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Jan. 10, 2025

“True public safety requires a collaboration between law enforcement and the community.”

-- Betsy Hodges --

Safe Auburn returns this Tuesday at West Auburn High School!

As I mentioned last week, our team has been hard at work preparing Part 2 of our Safe Auburn: Community Conversations series, with meetings scheduled this month and in early February.

The first will be at 5:30 p.m. next 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. 

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, Auburn School District personnel, 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

Mark your calendars for State of the City 2025!

I hope you can join us next month for the 2025 State of the City address, held once again at the Muckleshoot Casino Events Center!

Titled Our Auburn: Building a Shared Future, we'll share insights into where we've come from, where we're at, and most especially, where we're headed -- what the next decade looks like in Auburn, and what we can expect a century from now.

5 p.m. - Door's open and reception: Enjoy refreshments and connect.

6 p.m. - Mayor's Address.

Please reserve a seat below by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25. More details (including parking) in the RSVP link.

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* Wednesday, Feb. 26
* 6 p.m.
* Muckleshoot Casino Events Center |  2402 Auburn Way S.
* Free

State financial assistance available to some affected by bomb cyclone

Through its Individual Assistance program, Washington State is offering financial assistance to eligible individuals and families severely impacted by the Nov. 19 bomb cyclone and windstorm. If your primary home had major damage or was destroyed, you may qualify for financial assistance if your household earns below the 80% median income for the area.

The program can provide reimbursement for extended sheltering, home repairs, and certain other unmet needs caused by the disaster.

Major damage or destroyed means that only the foundation remains, or there is a partial or complete failure of the roof, the walls, framing, and/or the foundation. It also could mean that the residence has confirmed, imminent danger such as impending landslides, mudslides, or sinkholes.

We encourage eligible King County residents to apply online first with the Small Business Administration (SBA) at www.SBA.gov/disaster. If you need in-person help with the online application, you can go to the Renton or Bellevue Disaster Loan Outreach Center. The location addresses and hours are:

My heart goes out to those affected by the fires in Los Angeles

Image courtesy of Assocaited Press

My thoughts, prayers and hopes are with the thousands of people affected by a series of fires that tore through Los Angeles this week, especially those who live in the Pacific Palisades, a coastal community on the western edge of the city.

As of Thursday morning, the fire has seemingly destroyed more than 1,000 structures and it continues to grow. At least two people have died, dozens have been injured, and sadly, I anticipate that number will grow as crews begin to assess the damage.

I'm thankful for the courageous City of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County fire fighters who have been working around the clock, and for the thousands of fire fighters who have flown in from across the United States to help! As always, I am thankful for our Valley Regional Fire Authority and IAFF Local 1352 for their dedication to the safety of Auburn, Algona & Pacific.

The White River Valley Museum wants to hear from you!

The White River Valley Museum has launched a short community survey, and they'd like to hear from YOU! 

Are you interested in programming? Exhibits? Do you have thoughts or ideas about future opportunities or challenges? Have you heard about the museum for years but just haven't been? They wanted to hear it all!

Access the free survey via the button below and make your voice heard -- any and all feedback is greatly appreciated!

Survey closes Jan. 24.

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

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 ### * Fridays * 10 a.m. - Noon * Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave. * Free

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 ### * Fridays * 10 a.m. - Noon * Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave. * Free

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. ### * Friday, Jan. 17 * 7:30 p.m. * Auburn Golf Course Bogey's Public House | 29630 Green River Road * Tickets ($19 student/senior, $22 regular)

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! ### * Saturday, Jan. 18 * 7:30 p.m. * Green River College Student Affairs Building | 12401 SE 320th St. * Tickets ($22 student/senior, $25 regular)

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! ### * Thursday, Jan. 23 * 5:30 - 7 p.m. * Mt. Baker Middle School | 620 37th St. SE * Free, refreshments provided

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! ### * Friday, Jan. 24 * 7:30 p.m. * Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn. Ave. * Tickets ($19 student/senior, $22 regular)

Amanda Bacon – A Tribute to Patsy Cline Amanda Bacon’s love of music absolutely shines with her powerful vocals and soulful harmonies. You may recognize Amanda as Ted Vigil’s incredibly talented back-up singer. In this stunning show of her own, Bacon pays tribute to a pioneer of the country music industry, Patsy Cline. Join Amanda and her band for a night of great music and some of Patsy’s greatest hits including Walkin’ After Midnight, I Fall to Pieces, Sweet Dreams, and Crazy. Don't miss this! ### * Saturday, Jan. 25 * 7:30 p.m. * Green River College Student Affairs Building | 12401 SE 320th St. * Tickets ($24 student/senior, $27 regular)

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) ### * Sunday, Jan. 26 * 2:30 - 4 p.m. * Auburn Performing Arts Center | 702 4th Street NE * Tickets ($10 - $45)

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! ### * Tuesday, Jan. 28 * 5:30 - 7 p.m. * Auburn Mountainview High School | 28900 124th Ave SE * Free, refreshments provided

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 ### * Thursday, Jan. 30 * 5 - 7 p.m. * Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave. * Register ($50 resident, $60 non-resident)

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! ### * Saturday, Feb. 1 * 7:30 p.m. * Auburn Performing Arts Center | 702 4th Street NE * Tickets ($27 student/senior, $30 regular)

Sew-Your-Own Quilted Coaster In this class you will learn to sew together your own four-patch quilt block and create a simple coaster! 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 ### * Thursday, Feb. 6 * 4:30 - 7 p.m. * Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave. * Register ($20 resident, $25 non-resident)

Safe Auburn: Part 2 - Community Conversations -- Chinook Elementary 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! ### * Thursday, Feb. 6 * 5:30 - 7 p.m. * Chinook Elementary School | 3502 Auburn Way S. * Free, refreshments provided

Sometimes the clouds are just right when the sun rises! Here's a view of a stunning sunrise Thursday morning from City Hall Plaza.

The Mountain WAS out on Wednesday as our team captured footage for State of the City!

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. 

Photographers: a century of taking photos when the mountain is out

(Image courtesy of White River Valley Museum)

Mount Rainier seen from West Hill, photographed c. 1925 by Auburn photographer George L. Kinkade. In 1925, the majority of the valley floor was still farmland. The line of power poles that can be seen faintly across the center of the image show where the railroad tracks ran across what is now south Auburn.