After almost a year of uncertainty, followed by fundraising for the July 4th fireworks at Gas Works Park, event organizer One Reel today announced the $500,000 goal has been reached and Family 4th fireworks show and celebration will go on.

Interesting note: It wasn’t a Northwest company or person who got One Reel to the goal; instead support bubbled up from Coca-Cola Refreshments – Northwest Region, based in Bellevue. Other supporters include Microsoft, Starbucks, Nordstrom, Talking Rain, BECU, Charlie’s Produce, Merrill Gardens, Taco Time and Smith Brothers Farms.

From the press release:

“Fundraising for the 2011 event began in July of last year, and contributions have come from supporters throughout our region, all with inspiring stories and memories of this Northwest family tradition,” says One Reel Executive Director, Jon Stone. “With true appreciation for the partnership and dedication of the Greater Seattle Chamber, we are glad to put this year’s budget to bed, and look forward to putting on one heck of an Independence Day party for Seattle.”

Family 4th at Lake Union starts at noon at Gas Works Park (2101 N. Northlake Way) on Monday, July 4. The fireworks show begins at 10 p.m. See all our 2010 fireworks coverage here.

The Starbucks annual shareholders meeting is taking place at Seattle Center tomorrow, Wednesday, March 23. SDOT has released a notice to residents and drivers in the area warning them of the possibility of heavier traffic than normal due to this event, which will bring 2,500 shareholders to McCaw Hall. From SDOT:

Attendees are expected to begin arriving when the doors open at 8 a.m.  The meeting starts at 10 a.m. and should wrap up around 12 noon. The Seattle Department of Transportation advises motorists to plan ahead to avoid delays.

The Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce‘s Roast Toasty Holiday Celebration is happening today, Friday, December 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Counterbalance Park, located at the corner of Queen Anne Ave. N. and Roy Street.

The free event, sponsored by Vulcan Inc., is a chance for community members to meet, mingle, and gather around the warmth of a holiday bonfire. There will be s’mores, cookies, hot chocolate, hot apple cider and coffee, generously donated by Starbucks and Metropolitan Market. There will also be musical entertainment by Paul Fedorowicz.

As a follow-up to last week’s “We Love You Fridays” Mariners ticket giveaway, Starbucks is giving customers who stop by their neighborhood Starbucks after 2 p.m. today, Friday, May 28 a free ticket to the 36th Seattle International Film Festival.

Both the Upper and Lower Queen Anne Starbucks locations are participating in the event. Though there is no purchase necessary, according to Starbucks, there will only be about 100 vouchers at every participating store, so try to get there early!

Seattle’s beloved SIFF opened last week and will showcase 382 films from 67 countries between now and June 13. The Starbucks voucher is only redeemable for select films, but there are still plenty of options.

Starbucks vouchers in the coming weeks: On June 4 its a voucher for a free weekday admission at the Seattle Art Museum. On June 11, you’ll get free weekday admission for one child at the Seattle Aquarium.  And on June 18, you’ll get free admission to selects shows of the new Broadway production of “Burn the Floor” at The Paramount. Details here.

For the next few weeks Starbucks will be showing its gratitude to Seattle for being home to and helping create its global coffee culture, by giving away free tickets to special events at participating Starbucks around town after 2 p.m. every Friday from today, May 21 to June 18.

Both the Upper and Lower Queen Anne Starbucks locations are participating in the event. Though there is no purchase necessary, according to Starbucks, there will only be about 100 vouchers at every story per promotion, so get there quick!

Today they will be handing out vouchers for a free ticket to a Mariners game (valued at $20) redeemable at any of the following games: June 1 (vs Minnesota), July 6 (vs Kansas City), July 20 (vs Chicago), August 5 (vs Texas), August 10 (vs Oakland) or August 31 (vs LA).

On May 28, they’ll have vouchers to see one film at the Seattle International Film Festival (must be used by June 13). On June 4 its a voucher for a free weekday admission at the Seattle Art Museum. On June 11, you’ll get free weekday admission for one child at the Seattle Aquarium.  And on June 18, you’ll get free admission to selects shows of the new Broadway production of “Burn the Floor” at The Paramount. Details here.

Today may be tax day, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a bright side! A few businesses around town have offered special tax day deals to help ease the burden.

In Queen Anne:

• Get a free taco from Taco Del Mar. All you have to do is fill out the Free Taco 1099 Coupon and take it in to one of the two Queen Anne locations–12 Mercer St. and 1205 Dexter Ave N.–or any other around town.
• Bring in a reusable mug and get a free coffee at Starbucks all day today! The promotion is part of their corporate environmental campaign, The Big Picture: A Green Project. And the best part is, who doesn’t have a Starbucks in their neighborhood? (I know we do–at 2135 Queen Anne Avenue N, 1211 Dexter Ave, 305 Harrison St, 425 Queen Anne Ave N, plus kiosks at both the Upper and Lower QA Safeways and the Uptown QFC).

Around town:

• Get discounts and freebies at Cinnabon, P.F. Changs, McCormick and Schmick’s and more! Check out Monica Guzman’s report on the PI Big Blog for details.

Know of any tax day deals happening in Queen Anne or citywide? Email us at tips@queenanneview.com or comment below to share!

Ever since One Reel announced that it would have to cancel the Lake Union 4th of July fireworks show due to the lack of corporate sponsorship on Wednesday, the city has banded together to save the only remaining Independence Day fireworks in Seattle.

Seattle restaurateur Tom Douglas announced on 97.3 KIRO FM’s Dave Ross Show yesterday that he would donate $5,000 toward the effort, kicking off a rush of pledges from businesses and individuals to raise the necessary $500,000 for the fireworks.

According to MyNorthwest reports, Starbucks and Microsoft, both homegrown right here in the Seattle Metropolitan area, announced that they would pitch $125,000 each for a total of $250,000–or half of the funds needed–if Seattle businesses and community members were able to raise the remaining $250,000. And this morning the running total of pledges reached the $500,000 mark! Congrats Seattle! The fireworks have been saved!

(Full disclosure: Next Door Media, which powers QueenAnneView.com, has donated to this fund.)

It’s free pastry day at Starbucks. Bring in your coupon (good when you order a drink) until 10:30 a.m. and get a free pastry. Perhaps you’ll power up with the Apple Fritter, which has a respectable 5 grams of protein (OK, OK, it also admittedly has some other stuff, namely 420 calories, 20 grams of fat and 59 carbs).

Not too worry, though, you can head to Green Lake and work it off. Oh, and when you’re done walking, stop by 7900 E. Green Lake Drive N., Suite 104. It’s Ben & Jerry’s annual free cone day from noon until 8 p.m.