December 16, 2024

Mayor and City Council Present Checks

to Support Food Bank Efforts

Mayor Jim Ferrell and members of the Federal Way City Council visited two important community spots last week to make donations for the holiday season. Two checks for more than $19,000 were given to the Senior Center and Multi-Service Center to support their efforts providing food drives to the Federal Way community.

Thank you to both organizations for your activities that help make Federal Way a welcoming and supportive community all year long.

Annual Tree Lighting Video Recap

We held our Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Town Square Park on Dec. 7. If you were unable to attend or want to re-live the magic, watch our event recap now. It features clips of the wonderful music performances, a message from Mayor Jim Ferrell, a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and the moment of truth as the tree lit up the night sky.

Click this link to view the memorable moments.

Public Works Hosts Mattress Recycling and Document Shredding Event

Cars were lined up at the South King Tool Library this past Saturday to drop off used mattresses and documents for proper disposal. Our Drive-Thru Mattress Recycling and Document Shredding event was an easy and free way for Federal Way residents to recycle unneeded mattresses and documents without even getting out of their car.

Our City of Federal Way Public Works outreach staff did an impressive job coordinating and executing this great event. It’s a useful benefit for our residents while also increasing our recycling efforts and helping keep our city green.

Mayor Ferrell Visits Winter Bonsai Solstice

Mayor Jim Ferrell attended the Pacific Bonsai Museum’s enchanting Winter Bonsai Solstice Event this past Saturday. The museum’s world-renowned bonsai collection was lit up with an array of lights welcoming visitors to take an evening stroll through the grounds. It really captured the spirit of the holiday season.

Amazingly, one of the trees featured at the museum (left in image above) is believed to be more than 1,030 years old dating back to 990 A.D.

Storming the Sound in Federal Way

Last week, City of Federal Way Environmental Services staff traveled to a hatchery in Pierce County to pick up Coho salmon eggs then partnered with Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) to deliver the eggs to 34 fish tanks districtwide.

These efforts are part of Storming the Sound with Salmon, a partnership with FWPS. Students and teachers in each class will tend to the eggs and raise the salmon until they are released in the spring at an education event for fourth grade students.

Stop by the public tanks at the Federal Way Community Center and in the lobby at City Hall if you’d like to see how the fish are growing.

Featured Upcoming Event

Cookies with Mrs. Claus Dec. 19

Make special memories with special little ones in your life decorating cookies and leave the mess to us! Attend our Cookies with Mrs. Claus event from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19, at the Federal Way Community Center.

Entry is $5 per person (including both kids and adults). We supply you with everything you need to make some masterpiece cookies PLUS you get to have a special visit with Mrs. Claus.

Each kid in attendance will receive a plate with five sugar cookies to decorate.

Federal Way Police Commander Thaddeus Hodge Graduates from Northwestern School of Police Staff & Command

Please join us in congratulating police commander Thaddeus Hodge, who recently completed a 22-week command college program through Northwestern University.

The Northwestern School of Police Staff & Command (SPSC) is an intensive leadership and management education program designed to prepare experienced law enforcement professionals for success in senior command positions. Since its establishment in 1983, law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and around the world have recognized the significant impact that an SPSC education has on their leadership and management teams.

The SPSC curriculum combines academic principles with practical applications, focusing on critical command-level subjects such as planning and policy development, media relations, organizational behavior, budgeting and resource allocation, human resources, contemporary policing, and more. This is the only program of its kind offered by a top-10 university.

In addition to keeping up with their full-time jobs, students are expected to dedicate 20 to 30 hours per week to complete their school assignments and meet participation requirements throughout the 22-week course. Lieutenant Hodge began the course on June 26 and finished on Nov. 26, finishing with a 96.5% grade average.

Lieutenant Hodge has 28 years of law enforcement experience and was a founding department member, joining our agency in 1997. Lieutenant Hodge has diversified working experience, including in the traffic unit, criminal investigations and special operations unit.

Lieutenant Hodge has more than five years of supervisory experience as a lieutenant in patrol and specialty assignments include school resource officer, animal services, the mall, and the special operations unit. Additionally, he has served as an advisor to the Police Explorer Program, working with high school students for more than 12 years.

Lieutenant Hodge is an armed forces veteran, having served in the United States Army for eight years. For three years, he served as a military patrol officer while assigned in Germany, a Protective Service Agent while assigned to Belgium, and a drug suppression officer while posted at Joint Base Lewis-McCord in Pierce County.

Lieutenant Hodge has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

Well done, Lieutenant Hodge!

Tips to Reduce Holiday Food Waste

Nobody likes to see food go to waste, especially during the holiday season. Let's get inspired this holiday season.

When food ends up in the trash, it means wasted money – but once that trash ends up in a landfill, it also produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. To help holiday hosts reduce the amount of food they waste, the Washington Department of Ecology launched a holiday edition of its "Use Food Well" food waste prevention campaign. Here are few simple tips the campaign provides that can help you reduce waste and save money:

• Shopping Smart: Planning and shopping tips to help you use food well during the holidays. 
• Holiday Leftovers Recipe: Turn leftovers into delicious new dishes and never get bored with these recipes.
• Leftover Storage: Learn to store leftover meals and ingredients to save money and time.

For more information, visit the "Use Food Well" campaign website for more information.

Jan. 7 City Council Meeting

What’s Next: The Federal Way City Council meets Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, for a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

How to Attend: Attend in person at Federal Way City Hall, 33325 8th Ave. S. or watch live on Zoom, the city's YouTube channel or FW Channel 21.

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Free Financial Literacy Classes in 2025

The City of Federal Way is partnering with community volunteers and the Dave Ramsay Financial Peace University to offer a free nine-week course teaching financial skills for Federal Way residents.

The classes will be held every Thursday from Jan. 16 through March 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Federal Way Community Center.

Free child care is available for class participants on a first-come, first-served basis.

State of the City Scheduled for Feb. 13

SAVE THE DATE. Mayor Jim Ferrell's annual State of the City Address will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, at the Performing Arts & Event Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Hear an inspiring address from Mayor Ferrell as we celebrate our community’s accomplishments and share an exciting vision for the future.

This special evening is your chance to be part of the conversation shaping Federal Way’s journey forward. Let’s come together to honor our city and explore what’s ahead.

View Our Parks & Recreation Winter and Spring Program Guide

The Federal Way Parks & Recreation Department offers a wide variety of fun recreational activities for residents of all ages.

Take a moment and check out our Winter and Spring Program Guide to find an activity, new or old, that will get you up, moving and out of the house!



Scouting for Trees on Jan. 4

The Boy Scouts of America and the City of Federal Way welcome you to our annual Holiday Tree and Light Recycling Event on Saturday, Jan. 4 and 5.

We will be offering pickup services on Jan. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or you can drop off your trees and lights at Celebration Park on Jan. 4 and 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Registration closes Dec. 29. Three trees per person accepted at the drop-off location. Trees with any ornaments, lights, flocking, tinsel, stands, debris, etc., will not be accepted.

PAEC Upcoming Events

The Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center (PAEC) puts on a wide variety of events year round. Upcoming events include:

• Dec. 19: ABBA Holly Jolly Christmas
• Dec. 22: The Nutcracker
• Jan. 21: Moms Unhinged Standup Comedy Show
• Jan. 25: Big Band Concert I–Score One for the Bass
• Feb. 8: Crash Test Dummies

Visit the PAEC event calendar page for a full list of upcoming events.

Federal Way Symphony Season

Established in 1983, the Federal Way Symphony has provided our community with high-quality, professional music for more than 40 years.

Performances are held at the Performing Arts & Event Center. The Federal Way Symphony is currently inviting those interested to buy a ticket to attend performances for their current season, titled "Cosmic Melodies."

Visit the Federal Way Symphony website to view their full calendar listing and to purchase tickets.

South King Fire Santa Parades and Canned Food Drive

South King Fire began Santa Parades in 2020 as a way to support and connect with our community throughout a difficult time.

The Santa Parades and Canned Food Drive will be in Federal Way on the following dates from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.:

• Dec. 17



Volunteers Needed for Federal Way Cares for Kids Holiday Event Dec. 21

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Dec. 21, and be part of the annual FW Cares for Kids Holiday Event.

Federal Way Cares for Kids is a nonprofit which coordinates the talents, resources, and skills of local organizations and individuals to maximize support received by kids and families served by Federal Way schools.

Visit the FW Cares for Kids website for more information about the organization.

Beauty and the Beast at Centerstage Theatre

Centerstage Theatre is putting on "Beauty and the Beast: a Holiday Panto" through Dec. 22 at the Knutzen Family Theater located at 3200 SW Dash Point Rd.

The Panto brings a classic fairy tale together with the wonderfully over-the-top characters you love, giving you plenty of those punchy pop culture moments with music, movement, and magic!

Admission Tickets are $42 in advance (online or over the phone) and $45 at the door. Student, Military and Senior Ticket discounts are available. More details available online at or by phone at 253-661-1444.