 It was an honor to be invited to attend the Sound (formerly Sound Health) grand opening event -- alongside Councilmembers Yolanda Trout-Manuel and Cheryl Rakes, and Rep. Chris Stearns -- Tuesday for a brand new, 16-bed, 24-hour treatment facility called Parks Place (named after a highly regarded residential treatment nurse at Sound named Debbie Parks).
It's nestled on the back end of the Sound Auburn Clinic in North Auburn, and it's going to be a wonderful and needed resource for those in our community experiencing mental health and addiction issues.
For decades, we had a 64-bed residential facility called Chartley House right here in Auburn. Unfortunately, time took its toll, and we had to close it. But now, with hearts full of excitement, we welcome a new treatment facility to our community.
This project has been in the works for many years, and I'm proud to have played a small part in it. Together, we navigated challenges, solidifying our shared commitment to creating a healthy community, one that prioritizes behavioral health.
 Parks Place will be staffed around the clock, with a specialized team equipped to care for individuals facing the most complex behavioral health and medical challenges. This facility provides a long-term home and treatment option for those who might otherwise struggle to find placement. It offers a level of care and support that is truly unparalleled.
Moreover, its discreet location ensures that it seamlessly integrates into our community, causing minimal disruption. It is a testament to the thoughtful planning and consideration that has gone into making this facility a reality.
Thank you to the amazing Sound team for the work you've already put in that's made this facility a reality. And the work that's still to come!
Let us move forward with pride and purpose, knowing that we have taken a significant step towards a healthier, more supportive Auburn.
 It seems September is the month of grand openings and new beginnings! Also on Tuesday I attended the opening of Terminal Park Elementary school, a sparkling new building that maintains the historic ties to the community near Terminal Park, which is Auburn's first park. Long ago, Terminal Park School was educating generations of Auburn's kids, the park itself having deep roots to the Northern Pacific Railway.
 The beautiful new brick building, which accommodates 650 students over two stories, is marvelous and a wonder to behold. I'm so glad the Auburn School District was able to make this dream a reality after a 2016, $456 million bond passed by Auburn voters aimed to replace six aging school, including Terminal Park.
Here's to a great school year to come!
 I implore you to read Anti-Homelessness Director Kent Hay's opinion piece that ran in the Seattle Times Friday morning. It's a wonderful overview of issues Kent has been seeing in the community, from folks who refuse supportive housing in search of a Goldilocks unit, to people who are left floundering in shelters while those outside seem to often receive preferential treatment. He also overviews simple solutions that could help curb homelessness issues region wide.
I'm proud of the work Kent and his team are doing in Auburn and I'm glad folks across King County and Washington will get a bit of insight into our process!
 Auburn lost one of our longtime community members recently. On behalf of the City of Auburn, I want to offer our condolences to Larry's family and loved ones at this difficult time. We will miss him greatly at our Veterans Parade.
Laurence Earle (Larry) Smith passed away on Friday, the 25th of August, peacefully, with his beloved family at his bedside. Larry’s long and full life touched many people throughout the numerous paths he traveled. He joined the United States Marines on October 16, 1950, and served his Country honorably until 1955. He then attended Texas Tech University. He re-enlisted in 1959, only this time joining the United States Navy. His service spanned two plus decades. After his military career, Larry went to work for The Boeing Company as a research mechanic. When he retired from Boeing, he realized retirement still wasn’t for him, so he went back to school, earned his associate of arts degree and his real estate and brokers licenses.
It was during his time as a broker that he found his passion for community service through the Auburn Noon Lions and the Miss Auburn Scholarship Program. His talents were many, and he shared them generously. One of those talents was non-profit fundraising, and he shared those skills with anyone who wanted to learn. He was proud to be a vital part of the Auburn community.
In April 2023, Larry was nominated to participate in an Honor Flight from SeaTac Airport to Washington DC. During the trip, he was able to join with other veterans to share memories, remember the fallen, and realize the gratitude of an indebted nation.
 Do you think the Sound Transit Sounder S Line -- you know, the one that comes through Auburn -- ought to have more weekend service? More evening trains? More afternoon? Maybe all three? Now is the best time to let them know via this survey they're conducting until Oct. 29.
Travel patterns have changed significantly since Sound Transit completed their Sounder South Strategic Plan in early 2020 (right before the pandemic, sadly). More hybrid and work-from-home schedules have reduced travel demand during peak periods, which is why Sound Transit is exploring a possible new future and they really want to hear from you.
Plus, a completed survey enters you for a chance to win two tickets to the Nov. 12 Seahawks game!
 I had a great time Tuesday visiting with three students from Hiroshima Academy in Japan, who were on a trip to America to visit the Auburn Adventist Academy. Along their 10-day trip, they visited Olympia and the Capitol Campus, Seattle and the Space Needle, and the Auburn City Hall! I like to hope (the odds are stacked against me) that the latter was their favorite stop.
 It was enlightening chatting with them about their studies and various plans and aspirations. One students, and I'll let you guess who, wants to be a basketball star. I think he has a shot!
Our Civics Academy participants visited the Auburn Municipal Airport on Saturday, where they learned from city staff about all of the work that goes into making a city-operated airport run smoothly. From the looks of the pictures, I'd say everyone had a wonderful time.
If you've not heard of the Auburn Civics Academy before, it's a free 11-week course that provides an overview of city government operation, including insight regarding how the city makes its decisions, allocates its funds, and operates its departments. The goal of the Civics Academy is to empower and encourage residents, employees, business owners, and students to become more civically engaged in the city’s future decisions affecting Auburn’s quality of life.
You can learn more about the Civics Academy, including how to apply for next year's class, below.
The newest episode of the That's So Auburn! podcast is now live! For this episode I sat down with Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Daryl Faber and Arts Supervisor Allison Hyde to chat all about the sparkling new Postmark Center for the Arts!
The past few weeks I've written about the grand opening, which was a truly special event, and I ask you to check out the new space whenever you have a free moment.
In the meantime, sit back, relax, and listen to the inside scoop about the history of the space, how it came to be and where it's headed -- all from the team who made it happen!
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Auburn Community Players: Little Shop Of Horrors
FEED ME!!! The Auburn Community Players present Little Shop Of Horrors, a deviously delicious Broadway sci-fi smash musical that has devoured the hearts of theatre-goers for more than 30 years. Watch as Seymour Krelborn, a meek floral assistant, discovers an out-of-this-world plant he names "Audrey II" (after his co-worker crush.) The carnivorous, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing plant promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Seymour - as long as he keeps feeding it…BLOOD. Seymour goes along with the plant’s plan until he discovers its intent to dominate the world!
📅 Friday and Saturday, Oct. 13 and Oct. 14
🕐 7:30 p.m.
📍 Green River College - Student Affairs Building, 12401 SE 320th St.
🎟️ Buy Tickets Online
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 I'm sure you've noticed, but we've had quite the swell of rain this past week, which means we've firmly entered the Big Dark! A perfect time to bundle up, grab something warm and cozy up because fall is officially here.
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