Seattle City Buzz

PSE mentions they will raise natural gas prices by about 10% as of October 1…just in time for Fall.

Seattle is finally keeping up with the Jones’ with a plan to implement a city-wide wi-fi system, by 2015. At least it’s a step in the right direction, but far behind the coffee houses and Tullys which provide free access.

It’s not surprising as many have been anticipating a rise in foreclosures, but now it’s upon us. King5, reported that foreclosures are up 30% over the past year. And, for “most of them suffering the loss of their home, there are several investors waiting in the wings to buy them up.”

The 2nd Annual SLU Block Party is set for August 11th and 12th at the Discovery Center Park (behind Vulcan’s Discovery Center building). The event is hosted by Vulcan and will start off with:

Cinema on the Lawn @ 7-ish

Napolean Dynamite will be shown along with a photo booth so you can get a photo, Napolean style.

Taste of South Lake Union, Friday 5 - 7pm and Saturday from 11:30 am to 7 pm

• Taco Del Mar
• Paddy Coyne’s Irish Pub
• Slo Joe’s Bigtime Backyard BBQ
• Top Deck Private Dining at Eastlake Bar & Grill
• Southlake Grill
• 13 Coins

Other events include:

• Redhook Beer & Wine Garden
• Gay Bingo
• Live Bands
• Whole Foods Grilling Demo & Competition
• Kid’s area with arts & crafts, toy boat making, games and more!

For more info, check out www.SLUBlockParty.com.

The 5th Annual Paint Out is being held August 19-20th in several neighborhoods. The paint out is a national movement to clean-up and paint out graffiti. The Seattle neighborhoods included this year are:

• Belltown - August 20th, 9 AM @ the fire station
• Capitol Hill - August 19th, 10 AM @ the fire station on Pine St
• International District - August 20th, @ the Hing Hay Park
• Fremont - August 19th, 9:30 AM
• Greenwood - August 19th
• Pioneer Square - August 20th, 9:30 AM @ Grand Central Arcade

The Seattle PI had an interesting article about an architect who is proposing raising a small part of Denny Regrade (Denny Park) back into a hill.

What made it [Denny Park] distinctive was the view, which used to be commanding. Beginning in 1899 and continuing in fits and starts through 1930, the city flattened the hill, taking the park down with it.

Garcia is interested in that view, both historic and scenic. He wants to restore the park to its long-lost glory, elevating two acres of the five-acre parcel into the air with a faithful rendition of the original topography.

The proposal comes with a $20 million price tag which seems a bit steep. But, if the Vulcanites are interested in transforming the South Lake Union / Regrade area, I’m sure they can spare a few million. Afterall, the current Denny Park is just a plat of land with overgrown trees.

Just how dog-friendly should the Rain City be? The Seattle Times recently profiled this growing doggy trend.

As a dog foster parent, I’d like to see dogs accepted in more places - beaches, parks, home improvement stores, etc. Though, there are should be limits such as inside restaurants and grocery stores.

Radford recalls a downtown seafood restaurant lounge where a man and his cocker spaniel were seated inside the dining area. “Toward the end of the meal, the guy was turning and feeding [the dog] off his plate.”