& QueenAnne Magnolia ne& Magnolia news & news
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Magnolia news
Serving Queen Anne & Magnolia Since 1919
DECEMBER 18, 2024
www.QueenAnneNews.com
VOL. 105, NO. 51
& QueenAnne&Magnolia news
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell news announces intention to run for reelection
QueenAnne
Magnolia By Spencer Pauley The Center Square
PHOTOS COURTESY ERICA BROWNE GRIVAS
Surprising fall and winter color Erica Browne Grivas
Get Growing
D
on’t give up on your garden yet. Too often we default to the idea that the garden is done by October. Yet with some thoughtful choices, we can choreograph color to cheer even the darkest winter morning. To begin with, there are a surprising number of perennials that refuse to go gently into the good night of fall and winter, going out in a blaze of color. They may be deciduous, but they insist on a splashy exit. Ornamental grasses may be the first group that comes to mind, which get a lot of attention this time of year, from Hakonechloa species in shady spots to Imperata, Andropogon, and Panicum in the sun. Peonies are well-known for their lovely red foliage in fall, and many sedums take on either gold or red tones with a chill in the air. Here are a few others you may not have considered that I’m enjoying right now. When you choose one, think about planning for a colorful partner that will set off its fall garb, whether permanent, like a dwarf conifer, seasonal, like a fall bulb, or “right-now” like annual kales and pansies.
Amsonia spp. Can you say multiseason appeal? Amsonia brings a welcome airy texture to the border at least nine months of the year. Amsonia hubrechtii has finer needle-like foliage, while A. tabermontana has rounded willowy leaves, Star-shaped blue flowers appear in late spring (hence the common name blue star), and in fall, they morph yellow. Quite adaptable to varied conditions, they can thrive in full sun or part shade with decently draining soil. Wonderful massed, especially paired with evergreens, whether in front like Armeria (Sea thrift) or liriope (mondo
grass), or behind, like hebes or Ilex crenata. Fall color: gold to butterscotch; hubrechtii is known for the most vibrant color. Hosta cultivars Having delivered months of bold, wavy, striped or striated leaves in gold, green and blue, plus often fragrant wands of late summer flowers in the shade, what more could we ask of hostas? To be slug proof or evergreen, of course! Beyond that, many hostas also offer lovely gold tones
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SEATTLE, WA PERMIT 1271
GRIVAS, 4
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell intends to run for reelection next year. Harrell announced that he has registered his re-election campaign with the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission to run for a second term. He was previously elected mayor in 2021 by the largest margin for a non-incumbent candidate since 1969. Harrell touted his administration’s “One Seattle” approach to handling the top issues facing the city, including homelessness, transportation, affordable housing and public safety. “But there is more work to do – this is the time for proven leadership to stand up for our values and keep Seattle moving forward as a city that is welcoming, affordable, and safe,” Harrell said in an announcement. Since being sworn-in, Harrell has had to face homelessness, housing affordability and public safety concerns. With approval from the city council, the mayor created the city’s Unified Care Team, which work to ensure public spaces, sidewalks and streets remain safe and accessible to all. The team most recently counted 63% fewer homeless tents throughout the city than the end of 2024. However, the 2024 Point-In-Time count tallied up 16,385 people experiencing homelessness in the King County region. Harrell has also successfully received voter-approval on two levies, including the largest tax package in city history. The Seattle Housing Levy is a seven-year property tax levy that is anticipated to collect $970 million through 2030. Funding goes toward creating and preserving affordable rental housing for seniors, homeless people and other low-income households. Last month, Seattle voters approved a transportation levy that totals $1.55 billion over the course of its eight year life-span. That’s the largest tax proposal in city history Ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have also impacted the local economy as levels of downtown worker foot traffic are still far below pre-pandemic levels. In turn, Harrell created the Downtown Restoration Plan, which seeks to convert the downtown area into a more residential neighborhood. Harrell has also seen the Seattle Police Department face a continuing officer shortage while crime reached an all-time high in 2022. Police officers, including Chief Adrian Diaz, have faced legal claims of grooming and harassment. Harrell has already received endorsements including Governor-elect and Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Attorney General-elect Nick Brown, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, King County Executive Dow Constantine, state Senator Jamie Pedersen, and a collective of city mayors in the Puget Sound region. Prior to being elected mayor, Harrell served on the Seattle City Council from 2007 through 2019. Harrell said he will publicly kick off his re-election campaign early next year and participate in the Democracy Voucher Program.