September 11th Community Update
King County, Washington sent this bulletin at 09/11/2025 05:00 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 Indian American Community Services and the Kabaddi Tournament, the upcoming Annual Shredding Events in South King County, the approval of the 2025 Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction Grant recommendations, the Recognition of the 2024-25 Ruth Woo Fellows, grants, local events, road and local services updates, and more.
Washington Trivia This iconic establishment in Seattle's University District, which first welcomed visitors in 1934, has transformed into a celebrated literary haven. Can you guess what it is? (Answer is at the bottom) The Seahawks Offensive line could have used members of the Seattle Punjab Sports Club Sunday, September 7, but they were entertaining me and over 5,000 Kent residents at my first Kabaddi Tournament, preceded by the blessing of the first South King County Indian American Community Center, led by some dedicated women who are building service bridges in our region.
With 48th Legislative District Representative Osman Salahuddin, King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci, Kent Council President Satwinder Kaur, Kent Councilmember Toni Troutner, Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla, and community members
Annual Shredding Event This Saturday, September 13, residents of South King County will have two opportunities to participate in a free shredding event. Seadrunar, a secure document disposal company, will have mobile shredding units at two locations:
Note: No commercial/for-profit shredding allowed. Individuals/businesses attempting to shred documents on behalf of customers for a fee are strictly prohibited.
King County Flood Control District Full Board Approves the 2025 Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction Grant Recommendations On Tuesday, September 9, the King County Flood Control District Full Board approved the 2025 Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction Grant recommendations. I am pleased to share that four applicants from King County Council District 7 were selected by the Flood Control District to receive awards totaling over $2,330,000.00.
These projects will improve both flood safety and quality of life for residents in South King County, and I appreciate that the King County Flood Control District Board approved these funding requests. Read more here.
King County Council Recognizes the 2024-25 Ruth Woo Fellows The King County Council recognized the 2024-25 Ruth Woo Emerging Leaders Fellows: Monica Alfonzo, Zeinab Al-Mohanawy, Priscilla de Andrade, Marissa Maldonado, and Saeed Mahamood. This fellowship honors community leader Ruth Woo and aims to empower disadvantaged youth by offering career exploration in King County's public sector. Congratulations are extended to the fellows for their accomplishments, with hopes that their experiences will benefit their future endeavors.
With King County Council colleagues and 2024-25 Ruth Woo Fellows
2025 Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy Summit
The summit theme this year is “The Road Ahead: Building Possibilities” and together we will explore innovative ideas, strengthen connections, and build possibilities that shape the future of human services in King County. Click here for more information. Friday, October 24 | 9 AM - 4 PM | Register Here Saturday, October 25 | 10 AM - 2 PM | Register Here For questions about October 24, contact Taylor Gaston at tgaston@kingcounty.gov and Riishaar Baker at ribaker@kingcounty.gov about October 25.
Department of Local Services Launches Animated Videos to Answer Common Permitting Questions
Re+ Seed Grants
Local Events RAINFEST
The City of Federal Way will be hosting RAINFEST this Sunday, September 14, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Steel Lake Park. RAINFEST is a free, family-friendly event that blends fun with environmental education. Community members of all ages are invited to discover how we can protect the water that sustains our region through hands-on learning and interactive activities focused on water quality, pollution prevention, and sustainability. The first 250 attendees will receive free food vouchers. Drive-Thru Recycling Event
The City of Federal Way and South King Tool Library will be hosting another free Drive-Thru Appliances and Electronics Recycling and Document Shredding event at the South King Tool Library (1700 S. 340th St.) from 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturday, September 27. Read more here. Residents can drop off up to three large items for free recycling, including refrigerators & freezers, stoves, washers and dryers, air conditioners, microwaves, dehumidifiers, and small appliances. Free recycling of small to medium-sized electronics (examples include computers, TVs, gaming equipment, cables).
Road Closures Northbound I-5 off-ramp to S 272nd Street Sound Transit will close the off-ramp from northbound I-5 to S 272nd Street Friday, September 12, at 10 PM, through Monday, September 15, at 5 AM. Please follow the signed detour route to exit northbound I-5 at Kent Des Moines Road and use southbound SR 99 to access S 272nd Street. Click here for more information. Weekend right turn lane closure from SR 99 to SR 516 Sound Transit’s contractors will close the right turn lane from Pacific Highway (SR 99) onto SR 516 on Friday, September 12, at 10 PM, through Monday, September 15, at 5 PM. During this closure, drivers must access SR 516 and the I-5 on-ramps via 30th Avenue S and S 240th St. Please use caution and follow Sound Transit crew directions during work hours. Click here for more information. For questions, contact fwle@soundtransit.org or the after-hours construction hotline at 888-298-2395. Share Your Thoughts on Improving Traffic Safety in Unincorporated King County Road Services is developing a plan to enhance traffic safety in unincorporated King County and is eager to hear your feedback. Your insights will assist in creating a clearer understanding of the situation in your community and will support King County in applying for grants aimed at improving traffic safety. Help make county roads safer to drive, bike, walk, and roll on by sharing your thoughts at Traffic Safety Planning - PublicInput. To sign up for timely alerts, visit WSDOT | King County Roads | King County Metro | Sound Transit.
National Preparedness Month September is National Preparedness Month, a good time to prepare for emergencies and disasters that may affect you. King County Emergency Management wants you to make it through. 1. Make a plan: An emergency plan should include meeting places in case you and loved ones become separated and alternate methods of communication if one or more methods fail. 2. Build a kit: Start with the essentials like nonperishable food and water, first aid, and cash in small bills. After that, consider your unique medical needs, the needs of your pets, and comfort items for children. 3. Get involved: You can also take first aid classes or join a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Enroll in a free online independent study course through FEMA's Emergency Management Institute or take a CPR course with the American Red Cross to better equip yourself to assist your community. 4. Stay informed: Follow trusted news sources and look for emergency alerts from the National Weather Service. In a disaster or emergency, King County will update the Emergency News Blog with any information that's pertinent to the public. Finally, sign up for Alert King County to get emergency alerts. Learn more about disaster preparedness at makeitthrough.org, or at King County's Office of Emergency Management Personal and Family Preparedness site. Learn Flood Preparedness here.
CERT Basic Course
The Greater Federal Way Community Emergency Response Team will host its Fall CERT Basic Course on Thursday evenings from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM from September 17 through November 12. CERT teaches residents disaster preparedness and planning, first aid, use of fire extinguishers, and search and rescue. Training is free. Read more here. To sign up, email Sharon Green at sharon.green@federalwaywa.gov.
Non-Profit Corner
Did you ever wonder where words and phrases originated from? Kerfuffle Meaning: A disruption or uproar usually triggered by a disagreement or conflict. Origin: The term "kerfuffle" comes from Scottish dialect, likely from the Gaelic words for "twist" (car) and "disorder" (fuffle). It was first recorded in the 1940s as a noun signifying commotion or disorder but had been used in Scots since the early 1800s. A penny for your thoughts Meaning: Used to inquire about an individual's thoughts or contemplations. Origin: The phrase originated in 16th-century England and was initially documented by Sir Thomas More around 1535. During that era, a penny represented a substantial amount of money, making the offer a sincere, if figurative, request to learn someone’s thoughts. It gained popularity through John Heywood’s collection of proverbs in 1546 and has since been used as a gentle way to ask about someone's opinions or to reengage them in a conversation.
Local Services Contact Information Code Enforcement Links: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | Unincorporated
Mariners Schedule | Seahawks Schedule | Sounders Schedule
With best wishes,
Washington Trivia Answer: The Blue Moon Tavern was founded by twenty-one-year-old Henry John Reverman, who utilized his college fund to open the now infamous tavern in the U-District. Emerging from the prohibition era, the Blue Moon Tavern became a meeting ground for activists and professors who faced scrutiny during the McCarthy-era Red Scare. Renowned for its rich history, the tavern is famous for stories from years gone by, including a memorable incident from the 1960s: Tom Robbins dialing Pablo Picasso in Spain from its payphone. Robbins encapsulated the essence of the Moon beautifully when he described it as “a frenzy of distorted joy spinning just outside the reach of bourgeois horrors.” In 1950, brothers Jack and Jim David took over the Blue Moon and welcomed a growing coterie of artists, writers, political radicals, and "beatniks." The tavern's reputation among the avant garde was secured by the frequent patronage of poets. The tavern also provided a haven for UW professors such as Joe Butterworth who were caught up in the McCarthyist purge led by the Canwell Committee. Restaurateur Gerry Kingen's attempted to redevelop the Moon in 1970, but eventually sold it to a former bartender, "Fast Eddy" McWhinnie, in 1974. In 1982, "Three Fools, Inc." revived the tavern, refurbishing it in 1984 for its 50th anniversary. In 1989, a long-term lease negotiated by Stan Poll was threatened when Westlake Capital bought the building to replace the tavern with retail and condos. A campaign to designate the Blue Moon as a cultural landmark failed in March 1990. However, community efforts led by Hans Aschenbach resulted in a settlement by May 1990, which scaled back development plans and extended the tavern's lease to 2034, securing its future. According to their website, this venue has evolved from being a "beatnik haven, a biker bar, and a grunge era dive" to a welcoming space for all patrons. In an effort to attract the younger crowd near the University of Washington, the bar now features live music and karaoke on most nights of the week.
Photo sources: (Left) Historylink.org; (Right) The Seattle Times
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2025 Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy Summit Registration is officially open for the fourth annual King County Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) Summit, happening October 24 and 25 at the DoubleTree Southcenter.
Good news! The Department of Local Services has launched animated videos answering common questions about permits in unincorporated King County, making it easier to find information. 
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