Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a web page.

July 26, 2024

"Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly."

- Van Morrison - 

A video message today!

(Click the photo to watch the video)

This week's update is in video form! Click the photo above, the button below, or read the transcript. Have a great weekend!

Hello, Auburn! It's been a while since we recorded a video update for you instead of a written email, so we thought -- why not today? The weather is gorgeous, we have some fun events on the horizon, and well, we figured we'd give your ears something to do alongside your eyes.

I want to start by talking about National Night Out, one of my favorite summer events. The evening of Tuesday, Aug. 6, several city council members, city staff, and, of course, City of Auburn Police Department officers will be out and about. We'll come to your communities and neighborhoods ready to chat, mingle, and discuss the city we live in – what we’re doing to make it great, and what we can do to make it better. It's a fantastic event and a wonderful opportunity for residents to meet their neighbors, talk face-to-face with their elected officials, and get their voices heard. Plus, you won't want to miss our kick-off event at 5 p.m. at City Hall Plaza. Directly following the kickoff, neighbors and residents without a local neighborhood event can come down to hang out at City Hall Plaza, listen to music, toss around a cornhole sack, and enjoy delicious food – like the kind made at the Dick's Hamburgers Food Truck. That's right – we'll have Dick's Hamburgers right here in Auburn, and I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait. To learn more, head to auburnwa.gov/nno.

Next, I want to talk about the latest episode of the That's So Auburn! Podcast. The second part of our internship series was released yesterday, and you can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. In this episode, I was joined by our Human Resources department's Chardae Gillespie, Brianna Winters, and Melissa Medisch to talk more in-depth about the City's NextStepAuburn internship program and all of the benefits it provides, not only to the interns who spend 10 weeks with us over the summer but also to the city as a whole. Our interns have been busy making a positive impact across the City of Auburn, from setting up speed radars and measuring sidewalks for future expansion, to running our Sunday Farmer's Markets, to providing recreation opportunities for youth across our City parks via Rec N Roll. Our interns have been incredibly busy, and I hope you can listen to the full two episodes to learn more. You won't want to miss them.

Let's close out the video with a couple of events I'd like to highlight – the first is Friday Night Flicks, which begins this Friday at Lea Hill Park with a screening of the Super Mario Brothers Movie. Showtime is right around 9:10 p.m. when the sun is about to set. Friday Night Flicks returns Aug. 2 at Sunset Park with a screening of Elemental and Aug. 9 with Wizard of Oz at Les Gove Park, which follows our Almost 5k Poker Fun Run. We'll have more to share about that next week.

This Saturday is Bon Odori at the White River Buddhist Temple. This fun and beautiful event begins at 4 p.m. at the temple at 3625 Auburn Way North, with music, dancing and refreshments into the evening. You don't want to miss this incredible event.

And to close us out, this weekend we've also got four shows of the Auburn Community Junior Players' production of Finding Nemo Jr. at the Auburn Riverside Theatre at 501 Oravetz Road South East. Show begins at 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at auburnwa.gov/theater.

Thank you, Auburn – I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! Talk soon.

Friday Night Flicks A FREE outdoor movie on a 50’ inflatable movie screen make Friday nights in Auburn a real treat for the whole family! Movies start at dusk. Friday, July 26, Lea Hill Park, 31693 124th AVE SE Movie (approx. 9:10 PM): The Super Mario Bros Movie (PG) Friday, August 2, Sunset Park, 1420 69th Street SE Movie (approx. 9:00 PM): Elemental (PG) Friday, August 9, Les Gove Park, 910 Ninth Street SE 6:30 - 8:30 PM: Concert: Prom Date Mixtape (The Greatest Tribute Band in the PNW!) 7:00PM: ‘Almost 5K’ Poker Fun Run Movie (approx. 8:50 PM): The Wizard of Oz (G) ### Friday, July 26 9:10 p.m. Lea Hill Park, 31693 124th AVE SE

Auburn Community Junior Players: Finding Nemo Jr. Dive into the big blue world of Disney and Pixar’s Finding Nemo JR.! This lively 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo features all your favorite characters: Nemo, an adventurous young clownfish; Marlin, Nemo’s anxious and over-protective father; Dory the relentlessly optimistic fish; the laid-back sea turtle Crush; and the supportive Tank Gang. When Nemo longs to explore the area beyond his home he is captured and taken away to Sydney. Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic rescue adventure across the ocean with the help of their friends. Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming,” “Fish Are Friends Not Food,” and “Go With the Flow,” Finding Nemo JR. brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure. ### All weekend Various times Auburn Riverside Theatre, 501 Oravetz Road SE Buy tickets online

Bon Odori Join us for White River Buddhist Templeʼs 2024 Bon Odori Festival on Saturday, July 27 from 4:00 - 9:00 PM. Obon (お盆) is the Japanese Buddhist holiday to honor the spirits of oneʼs ancestors. It is of significant religious importance and is the biggest event of the year for the Temple. ### Saturday, July 27 4 - 9 p.m. White River Buddhist Temple, 3625 Auburn Way North Free

Auburn Farmers Market Veggie Races at noon! Join us for Auburn's first ever Veggie Races! Bring your veggie vehicle and race for fun prizes! Top three fastest will win a prize plus the most creative! 300 free Farmers Market t-shirts will be given away at the Info Booth. Get yours while supplies last. Adult sizes only. The Auburn Farmers Market hosts a variety of farm, food, and craft vendors every Sunday. Browse over 50 vendors in a beautiful park setting! View more information on the Auburn Farmers Market webpage. Entertainment Schedule:  10 a.m. - 3 p.m., ArtRageous, free art activity near the food court 11 - 11:45 a.m., Daniel Morales, live music 12 p.m. Veggie Races! ### Sundays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Les Gove Park, 1140 Auburn Way South

Make and Mingle @ Postmark Stop by the Postmark for our Make & Mingle session! Join us for a cup of coffee with whatever art project you might be working on. A free, no-pressure environment for artists and creatives to gather... you can talk with other artists, ask for feedback or critique from on-site staff if available, bring your sketchbook to work out ideas, or just quietly draw in the gallery or work on your art! Intended for ages 18+. ### Wednesdays 10 a.m. - Noon Postmark Center for the Arts, 20 Auburn Ave. Free

Dancing with Our Ancestors @ White River Valley Museum Dance, food, taiko drums, and remembering those who have passed makes Bon Odori a beloved celebration in Japan and across the U.S. Learn more about the traditions of Bon Odori right here in Auburn at our newest exhibit.  Created in partnerships with the White River Buddhist Temple and made possible by the City of Auburn and 4Culture. ### Wednesdays - Sundays Noon to 4 p.m. White River Valley Museum, 918 H Street SE Free

Kids Summerstage An exciting children's outdoor entertainment series that will be LOADS of fun for kiddos and the adults who bring them! Pack up a picnic lunch and enjoy the performances! This entertainment series will be held at the park shelter beside the Discovery Playground. Bring swimsuits and towels and enjoy the Rotary Spray Park before/after the performances. *In the event of rain, concerts will be moved indoors, if possible. 2024 Line-up: July 31 - Brian Vogan & His Good Buddies - fun, inclusive, interactive music for kids and families August 7 - The Magic of Jeff Evans - a fun, unforgettable, interactive magic show August 14 - Charlie Williams The Noiseguy - a vocal sound impressionist and kids' comedian  ### Wednesday, July 24 Noon - 1 p.m. Les Gove Park, 910 9th Street SE

Summer Sounds The perfect summer entertainment series the whole family will enjoy! Pack up a picnic blanket and dinner and enjoy the various performances. The series will be held at the parks shelter beside the Discovery Playground. Wednesdays at 6:30PM from July 10 – August 14 Line-up: July 31 – Hook Me Up Band – Pop, Rock, Jazz & Blues August 7 – Auburn Symphony Woodwind Quintet – Pops and Classical August 14 – Army 1st Corps I-5 Rock Band – Rock N Roll ### Wednesday, July 24 6:30 - 8 p.m. Les Gove Park, 910 9th Street SE

Downtown Auburn Cooperative Historic Walk Downtown Meet the Downtown Auburn Cooperative team in front of City Hall at 8 a.m. on Friday mornings. Stroll with us on the streets downtown for a casual walk while we talk about about history of our downtown. Everyone has memories of downtown and if you don't because you are new to town, you will hear about a lot of interesting stuff. It is casual walk so bring your pets, kids, grandparents and anyone you would like too. Every Friday from May 3 to August 30, 2024. Visit www.downtownauburncooperative.org for more info. ### Fridays 8 a.m. Auburn City Hall, 25 W. Main Street

Drop -In Painting With Amie Sie @ Postmark Amy Sie is offering Drop-In Gongbi Painting sessions at the Postmark! A free, no-pressure environment for you to start a new painting, or work on an old one. Please bring your own tools and materials for watercolor painting. On-site help for critique/questions/advice. All are welcome.  Ages: 18+ Fee: $0 Instructor: Amy Sie ### Fridays 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Postmark Center for the Arts, 20 Auburn Ave.

National Night Out What is National Night Out? National Night Out (NNO) is a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). On the first Tuesday of August, residents in neighborhoods throughout the city of Auburn and across the nation are asked to turn on their outside lights, lock their doors, and spend the evening outside with their neighbors. All neighborhoods are encouraged to be a part of AUBURN'S NIGHT OUT team by registering their neighborhood event.  Check out Auburn's National Night Out page to get full details and register your neighborhood event! ### Tuesday, Aug. 6 5 - 9 p.m. All across Auburn

Summer camps at City of Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation are in full swing! And as you can see (but not smell, unfortunately) the cooking camp is whipping up all kinds of new specials.

Auburn is rich with history — from historical Main Street to the artifacts preserved throughout White River Valley Museum — I am excited to share these stories with all of you each week. 

Connecting with nature

Photo courtesy of White River Valley Museum

“Land of the Gods,” a 1949 piece by Auburn alpine photographer George L. Kinkade. Writing about spending time in the outdoors, Kinkade said: “I do believe that life in the mountains brings out the predominating characteristic of a person, and if that characteristic happens to be a broad-minded outlook on life and rebellion against the insipid pettiness of the conventional, the person who possesses such will gain something through association with the wilderness that cannot be obtained elsewhere.”