News from and about King County… from health updates to community news affecting our daily lives.

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes news about the "Good Eggs" Breakfast with Ivar’s and Kidd Valley CEO Bob Donegan, the King County Flood Control District's Mid-Year Budget Reallocation, King County Day at Emerald Downs, local events, health and travel industry updates, and more.


Washington Trivia

In what city in South King County can you find a botanical garden that is home to over 700 species of the state flower?

(Answer is at the bottom).




“Good Eggs” Breakfast with Ivar’s and Kidd Valley CEO Bob Donegan

Bob Donegan, who is the CEO of Ivar’s and Kidd Valley, as well as the “Mayor” of Seattle’s Waterfront, joined my “Good Eggs” breakfast yesterday to share how the Waterfront Park is being transformed into a point of pride for our entire region. Upgraded parks for families, an oculus into the aquarium, a salmon habitat, the chance to touch the ocean, and more innovations are driving the post-pandemic revival of the waterfront. Our group also appreciated learning about the strong return of the hospitality and tourism industries along the waterfront. Thank you, Bob, for your commitment to our region and your persistent optimism!



(Top) With Bob Donegan & South King County Mayors Nancy Backus (Auburn), Troy Linnell (Algona), Vic Kave (Pacific), Jim Ferrell (Federal Way), Dana Ralph (Kent), Traci Buxton (Des Moines), and Jan Molinaro (Enumclaw); (Bottom) With Bob, Emerald Downs Founder Ron Crockett and President Phil Ziegler


Mid-Year Budget Reallocation: A Crucial Step for Flood Mitigation and Ecosystem Restoration

On Tuesday, July 9th, the Board of Supervisors for the King County Flood Control District (KCFCD) held two important votes: one for the mid-year budget reallocation and the other for the KCFCD’s Cooperative Watershed Management grant program, which support important restoration and habitat projects and activities in Water Resource Inventory Areas 7 (Snoqualmie Watershed portion), 8, 9, and 10 (King County portion). Read more in the KCFCD blog here or visit the KCFCD’s Transparency page for more information about the budget.




King County Day at Emerald Downs

Doo Dah! Doo Dah! Sunday at Emerald Downs for the King County Express was a special day! In addition to being the designated day at the races for county employees and their families, I was joined by my King County Council colleagues Jorge Barón and Girmay Zahilay, Superior Court judges Ketu Shah and Sean O’Donnell, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, and current and former county staff. The King County Express was the 7th Race on July 7th, and the winning horse was number 7! A great afternoon in District 7!

Alumni Corner

While our work is based on policies and programs, it is the people we work with who make the difference. Previously featured alumni included: Chris Cho, Tom Pierson, Bailey Stenson Gordon, Agnes Wooters, Jim Ferrell, Jackie Schneider, Megan Rage, Thomas Efrem, Jenny Faubion, Sue Park, Dani Cortez, Joey Schneider, Caroline Vadino, Brooks Meadowcroft, Nathan Angle, and Max Hayes.

This week’s featured District 7 alum is Samantha Mills. Samantha worked in my office as a legislative intern in the summers of 2016-2018 while attending Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business for a bachelor’s degree in finance.

When asked what she learned in her time in my office, she said,“The value of building relationships. Pete is a true expert at it, and I'm incredibly grateful I had the opportunity to learn from him!”

After her internship and graduation from college, Samantha worked as an Investment Banking Analyst at JP Morgan. Her long-term goals include growing her business and spending lots of time with her friends and family. In her free time, she loves fostering kittens and painting. Thank you, Samantha!


Local Events

King County Fair July 11-14

The oldest fair on the West Coast is back this weekend from July 11-14 at the Enumclaw Expo Center with carnival rides, live music, and rodeos. Click here for more information.

Youth Resource Center

Drop-in on July 15th and every Monday this summer, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm at the Auburn Library (1102 Auburn Way S) to connect with library resources related to job readiness, education, and life skills. Work one-on-one with a librarian or make use of the free space to print resumes, work on your own or decompress with a low-key activity. Click here for details.

Bring Your Own Book Club

Have you always wanted to join a book club but couldn’t commit? Instead of discussing a single book, talk about a variety of books, blogs, podcasts, movies and more. Bring what you are currently reading and leave with recommendations on July 14th, 11 am – 12:30 pm at the Federal Way Library (34200 1st Way S). Refreshments provided while supplies last. Click here for details.

Dungeons and Dragons for Teens on the Spectrum

Come on D&D adventures with other fortune hunters sponsored by the Friends of the Federal Way Libraries on July 13th, 1 pm – 3 pm at the Federal Way Library (34200 1st Way S). Designed for neurodiverse teens. If you need support during the program, a helper is allowed to come with you. Click here for details.


Non-Profit Corner

South King County Non-Profit Organizations

Auburn Food Bank | Auburn Noon Lions | Auburn Valley Humane Society | Bloodworks Northwest | Eileen & Callie’s Place | Federal Way Kiwanis | Federal Way Lions | Federal Way Senior Center | FUSION Décor Boutique | Kent Lions | Multi-Service Center Food Bank | Orion Works | Rotary Club of Federal Way | Soroptimist International of Auburn | The Salvation Army | Unleash the Brilliance

68th Annual Kiwanis Salmon Bake

Baked salmon, a wine and beer garden, live entertainment, silent auction, and card wall are all part of the Kiwanis Club’s 68th Annual Salmon Bake fundraiser this year, Friday, July 26th, 4-8 pm at Steel Lake Park. Click here for more information.

FUSION Gala 2024: A Whimsical Wonderland

Prepare to be transported to a magical realm filled with wonder, joy, and endless surprises at this year’s FUSION Gala on August 7th, starting at 5 pm, at Dumas Bay Centre. Enjoy a delectable dinner, entertainment, and live and silent auctions supporting a great cause. Click here for more information.




Public Health Insider Tips

Shellfish Safety Map

While recreational shellfish harvesting is a year-round activity, it is especially popular in the summer when warmer weather and mid-day low tides make it easier. However, warmer temperatures can also create conditions for marine (saltwater) biotoxins and cooking the shellfish doesn’t get rid of the toxins. To reduce your risk, always check the Washington State Department of Health’s Shellfish Safety Map before collecting shellfish. Read more here.

Tips How to Stay Cool

When it’s hot outside, it can be miserable inside if you don’t have air conditioning or can’t open your windows. These tips can help when it feels like an oven in your home. Read more here.

Steps to Stay Safe from Wildfire Smoke

Breathing wildfire smoke can harm everyone’s lungs, heart, and overall health. And this year we’re expecting hotter weather and less rain—meaning more smoky days. Four steps can help you and your loved ones stay safe when wildfire smoke is in the air. Read more here.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

One key lesson we have learned over the last few years is the importance of healthy indoor air – not just during COVID, but all the time. Good indoor air quality supports healthy hearts, brains, and lungs, and it reduces the risk of spreading illness. The first step to having cleaner air in your building is to watch this new training video. This covers the sources of poor indoor air, and how to improve it through a variety of specific steps.


Local Services Contact Information

Code Enforcement Links: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | Unincorporated
Crime Maps: Auburn| Federal Way| Kent | all of King County
Law Enforcement Updates: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | KCSO Unincorporated

To report illegal street racing in your neighborhood, dial 911.

Vaccine Locator: To find COVID-19 vaccine appointments, visit Vaccine Locator. For more information, visit getting vaccinated or getting tested in King County.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat https://988lifeline.org/ to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

May Travel Industry Update

Visit Seattle’s May 2024 travel industry update shows near record levels with the average daily rate (ADR) reaching $252, exceeding prior year by 9.9%. Occupancy reached 79.7%, 10% ahead of prior year. Revenue reached $94.6M, an increase of 19.3% over prior year and the highest monthly total for any month outside of June-September.

As of May, employment for the Seattle Metro Division totaled 1.8M jobs (up by 1.2% vs May 2023), of which 170.1K were represented by Leisure and Hospitality (up by 3.5% vs prior year). Accommodation job levels were 15.5K (up by 5.4% vs prior year).




With best wishes,

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

Over 700 species of the Washington State Flower, the Rhododendron, can be found at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way. The garden is home to one of the largest collections of Rhododendron species in the world, with the garden having over 700 of the more than 1,000 species found in the wilds of North America, Europe, and Asia, as well as the tropical regions of southeast Asia and northern Australia.

The Rhododendron Species Foundation (RSF), a non-profit membership organization, is dedicated to the conservation, public display, and distribution of Rhododendron species. Founded and incorporated in 1964 by Pacific Northwest members of the American Rhododendron Society, RSF’s mission was to secure the finest authentic forms of Rhododendron species.

The first RSF rhododendron collection was housed near Eugene, OR in 1968 however, by fall of 1973, after one move, it became apparent that the collection was becoming too large. The committee met with George Weyerhaeuser, who was immediately and enthusiastically receptive to the idea of providing space on the new Weyerhaeuser corporate campus and in 1974, the Weyerhaeuser Company generously leased, at no cost, a permanent site of 24 acres for the collection.

Since 1975, the collection has been housed at the Weyerhaeuser campus. The garden is open year-round, Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 am to 4 pm, and is only closed on Mondays and select holidays. Visit the garden’s website here.



Photo source: https://rhodygarden.org/

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