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

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes FUSION’s annual summer gala, a flag raising and dedication in Kent, a ribbon cutting at the first natural pitch cricket field at Tollgate Park, the 66th Annual Kiwanis Salmon Bake, King County’s Housing Repair Assistance Program, vacancies on King County Board of Ethics, grant opportunities, health updates, a remembrance of Bill Russell, and more.


Washington Trivia

This Mercer Island graphic artist illustrated nearly 80 children’s books and taught at the University of Washington for 20 years. Who was he?
(Answer is at the bottom).




FUSION’s Annual Summer Gala

Over $300,000 was raised by FUSION on Wednesday evening at Dumas Bay for transitional housing. In 29 years, it has never rained on Peggy LaPorte’s dinner and auction; great seeing Federal Way Councilmember Lydia Assefa-Dawson and members of the Federal Way Soroptimist and other volunteers.




Flag Raising and Dedication in Kent

Last week, I had the opportunity to join Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, South King County community leaders, and Korean War veterans at the Flag Raising and Dedication event in Kent. Local business leader David Malik and his family sponsored the installation of a new flagpole at the corner of 4th and Willis. During the dedication, a United States flag, which had flown over the US Capitol and was presented to David and Dana by US Congressman Adam Smith, was raised.



(Clockwise) With Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, Kent Councilmember Bill Boyce, David Malik and his family, VFW Post 6785 Commander Walt Tanimoto, Deputy Consul General Junsik Kim, Former Federal Way Mayor Mike Park, Federal Way Korean American Association President Daniel Kim, and Korean War Veteran Young G Yi


First natural pitch cricket field ribbon cutting at Tollgate Park

Pitch…Dolly…Golden Duck…Beamer are just some of the new terms I am learning about cricket. On July 23rd, I was pleased to join King County Councilmembers Sarah Perry and Claudia Balducci, as well as Bellevue Councilmember Janice Zahn (a proud Decatur High School graduate) at the ribbon cutting of the first natural pitch cricket field at Tollgate Park. Congratulations to Salman Taj, Vijay Beniwal, David Malik and the others who are bringing cricket to the Northwest. Go Thunderbolts!!!




66th Annual Kiwanis Salmon Bake

The 66th Annual Kiwanis Salmon Bake continues to bring people together like no other event. Linda Persha always leads the way, as does everyone’s favorite Fire Chief Gordie Olson. I had a great time catching up with Frank James, Beverly Warnke and Todd and Cooper Suchan. Great food. Great people. Great cause, benefiting students in Federal Way.



With Gordie Olson, Linda Persha, Frank James, Beverly Warnke, as well as Todd and Cooper Suchan


King County offers Housing Repair Assistance

King County offers Housing Repair Assistance to low-income homeowners and renters with a disability in most parts of King County. The funding provides money for roof replacements, new septic system installation, repairs addressing emergency conditions, health and safety repairs, and major building preservation issues within the single-family owner-occupied home. For renters with a disability, funding is provided to make their unit more accessible. For more information, click the link above or call 206-263-9095.


King County Board of Ethics seeks to fill two vacancies

The King County Board of Ethics is currently seeking to fill two vacancies on the five-member body. The purpose of the Board of Ethics is to ensure that King County employees and contractors adhere to ethical behavior and preserve people’s trust in King County as an open and honest government. Board members usually spend between two and four hours per month on board business and normally meet on the third Monday of each month during the workday. Members are appointed to the ethics board for three-year terms and may be reappointed. To be considered for a position on the board, interested people should send a letter of interest and resume via email to Program.Ethics@kingcounty.gov. All application materials must be received by August 17th.




South King County agency opens applications for affordable housing funding

South King Housing and Homelessness Partners (SKHHP), an agency created by Auburn, Kent, Federal Way and seven other South King County cities, recently unveiled its Housing Capital Fund, which will go toward creating and preserving affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households in South King County. Around $1.5 million will be available in 2022. Applications for funding are open from now until September 15th. For more information, visit http://skhhp.org/home/.


Non-profit Corner

The Federal Way community is rallying to support Jay Barbour, owner of the Mediterranean Gyro Grill restaurant in Federal Way and Tacoma, who was paralyzed after being shot in the spine at a road rage shooting in June. The Federal Way Farmers Market, Pacific Christian Academy and K.C. Deez BBQ are hosting a community fundraiser for Jay and his family at the farmers market (1701 S. 324th Street) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 13th. Read more in the Federal Way Mirror article here.





With representatives from K.C. Deez BBQ and Pacific Christian Academy, and Federal Way Farmers Market Director Rose Ehl


Grant Opportunities available in August

Collections Care Grant

4Culture’s Collections Care grant will help King County’s archivists, librarians, and historians protect the tangible objects that make up history so that the generations of today and tomorrow can continue to learn from them. Funds are provided to assess, organize, catalog, clean, repair, document, digitize, and, ultimately, preserve heritage resources in King County. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, August 10th at 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit the grant website or contact Chieko Phillips at chieko.phillips@4culture.org.

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. For more information, visit the grant website or contact Phillip Thompson at phithompson@kingcounty.gov.

Working Washington Grants: Round 5

The Washington State Legislature has allocated a new round of grant funding for small businesses affected by the pandemic. Funds will be set aside for the arts, heritage, science, hospitality, fitness, and personal services. $70 million was appropriated for this round of funding. Applications will open soon and are due Wednesday, August 31st. For more information, visit the grant website.

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.

2022 Landmarks Capital grant

4Culture’s Landmarks Capital grant application is now open. Landmark Capital funding is specifically for stewards of designated historic landmark properties in King County who are working to rehabilitate them. The grant supports projects focusing on the stabilization or restoration of historic building fabric, repair or replacement of essential building systems, or the restoration of historically significant landscapes. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, September 21st at 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit the grant website or contact Dana Phelan at dana.phelan@4culture.org or 206-263-1604.

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

Heat-Related Illness Surveillance Data

The Puget Sound Region was under a National Weather Service excessive heat warning July 26th through 31st. Public Health released daily reports of preliminary data on heat-related illness surveillance for the dates covered by the excessive heat warning.

As of Sunday, July 31st, King County Medical Examiner’s Office reported 3 hyperthermia-related deaths and 3 drowning deaths from July 26th to 31st. Because heat-related deaths might not occur, be found, or confirmed immediately after heat exposure, additional deaths from this period may be identified later. Serious health problems from heat include kidney failure, stroke, and heart attacks. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are also risks. Read more here.

Latest update on Monkeypox Vaccine in King County

On July 27th, King County received its most recent shipment of 3,300 monkeypox vaccines, following the receipt of 1,420 vaccine doses on July 22nd. Data indicates that there are at least 20,000 people at highest risk for monkeypox exposure and likely an additional 20,000 people who may be at elevated risk. Therefore, King County will likely need vaccine for closer to 40,000 people in the near term. To date, Public Health has received 4,720 doses, and in this vaccine scarce environment, Public Health is using multiple strategies to reach those at highest risk among these 40,000 people. Read more here.


King County COVID-19 Case Update

Yesterday, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 665 daily average positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 493,781. In addition, Public Health reported 3 daily average deaths, bringing the total in the county to 3,007.

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 1-800-273-8255, text TALK to 741-741 or visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Find your King County Council district here.


Remembering Bill Russell



“Bill doesn’t do pictures,” said the mutual friend who hosted us in a suite at The Key Arena at a Sonic game just before I asked, “Coach, can I get a picture?”. We not only did a picture but talked about more issues on the front page than the sports page. Bill Russell will always be identified professionally with Boston, but he chose to live much of his personal life in the Puget Sound area. RIP. HOF. Legend.


With best wishes,

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

Theodore “Ted” Rand, who started drawing early in his youth, was a self-taught graphic artist who illustrated nearly 80 children’s novels. Prior to his career in illustrating children’s books, he spent four years as a naval aviator in the South Pacific during World War II. He then became a graphic artist at Frederick & Nelson and the Bon Marché, before founding a company called Graphic Studios. He also taught illustration at the University of Washington for 20 years.

He was a prolific and energetic artist who made his mark in portraiture, teaching and advertising art before entering the children's book field in his 60’s. Bill Martin Jr., a children’s book writer, invited Ted to work with him, and their long collaboration resulted in “The Ghost-Eye Tree”, and many more.

Ted’s drawings are on display around the country. His wife, Gloria Rand, wrote children’s books not long after Ted began to illustrate them. He died of cancer in his home on Mercer Island just hours before he and his wife, Gloria, were to receive the Literary Lions Award from the King County Library System Foundation. In 2005, Ted was also posthumously awarded the Kerlan Award, given by one of the world's largest literature research collections, the Kerlan, at the University of Minnesota.



Gloria and Ted Rand (Photo Source: Meryl Schenker, Seattle Post-Intelligencer)


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