Seattle City Buzz

South Lake Union Park Opens

seacity — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:59:07 +0000

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!

King County Sales Tax to Increase Again

seacity — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:50:58 +0000

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) .

Northwest Flower & Garden Show

seacity — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:45:10 +0000

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

Just Opened At the SAM Gallery

seacity — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:41:42 +0000

The SAM Gallery at the Seattle Art Museum is currently featuring two exhibits - Autobiography and Centrum/London.

Autobiography - Runs through February 9th

Autobiography features a group of artists who explore their own identity, heritage, and/or artistic history in their artwork. Featured artists include Willie J. Bonner, Diem Chau, Pamm O. Hanson, Lezlie Jane, Shaun Kardinal, Judith Kindler, Layne Kleinart, Hugo Ludeña, Allan Packer and Amy Sollins.

Centrum/London - Runs through February 2nd

Centurm/London highlight the residency program at Centrum, in Fort Worden State Park near Port Townsend, and specifically the January residency of six U.K.-based artists. Artists Sean Edwards, Jim Hobbs, Maria Glyka, Lisa Peachey, Ellie Reid and Daniel Whibley.

About the SAM Gallery:

The SAM Gallery offers a wide variety of fine artwork, created by the Northwest’s most exciting emerging and established artists, for rent to Seattle Art Museum members and for sale to both members and the public.

Thread’s Xmas Fashion Shopping Special

seacity — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:05:49 +0000

December 9th: 11 AM to 6 PM

Holiday Events Around Seattle

seacity — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:39:14 +0000

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.

Holiday Concerts at City Center

seacity — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:25:43 +0000

The City of Seattle is presenting free Holiday concerts at City Hall and the Municipal Tower.

Tuesday Concerts at the Municipal Tower (700 5th Avenue):

December 11th - Ballard High School Chamber Orchestra
December 18th - Windsong

Thursday Concerts at City Hall (600 4th Avenue):

December 6th - Bobby Medina Quartet
December 13th - Medievel Women’s Choir
December 20th - The Northwest Chamber Chorus

For more information, please visit: www.Seattle.gov/arts

Red Mango Comes to Bellevue

seacity — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:49:19 +0000

The popular healthy frozen yogurt shop, Red Mango, is celebrating its Seattle area debut with the grand opening of its first location this week at Bellevue Square. The week long festivities include giveaways and free yogurt for mall shoppers and employees.

Unlike traditional frozen yogurts that contain artificial additives and excessive calories from fat and sugar, Red Mango frozen yogurt is made only with natural ingredients, contains no fat and is low in calories. Because Red Mango frozen yogurt is made in the ways real yogurt is made, it offers a deliciously authentic natural yogurt flavor, and contains significant amounts of live and active cultures (also know as probiotics) that are beneficial to your health. Red Mango frozen yogurt is available in two simple yet delicious flavors - Original and Green Tea. Customers can garnish their yogurt with healthy natural toppings including market fresh fruit, berries, nuts and granola.

Pike Place Market Named a Great Neighborhood

seacity — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:24:41 +0000

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.

The Science of Aliens

seacity — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:28:44 +0000

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