Coffee with Mayor Kartak
SNOHOMISH — Meet with Mayor John Kartak and ask him anything at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11 at the Starbucks at Snohomish Station (Bickford Avenue). The meet-up will be held outdoors near the fireplace. Wear a mask.
The Maltby Cafe is saved
MALTBY — A public fundraiser for the venerable Malty Cafe has kept its doors open when it was considering closing after 36 years.
The GoFundMe sprung last week raised more than $35,000. Others have donated checks by hand, including one donor who handed the owner $5,000. The risk of closure sent shockwaves on social media.
The cafe still pays employees health insurance and has rent payments for its spot near the corner of Maltby Road and Yew Way. It is doing take-out only.
In related news: Everett’s Bayside Bikes (2707 Colby Ave.) reversed a decision to close. The bike shop is now open limited hours Fridays and Saturdays. Bayside’s owner said his business was impacted by the national bicycle shortage caused by supply chain disruptions and production delays related to the coronavirus.
Monroe arcade Let’s Play Cafe, which got limited to just retail sales by the coronavirus restrictions, is fundraising to cover property taxes and deferred rent payments.
Lake Tye Fields virtual groundbreaking
MONROE — A groundbreaking for the future, all-weather lighted athletic fields at Lake Tye Park will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10 on the city of Monroe’s Facebook page. The live video will be at https://fb.me/e/UvLG4gfM
State grants are helping pay for the project.
Downtown tax hearing Dec. 16
EVERETT — The city plans to continue a special tax to maintain and benefit downtown. The tax rates would stay the same.
The City Council will hold a public hearing Wednesday, Dec. 16 on continuing Everett’s “Business Improvement Area” (BIA) tax.
Its budget will be $520,000 for 2021. Most of the money is used for daily cleanups to clean graffiti and spray the sidewalks. It also will pay for maintaining the downtown flower program, a new expense this year.
Chat with council members
SNOHOMISH — City Council members Judith Kuleta and Felix Neals will be doing a public Q-and-A session at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17 via Zoom. The link is www.tinyurl.com/SnoCouncilZoom , or by phone, call 1-253-215-8782 and dial 856 7048 7418 when asked for the meeting ID.
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