Sept. 8, 2017 Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Visit our blog
  
The  Only in Seattle newsletter is designed to share resources and information with leaders in Seattle's neighborhood business districts.

MEET OED'S SMALL BUSINESS TEAM & NEW BUSINESS CONSULTANTS, OIS PEER NETWORK -- 9/21 
On Thursday, September 21, OED's Small Business Team will introduce two new consultants available to business district organizations as a service to their members businesses. In addition, OED's Ken Takahashi and Yonas Seifu will present OED's business support services, and engage district managers in a discussion about current local business needs and ways to deliver services effectively. In addition, take advantage of the Restaurant Success Orientation and Business Resource Open House, also at the Douglass Truth Library, later that afternoon. Register today! OIS would like your feedback on future Peer Networks. Please complete this short survey


ONLY IN SEATTLE REQUEST FOR APPLICATION -- AVAILABLE 9/30 
The Only in Seattle Initiative provides grant funding and staff support to foster inclusive neighborhood business districts that allow small businesses to thrive. The Initiative focuses on supporting small businesses and property owners to organize around a common vision for their district and attract investment. From new crosswalks, murals, and lighting improvements, to business coaching, community festivals, and litter cleanup, Seattle's business districts have used Only in Seattle resources to put their vision into action. Neighborhood business district organizations seeking funding for comprehensive commercial revitalization should visit the Only in Seattle website to learn more, and contact staff to meet with your organization prior to submitting your application. The Only in Seattle RFA will be available on Saturday, September 30 at 9AM, and applications will be due October 30 at 9AM. Sign up for the OIS Newsletter to stay informed.


WITNESS PARKING SPOTS TRANSFORM INTO PUBLIC SPACE ON PARK(ing) DAY -- 9/15 
On Friday, September 15 between 9AM and 7PM there will be 47 installations stretching to all parts of Seattle. PARK(ing) Day happens once a year in September, and is an opportunity for Seattleites to rethink how streets can be used. This event gives people the opportunity to temporarily turn on-street parking spots into public spaces. The program is intended to encourage creative placemaking, particularly in places where access to parks is limited, as well as raise awareness about the importance of walkable, livable, and healthy communities. Plan your PARK(ing) Day using SDOT's interactive map, and check in with DON at their booth in various neighborhood business districts.



CREATIVE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS: YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED!
In the coming months, the Office of Film + Music will be conducting a creative economy study to highlight the challenges and opportunities within our creative community. Please take 10 minutes to participate in the initial survey to help steer them in the right direction! Your anonymous input today will act as a compass for the larger creative economy study happening in the coming months. Bonus: complete the survey and you will be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Northwest Film Forum, Showbox, SIFF, or STG!. Survey closes on September 15. Take the survey today!

THE LOCAL SCOOP

MIDTOWN CENTER IN THE CENTRAL AREA REPRESENTS NEW MODEL FOR DEVELOPMENT
Innovation, optimism, hope and persistence. These were the four qualities cited by the participants in the Midtown Center real estate deal that made headlines earlier this summer for its unique vision of preserving neighborhood culture through new development. At the July 13 Yesler Community Collaborative quarterly meeting, Midtown Center partners, K. Wyking Garrett (Africatown Community Land Trust), Chris Persons (Capitol Hill Housing), Joe Ferguson (Lake Union Partners) and Michelle Connor (Forterra), discussed how the deal came together and the behind-the-scenes steps it took to make this innovative partnership and exciting new development work. Doris Koo, lead consultant for Yesler Community Collaborative, moderated the panel. Read more on the Yesler Community Collaborative blog.


HING HAY PARK EXPANSION PROVING BENEFICIAL TO ALL VISITORS OF C/ID
The Hing Hay Park Expansion in Seattle's Chinatown International District, opened on June 29. The park has doubled in size and serves as an important community gathering place for the neighborhood. How have folks used the park since its opening? A recent Crosscut article puts it nicely: "On a recent warm Sunday afternoon, the park was fairly teeming with people - from toddlers scrambling over the red terraces to teenagers trying out the exercise equipment and seniors engaged in animated conversation. Most of the tables and chairs were filled and people were ambling out the pathways - all within a space that's smaller than one-quarter of a block." 


VIETNAMESE CULTURE CELEBRATED WHILE CROSSING THE STREET IN LITTLE SAIGON
In the past year, the Little Saigon community has been working on a design for a set of decorative crosswalks. The goal of this project is to contribute a cultural marker for the Vietnamese American community in Little Saigon, and to improve pedestrian safety at a busy intersection. A total of four crosswalks have been installed at the intersection of 12th Ave S and S Jackson St.; two will be across 12th Ave S, and 2 two will lie across S Jackson St. Learn more on SDOT's blog and view more photos here

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

TWO GRANT OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE OFFICE OF ARTS AND CULTURE -- DEADLINE 10/24 
Support Seattle's neighborhood arts councils and community groups that produce events to promote arts and cultural participation by applying to the Neighborhood and Community Arts grant. Apply to the Arts in Parks program to increase arts and community events in parks throughout the city by investing in the vibrant cultural work being done in and by diverse communities throughout Seattle. Applications are due on Tuesday, October 24.


DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS NEIGHBORHOOD MATCHING FUND -- DEADLINE 9/25
The Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) program was created in 1988 to provide matching dollars for neighborhood improvement, organizing, or projects that are developed and implemented by community members. Core to the fund is the community match, which requires awardees to match their award with contributions from the community (volunteer time, donated materials, donated professional services or cash). The Small Sparks Fund has a rolling application date, available year-round and can fund up to $5,000. The Community Partnership Fund is available three times a year and can fund projects from $5,001 to $100,000.

INDUSTRY NEWS + RESOURCES

TO FIND ALTERNATIVES TO CAPITALISM, THINK SMALL
This search for a new paradigm is crucial as the world grapples with some profound existential questions: Is continued economic growth compatible with efforts to address the urgent dangers of climate change? Instead of trying to reassemble the broken pieces of the old order, progressives would be better off developing a new vision more suited to our times. There are already a number of projects that dare to imagine what a fairer, eco-friendly, post-growth economy might look like. Find out what they are in this piece from The Nation


MOM-AND-POP DOLLAR STORES FIGHT TO SURVIVE AS CHAINS MOVE IN
This New York Times article examines the fight mom-and-pop dollars stores are going through in business districts throughout New York City. The 99-cent store with the bright red awning cannot compete with the cutthroat pricing or huge selection at the two Dollar Tree outposts in its poor Brooklyn neighborhood. So, it has found another way to lure customers: with the personalized service usually associated with luxury stores.


COMPLEMENTARY OR IN CONFLICT? COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND COLLECTIVE IMPACT
Collective Impact Forum viewers joined a livestream event in May, Complementary or in Conflict? Community Organizing and Collective Impact, a keynote and panel discussion at the 2017 Collective Impact Convening in Boston. The video (and transcript) from the event share keynote Marshall Ganz (Harvard Kennedy School) input with introductory remarks by Monique Miles (Aspen Forum for Community Solutions.) Tweets from attendees and livestream viewers who shared their thoughts during the session are included. Visit the website to watch the panel discussion.


IN NEED OF ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT? SEATTLE-BASED RESOURCES BELOW
Seattle Works and the Nonprofit Assistance Center (NAC) have a variety of offerings for your nonprofit organization's staff or board. The Seattle Works: The Bridge board training is offered five times a year, and provides a high-level overview of basic board service such as board structure, legal obligations, and fundraising responsibilities. The Nonprofit Assistance Center has a series of training opportunities that could benefit your nonprofit organization and member businesses. From small business legal clinics and nonprofit finance 101 to fiscal sponsor training and grassroots fundraising, learn the basics from NAC today. 

NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTS

Interested in adding your event to this list? Please send event details to onlyinseattle@seattle.gov
San Genaro Festival in Georgetown - Friday-Sunday, Sept. 8-10
Dozer's Warehouse in Beacon Hill  - Friday, Sept. 8  
Chinatown/ID Night Market - Saturday, Sept. 9
First Hill Concert in the Park - Saturday, Sept. 9
Sustainable Ballard Festival - Saturday, Sept. 9
South Park Fiestas Patrias - Saturday, Sept. 16
Ballard Oktoberfest - Saturday, Sept. 16
Fremont Oktoberfest - Friday-Sunday, Sept. 22-24
Capitol Hill Hilloween - Saturday, Oct. 28
West Seattle Harvest Festival - Sunday, Oct. 29
Fremont Trolloween - Tuesday, Oct. 31
Macy's Parade and Starlight - Friday, Nov. 24
Small Business Saturday - Saturday, Nov. 25
  
RECURRING EVENTS
Ballard Art Walk - First Saturdays
Belltown Art Walk - Second Fridays
Capitol Hill Art Walk - Second Thursdays
Chinatown/ID Happy Hour Food Walk  - Third Thursdays
Columbia City Beat Walk - Second Sundays, from June - October
Georgetown Art Attack - Second Tuesdays (except June)
Pioneer Square Art Walk - First Thursdays
SODO Flea Market - Second Saturdays 
South Lake Union Art Walk - Thursday, October 1
South Lake Union Saturday Market - Saturdays, May-September
Uptown Art Walk - Third Thursdays
West Seattle Art Walk - Second Thursdays
  
Looking for ways to stay in the know about Seattle events? Here are a few tips: 
Get the latest news about economic trends, the Seattle business scene, tech startups, neighborhood business districts, the film and music industries, and upcoming events for you or your business. We publish three e-newsletters, each tailored to provide the information you need.