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.
November General Election results
County Executive on North Highline, West Hill annexation results
Remarking on the defeat of proposed annexations in North Highline and West Hill in Tuesday’s general election, Executive Dow Constantine said King County would do its best to provide services with the resources available and that the next step is in the hands of unincorporated area residents and adjacent cities.
Read his full statement here.
Engage with King County
Forest and Wild Grown Economic Development forum
Join us Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Preston Community Center in Issaquah for an evening of networking and conversation on growing economic development and support for landowners and fostering partnerships between small forestland owners, forest product users, support professionals, and others interested in sourcing local forest and wild-grown products. Panel topics will focus on marketplace opportunities, examples of successful, small scale operations, options, resources and next steps for landowners and plenty of time for Q & A. More information can be found here.
Wind damage workshop
WSU Extension is offering a wind damage workshop on Nov. 27 in Preston. Learn how to properly care for wooded areas before and after a windstorm. Information and registration available at 425-357-6023 or on the website.
King County is updating its Flood Hazard Management Plan and we want to hear from you
You’re invited to a discussion on King County’s flood risk reduction strategies in your area. Please join us at a community meeting near you. Meetings are from 6-8:30 p.m. in Carnation on Dec. 4, Renton on Dec. 5 and Auburn on Dec. 6.
Learn more about why King County is updating its Flood Plan and for more details about the upcoming community meetings by visiting the website. 
Wreath making workshop
WSU Extension is offering a wreath-making workshop for small woodland owners on Dec. 7 in Preston. Learn how to make wreaths and wreath “kits” with materials from your woodland. The workshop includes a potluck dinner and children’s activities. Information and registration available at 425-357-6023 or on the website.
Free fair housing workshop and seminar
Wednesday, Dec. 17, the King County Office of Civil Rights and other civil rights agencies will host two free fair housing trainings at the Jackson Federal Building in Seattle – an Introduction to Fair Housing Workshop (9 a.m. to noon) and the Advanced Fair Housing Seminar (1 to 3 p.m.). Preregistration is required. For details and directions, visit the website.
News
Did you get a call?
If you cast a ballot in the November general election and the Elections Department contacts you, call back promptly. If there’s a problem with your signature, you’ll need to resolve it before your vote will count! Go to the Elections website for information and elections results.
Veterans Day is Nov. 11 - King County Veterans Program has 10 locations to serve you
Did you serve in the U.S. military, or are you a family member of someone serving right now? The King County Veterans Program can help with housing, job training, financial aid, counseling and more. Open Monday through Friday in our Seattle and Renton offices, and once a week at locations in Auburn, Carnation, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Kirkland, Lake City, Maple Valley and Redmond. For information call 206-296-7656 or visit the website.
Holiday food safety
What’s the right temperature to cook a turkey? How can you safely keep holiday leftovers? Learn about food safety on the Public Health food safety website.
Prepare for winter driving
The days are getting darker and the temperatures colder. That means it’s time to prepare for winter driving. Find out how on the King County Roads webpage.
New web address for King County permitting department
The new web address for the Department of Permitting and Environmental Review is www.kingcounty.gov/permitting. The old address still functions, so existing links will continue to work.
New home for the revamped Department of Permitting and Environmental Review
After more than a year of planning, the department moved from its longtime Renton offices to its new location in Snoqualmie. The address is 35030 SE Douglas Street, Ste. 210, 98065. Business hours are Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The main number is 206-296-6600.
King County Executive Dow Constantine helped celebrate the opening day of business in Snoqualmie by issuing the first permit for a single family home from the new location. Before issuing the permit, Executive Constantine welcomed a visiting delegation from China that was learning about permitting, agriculture preservation and other land use topics.
Hazardous waste and floodwaters
The clean-up in New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy has been complicated by the presence of hazardous chemicals that ended up in floodwaters. Visit the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program website for information on how to reduce chemicals at your business – before flooding strikes.
Cottage Lake Community Service Center closes Nov. 28
The Cottage Lake Community Service Center (CSC) in Woodinville closes Nov. 28. For community services, visit the center in Sammamish, or any of the other King County CSCs. Thank you for your patronage.
Flood season is here – are you prepared?
November is one of the stormiest months in King County. The Office of Emergency Management encourages you to be prepared for whatever weather comes our way. Visit the Office of Emergency Management or Take Winter by Storm websites for tips on getting yourself, your family, and your neighborhood or business ready for storm season. If you live in a flood-prone area, consider purchasing flood insurance – and know that policies typically take 30 days to go into effect. Visit the National Flood Insurance Program website to learn more about flood insurance.
No fee for adult cats extended to Dec. 31!
Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) is extending its special offer for adult cats to Dec. 31. Adoption fees will be waived for all cats six months and older. Fees for kittens remain at $100. All cats and kittens from RASKC are spayed or neutered, microchipped, have received their initial vaccinations, and have had a veterinary health exam. Plus, adopters get a free starter bag of Hill’s Science Diet pet food. View adoptable pets online, or visit the Pet Adoption Center in Kent to pick out your new pal.
Community news
Four Creeks
Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meeting
Nov. 21, 7 p.m., at the May Valley Alliance Church, 16431 SE Renton-Issaquah Rd. in Renton
Greater Maple Valley
Annual operating model train show
The Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council held its 15th Annual Operating Model Train Show on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20 & 21, at the Gracie Hansen Community Center in Ravensdale. Nearly 500 people attended over the weekend – young, old and in between. Ten major model train layouts, including the ever-popular all-Lego Train Layout, helped fill the Community Center gymnasium.
Greater Maple Valley Area Council meeting
Dec. 3, 7 p.m., at the Fire Station, 231st St and SR-169 in Maple Valley
North Highline
New location - White Center Public Health Center
Public Health – Seattle/King County is excited to announce that its current White Center Public Health Center is moving to a new location at Greenbridge, which will open on Thursday, Nov. 15. Our current site in White Center saw its last clients on Thursday, Nov. 8 and staff is preparing for their move to the new space. The new address at Greenbridge is 9942 8th Avenue SW, Seattle, 98106.
North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting
Dec. 6, 7 p.m., North Highline Fire District Office, 1243 SW 112th St. in Seattle
Upper Bear Creek
Upper Bear Creek Community Council meeting
Nov. 27, 7:30 p.m., Woodinville Water District Office, 17238 NE Woodinville-Duvall Road, Woodinville
Vashon-Maury Island
Maury Island open space Site Planning Advisory Group monthly meeting
The Maury Island Open Space Site Planning Advisory Group (PAG) will be holding its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the McMurray Middle School Library (9329 Cemetery Rd., Vashon). PAG will continue with recommendations for passive recreation improvements on site and learn more from staff from the Department of Permitting and Environmental Review about the reclamation required on site as a result of the former sand/gravel mining operations. All the PAG’s efforts are directed at helping the county staff prepare a site management plan for the site which is scheduled to be completed by February 2013.
The Planning Advisory Group is responsible for helping develop a management plan for the site. All PAG meetings are open to the public. Learn more about the Maury Island Open Space Site and the Planning Advisory Group.
Vashon-Maury Island Community Council General meeting
Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m. Vashon-Maury Island Community Council General Meeting-McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon
Vashon-Maury Island Community Council Board meeting
Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m. at McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon
West Hill
West Hill Community Association Board meeting
Nov. 14, 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 Alan Painter at 206-296-8734 or alan.painter@kingcounty.gov.