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April 29, 2022

When you are looking at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know.

- Charley Benetto -

Wishing a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers in this world and especially in our community! Thank you for helping to prepare us for the world we live in–to be strong, yet gentle. To be firm, yet fair. I am blessed to have a mother (Mary) who was always been a guiding light for me, who taught me the meaning of hard work and dedication, and always loved me unconditionally. She is a mere 95 years young, and I still try to make her proud each and every day!

Cedar Lane Amenities receives grant funding 

The City of Auburn Parks, Art and Recreation department received news this week that they have been awarded a $234,925 grant for the Cedar Lane Amenities project from King County Parks! Cedar Lanes Amenities is one of 22 projects receiving a total of $8.3 million in local parks and trails investments. Click here to read more about the funding.

Congratulations to Green River College!  

I received wonderful news today from Suzanne Johnson, President of Green River College. The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges has unanimously approved Green River College’s application to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I’m thrilled for GRC—congratulations!

Ribbon cutting and axe throwing 

A new business is open now in downtown Auburn—SEA AXE! I was honored to be a part of their ribbon cutting and got the chance to get in on the axe throwing myself. It’s harder than it looks! Curious in trying it out yourself? They’re located at 335 E Main St, Auburn, WA 98002.

National Day of Prayer

Auburn City Hall hosted a National Day of Prayer for all people in our community, featuring multi-faith groups, business owners, and community leaders. It was my privilege to deliver the proclamation for National Day of Prayer and to hear from the different community and group leaders.

Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Island Heritage Month

Please join me in celebrating the vibrant history and contribution of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community. Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Island Heritage Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the history, resilience, and impact of these communities throughout American history.

Mental Health Awareness Month

Did you know 51.5 million U.S. Adults experienced mental illness in 2019, yet less than half of them received treatment? Together we can break down the stigma of mental health by promoting greater awareness and understanding of mental wellness. Check out the resources from NAMI to learn more.

Auburn is rich with history—from historical Main Street to the artifacts preserved throughout White River Valley Museum—I am excited to share these stories with all of you each week. 

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday primarily celebrated in the United States. Mexican Americans began celebrating it in the 1860s as an act of resistance and cultural survival against European imperialism, symbolized by the defeat of the French at the Battle of Puebla. Chicanx laborers and activists on the West Coast revitalized its celebration in the 1960s as part of the civil rights movement.

Read more about the history of Cinco de Mayo with this article from The Conversation.

Upcoming podcast episode! 

A new episode of the That’s So Auburn podcast is coming next week! I’m joined by three wonderful guests from the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center and the Auburn Police Department to discuss a sometimes-uncomfortable topic—sexual assault and abuse. We dive into the history and myths of sexual assault, signs for identifying abuse, how to handle disclosure, and online safety.