Unincorporated Area Community News

Welcome to Community News, King County government's monthly newsletter for unincorporated area residents. You can find the newsletter online with links to program details, at www.kingcounty.gov/UnincorporatedAreaNews. To see previous versions of the Unincorporated Area Community Newsletter visit the archives.

Engage with King County

June city and rural visits for the Executive

King County Executive Dow Constantine is more than halfway to his goal of meeting with elected officials in each of the county’s 39 cities and unincorporated areas. In June, he’ll visit Medina, Enumclaw, Bellevue, Beaux Arts, Tukwila and Covington. On Twitter? Follow Exec. Constantine at www.twitter.com/kcexec or www.twitter.com/kcnews for updates.

Learn how to control knotweed

King County’s Noxious Weed program will host hands-on and interactive workshops on knotweed control in Fall City (June 10), Maple Valley (June 15), Woodinville (June 16), North Bend (July 14) and Skykomish (July 20). Workshops are free and open to the public.

Trail Weed Watcher Program

The Middle Fork-South Fork invasive weed project is looking for volunteers to become weed watchers along the beautiful trails of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley and in the upper South Fork Snoqualmie watershed. Help survey the area's spectacular trail system for invasive weeds so we can stop them before they get entrenched.

Lake Weed Watcher Program

Catch water weeds before they have a chance to cause major problems. If you have a canoe or small boat and would like to help keep noxious weeds out of our small lakes, please attend a training to learn how to identify the target weeds and their native look-alikes. All equipment and materials, other than a boat, will be provided. Half-day trainings are set June 19 in Black Diamond and June 26 in Bellevue. For more information or to sign up, contact Katie Messick at 206-263-6461 or katie.messick@kingcounty.gov.

King County Assessor hosts Town Hall meeting in Federal Way

King County Assessor Lloyd Hara will host a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, June 23, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Federal Way 320th Library. To learn more, please contact Phillip Sit at 206-296-5141 or visit the website.

News

King County farmers market season kicks into high gear

Locating fresh, healthy, locally-grown produce is becoming easier for King County residents. King County Executive Dow Constantine, before ringing the bell to open the Phinney Farmers Market in Seattle last week, said King County now has 41 neighborhood farmers markets, up from roughly 10 a decade ago. The Executive said the markets provide a critical link between urban communities and the region’s farms, serve as incubators for small business and support family farms. Watch Executive Constantine’s remarks (Windows Media Format) or find a farmers market near you .

King County work training programs

Were you laid off because your employer downsized or closed the business? The Dislocated Worker Program may be able to help, offering career counseling, individualized training plans, scholarships for training, and other services. To find out if you are eligible, call Pervis Willis at 206-205-3500 at WorkSource Renton.

Disaster planning and preparedness can keep you in business

Small businesses should have a disaster preparedness plan in place to help them deal with disasters and the challenges they bring, which often come with short or no notice. The Small Business Administration is a co-sponsor of Preparemybusiness.org, where you can find excellent resources. Other resources and links can be found at the King County Emergency Management Business Preparedness website.

Outdoor burning this summer

With warmer summer weather just around the corner, it is important for property owners to monitor whether or not outdoor burning is allowed in unincorporated King County. For more information, call Paula Adams, DDES Public Information and Records Officer at 206-296-6682 or visit the DDES website.

Free blackberry clearing permits

The warmer spring and summer weather always gives invasive plant species an opportunity to grow. DDES issues free blackberry clearing permits to property owners interested in removing the vines from their property. For more information and online application visit the website, or contact Steve Bottheim, Critical Areas and Site Development Services Supervisor at 206-296-7144.

King County Noxious Weed Newsletter

To view the June edition and to sign-up to receive this newsletter, visit the website.

Metro Transit revising bus service starting June 12

Starting Saturday, June 12, King County Metro Transit will revise some bus routing and schedules to update service. Most of the changes that begin that day are minor adjustments, but starting June 30 there will be significant revisions for routes 60, 131 and 134 due to the closure of the South Park Bridge on 14th/16th Avenue South.

Open house for Patterson Creek Bridge project

The King County Road Services Division plans to replace the Patterson Creek Bridge on the east side of the Sammamish Plateau, and is hosting an open house Thursday, June 24 to share information with the community.

South Park Bridge closes June 30

The South Park Bridge on 14th/16th Avenue South over the Duwamish Waterway will close Wednesday, June 30 at 7 p.m. The full closure plan and information about the bridge is available online.

Concerts at Marymoor

A summertime full of live music awaits at one of the region’s best outdoor music venues, as Marymoor Park prepares to host the seventh-annual summer concert series. For the full line-up and ticket information, visit the website.

'Movies@Marymoor' summer lineup

From comedy to fantasy to sci-fi, the 2010 summer lineup at the popular “Movies @ Marymoor” outdoor cinema series is sure to draw families, film buffs and outdoor enthusiasts to King County’s Marymoor Park during the long summer evenings this July and August.

Wear sunscreen!

Make sure you and your family are protected from overexposure to the sun. For more information visit the website.

Bats carry rabies!

Public Health - Seattle & King County provides consultation for bat exposures. If a person may have been exposed, call 206-296-4774. If a pet may have been exposed or for more information about rabies vaccination of pets, call 206-263-8454 or visit the website.

Find a new pet

Puppy and kitten season is officially under way, and we have plenty of adoptable cats and dogs available. Find a new furry family member by visiting the King County animal shelter in Kent.

Regional Animal Services information posted online

27 King County cities have signed letters of intent to join a collaborative new approach for the provision of animal services, enabling King County Executive Dow Constantine to deliver a comprehensive package to the County Council for implementation of a new regional model for animal services. If a critical mass of those cities follow through to sign contracts and the County Council approves, the new Regional Animal Services of King County would be implemented starting July 1. Learn more about how this may affect animal services in King County by visiting the Regional Animal Services information webpage.

Community news

Enumclaw

‘Homegrown Celebration’ to feature 4-H, Enumclaw-area produce, arts and crafts

The City of Enumclaw and the King County Fair are teaming up to present the 2010 Homegrown Celebration, Aug. 12-14, at the Enumclaw Exposition Center.

Four Creeks/May Valley

Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meeting

June 16, 7 p.m., at the May Valley Alliance Church, 16431 SE Renton-Issaquah Rd. in Renton

Greater Maple Valley

Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council

(This item submitted by the GMVUAC)
The GMVUAC continues to follow the Yarrow Bay-proposed Master Planned Developments (MPDs) in Black Diamond due to concerns over adverse impacts to the rural area. On May 10 and 17 the hearing examiner recommended approval of the MPD applications with conditions related to transportation (a new traffic model, route and intersection analyses, and proposed mitigations), construction noise and fiscal impacts. Several GMVUAC members testified on these issues during the hearings. The Black Diamond City Council has scheduled Closed-Record (no new evidence) Public Hearings to start Monday, June 21, at 7 p.m. at the Black Diamond Elementary School.

Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meeting

June 7, 7 p.m., at the Sheriff's Precinct 3, 22300 SE 231st in Maple Valley

North Highline

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting

July 1, 7 p.m., North Highline Fire District Office, 1243 SW 112th St. in Seattle

Upper Bear Creek

Music in the Park

Please join us for a series of six free family concerts at King County's Cottage Lake Park, 18831 NE Woodinville/Duvall Rd. in Woodinville, presented by Upper Bear Creek Community Council. Performances are on Thursday evenings starting at 7 p.m. from July 1 - August 5. Please bring your own seating or ground cloths.

Vashon

Vashon Wastewater Treatment Plant tour

Join us on Saturday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to noon to find out how wastewater from our homes is treated, recycled and safely returned to the environment. For more information, visit the website or call 206-263-6028.

Vashon-Maury Island Community Council meeting

June 21, 7:30 p.m. at McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon.

West Hill

West Hill Community Council Board meeting

June 9, 7 p.m., Fire District #20, 12424 76th Ave S. in Seattle

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If you have comments or suggestions about future content, please contact Lauren Smith at 206-263-7146 or lauren.smith@kingcounty.gov.