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

Unincorporated Area Council (UAC) Joint Annual Forum July 26

Join King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County department directors and other key staff, and the residents of the county’s unincorporated areas at the Joint Annual Forum, July 26, from 7-9 p.m. at the Hobart Community Church, 27524 S.E. 200th St. in Maple Valley. Executive Constantine will speak, followed by brief presentations by each of the six UACs on the issues of greatest concern to their communities. A question-and–answer session closes the program. Information and brochures about King County services will be available. This event is co-hosted by the Greater Maple Valley Community Council.

Gardens and Art at South Treatment Plant in Renton

Join us Saturday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the garden fair, which will include tours of the treatment plant, Waterworks Garden, greenhouse, plant demonstrations and more! For more information, call 206-296-8361 or visit the website.

News

King County-Carnation partnership leads to new trail with safe access to park, regional trails

Carnation-area residents now have a safe and convenient way to walk, run or ride from the downtown retail core to King County’s Tolt-MacDonald Park – and beyond. The new, 1,100-foot-long trail creates a loop which pedestrians, cyclists and others can take from West Entwistle Street in downtown Carnation to the shores of the Snoqualmie River and upstream to Tolt-MacDonald Park.

Northeast 133rd Street east of Redmond closed for up to six weeks

The King County Road Services Division has closed Northeast 133rd Street at 198th Avenue Northeast to replace an aging culvert under the roadway. The work is expected to be completed by Aug. 12. During the closure, motorists can detour via: Trilogy Parkway Northeast; Northeast Novelty Hill Road; Avondale Road Northeast; and Northeast 132nd Street.

Updated state rule has Metro buses stopping at more rail crossings

King County Metro Transit buses are now making more safety stops at railroad crossings because of updated state regulations.

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.

Find a new pet

Find the Regional Animal Services pet adoption booth at the Kent Cornucopia Days celebration on July 9 and 10 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you can’t make it to the event, you can find plenty of great adoptable pets by visiting the King County animal shelter in Kent.

Voter registration deadline

July 19 is the deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 17 primary. Register online or call 206-296-VOTE for more information.

Free fair housing workshop

The King County Office of Civil Rights is hosting a free fair housing training at the Chinook Building in room 123 on Wednesday, July 28 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The "Fair Housing Jeopardy" Workshop uses a fast-paced, engaging game format to teach a range of fair housing topics for tenants, landlords, managers and others. Participants receive extensive free fair housing materials in print or CD format. Advance registration is required: call 206-296-7592. For details and directions, visit the website.

Forests on the edge event

Foresters, habitat restoration specialists and community groups will be sponsoring a full day of free, hands-on workshops on maintaining and managing community forests, recognizing the potential problems and opportunities on the state’s forested lands. The workshop is set for Friday, July 30, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Tahoma Junior High School and the adjacent King County Parks’ Maple Ridge Highlands Open Space in Ravensdale. Details are available on the website.

Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center

The King County Aquatic Center will be closed for scheduled maintenance from Aug. 2 to Sept. 6.

Cougar Mountain Trail Running Series continues

Join other runners Aug. 14 at 8:30 a.m. for a 13-mile race through some of the best scenery around at King County’s biggest and wildest park. The race starts from the Sky Country Trailhead. Race details are available by contacting the Seattle Running Club. Learn more about Cougar Mountain on the website.

Regional Animal Services pet licensing information posted online

A new Regional Animal Services model took effect July 1 in 27 contracting cities and unincorporated King County for animal sheltering and field services. If you live in the service area, there is an amnesty period until Oct. 1 to license your pet without penalty. After Oct. 1, a no-tolerance pet license fine goes into effect for unlicensed pets. Learn more by visiting our pet licensing information page.

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.

King County Geographic Information System (GIS) training program approved for GI Bill veterans education benefits

The King County GIS Center’s training program has been approved for the enrollment of veterans and dependents eligible to receive GI Bill education benefits under Title 38 and Title 10, USC. It is believed that the King County GIS Training Program is the first GIS technical training program anywhere approved for use of GI Bill education benefits.

Public Health on Facebook

For the latest in useful and interesting public health news and information, join us on Facebook by pressing the “like” button.

West Nile Virus

Warmer weather means more mosquitoes, and mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus. To learn how to prevent this potentially devastating disease, visit the website.

Burn Bans

As weather conditions become drier, property owners should carefully monitor the burn ban status to avoid inadvertently engaging in illegal burning. To monitor the burn ban status, call the King County Fire Marshal’s Office at 206-296-6763 or 1-800-323-BURN or check the status on the website.

Blackberry removal no longer requires a permit from DDES

Blackberry has recently been added to the Washington State Noxious Weed List. This means that a DDES permit is no longer required to clear large areas of blackberry from your property. Visit the King County Noxious Weed website for more information on best practices for noxious weed removal.

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 Area 2010 National Night Out

Join the National Night Out event coordinated by the Four Creeks UAC, Four Creeks Sheriff's Storefront and other community leaders to be held at Maple Hills Park, 15256 204th Ave S.E. Renton on Aug. 3 at 6 p.m.

Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meeting

July 21, 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)
Several GMVUAC members testified at the June-July Black Diamond Master Planned Development (MPD) Application Hearings. Chair Steve Hiester spoke for the GMVUAC, Bev Tonda on rural area issues and Peter Rimbos spoke on transportation issues. Public testimony is now complete to be followed by city staff and Yarrow Bay closing statements and Black Diamond City Council deliberations on the MPD Applications.

Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meetings

July 12 and Aug. 2, 7 p.m., at the Sheriff's Precinct 3, 22300 SE 231st in Maple Valley

North Highline

Summer sack lunch in Steve Cox Memorial Park

Youth ages 18 and under are invited to grab a federally funded “Justice For All” summer sack lunch or snack in Steve Cox Memorial Park from July 6 to Aug. 13, Monday through Friday from noon to 2 p.m. Food is provided by the Highline School District and the recreational activities are organized by White Center Teen Program staff. For more information, please contact Darlene Sellers at 206-296-2952 or darlene.sellers@kingcounty.gov.

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting

Aug. 5, 7 p.m., North Highline Fire District Office, 1243 SW 112th St. in Seattle

Upper Bear Creek

Music in the Park

Upper Bear Creek Community Council is happy to bring "Music in the Park" back to Cottage Lake Park this summer. Join us for a series of free family concerts in the park on Thursday evenings through Aug. 5, from 7-8:30 p.m.

Bridge south of Cottage Lake to be replaced this summer

The King County Road Services Division will close a section of Northeast 165th Avenue south of Cottage Lake within the next month to replace a bridge that crosses Cottage Lake Creek.

Vashon

BuDu Racing Off-Road Triathlon

Participate in the Vashon Island Off Road Triathlon on Sunday, July 11 at King County Parks’ Dockton Park. For more information, visit the website.

Judd Creek Bridge Closure

The Judd Creek Bridge on Vashon Highway SW just south of SW Quartermaster Dr. will be closed weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., July 26 to August 13. The closure will allow King County road crews to resurface and make repairs to the bridge deck. During the closure, motorists should use SW 204th St./Old Mill Rd SW. as an alternate route. Residents should also check King County Road Alert closer to the start of work in the event there are schedule changes.

Vashon-Maury Island Community Council meeting

July 19, 7:30 p.m. at McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon.

Vashon-Maury Island Community Council Board meeting

Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m. at McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon.

West Hill

West Hill Community Council Board meeting

July 14, 7 p.m., Fire District #20, 12424 76th Ave S. in Seattle

West Hill Community Council Quarterly meeting

July 20, 7 p.m., Skyway VFW, 7421 S. 126th 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.