Updates

UPDATED. July 27, 2025. Seattle voters will participate in elections for City Council Positions 2, 8, and 9 in the 2025 election cycle. The city elections occur on odd-numbered years, with the primary election taking place in just a few weeks on August 5th. Primary ballots should be arriving in your mail starting July 18th. The general election scheduled for November 4, 2025.

The Magnolia Chamber of Commerce is particularly interested in the two At-Large Positions: Positions 8 & 9. The two positions are at-large, meaning they are elected by and represent the entire city. primary election on August 5, 2025. The greater Magnolia area is split between Council Districts 6 & 7 and current council members will be up for re-election in 2027.

We sent a questionnaire to all candidates for the two At Large positions 8 & 9. As of Friday, July 25th, our deadline, three candidates have responded to the Magnolia Chamber’s questionnaire. One responded with a statement (see below):

Position 8 Candidates:
– Alexis Mercedes Rinck (incumbent) – info@alexisforseattle.com
– Ray A. Rogers – wevoterogers@gmail.com – answers to questionnaire
– Rachael Savage – director@savageforseattle.com
– Cooper Hall – – hallforseattlecityhall@gmail.com
– Jesse James – jesseajames4office@gmail.com Jesse’s reply to our questions.

Position 9 Candidates:
– Dionne Foster – info@dionnefoster.com – answers to questionnaire
– Mia Jacobson – miaj.mi@gmail.com. Mia’s response to our questions is as follows: “I am running an unconventional campaign which is outlined on my website voterabbit.com. I am running this all on my own so with my kids and work I am finding it difficult to answer all the questionnaires since all my responses are “one person is unable to represent 800,000 people”.
– Connor Nash – info@nashforseattle.com
– Sara Nelson (incumbent) – info@saraforcitycouncil.com – answers to questionnaire

We sincerely thank the three candidates who responded to our request. You can also access endorsements from the Seattle Times here. The Seattle Stranger here. There are a host of other periodicals and organizations’ endorsements that can be found via Google. Remember to mail in your ballot on or before August 5th.

July 8, 2025. Many in Magnolia and other Seattle neighborhoods have been closely following the proposed Seattle Comprehensive Plan, a planning process mandated by Washington’s 1990 Growth Management Act. Two different Seattle City Council members represent Magnolia: Dan Strauss (Council District 6) and Bob Kettle (Council District 7). Both are in favor of adding more affordable housing, increasing housing stock, and requiring more density in designated areas. The Council has recently adopted interim legislation to meet the state legislative requirements of HB 1110, which allows up to six housing units on every lot across the state.

Councilman Bob Kettle has shared a thoughtful newsletter explaining his support for increasing housing across the city. Also, he provides an updated timeline as the Council continues to work on the passage of a new Comprehensive Plan and related legislation. Click here to read Councilman Kettle’s recent update.

July 8, 2025. Carol Burton, who passed away in the Spring, will be honored and remembered for her many years as a community volunteer on Saturday, July 19th, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, at the Church of the Ascension, 2330 West Viewmont Way West, here in Magnolia. Hosted by the Magnolia Community Council, they invite you to share memories of long time Magnolia resident and activist. For many years, Carol volunteered in many capacities to improve the quality of life for people in Magnolia and greater Seattle. Learn more about Carol’s legacy HERE.

2025 is an important election year for our community! Join your host, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, from 4:30 pm to 6 pm on Wednesday, June 18th, at the Pacific Fishermen’s Shipyard, to hear from candidates in the following races: 

• Seattle Mayor
• Seattle City Attorney
• King County Executive
• Seattle Council  (City-wide Positions 8 & 9)
• Port Commissioners (Positions 1, 4, & 3)

The special happy hour event offers a unique opportunity to connect with the business community and engage with candidates running for important elected offices impacting the quality of life and business climate in Seattle and King County. Each candidate will deliver a short speech and then attendees will get to network with over 125 business leaders and discuss key issues and priorities.

$35 flat rate ticket. Food and drinks will be provided, and the event will be held outdoors. To learn more and register, click here.

June 17, 2025. There are many informative updates, announcements, and other news from our colleagues and neighbors at the Magnolia Community Council. To learn more, click here.

May 7, 2025. The Magnolia Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce a new beautification project launching this week to create a more welcoming and visually appealing entrance to Magnolia Village at the junction of Clise Place Way and 32nd Avenue West. Thanks to generous private donors, a matching grant from the City of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods, and the inspiring vision and dedication of Magnolia resident Susan Reilly, this effort will transform the overgrown garden space into a vibrant and inviting community feature.

The redesigned garden will include:

• A colorful meadow of pollinator-friendly, drought-tolerant flowers
• A dry stream bed with decorative boulders
• A bronze statue titled “The Adventure” depicting children at play
• Welcoming signage and thoughtful landscaping to enhance the village experience

We expect the streetscape improvement project to be completed by July and we can’t wait to share the results with the community.

May 7, 2025. The next public hearing on the Seattle Comprehensive Plan Update has been set for Monday, May 19th. The city is currently adopting an interim zoning ordinance (CB 120969), which will legalize housing options like duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes in all residential areas of Seattle. The zoning ordinance is intended to bring Seattle into compliance with the state’s new middle housing law, HB 1110, while adoption of the full Comprehensive Plan has been delayed.

This time, there will be separate remote and in-person public comment periods, with the remote public hearing scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. (registration opens at 8:30 am) and the in-person public hearing set to begin at 4:00 p.m.. (It is recommended that those seeking to provide public comment show up at 2:00 p.m., based on the hearings held earlier this year),

There have been several lawsuits challenging the proposed Seattle Comprehensive Plan, the latest of which was filed in King County Superior Court on April 30th. To learn more, and thank you to neighborhood media, please click here.

March 12, 2025. There are many informative updates, announcements of new committees, and other news from our colleagues at the Magnolia Community Council.

To learn more and read the MCC’s March newsletter, click here.

March 12, 2025. The Economic Alliance of Snohomish County is providing a free webinar to provide insights into a rapidly changing marketplace due to global trade policies shifts emanating from Washington, D.C. and trade partners. Washington businesses of all sizes must prepare for potential tariff changes that could impact supply chains, costs and market strategies. This session, produced by the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County, brought together industry experts to discuss how businesses can proactively respond to evolving trade policies, mitigate risks and explore opportunities for growth.

Navigating Tariff Impacts on Washington Businesses Webinar

March 3, 2025. The ‘Best of Magnolia’ celebration, held last Wednesday, February 26^th, at Palisades Seattle, was a stunning showcase of Magnolia’s most innovative and impactful businesses, non-profits, volunteers, and inspiring leaders in our community. Approximately 130 guests gathered for an evening of praise, appreciation, inspiration, and delightful dining.

The annual Magnolia Chamber of Commerce event showcased the best that Magnolia has to offer and highlighted our neighborhood’s strengths. It celebrated community engagement through business savvy and active volunteerism, emphasizing giving back and paying it forward, which solidified the event as a true highlight for our community.

The award recipients included Kelda Fairleigh, named Chamber Ambassador of the Year, and Catherine Blaine K-8 PTA, honored as Non-Profit of the Year. Kruger Sons Propellor was recognized as Innovator of the Year. Dave Goodell received the title Person of the Year, while Cheryl McQuiston was presented with the Chamber Volunteer Excellence Award. Lastly, the Magnolia Garden Center was recognized as the Business of the Year award recipient.

We express our gratitude and recognize the hard work and talent of the Magnolia Chamber’s Membership Committee, led by Melanie Audette, for their dedication, creativity, and execution. It was a delightful evening filled with fun, celebration, and community. We genuinely appreciate all our sponsors, beginning with the Port of Seattle as our Premier Sponsor. The Gold Sponsor was CWD Group, while the Silver Sponsors included Harjo Construction and Cogir of Queen Anne. Our Bronze Sponsors were Cook & Bartlett, Dobson Stuffgart, SEC Properties, Washington Maritime Blue, Fischer Restoration, and Melanie Audette. Thank you for your support and leadership in our community.

Below is the list of 2024 Best of Magnolia winners and nominees:

Ambassador of the Year

• Kelda Fairleigh, winner
• Dani McDonough
• Sara Kadletz
• Tara Eintracht

Non-Profit of the Year

• Catherine Blaine K-8 PTA, winner
• Magnolia Beautification
• Magnolia Episcopal Church
• Magnolia Community Council
• Carleton Park Garden Club
• Daybreak Star Cultural Center
• Our Lady of Fatima Parish School
• Magnolia Chorale
• Magnolia Rotary
• Magnolia Farmers Market

Innovator of the Year

• Kruger & Sons Propellor, winner
• ZinBoats
• ioCurrents
• Corvus Energy
• Elliott Bay Design Group

Person the Year

• Dave Goodell, winner
• Courean Napolitano
• Kathie Claypool
• Ann Goos
• Mother Heather Wenrick
• Elizabeth Chapman
• Dan Penhollow
• Cheryl McQuiston
• Monica Wooten
• Rory O’Sullivan
• Tim Reagan
• Ginger Griffis
• Jayson Todd Morri

Chamber Volunteer Excellence Award

• Cheryl McQuiston, winner
• Kathie Claypool
• Deb Bluestein
• Ann Goos
• Rory O’Sullivan
• Dani McDonough

Business of the Year

• Magnolia Garden Center, winner
• Floof Grooming
• Vixen Collection
• Mainspring Wealth Advisors
• Lemon Door Playschool
• Windermere Magnolia
• Boxcar Ale House
• Unravel Therapeutics
• Lux Aesthetics
• Vice Athletics
• Mura Asian Eatery
• Magnolia Village Pub
• Serendipity Cafe
• Shawarma Buzz
• Slicebox Pizza
• Kong Academy
• Quartz & Bone

Enjoy photos below, courtesy of Remy Olivier Photography.