The Governor's Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAAC) will hold a joint meeting with the State's Veteran Service Organization Commanders from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2010 Camp Murray, Tacoma in Building 34. The meeting is open to the public and will include a strategic planning session and the opportunity for those in attendance to provide input into the future of services for veterans and their families in Washington State. Topics to be discussed include:

· Census and marketing strategies for the three State Veterans Homes

· Planning for the future at the Soldiers Home

· Capitalizing on new Federal VA resources to end homelessness among veterans

· Furthering outreach efforts to generate increased awareness among veterans and families

Lunch will be available for $4.00 to those who RSVP their attendance to april@dva.wa.gov or 360-725-2167 no later than Tuesday, Jan 19, 2010.

Remember: There is still time to sign up for the spring Early Stage Memory Loss seminar. ESML gets underway February 23, and enrollment is underway now. Sponsored by the Western & Central Washington Alzheimer's Association and hosted by Senior Services for South Sound, this course is for both persons with early stage dementia and their primary caregivers/companions. Every Tuesday for 8 weeks, we will live facilitated discussions on legal, medical, social issues and strategies in identifying and coping with dementia and its attendant problems. There is a screening and enrollment process. For more information, call Patrick, Carolyn or Joan at (360) 586-4491. If interested in enrolling, contact Samantha Woodward, Social Services Assistant at the W&C Alzheimer's Association: phone 206-363-5500 ext 229; email: Samantha.Woodward@alz.org, or: www.alzwa.org

ODA Music in the Park is now accepting talent for 2010 concerts, presented by the Olympia Downtown Association. Concerts are every Wednesday in July & August at Sylvester Park. One additional concert scheduled at the Port Plaza, Friday Aug. 6. Talent is chosen end of February. To be considered for concert booking, send CD, photo, bio & press material no later than February 15, 2010 to:

Olympia Downtown Association, 120 State Ave. NE, PMB #1031, Olympia, WA 98501-8212

For more information contact Vida Zvirzdys-Farler, (360) 357-8948, odaevent@tss.net or visit www.MusicInTheParkOlympia.com

Lay off information and presentation links:

If you have been designated for lay off check out the DOP link to the layoff presentation schedule here.

Additional information on layoff information and resources is available here.

March 19 Deadline - The Washington State Productivity Board is asking state workers to nominate individuals at all levels of management who show exemplary leadership for the Leadership Award. The award will be given to state government managers, supervisors, directors and others who demonstrate at least one of the following attributes: vision; commitment to service; significant contributions to the advancement of state government; personal integrity; and inspirational. “State employees are hard workers, and it’s always worthwhile to highlight those who go above and beyond in their service to our great state,” said Secretary of State Sam Reed, whose office administers the Productivity Board. Forms for the 2010 award are available at www.sos.wa.gov/productivityboard/. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2010.

Jan. 18, Mon.: Martin Luther King Day - A State Holiday - State Offices are Closed.

Jan. 18, Mon.: Honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Washington State History Museum with performances, a keynote address, a jazz exhibit, and extended hours and FREE admission to the museum all day. The History Museum is extending operating hours until 6 p.m. during this celebration of Dr. King's life. At 11 a.m., catch a screening of Tacoma's Civil Rights Struggle: African Americans Leading the Way, a documentary about Tacoma's civil rights activists by Sidney Lee. The film will be shown again at 1 p.m. Lyle Quasim, former secretary of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services and a civil rights activist, will deliver a keynote address about the importance Dr. King's life and legacy at 2 p.m. Directly following Quasim's address, the Kim Archer Band will perform songs of tribute to Dr. King. While at the History Museum, check out Jackson Street After Hours: The Roots of Jazz in Seattle, to learn about African Americans building a lasting jazz movement in Seattle. This annual event brings in around 1,800 guests. More at www.WashingtonHistory.org

Jan. 18, Mon., 11:00 am - 1:00 pm: BIG BRUNCH at the Great Wolf Lodge to celebrate 25 years of service to families in the community. The Annual BBBS Fundraiser hosted by the Great Wolf Lodge and includes up to 2 youth guests per adult. For more information call (360) 943-0409 or e-mail: julie@swwabigs.org

BSC Global Taste Bud Tour - Start the year enjoying the flavors of Italy, France, Norway and other global cuisine through Bayview School of Cooking's (BSC) offerings. With no passport required, attend one or all of these tasty classes. All four classes take place from 6-8:30 p.m., include complementary wine pairing and are $45. They will be held at the Bayview School of Cooking demonstration kitchen on the second floor mezzanine of Bayview Thriftway in downtown Olympia. For additional information or to register for a class, call 360.754.1448. For information on other BSC offerings, visit www.BayviewSchoolofCooking.com

Jan 18, Mon. - A World Tour of Soups

It's an international soup kitchen when Chef John Edwards navigates students on a global quest to new taste discoveries. Students prepare Paella Soup (Spanish), Tortilla Soup with Chicken, Lime and Smoked Chilies (Mexican), Sweet and Sour Soup (Chinese) and Mulligatawny Soup (Anglo-Indian). Hands-on Adult Class.

Jan. 20, Wed. - Rustic Stews from La Cucina

Instructor Christine Ciancetta's dishes are everything to "stew" about! The quintessential Italian ingredients give culinary character to Pork and Borlotti Bean Stew (seasoned with rosemary), Lamb Stew with Lemon and Garlic, Fried Semolina Polenta Squares and Braised Greens with Pecorino Cheese.

Jan. 26, Tues. - A French Fireside Supper

A warm hearth, a glass of burgundy and a baguette is all that's needed to complete the French dining experience for Chef Thierry Liot's featured entrée Boeuf Bourguignon with Boiled Potatoes. This slowly braised beef in wine with mushrooms and onions typifies French comfort food. Chef Thierry's Salade de Chevre Chaud and Classic Crème Carmel share the table of classical French cuisine.

Jan. 27, Wed. - A Norwegian Smörgasbord

Instructor Nancy Judge's trip to Norway broadened her scope of Scandinavia's culinary attributes. Students taste the country's fish and potato staples in Gravlax with Sweet Dill Mustard Sauce, Savory Havarti Cheese Cookies with Caraway, Norwegian Stuffed Potato Patties (Fylte Potetfritadellar) and Meatballs with Spiced Cream Sauce.

Jan. 22, Fri.: The Washington State Heritage Center presents “Washington’s First Women in Government” exhibit, a celebration of 100 years of Women’s Suffrage in Washington State, in the lobby of the Office of the Secretary of State in the Legislative Building.

Jan. 27, Wed.: Deadline for ads, articles and insertions for the February 2010 FTE News Magazine at: FTEmag@comcast.net

Jan. 30, Sat., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m: The Economic Survival Fair offers everything from free legal advice to haircuts at The Olympia Center on 222 Columbia St. NW in Olympia. Free tax preparation is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Economic Survival Fair is lead by the Volunteer Center and co-hosted by United Community AIDS Network, Crisis Clinic of Thurston and Mason Counties, United Way of Thurston County, Family Education and Support Services, Family Support Center, Thurston County CASA, and Center for Community Based Learning and Action at the Evergreen State College. Key Bank, OBEE Credit Union, Olympia Federal Savings, Rotary Club of South Puget Sound, ROXY 94.5 FM, MIXX 96.FM, and KGY 96.9 FM sponsored this year’s fair. For more information about the fair call 360-741-2622 or visit the Volunteer Center’s web site at www.volunteer.ws

Feb. 3, Wed.: Your February 2010 issue of the FTE News Magazine will be available online today, with delivery beginning in Tumwater, Lacey, and West Olympia on Wednesday; Thursday in Olympia. Due to changes in Postal Regulations and increased postal costs plus saving the environment, the FTE News Magazine will no longer be mailed to all state offices. Please inform your co-workers to view current issues online 24/7 at www.ftemag.com

Feb. 4, Thurs., 7:00 PM: Free and public event at The Evergreen State College: World Renowned Mountaineer Dan Mazur to speak on Wilderness Ethics and What the Mountains Teach. at the Longhouse Education and Cultural Center. Parking is $2.

Feb. 15, Mon.: President’s Day - A State Holiday - State Offices are Closed.

Feb. 17, Wed., 11:30 am: Productivity Board Innovations in State Government Awards in the Capitol Rotunda.

Feb. 19, Fri., 5:00 PM: Deadline for Extra Mile Award Nominations.

Mar.14, Sun.: Daylight Saving Time begins

Mar. 20, Sat.: Spring Begins

posted by FTEmag.com Staff at 12:01 AM