For Today
 

If you haven't voted yet, you still have time to get your ballot in for the August 5 primary election, either by mailing in your ballot to King County Elections, or by dropping your ballot off at one of 10 drop boxes (find drop boxes locations here, including one at the King County Courthouse in Southeast Seattle) or by stopping by one of a dozen scheduled drop vans; locations and hours for vans are available on the King County website.
 

On the ballot for Seattle residents: the Seattle Metropolitan Parks District, which would create a new, permanent source for parks funding overseen by the city council; Congressional District 7, where congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) is currently serving his 13th term; Congressional District 9, where congressman Adam Smith is in his ninth term.

At the statehouse level, the 11th, 34th, 36th, 37th, 43rd, and 46th legislative districts have candidates on the ballot; here's a full list of candidates in those races (including socialist Jess Spear vs. Democrat Frank Chopp, D-43, who has served 10 terms, and a crowd of Democrats down in Southeast Seattle's 37th, where former OneAmerica director Pramila Jayapal is heavily favored to win). 

Night Out Against Crime

Thirty years have passed since Seattle first participated in national Night Out festivities, and this year the event coincides with mayor Ed Murray's recent release of his citywide public safety plan (and his appointment, in May, of new police chief Kathleen O'Toole).

Night Out's purpose is to strengthen community bonds by bringing neighbors together at events in their communities. Blocks can band together to host events, with most areas eligible to block off the road for a block party-style evening at no cost.

Check out the event map to see the nearest location to meet neighbors you didn't know you had, or register your own.

Night Out Against Crime, Tue, August 5, multiple locations, free.

It's tough to learn without the proper supplies, and many Seattle families struggle to afford everything they'll need for the school year on limited budgets. 

Too busy to go shopping? Send some dollars to the organization behind this event, Communities In Schools Seattle, online any time. 

Who's Your Transit Hero?

While we at PubliCola are certainly interested in the answer to this question, we're not the ones asking. The Transportation Choices Coalition's annual event is coming up on September 11, and this year they're unveiling a new award: the People's Choice Transit Hero.

Have a say in who wins by voting online, and make sure the person or organization who you believe has done the most to improve Seattle's transportation system gets proper recognition.