May 22nd Community Update
King County, Washington sent this bulletin at 05/22/2025 05:51 PM PDT
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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 the Auburn Vietnam War Memorial in South King County, King County Council's Proclamations, the William J. Wood Veterans House, MBAKS' Annual Elected Officials Reception, the return of King County's Trailhead Direct, the South County Recycling and Transfer Station, Camp Kilworth's Grand Reopening, the Federal Way Community Caregiving Network, local events and updates, and more.
Washington Trivia This device introduced on-demand music well before the rise of SiriusXM, Pandora, and other music streaming platforms. Can you guess what this device was? (Answer is at the bottom) Our state has the third-largest Vietnamese population in the United States, following California and Texas. In commemoration of the 1975 fall of Saigon, I had the privilege of joining Lan Phan Jones and many South King County residents at Auburn’s Vietnam War Memorial for a moment of reflection and recognition of our progress since that divisive conflict. Governor Dan Evans notably extended a warm welcome to Vietnamese refugees, inviting them to make our state their home.
With Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, Councilmember Bob Baggett, Former Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis, American Vietnamese War Memorial Alliance Co-President Lan Phan Jones and Auburn Noon Lions members
King County Council Proclamations The King County Council has officially proclaimed May 2025 as Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month.
With my King County Council colleagues and community leaders and representatives
William J. Wood Veterans House Recently, I had the honor of presenting a grant aimed at supporting the William J. Wood Veterans House (WJW) in assisting veterans with their transition to independent living. In addition to offering various services, this grant will bolster social and wellness initiatives, such as the “Breakfast Club” designed to alleviate anxiety, along with recreational outings to ensure comprehensive support for veterans' immediate needs and long-term stability.
With Multi-Service Center CEO Kirsten York, WJW Veterans House Services Coordinator Alan Clapper, and Community Manager LaFloura Estrada
King County Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties Last week, I participated in the annual King County Elected Officials Reception hosted by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. During the event, Economist Matthew Gardner emphasized the critical need to address our region's housing shortage. Additionally, King County Builders Council (KCBC) Chair Justin Goroch outlined important advocacy objectives for the year, which include promoting permit streamlining and the expansion of middle housing and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Learn more about KCBC’s work in King County here.
King County Trailhead Direct Returns May 24
Trips to the Issaquah Alps and Mount Si trails will operate on weekends and holidays, starting Saturday, May 24, and will run through Labor Day, Monday, September 1. The 2025 season includes service on Independence Day.
South County Recycling and Transfer Station Construction Progress Work continues to advance on the South County Recycling and Transfer Station. The structural framework of the transfer building is progressing, with wall and roof supports installed last month. The foundation for the administration building has been completed and is ready for exterior framing in the coming weeks. View time-lapse photos of the worksite updated daily.
Lane Restriction - S Peasley Canyon Rd at S 321st St Crews will close a single lane on S Peasley Canyon Rd at the S 321st St intersection on Friday, May 30, from 7:30 am to 5 pm. Work will occur on all four corners of the intersection, one at a time. This lane restriction allows engineers room for soil sampling. Flaggers will direct traffic around the work area on both northbound and southbound lanes when needed. All vehicles will have access through the work zone. Expect delays. For the most up-to-date information, please check MyCommute.
Utility Box Art Program
Community members chose these two areas to receive funding for this project through King County’s participatory budgeting program. Selected artists will be paid a total of $550 for 1-3 designs once the artwork is print ready for the utility box wraps and the artist contract is signed. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. on May 30.
Deadline Extended for the 2025 Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction Grants The King County Flood Control District has extended the application deadline for the Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction Grant Program to May 30. Funding is being offered in four important categories: Flood Risk Reduction, Urban Streams, Coastal Erosion/Coastal Flooding and Culvert Replacement/Fish Passage. Click here for more information.
Camp Kilworth’s Grand Reopening I recently attended the Grand Reopening Ceremony of Camp Kilworth, which first opened in 1934 for the Tacoma Area Council of Boy Scouts. After its closure in 2016, the Kilworth Environmental Education Preserve was established to restore the camp's historic structures. The 25-acre site will now serve as a camp facility for the Greater Seattle YMCA starting this summer, providing a YMCA Day Camp and more outdoor education opportunities.
With Federal Way Public Schools Board Member Luckisha Phillips
Federal Way Community Caregiving Network The Federal Way Community Caregiving Network demonstrates that everyone can make a difference by providing food bank supplies, vouchers, rent assistance, and emergency services. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated volunteers: Carol Robinson, Nancy Weber, Pat Rainey, Joan Gott, Tony Robinson, and Howard Stolz for their inspiring leadership. If anyone wants to do good and feel better, volunteer!
While I appreciate the phone calls and messages that my office receives, I recognize that many who read this newsletter do not have luxury of making phone calls during business hours. I want to create every possible opportunity for you to give me feedback. This new section in my newsletter will feature issues or questions that have come up recently and give you the chance to share your thoughts immediately. How often do you visit your local library or community center? Please click this survey link to provide your input.
Non-Profit Corner
Local Events Federal Way Farmers Market Rain or shine, the Federal Way Farmers Market kicked off its season, continuing the legacy of Rose Ehl under city management. Operating every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through October 25 at the Commons Mall (1701 S. 320th, Federal Way, WA 98003), the market features an array of music, flowers, and fresh vegetables, all set against a backdrop of handmade crafts available for purchase. It’s a great opportunity to come together, socialize, and gather fresh produce for your family’s table.
With Federal Way Councilmember Jack Dovey, Former Councilmember and 30th LD State Rep. Jesse Johnson, Councilmember Lydia Assefa-Dawson, East India Grill Owner Kabal Gill, Sound Transit Community Engagement Specialist Jan Glasper, and Federal Way Farmers Market Founder Rose Ehl
Auburn Farmers Market The Auburn Farmers Market will kick off its season on Sunday, June 1, through September 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Les Gove Park (1140 Auburn Way South, Auburn WA 98002). Click here for more information.
Drive-Thru Recycling Event
Arts Explosion at the PAEC
FWPD to Distribute Free Handgun Safes to Community The Federal Way Police Department (FWPD) will distribute free handgun safes to community members on Saturday, June 7, at the City Hall (33325 8th Ave S). A total of 500 Vaultek brand VE10 ($168 MSRP) and VE20 ($199 MSRP) models will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 9 a.m. Both safes can store one handgun and unlock via electronic keypad.
Did you ever wonder where words and phrases originated from? Waking up on the wrong side of the bed Meaning: To be in a bad mood throughout the day. Origin: This superstition appears to have originated in Ancient Rome, where many Romans held the belief that rising from bed on the right side was crucial for attracting good luck, while getting out on the left side—considered the "wrong" side—would invite misfortune. This belief aligned with other superstitions of the time which suggested that the left side was unlucky. Some individuals, including Augustus Caesar, allegedly believed that putting on the left shoe first was also a sign of bad luck! Checkmate Meaning: To arrest, thwart, or counter completely or to check (a chess opponent's king) so that escape is impossible. Origin: The chess term "checkmate" is believed to originate from the Persian phrase “shāh māt,” which translates to ‘the king is helpless.’ As chess made its way through the Arabic world to Europe, the Arabic word for ‘dead’—‘māta’—also contributed to the interpretation of the term as ‘the king is dead.’ However, many argue against this second etymology, noting that the ‘shāh’ or ‘king’ in chess does not actually die; he is merely placed in a position from which he cannot escape.
Public Health - Seattle & King County Update: Measles Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected. It mainly spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. Measles symptoms begin 7 to 21 days after exposure. Measles is contagious from about 4 days before and after the rash appears. People can spread measles before they have the characteristic measles rash. For more information about measles and measles vaccination, visit www.kingcounty,gov/measles.
Local Services Contact Information Code Enforcement Links: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | Unincorporated
With best wishes,
Long before SiriusXM, Pandora, and other music streaming services emerged, there was the Shyvers Multiphone. Created by Seattle inventor Kenneth Shyvers in 1939, the Multiphone was a phone-based jukebox that enabled users to select songs by dialing a number, offering on-demand music access through telephone lines. This innovative concept laid the groundwork for future music streaming technologies. Shyvers, who rented out pinball machines and jukeboxes to bars and restaurants, held over 60 patents throughout his lifetime, including the Multiphone. Although he did not invent the idea of playing music over the phone, he did “fine-tune the system.” While jukeboxes offered a mere 24 songs, inserting a nickel into the Multiphone granted users access to an impressive collection of 170 different tracks. A phone connection would connect you to a live DJ at the central office, who would ask for your desired song number. The chosen music would then be sent back to the venue over a second telephone line, playing through the speaker of the Multiphone. According to Seattle historian and jukebox collector John Bennett, multiphone stations were prevalent during their peak years from 1939 to 1959 in cities such as Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, and Bremerton. The Bremerton location was managed by Loren Shyvers, the brother of Ken Shyvers, and was likely established to capitalize on the significant Navy presence during World War II. Photo source: WA Department of Commerce
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King County’s transit-to-trails service 
The King County Department of Local Services 
Free Recycling and Document Shredding event at the South King County Tool Library (1700 S. 340th St.) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 7. Bring your metal, styrofoam, and plastic film for recycling and documents for shredding to this FREE drive-thru event. For more information, call 253-835-2771, 
The Federal Way Arts Commission is excited to announce the third-annual “Arts Explosion” Juried Art Show Festival, taking place from May 30 to June 1, at the Performing Arts & Events Center. This vibrant festival will celebrate the diversity of Federal Way, showcasing the talents of both adult and youth artists, while promoting artistic growth and community engagement. The third-annual Federal Way Arts Explosion Festival brings a juried art competition to both adult and youth artists from around the region. 
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