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

Speak out about the future of Metro Transit

King County Metro Transit is facing a budget shortfall and has two options -- either find additional funds or cut service. How do you feel about the proposal currently before the King County Council to preserve bus service? Give your opinion at upcoming public hearings in downtown Seattle on July 12 and in Burien on June 21, or in writing, on the phone or by email.

News

New outreach model for unincorporated communities

Executive Dow Constantine has thanked the Metropolitan King County Council for adopting his new model for outreach and engagement with residents of the unincorporated areas.

The new model preserves the existing Community Service Centers that provide remote access to county services, and keeps existing liaison staff for the UAC’s who would now serve as a single point of contact for residents of all unincorporated areas. It also provides one-time transition funding to Unincorporated Area Councils. The Executive is scheduled to deliver a proposal to implement the Community Service Areas plan at the time he transmits the annual county budget to the Council in late September.

For more information, read the news release and visit the Rural Services website.

Passage Point celebrates grand opening

A new supportive housing project near Maple Valley celebrated its completion with a well-attended community open house on July 7, 2011. Speakers included King County Executive Dow Constantine. The 46-unit project will house single parents (mostly women) emerging from the corrections system and seeking to reunite with their children. Families will move in late-July.

Voter registration deadline looms for upcoming election

July 18 is the deadline to register by mail or online, to transfer or update your voter registration if you've moved, changed your name or had a major change to your signature. Primary election ballots will be mailed at the end of July, and the Election Day deadline to return ballots is Aug. 16. Visit the King County Elections website.

Black River Community Service Center (CSC) moving with new hours

The Black River CSC is moving back to its co-location with King County Elections at 919 Grady Way SW in Renton and will reopen Aug. 1. July 26 will be the last day of service at the current location, 900 Oakesdale Ave. SW in Renton. The CSC will be open on Mondays and Tuesdays from noon to 7 p.m. To learn more about the CSC program, visit the King County Community Service Center website.

Field Day at Chinook Bend Natural Area

Come see the new public art, meet artist Betsy Damon, tour the site with ecologists and learn about how reclaimed water and a number of restoration projects are enhancing this beautiful natural area on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information call 206-296-8361 or email jo.sullivan@kingcounty.gov.

Free fair housing workshop and seminar

The King County Office of Civil Rights and other civil rights agencies are hosting two free fair housing trainings at the Jackson Federal Building in Seattle on Wednesday, Aug. 17. The Fair Housing Basics Workshop is from 9 a.m. to noon, and the Advanced Fair Housing Seminar is from 1-3 p.m. Participants receive extensive free fair housing materials in print or CD format. Advance registration is required, and can be done by calling 206-296-7592. For details and directions, visit the website.

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 eighth-annual summer concert series. For the full line-up and ticket information, visit the website.

'Movies@Marymoor' summer lineup

From comedy to classic sci-fi, and musical to western, the 2011 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. The 2011 series is presented by Frontier Communications and Overlake Hospital Medical Center and kicks off on July 13 with a true Hollywood classic, “The Wizard of Oz.”

Consumer guide to lawn and garden products

The new online “Grow Smart Grow Safe” guide, featuring health and environmental information for more than 600 common lawn and garden products, is available online. The guide can help you solve garden problems quickly, leaving you more time for important summertime activities – like flipping the burgers on the grill.

Medicine Take Back Program

Who will be in your home this summer: Kids, grandkids, their friends, house or pet sitters? Keep your visitors and medicines safe and dispose of unwanted medicines at a secure medicine take-back location.

Healthy home tips

Using green cleaning tips helps reduce dirt and harmful chemicals in your home and saves you money for the fun fund. For example, use dry or damp microfiber dust cloths to dust, clean, and polish without cleaning products. Wash when needed and use over and over. FREE cleaning cloth to the first 30 callers at 206-263-3042.

Summer picnic season – foods NOT to share with pets

Did you know that foods such as garlic, onion, grapes, raisins and chocolate are big no-no’s for your pet? Read more about unsafe food for pets on the ASPCA website. Keep your pet safe by getting them licensed. Contact the Regional Animal Services of King County or call 206-296-2712.

West Nile virus

Public Health –Seattle & King County tracks crow deaths for an early warning of West Nile Virus activity. If you see a dead crow, report it online or call 206-205-4394. Horses are very susceptible to West Nile virus, so horse owners should check with their veterinarian about the equine vaccine.

Assessor's market value estimates

The King County Assessor's office is mailing valuation notices to property owners. These valuations reflect the Assessor's market value estimate for the specified property as of Jan. 1, 2011. Except with respect to new construction, the Jan. 1 assessed value is used as the basis for calculating property taxes that are to be paid in the 2012 tax year. You can look up your property online using eReal Property Search or call 206-296-7300 for assistance.

Fay Road work postponed

A delay in receiving materials and permits is holding up the start of the project to stabilize the slope that supports Fay Road Northeast, located east of State Route 203 near Duvall. The work is expected to start by late July. You can subscribe to email updates on the project website.

Burke-Gilman Trail safety improvements require closure, detour

Work began in mid-June on a much-needed project to improve public safety along the oldest and narrowest stretch of King County’s Burke-Gilman Trail through Lake Forest Park. A two-mile-long stretch of the trail is closed for construction from Northeast 145th Street to Logboom Park in Kenmore. For more information visit the project website.

East Lake Sammamish Trail (ELST) redevelopment project

King County has begun redeveloping the ELST where it runs through Redmond, from Northeast 70th Street to the Redmond-Sammamish border at 187th Street Northeast. The highly anticipated project to upgrade and pave the ELST began last month and requires the closure of a two-mile-long portion of the popular recreational and commuter corridor for up to seven months. For more information please visit the project website.

“Little Footprint Big Forest” cargo container design competition

The “Little Footprint Big Forest” competition is a call out to design overnight structures re-using surplus cargo containers to be placed in a King County park. This competition seeks to integrate the principles of conservation and sustainability with design, aesthetics and forest stewardship in a unique way. Visit the project website for information on the competition and how to apply.

Community news

Enumclaw

Several road projects this month near Enumclaw

The King County Road Services Division is working on two bridge replacements and several road repair projects this summer north of Enumclaw. The County appreciates your patience with the road closures and detours, and is working as quickly as possible to complete the improvements. Current road closures are mapped online.

Four Creeks/May Valley

National Night Out

The Maple Hills community is again partnering with the Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council, King County Sheriff’s Office and local residents to bring America’s National Night Out Against Crime to our area. Join us Aug. 2 from 6-8 p.m. at the Maple Hills Community Park, 16256 SE 204th Ave. in Renton, for a fun-filled evening. The UAC is providing funding for the event, along with mapping support for block watch and neighborhood emergency teams to encourage crime prevention and safety. Several Sheriff’s Office units will participate, including Marine Patrol, K-9, Bomb Squad, a SWAT vehicle and a helicopter fly-over.

Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meeting

July 20, 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)
On June 21, the GMVUAC in conjunction with the Four Creeks and Upper Bear Creek UACs, sent a joint letter to the Growth Management Planning Council addressing its update of the Countywide Planning Policies. The three rural area UACs voiced their opposition to a proposal to allow 19 existing school district-owned sites in the rural area to be developed under existing policies. Seven of the locations are inside or immediately adjacent to unincorporated rural service areas, which raises concerns about transportation and other impacts to rural communities.

Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meetings

July 11 and Aug. 1, 7 p.m., at the Sheriff's Precinct 3, 22300 SE 231st in Maple Valley

North Highline

White Center residents find new ways to travel with 'In Motion'

People in White Center are encouraged to drive less and use other options for exploring neighborhood businesses and getting to nearby destinations this summer through Metro's popular In Motion program. Visit the In Motion website to see how easy it is to participate and earn rewards.

North Highline Unincorportated Area Council meeting

Aug. 4, 7 p.m., North Highline Fire District Office, 1243 SW 112th St. in Seattle

Upper Bear Creek

‘Music in the Park’ Concert Series

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 six FREE family concerts in the park Thursday evenings in July and August from 7-8:30 p.m. You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the park at 190th and NE Woodinville-Duvall Road in Woodinville. Visit the website for more information.

Vashon

Vashon-Maury Island Community Council meeting

Aug. 1, 7 p.m. at McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon.

West Hill

West Hill Community Council Board meeting

July 13, 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 206-263-9606 or lauren.smith@kingcounty.gov.