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Decatur Jazz Band. Courtesy photo

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Decatur Jazz Band has some big shows coming up

School was selected to perform at the annual Starbucks Hot Java Cool Jazz.

Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, pictured here at last year’s State of the City address. This year’s State of the City address is Feb. 19 at the Performing Arts and Event Center. File photo

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Federal Way Community Calendar | Feb. 13 edition

State of the City: Mayor Jim Ferrell will present an annual State of the City Address at 6…

Phenomenal She dance team - seen here at Federal Way’s MLK Celebration in January 2026 - are members of one of Phenomenal She’s programs, an organization with the mission to provide mentorship encouragement, and empowerment to young women of color by building confidence around education, social awareness and self-esteem. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror.

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Federal Way Community Calendar | Feb. 6 edition

Hot off the Presses: The Federal Way Mirror invites you to join the paper from 5:30 p.m. to…

Volunteers teamed up with the Washington Native Plant Society and the city of Federal Way on park restoration efforts at Celebration Park and Steel Lake Annex on Jan. 18, including Amanda Miller, executive director of South King Tool Library. Photo courtesy of the city of Federal Way

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Federal Way Community Calendar | Jan. 30 edition

Peking Acrobats return to North America for their landmark 35th tour, bringing their breathtaking display of Chinese circus…

Hussein Ugas is the Executive Director and Co-Founder at Rahma Recovery Center in Federal Way. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

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Hometown Hero: Local recovery center battles addiction through culture

Hussein Ugas helped open the state’s first accredited sober living home for East Africans and Muslim men in…

Bill Gates has been active in the Federal Way community for decades. Photo by Joshua Solorzano/The Mirror

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Bill Gates: Decades of community involvement

A Federal Way resident since 1974, he helped start the city, build a new library and was on…

New Federal Way City Councilmember Martin Moore connects with constituents at the Federal Way Mirror’s monthly community event, Hot off the Presses, on Jan. 14 at Poverty Bay Cafe. Photo by Bruce Honda

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Federal Way Community Calendar | Jan. 23 edition

Peking Acrobats return to North America for their landmark 35th tour, bringing their breathtaking display of Chinese circus…

Federal Way community members and performers mingle onstage after the MLK Day Event in Federal Way, admiring each other’s colorful costumes and regalia. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

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Federal Way dreams of a bright future at annual MLK event

Federal Way’s community flame is lit once again after the annual ceremony unique to the city’s event celebrating…

The Federal Way High School Drama Showcase was a fundraiser for the school’s drama department. Photo by Bruce Honda.

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Federal Way Community Calendar | Jan. 16 edition

Join the city of Federal Way to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy from 10:30 a.m. to…

Sabrina Ibrahimkhail is a local women’s rights activist, writer, poet and businesswoman and the founder and executive director of Afghan Women’s Empowerment in Oregon. Here she shares poetry at Yalda Night on Dec. 20. Courtesy photo.

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Local Afghan community celebrates resilience during Yalda Night

Federal Way community members shared poems and ate traditional treats of pomegranates and homemade cookies at a celebration…

King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, who represents the Federal Way area, greets “Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings after the county council recognized the game show legend Jan. 6. Jennings is known for his 74-game win streak on the show in 2004. Courtesy photo

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Federal Way Community Calendar | Jan. 9 edition

Be sure to check out the Mirror’s Hot off the Presses event Jan. 14, featuring the new members…

Federal Way High School’s Fall 2025 performance of “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Courtesy photo.

Life

Showcase series supports theater arts for FW students

There are five chances this month to enjoy the next generation of performance art talent from Federal Way…

Photo by Bruce Honda
The most recent South King Fire Board of Commissioners meeting on Dec. 23 also functioned as a retirement party for Commissioner Bill Gates (in navy shirt) where he shared memories of how the combined Des Moines and South King Fire boards went from 8 to 5 commissioners by having incumbents run against each other.

Life

Federal Way Community Calendar | Jan. 2 edition

Lots of fun events are coming in the New Year.

Colin Hirsch is the owner of the We Rock the Spectrum gym in Federal Way that focuses on creating a fun and inclusive environment, especially for those with cognitive and developmental disabilities. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

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FW gym becomes lifeline for people with special needs

We Rock the Spectrum owner Colin Hirsch is the Mirror’s Hometown Hero for December 2025.

William Schloeder. Photo by Joshua Solorzano/The Mirror

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100-year-old World War II veteran is a local resident

William Schloeder said when he joined the military, he felt like it was what he was supposed to…

Over 300 families signed up to choose and wrap presents at FW Cares for Kids this year, brightening the holidays for a total of over 1,000 kids. Many volunteers helped in all areas, including childcare, shopping, wrapping, carrying out gifts, Santa photos and more. Photo by Bruce Honda

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Federal Way Community Calendar | Dec. 26 edition

Lots of fun events are coming in January.

Santa and Mrs. Claus bring some magic to the staff and families at St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

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Couple gives back through spreading cheer at St. Francis

St. Francis Hospital’s cafeteria was filled with Christmas cheer on Dec. 17 as staff and their families waited…

The Bellevue Ice Rink in downtown Bellevue. Photo courtesy of Bellevue Downtown Association.

Life

Where to go ice skating in King County

Gliding around the ice is one of the joys of the holiday season — but not one you…

Performers from Northwest Tap Connection perform at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. event in Federal Way in 2025. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

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Commission reveals speaker for 2026 MLK celebration

The Federal Way Diversity Commission has announced the speaker for the next Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration…

Community members donating food during the Santa Parade and food drive. Courtesy photo.

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Welcome to the Santa Parade

South King Fire firefighters and a volunteer Santa Claus pick up food donations in an annual tradition.