Seattle City Buzz

The first phase of the redevelopment of the South Lake Union Park is complete and the folks at the Seattle Parks Foundation will be hosting a Grand Opening celebration on  April 30th from 11:00am – 1:00pm.  The public is invited to experience this new public park on the shores of Lake Union.  Activities include food, music, boat rides, and prizes.

Seattle residents will enjoy 1.6 acres of new green space, relax on the terraced steps, stroll along the cedar plank boardwalk, and watch the wildlife from the pedestrian bridge.  Plus get a preview of the final 12-acre waterfront park, which will be completed by 2010.

Seattle Parks Foundation is completing its campaign to raise $20 million in private contributions to develop this world-class park in the heart of Seattle.  Thanks to generous donors, many in South Lake Union, the time has come to celebrate!

Another year, another sales tax increase in King County. Last April 1st, the sales tax in King County increased a tenth of a percent to 8.9% to improve bus transportation services.

Effective April 1st, 2008, King County’s sales tax will be going up another one-tenth of a percent to 9.0%. This increase will be used for chemical dependency or mental health treatment services.

Taxes for those parts of the county not included in the RTA district will be 8.6%.

Tax rate bulletin from the state DOR (PDF) .

Mark your calendar for the 2008 Northwest Flower & Garden Show coming to Seattle February 20th thru 24th at the Washington State Convention Center.

When the Northwest Flower & Garden Show took root in 1989, it was a small and humble gathering that brought together the region’s leading gardening experts. Since then, the event has blossomed into an internationally-acclaimed event that showcases the beauty of the Pacific Northwest in ways that are comparable to the world’s most respected flower & garden events.

Today, the Northwest Flower and Garden show is the third-largest flower show in North America. The 2008 edition will present a range of inspirational, educational and fun activities for gardeners and families throughout the Pacific Northwest.

For more information: www.gardenshow.com

Here’s a sample of holiday festivities in the Emerald City:

• Jingle Bell Run: December 9th
  Westlake Center. www.seattlejinglebellrun.org
• Hanukkah Celebration: December 16th
  Stroum Jewish Center - 3801 Mercer Way
• Molbak’s Festival of Poinsettias: Thru December 24th
  13625 NE 175th St, Woodinville. www.molbaks.com
• PNB’s Nutcracker: Thru December 29th
  McCall Hall at Seattle Center. www.pnb.org/season/nutcracker
• Seattle Center Winterfest: Thru December 31st
  Seattle Center. www.SeattleCenter.com
• Argosy Christmas Ship Festival: Thru December 23rd
  www.ArgosyCruises.com
• New Years Eve: December 31st
  Space Needle.

The American Planning Association (APA) released its 10 Great Streets and 10 Great Neighborhoods list. Among among the contenders the Pike Place Market district was selected as one of the 10 Great Neighborhoods in America.

The Pike Place Market neighborhood continues to lead by example. Its compact, pedestrian-oriented design and range of housing options served as the inspiration for the city’s Downtown Livability Plan, passed in 2006. Despite ongoing financial and other challenges, its community continues to fight to sustain its viability. It serves as a reminder that it is not just a mix of buildings that define a place but, rather, the mix of people that infuses a neighborhood with a distinct voice and personality of its own.

Read more from the APA review of the Pike Place Market district.

As part of the Pop Culture Talks series, Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum is hosting an evening with Dr. Tom Daniel, the Joan and Richard Komen Endowed Chair of Biology, University of Washington. Dr. Daniel will speak on the “The Science of Aliens”.

When: Wednesday, August 8th at 7PM

Where: EMP/SFM at the Seattle Center

Citizen Rain is the latest entrant to Seattle blog aggregation. The difference is this one is maintained by King5, Seattle’s NBC affiliate, thus providing a potentially large viewership source for many local blogs.

The blogs are segmented into several categories which includes news, sports, scene, music, outdoors, real estate and politics. So far over 100 local blogs are featured.

The Mayor’s Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs is hosting the Seattle Presents lunchtime concert series at City Hall. These free community concerts within walking distance from various downtown condo locations, feature top Seattle talent and regularly draw a devoted audience of residents and downtown workforce.

Upcoming concerts include:

The Jim Knapp Orchestra

Thu., May 3, 2007, noon - 1 p.m., City Hall Lobby

Top Seattle instrumentalists perform works by recent Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Jim Knapp. A prolific composer/arranger, Knapp’s big band compositions resound with lush textures and round harmonies.

Quinton I. Morris & Friends

Thu., May 17, 2007, noon - 1 p.m., City Hall Lobby

Metropolitan Opera soprano Indra Thomas and celebrated Seattle pianist Byron Schenkman join acclaimed violinist Quinton I. Morris for a performance of classical and contemporary music. Raised in Seattle, Morris founded The Young Eight, a string octet of African American string players.

Seattle Pro Musica

Thu., May 31, 2007, noon - 1 p.m., City Hall Lobby

Celebrate the best of American choral music with beloved classics and adventurous new works in this special preview performance of the American Masterpieces Choral Festival. Karen P. Thomas conducts works by composer-in-residence Morten Lauridsen and festival selections.

Holly Figueroa O’Reilly

Thu., June 7, 2007, noon - 1 p.m., City Hall Lobby

Alt-country Americana rock from the Seattle singer/songwriter Rockrgrl Magazine calls a “force to be reckoned with.” O’Reilly has wowed audiences internationally and logged nearly 900 tour dates. She brings her group home to play tunes from her latest album “Gifts and Burdens.”

Two Loons For Tea

Thu., June 21, 2007, noon - 1 p.m., City Hall Lobby

This sophisticated dream-pop group brings their hypnotic vocals and haunting riffs to City Hall. Fresh off their European tour and performing as an acoustic trio, Two Loons for Tea plays tracks from their forthcoming CD recorded at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studios.

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars

Tue., June 19, 2007, noon - 1 p.m., City Hall Lobby

With a spirited and infectious fusion of traditional West African music, roots reggae and rhythmic folk, the All Stars craft music that transforms and uplifts. Their music decries the horrors of war and is an inspiring symbol of the healing power of music. Hosted in partnership with Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.

Memphis Radio Kings

Thur., July 12, 2007, noon - 1:30 p.m.

City Hall Plaza

Wine and bullets, melody, hooks and rhythm stewed together for an altered country sound beyond all other “alt.” Borrowing liberally from 70’s rock, indie-pop, gospel, blues, and country, the sound from these local lads steamrolls like an armadillo on speed.

Note:  This post was originally posted in 2007.  However, King County’s sale tax is increasing again on April 1st, 2008.  Click here for more info. 

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The King County Sales Tax, within the Regional Transit Authority, will raise from 8.8% to 8.9% on April 1, 2007. For restaurants, bars and coffee shops, the rate will increase to 9.4%. The extra .5% is to pay off Safeco Field debt.

The .1% increase is a result of the voter approved tax increase to expand metro bus service.

As a note to new residents, the Washington State Sales tax is 6.5%. However, County and City municipalities append their own taxes to that rate. Therefore, the sales tax rate will differ between municipalities.

The Northwest Womens Show is taking place March 23-25th at the Qwest Field Event Center. The show highlights information from businesses with products and services for women. There will be special appearances by Bob Green (Oprah’s trainer) and Marianne Willamson (”Oprah’s expert on spirituality, love and miracles”).

Time: 10-6 daily

Cost: $13 at the door, $11 in advance from Bartells