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“Let’s start this year with gratitude and the intent to make every day count.”
-- Anonymous --
 I don’t always make New Year’s resolutions, but last year I decided to find the joy in each day. I’m not going to lie and say that it was easy, because there were some heavy days that didn’t feel like they were compatible with joy, but I was committed to looking for it, and I think I was successful. This year I have a new determination, and that is to find gratitude each day. There is always something to be grateful for if we’re willing to look for it. I wish for you the ability to find your gratitude, or I can highly recommend joy, too! Here’s to a great 2025!
 It's hot off the press and in your mailboxes!
This edition of the Auburn Magazine for Winter 2025 tells the story of the Auburn Avenue Theater -- from its humble beginnings as a motor-coach bus depot, to a movie theater, a dinner theater, a live production stage theater, and then finally and currently, an empty lot. What's to come is going to be truly special -- I hope you give it a read! Our Public Works staff also included some details on the improvement project downtown, all of which is set to kick begin early this year.
 This edition of the magazine also includes stories about Auburn's newest seafood restaurant, Happy Crab, which recently took over the old Sunbreak Cafe building along A Street. People can't get enough of the seafood boils and noodle dishes!
 The magazine also features stories about Postmark Center for the Arts' upcoming events for the year, new heart-healthy events at our Auburn Parks, an update on our all-important Comprehensive Plan, a refresher on parking rules in our city, an overview of South King Tool Library, and so much more!
If you live in Auburn, the magazine should be in your mailbox -- please give it a read!
If you live outside city limits or you prefer to read online, you can always access our magazines on our website.
 Over the holidays, our team has been hard at work preparing Part 2 of our Safe Auburn: Community Conversations series, with meetings scheduled later this month and in early February.
The first will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14 at West Auburn High School, 401 W. Main Street, where we'll share ideas, solutions, information and more, with a Q&A to follow. Light refreshments will be provided.
Last time around, we asked you to do most of the talking, so please come ready to hear from us with updates! We heard your concerns and listened to your ideas. Some of those we have already been doing, others will be acted upon in the future. Attending will be City of Auburn staff, Councilmembers, and myself. Auburn School District Superintendent Alan Spicciati will also attend all but the January 14 meeting. We are so very thankful for the partnership with the Auburn School District!
I hope you can join us at one of the meetings below!
- West Auburn High School | 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 14
- Mt. Baker Middle School | 5:30 p.m. Thursday, January 23
- Auburn Mountainview High School | 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 28
- Chinook Elementary School | 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 6
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* Tuesday, Jan. 14
* 5:30 - 7 p.m.
* West Auburn High School | 401 W. Main St.
* Free, refreshments provided
 Heads up, commuters, especially afternoon southbound travelers! Auburn Avenue between 2nd Street NE and 3rd Street NE will be closed 'round the clock starting Monday, Jan. 13, until at least Feb. 28. Detours are in place!
These closures are part of the City's Regional Growth Center Access Improvements project, which will improve non-motorized access and traffic operations and circulation. The project adds the northbound left-turn lane and a northbound/southbound crosswalk at 3rd St/Auburn Ave, and removes the split phase operations at 4th St/Auburn Way N.
Plan accordingly!
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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+.
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* Wednesdays
* 10 a.m. - Noon
* Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
* Free
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Drop-In Drawing @ Postmark
Come stop by for our new Drop-In Drawing sessions at the Postmark! A free, no-pressure environment for artists and creatives to drop-in to draw from a still life or the gallery. Stay for whole two hours or only 10 minutes. Bring tools to either shade or color with, and your own sketchbook or drawing pad. There will be on-site help for critique/questions/advice. All are welcome.
Ages: 15+
Registration: $0
Instructor: Postmark Staff
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* Fridays
* 10 a.m. - Noon
* Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
* Free
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Drop-In Painting With Amy 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
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* Fridays
* 10 a.m. - Noon
* Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
* Free
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Sew-Your-Own Lavender Sachet
If you like the smell of lavender, you’ll like this class! Learn to sew a small pouch and fill it with lavender to stick under your pillow, in your car, in your bag, or anywhere you would like a fresh scent. Students will be given freedom to customize the front with embroidery or a fabric patch. This class is beginner friendly, and materials will be provided. Students must be comfortable handling a sewing needle and pins.
Ages: 15+
Fee: $20/$25 Resident/Non-Res
Instructor: Amanda Jenkinson
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* Thursday, Jan. 9
* 4:30 - 7 p.m.
* Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
* Register ($20 resident, $25 non-resident)
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Comedy at the Course
Comedy at the Course will keep you laughing all night long as three comedians work to twist your funny bone. Ages 18 and over only.
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* Friday, Jan. 17
* 7:30 p.m.
* Auburn Golf Course Bogey's Public House | 29630 Green River Road
* Tickets ($22 student, $19 senior)
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Borrowed Time – The Music of Styx
Since 2010, Borrowed Time has been captivating audiences as they faithfully recreate the magic of Styx classics like Come Sail Away, Renegade, and Mr. Roboto. This rocking, melodic band has performed throughout Washington State capturing the imagination of audience members as they go. If you miss hearing the huge harmonies of these great songs, and you want to relive your first memories of bell bottoms, perms, and halter tops, this band is for YOU!
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* Saturday, Jan. 18
* 7:30 p.m.
* Green River College Student Affairs Building | 12401 SE 320th St.
* Tickets ($25 student/senior, $22 regular)
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Safe Auburn: Part 2 - Community Conversations -- Mt. Baker Middle School
This January and early February, we've got a series of four meetings at schools across the City of Auburn. All meetings begin at 5:30 PM and will run until about 7:00 PM. Light refreshments provided.
Last time around, you did most of the talking, so please come ready to hear from us! There will be time for Q&A at the end. See ya soon!
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* Thursday, Jan. 23
* 5:30 - 7 p.m.
* Mt. Baker Middle School | 620 37th St. SE
* Free, refreshments provided
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AT Large @ Postmark
Join us for a night of wonderful music with these two award winning musicians from Sequim, WA. This duo combines Amanda Bacon’s amazing vocals with Todd Ortloff’s musical talents on the piano. Amanda & Todd will dazzle you with their flawless harmonies and fabulous stage presence. Come spend and evening with AT Large!
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* Friday, Jan. 24
* 7:30 p.m.
* Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn. Ave.
* Tickets ($22 student/senior, $19 regular)
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Auburn Symphony: Soulful Serenade
Experience enchanting melodies and inspiring moments featuring renowned cellist Nathan Chan as guest artist. Anna Clyneʼs soulful cello concerto and Claude Debussyʼs mystical work about an underwater cathedral invite introspection. Then, like a bright ray of light, Robert Schumann’s symphony will invigorate the hall. Join us for a performance filled with virtuosic brilliance.
Join us at 1:30 before the concert for a talk with William C. White. CLAUDE DEBUSSY / orch.
HENRI BÜSSER – La Cathedral Engloutie (The Sunken Cathedral) ANNA CLYNE – Dance, for Cello and Orchestra
ROBERT SCHUMANN – Symphony No. 4 in D minor, op. 120 (original 1841 vers)
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* Sunday, Jan. 26
* 2:30 - 4 p.m.
* Auburn Performing Arts Center | 702 4th Street NE
* Tickets ($10 - $45)
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Safe Auburn: Part 2 - Community Conversations -- Auburn Mountainview High School
This January and early February, we've got a series of four meetings at schools across the City of Auburn. All meetings begin at 5:30 PM and will run until about 7:00 PM. Light refreshments provided.
Last time around, you did most of the talking, so please come ready to hear from us! There will be time for Q&A at the end. See ya soon!
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* Tuesday, Jan. 28
* 5:30 - 7 p.m.
* Auburn Mountainview High School | 28900 124th Ave SE
* Free, refreshments provided
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Mindful Art Making: Winter
In this 2-hour workshop, we will weave together concepts from mindfulness and art to explore themes of "letting be" and self care as we create mixed media artwork. Simply bring your curiosity, playfulness and willingness to engage in self-reflection; no prior art experience is expected.
Ages: 15+
Fee: $50/$60 Resident/Non-Res
Instructor: Holly Pennington
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* Thursday, Jan. 30
* 5 - 7 p.m.
* Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
* Register ($50 resident, $60 non-resident)
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Sixtiesmania
Don’t miss Sixtiesmania, one of the leading 60s tribute band in the USA today! This sixties tribute band covers everything from the Beatles British invasion to the music of Woodstock and everything in between (and after!) Stones, CCR, Doors, Monkees, Beach Boys, Kinks, Free, Cream, the Vietnam anthem songs, Summer of love, and more. Sixtiesmania performs hit after hit from all these great groups keeping their original spirit and energy alive!
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* Saturday, Feb. 1
* 7:30 p.m.
* Auburn Performing Arts Center | 702 4th Street NE
* Tickets ($30 student, $27 senior)
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 I'm happy we were able to include Ruth and Jim in the Auburn Magazine story about Safe Auburn!
 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.
(Image courtesy of White River Valley Museum)
Tom and Eliza Wil-Etch-Tid, members of the Muckleshoot Tribe, posing together inside the George Porter & Co dry goods store in Auburn, 1898. Dry goods stores were the original Target stores – one-stop-shops that sold nearly any non-perishable consumable good, from fabric and soap to flour and canned goods. Hardware stores were distinguished by selling durable goods like tools and cookware, while grocery stores sold fresh, perishable foods like produce and meat.
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