December 31, 2003

Design Detailings: Feb. 5 UW course on engineering ethics

The University of Washington College of Engineering is offering a day course, Applied Engineering Ethics, on Feb. 5.

The course examines case studies of ethical challenges based on interviews with professionals in the Northwest. Case studies represent a range of civil engineering specialties including design, construction, transportation and environmental. Participants will examine the dilemma, what course of action was taken and the outcome. The course will earn .7 CEUs/7 PDHs in continuing educations units. Cost is $310.

The instructors are Michael Hrachovec and David Perry.

Hrachovec is a principal in Miramar Group, an engineering and project management consulting firm. He has done training programs in design and maintenance of stormwater treatment facilities, water quality and the Endangered Species Act.

Perry is a professor of ethics at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., and former director of ethics programs at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. He is an analyst of business and ethics issues, and has developed and taught university-level ethics courses for eight years.

For information, call (206) 543-5539, fax (206) 543-2352 or e-mail Stephanie Strom at sstrom@u.washington.edu, or Stacy Williamson at stacyw@u.washington.edu.

Cultural projects awarded $926,000

The Cultural Development Authority of King County recently announced 2003 Cultural Facility awards totaling $926,000 to 56 arts and heritage projects. Funds will be used for construction, renovation and acquisition of property for cultural facilities, and for the purchase of equipment.

"Lower interest rates have enabled many arts and heritage museums, performing and visual arts groups to build and equip new spaces, despite the current fundraising climate," said Jim Kelly, CDA executive director. The Cultural Facilities Program provides support for capital construction projects of all sizes.

Some of this year's award recipients:

Wing Luke Asian Museum will receive $140,000 for acquisition and renovation of the Kong Yick Building in the International District, which will become the museum's new home in 2007.

Meadowbrook Farm Interpretive Center near North Bend will receive $40,000 to complete construction of an interpretive center and classroom.

Cornish College of the Arts will receive $75,000 to help complete the renovation of its new home in the Denny Triangle.

Seattle Academy of Fine Art has moved into the St. Nicholas Building on Capitol Hill, which was vacated by Cornish College prior to its move to the Denny Triangle, and will receive $35,000 towards the renovation of the facility.

White River Valley Museum in Auburn was awarded $20,000 to renovate its collections storage area and upgrade public areas of the museum.

Jan. 8 talk on LEED standards

The January program and luncheon meeting of the Marketing Associates of Spokane will cover the origin of LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design). The United States Green Building Council developed the LEED program as a national standard for high-performance, sustainable buildings. Local, state and federal agencies are increasing emphasis on sustainable design, and firms who can demonstrate LEED knowledge and experience will have an edge.

Participants in the Jan. 8 discussion will see examples of LEED-certified buildings, and uncover the myths and truths surrounding this standard. Paladino & Company, a Seattle based sustainable building consulting firm, will make the presentation. Paladino was instrumental in the formation of the standard, and provides continued technical assistance to the USGBC. For more information visit www.paladinoandco.com.

The meeting will take place at noon at the Red Lion River Inn, 700 North Division St., in Spokane. The cost is $15 for MAS members and $25 for non-members. Reservation deadline is Jan. 5. For membership information or to make a reservation, contact MAS vice president Greg Sofio at (509) 534-0451 or go to the MAS Web site at www.maspokane.org.

ACEC awards held Jan. 7

The American Council of Engineering Companies Washington 38th Annual Engineering Excellence Awards Banquet and Industry Forecast Conference will be Wednesday, Jan. 7.

The event begins with registration and social at 11 a.m. At 11:30 a.m., Gordon Goodman, executive director of business development for the 2010 Winter Games, will speak on planning for the Winter Olympics 2010. He will discuss the impact of the games on the region. According to a recent economic study by the British Columbia Ministry of Competition, Science and Enterprise, the 2010 Winter Olympics combined with the expansion of the convention center in Vancouver could generate up to $10 billion in direct economic activity and create about 228,000 direct and indirect job years across B.C.

Goodman has been meeting with Olympic experts from around the world to develop an Olympic economic opportunities strategy. He will share how the dream of bringing the Winter Games to Vancouver and Whistler became a reality, and discuss what will happen between now and 2010.

A business meeting will be held at 1 p.m. At 2:15 p.m., panelists will discuss what will dominate the political landscape in 2004. A panel of Olympia observers and experts will share their thoughts regarding the 2004 legislative session, ballot measures and the elections. Included on the panel are Steve Leahy, president of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce; Brian Minnich, vice president of government affairs, Building Industry Association of Washington; and Rowland Thompson, executive director of the Allied Daily Newspapers. The panel will be moderated by Cliff Webster, lobbyist for the Architects & Engineers Legislative Council.

At 3:30 p.m., an economic forecast will be given by John W. Mitchell of U.S. Bancorp. The awards banquet begins at 6:30 p.m. All events will be held at Bellevue's Hyatt Regency. Cost is $80 for the banquet only, and $140 for the meeting and banquet. For information, call (425) 453-6655. Register online at www.cecw.org.