Events
Auburn Tourism: For special events in the Auburn area, visit the website: www.auburntourism.com.
Congressional Art Competition: May 3-8, Green River Community College, Bleha Center for the Performing Arts, 12401 SE 320th St., Auburn. About 80 pieces of artwork created by area high school students on display, part of Congressman Dave Reichert’s annual Congressional Art Competition. The nationwide event recognizes and encourages artistic talent. Public is welcome. Hours: noon-2 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday; noon-2 p.m. Sunday; 4-6 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. www.greenriver.edu
Auburn Clean Sweep: 7:30 a.m. May 4, downtown Auburn. Check in at City Hall, 25 W. Main St. Breakfast prepared by Kiwanis of Auburn. Volunteer for a project. For more information, call Julie Brewer at 253-804-5042 or email jbrewer@auburnwa.gov.
Rhubarb Festival at Mosby Farm: 1-4 p.m. May 4, 12754 SE Green Valley Road, Auburn. Free. Music, rhubarb treats. For more information, call 253-939-7666 or visit mosbyfarm.com.
SYL Pitch, Hit and Run: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. May 5, Sunset Park, 1306 69th St. SE, Auburn. See Ya Later Foundation hosts its third annual competition. Open to boys and girls ages 7-14 and consists of running bases for time, hitting a ball off a tee for distance and accuracy, as well as pitching six balls at a target. Register in advance or at the event. Proof of age is required for advancement to regionals. For more information, visit www.seeyalater.org.
Meet the candidate: 6:30-9 p.m. May 5, Rainier Room, second floor of the Truitt Building, 102 W. Main St., Auburn. The public is invited to meet and discuss issues with Yolanda Cortinas Trout, a candidate for Auburn City Council, Position 4. OddFellas Pub & Eatery will serve light refreshments, appetizers and tacos. For more information, visit www.ElectYolanda.com or info@ElectYolanda.com, or contact call 253-939-5707.
Auburn Art Walk & Wine Tasting: 5-9 p.m. May 10, downtown Auburn. Experience art, music and wine tasting. For more information, visit auburndt.org.
Neely Mansion May Tea: May 11, 12303 SE Auburn-Black Diamond Road, off Highway 18. Seatings at 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m. Neely Mansion Association invites the public. Gift shop, tour historic house, piano music. $15 per guest. Reservations required. Please call 253-850-2777.
YMCA Summer Programs Open House: 6-8 p.m. May 17, Auburn Valley YMCA, 1620 Perimeter Road SW. Arts, crafts, snacks. Climb the Alpine Tower and wall. For more information, call 253-833-2770 or visit www.seattleymca.org.
Petpalooza: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 18, Game Farm Park, 3030 R St. SE, Auburn. Free event for pet lovers and a special day for pets. Dog Trot Fun Run begins at 9:30 a.m. (registration fees apply). Live entertainment, Skyhoundz Disc Dog Championships, pony rides, an agility area, an interactive bug zoo, Reber Ranch’s “Unleashed” pet contest, face painting and other children’s activities, a noon pet parade, more than 150 vendor booths, pet adoptions, exams, vaccinations and other related services, giveaways, food vendors and activities to keep both humans and pets entertained. Sponsors include 100.7 The Wolf, Radio Disney AM 1250, Green River Veterinary Hospital and Del’s Feed & Farm Supply. For more information, call 253-931-3043 or visit www.auburnwa.gov/petpalooza.
Memorial Day
Hillcrest Memorial Park: 10 a.m. May 27, 1005 Reiten Road, Kent. Presented by American Legion post 15 and Kentwood High School JROTC.
Tahoma National Cemetery: 1 p.m. May 27, 18600 SE 240th St., Kent. Information: 425-413-9614.
Benefits
Auburn Valley YMCA Baby Food Drive: Through May 13, YMCA, 1620 Perimeter Road SW. Please help celebrate moms in the community by supporting the third annual drive. All donations will be delivered to the Auburn Food Bank and will help families in Auburn. Needed items: Baby formula, baby food, diapers, baby wipes. For more information, contact Stephanie Norton-Bredl at 253-876-7552 or snortonbredl@seattleymca.org.
Kiwanis Trivia Challenge: 5:30-8 p.m. May 3, King Solomon Lodge, 10 Auburn Way S. Kiwanis Club of the Valley and the See Ya Later Foundation present fun, competitive team trivia event, played with teams of 6-8 during dinner, which will be a Mexican meal of chips and salsa, chili and taco bar. Soda, beer, wine and margaritas available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the foundation. Tickets: $30 for each member of your team. For more information, call Gregg Dobbs at 253-951-9901, or visit www.seeyalater.org.
Wabash Church’s Women’s Ministry plant and bake sale: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 4, Wabash Presbyterian Church, 18325 SE 384th St., Auburn. Proceeds support retreats, Christmas tea and other activities to encourage and help women in the community.
Bus Barn Bonanza: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 4, Auburn School District Transportation Yard, 615 15th St. SW. Featuring arts and crafts from local artists and business people. Free to the public. A $10 vendor fee supports the Auburn High School seniors scholarship fund. The bonanza is open on the first Saturday of every month, March to June, October to December. For more information, contact Janie Bartro at 253-227-7789, or visit www.busbarnbonanza.com.
Run 2 Educate: 7:30 a.m. May 5, Auburn Adventist Academy, 5000 Auburn Way S. Benefit to help fund student scholarships. Entry: $60 (half-marathon); $45 (10-K); $30 (5-K); $15 (kids fun run). Register at www.databarevents.com/r2e.asp. For more information call 253-939-5000, ext. 205.
Auburn Riverside Bands Cafe and Auction: 6-9 p.m. May 10, Auburn Riverside High School, 501 Oravetz Road. Tickets: $10 includes spaghetti dinner, auction, live swing music from ARHS Jazz bands and dance lessons. Bid on items and help support the band program.
The connect!kids Walk: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. May 11, SuperMall, becoming the Outlet Collection, 1101 Supermall Way, Auburn. Walk begins in connecting concourse atrium. Free. Community fundraising event supporting the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the fight against childhood cancer. Event includes free family activities – face painting, arts and crafts, a mini safety fair sponsored by the Auburn Police Department, and a photo booth. Donations will be accepted, and the Outlet Collection will match them. The Outlet Collection is asking for a $5 donation for connect!kids walk T-shirts. The Outlet Collection will match donations up to $500. The Parent Map and Auburn Police sponsor the walk. 253-833-9500, www.outletcollectionseattle.com/connect-kids.
Auburn Symphony Orchestra, A Little Win, A Little Music: 6-7:15 p.m. May 11, Meridian Valley Country Club, 24830 136th Ave. SE, Kent. Wine tasting, silent auction, music and dinner. Cost: $65 per person. Country club attire. For more information email: therottle@comcast.net or 253-939-2429.
Stamp Out Hunger: May 11. Local letter carriers will drop off bags in advance at households, urging residents to fill them with nonperishable food for pickup on May 11. Community members are joining postal carriers in the nation’s largest single-day food drive, benefiting Food Lifeline’s efforts to stock area food banks and to feed hungry people throughout King County. www.foodlifeline.org/stamp.
Helping Women Women In Transition: 7-10 p.m. June 7, Kent Senior Center, 600 E. Smith St., Kent. Food, entertainment and fashion show as the Lois Renfro Foundation and Hope+Help Counseling launch a new community program designed to equip and empower single mothers in transition. Teaching moms how to live healthy, have successful recovery and maintain parental rights. Proceed support the program. Tickets: $30. For tickets, call Claudia 253-315-4450 or Hope+Help Counseling, 253-347-0428. For more information, visit www.loisrenfrofoundation.org.
Health
Cascade Regional Blood Center drives: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., May 4,- Lakeland Hills Community,1408 Lake Tapps Parkway E.; 6:30-10 p.m. May 17, Relay for Life, Auburn High School Memorial Stadium, 800 Fourth St., NE. For more information, call 1-877-242-5663 or visit www.crbs.net/home.
Puget Sound Blood Center drives: For more information, call 253-945-8667 or please visit www.psbc.org.
Living Tobacco-free Weekly Free Support Group: 6 p.m. Wednesdays, MultiCare Auburn Medical Center, second floor, Heart Care Center classroom, 202 N. Division St. Free one-hour weekly support group meeting open to adults and teens wanting to quit tobacco, newly quit, struggling with relapse or helping a friend quit tobacco. For more information, contact Heidi Henson at 253-223-7538 or hhenson@seattleymca.org.
Southeast King County Parkinson’s Disease support group: Meets on the third Tuesday of the month, 10:30 a.m., St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, 25810 156th Ave. SE, Covington. Group’s monthly lunches are on the first Tuesday of the month at the Auburn Senior Activity Center, 808 Ninth St. SE, Auburn. For more information, contact Stephanie Lawson at 206-579-5206.
Gamblers Anonymous: For meeting times and locations, call toll free the Gamblers Anonymous Hotline 1-855-222-5542. Visit www.gawashington.org or www.gamblersanonymous.org for additional information.
Volunteers
Algona Days: The City is looking for vendors for this year’s celebration – Friday, July 19, 5-9 p.m. and Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. If you are interested, applications can be found at www.algonawa.gov or you can contact Kevin Caviezel at City Hall 253-833-2897 or kevinc@algonawa.gov.
Clubs
Striped Water Poets: Meets every Tuesday, 7- 9 p.m., at Auburn City Hall, 25 W. Main St. A roundtable critique and welcoming of new poets.
Auburn Morning Toastmasters: Meets every Thursday morning, 6:30-7:30, Auburn Chamber of Commerce, 108 S. Division, Suite B. Learn the fine art of communication and public speaking in a friendly supportive atmosphere. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call 253-735-1751.
Auburn Green Valley Prospecting Club: Meets 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, The River Estates Community Center, 3611 I St. NE, Auburn. Club promotes recreational prospecting, camaraderie and education with members, local organizations and youth groups throughout the Puget Sound Region. Affiliated chapter of The Gold Prospectors Association of America. Offers places for individuals and families to go to prospect, local support, free information services. Membership is free and open to anyone who is interested in prospecting for gold or other precious minerals, metal detecting or rock hounding. For more information, call 253 833-2255 or visit pnwgpaa.com/Washington/Auburn/Calendar.
Libraries
Auburn Library, 1102 Auburn Way S. 253- 931-3018. Library events include:
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Monday Toddler Story Times: 10:15 a.m. May 6, 13, 20. Ages 2 to 3 with adult.
Monday Preschool Story Times: 11:15 a.m. May 6, 13, 20. Ages 3 to 7 with adult.
Wednesday Infant Story Times: 10 a.m. May 8, 15, 22. Ages newborn to 24 months with adult.
Spanish Story Times: 10:30 a.m. May 4, 11, 18 and 25. All young children welcome with adult.
Play & Learn: 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Newborn to age 5 with caregiver. Have fun singing songs, telling stories, reading books, creating art and playing.
Lego Club: 4:30 p.m. May 7, 14, 21. Ages 5 to 12. Join your friends for themed LEGO building and free play led by Bricks4Kidz. Limited to the first 20 children.
Put Your Rhythm On!: 4:30 p.m. May 3. Celebrate El Dia de los Ninos and join in the fun for this high-energy call-and-response singing and rhythm workshop for kids.
TEENS
Teen Zone: 3:30 p.m. May 8, 15, 22, 29. Snack, hang out, study, play video games and pick up a good book.
Study Zone: 3 p.m. May 7, 14, 21, 28; 5 p.m.; May 6, 13, 20; 6 p.m. May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. Grades K-12. Drop in for free homework help from trained volunteer tutors.
Teen Book Club: 4 p.m. May 21. “Under the Never Sky” by Veronica Rossi.
Free Comic Book Day: 1 p.m. May 4. Celebrate Free Comic Book Day with the Auburn Library! Free comic books while supplies last.
Make a Comic Book: 2 p.m. May 13. Fifth grade and older. Learn how to make your own comic book with David Lasky, local artist and comic book author. Limited to the first 15 participants.
Teen Library Council: 3:30 p.m. May 13. The council gives you the opportunity to have a say in what goes on at the library for teens, develop planning and leadership skills and earn community service hours.
Teen Writers’ Group: 3:30 p.m. May 17. Meet other teen authors, share what you’ve been writing, improve your craft and have fun.
SAT Strategies Workshop: 12:30 p.m. May 18. Learn how to ace the SAT from the experts at Sylvan Learning Center.
Teen Open House: 3 p.m. May 20. Duct tape creations, games, movies and snacks.
ADULTS
Book a Librarian: Free 30-minute appointments to help you with your information needs. Please come to the library or call 253-931-3018 to make an appointment.
English as a Second Language (ESL) : 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. No class on May 27. A formal class to learn English grammar, reading, writing and conversation skills.
Computer classes: Sign-up at the Information Desk or call 253-931-3018. • Word Level 2, 2 p.m. May 7; • Microsoft Excel Level 2, 10 a.m. May 11; • Microsoft Publisher, 10 a.m. May 15; • One-on-One Assistance, noon, 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. May 28.
Drop-In to Learn about eBooks: 2 p.m. May 4; 3 p.m. May 8, 12. Get started with KCLS eBooks! Bring your eReader, tablet, phone or just your questions.
Genealogy Assistance: 1 p.m. May 4, 11, 15. Volunteers from South King County Genealogical Society will be available to answer your questions.
Meet the Author: 7 p.m. May 14, Karen Spears Zacharias, author of “A Silence of Mockingbirds: The Memoir of a Murder”. Zacharias, an investigative journalist, never anticipated that she would become one of the characters involved in a high-profile murder. Her true crime story is behind Oregon’s Karly’s Law.
A Place at the Table, Eating Green: The Visual Guide to Growing Healthy Fruits and Vegetables: 2 p.m. May 11. Presented by Kathryn Wadsworth. Grow healthy, organic fruits and vegetables at home. Beautifully illustrated with extensive photographs, we share with you the benefits of working in concert with the natural world. We’ll toss around fresh ideas about food, cooking, nutrition and growing and using locally produced food. In addition to offering new food ideas, preparation and planning skills, and handy online classes, videos and resources, the series will help everyone create a nourishing table by accepting non-perishable food donations, to be distributed to local King County food banks. www.kcls.org/cooks
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Algona-Pacific Library, 225 Ellingson Road, Pacific. 253-833-3554. Library events include:
CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Toddler Story Times: 10:15 a.m. May 7, 14, 21. Ages 2 to 3 with adult.
Preschool Story Times: 11 a.m. May 7, 14, 21. Ages 3 to 5 with adult.
Spanish Story Times: 6:30 p.m. May 7, 14, 21, 28. All young children welcome with adult.
TEENS
Teen Zone: 3 p.m. May 8, 15, 22, 29. Play video games, get online, do homework, hang out or read a book.
Make Your Own Comic Book: 4 p.m. May 13. Learn the basics of making your own comic book with Seattle based cartoonist David Lasky. Limited to the first 15 participants.
Teen Book Club: 3 p.m. May 28. “Trapped” by Michael Northrop.
Study Zone: 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Grades K-12. Drop in for free homework help from trained volunteer tutors.
ADULTS
Book a Librarian: Free 30-minute appointments to help you with your information needs. Please come to the library or call 253-931-3554 to make an appointment.
Computer Class: Registration required. Please sign up at the Information Desk or call 253-833-3554. • Internet Level 2, noon, May 13; • One-On-One Assistance, 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. May 21.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL): 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Presented by Green River Community College. A formal class to learn English grammar, reading, writing and conversation skills.
Drop-In to Learn about eBooks: 3 p.m. May 20. Get started with KCLS eBooks! Bring your eReader, tablet, phone or just your questions.
Algona-Pacific Page Turners: 7:30 p.m. May 15. “The Lotus Eaters” by Tatjana Soli.
A Place at the Table: KCLS invites everyone to find A Place at the Table. We’ll toss around fresh ideas about food, cooking, nutrition and growing and using locally produced food. In addition to offering new food ideas, preparation and planning skills, and handy online classes, videos and resources, the series will help everyone create a nourishing table by accepting non-perishable food donations, to be distributed to local King County food banks. www.kcls.org/cooks
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Muckleshoot Library, 39917 Auburn-Enumclaw Road SE., Auburn. 253-931-6779. Library events include:
COMPUTER CLASSES
Looking to sharpen your technology skills?: If you’re interested in attending a class, please call 253-931-6779.
Network
Auburn Area Chamber “Connecting for Success” Breakfast: 8-9 a.m., the first Wednesday of every month. Sponsored by the Auburn Chamber of Commerce. Cost: $5, includes continental breakfast. Auburn Area Chamber Board Room, 108 S. Division, Suite B. 253-833-0700.
Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce Partnership Luncheon: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the third Tuesday of every month, Emerald Downs, Emerald Room (fourth floor), 2300 Emerald Downs Drive. Register online through the chamber.
27th annual Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament: 1:30 p.m. May 10, Washington National Golf Club, 14330 SE Husky Way, Auburn. Register your team today. Twosome $250; foursome $450; sorry, no singles. Call Pegi at the Chamber office to inquire about hole sponsorships or tournament sponsorships at 253-833-0700.
Reunions
Auburn High School Multi-Class Reunion Picnic: 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Aug. 3, Veterans Memorial Park, 411 E St. NE, Auburn. Potluck with plates, utensils and napkins furnished. For more information, call 253-880-2500.
Seniors
Auburn Senior Activity Center, 808 Ninth St. SE. 253-931-3016 or www.auburnwa.gov. Senior activities include:
• Senior Coffee Hours with the Mayor and Councilmembers: 10-11 a.m. the second Thursday of the month.
• Lunch: Monday-Friday, Salad bar begins at 11:30, Main meal is served at noon. Cost: $3 donation for ages 60 and over, $6 for those younger than 60.
• Movie Screenings: Wednesdays, 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. 50 cent suggested donation for refreshments.
• Monday Supper Club: 4:45-6 p.m. One Monday a month. Call 253-931-3016 for date and menu. Cost: $6 for all ages.
• Meals on Wheels: Senior services’ program offers home-delivered meals to home-bound seniors. For more information, call the center at 253-931-3016.
• Hiking Group 50+: Do you like the outdoors? Are you looking to get some more exercise? Don’t like to hike alone? Then we have the group for you. The group hikes 3-5 times a month throughout the Puget Sound region. The hikes range from 3-7 miles and are from easy to moderate. Please call 253 931-3016 for more information.
Elsewhere
AAA Driver Improvement Program: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. May 17, Wesley Homes Lea Hill, 32049 109th Place SE, Auburn. Course gives practical guidance for traffic accident prevention and enhances driver safety and confidence. Course completion qualifies drivers 55 years of age and older for automobile insurance premium discounts. Cost is $16 per person. Pre-registration is required. For enrollment information, call 206-243-3564.
Museums
White River Valley Museum
Located at 918 H St. SE, Auburn. Regular admission: $2 adults, $1 seniors and children. Admission is free on Wednesdays and the fourth Sunday of the month. Call 253-288-7433 or visit www.wrvmuseum.org for tickets and event information.
Exhibits
Japanese Heritage, Washington Artists: Through July 28. Nihon/WA invites viewers to experience a wide spectrum of work created by artists of Japanese heritage in the Puget Sound region and see how each has chosen to include or step beyond heritage and history in their own content and style. Events: • Asian Brush Calligraphy Workshop, 6-7:30 p.m. April 30. Award-winning artist Lois Yoshida will teach students to work with the traditional tools of bamboo brush and sumi (ink). In addition to Asian characters, students will learn to write their names in Japanese. $20 per student, registration required. • Family Day: Art of Japan, noon-4 p.m. May 11. Visit the exhibit and enjoy free activities throughout the museum. Activities included with regular admission. • Japanese Kite Workshop: 1-2:30 p.m. June 15. Master kite maker and artist Greg Kono will teach kids of all ages how to make a flyable giant coffee filter kites. All materials will be provided. $20 per student, registration is required.
Other events
• Free Will Writing Workshop: Noon, May 26. Bob Pittman, an attorney in private practice in the Puget Sound area, leads the free workshop. His law practice is restricted to estate planning. For more information, contact Pittman at 253-471-9779.
Galleries
Auburn City Hall: Exhibit, through April 29: Members of the Auburn Valley Creative Arts showcase their artwork in April in various mediums. Admission is free. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. 253-931-3043 or www.auburnwa.gov.
Auburn Valley Creative Arts Gallery: 108 S. Division St., Auburn. Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday-Friday; noon-4 p.m., Saturday. www.facebook.com/auburnvalleycreativearts. AVCA monthly meetings: 7 p.m., second Tuesday of each month. Board meetings are at 5:45 p.m. Open to anyone wishing to volunteer and help steer AVCA to future goals. Program lineup: May 14, Greg Watson (American Raku pottery).
Pacific Poetry Gallery: Exhibit, a free running display of works through May 31. The gallery is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at City Hall, 100 Third Ave. SE. The annual event takes place every April in celebration of National Poetry Month. Among the many distinguished versifiers are Peter Ludwin, who won the Auburn Days Open Mic Poetry Contest last year. His poem, “Wayward”, will be displayed alongside the works of Dick Brugger, Auburn’s first poet laureate, and other area poets. The Striped Water Poets gathered the poetry. Uniquely Auburn is financing the community event.
