Stories for October 2024

Subscribe

Tuesday, October 29

Proposed Seattle growth plan update seeks to allow 330K new housing units

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell released an update to his city growth plan proposal to bring down housing costs and boost housing choices.

Savvy Senior: How to find a cheaper Medicare prescription drug plan

What’s the easiest way to compare Medicare Part D prescription drug plans? My Part D premium is increasing again in 2025, so I would like to use the fall open enrollment to find and sign up for a cheaper plan.

Seattle raises street parking rates again; some streets to charge $6.50 per hour

A quarter of Seattle streets will soon see an increase in hourly parking rates, with some reaching a new high of $6.50 an hour.

Inslee bets ferry replacement on Initiative 2117 failing this November

At Gov. Jay Inslee's insistence on electrifying the fleet, a plan to replace aging Washington ferries could get scuttled in November if voters approve Initiative 2117.

How to take advantage of fall market conditions

As we fully embrace the beautiful autumn season, full of new beginnings and fresh goals, the real estate market seems to be on a similar path of change and opportunity.

Citizen panel recommends Washington lawmakers get 14% pay hike to $71K by 2026

The Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials has recommended state lawmakers be given a 14% pay boost over the next two years.

Are invasive northern giant hornets still in Washington state?

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has received a report of a possible sighting of the northern giant hornet in the Burley area near the city of Port Orchard in Kitsap County, the WSDA said in a social media post on Monday.

Fixits

Long before COVID-19, health happenings in Madison Park and Seattle required some medical diligence and solutions.

Tree Talk: Fatsia japonica — a worthy object of affection

As with our friends and pets, we humans often form special affections for plants.

Recipe: An easy one-pot stew for a warming weeknight dinner

This 30-minute vegetarian-friendly soup is an easy, healthy dinner. It’s a welcome time-out meal that brims with nutrient-rich ingredients and warms on a cool fall evening.

Seattle Public Utilities and WM announce recipients of 2024 ReThink Waste Grants

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and WM are teaming up for the sixth year in a row to invest $10,000 in innovative stewardship projects in Seattle.

Drill, baby, drill: Your emergency hub in action

Imagine this: the Big One we’ve long expected in Seattle arrives. According to the U.S. Geological Survey website, an earthquake feels like “a sudden large jolt followed quickly by more strong shaking that may last a few seconds or up to a couple of minutes if it’s a rare great event.

A night to celebrate

More than 200 people gathered Oct. 12 to celebrate Madison Park, bid on silent and live auction items, meet new neighbors, learn more about Friends of Madison Park and bottom line, have a fun evening.

The grasses of autumn

One of my main enjoyments in the months of September - November is the sight of ripening grasses in various landscapes.

Tuesday, October 1

Brown balls for spring blooms

I shouldn’t smile, but I always do at this time of year when spring-flowering bulbs magically appear at our local box stores.

Fed rate cut may spark the real estate flame

This summer was busy with listings and showings, but the rate of actual sales was incredibly slow. Like no summer I can remember in my 20-year career. It felt reminiscent of the Great Recession.

Amazon’s return-to-office mandate could boost downtown Seattle’s recovery

Amazon workers will be required to return to their offices five days a week starting at the beginning of next year, a decision that could boost the downtown Seattle area’s ongoing post-pandemic recovery.

It’s raining microplastics, Part II

In August’s article – It’s Raining Microplastics, Part I – I explored the scope of the microplastic predicament, including plastic’s ubiquity in our air, water, soil, and bodies.

Time for some cozy dishes

This time of year, I start the welcome transition from light meals with the last of summer’s produce to cozy dishes with brawnier ingredients.

U.S. Senate panel presses for answers from Sea-Tac airport following cyberattack

Members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Technology, chaired by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., pressed officials from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Wednesday about last month’s cyberattack that disrupted travel for a week.

McGilvra School

The elementary school I attended in Riverton Heights near SeaTac differed significantly from J. J. McGilvra’s in Madison Park regarding the student body, income levels, and attire.

Shake it off, Shake it off: Preparing for October’s Great ShakeOut

Do you know about The Great ShakeOut? Each year on a specific day and time, millions of people worldwide take part in quick real-time earthquake drills wherever they are – at work, school, home, or out and about.

WSDOT faces $900 million funding gap by 2027-2029 biennium

The Washington State Department of Transportation’s accounts face a combined $900 million funding shortfall by the 2027-2029 biennium, according to a state Senate committee.

Celebrate the neighborhood on Oct. 12

In just its first 18 months, Friends of Madison Park has brought renewed joy and energy to our neighborhood- thanks to the help of volunteers and the generous contributions from our businesses and residents.

Tree Talk: Euonymus fortune — spots of light for our dark winters

Once the last, vividly colored deciduous leaf drops and our spectacle of autumn color is over, the Northwest gardener’s eye for beauty turns to the sculptural forms of naked branches and the looming power of conifers.

Falling Awake: Meeting Mary

A few weeks back a friend texted me to say how lonely she is.