Parks planners continue to negotiate for 12 more pieces of land for future parks, said Jonathon Turlove, senior program specialist. They hope to have all of it in the city's hands within the next two years and for a combined $15 million.

That includes coveted property on West Bay, which officials have touted as key to creating a continuous walkway around Budd Inlet to Percival Landing. It has taken longer than expected to secure land for a park and shoreline trail for several reasons, including getting an appraisal at a time when appraisers are backlogged due to the housing boom.

This Sunday marks the annual dinner and fabulous auction at the Schmidt Mansion in support of my favorite organization, GRuB.

Dinner is served from 4pm to 7pm or later. Do come or buy dinner tickets just to make a donation if you cannot make it. I'll have tickets in hand all this week and will happily deliver them to you, or you can buy them at the door.

If you don't already know, GRuB is an organization which uses serious gardening -- vegetables and flowers and home-based raised beds -- to bring about big changes in the lives of troubled kids. Every year we host this end of year party to celebrate their work and to feed and entertain our local community.

Please come to the dinner and see why I'm so proud of this group and the effect we have on our gardening crew.

These are comments from this year's crew.

“GRuB is important to me because over the summer I learned how to be myself, I made strong memories and friends. GRuB isn’t just about making memories and friends, it’s about going into the community and spreading the grub love…

GRuB keeps kids engaged when they are in trouble. It helps them find thier way, and reduces the likelihood that they'll end up on the street.

[via email from Helena Meyer-Knapp]

This Week Only: GRuB's Seafood at the Schmidt, dinner and auction SEPTEMBER 18 4pm.

This Sunday marks the annual dinner and fabulous auction at the Schmidt Mansion in support of my favorite organization, GRuB.

Dinner is served from 4pm to 7pm or later. Do come or buy dinner tickets just to make a donation if you cannot make it. I'll have tickets in hand all this week and will happily deliver them to you, or you can buy them at the door.

If you don't already know, GRuB is an organization which uses serious gardening -- vegetables and flowers and home-based raised beds -- to bring about big changes in the lives of troubled kids. Every year we host this end of year party to celebrate their work and to feed and entertain our local community.

Please come to the dinner and see why I'm so proud of this group and the effect we have on our gardening crew.

Helena

These are comments from this year's crew.

“GRuB is important to me because over the summer I learned how to be myself, I made strong memories and friends. GRuB isn’t just about making memories and friends, it’s about going into the community and spreading the grub love…