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Keep Up to Date and In the Know – Reimagine Magnolia Beautification Project

We encourage all of our neighbors in Magnolia to stay up to date with the Reimagine Magnolia Village Beautification Project and its maintenance forever. It is easy to do by being on our list to receive monthly newsletters. Past newsletters can be accessed below:

To receive our monthly newsletters, please provide your name and your preferred email address by emailing Cheryl McQuiston at cheryl.aaml@gmail.com

Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram – we post on a regular basis. Stay up-to-date and discover what is happening in the Village.

Phases IV & V – what’s coming next in Magnolia Village beautification

November 2022. The final phases of Reimagine Magnolia Village project are awaiting permits from the city of Seattle. Phases IV and V will complete the beautification of Magnolia Village. Thanks to our generous donors, we are within sites of transforming all of Magnolia Village into a warm, welcoming streetscape.

The scope of Phase IV will include two new benches on 33rd Ave between W. Wheeler Street to W. McGraw Street. The two new benches will face each other and placed in front of the entrance to the “Starbucks” office building, directly across from Serendipity. Phase IV will also include a new parklet along the Uptown Espresso building on 33rd Ave. W, between W. Lynn Steet and W. McGraw Street. The parklet will include new trees protected by pourous pavement, flower poles, benches, and table with chairs with red umbrellas.

The scope of Phase V will include streetscape improvements on 32nd Ave from W. Lynn Street to W. Smith Street. There will be a new conversation area that includes three benches in front of Mindspring as well as new flower poles on both sides of 32nd Ave W. Several trees along 32nd from W. McGraw Street to W. Smith Street will be protected by pourous pavement. And, sidewalks will be replaced and made much safer by the city of Seattle and its “sidewalk fund.”

Seattle Department of Neighborhood Matching Grant awarded to Reimagine Magnolia Village project Phases II & III

June 2021. On Tuesday, June 1st, the city of Seattle announced that the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce received a $44,000 Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) grant.

The NMF grant was awarded based on the merits of Phase II & III of the Magnolia Village Beautification Project and its consistency with the city’s Department of Neighborhood’s founding principle that city and community partnerships strengthen Seattle.

With the announcement of the matching grant, the beautification project receives further endorsement by the city of Seattle. The city has not only reviewed, evaluated, approved and permitted Phase I-III of the beautification project, it is continuing to invest in its success.

The members of the Magnolia Beautification Committee will continue to work closely with the city in the weeks ahead to ensure that Phase II & III stay in full compliance with both the permits and the latest grant.

Reimagine Magnolia Village project Phase II & III fundraising campaign in the QA/Magnolia News

May 2021. The QA/Magnolia News did a great front page, above-the-fold story on the “I’m All In, Are YOU?” campaign to complete Phases II & III of the Reimagine Magnolia Village Project.

Current Magnolia Chamber of Commerce President Daniela Eng is featured in the article due to her family’s generous donation of a bench in honor of her mother, Señora Lorena Muñoz-Lipscomb, a popular Spanish teacher in Magnolia for a number of years before her untimely passing. The article also highlights that donors between May 1 and June 5th can double the impact of their gifts due to two generous donors who will match all gifts up to $40,000.

Cheryl McQuiston, the Reimagine Magnolia Village project chairwoman used the interview opportunity to thank and praise the volunteers who joined together in early May to clean the red umbrellas, tables and chairs on West McGraw between 32nd and 33rd, aided by Lawnkeepers Landscape Company, which donated power washing services. She also thanked the staff at Magnolia Garden Center who donated all the flower baskets and installed the flowers as well as Gardening Gaga who has volunteered to water the newly planted trees.

We are getting close to the end of the “I’m All In, Are YOU” campaign, but we have not raised all of the needed funds to add the bistro tables, chairs, and umbrellas as well as implement all of the needed maintenance activities. Please donate today and let’s finish what we started.

Double your gift by June 5th. Let’s complete Phases II & III and ensure tables, chairs, and umbrellas

May 2021. The Reimagine Magnolia Village project is delighted to share that two donors have offered to match any future donations up to $20,000. Their generosity is all in the effort to complete Phases II & III of the beautification project. We are so close.

With your gift (that will be doubled if donated on or before June 5th), you will ensure new tables, chairs, red umbrellas, and maintenance activities are purchased, installed, and completed on West McGraw Street between 33rd and 35th Avenue West.

We are very hopeful that the “I’m All In, Are YOU” fundraising campaign is going to get us over the finish line and we can complete the streetscape improvements.

If you have been in the Village, you have seen what donors have already accomplished. Together, we have improved sidewalk safety over three blocks. New poles are up and trees planted, the benches have been refurbished and installed, and stunning flower baskets and inspirational banners have been hung.

All we need now is your support and we can purchase the very popular tables, chairs, and umbrellas.

When we kicked off our fundraising efforts back in October 2019, we used the phrase “Let’s get it started.” Today, we ask you to be all in to finish Phases II & III by doubling your donation if you give on or before June 5th.

Please share this time sensitive and lucrative matching donation offer with all your neighbors and friends. Let’s complete Phases II & III of the Reimagine Magnolia Village project and double your generous gift.

Donate here.

Reimagine Magnolia Village project, Version 2.0 – Phases II & III are underway

April 2021. If you have been in Magnolia Village since Monday, March 29th, you have seen lots of activity this week. Thanks to our amazing donors, we have been able to launch construction on Phases II & III of the Reimagine Magnolia Village project. Work includes preparation for new plantings, application of Porous Pave around existing tree wells, and the necessary groundwork for the installation of decorative poles. We still have more dollars to raise to complete Phases II & III, which includes streetscape improvements along West McGraw Street from 33rd to 35th Avenues West. Please consider donating today so we can continue to beautify Magnolia Village.

Whole lot of love in Magnolia – Love Match Fundraising Drive a HUGE success

March 2021. The Queen Anne-Magnolia News reported the great success of the February Love Match Fundraising Campaign. Due to the generosity and creativity of a major donor, the $25,000 gift was not only was matched 1:1, the community surpassed the goal and raised $40,000. The dollars will go to support expansion of the Reimagine Magnolia Village project AND the donor has agreed to match all $40,000 that have been invested to improve Magnolia Village!

With the successful February fundraising drive, preliminary work will begin on Phase II and III of improvements along McGraw West between 33rd and 35th Avenues West. In the delightful serendipity department, the expansion work will begin on March 15th: Almost a year to the day that the first decorative poles in Phase I were up and ready for flowering baskets. Anticipate workers will be in the Village, readying the ground for new post installations, redoing cement and preparing areas around tree wells.

To learn more about the excitement of the fundraising drive and what’s next in Phases II & III of Reimagine Magnolia Village, click here.

Chair Cheryl McQuiston named Person of the Year

February 2021. The Magnolia Chamber of Commerce recently named Reimagine Magnolia Village project chairperson Cheryl McQuiston as Person of the Year. The Chamber also named Modele’s as Business of the Year for 2020. Citing her amazing energy, talents, and commitment to improving Magnolia Village, the virtual ceremony held on February 23rd was a great opportunity to celebrate Cheryl’s leadership and remarkable beautification accomplishments on behalf of the Magnolia community. To read more about the honoring of Cheryl and Modele’s, click here.

Reimagine Magnolia Village Love Match Fundraising Campaign in the news – MUST read

February 2021. The Queen Anne-Magnolia News featured an article on the Love Match Fundraising Campaign. Read about how you can double – that’s right – double your gift to Magnolia Better Together, our new 501(c)3 non-profit, to help fund the expansion of the Magnolia Village beautification project. Donate by February 28th and a very generous donor will double your gift up to $25,000. Read the QA-Mag News article.

Double Your Gift – Magnolia Love Match Fundraising Campaign

January 2021. AMAZING Valentine’s Day Gift to Support Magnolia Better Together/Reimagine Magnolia Village

The Reimagine Magnolia Village project has an immensely generous anonymous donor who has offered to match any future donations up to $25,000. The donor has one request: For those excited to double their gift through this amazing match, donations must happen during the month February. Now is the time to celebrate the month of love, hearts and flowers. Show your love by making a Magnolia Love Match gift in February to double your support expanding streetscape improvements to McGraw Street West between 33^rd and 35^th Avenue West.

The Magnolia Love Match fundraising campaign is perfect timing. Residents, friends, and family have even more incentive to pull together and make our neighborhood a great place to work, live, and thrive. This fantastic chance to double your investment in the Village is exactly what our beautification project is all about. Together, we help support improving sidewalk safety and adding more amenities like tables, chairs, umbrellas, refurbished benches and new decorative poles festooned with stunning flower baskets and inspirational banners. The community has already demonstrated its enormous heart in Phase I of the Reimagine Magnolia Village project. With your Magnolia Love Match gift in February – that will DOUBLE your investment due to our generous donor – we will be well on our way to raising the needed funds to launch Phases II and III. What an incredible and indelible Valentine’s Day special!

Our donor has specified a deadline of February 28^th for the Magnolia Love Match campaign. If we all pitch in and double our gifts, we can raise the $25,000 and be well on our way to reaching the $305,000 goal for Phases II and III.

We are truly humbled by this offer from one of our wonderful Magnolia neighbors. The donor is not only a longtime resident, but also a huge supporter of making a difference for all of us who love our Magnolia community. The donor is excited to encourage and incentivize even more donors to support Phases II and III of the project.

Another bonus. Please remember that every donation to the project is now tax deductible due to our new nonprofit, Magnolia Better Together. All the dollars raised in the Magnolia Love Match campaign go directly towards making our Magnolia Village the best it can be for providing the outdoor dining and social gathering experiences that support our vibrant small business community. The Reimagine Magnolia Village project and Magnolia Love Match campaign have one goal in mind. Creating a community-based atmosphere in the Village that we can all be proud of while attracting neighbors, friends, and visitors to shop, dine, and relax.

Please share this time sensitive, yet lucrative matching donation offer with all your neighbors and friends. Show your love, engage in the Magnolia Love Match fundraising campaign by February 28th, and double your generous gift.

Donate here. Double your gift today.

Giving to Reimagine Magnolia Village Beautification Project – new nonprofit, Magnolia Better Together. Details in a nutshell

November 2020. With the announcement of the new nonprofit status for Magnolia Better Together, your gifts to support the Reimagine Magnolia Village project are now tax deductible. For those who are looking forward to charity gift giving before the end of this calendar year or to receive a corporate match, here are some helpful details for donors:

Checks should be made out to Magnolia Better Together – MBC. Address is 3213 W Wheeler St #51 Seattle, WA 98199

For federal tax purposes: Magnolia Better Together’s EIN: 84-4570007

Magnolia Better Together is incorporated in the state of Washington. Details can be found on the Washington’s Secretary of State’s office.

New Nonprofit: Magnolia Better Together

November 2020. Magnolia Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the new nonprofit status for Magnolia Better Together. The timing could not be better. With Governor Jay Inslee’s announcement on Nov. 15th requiring new COVID response measures, Magnolia Better Together will support ongoing streetscape improvements in Magnolia Village. The efforts provide a welcomed chance for Magnolia Village neighbors and visitors to purchase take-out meals from local hospitality entrepreneurs – and enjoy outside on the sidewalks and at a safe distance. Below is the press release that went out the morning of Nov. 16, 2020, announcing the impact of the new profit and what it means for donors to the Reimagine Magnolia Project.

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2020

New Non-Profit to Support Seattle’s Magnolia Neighborhood – Magnolia Better Together

The Magnolia Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the formation of Magnolia Better Together, which has been officially designated as a nonprofit with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Magnolia Better Together is now eligible to apply for foundation and government grants, which will further broaden its access to resources to support efforts like the Reimagine Magnolia Village project. Donations to Phases II and III of the project are now tax deductible, including for the remainder of this calendar year if donations are made before December 31st.

“The news of Magnolia Better Together obtaining 501(c)(3) status gives the Reimagine Magnolia Village project a real boost,” said Cheryl McQuiston, chairperson of the Magnolia Beautification Committee, a part of the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce. “We see residents and businesses alike enjoying the streetscape improvements already in place. As we fundraise for Phases II and III, it is an incentive for more donors to invest in the project and know their donations are now tax deductible.”

“The granting of a nonprofit status to Magnolia Better Together is a major milestone for our community,” said Jason Thibeaux, Executive Director of the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited to make it easier for donors to support ongoing beautification efforts in Magnolia Village as well as a number of community events.”

“It’s been a pleasure to work with so many volunteers who collaborated to form Magnolia Better Together” said Pat Craft, President of the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce. “We’re looking forward to how the new non-profit will help grow donations for community development projects and events. It’s always a big win for us to support donors who are supporting the place we call home.”

In addition to donations being tax deductible for projects like Reimagine Magnolia Village, donors to Magnolia Better Together will also be able to seek matching funds from corporations who participate in employee matching in support of non-profits.

“The opportunity for many of our donors to double their gift through employee matching programs is one of the benefits of Magnolia Better Together achieving 501(c)3 status,” said McQuiston. Gift matching increases the initial gift by the donor, leading to even more support for Phases II and III of the beautification project. By requesting a donation match from your company, more people will know about the vibrancy of the Village.”

Magnolia Better Together will also fundraise in support of a new Magnolia Chamber Excellence Fund. Tax deductible donations will support events like ArtWalk, Halloween in the Village, and Winterfest.

Magnolia Better Together is a grassroots charitable non-profit organization that supports community development projects to enhance neighborhood revitalization and improve Magnolia’s quality of life. Incorporated in July 2020, the new organization, is managed by a five-person board of directors.

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Contacts:
Jason Thibeaux, Executive Director, Magnolia Chamber of Commerce 206-618-1589
Joan Enticknap, President, Magnolia Better Together, 206-713-5226
Cheryl McQuiston, Chairperson, Magnolia Beautification Committee, 206-390-8698

What a banner weekend

October 2020. The Reimagine Magnolia Village project had another milestone on October 16-17. Intrepid members of the Magnolia Beautification Committee donned vests, climbed ladders (carefully, of course!), and fastened new apparatus on the decorative poles now dotting the Magnolia Village. The piece de resistance was the placement of beautiful new banners celebrating the autumn season. Embrace this fall by enjoying the new streetscape improvements and if you like what you see, please donate and expand this new look and feel on McGraw Street from 33rd to 35th Avenues. Cheers to Lisa Page for her ongoing creative graphic art talents in support of Magnolia beautification. And, nothing but thanksgiving to our neighbors for supporting Reimagine Magnolia Village. (Pictured below, left to right: Joan Enticknap, Cheryl McQuiston, and on the ladder, Don Gillmore and Will Bailey)

Meet the Magnolia Beautification Committee

Your neighbors and friends are hard at work, continuing to work side by side with donors and supporters to beautify Magnolia Village. The all volunteer Magnolia Beautification Committee – or MBC – first joined together in 2018. The MBC meets at least twice a month and volunteer lots of time, talent and dollars to the Reimagine Magnolia Village project. Led by Cheryl McQuiston, the chair of the committee, the MBC is now actively working on fundraising for Phases II & III. They also continue to implement many of the installations and streetscape improvements. Cheers to hardworking volunteers and our generous donors who help make our Village a great place to visit, shop, and dine. (MBC members, from left to right: Pat Craft, Will Bailey, Don Gillmore, Cheryl McQuiston, Courean Napolitano, Jim Napolitano, Joan Enticknap, Ann Goos, and Jason Thibeaux)

Phases II & III of Reimagine Magnolia Village Project fundraising is in full tilt boogie

September 2020. Our donors are amazing. As fundraising continues for Phase II & III, donors are appreciating how the streetscape improvements of Phase I have been instrumental in supporting our local small businesses during the global pandemic. The installation of the decorative poles in mid-March literally happened – almost to the day – just as the city, state, and nation started shutting down due to the COVID-19 virus. Throughout the Spring of 2020, Phase I of the beautification project continued due to the generosity of donors like many of you. By June, the Magnolia Village sidewalks became an incredibly inviting place to enjoy the unique ambiance of the Village.

What our donors couldn’t have known was how vitally important the outdoor tables and new benches would be to our local merchants and the neighborhood. The streetscape improvements along McGraw, between 32^nd and 33^rd Avenues provided a welcomed chance for Magnolia’s small businesses and shoppers/diners alike to safely enjoy the Village during a time when restaurants needed outdoor dining options and customers required outdoor spacing.

The Reimagine Magnolia Village project is now actively fundraising for Phases II and III to expand the streetscape improvements from 33^rd to 35^th Avenues along McGraw. Your donation ensures that more of the Village’s restaurants, coffee shops and other small businesses enjoy the same streetscape improvements as Phase I. The result? Even more opportunities for folks to gather outside, dine, and enjoy each other at a safe distance, in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

NOW is the time to invest in Phases II and III beautification. If 10,000 families donated $30 each, we will raise enough dollars to purchase and install more beautification updates and create a beautiful, warm, and safe Magnolia Village. We will not only support our local merchants, but also enjoy more outdoor dining and do our part to keep each other healthy!

Watch this video of Magnolia Beautification Committee’s Chair, Cheryl McQuiston. You’ll be inspired to give and give again.

You’ll look good and do good – support Phases II & III of Reimagine Magnolia Village Project. Thank you, Vixen Collection

September 2020. Have you purchased your Magnolia tote bags at Vixen Collection? The beautiful, sturdy totes come in two sizes and a portion of the proceeds is donated to Phases II & III of the Reimagine Magnolia Village project. The purchase of the attractive and useful tote not only supports expanding the beautification of Magnolia Village, it supports fair trade wages, profit dividends, and a retirement fund for the Bangladesh mothers who make the bags. Win-win-win. Support Vixen Collection, Phases II and III of the Reimagine Magnolia Village project, and the Bangladesh Project of Apolis-Global Village. Learn more here.

The Magnolia Collection – purchase these exclusive products at Modele’s

August 2020. Thanks to Modele’s, Magnolia Village’s beautiful consignment furniture, accessories, and gift store, the Reimagine Magnolia Village project has a great way to raise money AND Magnolians have a great gift giving option. Owner Deb Bluestein worked with a local Seattle artist, Toni Santos of Baby Buddha Studio to create original art and decorative, high quality products featuring a charming depiction of Magnolia Village that highlights the new bistro tables and hanging flower baskets. The Magnolia Collection features a paperweight, postcards, framed and unframed prints, and notecards with envelopes.

Modele’s is exclusively selling the Magnolia Collection: No other store is selling this unique set of gifts and keepsakes. Profits of the products go to the Reimagine Magnolia Village project, including Phases II and III. The one-of-a-kind, Magnolia Collection commemoratives are already flying out the door and Modele’s will carry the collection forever. Smart and savvy Magnolians should hurry down to purchase one, several, or all of the products because your friends, family, and neighbors – and you – will cherish this special collection. And, with your purchase, you are also donating to the Reimagine Magnolia Village project, which is a gift that keeps on giving back by improving our neighborhood’s quality of life.

Kudos and deep appreciation to Deb and Modele’s for supporting the Reimagine Magnolia Village project, local artists like Toni, and the creation of this distinctive and matchless Magnolia Collection!

New Poles Installed – waiting for beautiful cascading flower baskets

March 2020. Excitement reigns, happy face prevail! On March 13th, Phase I of the Reimagine Magnolia Project celebrated the installation of 10 new poles on McGraw, between 32nd and 33rd Avenues in Magnolia Village. Due to the amazing generosity of our donors, and the support of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, the project is on track. Pictured during the ribbon cutting include MBC Chair Cheryl McQuiston, MCC President Pat Craft, Joan Enticknap, Courean Napolitano, Jim Napolitano, Will Bailey, Don Gillmore, and MCC Executive Director Jason Thibeaux. Not pictured, Chuck Flaherty, Ann Goos

Flowers and tables and chairs, oh my!

May 2020. The Reimagine Magnolia project celebrated Spring in the best possible way. Phase 1 of the long-anticipated beautification project is almost completed and the heart of the Magnolia Village has never looked more welcoming. Visitors and neighbors alike are enjoying the new flowering baskets that are bringing blossoming beauty to those shopping, doing errands and conducting business, and dining in the Village. And, the new bistro tables and comfortable chairs are being installed along the sidewalks on both sides of McGraw Street between 32nd and 33rd Avenues. The newly refurbished benches are also placed in new, more conversational locations. The results? A new and improved streetscape that invites shopping, dining outside, and lingering conversations while bringing people together to enjoy a bucolic village atmosphere. A big thank you to all of our Phase 1 donors. You are amazing and have improved the place we love to call home: Magnolia.