, Renton Police Deputy Chief Jeffrey Hardin, and Renton Regional Fire Authority Deputy Chief of EMS/Safety Chuck DeSmith join Renton Rotary members. (Photo courtesy of Renton Reporter).
FD Cares get donation from Rotary
Renton Regional Fire Authority's (RRFA) FD CARES program recently received a $43,000 donation from Renton Rotary.
FD CARES is the authority's new emergency unit that responds to calls involving behavioral and mental health situations and is staffed with a social worker and a nurse who provide specialized care. It does not respond to calls involving criminal behavior or medical emergencies. Individuals receiving care can be referred to additional services. In addition, the cases can be individually managed, something first responders cannot do. Every call response is treated as the first time dealing with an individual.
RRFA deputy chief of EMS/Safety Chuck DeSmith told the Rotary the rate of involving behavioral and mental health calls in Renton has nearly doubled since 2015, and police and firefighters are only sometimes equipped to appropriately respond. FD CARES is a more effective way to manage and respond to these situations. It also relieves Valley Medical Center of having to give emergency care.
Because of need and the program's success, RRFA plans to add a second FDCARES unit on July 1. The program covers 140,000 people, and DeSmith said it costs a little less than $1 million a year to operate. It funded through the department's budget, Medicaid, and EMS levy.
 Youth sports clinics
Renton Parks and Recreation is hosting several youth sports clinics for rugby, volleyball, and Renton Rookies. Register at rentonwa.gov/register using the keyword.
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Renton Rookies (Coed Ages 3-7): Jan. 31 - March 16, Highlands Neighborhood Center. 8 weekly clinics on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Choose from track & field, indoor soccer, or multi-sport (a new sport each week: basketball, baseball, soccer, track). Use the keyword "Renton Rookies."
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Rugby (Coed Ages 10-18): Jan. 29, Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Renton Stadium, 10-11:30 a.m. $15 per session. Use the keyword "Clinic."
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Volleyball (4th & 5th grades): Saturdays, April 1 – May 20, Renton Community Center North Gym, 9-10 a.m. Resident: $28. Non-Resident: $34. No clinic on April 22 and April 29. Use the keyword "Clinic."
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Volleyball (6th-8th grades): Saturdays, April 1 – May 20, Renton Community Center North Gym, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Resident: $56. Non-Resident: $67. No clinic on April 22 and April 29. Use the keyword "Clinic."
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Volleyball (Coed: 7th-9th grades): Mondays, Feb. 6 - March 20, Renton Community Center North Gym, 7-9 p.m. Resident: $56. Non-Resident: $67. No clinic on Feb. 20. Use the keyword "Clinic."
 Around the city
Feb. 1 – Free Museum Day, Renton History Museum (235 Mill Ave. S), 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Feb. 10 - Renton High School Multicultural Show, Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center (400 S. Second St.), 6 p.m.
Feb. 12 - Renton High School Multicultural Show, Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center (400 S. Second St.), 1 p.m.
Doors open 30 minutes before show time. Tickets are $5 and available at the door or online.
Feb. 17 – The Snow Ball, A Winter Family Dance, Renton Community Center (1715 SE Maple Valley Hwy), 6-8 p.m. $15 for Renton residents and $18 for non-residents. Register online (Keyword: Snow Ball).
Feb. 18 – Free Museum Day, Renton History Museum (235 Mill Ave. S), 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Feb. 18 – Black History Month: Unity & Perseverance, Hyatt Regency Lake Washington, 12:30-4 p.m. An open forum discussion centered around Black Culture & Community
Feb. 18 – Black History Month: Melanin Magic Disco, Hyatt Regency Lake Washington, 8 p.m.-12 a.m.
Feb. 28 – Deadline for adding tiles to the Wall of Honor at Veterans Memorial Park.
March 1 – Free Museum Day, Renton History Museum (235 Mill Ave. S), 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
March 18 – Free Museum Day, Renton History Museum (235 Mill Ave. S), 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
March 19 – Music Sings, Music Dances, Renton City Concert Band, Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center (400 S. Second St.), 2 – 4 p.m. Tickets: $10 (adults), $7 (Students & 50+ Seniors).
Tickets can be purchased at Renton Community Center (1715 SE Maple Valley Hwy), Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center, and at the door on the performance day.
April 2 – Renton Downtown Dragon Pub Crawl, Rain City Market (700 S. 3rd St.), 1-4 p.m. Visit multiple stops (locations to come) for samples and specials in downtown. Tickets include a commemorative cup and a taste or drink specials.
Tickets are $20 and increase to $25 on March 1.
April 5 – Free Museum Day, Renton History Museum (235 Mill Ave. S), 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
April 15 – Dragon Dash 5K/10K Fun Run & Walk, 10 a.m. Open to competitive and fun runners, walkers, and families. Start downtown at Erasmus (826 S 3rd St.) and end at Henry Moses Aquatic Center.
Early bird registration is open. Cost: $28 for 5K; $38 for 10K. Register before April 7 and receive a long-sleeved t-shirt.
April 18 – Free Museum Day, Renton History Museum (235 Mill Ave. S), 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
 In other news this week
A recap of news posted on the city’s social media accounts. You can find us (@cityofrenton) on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter. Renton residents can also find us on Nextdoor.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Arts in Renton
City Council (agendas, documents, and meeting video)
Keep Storm Drains clear
Parks Projects (Arnold, Coulon, Kiwanis)
Pet Microchipping (free for Renton residents)
Recreation Guide (current classes, activities, leagues & events for January to April)
Report issues via Renton Responds
Traffic Projects (information on impact projects)
This Week in Renton
This Week in Renton is posted on the City of Renton’s website where it can be translated. For additional translation services email communications@rentonwa.gov.
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Story ideas or comments: communications@rentonwa.gov
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