Updates

January 31, 2023

Introduction: Replacing aging streetlights in SW Magnolia.  Early in 2022, Seattle City Light reached out to the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce to discuss a proposed pilot project to replace streetlights in the southwest area of Magnolia (see map below).

The Chamber elicited the advice and counsel of Dave Goodell, a Magnolia resident who is experienced in lighting and electronics. He agreed to serve as the lead in collaborating with Seattle City Light on behalf of the Chamber. Dave has 42 years of experience in the lighting industry, working in sales, design, and consultation. He was Lighting Certified by the National Council on Qualifications for Lighting Professions (NCQLP) for 25 years, demonstrating his knowledge and experience across the lighting professions. He is a past member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. His professional credentials and working experience have been invaluable in assisting the Magnolia Chamber to navigate the public phases of the streetlight pilot project and collaborating with Seattle City Light over the last year.

Seattle City Light has launched the streetlight pilot project, as the streetlights in this area of Magnolia are approximately 50 years old. Therefore, the streetlights are at the end of their lifecycle and must be brought up to the existing environmental codes. After discussions about the project with the Chamber, a flyer explaining the SW Magnolia streetlight project was mailed out to the affected Seattle City Light customers in mid-November 2022.

The project aims to seek a consensus on one of three options for streetlight effectiveness and designs and replace approximately 350 streetlights around SW Magnolia.Consistent with other utilities in our state and consumer preferences, older street illumination lights are being replaced with LED lighting (see location of the three options, below). The environmental benefits are great. LED streetlights are more energy efficient, use no toxic elements such as mercury, distribute light better with less energy waste, and have considerably longer life spans than traditional fluorescent or incandescent lighting. In addition, innovations in LED lighting have improved the illumination experience for users.

The Magnolia streetlight project also recognizes that effective and well-placed street lighting improves pedestrian visibility and personal security. Streetlights increase safety by allowing pedestrians and motorists to see each other. It also adds to property safety and street side aesthetics. In addition, it can help reduce vandalism and improve neighborhood security. Finally, attractive streetlight fixtures can enhance a neighborhood’s appeal and sense of design.

Some stops and starts in the streetlight project. As mentioned, Seattle City Light mailed an initial informational flyer to Magnolia’s impacted Seattle City Light customers in November 2022. The flyer proposed three new pilot streetlight designs, with three different decorative “post-top” light fixtures, and the three options were installed along specific areas of West Viewmont.

The intention was to encourage residents to look at the three streetlight designs following dusk and seek feedback on preferences from the community by January 13, 2023. Seattle City Light established an online survey to make the process easy to access and fill out.

However, due to the misplacement of the pilot streetlights, the time it took for relocation, and a delay in the electrification of the pilot streetlights, the feedback date was extended to February 24th. In addition, the Magnolia Community Council engaged in the process and had specific concerns, questions, and resident feedback to share with the project leadership. As a result, Seattle City Light held additional informational meetings with concerned residents to address new problems and further describe the streetlight project in SW Magnolia.

The community engagement process helped to clarify details about the project. For instance, SCL explained that the decorative post-top light fixture options are specific to the underground wired section of SW Magnolia. In addition, residents shared concerns that the original survey focused on aesthetics. Yet, the project must also assess the functionality of streetlights in protecting pedestrians’ and motorists’ safety and reducing criminal activities. SCL welcomed additional public comments and extended the survey deadline to February 24th.

Next Steps. The Magnolia Chamber of Commerce encourages affected residents in SW Magnolia to visit the three streetlight options on Viewmont Way at night. After evaluating the three options, residents can go online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/magnoliapilotstreetlights and vote for their favorite streetlight based on lighting effectiveness to protect pedestrians and motorists and for visual attractiveness.

January 9, 2023
Special to the Magnolia Chamber
Christina Metcalf

Times of economic uncertainty doesn’t cause anyone to look for new ways to spend money. But there are some investments in your business that, even when you’re worried about cash flow, are worth the return. Without those necessities—be they software or services—you couldn’t operate. Chamber membership is one of those necessary business investments, and here’s why:

Uncertain Times Mean Unprecedented Business Challenges

According to a survey released in early January by the National Association for Business Economics, more than half of respondents believe the U.S. is headed toward a recession in the next 12 months. An additional 11% of those polled think the economy is already in a recession. (A recession is commonly defined as two consecutive quarters of shrinking growth). However, the severity and depth of the possible recession are matters of debate among most economists and market experts. 

Whether we face a recession or not, growth is slow. Costs are up. Shelves are not as full as they once were. Some industries are already claiming a recession has hit them.

In times of economic uncertainty, businesses have greater needs than usual. It helps to have a partner looking out for your best interests. The chamber is in a unique position to provide that assistance for a minimal investment.

The Hidden Job Market

One of the reasons economists are slow to call what we’re in currently “a recession” is because the job market on average remains strong. Employers are hiring. Sometimes their hiring needs are even outpacing available, skilled candidates.

Through chamber membership, you receive two types of job assistance—help in finding positions and candidates. If you’re looking for a job, you can network and locate available opportunities in the hidden job market (before they come available). Membership helps you get to know hiring managers and business owners, making a job search much easier and improving your chances of finding your dream job.

On the other hand, as a hiring entity, you will be in a solid position to get to know potential job candidates who aren’t actively looking for work. This is often one of the easiest ways to find top performers. Plus, connecting with possible job candidates on a professional level outside of the office can assist you in getting to know them better than you would through a 30-minute interview. This helps to ensure a stronger hire and better fit for your organization.

Public Sector Assistance & Advocacy

Whether you have your eye on pro-business legislation or are worried about a zoning issue, like anything else, business often goes your way based on who you know. As a chamber member, your concern over business—your own or the entire business community—is amplified. When the chamber speaks to city, state, or federal leaders, they are speaking on behalf of all businesses. This gives your concerns more power among elected leaders.

The chamber may also be able to help by placing your request in context in the larger picture. The zoning problem you’re having isn’t just about your business property but all properties moving forward. The chamber is well-suited to propose “if, then” scenarios that can help you get the assistance you need quickly.

Economic Development

While economic development of the area may not seem like a pressing issue in your mind right now, it helps keep you in business, regardless of your industry. A strong local economy can help maintain prosperity even when the national economy is struggling like the minority-business owners did along Auburn Avenue in Atlanta in the 1930s. While the rest of the country was experiencing the dark crash of ’29 and subsequent depression, Auburn Avenue thrived because its interests were protected.

The chamber is dedicated to building community and ushering in smart economic growth so everyone can thrive. Chamber membership not only safeguards your business interests and helps you achieve your own goals but improves the business community, and thus the community, for all.

Christina Metcalf is a writer/ghostwriter who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She loves road trips, hates exclamation points, and believes the world would be a better place if we all had our own theme song that played when we entered the room. What would yours be?

_______________________________________

Twitter: @christinagsmith

Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking

It is time to celebrate the individuals and businesses who have demonstrated leadership, had an impact in our community, and made a difference for Magnolia in 2022.
 
Do you know a community volunteer who goes above and beyond to make Magnolia a great place to live? Do you see a business that demonstrates leadership, growth, and involvement in the community and is dedicated to making an impact right here in Magnolia?

If yes, please help us celebrate leadership and excellence and nominate a Person of the Year and a Business of the Year for 2022.

Below reflect the qualifications for the Person of the Year 2022 nominations.

Please briefly describe how the Person of the Year nominee does the following:

• Makes significant contributions to the Magnolia community as they relate to improving the business climate, quality of life, or enhancing social interactions
• Has had or made a positive impact on improving the Magnolia community
• Demonstrates a deep commitment to Magnolia by giving their time, talent, and energy, as well as their lasting effect or legacy, to our community

Below reflects the characteristics for Business of the Year nominations.

Please briefly describe how the Business of the Year nominee:

• Provides innovative products or services
• Delivers exemplary customer service 
• Encourages and provides professional development of their staff
• Volunteers in the Magnolia community
• Actively carries out the MCC mission of adding vibrancy to the community

The Magnolia Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors will review the nominations for the two awards and select the 2022 recipients, who will be publicly announced and honored with awards and recognition. 

Please submit your nomination(s) for either or both the Person of the Year and Business of the Year via email by December 27, 2022. Your nomination(s) should be sent to: info@discovermagnolia.org. Thank you!  

UPDATED DECEMBER 2, 2022

Winterfest 2022 – Saturday, December 3rd!

Join us in the Magnolia Village for a day filled with events to kick-off the holiday season, starting with pancake breakfast & hot chocolate offerings, lunch specials, afternoon family activities, and into the evening with adult gatherings.

Below is the Winterfest 2022 overview. Follow Discover Magnolia Facebook and Instagram channels to keep up with activities as they are continuously added!

• Starbucks: 6am – 5pm. Enjoy a 12 oz hot chocolate for $3.00.
• Petit Pierre Bakery: 7:30am – 4pm. Grab a Winterfest hot chocolate, topped with homemade marshmallows and crushed peppermint. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Magnolia Beautification Project.
• Magnolia Lutheran Church – Swedish Pancake Breakfast: 8am – 12:30pm. Annual holiday tradition. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. All proceeds go to charity.
• Unravel Therapeutics: 9:30am – 8:30 pm. Drop by and purchase unique gifts and services just right for the discerning gift giver.
• Mondello Lunch Special: 12pm – 3pm. Enjoy your choice of fettuccine primavera or lasagna with tiramisu for $23.
• Figurehead Brewery: 12pm start – while supplies last. Cookie decorating and free hot chocolate for the kids!
• VR Bubble Shop: 12pm – 8pm – 50% off all VR gaming activities.              
• American Dance Institute. Free dance classes for various age groups – Children’s Hip Hop (ages 8-10) at 1:30pm – 2:20pm. Children’s Creative Dance (ages 3.5-5) at 3:00pm-3:45pm. Pre-Ballet (ages 5-7) at 4:00pm-4:50pm. Pre-registration required: https://www.americandanceinstitute.com/magnolia-village-winterfest
• Magnolia Garden Center Family Photos Opportunity by Julie Bennett, Coldwell Banker Bain: 2pm – 4pm. Get your holiday family photos at the Magnolia Garden Center and enjoy an excellent opportunity to pick out your Christmas tree or wreaths. Photographs by Julie will be available and features a festive Magnolia Garden Center backdrop. Proceeds from your purchase for a digital download will be donated to the Reimagine Magnolia Village beautification project. Additional photo gifts are also available.
• Magnolia Dental Care: 4pm. Ornament decorating for homegrown holiday arts and crafts.
• Key Bank, Magnolia Branch: 4pm – 6pm. Kids will create whimsical and craft-tastic Paper Lights Garlands, making a fun and distinctive holiday decoration.
• Serendipity Lounge: 3pm – 5pm. Enjoy the sounds of one of our favorite local bands, Magnolia Steel and Rik & Lisa in the Serendipity Lounge.
• Magnolia Cooperative Preschool: 4:30pm – 6pm. Enjoy hot chocolate & warming stations at the Magnolia Cooperative Playground.
• Carolers in the Village – Magnolia Chorale: 4pm – 6pm. Welcome the sounds of the season with caroling through Magnolia Village. Catch them at the tree lighting at the Garden Center at 5pm!
• Windermere: 4pm – 8pm. Make holiday memories by getting photos with Santa, one of the most popular attractions!
• Sell Your Sole: 5pm – 8pm. Celebrate the Grand Opening while enjoying drinks, small bites AND shopping for gifts (or for you!).
• Magnolia Garden Center: 5pm. The annual tree lighting event to kick off the holiday season along with the Magnolia Chorale carolers and warm beverages.
• Jingle Bell Cruise: 6pm. In partnership with Werners Crash Shop, car enthusiasts will love the 25 holiday-decorated cars cruise through Magnolia, ending in the Village. Toy donations for Pacific Raceways Toy Drive will be accepted!
• Magnolia’s Book Store: 6pm – 8pm. Magnolia’s favorite bookstore will be open ’til 8pm. Enjoy some holiday treats from 6pm to closing.
• Carolers in the Village – The Holidames: 6pm – 8pm. Seasonal song favorites led by Ginger Ann Griffis.
• Westerly Studio: 6pm – 9pm. It’s the annual holiday art sale! Come for a sip AND shopping for gifts – big and small – from nine local artists.
• Vixen Collection Day Spa & Boutique: 6pm – 9 pm. Shop for gifts, clothing and beauty products with complimentary adult beverages.
• Magnolia Village Pub, co-hosted by Shannon Praetorius, Compass Real Estate: 7pm – 9:30pm. Join us for an Ugly Sweater Contest at 7pm; winner will be announced at 9:30 pm. In between, enjoy a holiday trivia event, a selfie booth, food, and drinks. Bring a book for a local charity donation and receive $5 off the first beer.                   

NOVEMBER 14, 2022

The Magnolia Community Council is appealing to the Magnolia community to donate to a legal defense fund to challenge the recent decision by the Seattle Redistricting Commission that fractures the Magnolia neighborhood into two separate council districts.

The Magnolia Community Council is seeking donations to support its legal defense fund with the goal of requesting a judge to order the Commission to follow the redistricting charter and vote for a map that keeps Magnolia in one council district. The Community Council is also seeking registered voters to sign on as an “additional party” to the legal challenge. If interested , the Community Council asks that you reach out to them directly at magnoliacommunityclub@gmail.com.

To learn more and stay connected with the Magnolia Community Council, please click here.

NOVEMBER 3, 2022

Hopefully, you’ve seen the murals popping up around the neighborhood of Magnolia. One such mural is about a fish with close ties to the community. A colorful new mural now lives on your daily commute if you look over the Magnolia Bridge down at Pier 91! The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP), a trade association for the Wild Alaska Pollock industry, commissioned an eye-catching mural on the north face of the Glacier Fish Company building at Pier 91 in the heart of the Magnolia neighborhood by local artist Kyler Martz.

Kyler Martz is a local artist known for his distinctly recognizable work. Martz started as a tattoo artist and still inks body art, but he also created murals for the Whale Wins restaurant in Ballard and Ballard PCC Community Markets, illustrations for the Fremont Solstice Festival, and the Amazon Treasure Truck program, Filson clothing, and more.

Glacier Fish Company, the company that hosts the extravagant mural on the side of its building, is a member of GAPP and produces frozen-at-sea groundfish products like Wild Alaska Pollock.
This mural represents the fish and its attributes, plus the hardworking people that may even live in your neighborhood that go into bringing Wild Alaska Pollock to millions of American plates. The mural faces where thousands of cruise passengers arrive each year and “beautifies” the drive for many Magnolia natives. Many probably don’t know that Wild Alaska Pollock is the most consumed wild-caught fish in the world, and now it lives in your backyard.

The mural, made with adhesive and polyester mesh, utilizes the rich colors seen on cans of seafood from the Pacific Northwest’s rich seafood industry past. That is the lineage that supports the strong Wild Alaska Pollock industry we have today,” Morris said. Whether it’s snapping a picture of the mural with the city skyline or Puget Sound in the background as you’re on your daily run, or if you’d like to head to visit the public port in your own backyard yourself, you’re sure to see a detailed masterpiece.

Many Seattleites and visitors probably didn’t know that Wild Alaska Pollock has such strong ties to Seattle. But now everyone can join us in celebrating the name and what our fish both brings to the tables of consumers worldwide and means to the local economy.

Find the short videos that describe how Martz made the art for the building and the fence. GAPP appreciates the work that went into conceptualizing this project with Martz, the local agency Garrigan-Lyman Group, and Glacier Fish Company. We are excited to see this mural in our daily commute and local Seattle news outlets. We hope that it, like the Wild Alaska Pollock industry itself, becomes an iconic part of the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle.

NOVEMBER 3, 2022

On Monday, October 31^st, the Seattle Redistricting Commission voted 4-1 to advance a new council district map that splits Magnolia into two council districts. The final vote is November 8^th, and the new council district map will then be filed with King County auditors. The primary boundary will be 28^th Ave W. Magnolia residents living west of 28^th Ave W. will be in District 6, and those living east will be in District 7. See the proposed map for the northern and southern boundaries, and the Commission continues to take public comment on the draft map.

The line at 28^th Ave. W. ensures that Magnolia Village is entirely in the 6^th District. However, the Magnolia and Dravus bridges are in the 7^th District. The Emerson Street Bridge is straddled between the 6^th and 7^th Districts. Interbay along 15^th Ave W., from Smith Cove to the Ballard Bridge, will be in the 7^th District.

Recap of Commission Deliberations. The Commission heard from Magnolia residents challenging the proposed fracturing of the neighborhood. However, the Commission was not swayed. This is partly due to perceived differences of opinion on the rules for redistricting and the city charter guiding the redistricting process. An array of other issues apparently also informed decision-making by the Commission. This includes the role of redistricting in addressing generational racial and housing equity and diversity in Seattle, the support for the Redistricting Justice Coalition and its proposed redistricting map, and concerns over resident-driven recommendations for splitting other neighborhoods to keep Magnolia whole.

Next Steps. Magnolia-based discussions have focused on how and if to address the final proposed map that will fracture Magnolia. The Magnolia Community Council is seeking community feedback on the next steps. You can share your opinion, advice, and counsel by emailing magnoliacommunityclub@gmail.com. In the meantime, residents can continue to engage with the Commission and offer public comment through November 15^th.

The Magnolia Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee met on November 2^nd and reaffirmed that the Chamber would continue collaborating with the Magnolia Community Council in the weeks ahead.

The Chamber also looks forward to developing strategies and scheduling meetings with District 6 Councilman Dan Strauss and District 7 Councilman Andrew Lewis. Both council seats are up in 2023, and unclear at this juncture if one or both are running for re-election. Bottomline, we are ready to roll up our sleeves and collaborate with our members to promote and protect the interests of our Magnolia business and family members with Council members Strauss and Lewis. And, we will support our members living in both the 6th and 7th districts. If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with Jason at jason@discovermagnolia.org or 206-618-1589.

OCTOBER 27, 2022

On Wednesday, October 26, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods issued a press release and announcement on behalf of the Seattle Redistricting Commission. The Commission is now offering three different “discussion maps” along with to the Malaba Map now titled the “Amended Draft Map.” The Amended Draft Map is the official draft map following a 4 to 1 vote by the Commission on October 18th. The three “discussion maps” were discussed at the October 25th meeting of the Commission.

The Commission is planning to vote on a final map on November 8th. They will hold a special meeting on October 31st that the public is invited to attend online. The Commission will take additional public comments on the four different maps. Two maps are extremely similar and split Magnolia between two districts (Amended Draft Map and the “Juarez Discussion Map“). The two other maps keep Magnolia whole (“Nickels Discussion Map” and “O’Sullivan Sponsored Discussion Map.”)

To learn more about the amended draft map and the three discussion maps, click here. The Nickels Discussion Map and the O’Sullivan Sponsored Discussion Map keep Magnolia whole. To offer comments to the Commission, click here.

To participate in the special meeting of the Seattle Redistricting Commission on October 31st, from noon to 1:30 pm, click here.

To sign the “Keep Magnolia Whole” petition prepared by the Magnolia Community Council, click here.

OCTOBER 24 – TIME SENSITIVE

The Seattle Redistricting Commission meets for its final vote to create new city council districts on Tuesday, October 25th, at noon: see agenda, here (Zoom link provided to participate in the meeting).

As reported, the Commission shocked Magnolia and other residents of the city on October 18th by voting to fracture Magnolia with the removal of the O’Sullivan-Shah map proposal and the passing of the Malaba map proposal. It was a surprise move, and unclear exactly why it was done, but the results are less than desirable for Magnolia.

We strongly urge all Magnolia residents to log on to Keep Magnolia Whole and sign thee petition in support of keeping Magnolia in one council district. As of 9:00 am on Monday, October 24th, Magnolia has just over 600 signatories to the petition. It is vital that the Commission hear from Magnolia residents, both in written testimony and by signing the petition.

OCTOBER 19, 2022

On Tuesday, October 18^th, the Seattle Redistricting Commission voted 4-1 to support the so-called Malaba Map that fractures Magnolia into two separate districts. Former Mayor Greg Nickels cast the lone “no” vote.

In a surprise twist, the O’Sullivan-Shah Map that kept Magnolia whole in a newly configured 6^th District was pulled from consideration by both Commissioners O’Sullivan and Shah, the map’s proponents and authors. The reasoning was that the map placed Fremont into the 7^th District, and the outcry from the Fremont neighborhood was persuasive. Four Commissioners also believed the Seattle Redistricting Justice group effectively demonstrated city-wide support for the RJS map. The draft Malaba Map can be accessed here.

The Magnolia Chamber of Commerce continues to support the O’Sullivan-Shah Map and wants it back into consideration for the final vote on October 25^th. Notably, the final map must be reviewed, edited as needed, approved by King County Elections and other auditing departments and personnel, and filed with the city clerk. To see the timeline remaining in the redistricting process, please click here.

Magnolia residents and businesses who want to keep the neighborhood, Interbay along 15^th Avenue W., and all three bridges that provide access in and out of Magnolia, MUST continue to advocate the Commission for the O’Sullivan-Shah Map. We have one week to advocate for “One Magnolia.” Comments supporting the O’Sullivan-Shah Map are simple: please reconsider the O’Sullivan-Shah Map, as it best recognizes Magnolia as a community of interest. Provide your comments here.

Thank you for your ongoing interest in this issue and your advocacy for keeping Magnolia whole and as “One Magnolia.”