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

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes information on the return of Seafair, the opening of Amazon Fresh in Federal Way, a van donation to the Multi-Service Center, King County’s request for nominations for the Health through Housing Advisory Committee, Federal Way’s Performing Arts and Event Center’s 5th anniversary, retention bonuses for childcare providers in King County, grant opportunities, health updates and more.


Washington Trivia

This Seattle-born, former NASA astronaut has piloted two missions aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery and received various service awards. Who is he?
(Answer is at the bottom).




Seafair 2022

It was great joining friends at Boeing Field to celebrate the Blue Angels’ return to the “mothership.” In 1946, Admiral Nimitz laid the foundation for the modern-day team of navy and marine officers who fly the Boeing F/A- 18 Super Hornets. I also appreciated the opportunity to watch the Blue Angels and thundering cleats while at the Seattle Seahawks Training Camp.



Great to talk to All American Jacob Green, who is spending his post football life helping support families battling cancer through Fred Hutch, and Traci Schneider, who has been a leader helping families living with autism.


Amazon Fresh opens in Federal Way

Last week, grocery shopping and 21st Century technology came together in Federal Way with the opening of Amazon Fresh. In welcoming Amazon to South King County, I noted the new well-paying jobs and fresh produce for sale at the old Sears store at The Commons. Thank you, Store Manager Kimberly Stallone and Amazon, for donating $20,000 to the Boys and Girls Club!



With Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, Councilmembers Lydia Assefa-Dawson and Jack Walsh, Deputy Mayor Susan Honda, and Amazon Fresh Store Manager Kimberly Stallone


Multi-Service Center receives King County van

As part of this year’s King County Van Transfer Program, I met with Alan Clapper, Case Manager at William J Woods Veteran Building, and Chris Lopez, Multi-Service Center (MSC) Housing Program Supervisor, to officially hand-off the keys to the retired Metro surplus van that was awarded to MSC. This van will assist them with the great work they continue to do for the South King County community.



With Chris Lopez and Alan Clapper


King County seeks nominations for Health Through Housing Advisory Committee

The King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is now seeking nominations for people to join the inaugural Health Through Housing (HTH) Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee will consist of 12-16 members representing diverse geographic regions and communities across King County and advise the Executive’s Office and the King County Council on matters impacting the HTH initiative. Nominations will be accepted until Sunday, August 21st. For more information, click here or contact Kim Dean at kdean@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-0909.


Federal Way’s Performing Arts and Event Center celebrates its 5th anniversary

The Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center (PAEC) will celebrate its fifth-year anniversary with a Family Arts Festival this weekend. The festival kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 19th with live music by LeRoy Bell & His Only Friends. Free refreshments and caricature drawings will be available as well as the chance to win PAEC tickets or swag, or one of five $100 value VISA gift cards. Read more in the Federal Way Mirror article here.


Childcare providers in King County to receive one-time payments for retention bonuses

More than 12,000 childcare providers are expected to receive one-time payments for retention bonuses. Nearly 90 percent of eligible licensed childcare providers in the county applied for the retention payments, reflecting a deep need in the workforce. Due to the number of applications, the one-time payment will range from $400 – $500 per childcare worker and begin to reach providers this month through September. King County is contributing $5 million through the Best Starts for Kids levy and the City of Seattle is contributing $2.4 million from the JumpStart Payroll Expense Tax. Read more here.


45 projects selected for initial King County participatory budgeting awards

During King County’s first Participatory Budgeting vote, community members cast more than 2,600 ballots and chose 45 projects that King County will fund in East Federal Way, East Renton, Fairwood, Skyway, and White Center. King County Local Services and its community partner, the Community Investment Budget Committee, established the parameters of the program, collected, and evaluated project ideas submitted by community members, and held a vote to decide which projects should receive funding. For more information on the winning projects, click here.


Grant Opportunities

Youth Healing Project 2.0

The Youth Healing Project Request for Proposal (RFP) will directly fund young people to work on projects that aim to improve the mental health connection, and well-being of youth. Creative ideas that center young people and address the negative impacts of COVID-19 are welcome. Projects should empower young people as leaders. Funding is flexible and can be used for staffing, youth stipends, technology, materials and events. The funded projects will take place during the 2022-23 school year. Applications are due Monday, August 22nd at 2:00 p.m. For more information, visit the grant website or contact Phillip Thompson at phithompson@kingcounty.gov.

Community-Based Parenting Supports

Best Starts for Kids is seeking proposals from organizations to partner on three areas of work to support families with children from birth to age 5. The programs are Parent Caregiver Information and Supports, Basic Needs Resource Brokers, and Kaleidoscope Play and Learn. There is approximately $5.23 million to be allocated and the deadline to apply is Wednesday, August 31st at 2:00 p.m. For more information, visit the grant website or contact Phillip Thompson at phithompson@kingcounty.gov.

Health Communities & Parks Fund

King County Parks’ Health Communities & Parks Fund has over $450,000 in total grant funding available and may award up to $15,000 to eligible entities for programs, capacity building, land acquisition, and capital projects that increase access to recreation, parks, and open space in underserved communities. The deadline to apply for Tier 1 Awards is Sunday, September 18th at 11:59 p.m. For more information, visit the grant website or contact Adam Schmid at adam.schmid@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-9338.

Open 4Culture Funds

Open 4Culture is all about expanding their reach and supporting projects being done by and for underserved communities in King County. Through this grant, which has no deadline, 4Culture awards amounts up to $1,500 to cultural doers serving underserved populations across the county. Artists and arts groups operating outside of Seattle and those working in Heritage and Preservation anywhere in King County may apply. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, visit the grant website or contact Melissa Newbill at melissa.newbill@4culture.org.

King County Child Care Financial Assistance Program

King County has allocated $7 million of its federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding to support King County families with the cost of their child care. Eligible families may receive financial assistance to pay for their child care at eligible providers. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, visit the grant website or email KingCCFA@childcare.org.


Health Updates

Free Back-to-School vaccination clinics in King County

Vaccinations required for school entry are available at free, convenient vaccination events throughout August in Seattle, Federal Way, Renton, and Auburn. Clinics will be hosted by Stepping Stone Pediatrics, Seattle Children’s Hospital/Odessa Brown Clinic, and MultiCare in collaboration with school districts and community-based organizations. Check King County’s Find a Clinic webpage for a full list of free vaccination clinics, locations, and times. This webpage will be continuously updated as additional events are scheduled.

King County COVID-19 Case Update

Yesterday, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 501 daily average positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 501,315. In addition, Public Health reported 3 daily average deaths, bringing the total in the county to 3,060.

Recent data may be incomplete. For more information, visit the King County COVID Daily Summary Dashboard here.







Order free COVID home test kits: www.covidtests.gov | https://sayyescovidhometest.org/.

Vaccine Locator: To find COVID-19 vaccine appointments, visit Vaccine Locator.

For King County residents: Register here to schedule your appointment at one of the high-volume vaccination sites in King County.

For in-home vaccination: Call King County COVID-19 Call Center at 206-477-3977.

Register by phone: Call King County COVID-19 Call Center at 206-477-3977 or Washington COVID-19 Assistance Hotline at 1-800-525-0127, then press #.

For veterans: Call 206-716-5716 or visit www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine.

For more information, visit getting vaccinated or getting tested in King County.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 9-8-8 to connect to the new Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, text TALK to 741-741 or visit https://988lifeline.org/.

Find your King County Council district here.


With best wishes,

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

Stephen Scot Oswald is an American former pilot and NASA astronaut who was born in Seattle and went to Bellingham High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from the United States Naval Academy. He also attended the United States Naval Test Pilot School in Maryland and remained at the Naval Air Test Center conducting flying qualities, performance, and propulsion flight tests on the A-7 and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft until 1981.

Oswald joined NASA in 1984 as an aerospace engineer and instructor pilot. A few months later, he was selected as an astronaut candidate. He piloted two missions on Space Shuttle Discovery – the International Microgravity Laboratory-1 mission in January 1992 and the second Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS-2) mission in April 1993. He also commanded Astro II, which flew on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in March 1995.

Oswald is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America, as well as the Legion of Merit, the Navy Commendation Medal, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the NASA Space Flight Medal, and various service awards. Oswald retired from NASA in January 2000.



Photo Source: Wikipedia


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