You're invited to the city hall open house on Saturday

You're invited to the city hall open house on Saturday

Neighbors grab your coats, your hats, your kids - and get on down to the city's Open House this Saturday.

This is the third year the city has hosted an open house event.

During the event folks can learn about city resources, meet local elected officials, ask questions and offer ideas on things you think can be improved throughout the city.

The open house runs from 10-2:00p.m., at 601 5th Ave.

Here's what organizers say you can expect if you're planning to come:

  • Tours of the Mayor's Office and City Council Offices
  • Q&A session with the mayor
  • Workshops on the legislative process and interpreting credit reports
  • Tabling by City departments and the City Attorney's Office
  • Live music
  • A farmer's market

Anyone and everyone is invited to stop by and check it out.

School board enrollment plan includes portables and boundary changes

School board enrollment plan includes portables and boundary changes

With a 7-0 vote Wednesday evening, the Seattle School Board approved what it's calling a "short term" solution to address the district's growing enrollment.

According to the board, the plan includes:

City beefs up pothole patrol following storm

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn says he is deploying more crews to fix the city's ever-deepening pothole problem.

Last week’s winter storm left some streets looking like a minefield of craters. But the mayor is promising to get the city’s roads back in shape as fast as possible.

"We're just starting, so the public should call them in when they see them," said McGinn. And the cities says it will respond.

“We are going to increase our forces from our standard three crews to four crews in the north end of the city, (and) two in the south end,” said Seattle Department of Transportation spokesman Steve Pratt.

The mayor added Mother Nature alone isn’t to blame for the wrecked roads.

“The number of potholes we're seeing and the condition of our streets is a reflection of the fact that declining revenues and statewide initiatives that have taken away funding sources for us. (It) means we don't have the resources we need to do the job," he said.

McGinn wants the state to help fill the revenue gap to help cities repave damaged streets.

Residents urged to report storm damage to county

Residents urged to report storm damage to county

The winter storm is over, it's time to assess the damage and King County wants to help.

If you are a resident or business owner who suffered property damage you may be eligible to get it fixed courtesy the county.

Below is how the program works, who is eligible, and how to make a claim from emergency managers:

In order to compute the losses, individuals and businesses are encouraged to submit reports to the King County Office of Emergency Management (OEM).

Community Sponsors

City looking for storm-response stories from people with disabilities

City looking for storm-response stories from people with disabilities

Last week’s snow storm was challenging for drives, homeowners, parents and everyone else trying to manage day-to-day activities, but the challenges can be even more difficult for people with disabilities.

The city wants to know how people with disabilities coped during the storm, says the Seattle Commission for People with Disabilities, which has a group working on the City’s emergency planning and disaster management and response.

The commission is looking for recent weather-related experiences from people with disabilities, on topics including:

What happened to you during our recent week of snow and ice, as you tried to deal with the weather and all its challenges?

Did you use City information resources?  Were they helpful?

Is there anything the City could have done better?

What went well, what needs improvement? 

Were you – and your neighborhood - prepared?

The commission says it will work with city staff on the issues and feedback, to help improve the way the city assists the community.

Celebrate Peanut Butter Day with Whole Foods’ donation

Celebrate Peanut Butter Day with Whole Foods’ donation

Celebrate National Peanut Butter Day tomorrow by picking up some peanut butter for a good cause at Whole Foods Market.

Tomorrow, Whole Foods will donate a jar of peanut butter to the Chicken Soup Brigade for every 365 Peanut Butter (18oz creamy and crunchy) jar purchased.

The Chicken Soup Brigade is a program dedicated to improving the nutritional status of people living with HIV/AIDS and other life-changing illnesses in the Seattle King County area.

This is the first year Whole Foods is running this event. It hopes to donate 30 cases – or 360 jars.

Second chance to shape Stone Way Apartments tonight

Second chance to shape Stone Way Apartments tonight

The Stone Way Apartments – a four-story mixed-use development planned for 4111 Stone Way N. – are taking shape. And, neighbors will have their second chance to weigh in on the look of the project tonight.

Back in July, developers Lake Union and architects Weber Thompson presented three possible designs for the building.

The preferred design was a U-shaped building with 27 residential units, 1,560 square feet of commercial space and 19 parking spaces. It featured two outdoor terraces, commercial space with roll-up doors, outdoor space to the south and parking entry on the north.

The next public design meeting for the Stone Way Apartments takes place at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at University Heights, located at 5031 University Way N.E. Neighbors are welcome to bring questions and comments on the look of the project.