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JULY 8, 2026
Free Safe Summer Teen Activities
Kettle Proposes Transit Measure Alternative
Seattle Parks and Recreation
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ormerly known as Summer of Safety, Seattle Parks and Recreation’s free drop-in program offers structured activities, caring mentors, and welcoming spaces for youth throughout the summer. Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is launching Summer Teen XP (Experience) – Belong, Become, Thrive, formerly known as Summer of Safety, a free summer drop-in program offering structured activities, caring mentors, and welcoming spaces for youth throughout the summer. Operating at 16 community center and park locations across Seattle, Summer Teen XP provides young people with opportunities to stay active, build friendships, explore new interests, and connect with trusted adults in a safe and supportive environment. Designed for youth ages 9–18 (ages vary by location), Summer Teen XP features a variety of engaging activities, including field trips, sports and
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Reduces sticker shock while also investing critical transit needs
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WHAT THE ALTERNATIVE DOES
Councilmember Kettle’s alternative limits the proposed sales tax increase to just 0.2% — which is 0.1% less than the mayor’s version. The alternative reserves 0.1% sales tax to be used for any emergent transportation investment that can be approved by the City Council. Examples of potential use range from adding hours if demand for transit service rebounds significantly, or for major infrastructure maintenance, if needed. The amendment also reduces duplicate funding for capital spending, as voters approved the $1.55 billion Transportation Levy in 2024 which sets aside over $151 million for transit corridor spending. It additionally maintains the Transit Accessibility Program, giving out 22,000 free ORCA passes, to further reduce the regressive impact of the sales tax.
athletics, arts and crafts, leadership development, games, special events, and outdoor recreation. Many sites also provide a free lunch through the City’s Summer Food Service Program. Programs operate rain or shine, and no registration is required for daily participation. Youth are welcome to drop in at any time during regular program hours, though some field trips may require advance registration. “Every young person deserves a safe place to spend their summer, build friendships, and have fun,” said Michele Finnegan, Seattle Parks and Recreation Interim Superintendent. “Summer Teen XP provides opportunities for youth across Seattle to stay active, explore new interests, and build meaningful connections with trusted adults and their peers in welcoming community spaces.” Families are encouraged to contact their local community center for site-specific schedules, activities, and information about available programs.
The Girl with the Cardboard Cello Helps Launch New Symphony for Women Staff Report
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hen Erika Fiebig first played a cardboard cello at the Queen Anne Community Center as a child, she could not have known it would be the beginning of a lifelong musical journey. This summer, that journey reaches a new milestone as the Queen Anne musician helps launch Unbound Symphony, a newly founded professional women’s orchestra making its public debut on July 10. The inaugural concert, part of Unbound Symphony’s Women’s Orchestra Festival, will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien. Nearly 60
professional musicians will perform in what organizers hope will become a lasting addition to the region’s arts landscape. For Fiebig, the performance is both a professional achievement and a homecoming of sorts. She grew up near 6th Avenue West and Howe Street, the daughter of two Seattle Public Schools teachers. Her musical education began close to home, with those first lessons at the Queen Anne Community Center. She later attended McClure Middle School, participated in Seattle Public Schools’ racial integration program, and performed with Seattle Youth Symphony before continuing her studies at Oberlin College.
While many musicians leave their hometowns to build careers elsewhere, Fiebig stayed rooted in Seattle. Today she serves as principal cellist of the Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra, performs regularly with the Federal Way Symphony and local theater productions, and was recently named co-principal cello of Cascade Symphony Orchestra. Despite a successful performing career, the opportunity to help build a new orchestra from the ground up felt especially meaningful.
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNBOUND SYMPHONY
ouncilmember Bob Kettle (District 7) announced that he’s introducing an affordable alternative to the Seattle Transit Measure renewal, CB 121226, proposed by the mayor and currently being considered by the City Council. The mayor’s proposal would increase the sales tax by 0.15% to 0.3%, while Councilmember Kettle’s amendment would increase the sales tax by a more affordable 0.05% “A healthy transit and transportation system is absolutely essential for Seattle. As both a strong supporter and believer in public transit, I know how vital these connections are to our daily lives,” said Councilmember Kettle. “However, we must spend our public dollars strategically, rather than raising the sales tax simply because we can. Every day, I hear from neighbors about how living in Seattle is becoming less and less affordable. My alternative offers a pragmatic increase in transit funding for bus service and ORCA cards while preserving the flexibility we need for emerging transit-related investments.” Mayor Wilson’s current version of the transit measure was released on June 3 and doubles the City’s sales tax that supports transit from 0.15% to 0.3%. It’s expected to raise an average of $138 million annually over 10 years, while also assuming major increases in transit ridership. As of 2024, post-pandemic bus ridership has recovered to only 70 percent of 2019 numbers. Fifty percent of today’s riders are commuters, compared 60 percent in 2019. The amendment acknowledges the 100,000-transit service hour increase anticipated to be made by King County Metro in 2028, which will help to support Seattle’s service. “As we head into the final stages of this process, I urge community members with affordability concerns to stay at the table and engaged. We want to hear from you,” added Councilmember Kettle.
VOL. 107, NO. 28
From left: Dr. Sarah Bassingthwaighte, Dr. Kate MacKenzie, Founder Bhavani Kotha, and cellist Erika Fiebig unveil the logo for Unbound Symphony at their launch party on International Women’s Day.