Tiny House Village for Homeless Set to Open & More News

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Volunteers are almost finished installing tiny homes for the homeless in a vacant lot in Seattle’s Central District. The project, called the Tiny House Village, is a cluster of 14 insulated houses about the size of a bedroom surrounding a central building with flushing toilets and running water, according to KIRO 7. Materials and expenses for building the homes, which cost about $2,200 each, were donated and many of the homes were built by several volunteer groups, including students from the Seattle Vocational Institute. Organizers of the project told Q13FOX that even though some of the people planning to move into the homes have jobs, it will give them an opportunity to save money and get themselves back on their feet. Sharon Lee of the Low Income Housing Institute told KIRO 7 that she expects people will stay from four to six months as they make the transition to other affordable housing options. Although there will be no monthly rent due, tenants of the tiny homes will have to pay a $90 monthly fee to contribute to sewage and electric costs. According to the Low Income Housing Institute Facebook page, the official opening of the Tiny House Village will be Saturday, January 23. 

Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes is taking steps to crack down on illegal marijuana sales that are undercutting approved licensed retailers. Estimates by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board suggest that 28 percent of the entire marijuana market is illegal, although, according to KING 5, retailers think that estimate seems too low. Currently, as reported by KING 5, $65 million in taxes is produced by the 577 producer/processers and 228 retailers, but retailers argue that in order for the legalized industry to be successful, the illegal sales must be minimized. Holmes plans on cracking down on the delivery services that advertise in local publications that they “deliver to most areas” and boast “the best prices in town.” The unlicensed delivery services are illegal, felony operations that Holmes believes could be a threat to public safety and so he plans to ask the state legislature to approve a pilot plan for legal marijuana delivery in Seattle that could be a public safety enhancement and would benefit those with mobility issues.  

Grammy performers will be gifted with jewelry made by Seattle single mother, Margaux Jones. Unhappy and bored with her office day-job, Jones started making her signiature bracelets as a way to channel her creativity last spring. With encouragement from family and friends, Jones began selling the bracelets under the brand name called NW 58th St. The Facebook page she created to promote her jewelry caught the attention of the company that puts together the gift bags for Hollywood award shows and Jones was hired to craft 150 bracelets for the performers, nominees and presenters. Jones told MyNorthwest that she was excited to see celebrities wearing her jewelry and she is thankful for the opportunity to not only contribute to the gift bags but also get recognition for her artistic endeavors. 

When a Seattle groom broke off his engagement with fiancé Dana Olsen, the heartbroken bride did something truly heartwarming. Called off just six weeks before the wedding was supposed to take place, it was too late to get a refund for the reception, so Olsen partnered up with Mary’s Place Shelter to give 150 homeless women and children a special celebration on January 16. Guests of the wedding-turned-party at a SODO Park venue danced to live music and feasted on a full dinner. Inspired by Olsen’s act of kindness despite her heartbreak, according to WMAZ 13, hair stylist Lauren Grinnell of LaLa’s Cuts donated hair and makeup services for 42 of the homeless women in attendance. Although the bride, who lives in California, did not attend the party, her mother, Karen Olsen, did. “She just wanted to marry the guy that she loved, and that’s not happening, and if she can’t have that she is very happy to share it with someone else,” the bride’s mother told KOMO News.

Are you a Seattle artist who wants to make $10,000 and score a free studio space? Seattle’s Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS), in partnership with Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), is looking for a one writer or poet and one visual artsit for a unique project-based residency in the northwest tower of the Fremont Bridge. According to Smithsonian, the opportunity for residency isn’t the first time the space on the bridge has been offered to local artists. Actually, over the years Seattle has funded hundereds of pubic art projects because of a 1973 ordinance that requires that one percent of all eligible capital improvement project funds go towards funding public art. The Fremont Bridge space, however, hasn’t been offered to artists since 2009, when the bridge’s first artist-in-residence, Kristen Ramirez, created a temporary light installation. The writer selected for the Fremont Bridge residency will be given a $10,000 grant to create a series of writings inspired by the bridge and the visual artist will be given a $15,000 grant to design and install a lighting display on the University, Fremont and Ballard bridges. The residency is open to anyone who lives within 100 miles of the Seattle area and applications are being accepted through February 16. Make sure not to confuse the term “residency” with “housing”! Artists selcted for the grant will not be living in the studio space meant only for a work space. If you are interesed in applying or looking for more information, you can find it here.