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News You Can Use
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A study session (3 p.m.) to discuss the
Train to the
Mountain feasibility study, Motorola digital receivers contract, Tacoma
Power support for Salishan and the Ft. Lewis/McChord Conservation
Acquisition Agreement with the Bonneville Power Administration.
Class and comp study
updates available
For the latest information on the City’s Classification and Total
Compensation Study, visit
www.cityoftacoma.org/classandcomp, where you’ll find updates on what
work is done and what’s coming up, names of employees assigned to particular
workgroups and an extensive list of frequently asked questions. For more
information on the Class and Comp Study, contact
Chris Gleason, Community &
Media Services, 502-8222.
Show Outlook time as “busy” to lock in conference rooms
When booking conference rooms in Outlook, meeting organizers need to select
“show time as busy” (the default selection). If you pick “show time as
private,” the room approver cannot open the
e-mail, and if you select “show time as free,” the system accepts other
requests for the same time and can double-book the room.
Daylight-saving time can affect Outlook for October 28 to November 3
Some people
could experience a glitch in Outlook calendaring for appointments scheduled
between October 28 and November 3. This is related to the extension of
daylight-saving time (DST) Congress approved in 2005. It affects meetings
previously scheduled during the extended DST period. It should not
affect meetings you schedule now or during the affected time periods. Just
in case, though, Information Technology recommends that when you schedule
new meetings during the extended DST period, you put the time of the meeting
in the body or subject line of the meeting request so attendees can ensure
they have the correct meeting time. If you are the meeting organizer and
your meeting appears at the wrong time between October 28 and November 3,
you will need to cancel/delete the original meeting and recreate it. Contact your area’s computer support
representative with questions.
Click! sponsors Tacoma Film Festival through October 11
Click! Cable TV is proud to sponsor the Tacoma Film Festival through October
11.
Seventy-two films, running between two minutes and two hours, will be
screened during the weeklong festival at the Grand Cinema, Tacoma Art Museum
and Tacoma's School of the Arts. Click! customers can learn more and preview
of one of the films, “South 5: True Grit,” by using Click! On Demand. “South
5: True Grit” was the only local film shown on the festival’s opening night,
October 4, and it features Mitch Robinson, Click! manager of marketing and
business operations. For more information, visit
www.tacomafilmfestival.com.
October CityScape examines automated water meter reading
TV Tacoma’s October CityScape program looks at Tacoma Water’s automated
meter reading trials in the Wapato Park area. Producer John Phillips, TV
Tacoma, interviews project engineer Tony Lindgren and project coordinator
Morgan Johnson. CityScape airs all month on Channel 12 on Mondays at 10
a.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.; Tuesdays at 8 a.m., 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Wednesdays
at 3 p.m. and midnight; Thursdays at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.; Fridays at 2 a.m., 1
p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 1 a.m., 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at
4 a.m., 8 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. Check local listings for replay times
outside of Tacoma.
Load up your
shelves at Utilities People Book Fair October 16 and 17
The Utilities People Book Fair will be in the Cafeteria on Tuesday, October
16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Wednesday, October 17, from 9 a.m. to 1
p.m. New, premium-quality, hardcover gardening books, cookbooks, children’s
books, best-sellers and tomes on history, sports, nature and much more will
be available, all for 40 to 70 percent off retail prices.
Eerie coincidence? You make the call
—
Utilities
People Halloween Costume Contest is October 31
Ghoulies, ghosties, long-leggedy beasties and other things that go bump in
the night are invited to the annual Utilities People Halloween Costume
Contest on Wednesday, October 31, in the Cafeteria. Contestants should be in
the Cafeteria by 9:45 a.m. to register. Judging will begin at 10 a.m. The
scariest, funniest, best disguise and people's choice winners each will
receive $25; the best group (three or more people) will win $100. Spectators
can enjoy the costumes, try to guess who's who and enjoy free coffee and
cookies compliments of Utilities People.
See the Christmas lights in Leavenworth on December 8
Mark your calendar now for the Utilities People bus trip to Leavenworth for
the Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, December 8. The bus will
leave from the Administration Building by the fountain at 7 a.m. and return
at about 9 p.m. The cost of $25 for members and $30 for non-members includes
the bus trip and refreshments. Reservations will be accepted soon; watch
Newsline for more information.
TPU musicians called for recording gig
— CD
sales will benefit Community Connection
Do you compose music, or do you know of a fellow employee who writes and
performs music? If so, here is an opportunity. The first-ever TPU music
project is seeking artists, and we could have a track waiting for you. But
time is running out on this showcase for TPU musicians. The work will be
compiled onto a CD that will be sold to benefit Community Connection. For
more information, contact Randy
Stearnes, Community & Media Services, 502-8224.
Need a speed-filing cabinet? Check with Retirement Office
The Retirement Office has seven Times 2 Speed Filing Cabinets available for
purchase. These cabinets have an estimated resale value of $2,400, but
Retirement will let them go at a very steep discount and is entertaining
offers. The cabinets are currently disassembled, but
go to
www.saltcityrecords.com/productinfo/times_two_speed_file_
pages/times_two_speed_file_letter_size_units.htm to view a similar product. Contact
Kelli Boettger, 591-5294, for information.
Heed the call of the NFL in Cafeteria football contest
In
week four of the Cafeteria football contest, Brian Brent, Click! Network, correctly chose the
best, picking 11 of 14 winning teams. It came down to Monday Night Football
between Duc Vuong, Water Supply, on Cincinnati and Brian on New England. The winner for week five will be
posted Tuesday morning. Ballots for week six are in the Cafeteria and must
be turned in by Friday, October 5, at 4 p.m. One entry per person per
week. The person who picks the most winners each week earns a $10 Cafeteria
food card and an entry in the Super Bowl contest at the end of the year. The
winner of the Super Bowl contest takes home a $50 gift card to the Outback
Steakhouse.
Giving Back
This Thursday, October 11 — United Way campaign ends, bake sale
and
Zucchini 500
on tap
Just a few days remain in TPU’s 2007 United Way campaign. To date, 285
employees have pledged more than $71,500 to United Way. To reach our goal of
50 percent participation, employees need to return pledge forms to area
coordinators or to
Erika Tucci,
Community & Media Services, by this Thursday, October 11. Even if you use
eWay to donate electronically — or if you choose not to donate — please
return your form to help coordinators track campaign results. Note that in
2006, 582 employees pledged more than $160,000 to the United Way.
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Bake Sale
— Bring desserts to
the Auditorium Conference Room for hungry Zucchini 500 racers and
observers. Goodies sold on a donation basis from 1 p.m. until they're
gone. For more information, contact
Debbie Bertram or
Debbie Scott, 502-8918.
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Zucchini 500
—
Time trials start at 3 p.m. in the Auditorium, and the
cost to enter is $5. To get a kit or for more information, contact
Debbie Bertram or
Debbie Scott, 502-8918.
Werlin tutors needed for first- and second-grade readers
The Werlin Reading Teams program helps struggling first- and second-grade
students in Tacoma learn to read by providing one-on-one tutoring sessions
during the school year. One tutoring team from Tacoma Public Utilities will
be visiting McCarver Elementary on Thursdays at 11 am to spend 45 minutes
with students. If you would like to join this group, contact
Randy Stearnes, Community & Media Services, 502-8224. Other days and
times are available. For a complete schedule, contact Werlin Reading Teams
at 571-3970.
Blood
donors are priceless
"Countess Vampira" Vivian Leach, Finance, thanks the 53
silent
heroes who donated a bit of themselves to save someone else on September 20.
Two were first-time donors — thank you! The heroes were Matt Ahola, Clifford
Lattish, Gregory Reda, Tom Arter, David Lee, Gina Rich, Michele Blanchard,
Shannon Long, Ian Riensche, Diana Burroughs, Roy Novato, Steve Roberts, Herb
Campbell, Debra MacDonald, Scott Roose, Sean Campbell,
Paula Mazurka, Tim Ross, Susan Cearley, Bradley McLane, Matthew Roy, Jeff
Christensen, Steve Merriam, Jeff Rusler, Tom Clarke, Doug Minch, Francis
Sammy, Robert Collins, Rick Munson, Jon Sigafoos, Bruce Conyers, Josh
Newman, Anne-Marie VanWart, Ryan Flynn, Erik Nyhus, Robert Vasquez, Sheri
Hayes, Erin O'Brien-Smith, Vladimir Yerokhin, Pam Hefley, Lane Peckham, Mark
Horst, Michel Peloquin, Robert Jensen, Bob Peters, Marsha Johnson, Maris
Peters, Tony Kendall, Jan Pieper, Allen Knesal, Mark Pigman, Liz Larson and
Russ Post.
Two employees eligible for donated PTO or sick leave
Simon Torres,
Click! Network; and Cinda Johnson, Cushman
Project, are eligible to receive donated PTO or sick leave. To donate,
contact your timekeeper or Public Utilities Human Resources, 502‑8158, for a
PTO/sick leave donation form. You also can download the form from the Human
Resources section of CityWeb.
Get Smart
Supervisors will be
scheduled for new training
A new,
two-day Basic Supervisory Training is kicking off on Monday, October 22.
Expect to hear from your supervisor or your area’s training representative
about scheduling. The courses will run through February 15, 2008. If you
have questions, contact
Sheryl Brown, Human Resources, 502-8511.
Pick a day for
field staff
conference at King Oscar Motel
—
October 24 or
25
This unique conference, called "Check Your Gauges, Tune Up Your Skills,"
covers a range of subjects and is designed for public-sector employees whose
work takes them out into the community. Learn about defensive driving,
communicating with customers, staying healthy, personal safety, staff
relations and much more. For more information, see the conference
brochure and
session schedule. To register, go to
www.regonline.com/140264. For additional assistance, contact the conference coordinator,
Patricia Cunningham, at 460-3902.
For Your Benefit
Guide gives concise lowdown on benefits
The newest
version of the
Benefits Quick Reference Guide includes information on medical, dental
and vision coverage; the deferred compensation plan; vacation; sick leave;
and other subjects. If you would like a printed copy, contact
Aaron Moe, Human Resources, 502-8323.
Thinking about retiring?
Attend information session on November 14; sign up by November 9
On Wednesday, November 14, at 11 a.m. in the City Council Chambers, the
Retirement Office will present general information on the retirement system,
benefit improvements and the deferred compensation plan. If you’d like to
attend, contact the Retirement Office, 591-2035, by Friday, November 9. If
you cannot attend, Retirement has a DVD/CD combo of the session.
October is Breast Cancer
Awareness Month — Early screening can be extremely important
The National Cancer
Institute notes that screening can help doctors find cancer early. And
treatment is more likely to work well before cancer is allowed to advance.
Your doctor could suggest the following screening tests for breast cancer:
You should ask your
doctor about when to start and how often to check for breast cancer. The
institute’s Web site at
www.cancer.gov has more information about these screening
options.
The mammogram van from Swedish Medical Center will be available
December 3, 4 and 5 in the Market Street parking lot across from the Tacoma
Municipal Building, as well as on December 12 and 13 in the TPU parking lot.
Appointments can be made with Swedish at 206-320-2500 or
breastcareexpress@swedish.org. Mammograms are typically considered
preventive and are covered at 100 percent by City health plans. For more
information, contact
Shannon Hoffman, Human Resources, 591-5823.
What's Happening & When
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Week of October
8-12: Building evacuation exercise for entire Public Utilities
Complex. Contact
Rick
Herrmann, 502-8226; or
Anne-Marie VanWart,
502-8471, with questions.
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October 10 and 11:
Learn to complete procurement card transactions in new XiBuy software,
multiple times each day in
1½-hour sessions
in the Tacoma Municipal Building North Computer Room.
Pre-registration is required. Contact
Kim Kerner, 502-8889;
Mike Tipton, 502-8426;
Jeff
Christensen, 502-8625; Patsy Best,
502-8252; or Richelle Krienke, 502-8877.
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October 12:
Deadline for
business units to submit the online form to be considered for
addition to the 2007/2008 SAP Work Plan. The new SAP
Work Request Process page is located on CityWeb under
Departments/Information Technology/SAP.
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October 15: Last day for Community Connection's
peanut butter and jelly drive. Donation boxes are in the Cafeteria, Generation (third floor) and Customer
Services (main floor).
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Through the end of October: 2008 Entertainment Book sales benefit Utilities People.
The book costs $20 and is valid through November 1, 2008; the 2007 book is
still valid until November 1 this year. To purchase your Entertainment Book,
contact Rick Herrmann, 502-8226;
Liz Larson,
502-8769; or
Jan Pieper, 502-8452.
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November 1 and 2:
Community Connection Holiday Craft Sale. There is a $5 per day business license charge for vendors; 10 percent of sales will help purchase grocery cards for low-income seniors.
Contact Julie Arnestad,
Energy Services, 502-8538.
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November
13:
Employees located at TPU can receive free flu shots during the health fair on Tuesday,
November 13.
(Shots also available at the Tacoma Municipal Building on November 6.)
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November 30:
Last
day to complete a confidential Mayo
Clinic health risk assessment. Receive a personalized report
plus a $25 gift card good at more than
300 merchants.
Register or log on at
www.cityoftacomawellness.org. Click the Health Risk
Assessment link, complete the assessment and follow the directions
to receive your gift card.
(It will take about 48 hours before you receive the
e-mail link that allows you to redeem your gift card.)
For more information, contact
Becky Lee, 591-5116.
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December 12 and 13:
Now upgraded with digital technology, the mammogram vans from Swedish
Medical Center will be at TPU giving free mammograms to employees. Watch Newsline for
appointment information. Contact
Shannon Hoffman,
591-5823, with questions.
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January 30 to February 4:
Annual excursion to Big Mountain (now Whitefish
Mountain) in Montana. $525 or less per person includes train to and from
Whitefish, Montana; bus to the mountain; and hotel accommodations. Discounts
available for kids. Contact
Josh Newman, Click! Network,
502-8442.
Bargain Shopping
Submit
your ad to Newsline
Ads run in two issues of Newsline.
The deadline to submit ads is 10 a.m. Fridays. E-mail
Newsline, or call editor Laurel Willoughby, 502-8754,
if you don't have e-mail access.
Please include at least your first name,
and phone number or e-mail in your ad. Ads
for business activities, online auction ads and calls for charity
sponsorship are not allowed. About once a month, ads
will be borrowed from the Cafeteria bulletin board and included in
Newsline.
- Huge moving sale:
big-screen TV with matching glass stand, smaller TV, black leather
loveseat and recliner, glass coffee and end tables, large mirror (goes
over fireplace mantle, etc.), vacuum cleaner, computer chair, shop vac,
much more. Pictures of the larger items available. Make offers.
Laurel, 502-8754.
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For sale: 1961 30'
wood Chris Craft Cabin Cruiser. Twin 327 Chevy engines w/less than 100
hrs. on rebuilds. Great Boat! 2005 survey value $10,000, asking $7,900.
Dan, 253-381-8820.
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For sale: 2003
Ford Lariat pick-up with crew cab, four-door, excellent condition,
leather interior, power windows, power back window and sun roof. New
tires, Line-X in the bed. 40,000 miles. $19,900. Debbie,
732-2863 or 848-9397.
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For rent: very nice 3-bedroom, 1-bath house in Browns Point.
Two-car garage, large fenced backyard. $1,350/month, plus deposit. No
pets. Available October 31. Stephanie, 927-3355.
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