Joining us in the studio are Anne Fennessy, Pioneer Square business owner and resident; Kevin Daniels, President of Nitze-Stagen; Leslie Smith, interim director of the Pioneer Square Community Association; and Nancy Yamamoto of the city’s Office of Economic Development.

Don’t miss this fascinating discussion over Seattle’s most historic neighborhood! on Friday, March 5, 7 p.m., SEATTLE CHANNEL, Cable 21. Watch past shows right now by visiting www.seattlechannel.org/CityInsideOut/.

See firsthand how recreating a crime scene, counterfeit testing and handwriting analysis makes Seattle safer. Watch CityStream’s CSI: Seattle

Then tune in Thursday, March 4 at 7 p.m. to catch an all new CityStream. Join host Cameron Wong at the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum for a crime fighting edition of the show. Learn how a Seattle teen fulfills a promise to his fallen brother to serve and protect. Then, meet one detective who uses a unique approach to keep kids safe.

Catch those stories and more on CityStream, Thursday, March 4 at 7 p.m., SEATTLE CHANNEL, Cable 21 or watch it online at www.seattlechannel.org/cityStream/

Do you have questions for Seattle City Councilmembers? How does the Council want to handle the City’s 2011 $50 million budget deficit?  What are their thoughts on a solution for rebuilding the State Route 520 bridge? How do they feel the search for a new Seattle Police Chief search is going?  This episode of City Inside/Out: Council Edition features Seattle City Council Finance and Budget Chair Jean Godden, Public Safety Chair Tim Burgess and Energy and Technology Chair Bruce Harrell answering your questions.

Whatever your question is, if you want it answered on TV, you have to call 206-684-8821 or email contact@seattlechannel.org. Host C.R. Douglas will also raise the key issues facing Seattle. You can also submit your questions or watch past episodes by visiting the City Inside/Out: Council Edition website, http://www.seattlechannel.org/CouncilEdition/.

Don’t miss this opportunity to put your issues before the City’s lawmakers! Call or email right now! Then tune in Wednesday, February 24 at 7 p.m. on SEATTLE CHANNEL, Cable 21, to get answers.

Kip Tokuda, acting director of the Human Services Department, has a long history of work in the human services arena. A former state legislator, he is a tireless advocate on behalf of children, individuals with developmental disabilities, and working families. He served as Director of Family and Youth Services in the Human Services Department during the last administration, and previously worked at the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Mr. Tokuda served on Mayor Mike McGinn’s transition team and currently oversees the Mayor’s search for a permanent Human Services Department director.

Event Location: Central Building, 810 3rd Avenue
(between Columbia & Marion streets)

Thursday, March 18
Coffee Hour starts at 10 a.m.
Special Guest: Mike McGinn, Mayor of Seattle

Elected last November, Mike McGinn became the 52nd Mayor of Seattle on January 1, 2010. A lawyer, neighborhood activist and environmental leader, Mayor McGinn has outlined substantial changes for Seattle. Hear the steps he has taken to reduce City spending, address deferred maintenance and public safety, and seek public input on the future of Seattle. Discuss City priorities for the years to come at this special Senior Coffee Hour at City Hall.

Event Location: Seattle City Hall, Bertha Knight Landes Room, 600 4th Avenue
(between James & Cherry streets)

For Metro Rider Information, call 206-553-3000.

As a bonus, guests are invited to attend a free noontime concert at City Hall after each event.

Additional Senior Coffee Hours are scheduled as follows: Thursday, April 15; Thursday, May 20; Tuesday, June 15; Thursday, July 15; Thursday, August 19; Thursday, September 16; Thursday, October 21; and Thursday, November 18. No December coffee hour. Dates and speakers subject to change.

If you have any questions, please contact Cynthia Ellison, at 206-233-2781 or cynthia.ellison@seattle.gov.

The children and families of our city are facing many difficult challenges. As a community, we need to talk about what we want for our kids and how best to create a healthy, positive and equitable environment for all families in our city.

Let’s start a discussion together and come up with a plan that works.

Please join us in attending one of five workshops, where trained facilitators will lead participants through the beginnings of this group discussion. If you are interested in volunteering with the Initiative, please contact Sol Villarreal in the Mayor’s Office at sol.villarreal@seattle.gov or 206-233-2656.

The five venues and dates will be:
February 22 – Rainier Community Center 7:00-8:30 p.m.
March 1 – Northgate Elementary School 7:00-8:30 p.m.
March 8 – Van Asselt Elementary School 7:00-8:30 p.m.
March 15 – Denny Middle School 7:00-8:30 p.m.
March 22 – Garfield Community Center 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Activities for kids older than three years of age and light refreshments will be provided at each meeting. If English is not your primary language and you would like translation or interpretation, please notify the Department of Neighborhoods at 684-0464 so we can work to provide the best resources available.

It is only together that we can solve the deep, complex problem of how to create an equitable community for our great city’s youth and families. There is no one solution, no one program or person who can point our neighborhoods in the right direction.

We ask that you join us at the beginning of this discussion so that we may all work together toward the common goal of a stronger community.

The Technology Matching Fund provides funds for digital inclusion projects located in Seattle, serving Seattle residents. The goals of the fund are 1) to increase technology literacy and access; 2) to provide residents with access to computers, the Internet and other information technology; and 3) to increase residents’ use of technology for community problem solving, civic engagement and community building.

You are invited to attend an upcoming information session to learn more about the application process, grant requirements, and what makes a successful application Interpretation services will be provided for you upon request.

Grant Information Sessions:

Wednesday, Feb 3rd
Delridge Community Center
4501 Delridge Way SW 98106
10:30am – 12:00pm

Saturday, Feb 6th
Miller Community Center
330 19th Ave. E 98112
10:30am – 12:00pm

Download grant applications and guidelines at www.seattle.gov/tech/ or contact Delia Burke at 206-233-2751 or delia.burke@seattle.gov for more information.

CityStream producer Roxeanne Vainuku takes a look at the limits and the possibilities of building backyard cottages. Meet one homeowner overjoyed to rent out her main house while downsizing to a 600 square foot cottage, while another owner has big plans for a dilapidated shed.

 Watch CityStream Back Yard Cottages now by following this link: http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=3071004

And don’t miss the rest of the show with host Lowell Deo at Neighborhood House in the High Point Neighborhood of West Seattle. Learn about the center’s mission of ending poverty while helping the environment at the same time. Plus, log on to learn about history. How high tech tools are allowing us a glance at the past. All of that and more are coming up on this episode of CityStream, Thursday night at 7 p.m., SEATTLE CHANNEL, Cable 21 or watch it online at www.seattlechannel.org.

State Senator Adam Kline (D-37^th District) says, “I would like to see this state adopt a ban, the same as the federal government did for ten years, on military assault weapons.” Kline continues, “These are military weapons whose purpose is to clear an area of life…They have no role at all in civilian life.”

State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-36^th District) says, “Policy wise, one of my big bills is marijuana reclassification.” She adds, “It makes no sense to burden people who have smoked or purchased marijuana or possessed marijuana under 40 grams with a misdemeanor.” Instead of a misdemeanor, Kohl explains, possession of small amounts of marijuana would be a civil penalty with $100 fine. “Fourteen other states have had [decriminalization] in their statutes—most of them for three decades…The time has come for this.”

To send your question, visit www.seattlechannel.org/CouncilEdition and just fill out the form. Then tune in Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. to see if host C.R. Douglas uses your question.

Missed past episodes? No problem! Get caught up with Council Edition

Chopp names one $150-million tax incentive in particular that he wants to see rescinded—the so-called “Dot Foods loophole.” In 1983, the state Legislature created a tax exemption for out-of-state food companies that use an agent to sell directly to wholesalers in Washington. In 2000, the state Department of Revenue began interpreting this law to mean that companies, including Dot Foods of Illinois, could not receive the tax exemption if they sold any products to wholesalers that ended up in retail stores. Dot Foods sued and the state Supreme Court ruled in the corporation’s favor. Chopp says that the decision opened up an unexpected $150-million hole in the state budget. He adds, “So we’ll close that loophole and make sure we do it in a way that complies with state law and the Supreme Court decision.”