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 "My heroes are those who risk their lives every day to protect our world and make it a better place -- police, firefighters and members of our armed forces."
-- Sidney Sheldon --
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On Saturday, I attended the memorial service for Deputy Chief Bill Mack, a beloved member of the Valley Regional Fire Authority family who will be forever missed.
Bill fought a courageous battle with cancer, and his passing has been recognized as a Line of Duty Death due to occupational cancer.
The following is written by his colleagues at VRFA:
Chief Bill Mack dedicated over 30 years to the fire service, beginning his career with the City of Auburn Fire Department in 1992. He rose through the ranks here at Valley Regional Fire Authority, serving in key leadership roles, including Battalion Chief. In 2021, he brought his experience and passion for mentorship to East Pierce Fire & Rescue as Deputy Chief, where he continued to make a lasting impact until his retirement in 2023.
Throughout his career, Chief Mack was a champion for training and development, teaching CPR and EMT skills, leading multi-agency regional training efforts, and helping shape the careers of countless firefighters and officers across King and Pierce counties. Bill also served as Vice President of IAFF Local 1352, District Representative for the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, and a strong advocate for firefighter health, safety, and labor rights. His service extended far beyond emergency response, volunteering with organizations like the Nick of Time Foundation, always putting community first.
During his time at the VRFA, Bill was more than a courageous firefighter; he was a steady presence, a loyal teammate, and a true friend. His laughter, compassion, and quiet strength left a mark on every one of us.
In 2024, a recognition award was established in honor of Chief Bill Mack: “The Mack Award.” Throughout every stage of his career, Chief Mack exemplified enduring values: camaraderie, respect, kindness, inclusiveness, and a warm sense of humor. Those nominated for this award reflect the same traits that defined his leadership and character. We will continue to honor his legacy and the extraordinary service he gave to our department and the communities he served.
We extend our deepest condolences to his loving wife, children, and his tight-knit circle of family and friends who meant the world to him. Rest in peace, my friend.
 This week, I had the pleasure of attending the final presentations by our Next Step Auburn interns, a group of nine amazingly talented individuals who have spent the last nine weeks at the City of Auburn learning and, most importantly, doing.
 What I learned over the two days of presentations is just how active and involved this year's cohort has been this summer. In addition to making a giant impact in their own department in their day-to-day work, our interns have spent the summer working on an internal charity campaign, which raised over $1,000 for the See Ya Later Foundation, a nonprofit that offers sports camps, scholarships, and aid to families facing serious medical challenges.
 Wherever our interns land, whether that's in local government or the private sector, I know they're going to make an enormous splash.
Thank you for the wonderful summer!
 Next Friday is our final Party on the Plaza of the summer! This free, family-friendly event in the heart of downtown has been a joy to experience and I'm so excited to wrap it all up with Cheeseburgers in Paradise! We'll have amazing food, great music, games and entertainment, and two incredible beer and wine gardens.
 The party continues, so mark your calendars and we'll see you downtown!
📅 Friday, Aug. 22
⏰ 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
📍 City Hall Plaza | 25 W. Main Street
💲 Free
 Students from Japan and our local ambassadors in the KAT Sister Cities Ambassador Program stopped by City Hall on Thursday!
As you can see, we keep things pretty serious and formal around here.
 After talking in the Council Chambers for a bit and sharing a bit about the work we do in City Hall, we all went out for ice cream.
And as you can see, they had a miserable time.
 Thank you student ambassadors for livening up City Hall for about an hour! And thank you to the coordinators of the sister cities program for all that you do!
 On Thursday I had the privilege of attending an event honoring Muckleshoot Tribal Councilmember Virginia Cross. She is this year’s recipient of the D.R. Hanford Award presented by the Hanford Family and Green River College. Virginia was honored for her tireless work in education over the decades. The room was filled with friends, family and admirers.
 Virginia was the first Indian Education Coordinator for the Auburn School District and has been instrumental in moving forward education for members of Muckleshoot. D.R. Hanford was known to say “When you educate a woman, you educate a generation.” Virginia is the perfect example of that quote.
Dr. Kip Herren spoke about Virginia and said she was the “Keeper of sacred culture, and her leadership has always embraced the future knowing it will soon become the past.”
Sitting in the audience, my feelings of being in the company of greatness was re-affirmed.
 Our Summer Ride bike program, cosponsored by Cycle Therapy Racing, wrapped up on Thursday after six amazing weeks at Cedar Lanes Bike Park.
Each week, the free program saw hundreds of kids and families biking throughout the park and especially at the brand new pump track. Some nights, we saw over 700 at the park!
 I'm so impressed and delighted by our amazing Parks, Arts, and Recreation staff who helped organize this event each week, and our Office of Equity, Outreach, and Engagement for coordinating funding and helping it get off the ground!
The program supplies hundreds of bikes for kids (and adults!) to borrow who don't have access to a bike of their own, or who have never learned how to ride! Cycle Therapy staff are incredibly knowledgeable and can teach just about anyone to ride.
And just because the program is over doesn't mean you can't go out and enjoy the park! The trails and pump track are open year-round and are completely FREE, so get ridin'!
 Westbound SR 18 lane, ramp and directional closures scheduled for this weekend (Aug. 15-18) in Auburn have been postponed due to forecast rain, our partners at Washington State Department of Transportation announced. Closures are still happening over Tiger Mountain summit.
The following is a news release shared by WSDOT:
A weekend-long closure of State Route 18 will shut down both directions of the roadway around the clock starting Friday night, Aug. 15.
Beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, until 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18, SR 18 will close between Interstate 90 and Issaquah-Hobart Road. Drivers will need to seek alternate routes. Freight traffic should use I-405 and I-90 throughout the weekend. Issaquah-Hobart Road and Issaquah city streets are not suitable for semi-trucks.
Both WSDOT maintenance and contractor crews will utilize the closure to make improvements on different sections of the highway over Tiger Mountain, limiting the number of SR 18 closures needed.
SR 18 maintenance work
Maintenance crews will perform annual work on the highway, including:
- Repair damaged guardrail
- Improve sign visibility
- Perform vegetation management
- Repave sections of the roadway
- Perform safety checks
SR 18 widening
Meanwhile, contractor crews for the I-90/SR 18 Interchange Improvements project will work on widening a 2-mile stretch of SR 18 to two lanes in each direction between I-90 and Deep Creek. Their work will include:
- Leveling and preparing the new lanes for a final layer of asphalt
- Milling and grinding asphalt
- Installing guardrail
- Landscaping, including mulching and hydroseeding
- Removing temporary barriers
Once SR 18 widening is complete later this fall, it will work with the diverging diamond interchange that opened July 25 to improve traffic flow through the corridor.
Real-time travel information is available via the WSDOT mobile app, the WSDOT Travel Center Map or by signing up for WSDOT's email updates.
Hyperlinks within the release:
 I want to make sure you’re aware of some upcoming work in the Muckleshoot area that will help reduce flooding in the future. King County will be replacing the current four-foot-wide concrete pipe under SE 384th Street with a much larger concrete box culvert.
This important upgrade will require closing SE 384th Street between 168th Avenue SE and 172nd Avenue SE in both directions for about eight weeks, starting this month. There will be no through access during construction, but detours will be in place to help you get where you need to go.
You can learn more about the project and detour routes on King County's project website.
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Auburn Farmers Market
The Auburn Farmers Market provides a convenient venue for local farmers and artisans to provide access to healthy, fresh, locally sourced food and products to area residents. The Market serves as a vibrant gathering place where visitors can learn about healthy food choices, and overall health and well-being. View more information on the Auburn Farmers Market Page.
Shop from 40 farm, food, and craft vendors! Visit the information booth for a free Market tote.
Entertainment Schedule:
11 a.m. - noon - Dekoboko Taiko Japanese drumming
Giveaway: Kid Kit: Farm animal Scratchers
Many Market vendors accept EBT, SNAP Market Match, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC dollars.
Email the Auburn Farmers Market
253-931-3043
📅 Sunday, Aug. 17
⏰ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Les Gove Park | 1140 Auburn Way South
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Farm Open Day: A Day on the Farm
Admission is Free!
Learn how to weave rag rugs, make butter, process apples for cider, among other farm activities that you would have seen on the Mary Olson Farm 100 years ago.
All ages welcome!
For contact info and full schedule, please visit www.wrvmuseum.org.
📅 Sunday, Aug. 17
⏰ 5 - 8 p.m.
📍 Mary Olson Farm | 28728 Green River Road
💲 Free
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Yoga in the Garden
Yoga in the Garden Join certified yoga instructor Vicky Lee French at Soos Creek Botanical Garden for Yoga in the Garden this Summer! Enjoy a series of 8 classes in a beautiful garden setting in their outdoor pavilion. Classes are weekly on Wednesdays starting July 9th and ending on August 27th. Come for one or the entire series. Just drop in. No pre-registration required. Each participant will be asked to sign a hold harmless agreement. Classes begin at 8:45am and end at 9:45am. The charge is $10. per class, cash or check, payable to Soos Creek Botanical Garden. No charge for Garden volunteers. Proceeds go toward Garden maintenance. Bring a yoga mat, water, and wear loose fitting clothing. All levels of yoga experience are welcome.
📅 Wednesday, Aug. 20
⏰ 8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
📍 Soos Creek Botanical Garden | 29308 132nd Avenue
💲 $10
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Make and Mingle @ Postmark
Stop by the Postmark for our Make & Mingle session! Join us for a cup of coffee with whatever art project you might be working on. A free, no-pressure environment for artists and creatives to gather... you can talk with other artists, ask for feedback or critique from on-site staff if available, bring your sketchbook to work out ideas, or just quietly draw in the gallery or work on your art! Intended for ages 18+.
📅 Wednesdays
⏰ 10 a.m. - Noon
📍 Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
💲 Free
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Drop-In Drawing @ Postmark
Come stop by for our new Drop-In Drawing sessions at the Postmark! A free, no-pressure environment for artists and creatives to drop-in to draw from a still life or the gallery. Stay for whole two hours or only 10 minutes. Bring tools to either shade or color with, and your own sketchbook or drawing pad. There will be on-site help for critique/questions/advice. All are welcome.
Ages: 15+
Registration: $0
Instructor: Postmark Staff
📅 Fridays
⏰ 10 a.m. - Noon
📍 Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
💲 Free
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Drop-In Painting With Amy Sie @ Postmark
Amy Sie is offering Drop-In Gongbi Painting sessions at the Postmark! A free, no-pressure environment for you to start a new painting, or work on an old one. Please bring your own tools and materials for watercolor painting. On-site help for critique/questions/advice. All are welcome.
Ages: 18+
Fee: $0
Instructor: Amy Sie
📅 Fridays
⏰ 10 a.m. - Noon
📍 Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
💲 Free
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Party on the Plaza: Cheeseburger in Paradise
Spend your summer Friday nights in downtown Auburn at Party on the Plaza! This FREE event series features live music, delicious food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and a rotating lineup of fun, themed evenings. Enjoy the Taco Festival on June 27 with a free car show, Rock the Block on July 25, and Cheeseburger in Paradise on August 22 with another car show! With great eats from Dick’s Drive-In, La Costenita Cuisine, Paparepas, Tacos Cortes, El Koreano, Alaskan Dumplings, Tabassum, Boss Mama’s Kitchen, DelFino's, Bean Hut, and Swanky Scoop!, there’s something for everyone. Bring your friends, grab a drink, and kick back in the heart of the city!
📅 Friday, Aug. 22
⏰ 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
📍 City Hall Plaza | 25 W. Main Street
💲 Free
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Auburn Farmers Market
The Auburn Farmers Market provides a convenient venue for local farmers and artisans to provide access to healthy, fresh, locally sourced food and products to area residents. The Market serves as a vibrant gathering place where visitors can learn about healthy food choices, and overall health and well-being. View more information on the Auburn Farmers Market Page.
Shop from 40 farm, food, and craft vendors! Visit the information booth for a free Market tote.
Entertainment Schedule:
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Rock Wall is open
Many Market vendors accept EBT, SNAP Market Match, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC dollars.
Email the Auburn Farmers Market
253-931-3043
📅 Sunday, Aug. 24
⏰ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Les Gove Park | 1140 Auburn Way South
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Strings in the Garden - Auburn Symphony Orchestra
Join us for one of our favorite summer traditions. Auburn Symphony’s String Quartet returns to the beautiful Soos Creek Botanical Garden for a relaxed afternoon of live music surrounded by blooming flowers and winding garden paths.
Bring your picnic, find a shady spot, and enjoy a program of light classical and jazz-inspired string music. Whether you're a longtime fan or simply looking for a peaceful way to spend your Saturday, this outdoor concert is all about good music and good vibes.
Tickets are on sale through the Symphony office and at the gate 1 hour prior to the show.
More Information: https://www.auburnsymphony.org/202526-season/strings-in-the-garden
📅 Sunday, Aug. 24
⏰ 2-4 p.m.
📍 Soos Creek Botanical Garden | 29308 132nd Ave SE
💲 Tickets ($22 adult, $12 student, free for children 12 and under)
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Yoga in the Garden
Yoga in the Garden Join certified yoga instructor Vicky Lee French at Soos Creek Botanical Garden for Yoga in the Garden this Summer! Enjoy a series of 8 classes in a beautiful garden setting in their outdoor pavilion. Classes are weekly on Wednesdays starting July 9th and ending on August 27th. Come for one or the entire series. Just drop in. No pre-registration required. Each participant will be asked to sign a hold harmless agreement. Classes begin at 8:45am and end at 9:45am. The charge is $10. per class, cash or check, payable to Soos Creek Botanical Garden. No charge for Garden volunteers. Proceeds go toward Garden maintenance. Bring a yoga mat, water, and wear loose fitting clothing. All levels of yoga experience are welcome.
📅 Wednesday, Aug. 27
⏰ 8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
📍 Soos Creek Botanical Garden | 29308 132nd Avenue
💲 $10
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Auburn Farmers Market
The Auburn Farmers Market provides a convenient venue for local farmers and artisans to provide access to healthy, fresh, locally sourced food and products to area residents. The Market serves as a vibrant gathering place where visitors can learn about healthy food choices, and overall health and well-being. View more information on the Auburn Farmers Market Page.
Shop from 40 farm, food, and craft vendors! Visit the information booth for a free Market tote.
Entertainment Schedule:
Celebrating Vendor Appreciation Day!
Many Market vendors accept EBT, SNAP Market Match, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC dollars.
Email the Auburn Farmers Market
253-931-3043
📅 Sunday, Aug. 31
⏰ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Les Gove Park | 1140 Auburn Way South
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Big Apples, Big Business: How Washington Became the Apple State
Why do so many apples in the grocery store look the same? And why do so many come from Washington?
In this talk, explore how Washington became the top apple producing state in the country, and how, in the process, it transformed apples into an industrialized commodity. Many regions in the West attempted to grow apples, but in Washington, big apples became big business thanks to the work of scientists, investors, irrigators, railroad corporations, marketers, and apple growers. How does the history of Washington apples reflect larger changes happening in the American food system—changes that continue to affect our environment and the way we eat today?
📅 Thursday, Sept. 4
⏰ 6 - 7 p.m.
📍 Mary Olson Farm | 28728 Green River Road
💲 Free
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Auburn Farmers Market
The Auburn Farmers Market provides a convenient venue for local farmers and artisans to provide access to healthy, fresh, locally sourced food and products to area residents. The Market serves as a vibrant gathering place where visitors can learn about healthy food choices, and overall health and well-being. View more information on the Auburn Farmers Market Page.
Shop from 40 farm, food, and craft vendors! Visit the information booth for a free Market tote.
Entertainment Schedule:
Giveaway: Farmers Market Shirt
Many Market vendors accept EBT, SNAP Market Match, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC dollars.
Email the Auburn Farmers Market
253-931-3043
📅 Sunday, Sept. 7
⏰ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Les Gove Park | 1140 Auburn Way South
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Hops & Crops Music and Beer Festival
Food Trucks: Thai U Up, Longhorn BBQ, Stacks Burgers, and Pizza Maniac
Bands: Happy Chems, Sugar Bones, General Mojo’s, Jaws of Brooklyn
Breweries and Cideries: Republic of Cider, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Offset Ciderworks, Wheat Head Brewing, Top Down Brewing, Acorn Brewing, Rail Hop’n, Valhalla Mead, Jotunn Ciderhouse, Chateau Ste. Michelle… more to come!
Hops & Crops is a rain or shine, 21 and up only event. Dogs of all ages are welcome (leashed please)! Camp chairs and blankets are encouraged, outside food is discouraged. Outside alcohol, drugs, and firearms are prohibited
Bold Type Tickets is the official ticketing agency for Hops & Crops Music and Beer Festival.
General Admission: $35, includes 5 oz. taster glass and 6 taster tickets
Designated Driver Admission: $10
Buy online to save on General Admission before September!
Save $10 by purchasing online before through August with promo code BEER25.
📅 Saturday, Sept. 13
⏰ 12 - 6 p.m.
📍 Mary Olson Farm | 28728 Green River Road
💲 Tickets ($35 general admission, $10 designated driver admission)
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Second Saturdays | KEEP A' LIVIN'
Visit Postmark Center for the Arts gallery, open to the public each Second Saturday from 12-4PM! Each month features FREE, all ages performances, crafts, and events!
Join us for a special presentation, given by author Kathya Alexander! She will be reading an excerpt from her debut novel-in-verse, KEEP A' LIVIN', a coming-of-age tale that follows 12-year-old Mandy and her mother, Belle, as they both experience the extraordinary events of the Civil Rights Movement, finding strength, fearless, and faith along the way.
An audience Q&A will also be held shortly after, focusing on how the gains of the Civil Rights era are being legally dismantled in the current political climate and focusing on injustices suffered by African Americans.
📅 Saturday, Sept. 13
⏰ 1 - 3 p.m.
📍 Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
💲Free
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Unwind and Wine at the Mary Olson Farm
The Mary Olson Farm + Yoga Flow + Wine + Cheese? Yes, please!
Joins us for a yoga flow class in the historic barn and enjoy a tasting of local wine and cheese after class. Grab your your yoga mat and a pal and head out to the farm! Yoga flow is accessible to all yoga levels.
📅 Wednesday, Sept. 17
⏰ 6 - 7:30 p.m.
📍 Mary Olson Farm | 29728 Green River Road
💲Tickets ($25)
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Auburn Farmers Market
The Auburn Farmers Market provides a convenient venue for local farmers and artisans to provide access to healthy, fresh, locally sourced food and products to area residents. The Market serves as a vibrant gathering place where visitors can learn about healthy food choices, and overall health and well-being. View more information on the Auburn Farmers Market Page.
Shop from 40 farm, food, and craft vendors! Visit the information booth for a free Market tote.
Entertainment Schedule:
Last day of the market!
Many Market vendors accept EBT, SNAP Market Match, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC dollars.
Email the Auburn Farmers Market
253-931-3043
📅 Sunday, Sept. 14
⏰ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Les Gove Park | 1140 Auburn Way South
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Senior Wellness Fair
The Senior Wellness Team has planned an incredible vendor fair and delicious lunch with wonderful entertainment from Jazz Guitarist Michael Powers. Lunch is free for those that pre-register and attend the vendor fair in the gymnasium.
📅 Thursday, Sept. 25
⏰ 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
📍 Auburn Senior Activity Center | 808 9th St. SE
💲Free
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Taylor Made - James Taylor Tribute
Taylor Made consists of seven of the northwest’s finest musicians. Performing all of James Taylor’s classic songs from his vast repertoire of twenty-two studio and live album releases from the 1970’s to the present. Faithfully recreating the magic of James’s classic hits like Fire And Rain, Handy Man, Mexico, Carolina In My Mind, Country Road, Up On A Roof, Shower The People and many more.
📅 Saturday, Sept. 27
⏰ 7:30 p.m.
📍 Green River College Student Affairs Building | 12401 SE 320th Street
💲Tickets ($25 regular, $22 student/senior)
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Even as kids and adults whip by at the Cedar Lanes Bike Park pump track, it's important to stop and smell the flowers.
 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.
(Image courtesy of White River Valley Museum)
Seventh grade has never been easy. This image of the 1932 seventh grade class at the Thomas School in north Auburn/south Kent shows how the idea of “teenage” fashion was still in its infancy in the 1930s. Some students are dressed for picture day much like their parents would dress, while others dress in styles that mark them more decidedly as children. The idea of teenagers as their own social and economic demographic with unique social needs came to be in the 1930s, partly thanks to laws requiring children to attend school to attend school for more years, and partly thanks to the Great Depression pushing many teens out of the work force.
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