Pet of the Week: Bernard 

Bernard is a 5 ½ year-old, male, shorthair gray tabby cat (A579142). His personality color is RED, meaning he is a spirited cat with a fun-loving personality. Bernard is outgoing, playful and energetic. He may be sensitive to handling and can get overstimulated, so he would do best with a family who knows when to give him a break. This fun guy loves to play and can sometimes be rough and rowdy. He gets along with some other cats, but may be too much for others. He has also lived with a small… Read More

Southbound SR99 corridor buses routed to Fourth Avenue, improving evening commute 

West Seattle, Burien, and neighboring area bus riders will see more consistent travel times starting Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. After monitoring travel and transit times for buses on First Avenue and identifying significant impacts for commuters, officials from King County Metro and Seattle Department of Transportation announced a service revision that takes southbound buses off First Avenue and on to a pathway that utilizes Second Avenue and Fourth Avenue South.  Metro will establish a long-term stop on Second Avenue Extension South between South Washington Street and South Main Street to replace the… Read More

Pet of the Week: Duck 

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC  We have a Duck for Pet of the Week – but he’s really a cool cat!  Duck is a two-year-old brown tabby. This handsome boy is very sweet and gentle, but likes to take things a bit slow. He likes getting attention on his own terms and can get overstimulated if there’s lots of movement and activity around him. Just move carefully and keep an eye out for signs he may need a break. Due to his shy nature, Duck would do best in a calm and quiet… Read More

Washington State’s new immunization law: How does it affect you? 

Crossposted from Public Health Insider  Your back to school routine may look a little different this year. That’s because Washington State recently passed a law removing personal/philosophical exemptions for MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. The law also requires employees and volunteers at licensed childcare centers to provide immunization records indicating they’ve received the MMR vaccine or have proof of immunity.  Read more from Public Health Insider

‘BUPE Pathways’ Program reduces illicit opioid use and improves quality of life 

Crossposted from Public Health Insider  In downtown Seattle, a program to treat opioid use disorder that is co-located with needle exchange services is showing promise for reaching people experiencing homelessness.  The program is based on a public health model that provides immediate, client-centered care and access to buprenorphine.  Initial findings from two different sources of data shows that the innovative Buprenorphine Pathways (Bupe Pathways) program may reduce opioid use and improve the health and well-being of some of our most vulnerable community members. A recent article in the journal Substance Abuse found that Bupe Pathways was successful at retaining people… Read More

Stay safe in the heat

Forecasts call for “unseasonable heat” today and tomorrow. Here are some tips to help you manage the heat: For everyone Check on at-risk friends, family, and neighbors. If you’re outdoors, take breaks in the shade or in air-conditioned buildings. Avoid direct contact with the sun. Avoid exercising or strenuous activity in the afternoon, when the heat is most intense. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more. NEVER leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open! It… Read More

How can Metro meet the needs of our growing county and help solve the climate crisis? We need to hear from you! 

Crossposted from Metro Matters  King County is growing quickly. Our economy is doing well, but unfortunately, rising housing prices mean that many people must live farther from work and drive long distances. That’s not good for quality of life, and it’s not good for the environment – transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in King County. At the same time, innovations in mobility services mean there are many more ways to get around than ever before, but many of these services can be expensive and lead to more cars on… Read More

Employees connect with community at Cine en el Parque 

King County employees were on hand to connect with residents about programs and services at the August 10 Cine en el Parque event.  Community outreach teams from several departments did a great job of providing information at interactive booths with bilingual staff at the screening of Spider-Man: Un Nuevo Universo. “Cine en el Parque” is a free outdoor movie at Dick Thurnau Park in White Center, where movies are projected onto a 40-foot-tall inflatable movie screen (bigger than most indoor theatres) that turns the Park into a spectacular outdoor cinema under the stars.   It was a great opportunity to… Read More

Pet of the Week: Ginger 

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Look at that sweet smile – it’s Ginger, our Pet of the Week! This senior Labrador/Shepherd mix is looking for her forever home. Her personality color is “Easy Going Green,” meaning she is an adaptable dog who loves to go with the flow! Ginger is a sweet girl, very affectionate, and would be thrilled to cuddle up with you at home. She loves going on walks and hanging out with her favorite people. Ginger came into the shelter with another dog, but she may be selective about… Read More

City Hall Park lunch options   

Check out the food trucks at City Hall Park on the south side of the King County Courthouse this week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Today and Thursday it’s Plaza Garcia Express Mexican cuisine, and on Friday it’s World’s Best BBQ. Click here for a complete schedule and menus of food trucks at City Hall Park. For more information visit www.seattlefoodtruck.com.