hai meals typically consist of either a single dish or it will be rice (khao in Thai) with many complementary dishes served concurrently and shared by all. It is customary to serve more dishes than there are guests at a table.

Thai food was traditionally eaten with the right hand but it is now generally eaten with a fork and a spoon; this was introduced as part of Westernization during the reign of King Mongkut, Rama IV. It was his brother, Vice-king Pinklao, who, after watching demonstration of Western dining etiquette by American missionary Dr. D. B. Bradley, chose only the Western-style fork and spoon from the whole set of table silverware to use at his own dining table. The fork, held in the left hand, is used to push food into the spoon. The spoon is then brought to the mouth. A traditional ceramic spoon is sometimes used for soups. Knives are not generally used at the table. Chopsticks are used primarily for the consumption of noodle soups, but not otherwise used.

It is common practice for Thais and hill tribe peoples in north and northeast Thailand to use sticky rice as an edible implement by shaping it into small, and sometimes flattened, balls by hand which are then dipped into side dishes and eaten. Thai-Muslims frequently eat meals with only their right hands.

Thai food is often served with a variety of sauces (nam chim) and condiments. These may include phrik nam pla/nam pla phrik (consisting of fish sauce, lime juice, chopped chilies and garlic), dried chili flakes, sweet chili sauce, sliced chili peppers in rice vinegar, sriracha sauce, or a spicy chili sauce or paste called nam phrik. In most Thai restaurants, diners can find a selection of Thai condiments, often including sugar or MSG, available on the dining table in small containers with tiny spoons. With certain dishes, such as khao kha mu (pork trotter stewed in soy sauce and served with rice), whole Thai peppers and raw garlic are served in addition. Cucumber is sometimes eaten to cool the mouth after particularly spicy dishes. They often also feature as a garnish, especially with one-dish meals. The plain rice, sticky rice or the khanom chin (Thai rice noodles) served alongside a spicy curry or stir-fry, tends to counteract the spiciness.

A Thai family meal will normally consist of rice with several dishes which form a harmonious contrast of ingredients and ways of preparation. The dishes are all served at the same time. A meal at a restaurant for four people could, for instance, consist of fish in dry red curry (Chu chi pla), a spicy green papaya salad with dried prawns, tomatoes, yardlong beans and peanuts (Som tam Thai), deep fried stuffed chicken wings (Pik kai sot sai thot), a salad of grilled beef, shallots and celery or mint (Yam nuea yang), spicy stir fried century eggs with crispy basil (Khai yiao ma phat kaphrao krop), and a non-spicy vegetable soup with tofu and seaweed (Tom chuet taohu kap sarai) to temper it all (Source: Wikipedia)

Implemented in September 2009, the CodeRED system gives City officials the ability to deliver urgent pre-recorded telephone, cell phone, email or text messages to targeted areas, or the entire community, at a rate of up to 60,000 per hour.

Kent’s Emergency Manager, Dominic Marzano said if your contact information is in the CodeRED database, you will receive a test notification by phone, email and/or text message. “It’s a great way to notify residents with emergency information. While we want to test the system, we don’t want to cause alarm.”

The Cities of Auburn, Renton, and Tukwila, as well as King County will also test their emergency notification systems the same day.

In Kent, all messages will begin with “This is a test of the City of Kent emergency notification system.” If a phone is not answered, the system will try again, up to three times, leaving a message on the final attempt.

Marzano cautioned that the system is only as good as the database supporting it. “While CodeRED begins with an existing database of telephone numbers, no one should automatically assume his or her phone number is included.”If your information is not in the database, you will not be contacted.”

The following individuals are urged to add their information to the database.

* All businesses
* Residents with unlisted phone numbers
* Residents who have changed their phone number or address within the last year
* Residents who use a cellular phone as their primary phone
* Residents who have recently moved, but kept the same listed or unlisted phone number
* Residents who wish to receive text and/or email messages in addition to telephone calls
* Residents who receive their phone service over the Internet

CodeRED is a geographically-based notification system, which means street addresses are needed to select which phone numbers will receive emergency notification calls in a specific emergency. An associated street address is needed for cell phone numbers.

Requested information includes first and last name, street address (physical address—no PO boxes), city, state, zip code, primary phone numbers and additional phone numbers and an email address (optional). Residents and businesses may also choose to receive text or email messages about emergencies, in addition to telephone calls.

CodeRED gives those who want to be included an easy and secure method for doing so, and the information will only be used for emergency notification purposes. Residents and businesses may also opt out of the system entirely if they so choose.

Those without Internet access may contact Kent Emergency Management at 253-856-4440, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to request a registration form by mail.

As one of 25 historic places selected, Herbert Bayer Earthworks will compete in a month long online contest that invites the community to cast votes for the historic places they would like to see receive funding. Now through May 12, the public is encouraged to go to www.PartnersinPreservation.com to vote for and to post personal stories and photos about Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park.

Participants may vote once daily. The site receiving the most votes is guaranteed to receive funding. At the end of the voting period, American Express, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a special Advisory Committee comprised of Seattle-Puget Sound civic and preservation leaders will review the public’s votes along with each site’s preservation needs to determine how the $1 million in preservation grants will be awarded.

Funding from this grant would allow the City of Kent to restore the sculptural and artistic elements of the Earthworks to their original design. This includes restoring the channel that runs through the split ring and connects into the double ring pond. Also included are fixing drainage in the bowls of the park and repaving pathways.

The Earthworks is not only an internationally recognized artwork and popular public park but it also serves as a water detention dam, protecting the Kent Valley from flooding since its opening in 1982. This program provides an incredible opportunity to return Herbert Bayer Earthworks Park to its initial state, combining the functional and aesthetic qualities that make it one of the area’s most unique locations.

About Partners in Preservation
Launched in 2006, Partners in Preservation is a program in which American Express, in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, pledged $5.5 million over a five-year period toward preserving historic places throughout the United States. American Express has already allocated $4.4 million in preservation grants and in support for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which has allowed recipients to make significant progress in achieving their preservation goals.

In this partnership, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation seek to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of historic preservation in the United States and to preserve America’s historic and cultural landmarks. The program also seeks to inspire long-term support from local citizens for the historic places at the heart of their communities.

Contact:
Cheryl dos Remédios, City of Kent
206-437-8357

126 Washington Ave N
Kent, WA 98032
(253) 859-7025

Kennedy brings over five years of experience in the mountain biking industry. As former executive director for the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance (Seattle), Kennedy was responsible for running Washington State’s largest mountain bike trail building and advocacy group. His experience within the industry as well as his knowledge of the local riding community make Kennedy a great fit for Diamondback’s marketing efforts.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Diamondback. I’m really excited about the new Knuckle Box platform and am honored to work for a company that holds supporting local advocacy efforts in such high regard,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy will be replacing Paul Giarratano as marketing manager as of March 10. Giarratano has been with Diamondback Bikes for over six years and has been an invaluable resource to the company. Giarratano will be pursuing other opportunities within the bike industry.

The Kent Police with support from the Washington State Patrol are working hard to prevent the tragic injuries, damage and fatalities of street racing. At 12:10 a.m. last night a group of cars were observed from a distance involved in illegal street racing. The racing was taking place in the parking lot of a private business which was posted “No Trespassing.”

A task force of Kent Police and WSP Troopers quickly went to the location and stopped all 37 vehicles involved in racing or attending illegal races. All 80 occupants were arrested. Two persons were booked in Kent Jail for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and their vehicles were impounded. Four persons were arrested for Reckless driving / racing. Citations were issued to all persons for Trespassing and Attendance at illegal racing. Several citations were issued for driving on a suspended license. Kent Police impounded a total of 6 cars and one motorcycle.

Seven persons arrested were juveniles. They were each released to a parent and charges will be forwarded to the King County Juvenile Court.

Street racing is illegal and dangerous, and race attendance is unlawful and is a crime in the city of Kent. Almost all of the cited persons are from cities in the Puget Sound area but not from Kent.

“There are too many examples of injury and death caused by street racing in western Washington,” said Lieutenant Ken Thomas. “We must continue to enforce the laws regarding this dangerous activity. Our goal is to make the streets of Kent safe for everyone.”

The annual Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration, in its 14th year at Seattle Center, embraces Vietnam’s most popular holiday, welcomes the return of spring and chases out evil spirits with the traditional roaring lion dance and the crackle of firecrackers.

The 2010 Tet Festival showcases Vietnam’s rich and colorful heritage with the special theme “Splendor of Regions of Vietnam.” The two-day, free event features professional performers as well as talented local artists. Festival attendees will have a chance to explore and immerse in Vietnamese culture through unique dances, martial arts, workshops, children’s stories and hand-on activities as well as a crawfish eating contest, Vietnamese cooking demonstrations and the Regions of Vietnam Fashion Show.

The 22 Festal cultural celebrations underscore the unique contributions of ethnic communities in the Pacific Northwest, while highlighting their similarities sown together through comparable artistic expressions, food preparations, creative inspirations and approaches to their own communities and the world at-large. Our 2010 Did you knows will explore some of these commonalities and differences, festival by festival.

Did you know? Colors of the Vietnamese culture: gold and red both for royalty and the color of skin and blood. Most popular foods: applying the principle of yin and yang throughout – Pho noodle soup, spring/shrimp rolls, rice cakes and Vietnamese shrimp pancakes. Greatest source of cultural pride: the four thousand year history of the Vietnamese culture. Livelihood: throughout a thousand years of hardships and war, the Vietnamese culture embodied compassion and a desire for new learning and community spirit. Today, the livelihood is made through food processing, garments, machine building, mining, glass, tires, oil, coal, steel and paper.

Seattle Center Festal: Tet Festival is produced by Seattle Center in partnership with Tet in Seattle. For a full event schedule, visit www.tetinseattle.org and for more information on this cultural series and other Seattle Center programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com.

About Seattle Center Festal

Seattle Center Festal, a series of 22 world festivals presented at Seattle Center on weekends throughout 2010, highlights the distinct cultures and common threads of ethnic communities in our region through traditional and contemporary art, music, foods, youth activities, workshops and more. This collection of cultural events is produced with the generous support of Wells Fargo, Verizon Wireless, KUOW 94.9 Public Radio and Western Washington Toyota Dealers. Additional support is provided by Seattle Center Foundation and the City of Seattle.

“This court is left with no doubt, that under the state’s current financing system, the state is failing in its constitutional duty to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within the borders of this state.”

“The state has made progress towards this constitutional obligation, but remains out of compliance.”

“I hope it changes really quickly while my children are in school, because this was huge to go through this, and I just hope my children get a chance to benefit from this experience.”