Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes information on our upcoming virtual community forum, a reminder on King County Metro’s fare collection resumption, health and census updates, and more.

Washington Trivia

How did the University of Washington get its nickname?

(Answer is at the bottom).




Virtual “Good Eggs” Community Forum with Washington Federal Bank President and CEO

Prior to COVID-19, I regularly hosted “Good Eggs” Breakfast meetings once a month to encourage regional dialogue and collaboration among local elected officials and community leaders from South King County. In keeping with public safety guidelines, I invited Washington Federal Bank (WaFd) President and CEO Brent Beardall to join us for a virtual community forum tomorrow, September 30th, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. If you are interested in participating on Zoom, email tyler.pichette@kingcounty.gov for details, or you can follow along live on Facebook at www.facebook.com/petevonreichbauer.




King County Metro to resume fare collection Oct. 1

Several months after fare collection was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, King County Metro will resume fare collection on Thursday, October 1st, for all transit services: buses, Access paratransit, Seattle Streetcar (First Hill and South Lake Union), Vanpool, Via to Transit and other flexible services, and water taxi (Vashon Island and West Seattle).

While Metro continues to accept cash and paper tickets, as well as provide paper transfers, riders are encouraged to use a contactless payment option – ORCA card or Transit GO Tickets – to speed up the boarding process, and further protect both themselves and the operator.

• Acquire an ORCA card online or in-person.
• Acquire Transit GO Tickets through your mobile device.
• Pass Sales Office recently reopened to assist customers in getting ORCA cards and reloading their e-purses.
• ORCA LIFT is available to help reduce the cost of riding Metro for those who qualify.
• Youth and seniors are also eligible for reduced fares. To learn more and for help enrolling, call Metro at 206-553-3000 or visit www.kingcounty.gov/metro/fares.

Metro will suspend fare enforcement through the end of 2020. Fare enforcement officers will continue to provide a broad range of customer services, including answering questions related to using transit and navigating new safety innovations. Read more about it here.




Weekly King County Health Update: Celebrating a safer holiday season – Halloween & Autumn Festivities

The cooler air, refreshing rain, and vivid fall foliage signal the start of autumn and the holiday season in the Pacific Northwest. As we continue our efforts to press down COVID-19 and the flu & cold season, we still can celebrate our personal and family traditions. Although they may not be the same as in the past, we will share some ways we can enjoy our special occasions while also preventing illness.

Traditional Halloween trick-or-treating or trunk-or-treating poses risks to staying healthy during the pandemic because of the lack of social distancing and adherence to wearing the proper face coverings, and increased contact when offering treats. For these reasons, Public Health – Seattle & King County recommends the following ways we may enjoy Halloween while also protecting ourselves from getting sick.



Suggestions for younger people:

• Neighborhood costume parade with social distancing
• Decorate yards or your neighborhood
• Outdoor scavenger hunt of Halloween/autumn-themed things as you practice social distancing
• Virtual costume party online
• Trick-or-treat or hide-and-seek inside your home
• Family movie night or craft party

Some suggestions for teens and adults celebrating Halloween:

• Avoid indoor venues such as house parties, haunted houses, and bars – COVID-19 risk for spread is high in these situations
• If holding a social gathering - fewer people, a shorter time together, and outdoors is safer

Please continue your great efforts to prevent COVID-19 & flu spread through the basics:

• Frequent handwashing
• Wearing a recommended face covering
• Social distancing
• Getting your flu shot (as approved by your physician). For more information click here.

Read more about this Public Health reminder here. For CDC information and risk-ranked recommendations, click here.


Auburn Valley Humane Society Online Auction & Week of Giving

The Auburn Valley Humane Society (AVHS) is inviting you to participate in their Online Auction and Week of Giving! The signature annual fundraiser will kick-off on Saturday, October 24th at 6:00 PM and will run through Friday, October 30th. This is a great opportunity to support the homeless animals in our community. Make sure you get the winning bid for your dream getaway, artwork, or fun items for your furry friend!

1. Register for the event here.
2. Like AVHS on Facebook and join the Facebook event here.
3. Please consider making a gift anytime now through October 30th. Your donation saves animals' lives!


2020 Census: Time is Running Out!

Time is running out to take the 2020 census and make an impact for the next 10 years. Complete the census by September 30th and count for the next 10 years. If our community is undercounted, we will not have a fair and full voice in policy and decision-making. Please do your part to make sure we are counted and represented. Visit 2020Census.gov to complete the census or call 844-330-2020.




King County Case Update

As of yesterday, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 94 new cases, bringing the total in King County to 22,212. In addition, Public Health reported 0 new death, keeping the total in the county at 758.

Stay In. Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember



Washington trivia answer:

Founded in 1861 and established due to the leadership of Methodist preacher Reverend Daniel Bagley, and the donation of eight acres of land by Arthur and Mary Denny, with an additional two acres deeded by Charles and Mary Terry and Edward Lander, the Territorial University of Washington opened with 30 students and one teacher, Asa Shinn Mercer. Struggling from low enrollment and funding during its first few years, the university closed three times. With the transition of Washington from being a territory into a state in 1889, as well as the substantial increase in population in Seattle, a special legislative committee was formed to find a new campus and relocate to better serve the growing student population.

In 1919, the University’s athletic teams were called Sun Dodgers, which was adopted by students as a protest when a college magazine with the same name was banned from campus. According to Wikipedia, the name Sun Dodger was an abstract reference to the local weather. In 1921, a committee set out to pick a new nickname, but with no progress, athletic officials adopted the name Vikings during a semester break in December of the same year. The students protested the name change, and in an attempt to determine a mascot, and recognizing Seattle’s proximity to the Alaskan frontier, the committee came down to two final choices – Huskies and Malamutes.

On February 3, 1922, the University officially accepted the nickname Huskies, announcing the remarkable change at a halftime break of the Washington-Washington State basketball game.