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Lunar New Year Celebration

Newcastle welcomes the Year of the Dragon this Sunday, February 4, from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Risdon Middle School (6928 116th Ave SE). The all-ages celebration begins with the spectacular Dragon and Lion dances by Northwest Kung Fu and Fitness. Live entertainment continues on stage with a tai chi demonstration, classical and modern Chinese music, dance, and more!

Enjoy activities throughout the afternoon, including calligraphy, paper crafting, and Asian board games. Drop in for cultural demonstrations and sample traditional snacks.

The event is organized through a community partnership between City of Newcastle, Newcastle Arts Council, Newcastle Library, and Friends of the Newcastle Library.

Parking is available in the three school parking lots as well as nearby Hazelwood Elementary School.

• February 4: Lunar New Year Celebration at Risdon Middle School
• February 6: Special and regular City Council meetings at City Hall
• February 10: Valentine STEAM! by Friends of the Newcastle Library at Newcastle Library
• February 12: Special Planning Commission meeting at City Hall
• February 13: It's ARTY Time! Paint & Sip with Newcastle Arts Council at Newcastle Library
• February 14: Community Activities Commission meeting at City Hall
• February 19: President's Day (City Offices Closed)
• February 20: Teen Crafting Connections by Friends of the Newcastle Library at Newcastle Library
• February 20: City Council meeting at City Hall
• February 24: Tech Help for Seniors with Teens Who Care at Newcastle Library
• February 27: Newcastle Area Youth Art Exhibition & Opening Night at Newcastle Library
• February 28: Planning Commission meeting at City Hall

Special and Regular City Council Meetings: February 6

Please join us for our regular council meeting on Tuesday, February 6, at 7:00 p.m., in person at Newcastle City Hall. Prior to the regular meeting, at 6:00 p.m., Council will hold a special meeting to discuss the Community Activities Commission's 2024 Work Plan.

To watch the meeting online, visit our YouTube channel. Previous council and commission meetings are available there as well.

On this meeting's agenda is a discussion of Building and Fires Codes and a Capital Improvement Projects update for 2023 Q4. The City Manager Report provides information on the Town Hall Meeting and upcoming Public Safety Study Session.

To submit written public comment about issues of importance to you, please contact the Newcastle City Clerk at cityclerk@newcastlewa.gov. Verbal public comment is accepted at the beginning and toward the end of each regular council meeting, in person and remotely. Your councilmembers welcome hearing from you.

Special Planning Commission Meeting: February 12

The Planning Commission will hold a special meeting on Monday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m. in person at Newcastle City Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to review the results of the Comprehensive Plan survey.

To watch the meeting online, visit our YouTube channel. Previous council and commission meetings are available there as well.

Have You Seen This Star Employee?

You may have spotted this star employee out in our parks this fall and winter. In that time, Jason Probart, Public Works Maintenance Technician, has added over 400 individual park and playground assets to the City's asset management system. Data collection includes pinpointing the location, identifying and describing the feature, and snapping a picture.

The creation of these features gives the city an easily accessible database to keep all the necessary information about Newcastle's parks and playgrounds, such as inspections and work history. This data is crucial in helping the city to be proactive in budgeting and repairs. Way to go, Jason!

Storm Water Low Down

Brought to you by your Surface Water Management Department

Happy February Newcastle!

This month our focus is on a bit of a stinky subject: Dog Poop. Nobody likes it, nobody wants it, but somebody's got to do it. Throughout this month, we will share reminders and debut our very first Pet Waste Station map! So, keep an eye out on our socials and the next newsletter for more.

For now, here's our monthly Adopt-a-Drain Highlight with a focus on a neighborhood that has us singing "The Hills are Alive" with the sound of draining cleaning! Enjoy!

Adopt-a-Drain Neighborhood Highlight:

Hazelwood Hills

**Rockstar Status Achieved!**

A big shoutout to Hazelwood Hills for adopting 11 drains and removing 31.7 reported pounds of debris. Newcastle thanks you!

All it takes is a few minutes to clear the drains free of debris to reduce the potential for flooding. Sign up and become the next Rockstar neighborhood.

Reserve a Lake Boren Park Shelter

Lake Boren Park Shelters can now be reserved online! Visit the Park Shelter Reservations page today to start planning your 2024 events. The park has two shelters available that can be reserved for the morning, afternoon, or the entire day.

Submit your request using the online form, and it will be held for up to 3 business days to allow you to make payment. The city accepts a variety of payments, all of which are described in the reservation confirmation email.

We look forward to seeing you at the park sometime soon!

Valley Medical Center Board Vacancy

Are you passionate about healthcare in our community? There's an opportunity to serve on the board of the oldest and largest public hospital districts in Washington.

King County Council is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Valley Medical Center Board of Commissioners (Public Hospital District No. 1). The District serves more than 600,000 residents in South King County and owns and operates Valley Medical Center. Newcastle is included in this District.

Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, February 14. Finalists go before the Council's Committee of the Whole for interviews, with appointment expected on April 2.