collected by Antonio Foster

Rainier Beach “Lighting Up” This Friday

On Friday, December 1 from 5-8pm Rainier Beach businesses are inviting community members to marvel at their ornaments, enjoy their hospitality, and VOTE on their favorite decorated shops.

This FREE community event takes place all over Rainier Beach offering treats like live dance performances, ethnic food bites & beverages, crafts, games, caroling, live music, pop up shows and more. Attendees can get started at Rainier Beach Safeway (9262 Rainier Ave S) for your FREE Santa Photos from Derek Johnson Photography (courtesy of Rainier Beach Ready Emergency Hub).

Participating local businesses and organizations include: Rainier Dance Center, Jude’s Old Town, Rainier Health & Fitness, Merrill & Merrill Insurance, Redwing Café , Drae’s Lake Route, Safeway, Washington Federal Savings, Stone House Café Bakery, Rainier Health & Fitness, Beach Bakery, Kaffa Coffee & Wine Bar, Café Avole, Sunset Café, Tour’e (Moe’s), Rainier Beach Veterinary Hospital, God Is, Joseph’s Elite Image, Rainier Beach Community Center, Rainier Beach Action Coalition, Seattle Police South Precinct, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.- Lambda Alpha Zeta Chapter, Tilth Alliance, St. Paul Church, Reliable Tax Service, Paranormal Pie, Derek Johnson Photography and pop-up shops & crafts from Taylor Tax, Designs By Cece, and Young Queens of Rainier Beach/ Queen Care.

This event is presented and powered by Rainier Beach Merchants Association and its members, with assistance from our good friends at Seattle’s Office of Economic Development. Please contact phyllis@rainierbeachmerchants.com for more info.

Seattle Council Forming “Progressive Revenue” Task Force

On November 20, Seattle’s City Council passed Resolution 31782 establishing a task force to explore potential new progressive revenue sources, including an Employee Hours Tax (EHT). The task force will be charged with identifying investments to assist people who are homeless or at high risk of becoming homeless in obtaining and retaining stable housing. The deadline for submissions is 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 4, 2017.

Interested parties are invited to submit a resume and short letter of interest, and other application information ONLINE, under “Progressive Revenue Task Force on Housing and Homelessness”. The task force membership will be finalized by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 11, 2017. From the Resolution:

Section 1. By December 11, 2017, the Seattle City Council, with input by the Mayor of Seattle, shall identify individuals to serve as members on an ad hoc task force. The task force shall develop recommendations to the Council that will (a) explore potential new progressive revenue sources, including an Employee Hours Tax (EHT) and (b) identify investments to be paid for using those progressive revenue sources that would assist people who are homeless or at high risk of becoming homeless in obtaining and retaining stable housing. The task force should include members such as subject matter experts on housing, health care, and homelessness; service providers; civic leaders; labor representatives; individuals who have experienced or are currently experiencing homelessness; business organizations; economic equity experts; community organizations; community coalitions; community leaders; and, small and large business owners.

Task force members will also provide recommendations on one or more dedicated progressive revenue sources and a proposal for investments related to those progressive revenue sources by February 26, 2018.

Featured image: “Light Up the Beach 2016” by Matt Mills McKnight