Giant Water Slide, Proposed Taxes & More News

Slip n’ Slide: Mark your calendars–your summer is about to become waaaay more fun thanks to the folks at Slide the City. Seattle PI reports that the company is bringing its traveling 1,000 ft. water slide to Queen Anne on August 16 (!!!). The slide will be laid out on Mercer between 4th and Warren. Reservations are required to slide; organizers say you should book your spot ASAP so you don’t miss out on the fun. Read more here.

Proposed Gun Tax: Seattle legislators are pushing a tax on gun and ammunition sales, says The Seattle Times. City Council President Tim Burgess is proposing a $25 tax on every gun sold and five cents on every round of ammunition, imposed on gun sellers. The proposal would also require firearm owners to report lost or stolen guns to police; violators could face a fine of up to $500. Revenue from the proposed taxes would fund gun-violence-prevention research. Read the full story here.

Hazy Days: Been wondering why the city has been so hazy lately? MyNorthwest.com says thanks to unsual wind patterns, smoke from Canadian wildfires has been traveling south and hovering over parts of Western Washington. Be sure to keep your inhaler handy–the haze could get worse later in the summer.

Fever Pitch: NBC Sports says an 108-year-old woman will throw out the first pitch at the Mariners-Angels game this Saturday. Upon successful pitching, Evelyn Jones will become the oldest person to ever throw out the first pitch at a baseball game. Way to go, Evelyn! Get the full scoop here.

Housing Bloom: Bloomberg Business reports that our city’s tech boom is driving up housing prices. “Really? We had no idea,” said no Seattleite ever.