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 anniversary of the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, a proclamation from the King County Council, a survey from the Solid Waste Division, available grant opportunities, local events, and more.
Washington Trivia
This modern gem in Federal Way has been serving the community for 55 years, supporting athletic programs, middle school sports, and elementary track events. What is it?
(Answer is at the bottom)
Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center Celebrates 35 Years of Excellence
Yesterday, in collaboration with the Seattle Sports Commission, I hosted an event to honor the remarkable history and significant milestones of the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center. This celebration recognized its 35 years as a world-class venue for competitive swimming, diving, and community events, with the participation of King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, King County Councilmember Steffanie Fain, and local civic and business leaders.
 With King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, Jake Weyerhauser, David Sabey, and Beth Knox
The event also honored the 35-year leadership and enduring legacy of founding director Mike Dunwiddie, as well as the dedicated staff whose efforts have established the Aquatic Center as a vital part of sports and recreation in South King County.
 With Des Moines Deputy Mayor Gene Achziger, Sabey Corporation President Joe Sabey, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, Regional Aquatic Center Coordinator Mike Dunwiddie, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, King County Councilmember Steffanie Fain, and Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus
Thirty-six years ago, a team led by George Weyerhaeuser, Project Developer David Sabey, and me, representing the public sector, brought an idea to build a world-class aquatic center in South King County. Today, the facility remains as a regional resource that has provided King County residents with a world-class facility to enrich their lives through participating in aquatics.
 With the late George Weyerhaeuser and David Sabey at a previous aquatic center celebration
King County Council Proclamation
The King County Council and the King County Executive proclaimed October 2026 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in King County, celebrating the many contributions of people with disabilities, honoring their lived experiences, and recognizing how they strengthen our workforce, our communities, and our county.
 With King County Councilmembers Teresa Mosqueda, Rhonda Lewis, Jorge Barón, Claudia Balducci, Rod Dembowski, Reagan Dunn, and Steffanie Fain, King County Chief People Officer Megan Pedersen, ADA and Disability Equity Specialist Darya Farivar, Disability Services Manager Sara Moorman, Disability Equity Network Chair Karla Lynch, KCIT Principal Engineer Dan Johnson, KCIT Modern Workplace Senior Manager Katie Suvlu, and King County employees
Grant Opportunities
King County Parks Grants
King County Parks is launching the first round of grant applications for the 2026-2031 Parks Levy, with funding available for various projects:
• Aquatic Facilities: up to $9.5 million
• Ballfield Access and Preservation: up to $3.5 million
• Healthy Communities and Parks: up to $9.1 million
Applications are open from November 30, 2026, to February 1, 2027. A Parks Grants Preview webinar will be held on November 5 at 12:00 P.M. Click here to register on Zoom. Visit the new Parks Grants website for more information.
 King County Parks, Your Big Backyard: 205 parks, 175 miles of regional trails, 250 miles of backcountry trails, 32,000 acres of open space, and 150,000 acres of conservation easements
Alan M. Painter Grant Program
The Alan M. Painter Grant Program is now accepting applications for 2027. It supports community-driven projects that strengthen unincorporated areas of King County. A total of $90,000 will be awarded in 2027, with individual grants of less than $5,000 per project. Funding for selected projects will begin in March 2027. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. Read more on the King County Local Services blog here.
King County Solid Waste Division Wants to Hear from You
King County Solid Waste Division seeks your feedback on the updated plan for long-term waste disposal options, as the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill will reach capacity in 10–20 years. Comments are due by 11:59 p.m. on November 20. You can email your comments to SWDCompPlan@kingcounty.gov, use the online comment form on this website, or mail them to Patty Liu at the King County Solid Waste Division, 201 S. Jackson Street, Suite 6400, Seattle, WA 98104-3855.
Be Flood Ready
The King County Flood Control District, in collaboration with King County, is dedicated to ensuring our community is prepared for potential flooding. Flood season spans from October to April, during which time we face the risks of swollen rivers, elevated groundwater levels, and storm-related impacts. For more information on how you can prepare, visit the King County Flood Control District website to learn how to Be Flood Ready.
Local Events
The Auburn Food Bank Harvest Breakfast
The Auburn Food Bank will hold its annual Harvest Breakfast on Friday, November 6, from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at Grace Community Church (1320 Auburn Way S). Visit The Auburn Food Bank’s website for more information.
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Repair Café at South King Tool Library
The City of Federal Way is hosting a Repair Cafe on Saturday, November 7, at the South King Tool Library (1700 S 340th St., Federal Way) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring damaged furniture, broken household items, dull knives, and torn clothing for repair. For questions, contact South King Tool Library at info@southkingtools.org.
Auburn's 61st Annual Veterans Parade & Observance
The 61st annual Veterans Parade in Auburn will take place on Saturday, November 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event, designated by the Veterans Day National Committee, honors veterans and active military personnel. The parade, which has been held since 1965, is one of the largest in the U.S., featuring over 150 units and nearly 4,000 participants, including marching bands and military vehicles. Activities will run from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the parade route along Main Street from E Street to A Street NW/SW. Visit the City of Auburn website for parade details.
Veterans Day Celebration at the PAEC
Join the City of Federal Way for the Veterans Day Celebration on Wednesday, November 11, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Performing Arts & Event Center. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. This year's event marks 11/11/11, honoring local veterans with remarks and performances from community organizations.
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Blood Drive at Auburn City Hall
Bloodworks Bloodmobile will be at the Auburn City Hall (25 W Main St., Auburn) on Tuesday, November 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a blood donation event. Book your one-hour appointment at bloodworksnw.org/giveblood.
• Appointments are required for an optimal experience; same-day appointments may be available.
• Bring a photo ID.
• No visitors under 16 are allowed for safety.
• Please eat a hearty meal and hydrate before donating
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South King County Non-Profit Corner
Learn more about the nonprofit organizations listed below:
Auburn Food Bank | Auburn Noon Lions | Auburn Valley Humane Society | Bloodworks Northwest | Eileen & Callie’s Place | Federal Way Historical Society | Federal Way Kiwanis | Federal Way Lions | Federal Way Public Market | Federal Way Senior Center | Friends of the Federal Way Libraries | FUSION Décor Boutique | Kent Lions | Multi-Service Center Food Bank | Orion Works | Rotary Club of Federal Way | See Ya Later Foundation | Soroptimist International of Auburn | Soroptimist International of Federal Way | The Salvation Army | Unleash the Brilliance
Crime & Public Safety
To view local community crime maps, visit: Auburn Crime Rates | Federal Way Crime Map | Kent Crime Rates | King County Sheriff's Office Crime Data
 Did you ever wonder where words and phrases originated from?
Bonfire
Meaning: A large and controlled outdoor fire.
Origin: The term bonfire originates from Middle English bonefire, meaning "a fire of bones," with its earliest reference as ignis ossium in Latin. Key arguments for its etymology include the unusual mix of French and English roots and its early spelling as banefyre, where bane was a common Scottish spelling of bone. Historically, burning animal bones was associated with seasonal pagan rituals, such as Celtic festivals like Samhain and Midsummer. By the 16th and 17th centuries, the focus on bones lessened, and the term evolved to describe any large outdoor fire for public celebrations or burning yard waste.
Like chalk and cheese
Meaning: Completely contrasting, entirely different, or as far apart as possible.
Origin: The earliest written reference to the phrase "cheese for chalk" is in John Gower's 1393 poem, Confessio Amantis. It highlighted the deceitful practices of medieval shopkeepers who would substitute inexpensive, crumbly white chalk for genuine cheese to deceive customers. By the 16th century, it had evolved into a popular proverb, notably used by reformer Hugh Latimer in 1555. Although some unaged cheeses may resemble chalk in appearance, they are distinctly different in texture, flavor, and purpose.
 In July 1807, after the Treaties of Tilsit, Napoleon Bonaparte experienced a peculiar event during a celebratory rabbit hunt when 3,000 domesticated rabbits swarmed him, chewing on his clothing.
When the Eiffel Tower was constructed for the 1889 World's Fair, it faced strong opposition from prominent Parisian artists, writers, and architects. On February 14, 1887, Le Temps published an open letter titled “Protest Against the Tower of Monsieur Eiffel,” signed by about 300 cultural figures, including architect Charles Garnier and writer Alexandre Dumas fils. Author Guy de Maupassant famously disliked the tower so much that he dined at its restaurant daily as it is the only place where he did not have to look at it.
Mark Twain, born on November 30, 1835, in Florida, Missouri, famously noted his birth coincided with Halley’s Comet, which was closest to the Sun on November 16, 1835. In his autobiography, he predicted he would die with the comet's return. Halley’s Comet reached perihelion again on April 20, 1910, and Twain passed away the following day, April 21, 1910, in Redding, Connecticut.
Daylight Saving Time ends November 1
Daylight saving time in 2026 will end on November 1 at 2:00 a.m.
The practice began during World War I in Germany to conserve energy and was first introduced in the U.S. by the Standard Time Act of 1918. The Department of Transportation, established in 1966, regulates time zones and daylight-saving time, which was standardized from the last Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October. The duration was extended in 2005, now observed from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. Arizona and Hawaii do not participate, and states can opt out of daylight-saving time but not remain on it year-round. The U.S. has previously implemented year-round daylight-saving time during World War II and as a trial in 1974.
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 Sign up for ballot alerts at kce.wiki/BallotAlert to receive notifications when King County Elections receives and verifies your ballot, as well as reminders to vote. Alerts will inform you of any signature issues. For more about King County Elections, visit kingcounty.gov/Elections.
Seattle Seahawks 2026 Schedule
 Click here to see the Seattle Seahawks 2026 Schedule
Seattle Mariners 2027 Spring Training Schedule
 Click here to see the Seattle Mariners 2027 Spring Training Schedule
With best wishes,
Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember
Washington Trivia Answer:
The Federal Way Memorial Field was officially inaugurated on October 27, 1971, serving as a significant landmark and a central athletic venue for Federal Way Public Schools. On its opening night, the stadium showcased 144 lights arranged on eight towers and was designed to accommodate 3,240 spectators. During the inaugural game held on the field, Federal Way High School triumphed over Rogers High School.
In February 2022, the original structure closed for a modern rebuild, funded by a 2017 school bond, and reopened in October 2023 at a cost of $24.5 million. The only remnant from the original stadium is the south-end flagpole. A branding logo was introduced, and the first event was a girls soccer game.
The new facility includes:
• Three press box areas, spacious concessions, and restrooms
• A wide corridor with large athlete portraits from local schools
• Exciting LED lighting that changes with the hosting school’s colors
• Enhanced player safety by separating spectators from athletes
• A new sound system and jumbotron scoreboard
• A synthetic grass field with injury-preventive layers
• A light grey, four-layered track for optimal traction
 With Federal Way Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer, Board Member Luckisha Phillips and the rest of the board members at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Memorial Stadium in 2023
King County Emergency Preparedness Guide
Emergencies can happen at any time, often without warning, and their impact can be reduced with the right preparation. This Emergency Preparedness Guide is designed to help individuals, families, and communities take practical steps to stay safe before, during, and after a crisis. From natural disasters to unexpected disruptions, being prepared means knowing what to do, having essential supplies ready, and staying informed. By planning ahead, you can protect yourself, support others, and respond with confidence when it matters most.
Read the Emergency Preparedness Guide compiled by my office here.
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