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 Diwali Celebration & Proclamation, the Veterans Day Celebration at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center, a briefing on King County Courthouse Security, available grant opportunities, local events, and more.
Washington Trivia
This resident of Washington lived to be 108 years old and was among the oldest surviving World War I veterans in the United States. Who was he?
(Answer is at the bottom)
King County Council Proclaims November 8 as Diwali – The Festival of Lights Day
Dipavali, or Diwali to most of us, is the Festival of Lights, and I was honored to celebrate it by lighting a candle alongside Consul General Prakash Gupta, my fellow King County councilmembers, and invited guests. Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. WE could use that spirit across all levels of government today!
 With King County Councilmembers Claudia Balducci, Sarah Perry, Steffanie Fain, and Jorge Barón, alongside the Consul General of India in Seattle, Prakash Gupta, and his delegation, and local business leaders like David Malik, whose family immigrated from India and now lives the American Dream, actively giving back to the communities that welcomed them.
Veterans Day Celebration at the PAEC
On November 11, at 11:00 AM, I had the honor of joining fellow veterans, their families, and Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell for the Veterans Day celebration at the Performing Arts and Event Center (PAEC).
Whether it was peeling potatoes as an ROTC cadet at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, at 4 AM, or serving in Japan as a Brigade Major, collaborating with Asian allies on Cold War strategies in Hokkaido, I learned much in uniform, and much more from the Non-Commissioned Officers and enlisted personnel whom I served with. Happy Veterans Day to all who served!
 When I told the audience at the Federal Way Veterans Day event that sergeants make things happen, I was referring to people like Keynote Speaker Sergeant Major Victor Martinez, who spent over 8 years in the U.S. Army, and many more years in the Reserves. Thank you, Sergeant Major!
Government Oversight Committee Holds Briefing on Courthouse Security
During its meeting on November 10, the King County Government Oversight Committee (GAO) held a briefing on Courthouse Security. Attendees included King County Superior Court Presiding Judge Averil Rothrock and Court Facilities & Security Manager Adam Keller, who provided an update on security concerns and incidents across King County courthouses. They also discussed ongoing initiatives aimed at safeguarding employees, jurors, and residents. Read The Seattle Times article or watch the meeting.
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, including Aquatic Facilities, Ballfield Access and Preservation, and Healthy Communities and Parks. Applications will be accepted from November 30, 2026, to February 1, 2027. For further details, please visit the new Parks Grants website.
 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
2026 Holiday Food Collection & Distribution Dates
Multi-Service Center's Redondo Heights Food Bank
Holiday Food Collection: Donations may be dropped off at the Redondo Heights Food Bank loading dock area (27614 Pacific Hwy S. Federal Way, WA 98003) from Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (except holidays). Thanksgiving donations must be received by November 16 and winter holiday donations must be received by December 14. If you wish to organize a food drive, staff can provide collection bins and arrange pickups for larger drives. Please email info@mschelps.org to make arrangements.
Thanksgiving Food Distribution: November 17, 18, 19 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Winter Food Distribution: December 15, 16, 17 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Redondo Heights Food Bank (27614 Pacific Hwy S. Federal Way, WA 98003)
Please note due to holidays during the months of November and December, MSC’s food bank operation hours will be shifting during times. Please check MSC's website for details.
The Auburn Food Bank
Collection: You may drop off holiday food donations, including canned goods, turkeys, and hams, at the food bank. To volunteer, you can register to assist with sorting or distributing holiday meals by calling 253-833-8925 or visiting https://www.theauburnfoodbank.org/volunteer.
Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway: November 24 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Must be registered before November 20.
Christmas Basket Giveaway: December 22 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Must be registered before December 19.
Location: Holy Family Catholic Church (505 17th St. SE, Auburn, WA 98002)
To register, please visit The Auburn Food Bank located at 2804 Auburn Way N, Auburn, WA 98002 during regular client hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Identification is required to verify your address, such as a current piece of mail or a government-issued ID.
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?
Sands of time
Meaning: Used to refer to the passage of time.
Origin: Although hourglasses have roots dating back to the Middle Ages, with even earlier timing devices appearing, the imagery of sand measuring human life is both ancient and instinctive. The phrase gained significant popularity in 19th-century American literature through poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his 1839 poem, A Psalm of Life, which features the well-known lines:
“Lives of great men all remind us / We can make our lives sublime, / And, departing, leave behind us / Footprints on the sands of time.”
Over the years, this phrase has woven itself into common language, symbolizing the finite nature of life, the relentless march of history, or the feeling that time is slipping away (as in, “the sands of time are running out”).
Mandofun
Meaning: A slang term derived from “mandatory fun,” used in military and corporate contexts to describe events that appear optional but are effectively required.
Origin: The phrase originated in U.S. military culture, particularly in the Marine Corps and Army, to describe unit-level barbecues, sports days, holiday parties, or team-building exercises that are technically voluntary but often mandated by leadership. It highlights the contradiction between mandatory attendance and the idea of fun. Since attendance encroaches on personal time and carries social or career risks for absence, it feels obligatory. This term has since transitioned into civilian corporate culture, critiquing mandatory team-building events.
 Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day to honor World War I veterans. In 1954, Congress passed a bill that President Eisenhower signed, officially designating November 11 as Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars.
11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month signified November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. in France, when German forces formally agreed to a cease-fire, thereby ending World War I.
As of the fiscal year 2026, there are approximately 17 million veterans, with a median age of 63. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that over half of all living veterans, accounting for 53%, served during the Gulf War Era. Additionally, 27% served in the Vietnam War Era, 2% during the Korean Conflict, 2% in World War II, and 20% during peacetime.
In terms of military branches, the majority of veterans served in the Army (44%), followed by the Navy (21%), Air Force (17%), Marines (12%), Reserve Forces (6%), and Non-defense roles (1%).
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:
A long-time resident of Zillah, Washington, Harry E. Purdy Sr. celebrated an extraordinary milestone, reaching the age of 108, making him one of the oldest surviving World War I veterans in the nation. Born on November 25, 1893, to Daniel Purdy and Margaret Wogerman in Mulberry, Missouri, he dedicated much of his life to farming. He left school after the third grade to help his brother manage the family tobacco farm, which was owned by their father, an ailing Civil War veteran.
Resistant to the technological advancements of his time, Mr. Purdy chose not to use a tractor on his farm, preferring to work with a team of horses and mules. A memorable moment in his life occurred while plowing with horses when he saw one of the first biplanes flying overhead. From that day on, he vowed never to board an airplane, a promise he kept throughout his life. He also never rode a train and traveled by boat only once, when he went to France for the war.
During World War I, Purdy served in France, where he built roads, bridges, and dug ditches. Despite facing combat, he returned home without injury. In 1993, for his 100th birthday, he received the National Defense Medal, awarded to him nearly 75 years earlier. In 2000, he was honored with the French National Order of the Legion for his service as an Army engineer.
Throughout his life, Purdy witnessed the tenures of 20 presidents. Recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars as the third-oldest U.S. veteran of World War I, Purdy peacefully passed away in his sleep at home in 2002 in Sunnyside, Yakima County. In a touching tribute to his love for them, his casket was carried to Zillah Cemetery by a wagon drawn by mules.
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.
|
|
