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
Apply now for 2016 Community Service Area (CSA) grants
The annual funding application opportunity for community organizations in unincorporated King County is now underway. Community organizations have until 5 p.m. on Nov. 16 to apply for up to $5,000 in funding to support local initiatives through King County’s CSA Program. Visit the website for funding criteria and application forms, as well as lists of past awardees and projects. Be inspired, be creative, and support your community. It’s easy.
Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) service improvement planning
If you have ideas about services and programs for people living with mental illness and substance use disorders, the County wants to hear from you! These public meetings will inform the County’s decisions around investments for mental health and substance use disorder services and programs. Join the community conversion on Sept. 22 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at the Renton Community Center Banquet Room, 1715 SE Maple Valley Highway in Renton. Refreshments will be provided. Additional meetings are being scheduled. For more information on the program and to register for the meeting, please visit the website.
Open Space amendment public meetings
Learn about a proposed King County Charter Open Space amendment update to add 4,000 acres of County-owned property to its High Conservation Value Property Inventory at any of four upcoming public meetings: Sept. 22 at the Muckleshoot Public Library in Auburn; Sept. 28 at the Vashon Public Library in Vashon; Oct. 6 at the Maple Valley Public Library in Maple Valley; and Oct. 13 at the King County Library Service Center in Issaquah. All meetings run from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Check out the website for details.
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill community meeting
This community meeting is set for Oct. 14, from 7-9 p.m., at the King County Library Service Center, 960 Newport Way NW, in Issaquah. These meetings provide an ongoing forum for area residents to ask questions and learn about activities at the landfill and at Bio Energy Washington’s landfill gas-to-energy plant. For more information please visit the website. To request accommodations, please call 206-477-4466, TTY Relay: 711.
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill Tour
This is a great learning opportunity for the whole family – children ages 5 and up are welcome to join, if accompanied by an adult. The tour will take place on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 9-10:30 a.m. Reservations are required and must be made by Oct. 12. To reserve your spot or to request accommodations, please call 206-477-4466, TTY Relay: 711.
Pacific Raceways Annual Meeting
The Department of Permitting and Environmental Review sponsors this annual meeting to hear from local residents concerning the operations of Pacific Raceways. The meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Green River Community College. For more information, contact Cathy Ortiz at 206 477-0353.
News
Salmon SEEson
It's “Salmon SEEson” in King County, which means there are numerous opportunities to visit your favorite stream and learn more about these fascinating, iconic fish.
Take a field trip to your local animal shelter!
Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) is joining with Pawsitive Alliance and 30 other animal organizations for the fourth-annual Statewide Shelter Open House on Oct. 3. The King County Pet Adoption Center in Kent will be open from noon to 5 p.m. for pet adoptions and fun for the family.
It’s National Voter Registration Month
Celebrate by making sure that you are registered and your address is current.
September is Recovery Month
Mental illness and chemical dependency treatment is effective and people can and do recover. If you or a loved one needs help, there are services available in the community. Learn more on the website.
October is Flood Awareness Month – are you prepared?
In a recent poll, three out of four King County residents said they are not prepared for a flood event. But taking just a few simple steps can help! Sign up for flood alerts or download the flood app. Assemble an emergency kit and family plan. Know what your flood hazards are and get flood insurance. And never walk or drive through standing water to avoid being stranded or drowning – the number-one cause of flood-related deaths. For more information, visit the flooding services and information website.
Practice your earthquake plan on Oct. 15
We know that an earthquake will hit our region - it's a question of "when," not "if." Get yourself, your family, and your workplace prepared by participating in the Great Washington ShakeOut on Oct. 15. At 10:15 a.m. Drop, Cover, and Hold On to practice what you would do when the earth moves. For more information, and preparedness tips, visit the website.
2015 property valuation cycle almost complete
The last set of 2015 property valuation notice postcards have been mailed to King County property owners. The notices list property values, which are determined by analyzing recent sales of comparable properties in the same area as of the Jan. 1, 2015 assessment date. Visit the Assessor’s LocalScape My Revalue tab to stay informed and follow us on Twitter.
Community Service Area news
Bear Creek/Sammamish Area
Cottage Lake Park playground construction
Construction is underway and the playground reopens in mid-November with all new equipment and rubber tile safety surface – thanks to the King County Parks levy-funded Play Area Rehabilitation Program.
Upper Bear Creek Community Council
For more information visit the Upper Bear Creek Community Council website.
Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain Area
Community Alliance to Reach Out and Engage
Sept. 28 & Oct. 26, 6:30 - 8 p.m., at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church at 12819 160th Ave. SE, in Renton. For more information, visit the website.
Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meetings
Oct. 21, 7 - 9 p.m., at Eastside Fire & Rescue Station 78 at 20720 SE May Valley Rd. in Issaquah. Visit the Four Creeks UAC website for the latest information.
Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Area
Annual Operating Model Train Show
The 2015 Operating Model Train Show is set for Oct. 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Gracie Hansen Community Center, 27132 SE Ravensdale Way in Ravensdale. There will be operating model trains featuring many creative layouts in all gauges. Bring your own model train to the show and run it on tracks that will be laid out.
Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meetings
Oct. 5 & Nov. 2, 7 - 9:30 p.m., at the Fire Station, 231st St and SR-169 in Maple Valley. Check the Greater Maple Valley UAC website for details.
This item submitted by the GMVUAC.
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2016 King County Comprehensive Plan update
On Sept. 9, the GMVUAC sent comments to Executive staff related to two docket items submitted for the 2016 King County Comprehensive Plan Update. The GMVUAC supports eliminating a policy allowing the purchase of Transfer of Development Rights to satisfy transportation concurrency requirements in the rural area and opposes a policy which would extend sewers into the rural area.
Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Area
Snoqualmie Valley Trail
Major repairs are needed to the historic Tokul Creek Trestle. The bridge once carried railroad cars and now serves as a part of King County Parks’ Snoqualmie Valley Trail. The work is underway, and is expected to last into spring of 2016. During this time, a three-mile-long stretch of the Snoqualmie Valley Trail will be closed to all access. Unfortunately, the trestle’s remote location doesn’t allow for an alternative route. For more information, read the news release.
Fall City Community Association meeting
Oct. 9, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the Fall City Fire Station, 4301 334th Place Southeast in Fall City. Monthly board meeting, open to the public. For more information visit the Fall City Community Association website or contact Ashley Glennon.
Southeast King County Area
Green Valley/Lake Holm Association
Sept. 30 & Oct. 28, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the Black Diamond Library, 24707 Roberts Drive in Black Diamond. Visit us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Vashon/Maury Island Area
Help shape future transit alternatives
King County Metro Transit is about to kick off an innovative effort with Vashon/Maury Island residents that could set the stage for some new transit alternatives on the island. In the coming months, Metro will work with islanders to identify transit services that are cost effective and have the potential for delivering improved choices. For more information about the program, visit the Vashon Island Alternative Services website.
Limited deer hunt set for Oct. 17-31 at King County’s Island Center Forest
A shortened deer-hunting season returns during the latter half of October to Island Center Forest - the only public land on Vashon-Maury Island where deer hunting has historically been allowed. King County Parks will open Island Center Forest to deer hunting for a fifth-annual limited season, Oct. 17-31, when no other access will be permitted on 200 acres of forestland.
CSA Vashon Days
Sept. 21, 1 - 6:30 p.m. at the Vashon Community Service Center, 10011 SW Bank Rd. on Vashon. Bong Sto. Domingo, CSA staff, will be available to discuss issues, provide resources and technical assistance, with community members and organizations.
West King County Area
Play Area Rehabilitation Program
Playground construction is nearing completion at the South County King County Ballfields Park. The playground is scheduled to reopen in a couple of weeks with all new equipment and rubber tile safety surfacing. After that, King County Parks crews will begin work on the Five Mile Lake playground, which is scheduled to be completed in December. Both playgrounds are being replaced as part of the King County Parks levy funded Play Area Rehabilitation Program.
North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting
Oct. 1, 7 - 9 p.m. at the North Highline Fire District Training Center, 1243 SW 112th Street in Seattle. Monthly meeting of the all volunteer community council. Open to the public. Check the North Highline UAC website for details, or email Barbara Dobkin.
Skyway West Hill Action Plan Steering Committee meeting
Oct. 6, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Skyway Water and Sewer District, 6723 S. 124th St. in Seattle. Monthly meeting of the Skyway/West Hill SWAP steering committee. Open to the public. For more information email Andra Kranzler, call 206-706-6400 ext. 2 or visit the website.
West Hill Community Association meeting
Oct. 14, 7-9 p.m. at the Skyway Fire District 20, 12424 76th Ave. So. in Seattle. Monthly board meeting of the all-volunteer association. Open to the public. Check the West Hill Community Association website or Facebook for details, or email Sonja Bowden.
West Hill Business Association
Oct. 20, 9-11 a.m., Skyway VFW, 7421 So. 126th St. in Seattle. Monthly meeting of business and community members. Open to the public. For more information, contact Chuck Vitiritti at 206-772-9982.
If you have comments or suggestions about future content, please contact Alan Painter or call 206-477-4521.
