This email (which may or may not be related to the incident) was sent to MV at 6:03pm:

There are currently six cop cars on 31st Ave W, just south of Dravus. Only two officers are in a car and they said they are checking the premises (or perimeter ?) for the block, but wouldn’t comment further.

It’s not often that cashiers are able to take the time to really help a customer, though the folks at ACE Hardware have never failed to help me when I needed it.

Today a young lady (whose name I didn’t catch) helped me get a small flashlight back in action. She was willing to spend the time to clean all contact points, test and retest the light bulb, and bring my flashlight back to life!

Yes, I could have bought a new one, but I’m old enough to remember that we actually fixed things when they stopped working.

It gives me hope that our next generation will be more careful and not only recycle and reuse but also REPAIR!

Many many thanks for all the help! And thanks for being a great example for your generation – from someone nearly old enough to be your grandmother!

There are no signs that the current trends of low inventory, rising prices, short sales times and multiple offers will be abating anytime soon.

For Queen Anne and Magnolia there continues to be only about a 1 to 2 month supply of single-family home inventory. This tight inventory can be attributed to continued low interest rates, robust Puget Sound area hiring and a generally improved economy including significant gains in the stock market. Whether the market will become more “balanced” (defined as a 3-6 month supply of homes) will hinge on many more listings hitting the market over the coming months.

Of Queen Anne and Magnolia homes closed in April the average sale price was a little over 102% of the most recent list price.  This indicates continued multiple offer situations.

Prospective buyers also should think in terms of at least a minimum of 3-5+ year home ownership horizon and preferably maintain the option to hold onto their home through future downturns in the market. Home seller costs (excise tax, title/escrow fees, sale commissions) of approximately 9% of the sales price should also be factored into any decision to purchase.

Click here for more stats on other Seattle neighborhoods. John Madrid is a Managing Broker with John L. Scott Real Estate – University Village and is a 2005-2012 Seattle Magazine “Five Star” Agent. His clients include both home buyers and sellers. He can be reached at 206-498-1880, john@live206.com or www.live206.com.

Statistics are deemed reliable but are not guaranteed.  All information should be verified to the users own satisfaction.

My wife’s Saturn was (a) smash and grab victim last night. It appears they were after her gym bag which was on her front seat. She has always kept it in her car but I guess we will have to think twice about doing this now. Car was parked in our parking spot under Casa Ladaro Apts. on 27th Pl W.

My black and yellow Honda motorcycle, a 2003 CBR600RR, was stolen from my Magnolia carport … I called the police as soon as I found out it was missing but I am trying to get word out particularly as it was probably a local…it is my only mode of transportation (and) could use all the help I can get.

-License plate # 981185, tabs exp 5/13

-It has a white dragon decal on the windscreen

-White “CrossFit Interbay” stickers on each of the silver lower side plastics

- The yellow fairings (plastic side pieces) are held together w/ black zip ties

- It’s been lowered about 1 1/4 so the bottom middle of the license plate is bent back a bit.

- Note: this picture is pre-zip ties.

I’m advertising a $100 reward for any tips that lead to it’s recovery.

Thanks again for your

I wouldn’t be surprised if they painted it since yellow is a unique color and is easy to spot. The police also told me to let people know if they have a tip to call the non emergency police line which is 206.625.5011 opt 2,8.

• Should there be more industry or multi-family housing?
• How about commercial and retail?
• Can existing businesses survive as this corridor grows?
• Is it shortsighted to shrink existing industrial zones?
• Can traffic congestion on Dravus be alleviated?

Photo from Tacoma News Tribune

We were thrilled to learn that Magnolia’s own Bill Condon won the Tacoma Marathon last weekend.  He was kind enough to do an interview over email with Magnolia Voice. Here’s what we talked about:

MV: Congrats on your amazing finish in the Tacoma Marathon!  What can you tell us about the race?

BC: The race was on Sunday and had about 2,000 runners.  It was a great course with lots of supporters.  I was running in 3^rd the majority of the race and passed the guy in 2^nd at mile 18 and was able to catch the guy that was running in first at mile 24.  That guy had won the past 6 Tacoma marathons.  He finished about 2 minutes and 30 seconds behind me.  I finished in 2 hours and 43 minutes which is my 2^nd best time.  My PR is 2:39.

MV: Where do you train?

BC: I mainly train in Magnolia.  Magnolia is a great place to run because of all the hills.  I run pretty much all over Magnolia (Blvd, Discovery Park, Viewmont, 28^th, Government Way, Thorndyke, and the Interbay area as well). I have a routine depending on how far I am going that day.  I usually run about 70 miles a week.

MV: How many marathons have you run?

BC: 11 ( I started running marathons in late 2010).

MV: How many have you won?

BC: I have won some half marathons but this is my first win for the full marathon.  I finished 3^rd in the Coeur d’alene marathon, 4^th in the Seattle marathon, 5^th in the Denver marathon.

Condon was at the Boston Marathon earlier this Spring:

BC: I was in Boston with my dad and 5 year old son.  We were having lunch when the explosions happened. We were staying at the Fairmont hotel which was about 2 blocks from the explosions.  When we walked back from lunch to the hotel, it was a very sad and chaotic environment.  We will definitely be back next year and I will run in the marathon again and we will be there to support that great city.  Boston is a resilient city and I know that next year will most likely be the biggest year ever for Boston marathon supporters.  I ran the Boston marathon in 2011 and had a great experience.  This year I was injured going into the race and ended up having to pull out of the race at mile 12 due to my calf.  I was worried about running Tacoma so soon after being hurt in Boston but I started slower than normal for Tacoma and was able to close strong.  I was thinking about all of those people affected by the horrific attack in Boston and that was great motivation for me in Tacoma.  Boston did not deserve that nor did those innocent people that were caught up in that terrible tragedy.

MV: Any other thoughts you want to add would be great…

BC: Playing football, basketball, and baseball growing up  I used to think people that ran long distances were a  little crazy but then I started running and became a huge fan. I think that people can get caught up in how fast they are running and they shouldn’t pay attention to that, the key is to get out and challenge yourself and just do the best job that you can do.  There is always someone that will be faster than you.  There is a great feeling when you train for a race and cross the finish line.

MV: Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions, and congrats again on your huge accomplishment!

To register, follow this link  and click on the registration form at the bottom left corner of the page.  The registration form/waiver is required in order for your student to participate.

If you have any questions or would like assistance with registration, contact Laura at quandt4@comcast.net.

Seattle Parks and Recreation will join Citizens for Off-Leash Areas (COLA) for a general membership meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8 in the Park Board Room, 100 Dexter Ave. N.

Parks and the COLA Board of Directors will celebrate the openings of two new off-leash areas at Magnolia Manor Park in Magnolia and at Lower Kinnear Park in Queen Anne. They will also share important updates and upcoming events and hold a round table discussion.

Topics will include events, fundraisers, marketing, education, volunteers, partnerships, newsletters, and more.

The public is invited to come and learn about the benefits of COLA membership and to join. Member dues help improve existing off-leash areas and communicate with supporters. Donations support the newsletter, postage, printing, phone line and educational brochures and materials.

Citizens for Off-Leash Areas (COLA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was formed to obtain and maintain off-leash dog exercise areas in Seattle. For more information on COLA, please go to www.coladog.org.

Note: Please leave doggies at home!

There is construction on W Galer street this weekend, causing a detour (just before you enter the Magnolia bridge from Magnolia).  Please drive carefully.  It should be done before Monday’s commute!

Per Metro

On Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5, 7:00 AM through 6:00 PM each day, Routes 24 and 33 will be rerouted off of 28th Av W between W Hayes St & W Galer St, due to construction. During this time, bus routes 24 and 33 heading toward downtown Seattle, will travel instead via W Hayes St, Thorndyke Av W and W Galer St to their regular routes, using all posted bus stops along the revised routing. Bus routes heading toward Magnolia will not be affected.

We have had two break ins over the last couple of weeks. Two weeks or so back one house had been ransacked while the owner was at work.

Last night a blonde girl in her late twenties early thirties knocked on our door asking for someone we had never heard of, then went next door and asked to use the phone the next house was nobody home and was broken into.

The perfect night to break in to home the police are busy downtown with protesters and unable to respond to a home robbery.

Lawton Elementary Teacher Lyon Terry writes

Although our walking school busses run throughout the year, for the month of May we always try and put a big push out to get people on the routes! Staff and teachers will join kids on these days.

 For more information, contact NW Seattle Drug-Free Communities Coalition.

UW News Lab

The Seattle Animal Shelter welcomed members of the public to its monthly “Cool City Pets” events Saturday, April 20, where visitors could get acquainted with many of the small animals available for adoption.

“Cool City Pets” or “critters” included hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, snakes and even a turtle named Amanda; all animals perfect for apartments and inner-city homes where dogs and cats might not be a viable option. Visitors were able to view and handle animals in a safe, enclosed environment.

The shelter also offers a pet loss support group. It has met every Thursday since one volunteer lost her pet in 2007 and realized that an outlet for people to openly express their grief could be beneficial.

The organization boasts around 400 volunteers and 32 full-time staff.

Sis Odland, a Seattle local, had heard about “Cool City Pets” and went to check out the event. She acknowledges the all-round great work the shelter and its staff does.

“Without [the volunteers] these animals wouldn’t have a home. … They’re all really amazing people.”

Critter Team Lead Killy Keefe has volunteered at the shelter for five years and considers herself a full-time adoptive parent outside the shelter also.

“My life revolves around this place,” she said. “I’m here every day. It’s an addiction.”

The staff’s hard work does not go unrewarded. For every animal they find adoptive parents for, the return rate is a mere 4 to 5 percent, arguably a result of the lengthy adoption process (which includes two interviews) to make sure prospective parents are a proper match for a given animal.

Mavis is a 7-month-old pit bull who came in terribly malnourished after receiving insufficient care as a puppy. She is now “super snuggly and cute,” according to Kara Main-Hester, who has been the volunteer and fundraising manager at the shelter for four and a half years. Even so, she remained in a small percentage that didn’t find the perfect match for adoptive parents.

This is one of the many unfortunate situations the staff has to deal with.

While standing in the doorway of the “critters room,” a dog was led by whose food allergies had gone untreated before being admitted to the shelter. He had been shaved of most of his fur, revealing a red, inflamed rash.

When it comes to animal abuse and seeing distressing cases, “It’s always hard to get your head around,” Main-Hester said. But she insists that “It’s a great place to work. … If I ever have a stressful day and need a break, I come and have a cuddle with a dog.”

As sad as a story might begin, ultimately the animals end up happy, healthy and waiting for love.

Main-Hester weighs in on making the decision to adopt a pet. “Think carefully about your current lifestyle. … Ask yourself what you are willing to do. … Be horribly honest with yourself.”

If you decide to adopt an animal, you’re not just making their day but that of the shelter staff, too.

“Any time you have an animal that finds a home it’s a good deal,” Hester said. “It’s just the right thing to do.”

——————————————————————————————–

(RUTH WHYMAN is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.)

Over 60 pieces of art done by last year’s fifth grade classes of Ms.Ulmer and Mr. Hubbard, under the direction of Don Rockwell, Seattle Mural Artist and classroom volunteers LuAnn Mitchell and Monica Wooton were hung on a the north fence along a walking path at Magnolia Manor Park this past week. Bees, birds and butterflies and other park themed work adds an artistic touch and a fun aspect to the Park. The fifth graders raised money to get the artwork hung as well as did there own pieces. Plan a visit to the park, let your dog play in the new off leash area or walk around to the brand new P-Patch and for sure, take the art walk!

Photo by K. Kennell

The final Sunday of the month is upon us this weekend, which means Nikos Gyros, the Greek restaurant in The Village, serves Magnolia in a different way. In addition to their usual menu, Alexandra “Alex” Serpanos, the restaurant’s generous owner, dishes up brunch and gives 100% of receipts, including tips, to a community organization. The recipient for April is the Ballard Senior Center, which serves Magnolia, Queen Anne, and Ballard.

I’m writing … to let you know about a small cute black cat  who came at 1:30 am today. He or she has a white chest and white feet. It looks in impeccable condition, so I figure it’s not a stray cat. He may come back again if he’s still lost and needs food. The owner can call me at 206-422-8445.

Thanks,
Olivia

It’s here – the Mercer West Phase begins today, April 22nd, and here’s the roundup of what you need to know about traffic, lane restrictions, and Metro routes during this phase of construction. Some of these impacts are short-term, but some will last the duration of the Mercer West Phase through the summer of 2015.

Per SDOT: “Travelers can expect significant traffic and delays and should plan ahead and use alternate routes when possible.”

Lane Restrictions – SR 99/Aurora Starting Monday, April 22, following the morning commute, crews will begin reducing SR 99 to two lanes in each direction between Aloha and Harrison streets to accommodate rebuilding the SR99/Aurora overpass as part of the Mercer West Phase.

These lane restrictions will remain in effect throughout the West Phase of the Mercer Corridor Project (estimated completion: Summer 2015):

• Southbound SR 99 curb lane restricted between Aloha and Harrison
• Northbound SR 99 curb lane restricted between the Mercer Street exit and Roy St
• SR 99 sidewalks: west side sidewalk will be closed between Thomas St and Roy St and the east side sidewalk will be closed between Republican St and Roy St

Broad Street and 5th Ave N

• Broad Street off-ramp from southbound SR 99 will be closed from Monday, April 22 through the duration of Mercer West construction (summer 2015)
• Westbound Broad Street will be reduced to a single lane just south of Harrison Street beginning Monday, April 22 for approximately 3 weeks during the hours of 9am-4pm.
• Left lane restrictions on both northbound and southbound 5th Ave N between Republican and Harrison during the weekends of April 27-28 and May 4-5

Metro

• Metro bus stops on northbound Aurora at Thomas St and Mercer St, and southbound on Aurora at Mercer St will be closed from Monday, April 22 through the duration of Mercer West construction (summer 2015)

• Routes 5, 26 Ex, 28 Ex or 358 – Northbound on Aurora just south of Denny Way
• Route 16 – Northbound on 5th Av N just north of Republican St
• All routes – North of Mercer, northbound on Aurora just north of Prospect St
• During the above closures, board or exit southbound routes 5, 26 Express, 28 Express or 358 to downtown Seattle at one of these posted bus stops:
  • North of Mercer, southbound on Aurora just south of Prospect St
  • South of Mercer, southbound on Aurora just north of Denny Way
• Routes 5, 26 Ex, 28 Ex and 358 will remain on regular route
• Northbound 16 will be rerouted via Dexter Av N and Valley St to Aurora. Heading toward downtown route 16 will follow its regular route

To nominate a teacher, students 14 years of age or younger can visit any Puget Sound area Ivar’s or Kidd Valley location (excluding stadiums and Eastern Washington stores) to complete an official entry form, or go online to Ivar’s Teacher of the Year or to Kidd Valley Teacher of the Year. In addition to the entry form, students may also submit optional artwork or photo as “extra credit” that best represents their appreciation. All entries must be received by May 27, 2013. The official Teacher of the Year rules can be found on Ivar’s and Kidd Valley websites. In addition to the two Teacher of the Year grand prizes, the contest will also award four teachers a first prize of a $150 gift card for school supplies, and 30 teachers will receive second prize of a $25 Ivar’s or Kidd Valley gift card.

 

 

Good Morning,

I wanted to let you know that at least three apartments at Hillcrest 3555 27^th Place West have been burglarized during the day by someone with a key to each of the units.  Most of my gold and silver jewelry was stolen, a new GPS, three hand bags and several other items.  I seem to discover a new item missing each day.  I wanted to post a warning to other residents.  I wish to remain anonymous so that the owners do not retaliate against me.

Thanks for the email! Stay safe!

is this news worthy?

happens everyday!!!…