Today's Articles

Tukwila - A City with Heart 

Local Artist Depicts Northwest Beauty on Canvas

Sonic Collision Center's Philosophy Drives Decisions
Top of the Inn Still Spinning Views, Value and Song

No Men, No Mirrors

Today's Sponsors

Automatic Data Processing (ADP)

ASAP Insurance

City Kids Child Care

Brian Povolny, Orthodontist

Thrifty Car Rental

Tukwila - A City with Heart
 
Pioneered in the 1850's, this south of Seattle community has always been small. Small describes its size, approximately 8.7 square miles.  It is bordered on the North by Seattle, the South by Kent, the East by Renton and the West by SeaTac.  Small describes the number of residents, close to 18,000.  Small might also describe its school district, three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.  Tukwila might be described as small for any number of reasons, however there is one thing Tukwila is not small in and that is heart.

Heart because, according to Roberta Nelson, Volunteer Coordinator for the city, there is a wonderful sense of community in Tukwila.  There seems to be a high rate of volunteerism from citizens who have lived in the area for a long time.  She would love to encourage new Tukwila residents to become as involved.  People are so willing to volunteer in Tukwila that Roberta is looking at new ways of matching people to opportunities.  She credits long-time citizens with imparting spirit and enthusiasm within the community.  That spirit is definitely fostered by Mayor Steven M. Mullet and City Administrator, John McFarland.  The Mayor's office has an open door policy and all citizens of Tukwila, both corporate and residential, are made welcome anytime they come to City Hall.  She also credits Christy O'Flaherty for designing and placing a very accessible website. You can visit the Tukwila website at www.ci.tukwila.wa. 

Heart because two major platforms that define Tukwila's essence are family and education.  These themes resound whenever Tukwila voters cast their ballots. In the last decade alone this less than affluent community approved and spent $60 million on schools and education.  This is remarkable when you consider the transient state of this community.  The yearly turnover rate within the school district is 35%.  A major concern, the school and city are partnering to seek creative ways to turn this statistic around.  Less than 40% of Tukwila's residents are homeowners living in single-family residences. 

Heart, because affordable homes, jobs, crime reduction and public safety are high priorities with Mayor Mullet and the community.  Accordingly, a metamorphosis will begin this spring on Tukwila International Boulevard between 154th and 139th.  Known to residents as Tukwila Village, this face-lift will include underground utilities, sidewalks, tree-lined streets and brilliant lighting; banishing forever the old terms that used to describe Tukwila like "the strip".  Desiring to create a gathering place for its residents the newly developed area will boast significant architectural design.  A complete urban center is planned in this 1.25 square mile area with a significant high quality, high density, multiple family development.  Likewise Cascade View will get a new park on 37th Avenue. 

Tukwila, the sixth largest employment center in the state, was directly affected September 11th.  In a normal year the city sees a 4-5% revenue growth in sales tax receipts.  However this year with the economy in decline, receipts are expected to flat line.  This is a big issue and city officials face the question of how to sustain high levels of service to the community with reduced revenue levels.  John McFarland, City Administrator, states, "Even in the face of these grave issues, the mayor is very positive and enthusiastic about 2002."  They are still moving forward, making conservative decisions.  Ever the optimist, McFarland sees the people of Tukwila refocusing on the truly important things in their lives, less about self and more about others. 
      

Local Artist Depicts Northwest Beauty on Canvas

SeaTac painter and photographer, Harry Johnson, has produced hundreds of works of art.  Many of these paintings portray Pacific Northwest landscapes and wildlife. 

Johnson has displayed his work in art shows throughout the country, allowing him to travel.  On average, Johnson attends about 26 shows every year, one every weekend for a half a year.  While at shows, Johnson has been able to gain new inspirations for future paintings as well as share some of his ideas with others.  "Art is more than just painting.  Art gets you out among other people," Johnson said.

Johnson has been a part of various shows including Arts for the Parks, the National Wilderness Show, the Audubon Alaska Wildlife Art Show and the Pacific Rim Wildlife Art Show Series.  Johnson has also been awarded many honors and awards for his work.  His favorite award won was through the People's Choice Awards, for his work entitled Tumwater Canyon. 

Johnson's career turning point occurred in 1987, when he competed with 4,000-5,000 other artists and ended up being named as one of the top 100 national parks artists by the Arts for the Parks Association.  Not long after making the top 100 list, the National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA) sponsored a series and requested that Johnson's national parks paintings be displayed in various buildings according to their park locations throughout the United States.  The NPCA series was produced by W.S. George and the Bradford Exchange.

"It had always been a dream of mine [to win such recognition].  This was the first time I began getting national recognition for my work and I started making many contacts," said Johnson.

Johnson has been painting for as long as he can remember.  Johnson developed an interest in art when he was only three years of age.  By the age of 17, Johnson was actively attending art shows.

A number of years ago while working for an art gallery, Johnson secured a $27,000 commission for painting a progressive scene of the biblical book of Daniel, the third chapter.  The painting had a neo-Babylonian style, complete with soldiers, horses and chariots.  The painting is now displayed in Israel.

Johnson currently has about ten of his painted pieces on display at New Master's Gallery in Carmel, California. 

Johnson also enjoys spending time in Leavenworth.  Johnson spends his summers in the Bavarian/German mountain village, displaying much of his artwork at shows there. 

While outdoors, Johnson at times will paint nature and the countryside.  "You become so focused and at peace while painting; you get captivated by your surroundings.  You don't just paint an image, you experience the image.  You also get to take the scene home with you; the challenge is getting other people to see what you have seen," Johnson said.  Johnson also paints from pictures in his head.

Johnson uses acrylic, gauche (opaque water color), oil, pen and ink, and water color to create his art pieces.  The paintings are usually painted on canvas. Johnson also spends a majority of his time working archival reproduction; he uses an archival printing press to generate faithful reproductions of the original paintings, both of his own as well as various other artists. 

Archival reproduction allows an artist to maintain a painting's best possible quality; this technique provides the customer with paintings that hold their texture without fading for up to 200 years, looking like the original.

"The market has now taken a direction more toward archival reproduction.  So, I've spent a good amount of money on equipment for jobs that involve reproductions," Johnson said.

Sonic Collision Center's Philosophy Drives Decisions

Located in SeaTac at 19249 Des Moines Memorial Drive, Sonic Collision Center has a simple philosophy for customer service.  Owner Cameron Campbell summarizes it this way, "I think about this...What if this were my mom's car?"

This philosophy drives many of the center's strategic decisions.  It drove the decision to partner with major insurance companies so as to provide customers with high quality service and seamless insurance processing.  It also drove the decision to move the center's office space to a separate building that is open, airy, comfortable, and gleamingly clean.

In the early 1990's, Allstate Insurance Company piloted a direct repair service program for auto collision repair that resembles healthcare's managed care model.  The program involved collision care providers throughout the country that would meet those standards.

While many area collision care providers saw the trend as an intrusion into their business practices, Campbell saw it as an extension of his philosophy of providing excellent customer service. In addition, he recognized the program as the trend for the future.  As other major insurance companies (Farmers, Safeco and State Farm) followed the trend, Sonic Collision Center actively pursued and secured partnerships with them.

The upside for customers is better service, reduced cycle times, lower costs, and lifetime guarantees.  And there appears to be no downside for customers.  Sonic Collision Center's spacious guest area provides customers with plenty of seats, fresh coffee, current reading materials and a play corner for children.  Customers are greeted with a friendly smile upon entering the store.  Transportation for customers and/or their vehicles is made readily available.  Individuals desiring service while they travel are provided with transportation to and from SeaTac Airport free of charge.  Arrangements for rental cars are made by the center with the insurance agent and rental companies with no effort on the part of the customer.
 

Top of the Inn Still Spinning Views, Value and Song

A pleasant, affordable dining experience awaits you at the Top of the Inn.  And, ironically, it is found just there...at the top of the inn, the Holiday Inn, located at 17338 International Boulevard. 

Located on the 12th floor of the Holiday Inn, the airy, spacious dining room seats approximately 200.  A beautiful baby grand piano sits center stage on the "Revolving Round".  This portion of the dining area completes one revolution an hour, providing exquisite panoramic views of the airport, Mt. Rainier and the Olympic Mountains during the dinner hours.  You may also choose window seating as both the north and south walls are floor to ceiling windows.

While the events of September 11 brought some slowing to this establishment, Austin Springs, Food & Beverage Director for the Inn, feels things are going remarkably well.  With the initial decline of the hotel census due to sluggish corporate travel, the restaurant saw a slight sag in receipts.  However, local businesses and residents have rediscovered the extraordinary value provided by the Inn.  Businesses have opted away from some of the higher priced hotels on the boulevard, booking business meetings and banquets at the more affordable Inn.  And they haven't been disappointed. 

This full service restaurant will please the budget conscious for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  Breakfast and lunch are served daily from 6:00 a.m. through 1:30 p.m.  The breakfast buffet, served until 11:00 a.m. features cooked to order omelets and waffles.  Beautiful chafing dishes contain breakfast meats, eggs and quick breads such as pancakes and French toast.  A bounty of fresh made Danish, fruits and cereals are also provided for those wishing lighter fare.  At the reasonable daily price of $9.49, this may be the best breakfast buffet value on the boulevard. 

The lunch menu highlights burgers made of the finest Black Angus Beef and favorites such as Tempura Prawns, Tempura Halibut & Chips and Chicken Breast Tenderloin Strips.  You may order from the lunch menu during lunchtime or dinnertime. 

Patrons enjoy the singing wait staff each evening at dinner.  A unique feature, each staff member, excluding the chef and his cook staff, are required to break forth in song.  While you won't necessarily hear an aria or your busser beltin' the blues, you will find immense enjoyment in the wide variety of pop music and show tunes that keep your toe tapping through dessert. 

Resident chef, Kevin Davis provides a plethora of dinner entrees that will please your palate.  The always-favorite Steak section of the menu has customers commenting regularly that the mouth-watering Filet Oscar and Top Sirloin outshine the like from such notable establishments as The Metropolitan Grill and Ruth's Chris Steak House.  The Inn also has an extensive wine list.  Chianti, Ecco Domani, Italy and Syrah, Anapamu, Calif. are the patron preferred favorites.

No Men, No Mirrors

Jerilyn and Sandy are long-time friends.  Previous roommates at University of Missouri - Columbia, these two women living in Des Moines, Iowa and Burien, Wash., respectively, have managed to maintain their long-distance friendship and now have a joint business venture as co-owners of the recently opened Curves for Women, located at 17694 1st Avenue S in Burien.  Jerilyn first introduced Sandy to Curves while she was visiting Iowa. 

This is no ordinary gym.  When you walk into this facility, the first thing you notice is the brightly painted exercise room; the second thing you notice is the upbeat music and thirdly the friendly staff.  You then begin to notice that there are no mirrors or men.  This unique "women only" fitness center offers busy women a full body workout in 30 minutes using a push/pull resistance program that strengthens the whole body. 

Gary Heavin, Founder & C.E.O. of Curves International Inc. writes in his book, Permanent Results without Permanent Dieting, "The Quickfit breakthrough is "hydraulic resistance."  Strength training machines alternate with aerobic recovery stations.  You change stations every 35 seconds as you move around the circuit three times.  Heart rates are checked every eight minutes to allow you to adjust your intensity to stay at your target level.  Hydraulic resistance is safe like aquatic exercise only you are able to isolate muscle groups and create adequate resistance to overload the muscle.  The first and last few minutes are slowly performed for warm up and cool down.  You end your 30-minute workout with a stretching routine." 

This form of strength training has been well received by both physicians and massage therapists alike.  The hydraulic machines are also very disability friendly.  Locally, Curves has some members who are visually handicapped, on oxygen therapy, have muscular sclerosis or fibromyalgia. Jerilyn says, "Anybody who can walk in the door can use our facility and be successful." 

Curves International Inc. is the world's largest fitness center franchise and was entered into the Guinness World Records as such in 2001.  Headquartered in Waco, Texas, Curves has locations in every U.S. state, every province in Canada and Spain.  On average the franchise opens a new location every 12 hours.  They've accomplished this without the use of advertising.  The first official use of advertising will roll out in November of this year.  You can visit the Curves International website at www.curvesforwomen.com. 

Today's Sponsors

Automatic Data Processing (ADP)

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Call for a free consultation and let ADP show you why more than 9,000 businesses in Washington State with an average of 9 employees have chosen to utilize their services.

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Call (206) 819-ASAP (2727)

for a Free Quote Today! 

Located in downtown Renton on the Piazza across from the Renton Metro Transit Center, City Kids Child Care offers you and your child an opportunity to experience a caring and unique Toddler, Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten program in a state-of-the-art facility.

For more information phone Linda F. Collins at 425.255.9556.

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Thrifty offers many specials on their website:  Car Rental, Airport Parking, Auto Services and Tomaso's Espresso.   For more details go to www.thriftynorthwest.com.

For a local contact call Joe Gentile at 206.255.0737.

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Purpose:  CeSI's Business Forum is designed to promote communications between businesses located or operating in Burien, SeaTac, Normandy Park and Tukwila, Washington.  The newsletter is distributed monthly, every third Thursday morning.

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