March 17, 2025

Mayor Ferrell and City Council Attend National League of Cities Conference

Mayor Jim Ferrell and members of the City Council attended the National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D.C. last week. It is a great opportunity to connect with federal officials, members of Congress and city officials from across the nation.

The trip included meetings with Congressman Adam Smith and staff for Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray. These opportunities are critical for ensuring Federal Way is getting the support it needs from our state leaders in Congress.

Mayor Ferrell Participates in Bus Safety Task Force News Conference

Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 587 leadership invited Mayor Jim Ferrell and other regional officials to a press conference recently to affirm the formation of a new Transit Safety and Security Task Force to ensure bus driver and passenger safety in King County.

Elected leaders joining Mayor Ferrell included Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and King County Councilmembers Claudia Balducci and De’Sean Quinn. ATU officials and King County Metro officials also spoke on the importance of the formation of the task force.

The task force will meet for the first time on March 20.



“As a long-time transit rider myself, ensuring that riders and operators can safely get to their destination is paramount,” Mayor Ferrell said. “We are committed to doing everything we can as a city in Federal Way to make this system safer for everyone.”

Community Center Hosts Family Prom

The Federal Way Community Center hosted its Family Prom on March 1. The event provided fun for the whole family that included dancing and light refreshments.

The special event, which was themed "A Night for the Heroes," was designed for children and their beloved adult heroes to share a night full of fun and memories. In addition to time on the dance floor, families had the chance for photo ops, games, and other activities.

The Parks and Recreation Department shared a fun video recap of the event on its Facebook page.

St. Patrick's Day Flag Raising March 17

Join us for our St. Patrick's Day Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday, March 17, at 12 p.m. at City Hall.

The event, organized by Craig Patrick, will feature Rich Finn of Vox Hiberniae and bagpipers Neil Hubbard and Steve Groom.

Mayor Jim Ferrell and members of the City Council will raise the flag, and two community members will be honored for their contributions to Federal Way.

Senior Health and Resource Fair on May 15

The Senior Advisory Commission is hosting a free Senior Health and Resource Fair on Thursday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Performing Arts and Event Center.

The event will feature more than 50 vendors from local organizations with special ties to the senior community. All ages – especially seniors – are welcome.

Watch the video recap of last year's event for more information.

Parks & Recreation Summer Program

Guide Now Available

The Federal Way Parks & Recreation Summer 2025 Catalog is here!

Explore new summer fun with exciting programs, events, and activities for all ages. Printed copies are available in the Federal Way Community Center front lobby and at City Hall as you enter the building!

Registration opens March 18.

Featured Upcoming Event

Coffee and Conversation with City Council and School Board on March 22

Join the Federal Way City Council and Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) School Board on Saturday, March 22, for Coffee and Conversation. The event will be held at Ebony & Ivory Coffee from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

All members of the public are welcome to come and share a cup of coffee and conversation in this open house-style meeting.

Doors open at 10 a.m. for you to bring your questions, concerns, and thoughts for the Council and School Board to hear.

We will be collecting donations of personal hygiene items to restock the closet items at FWPS schools.

Force Training Unit Provides Critical Training for FWPD Officers

The Federal Way Police Department's (FWPD) Force Training Unit (FTU) consists of certified law enforcement instructors who train our officers in the use of force, defensive tactics, and de-escalation techniques. The training includes everything from talking and tasers to handcuffs and firearms.

The FTU trains our police officers, jail transport officers, and our animal services officers. Its primary objective is to equip officers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to navigate complex and potentially volatile situations effectively.

This is accomplished in training with the use of roleplay, simulators, communication, non-lethal weapons, physical defense techniques, and firearms. 

Recognizing that de-escalation is an important and critical part of a police officer’s training, the FTU incorporates de-escalation training into its curriculum, teaching officers techniques for defusing conflicts and minimizing the need for physical force when possible.

During the month of February, FTU conducted low-light training for all officers who carry firearms. This training puts officers inside an indoor shooting range with the lights turned off before conducting live-fire refresher training with personal lighting and service pistols and rifles. In the second part of this training, officers trained with non-lethal weapons in an unoccupied commercial building in town, and conducted scenarios with live role players in the dark, using handheld lights.

FTU also conducted scenarios using virtual reality simulators.

The FTU’s excellence is not just a goal, it's a commitment for FWPD. The men and women of the FTU uphold the highest ideals of training and service, ensuring that officers are trained so they can be part of making a safe and vibrant community for all.

Bring Your Own Cup

March 18 City Council Meeting

What’s Next: The Federal Way City Council meets Tuesday, March 18, 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

March of Diapers Drive March 22 at Twin Lakes Fred Meyer

Join us and non-profit Do the Right Thing at the Twin Lakes Fred Meyer (33702 21st Ave. S.W.) on Saturday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mayor Jim Ferrell and City Councilmembers are teaming up with volunteers to collect donations of preemie to size six diapers, pull-ups, baby wipes, and adult diapers for the benefit of local organizations.

For more information, call Do the Right Thing at 253-457-5578 or visit its website.

Free Mattress and Tire Recycling and Paper Shredding Event on April 12

Join us for our free Drive-Thru Mattress and Tire Recycling and Document Shredding event at the South King Tool Library (1700 S. 340th St.) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 12.

Mattress Recycling

• Residents can drop off up to three mattresses or box springs for recycling.
• All sizes and conditions allowed.

Tire Recycling

• Only car and truck tires accepted.
• Tires can be on or off rims.

Document Shredding

• Limit five file boxes or paper bags per event.
• No pre-shredded paper.

Free Online Food Preservation

Workshop April 10

Join us for a free online workshop to learn tips for saving food and cutting costs on Thursday, April 10 from 6-7 p.m. This fun, interactive class will cover:

• How to store food to make it last longer
• Purchasing tips
• How to read date labels

The instructor will include a live demo to make a recipe using food scraps and share resources to help with food preservation.

Registration is required.

Bloodworks Blood Drive April 3

The City of Federal Way is partnering with Bloodworks Northwest to host a blood drive at City Hall on Thursday, April 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Did you know it takes 1,000 donors a day to maintain a safe and reliable blood supply in the Pacific Northwest? Make a one-hour appointment for the blood drive today.

Walk-ins may be available, but spots are limited. Photo ID is required to donate blood.

Repair Café Event March 29

Join us for our free Repair Café on Saturday, March 29, at the South King Tool Library (1700 S. 340th St.) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bring your damaged furniture, broken small household items, dull knives, and torn clothing. Our fixers will do their best to make your items usable again.

Plan to stay during the repair, bring any manual/parts that may help, and be aware there is a limit of only three items for sharpening.

Native Plant Workshop April 5

Join us for a free, informative, and hands-on workshop on native plants on Saturday, April 5, from 2-4 p.m. at the South King Tool Library.

Learn how to incorporate native plants into your landscape, use electric or manual tools, and minimize hazardous waste from gas-powered equipment, herbicides, pesticides, and other contaminants.

Registration is required.



Parks Appreciation Day April 26

Join us for Parks Appreciation Day on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to noon.

We will be hosting volunteer events at three different locations, so grab your gloves and help with planting, weeding, and cleanup to make a lasting impact in our green spaces.

Plan to pitch in at one of the following sites:

• Site 1: Brooklake Blueberry Farm (726 S. 356th St.)
• Site 2: Steel Lake Annex (2645 S. 312th St.)
• Site 3: Celebration Park (1095 S. 324th St.)

Pre-register online if you plan to attend!

Spring CERT Basic Course Begins April 9

The Greater Federal Way Community Emergency Response Team will host its Spring CERT Basic Course Wednesday evenings from 6-8:30 p.m. from April 9 through June 4.

CERT teaches residents disaster preparedness and planning, first aid, use of fire extinguishers, and search and rescue.

Training is free! To sign up, email Sharon Green at sharon.green@federalwaywa.gov.

Marty Isenberg's Wes Anderson Playlist at the PAEC on March 21

Step into a world where jazz meets cinema as acclaimed bassist and composer Marty Isenberg takes the stage at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center on Friday, March 21, at 7 p.m.

Drawing inspiration from Wes Anderson’s films, Isenberg’s debut album, The Way I Feel Inside, is a masterful blend of sound and storytelling. Each track unfolds like a scene in a movie, exploring the emotions of wonder, nostalgia, and self-discovery.

Unfiltered Waters Podcast Live at the PAEC on March 25

Unfiltered Waters Podcast is all about getting to know the person beneath the athlete! Come listen to 12-time Olympic Medalist Ryan Lochte, two-time Olympic Medalist Elizabeth Beisel, and three-time Olympic Medalist Katie Hoff as they kick off the Men’s NCAA Swimming Championships with untold stories from their own NCAA experiences, predictions, insights and more at the Performing Arts and Event Center on March 25, at 5:30 p.m.

Get ready for exciting giveaways and special surprises. You never know who or what is going to show up!

PAEC Upcoming Events

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

• March 21: Marty Isenberg's Wes Anderson Playlist
• March 22: FWYSO Spring Concert
• March 25: Unfiltered Waters Live
• April 5: Epic Queen
• April 13: Federal Way Symphony's Lose Yourself in Music

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

Trouble in Mind at Centerstage Theater

Centerstage Theatre is putting on "Trouble in Mind" March 28 through April 20 at the Knutzen Family Theater located at 3200 SW Dash Point Rd.

Taking place entirely in a rehearsal space in an old New York theatre, "Trouble in Mind" brings us up close and personal with a group of artists working to open a new Broadway show. Themes of race, class, gender, and whether and when to separate the art from the artist are as poignant and critical now as they were when the show was first written.

General Admission Tickets are $36 in advance (online or over the phone) and $39 at the door. Student, Military, and Senior Ticket discounts are available. More details available online or by phone at 253-661-1444. 

Fermín’s Great Book of Dreams at Centerstage Theater

Centerstage Theatre is putting on "Fermín’s Great Book of Dreams" April 5-19 at the Knutzen Family Theater located at 3200 SW Dash Point Rd.

"Fermín’s Great Book of Dreams" is an original play by local playwright Julieta Vitullo. It tells the story of a young boy who struggles with belief when he doesn’t receive a visit from Ratón Pérez, a mouse that visits children after they lose a tooth and exchanges the tooth for a gift.

Tickets are $15 in all ages (online or over the phone). More details available online or by phone at 253-661-1444. 

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.