Category Archives: News

Solar Neighborhood Project Energizes Seattle Neighborhoods

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34561[1]Many in Seattle question whether it’s worth investing time and money in solar panels given that Seattle isn’t known for its constant sunny days. Keith Hughes, owner of West Seattle Natural Energy, pointed out that, “Berlin, Germany receives 3.2 peak sun hours per day, and 44 percent of Germany’s energy production comes from solar” where as “Seattle receives 3.8 peak hours of sunlight per day and only 1½ percent of its energy comes from solar power.”

Seattle City Light and Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (Northwest SEED) are working together to promote and change the way Seattle uses renewable energy through their  Washington initiative. The goal is to change one neighborhood at a time and to have 150 solar systems operating by the summer 2013 . Projects have already been done Queen Anne and Magnolia as well as other Seattle neighborhoods. When a community agrees to go solar Northwest SEED searches for vendors that will give bulk discount for supplies and installation to the homeowners. Each neighborhood is set up on a grid so that the energy that is not used by one homeowner will flow to other neighbors within the grid.

It is estimated that in the past two years Washington has pumped nearly $4 million into the local economy, created 14 new jobs and has generated more than 600 kilowatts of solar electricity to Seattle’s grid. Seattle City Light estimates that only 600 out of its 400,000 customers use solar energy. Benefits of using solar panels are tax credits and rebates as well as lower energy bills. Living in Seattle helps a little too. Seattle’s annual lower temperatures allow the solar panels to work better and the rain washes them off.

 

No Charge November – Free Extra Leaf Collections

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It’s half way through November and if you’re wondering how you’re going to cram all those leaves out front into your yard waste container, we have a solution! Through the month of November, Seattle Public Utilities is coming to the rescue, and collecting excessive bags of yard waste left by your container free of charge. They’re warning that the excessive bags should be filled with only leaves, and should be packaged and contained properly.

Seattle Public Utilities usually charges around $3.20 per gallon bags collected, but this month they’ll pick them up for free to help prevent drain blockage and flooding issues that could occur in the fall. Leaves can also be placed in your home compost piles, as their compost experts have determined that under most circumstances, you will not have to worry about contaminants such as gas or oil affecting the leaves. If you’d like to help the community and Seattle Public Utilities, sign up with their adopt-a-drain program to help clear Seattle drains of debris.

Seattle Mourns Loss of Komo Anchor Kathi Goertzen

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Seattle residents are mourning the loss of long time Komo TV anchor Kathi Goertzen, who passed away Monday after a 14 year battle with benign brain tumors at the age of 54. Goertzen, a Magnolia resident, celebrated her 25th anniversary on Komo back in 2005, and you can view an extensive list of her greatest moments on Komo on their website.

There will be a public memorial held for Kathi this Sunday afternoon beginning at 1pm at Fisher Pavilion at the Seattle Center, and doors will open at 12:30pm. Komo has reported that seating will be fairly limited, allowing room for mostly just family, friends, and co-workers of Kathi. The public can sit in the grass, and listen to audio provided for the outside service, but if you’d like a seat, Komo has advised to bring your own lawn chair.

2012 Farmer’s Markets Summer Season Updates

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If you weren’t out enjoying this lovely turn of the weather this weekend you were one of few; as the sun starts to come out, so do the summer crops and the local farmers markets will open in a few weeks with a ton of fresh new produce. The 2012 farmer’s market season took off running this year, with some markets already up and others soon to follow in the next few weeks. The surrounding Seattle areas will have a few new faces like the Shoreline Farmer’s Market that will open June 16th and will close down others like the

Photo Courtesy of Zachary D. Lyons, copyright from the 2011 Wallingford Farmer's Market

Georgetown market, who didn’t see enough foot traffic the last few years, but hopes to return in the fall with more people coming in and out of the neighborhood. Keep in mind the U District and West Seattle Markets run year round; here is a list of openings to look out for when you’re in the neighborhood:

Burien: 11am-6pm Thursdays

Columbia City: 3-7pm Wednesdays ( and will open early to chefs only to check out the loot before the crowds, from 2-3pm)

Lake City: 3-7pm Thursdays, beginning June 14.

Phinney: 3-7pm Fridays, starting June 3rd.

Madrona: 3-7pm Fridays beginning May 18th.

Magnolia: 10am-2pm, Saturdays starting June 9th.

Queen Anne: 3-7:30pm Thursdays, beginning June 7th.

Wallingford: 3:30-7pm Wednesdays beginning May 30th, (opening early for chefs only from 3-3:30)

 

56 Year Old Woman Helps Rescue Family in Greenlake

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On Thursday morning a 56 year old mother reportedly saved her family during a house fire in the Greenlake neighborhood. Firefighters were called to the tangletown home around 3:30am, responding to a call for smoke sightings. The Seattle fire department spoke with the woman, who said she awoke in the middle of the night to the sound of her smoke detector going off, and ran upstairs to wake her 21 year old son and three small grandchildren, the oldest one only 5 years old. The woman was reportedly taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation and the fire was reportedly caused by an overheated extension cord on the second floor of their home. Damage to the home was ruled as accidental, and estimated to cost $75,000 in damages.

Magnolia’s Seattle Pie is Moving to South Lake Union

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Magnolia’s beloved pie cafe, Seattle Pie, is unfortunately leaving the Magnolia neighborhood for South Lake Union. According to the Seattle Pie website, it will actually open on a vessel in the South Lake Union harbor, making it the first ever floating pie company. Look for it this summer!

If you can’t wait and have a craving for Seattle Pie’s scrumptious, award-winning fruit or cream pies, don’t try going to the old Magnolia location at 3111 West McGraw. It is already closed. Fortunately, you can still find the pies at various grocery stores, like the Met Market, Town & Country, Central Market, PCC, Whole Foods, etc. My mouth is already watering for a Strawberry Rhubarb pie. For more information, please visit the Seattle Pie website.

Seattle Funding Precinct-Liaison Attorneys

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When there is a public safety issue or a chronic neighbor nuisance, it’s not always most efficient or effective to call 911. Sometimes, it’s best to go through a precinct-liaison program. Up until now, Seattle budget cutbacks have prevented funding to such programs.  According to a Seattle Times article, the Seattle City Council has restored funding to allow four attorney liaisons in  Seattle’s five police precincts.

For the Magnolia area, your precinct liaison attorney is Sumeer Singla. Starting in mid-February, you can contact him as a resource to solve neighborhood issues, like nuisance properties, feuding neighbors, and gang activity. Additionally, he lives in the West  precinct, so he has a vested interest in the public safety issues of Magnolia and the surrounding Queen Anne neighborhood. With a precinct liaison attorney, it increases the police capabilities, using legal means to solve community issues. You can contact him at 206-386-4084 for your community needs, starting mid-February. To view the precinct-liaison attorneys in the other precincts of Seattle or for more information, please visit the Seattle Times article.

New Street Food Pod in Interbay Near Magnolia

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According to the Seattle Met Magazine, Magnolia might have a street food pod in the area. Keep your eyes on 15th and Boston in the Interbay Area to try out some new eats. Although 10 food trucks are on board, only 1 has committed; Buns on Wheels will be serving up scrumptious burgers on Thursday from 11am-12pm.

If the food truck location is successful, you’ll be able to enjoy lots of yummy food truck treats. But only your patronage will keep the food trucks coming back.

Four-Story Apartment Building Proposed in Magnolia

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According to the Magnolia Voice, the block of 2400 and 32nd Ave West has some proposed changes in the works. The owner of two vacant, single-story Magnolia commercial buildings located at 2406 32nd Ave West, Terry Yoshikawa, recently filed plans with the city to build a four-story, mixed-use apartment building.

The proposed Seattle property would have 28 units, 3,500 square feet of commercial space, and 33 parking spaces. It sounds like an improvement to this residential Seattle neighborhood. To voice your opinion whether in support or against this proposed Seattle construction, attend the public meeting held at the Queen Anne Community Center at 1901 1st Ave West on Wednesday, January 18th at 6:30pm.

Nordstrom Testing Out Same-Day Delivery in Magnolia

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Can’t get enough of Nordstrom clothes? Now, Nordstrom is testing out same-day delivery in select Seattle neighborhoods, including Magnolia. For just $10, you can place an order before noon and have it arrive on your doorstep by 6pm. Nordstrom will even offer Sunday delivery to your Magnolia home. It’s just another way that Nordstrom is going above and beyond in providing superior customer service for its Seattle and Magnolia clientele.