It’s that time of year where you curse at yourself for not keeping better financial records. Last year you said, “This is the year I get my finances organized.” Maybe you even went as far as buying a multi-section file folder, or at least looked at one in a store. But alas, here we are: Tax time, and you need some help.

Well, you’re in luck! Individuals and families who made less than $50,000 in income last year can get free tax help at Yesler Community Center until April 15. United Way of King County will be at the Broadway and Yesler center Thursdays from 5 – 9 p.m. (East African and Chinese language help also available) and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (East African language help also available).

Details from United Way:

United Way of King County is urging low and middle income families to take advantage of Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) with little or no wait for free filing.

WHAT:        United Way of King County’s Free Tax Preparation Program is designed to help low and middle-income families prepare their tax returns, avoid fees associated with commercial preparers and take advantage of tax credits like the EITC to keep more of their hard earned money. Tax preparation services are provided in more than 10 languages by IRS certified volunteers and sites offer electronic filing of returns.  In addition to tax preparation, United Way is also offering other services such as applications for public benefits like food stamps, utility assistance and assistance with FAFSA (Federal Student Financial Aid) form completion and free credit reports. Continue reading →

Like any big, growing city, Seattle has an affordable housing problem, and Capitol Hill and the Central District — central, walkable, full of fantastic things and less and less affordable — is an epicenter. Even so, Seattle’s City Hall is considering putting the brakes on one of the rarest, innovative creatures of the Pacific Northwest’s urban density.

A Summit Ave microhousing project

Last fall, CHS mapped 15 microhousing projects built, under construction or in planning stages around Capitol Hill — all but two without the design or environmental reviews standard for any other type of multifamily housing of the same scale. In the time since, spurred in large part by activism centered right here on Capitol Hill, the push for a moratorium on the projects has continued to climb the steps at City Hall. Here’s what a moratorium might bring to a stop across the city. Continue reading →

Bike Polo players held a tournament in the old tennis courts

As spring rolls in and days get longer and warmer, the very south end of Jundkins Park could very well be one of the most active park areas in the Central District.

With the recent opening of the Judkins Skatespot, the sometimes forgotten patch of land between I-90 and S Judkins Street is already seeing tons of activity.

A Parks Department decision in 2010 designated the old tennis courts for alternative uses, and bike polo players soon built the court into the best polo spot in the city, complete with boards and the ability to have two games going at once.

As people with skateboards join the basketball and increasingly-popular bike polo games — as well as the ever-growing number of people cycling through the area on the I-90 and Judkins Park Trails — there are more people hanging out in the area than ever. It will be interesting to watch what the summer brings.

Here are a few photos from Sunday: Continue reading →

I imagine we will be dedicating a decent amount of space on CDNews over the next half-year or so to low-power FM, especially Hollow Earth Radio’s efforts to get a 100 Watt broadcasting license that could reach radios throughout most of the Central District.

For one, CDNews is a partner on the project. HER has a lot of interest in community journalism, and while it’s not exactly clear what our partnership will look like, I am definitely excited about the possibilities to bring more voices into the CD media and journalism landscape.

Here is a paragraph from my letter of support for a recent grant proposal station managers were putting together to help transition from online-only to airwave broadcast:

As a community news website, our biggest challenge is reaching neighborhood residents who do not use the Internet often. The potential to partner with HER to provide our important news, which is often not covered by any other news outlet, to more people in a medium they are more familiar with is very exciting and would provide a great service to the community.

Stay tuned for more as things develop.

In the meantime, here’s a recent King 5 report featuring Hollow Earth Radio: Continue reading →

Police arrested two men and are still on the lookout for a third after they allegedly mugged a man waiting at a bus stop near 21st and Yesler Tuesday.

The men allegedly stole the victim’s wallet and brand new shirt before punching him in the head and fleeing into Pratt Park around 3:45 p.m., according to police.

Details from the SPD Blotter:

Officers tracked down and arrested two robbers in the Central District Tuesday after they attacked a man and stole his wallet and shirt.

The victim was waiting at a bus stop at 21st Avenue and E. Yesler Way at about 3:45 pm when three suspects walked up to him and demanded money. The suspects then grabbed the victim’s wallet and a pink dress shirt—which the victim had just bought—and punched the victim in the head before they fled west on Yesler Way.

The victim followed the suspects to Pratt Park and then called 911. Continue reading →