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Sept. 11, 2026

“No day shall erase you from the memory of time.”

-- Virgil, The Aeneid, Book IX --

25 years later, we remember

Today marks 25 years since the attacks of September 11, 2001.

We remember the lives taken that day, the first responders who ran toward danger, the families who lost loved ones and the countless people whose lives were forever changed.

A quarter-century has passed, but our responsibility to remember has not. May we continue to honor those we lost through service and kindness to each other.

We remember. We will not forget.

Spend your Saturday at Hops & Crops!

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Hops & Crops Music and Beer Festival returns to the beautiful Mary Olson Farm tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 12, from noon to 6 p.m.!

This 21+ festival is one of the most unique events we have in the Auburn area, bringing together craft breweries and cideries, live music and some great food in the gorgeous setting of the historic farm. This year’s music lineup includes Mountlake Traffic, Elevator Operator, Jaws of Brooklyn and Happy Chems, with Thai-U-Up, Longhorn Barbecue and The Corndoggery serving food throughout the afternoon.

Tickets are $35 at the event and include a 5-ounce tasting glass and five tasting tokens. Designated-driver admission is $10.

And there’s an even better reason to go: Hops & Crops is a fundraiser supporting the free and low-cost educational programs at Mary Olson Farm, where thousands of students learn about history, farming, sustainability, salmon and stream ecology every year.

It’s rain or shine, leashed dogs are welcome and chairs and blankets are encouraged. Come spend your Saturday at the farm!

📅 Saturday, Sept. 12
⏰ Noon - 6 p.m.
📍 Mary Olson Farm | 28728 Green River Rd
💲 Tickets  

Celebrate the many cultures of Auburn next weekend!

One of the things I love most about Auburn is the incredible diversity of the people who call our community home -- and later this month, we’re celebrating it all in one place!

The Multicultural Community Festival is coming to the Auburn Farmers Market on Sunday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Les Gove Park.

Come out for food, fun, fashion and more as we celebrate the cultures, traditions and people that make Auburn such a special place to live. And while you’re there, you can shop the Farmers Market and support our local farmers, food vendors and artisans.

This is a great chance to spend a Sunday together, learn something new and celebrate our neighbors. I hope to see you there!

Plus, it's the FINAL Auburn Farmer's Market of the season! I know, I can hardly believe it too.

📅 Sunday, Sept. 20
⏰ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Les Gove Park | 1140 Auburn Way S.

Help us name Auburn’s newest downtown park!

If you’ve driven through downtown lately, you’ve probably noticed the progress on our new Auburn Avenue Theater. But that isn’t the only exciting change coming to this part of downtown!

A brand-new 16,000-square-foot park is planned for 125 East Main Street, connecting B Street Plaza across Main Street to the Postmark Center for the Arts. The park will add more green space downtown, improve pedestrian connections and create another gathering place for community events, arts and entertainment.

And before we build it, we need one very important thing: a name!

That’s where you come in. We want to hear the names that you think fit this new space and the future of downtown Auburn. Take our quick survey, send us your best idea and help leave your mark on a place our community will enjoy for generations to come.

Take the park naming survey.

We celebrated Metro Flex's launch in Auburn!

You’ve heard me talk quite a bit about Metro Flex lately, and yesterday morning, we finally got the chance to officially celebrate its arrival in Auburn!

We gathered at the Auburn Transit Center with our partners from King County Metro to recognize this new service and the work that went into bringing it to our community. Metro Flex is especially important for residents in the south Auburn valley and parts of West Hill, giving people another way to connect with Auburn Station, fixed-route transit, jobs, medical appointments, shopping and more.

From left: me, TamiekoCook and KC Metro General Manager Michelle Allison

One of my favorite parts of the morning was catching up with King County Metro’s Operator of the Year Tamieko Cook (center of photo above) and getting a photo together with her and Metro General Manager Michelle Allison. It takes great people behind the wheel to make great transit service possible!

A big thank you to the Metro planners, operators, outreach teams and everyone else who helped make this happen.

We’re excited to have Metro Flex rolling in Auburn!

Team Auburn is ready for Seahawks season!

Well, we just couldn't help ourselves this week...

Wednesday was Blue Wednesday, and I asked Team Auburn to show me their Seahawks spirit. As you can see from a few of these photos, they understood the assignment!

We had jerseys, sweatshirts, plenty of blue and green -- and even one Patriots fan who found himself posing next to a Seahawks flag. Sorry, Sean, but that photo was simply too good not to share.

Thanks to everyone who sent me photos. Here’s to a successful season, some fun along the way and, of course...

GO HAWKS!

Why the City of Auburn is suing King County District Court

You may have seen some news this week about the City of Auburn filing legal action involving King County District Court, and I want to take a moment to explain what this is -- and what it isn’t.

On Jan. 1, 2027, Auburn will open its own Municipal Court and begin handling all new City cases. We are prepared and excited for that transition.

The disagreement is about cases that were already filed with King County District Court before Jan. 1. When Auburn began planning for our new court, our understanding -- confirmed by District Court in writing -- was that those existing cases would remain with the County until they were resolved. We were later informed that King County District Court instead intends to transfer all of its open Auburn cases to our new court on Jan. 1.

That could mean tens of thousands of pending cases arriving at the same time our new court begins accepting every new case. It would create a significant, unplanned workload during what should be an orderly transition. Auburn has also already paid King County for the full adjudication of those existing cases, and I believe strongly that being good stewards of your tax dollars means we should not pay twice for the same work.

We had hoped to resolve this directly and we remain open to doing exactly that. In fact, the City is continuing the dispute-resolution process with King County while the legal action moves forward. If we can reach an agreement, further court action may not be necessary.

This isn’t about creating a fight. It’s about getting clarity before January, protecting Auburn taxpayers and making sure our new Municipal Court opens in a thoughtful and manageable way.

Hops & Crops Music and Beer Festival Beer, Live Music, and Food Trucks on a beautiful farm!  Saturday, September 13th, 2025, Noon-6PM  21 and Up Only $25 pre-purchase GA online through Labor Day $35 GA at the event, includes 5 oz taster glass and 5 taster tokens $10 Designated Driver (no tastes) entry available at the event.  Hops & Crops is a truly unique festival experience. Nestled in its own canyon alongside the roaring Green River, the historic Mary Olson Farm is an idyllic place to listen to live music and sample some of the region's best craft breweries and cideries! Here's our lineup so far: Breweries and Cideries: Republic of Cider 2 Towns Ciderhouse Rail Hop'n Brewing Co. Top Down Brewing Valhalla Mead Jotunn Ciderhouse Portland Cider Co. Sider Cider House Barley Pop Brewing Pfriem Family Brewers Pelican Breweing Co.  Triceratops Brewing Griffin Brewing Co. More to come.. Bands: Mountlake Traffic Elevator Operator Jaws of Brooklyn Happy Chems Food Trucks: Thai-U-Up Pizza Maniac Longhorn Barbecue This festival is a fundraiser to support the free and low-cost education programs at the Mary Olson Farm. Thousands of students from across the region visit the Farm every year to learn about history, farming, sustainability, NW salmon, and stream ecology. Hops & Crops is a rain or shine, 21 and up only event. Dogs of all ages are welcome (leashed please)! Camp chairs and blankets are encouraged, outside food is discouraged. Outside alcohol, drugs, and firearms are prohibited. 📅 Saturday, Sept. 12 ⏰ Noon - 6 p.m. 📍 Mary Olson Farm | 28728 Green River Rd 💲 Tickets

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.

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.

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.

Auburn Farmers Market The Auburn Farmers Market provides a convenient venue for local farmers and artisans to provide access to healthy, fresh, locally sourced food and products to area residents. The Market serves as a vibrant gathering place where visitors can learn about healthy food choices, and overall health and well-being. View more information on the Auburn Farmers Market Page.  Shop from 40+ farm, food, and craft vendors! Visit the information booth for a free Market tote.  Entertainment Schedule: GRANDPARENTS DAY, in partnership with the City of Auburn's Office of Equity, Engagement, and Outreach Giveaway: Postcards and stickers Many Market vendors accept EBT, SNAP Market Match, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC dollars.  Email the Auburn Farmers Market 253-931-3043 📅 Sunday, Sept. 13 ⏰ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 📍 Les Gove Park | 1140 Auburn Way S.

Auburn Farmers Market The Auburn Farmers Market provides a convenient venue for local farmers and artisans to provide access to healthy, fresh, locally sourced food and products to area residents. The Market serves as a vibrant gathering place where visitors can learn about healthy food choices, and overall health and well-being. View more information on the Auburn Farmers Market Page.  Shop from 40+ farm, food, and craft vendors! Visit the information booth for a free Market tote.  Entertainment Schedule: Rec n Roll, 10AM-3PM ArtRageous, 11AM-2PM Auburn Elites, 12PM-12:30PM September Kid Kit: Sunlight Plant Prints *Available while supplies last. Many Market vendors accept EBT, SNAP Market Match, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC dollars.  Email the Auburn Farmers Market 253-931-3043 📅 Sunday, Sept. 20 ⏰ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 📍 Les Gove Park | 1140 Auburn Way S.

Multicultural Festival at the Auburn Farmers Market Join us at the Auburn Farmers Market for food, fun, fashion, and so much more! Celebrate the many cultures of Auburn, all in one place. 📅 Sunday, Sept. 20 ⏰ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 📍 Les Gove Park | 1140 Auburn Way S.

Invincible & Mas Tequila: Pat Benatar & Sammy Hagar Tribute Invincible Nights & Tequila Lights – Get ready for a high-energy night of legendary rock! Kick off the party with Mas Tequila, an electrifying tribute to Sammy Hagar featuring hits from Montrose, Van Halen’s “Van Hagar” era, and beyond. Loud guitars, powerhouse vocals, and nonstop rock ‘n’ roll energy make this a show to remember. Headlining the evening is Invincible – The Pat Benatar Experience, a stunning tribute to Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. Featuring incredible vocals from Darlene Tyler and top-tier musicianship, this dynamic show delivers all the iconic hits and concert excitement fans love. Two amazing bands. One unforgettable night of singing, dancing, and classic rock favorites. Buy Tickets Online Regular: $27, Student/Senior: $24 📅 Saturday, Sept. 26 ⏰ 7:30 p.m. 📍 Green River College - Student Affairs Building | 12401 SE 32th St.  💲 Tickets ($27 regular, $24 student/senior)

Auburn Farmers Market The Auburn Farmers Market provides a convenient venue for local farmers and artisans to provide access to healthy, fresh, locally sourced food and products to area residents. The Market serves as a vibrant gathering place where visitors can learn about healthy food choices, and overall health and well-being. View more information on the Auburn Farmers Market Page.  Shop from 40+ farm, food, and craft vendors! Visit the information booth for a free Market tote.  Entertainment Schedule: More info coming soon... Many Market vendors accept EBT, SNAP Market Match, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC dollars.  Email the Auburn Farmers Market 253-931-3043 📅 Sunday, Aug. 30 ⏰ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 📍 Les Gove Park | 1140 Auburn Way S.

First Thursday Late Hours We are staying open late over the summer! Drop in and experience the vibes of the 60’s and 70’s in our BOHO exhibit. 📅 Thursday, Oct. 1 ⏰ 4 - 7 p.m. 📍 White River Valley Museum | 918 H Street SE

Hidden Layers: Women’s Undergarments and How They’ve Shaped Ladies’ Liberties 12 & Up | Free Program Women’s underwear has long reflected society’s views on modesty, femininity, and beauty. From historic styles that restricted the female form to the more liberating fashions of today, women’s undergarments have been symbols of both oppression and empowerment. This talk is made possible through the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau. Full info on Hidden Layers: Women’s Undergarments and How They’ve Shaped Ladies’ Liberties 📅 Thursday, Oct. 8 ⏰ 5:30 p.m. 📍 White River Valley Museum | 918 H Street SE

Second Saturdays: Music and Arts of India Update: This event has moved from September 12th to October 10th, 2026. We apologize for any inconvenience! Join us at the Postmark for a celebration of Indian music and art! This event is completely free, with interactive and educational elements designed to be fun for the whole family. All programming is presented by local artists from Auburn and the surrounding area.  Starting at 12PM, learn the geometric forms of Kolam, a traditional Indian art form that uses sand to create intricate patterns. This beginner friendly, hands on workshop introduces participants to the traditional South Indian art of Kolam. The workshop will begin with a brief introduction to Kolam, its history, cultural significance, the different styles, and the tradition of practicing it as a daily ritual. Participants will then learn the fundamentals using guided practice sheets before creating their own Kolam designs on the floor with step-by-step instruction. The workshop will conclude with time for questions and sharing. After the workshop, relax and unwind with the music of South Indian fusion band, Dhawayam.    FREE | ALL AGES 📅 Saturday, Oct. 10 ⏰ Noon - 4 p.m. 📍 Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.

Eternal Seasons - Auburn Symphony Orchestra Vivaldi’s Four Seasons has been loved for centuries. Max Richter steps inside that familiar world and hears it anew. Four Seasons Recomposed keeps Vivaldi close while weaving in Richter’s cinematic, post-minimalist voice, creating music that feels faithful, fresh, and alive in the present. Auburn Symphony Concertmaster Emilie Choi takes center stage as soloist. Then Mozart’s final symphony, later nicknamed Jupiter, brings the afternoon to a brilliant close with grandeur, wit, and one of the most dazzling finales in classical music. Tickets available on the Auburn Symphony Website. 📅 Sunday, Oct. 11 ⏰ 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. 📍 Auburn Performing Arts Center | 702 4th St. NE 💲 Tickets

Metro Flex in Auburn is ready for ya!

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. 

Hispanic Heritage Month: How the creation of the Bracero Program brought immigrants from Mexico to Washington

(Image courtesy of White River Valley Museum)

The creation of the Bracero Program created the first major path of immigration from Mexico to Washington in 1942. The Bracero Program was a labor treaty between Mexico and the United States that brought Mexican agricultural workers to Washington’s fields to help support the war effort and to replace Japanese farm workers who had been incarcerated and forced off their farms. Bracero workers were soon joined by Mexican-American migrants from Texas, leading to the diversity of origins of Mexican-American residents of Washington and Auburn today.

Read more about the Bracero Program at the Library of Congress, and how Braceros would impact labor organizing throughout Washington in this essay from the Seattle Civil Rights & Labor History Project.