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Jan. 24, 2025

“​​Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.”

-- Izaak Walton --

Thank you, South Auburn, for coming out to chat public safety!

Thank you everyone who came out to Mt. Baker Middle School Thursday to chat public safety! Our second of four meetings went off without a hitch and that couldn't be possible without everyone's involvement, most especially those who are taking valuable time out of their Thursday evening to talk about a very important subject -- your community's safety.

I also want to thank our City electeds in attendance, Deputy Mayor Cheryl Rakes, and Councilmembers Kate Baldwin and Clinton Taylor. And of course, our City of Auburn staff for organizing, coordinating, presenting and recording. It takes a village to make these things run!

To anyone who's missed a meeting, we're recording each one and posting to YouTube and on SpeakUpAuburn.org, where you can find updates and information about future outreach events!

Last week's video at West Auburn High School is live, we just need a bit of time to get Thursday's edited!

I hope to see you next week on Lea Hill at Auburn Mountainview High School! 

Join us Tuesday at Auburn Mountainview High School!

* Tuesday, Jan. 28
* 5:30 - 7 p.m.
* Auburn Mountainview High School | 68900 124th Ave. SE
* Free, refreshments provided

A mayor's exchange at Association of Washington Cities

After leaving the meeting, I headed down to Olympia for the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Mayors Exchange. Friday morning 50 mayors from around the state gathered early at the AWC office for numerous robust conversations and presentations. We heard from Monica Alexander, Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC). The training center is responsible for training and certifying all law enforcement officers in the State. In the past several years, it has been quite a wait to get an individual through the academy, and then be sworn in as an Auburn Police Officer, get them through Field Training (FTO), and then patrolling independently within Auburn. Additional classes have been added, and it has shaved a bit of time off of the process.

We also heard from Speaker of the House Jenkins about the ~$12B state budget deficit. They are looking at both spending cuts and new revenues. We strongly encouraged the cuts to take place before any new revenues streams are considered - we’re talking taxes!

The mayors also shared best practices, exciting projects and challenges that are occurring in their respective cities. We heard from the AWC Government Relations team regarding legislative bills that cities can support, watch, and oppose.

I came away from the day with new ideas and an appreciation of the challenges other cities have that we don’t and opportunities that might be coming our way. South King County was well represented with Mayors Ralph (Kent), McLeod (Tukwila), Linnell (Algona), and Cave (Pacific).

State of the City (free!) tickets are going fast!

Tickets are going fast for 2025 State of the City address.

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 while supplies last! More details (including parking) in the RSVP link.

###

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

These kids sure know how to have a swingin' good time!

The Auburn Symphony Orchestra held it's annual "Link Up" event for Auburn School District students Tuesday morning and let's just say, it was music to our ears. 

Many of the children came packed and ready with their recorders and played right alongside the symphony. This year's event, titled "The Orchestra Swings," was themed around jazz, which is all about quick thinking and improvisation.

It fills my heart with joy seeing two great Auburn organizations -- the school district and the symphony -- coming together to introduce our youngest residents to the wonders of music. The symphony does a fantastic job making the show engaging and fun for the students, and the school district and tribe deserve kudos for making learning an instrument so involving! 

Puget Sound Energy is coming to a library near you!

Puget Sound Energy is holding a pop-up information-sharing session Saturday, Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Auburn Library.

Join them to learn ways to save energy in your home, lower your energy costs, transition to clean energy, and other resources like bill assistance, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, workforce and housing, and more!

Bring your PSE bill to learn how to save money and energy.

Please bring your children! The session will feature a reading of The Wild by Yuval Zoomer -- a story about how we can all work together to protect the Earth, presented in English and Spanish. After the reading, take home a free book!

###

Saturday, Feb. 8
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Auburn Library | 1102 Auburn Way S.
Free

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. ### * 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

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

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)

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

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

Amy Daves and the Outskirts You are in for a treat! Amy Daves is a violinist /fiddler and vocalist who was raised on classical music under the influence of her parents, who met in the symphony in college. Twenty years ago, Amy defected from classical to country music and has since reveled in exploring many other genres. The Outskirts are an all-female trio featuring Amy Daves, Tammy Frost and Kristen Ferguson. Their beautifully blended 3-part harmony delivers a unique variety of originals and covers from Beatles to Eagles and everything in between! ### * Saturday, Feb. 16 * 7:30 p.m. * Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave. * Tickets ($20 student/senior, $22 regular)

Embroidery for All @ Postmark Discover the art of embroidery in this relaxed, beginner-friendly class! You’ll learn essential stitches and techniques while creating your own beautifully embellished initial, perfect as a unique patch or for display at home. All materials provided. Ages: 6+ Fee: $30/$38 Resident/Non-Res  Instructor: Christy Caravaglio ### * Thursday, Feb. 20 * 4:30 - 6 p.m. * Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave. * Register ($30 resident, $38 non-resident)

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, Feb. 21 * 7:30 p.m. * Auburn Golf Course Bogey's Public House | 29630 Green River Road * Tickets ($19 student/senior, $22 regular)

Third Stage – A Tribute to Boston Relive the Boston experience with Third Stage: A Tribute to Boston! Since 2013, Third Stage has performed all the band's biggest hits. Reflect on the days that you heard these hits blasting from stereos, 8-track, and cassette players back in the mid-70s and early 80s. Third Stage brings you the soaring vocals, harmonized guitars, majestic keyboards, and slamming drums that instantly scream Boston at you. We’ve got More than a Feeling that you’re going to love it! ### * Saturday, Feb. 22 * 7:30 p.m. * Green River College Student Affairs Building | 12401 SE 32th St. * Tickets ($22 student/senior, $25 regular)

Freestyle Embroidery @ Postmark Unleash your creativity with hand stitching! Explore doodle stitching and experiment with fabric scraps to design something uniquely yours. Perfect for all skill levels—just bring your imagination! All materials provided. Ages: 15+ Fee: $30/$38 Resident/Non-Res Instructor: Christy Caravaglio ### * Thursday, Feb. 27 * 4:30 - 6 p.m. * Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave. * Register ($30 resident, $38 non-resident)

Auburn Symphony: The Magical Music of Harry Potter Escape to the magical world of Harry Potter through the iconic soundtrack. Hedwig’s Theme will lift you, Aunt Marge’s Waltz will make you laugh, every piece will conjure magic in the concert hall. Bring the whole family and don’t forget the NEW, family-friendly start time: 7 p.m. ### * Saturday, March 1 * 7 - 9 p.m. * Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center | 31510 Pete von Reichbauer Way S. * Tickets ($10 - $45)

Sometimes you're ready for the photo (center) and sometimes it takes you completely by surprise (right).

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. 

Tracks of history: section gangs of the Northern Pacific Railway

(Image courtesy of White River Valley Museum)

Northern Pacific Railway section gang posing on the line between Auburn and Kent, Washington, 1910. Section gangs were groups of workers assigned to maintain or repair specific areas of track, overseen by a foreman. Foreman B. H. Allmain is seen on the far right. Northern Pacific section gangs in this period were primarily staffed by immigrants working on temporary contracts, and sections could be divided up by ethnicity or language spoken to make communication between workers easier.