Welcome to Community News! You can find the newsletter online with links to program details, at the UA News website. To see previous versions of the Unincorporated Area Community Newsletter visit the archives.
Engage with King County
South Park Bridge community celebration and grand opening
Mark your calendar and help the community celebrate the new South Park Bridge on June 29 at noon. The new bridge opens to traffic on Monday, June 30. For more information about the celebration and the opening of the bridge, visit the website.
Civil Rights Commission seeks new members
King County residents interested in public service and raising community awareness and involvement in civil rights issues are invited to apply for one of four open positions on the King County Civil Rights Commission. If confirmed by the County Council, commissioners serve three-year terms. Positions are open in council districts 2, 3, 4 and 7. An interactive map of council districts is available online. For more information about the Civil Rights Commission, visit the website.
News
Think water safety, wear a life vest
As the weather warms up boaters, rafters and swimmers head for King County lakes and rivers to cool off and recreate. Watch this short video for potentially life-saving water safety advice from the King County Sheriff Marine Rescue and Dive team. For more information about water safety and drowning prevention, visit the King County Water Safety website.
‘Movies@Marymoor’ summer lineup
The 2014 summer lineup at the popular First Tech Federal Credit Union “Movies@Marymoor” outdoor cinema series is sure to draw families, film buffs and outdoor enthusiasts to King County’s Marymoor Park. The 2014 series is presented by Overlake Medical Clinics and kick-offs on July 9 with Frozen. The movie series runs Wednesday nights through August.
Photo contest for new cover of the King County Regional Trails System map
Share your best photo of the recreation activities you enjoy on the regional trails system (RTS) in King County and it could wind up as the cover of the official RTS map. We know you’re doing fun things out there, so show us what you’ve got! Read the Plog for all the details, and then get on the trail and start snapping photos! Contest ends on July 31.
Grow Smart app for safer lawn & garden products
Download the iPhone app for safer lawn and garden products to help you make smart choices among over 1000 lawn and garden products. For the Pacific Northwest gardener, Grow Smart, Grow Safe, offers natural gardening tips and specific product ratings based on human health and environmental criteria. The app for Android and other users will be available in 2015.
Beat the heat
Summer is finally here. As you enjoy the sun and backyard BBQs, remember that summer heat can be harmful. There are a few simple things you can do to stay safe: Never leave children or pets, older adults, or disabled persons alone in closed vehicles and drink plenty of water, even if you aren't feeling thirsty. For more tips on keeping it cool this summer, visit the Hot Weather Safety website.
Fido and fireworks don't mix
As Independence Day approaches, the bang, boom and pop of fireworks can be heard all over King County. Keep your pet safe during the July 4th holiday by keeping them secured indoors, or in a garage or shed, while fireworks are going off. Also, make sure they have proper ID, like a pet license, just in case they do get spooked and run away. For more tips and information about pets and fireworks, visit the website.
Be an informed voter!
Be sure your voter registration is updated. Address or name changes must be made by July 7 to be effective for the Aug. 5 primary election.
Working with our Troops: Veterans Career Expo
King County Veterans Program and the Washington State Convention and Trade Center are teaming up to co-sponsor a job and resource fair for veterans and their spouses on July 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Employers onsite have job openings and are recruiting veterans. The Expo will include seminars, one-on-one resume coaching, information on education and training programs, resource booths and a free lunch. Register online. For more information, visit the King County Veterans website.
Free Fair Housing Workshops
Workshops for landlords and property management staff are set for July 16 at Seattle City Hall and July 23 at Federal Way City Hall. For details and directions, visit the workshop website. Extensive free fair housing materials included. Please pre-register by emailing or calling 206-263-2446.
Review property information online
The Assessor’s Office will continue to mail out more than 600,000 residential and commercial valuation notices to taxpayers through October. Property owners can review their property information online using eReal Property and review our Area Reports on the Assessor’s homepage or with the Assessor’s staff. King County allows 60 days from the valuation’s postmark date to file an appeal with the King County Board of Equalizations.
Construction to begin on new parking lot at Duthie Hill Park
King County Parks will begin work on a new 74-space parking lot at Duthie Hill Park in early July that should be complete by October. The new parking lot will include truck and trailer parking, a drop-off zone and access to Grand Ridge Park.
King County Council considering Metro Transit service cuts
The King County Council continues to deliberate recommended Metro Transit service cuts. Under consideration is a plan to delete 72 Metro Transit routes and reduce or revise another 84 routes – about 16 percent of the system – for lack of revenue needed to sustain current service levels. If approved in June as proposed, cuts could take effect in phases starting in September.
Community Service Area news
Bear Creek/Sammamish Area
No ‘Music in the Park’ at Cottage Lake this summer
The Upper Bear Creek Community Council provided these summer concerts for 13 years, but was unable to find someone to organize them last summer. If you or your organization is willing to take on production of the concert series for 2015, contact Nancy Stafford. Much of the process is in still place and funding is available.
Upper Bear Creek Community Council
For more information visit the Upper Bear Creek Community Council website.
Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain Area
Public meeting to discuss new bioretention swales in May Creek area
King County is working to improve water quality in the May Creek watershed. The June 23 meeting meeting is set for 6 p.m. at the Lord of Life Church at 12819 160th Ave. SE, in Renton. King County employees will discuss how the locations were chosen, how roadside bioretention swales help clean the stormwater runoff, and how the project could affect May Creek area residents. This meeting will be included as part of Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage monthly meeting. For more information, to request special accommodations, translation or interpreter services, contact Claire Jonson or call 206-477-4720.
Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meetings
July 16, 7 p.m., at the May Valley Alliance Church, 16431 SE Renton-Issaquah Rd. in Renton. Visit the Four Creeks UAC website for details.
Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Area
Public comments welcome for trail proposal plan at Black Diamond Open Space
King County Parks wants to hear from the public on recommendations for developing a formal network of trails for mountain biking, horseback riding, walking and running on a portion of at Black Diamond Open Space. For more information, read the press release about the project and how to submit public comment.
Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meetings
July 7 and Aug. 4, 7 p.m., at the Fire Station, 231st St and SR-169 in Maple Valley. Check the Greater Maple Valley UAC website for details.
Southeast King County Area
Green Valley/Lake Holm Association meetings
June 25 and July 30, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the Black Diamond Library, 24707 Roberts Drive in Black Diamond.
Vashon/Maury Island Area
Trail closures required during thinning and harvesting activities
To help grow healthier forests, King County will selectively thin 38 acres of young, over-crowded Douglas fir trees, and also harvest 20 acres of mature and dying alder trees from the 409-acre Island Center Forest on Vashon Island. In addition, 55 acres of overcrowded Douglas fir trees will be thinned at Dockton Forest on Maury Island. The work is set to start at Island Center Forest in early July and will continue at Dockton Forest through most of August. To protect public safety, trails in or leading to active harvest and thinning areas will be closed to public access. Closures will be posted at trailheads and appropriate trail intersections. For more information, read the news release.
Vashon CSA Community Coffee Hour
July 7, 10 a.m. at Vashon Community Center, 10011 Southwest Bank Road, Vashon. CSA Staff open house with community members to discuss any issues or concerns. Contact Bong Sto. Domingo at 206-351-8071, for a one-on-one appointment.
Vashon-Maury Island Community Council General meeting
July 21, 7 p.m., McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon. For more information visit the Vashon-Maury Island Community Council website.
West King County Area
White Center Jubilee Days
The White Center Jubilee Days are set for July 12-20. Activities include a golf tournament, garden walk, pancake breakfast, kids center, parade, beer garden, street fair, car show, carnival, fireworks and stages with entertainment suitable for children and adults.
West Hill Community Association Board meeting
July 9, 7 p.m., Skyway Fire District #20, 12424 76th Ave S., Seattle. Check the West Hill Community Association website for details.
Skyway Solutions Community Meeting
June 26 and July 24, 7 p.m., Skyway Water and Sewer District, 6723 South 124th St., Seattle. Check the Skyway Solutions website for details.
North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting
July 3, 7 p.m., North Highline Fire District Office, 1243 SW 112th St., Seattle. Check the North Highline UAC website for details.
If you have comments or suggestions about future content, please contact Alan Painter or call 206-477-4521.
