Tukwila has always had trouble getting respect-even from its beginnings, according to Tukwila Mayor Jim Haggerton.

While the Denny Party landed at Alki Beach, getting credit as the first European settlement in Puget Sound, the Collins Party actually arrived in the Tukwila area five months earlier, Haggerton noted.

That was just one of the fascinating facts revealed on Jan. 8 as Tukwila kickoffed an 18-month centennial celebration on the top floor of the new Olympic Parking Garage at Westfield Southcenter Shopping Center.

Haggerton also told about Tukwila's first mayor, who upon being selected consulted a fortuneteller. The psychic predicted the mayor would die soon. The mayor quickly resigned and took off for the wilderness where he lived healthily for another 20 years.

Tukwila officials also revealed another fun fact: The writer of the old Dick and Jane reading primers taught at Tukwila's Thorndyke Elementary from 1920-1924.

Storyteller Karen Haas, dressed as Diana Collins, wife of Luther Collins who led the first Tukwila settlers, told about the early settlement.

In his first official event as mayor, Haggerton, who was sworn in Jan. 7, also announced that Tukwila is seeking to be declared the first heart-healthy city in the state. The city was the first Washington city to be certified as a wildlife habitat.

And he highlighted new economic developments throughout the city.

These include Tukwila Village, a mixed use development at Tukwila International Boulevard and South 144th Street, Tukwila South, an retail/office complex on land the city is planning to incorporate into Tukwila, Southcenter expansion, and the South 154th Street light-rail station.

Tukwila wants to be remembered for more than traffic congestion and Southcenter, the mayor noted.

"Tukwila wants to continue to be a safe, pedestrian-friendly community known for quality housing, open spaces and our sense of history," Haggerton said.

Declared former mayor Steve Mullet, "Tukwila's time has come. We have lived in the shadow of Seattle but to some extent we are the center of the universe. We are certainly the center of transportation for south King County."

The city also unveiled its new centennial slogan, "Tukwila Life." It was created by Exclaim, a consulting group that also came up with the Seattle slogan, "Metronatural."

The centennial party will continue for 18 months with a food weekend, Museum of Flight Memorial Day event, Fourth of July fireworks and more this year.