November 14th Community Update

 

King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer
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News from and about King County… from health updates to community news affecting our daily lives.

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes news about King County Council's Recognition of Cliff McCrath, the "Good Eggs" breakfast with Bellevue and Tacoma-Pierce County Chambers of Commerce CEOs, the Auburn School Food Drive, the District 7 recipient of a retired King County Metro vanpool van, travel, transit, and sports updates, and more.

VD


Washington Trivia

This former Seattle jazz club helped launch the career of one of the most iconic and influential musicians in history. What was the club and whose career did it help launch?

(Answer is at the bottom).




King County Council Recognizes Cliff McCrath

The King County Council recognized Cliff McCrath for his contributions to soccer in Washington, especially locally in King County, and the inspiration he has brought to men, women, and the youth. Cliff is a member of 11 Soccer Halls of Fame and is one of Washington State’s most storied soccer evangelists, traveling statewide to promote the passage of Referendum 48 to build a new soccer/football stadium.

While he was coach, the Falcons had 30 NCAA tournament appearances, won 5 NCAA College Division championships, had 5 second place finishes, and he was named National Coach of the Year in 1978 and Seattle Sports Star of the Year in 1986. In addition to his collegiate coaching career, he served as the 2017 US Women’s World University Games head coach.

Cliff

With King County Councilmembers Rod Dembowski & Sarah Perry, Frank MacDonald, Councilmember Jorge Barón, Cliff McCrath, Council Chair Dave Upthegrove, and Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda


“Good Eggs” Breakfast with Bellevue and Tacoma-Pierce County Chambers of Commerce CEOs Joe Fain and Andrea Reay

There are many partnerships in South King County, but none greater than between the Muckleshoot Tribe and private and public entities. We were joined by Bellevue Chamber CEO Joe Fain and Tacoma Chamber CEO Andrea Reay who shared how their cities positioned themselves to grow with their region. Muckleshoot Tribal Council Vice Chair John Daniels Jr. joined in this economic discussion and presented treasured blankets to our speakers and yours truly as a continuation of a legacy of respect, honor, and friendship.

GE

With Muckleshoot Tribal Council Vice Chair John Daniels Jr., Des Moines Mayor Traci Buxton, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce CEO Andrea Reay, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce CEO Joe Fain, Algona Mayor Troy Linnell, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, and Maple Valley Mayor Sean Kelly

 

Auburn Food Bank All School Food Drive

Hunger is real and is being attacked as only Auburn does things: all hands on deck! Young school students, “old” golfers, blue collar, white collar, and no collar workers all came together today for the annual Auburn Food Bank Breakfast starring Debbie Christian, with great support from the likes of Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus and the ageless Leila Booth! Auburn Strong!!

ASF

 

Your Money Matters Receives a Retired King County Metro Van

Your Money Matters, led by Auburn Councilmember Clinton Taylor, is the District 7 recipient of this year's allocation of retired King County Metro vanpool van. Located on Auburn's East Main Street, this organization works with youth to teach them the fundamentals of personal finance. Councilmember Taylor received the van earlier this year, and I was pleased to meet with him and learn how he was using it to help disadvantaged youth in South King County.

VD

 

Decatur High School vs. Todd Beamer High School

NIL. Name...Image...Likeness... Not relevant at the Decatur vs. Todd Beamer game earlier this month. Thanks to Jim Zorn for driving down in the rain to check out local players, as well as to Federal Way School District Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer for her leadership in promoting sports for men and women. With over 110 languages and dialects in your schools, sports bring people together. Coach Matt Vaeena's commitment is why Decatur's Golden Gators are third in the state!

DC

With Decatur Coach Matt Vaeena, Jim Zorn, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, and FWSD Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer

 

Alumni Corner

While our work is based on policies and programs, it is the people we work with who make the difference. Previously featured alumni included: Chris Cho, Tom Pierson, Bailey Stenson Gordon, Agnes Wooters, Jim Ferrell, Jackie Schneider, Megan Rage, Thomas Efrem, Jenny Faubion, Sue Park, Dani Cortez, Joey Schneider, Caroline Vadino, Brooks Meadowcroft, Nathan Angle, Max Hayes, Samantha Mills, Satchel Kolde, Tyler Pichette, Greg Stock, Will Craig,  Troy Pichette, and Pat Lantzy.

JMThis week’s featured District 7 alum is Jack Makin. Jack served as a legislative intern in my office during his high school and college summers from 2012 to 2014. He consistently demonstrated a willingness to assist wherever necessary, frequently accompanying me to various public appearances, as well as participating in official county procedures and meetings. Each summer, Jack took on the responsibility of cataloging data from the annual surveys and reporting back on the issues deemed most significant by constituents.

(R-L: Jack Makin with his brothers Max, in white suit, and Sam)

“Pete is a master at relationships and understanding how to work successfully with all kinds of different people. Business and political negotiations tend to feel like every day casual conversations with Pete, which I certainly appreciated seeing the value of firsthand.

Working on the survey data every summer might have been my first venture into data analysis which is what most of my career is centered around now. My first job out of college was in financial analysis and I’ve continued down the career path today.”

Jack’s long-term goals include being able to work for himself at some point. Currently, he is focused on gaining more corporate experience. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf and sand volleyball, as well as working on classic cars – his 80’s square body truck always seems to be leaking something. Thank you, Jack!



Non-Profit Corner

South King County Non-Profit Organizations

Auburn Food Bank | Auburn Noon Lions | Auburn Valley Humane Society | Bloodworks Northwest | Eileen & Callie’s Place | Federal Way Kiwanis | Federal Way Lions | Federal Way Senior Center | FUSION Décor Boutique | Kent Lions | Multi-Service Center Food Bank | Orion Works | Rotary Club of Federal Way | Soroptimist International of Auburn | Soroptimist International of Federay Way | The Salvation Army | Unleash the Brilliance

 


King County Metro Updates

King County Metro Community Liaison Program

Metro is proud to introduce their new Community Liaison pilot program which features the voices and perspectives of staff who work to strengthen relationships with varied communities. The team helps ensure that the people most in need of transit can weigh in their plans, policies, and decisions to ensure services are welcoming and accessible to all. Read more here.

Metro Hires Transit Operators

Metro is hiring transit operators (bus drivers) and trades professionals to keep the region moving. Visit kingcounty.gov/MetroCareers to learn more.

Metro



King County Flood Control District (KCFCD) Updates

Pacific Right Bank Flood Protection Project

KCFCD, together with King County as service provider, is proposing the Pacific Right Bank Flood Protection Project, a vital initiative aimed at significantly reducing the risk of flooding in the City of Pacific. This initiative represents a significant step forward in reducing flood risk and promoting environmental stewardship in the City of Pacific along the White River. Read more here.

KCFCD Honored with Two National Awards for Innovation and Communication

On October 30, at the 2024 National Association of Flood & Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA) Annual Conference, KCFCD won first place in both the Innovative Water Project Award for the Lower Russell Levee Setback Project and the Excellence in Communications Award for the Lower Green River Corridor Flood Hazard Management Plan Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). These awards reflect KCFCD’s commitment to forward-thinking flood protection solutions, environmental restoration, and inclusive community engagement. Read more here.

 

September Travel Industry Update

In September, Seattle’s downtown hotel occupancy was 1% lower against the same month last year, with part of Labor Day Weekend falling in August this year. Average daily rates were up 2.3% from 2023, and up 9.8% compared to 2019. Revenue was relatively flat (+.04%) compared to last September, but up 10.6% compared to September 2019.

TIU

Overseas arrivals to the U.S. continued to make gains, growing 5% in September after posting 6% growth in August. During the first three quarters of the year, arrivals have recovered to 86% of 2019 volumes. The recovery from the APAC market has been especially slow due to extended visa wait times and limited airline capacity.

TRV

According to the report, at 2.3%, inflation continues to moderate and move closer to the Fed’s 2% goal. The inflation shock of the last few years weighed far more heavily on lower-income Americans who have less room for discretionary purchases. Read more here.

 

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Closes Checkpoint 5

As part of the SEA Gateway project, Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) International Airport closed TSA Checkpoint 5 on November 4th and will remain closed for approximately one year. It will be getting a complete redesign, adding more space, queuing area, new art, and a brand new recomposure area for comfort and efficiency.

trv1

 

Dan Evans’ Celebration of Life

At my age I go to more funerals than weddings, but last Tuesday was a celebration of Dan Evans and an era. It was great finding myself sitting next to someone I first met at a Rose Bowl when he was 21, and now he is our governor-elect. As young parents, Colleen and Bob Ferguson can learn much from the Evans’ family. Dan Evans had many titles, from Governor to US Senator, College president to UW Regent, but to spend time with he and Nancy was to know their favorite title was parent and grandparent.

DE


Local Services Contact Information



Code Enforcement Links: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | Unincorporated
Crime Maps: Auburn| Federal Way| Kent | all of King County
Law Enforcement Updates: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | KCSO Unincorporated

To report illegal street racing in your neighborhood, dial 911.

Vaccine Locator: To find COVID-19 vaccine appointments, visit Vaccine Locator. For more information, visit getting vaccinated or getting tested in King County.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat https://988lifeline.org/ to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.


With best wishes,

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

The Old Rocking Chair Club, housed in a 2-story wooden house on the Southeast corner of 14th & Yesler, was where Ray Charles arrived in March 1948, when he was seeking a better life and a way into the music business. Coming by Greyhound bus from Florida, Ray followed his friend Gossie McKee to Seattle, WA, knowing that the biggest radio hits came from northern cities. While in Seattle, he met and befriended then 15-year-old Quincy Jones.

As part of The McSon Trio, Ray played piano at the Rocking Chair during the 1-5 AM shift. Publicity photos of this trio are some of the earliest known photographs of Ray. In April 1949, he and his band recorded “Confession Blues”, which became his first national hit, soaring to #2 on the Billboard R&B chart. While working at the Rocking Chair, Ray also arranged songs for other artists including Cole Porter and Dizzy Gillespie.

After 2 years in Seattle, Ray moved to Los Angeles, but he never forgot his time at the Rocking Chair Club, releasing the song, "Rockin' Chair Blues", in 1950. The Rocking Chair Club closed its doors in 1949. Ray Charles died on June 10, 2004, at the age of 73. At the time of his death, Ray had won 17 Grammy Awards, along with the Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and he is a member of the Rock & Roll, Rhythm and Blues and Country Music Halls of Fame.

RC

Photo Source: Northwest Music Archives


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Contact me: pete.vonreichbauer@kingcounty.gov
206-477-1007, 800-325-6165, TTY/TDD 206-296-1024
Website: www.kingcounty.gov/vonReichbauer
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pete.vonreichbauer

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