Your Busy Weekend in Northeast Seattle: August 1-4

July 31, 2014 by 1 Comment

We might see a cloud or two on Friday but the weekend is forecast to be lovely, sunny, and mid-80s. Enjoy!

FRIDAY, August 1

  • Picnic with the Backyard Bard and enjoy some free Shakespeare in the park.
    • The Comedy of Errors, Cowen Park at 15th Ave NE and Cowen Place NE (performance is west of the playground), 7:00 PM. Free. Donations accepted.

SUNDAY, August 3

  • Shop local while strolling through a multi-family, multi-block garage sale.
    • 23rd Ave NE between NE 68th Street and NE 75th Street, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM.  Tools, kid’s stuff, clothes (including maternity), more Martha Stewart Living magazines than Martha Stewart herself probably bothered to keep around, and more.

MONDAY, August 4

  • Watch a classic film by a master director while surrounded by books.
    • Hitchcock by the Decades, University Branch of SPL (5009 Roosevelt Way NE), 6 PM. Fourth movie in the series of five is “Psycho,” produced in 1954, run time of 109 minutes. FREE.

***

Anything else to add? Garage sale? Fundraiser? Lemonade stand? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll add it to the post!

Want to promote an upcoming NE Seattle weekend happening? Email us ahead of time, or use our online comment form to tell us about it.

We publish these Busy Weekend posts at noon on Thursdays.

Filed Under: Your Busy NE Seattle Weekend

Northgate Link update: Brenda now 500 feet closer to Roosevelt

July 31, 2014 by 2 Comments

Today’s Northgate Link Extension news from Sound Transit includes a tunnel boring machine (TBM) update.

Maple Leaf Portal/tunnel boring news


View TBM Brenda’s current position (as of July 31, 2014) in a larger map

Sometime today, Thursday, July 31, TBM Brenda will have chewed her way through 500 feet of Maple Leaf soil on her way south to Roosevelt Station. Another TBM now being assembled at the Maple Leaf Portal will start carving the southbound light rail tunnel sometime in October.

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I’m guessing Brenda is a bit dirtier these days.

Roosevelt Station news

Station box wall construction now complete, the main work at the Roosevelt Station construction site is now the *excavation* of said station box. Crews are digging down about four feet at a time, removing soil from the station box area, pausing to stabilize the station walls that have been newly revealed, and then digging some more.

The station box needs to be fully excavated by the time Brenda arrives, sometime in early 2015.

And now for some NE 65th Street detour news:

In mid to late August, drivers heading past the Roosevelt Station site on NE 65th Street during the day may be detoured due to a project to install water lines under the road at the intersection of NE 65th Street and 12th Avenue NE. The signed detours will be in place from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Westbound drivers can expect detours via 12th Avenue NE, NE 70th Street and Roosevelt Way NE and eastbound drivers can expect detours via 12th Avenue NE, NE 75th Street and 15th Avenue NE. Only one direction of travel will be detoured at a time.

These detours combined with the work on the Rooster Apartments on the west side of Roosevelt Way NE are making travel on NE 65th Street through the Roosevelt neighborhood a pain for all concerned (drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, etc.). We urge all travelers in the area to have some patience and practice grace-filled egress in the area.

U District Station News

This week, crews are digging holes in which to place piles that will make up the southern wall of the station: 76 holes, each between 50 to 105 feet deep. To help speed this work along, crews are now on site on Saturdays AND using two drill rigs.

NE 43rd Street east of Brooklyn Avenue NE is still closed to motorists, but what are you doing driving around in that area anyway it is a mess.

Northgate Link webcams

If you’re sitting near internet and wondering how construction is doing at any of the above locations, there’s a webcam (or three) for that:

Each page also has a “Stream Time-Lapse Movie” button on the left-hand side, for those who appreciate more action than a live shot once every 15 minutes.

20140731_SaturdayConcretePourUPDATE (2:17 PM): Just into the Ravenna Blog inbox is a Roosevelt Station construction alert for Saturday.

Saturday morning concrete pour at Roosevelt Station construction site

On Saturday, Aug. 2, construction crews working for Sound Transit will begin work at 7 a.m. for a concrete pour. Residents may notice noise from truck engines.

Crews will do everything within reason to keep noise to a minimum.

Why is this concrete pour happening on Saturday?

High demand for concrete resulted in limited schedule availability for the concrete pour at Roosevelt Station. Doing the work on Saturday morning will help keep the project on schedule by at least two weeks.

Filed Under: Construction, Maple Leaf, Roosevelt, Sound Transit, Traffic, University District, Updates

Spoke & Food is back! Ride and dine, and support Outdoors For All

July 28, 2014 by 2 Comments

For the second year in a row, thanks to Ravenna Blog’s sponsors and supporters, we are able to sponsor the Ravenna neighborhood during the Spoke & Food evening of dining and bikes* on Tuesday, July 29th.

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Vios Cafe at Third Place and the Ravenna Blog, together again for Spoke & Food 2014.

Starting at 5 PM on Tuesday, various restaurants around the city and beyond (Bothell! Lake Forest Park!) will be donating 20% of their dinner bills to a local non-profit. And you get a great excuse to dust off your Schwinn and enjoy a summer ride to dinner with friends and/or family.

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Full list Spoke & Food 2014 host restaurants, sponsors, and supporters. Click to enlarge.

This year’s fundraising recipient is the Outdoors For All Foundation (headquarters located at Magnuson Park, so you’ll even be supporting a Northeast Seattle non-profit). From their About page:

Sit Skiing. (Photo by Outdoors For All, used with permission.)

Sit Skiing. (Photo by Outdoors For All, used with permission.)

The Outdoors for All Foundation is a national leader and one of the largest nonprofit organizations providing year round instruction in outdoor recreation for people with physical, developmental, and sensory disabilities since 1979. Outdoors for All’s year round programming includes snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross country and downhill skiing, cycling, hiking, river rafting, canoeing and kayaking, day camps, water skiing, rock-climbing, camping and Custom Events.We are a customer driven organization where each year more than 2,000 children and adults with disabilities exercise their abilities thanks to the training and support of more than 700 volunteers. Outdoors for All offers opportunities for individuals, families and custom programming to meet your needs. Please take a look at our programs and contact us at anytime so we can find a recreation option to fit your needs.

The Northeast-ish Seattle restaurants who are participating this year are:

Green Lake: Duke’s Chowderhouse
Maple Leaf: Flying Squirrel Pizza
Montlake: Traveler Montlake
Ravenna (WOO!): Vios Cafe at Third Place Books
U-Village/U-District: Eureka

*Bikes not actually required! If your party would like to donate 20% of your bill to the Outdoors For All Foundation during the event, but you arrived at the restaurant by other means, no sweat!

Filed Under: Events, Everything counts in large amounts, Families, Food, Fundraiser, Restaurants, University Village

Your Busy Weekend in Northeast Seattle: July 25-28

July 25, 2014 by 1 Comment

The sun returns this weekend. Clear skies and temperatures in the mid- to high-70s. Perfect weather for visiting a farmer’s market or an outdoor festival?

FRIDAY, July 25

SATURDAY, July 26

  • Buy your neighbors’ stuff!
    • Multi-family yard sale along 18th Avenue NE between NE 80th and 82nd Streets, 9 AM. Lots of kid stuff, and more!
  • Party with neighbors and friends just down the road. 
    • Bull Moose Festival at 68th and Roosevelt, 11:30 AM-7:30 PM. Enjoy the pancake breakfast, dog show, fashion show, food, music, and beer garden. FREE.

MONDAY, July 28

  • Watch a classic film by a master director while surrounded by books.
    • Hitchcock by the Decades, University Branch of SPL (5009 Roosevelt Way NE), 6 PM. Third movie in the series of five is “Rear Window,” produced in 1954, run time of 115 minutes. FREE.

Oralea BONUS Event:

SATURDAY, July 26

  • Watch the salmon run and jump; ask a volunteer naturalist all your salmon-related questions. 

***

Anything else to add? Garage sale? Fundraiser? Lemonade stand? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll add it to the post!

Want to promote an upcoming NE Seattle weekend happening? Email us ahead of time, or use our online comment form to tell us about it.

We publish these Busy Weekend posts at noon-ish on Thursdays-ish.

Filed Under: Your Busy NE Seattle Weekend

Bull Moose Festival this Saturday!

July 25, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Festival-Logo-website

Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Festival is back! Let’s show the Moose some love and head over to our next door neighborhood’s community party which this year is celebrating aspects of sustainable living.

When: Saturday, July 26th, 11:30 AM-7:30 PM

Where: NE 68th Street and Roosevelt Way NE  Festival Map

Food, music, beer garden, dog show, fashion show, raffle, and more!

In fact, you can print out a raffle card and start getting stamps at participating neighborhood businesses ahead of time. You’ll win a small prize just for submitting your completed raffle card and will be entered in a drawing for $25 prize from the same businesses for things like spa services, food, and fair-trade goods.

You can also donate your unwanted textiles in any condition at the festival. Clothes for the Cause turns these recycled donations into funds which will go to the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association. Just bring them in a tightly closed plastic bag to keep them dry.

The annual-ish festival is coordinated by the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association.

Bull_Moose_FLYER

 

 

 

Filed Under: Businesses, Calvary Christian Assembly, Civic Envolvement, Events, Families, Food, Kids, Roosevelt

Roosevelt house fire being investigated as arson (PHOTOS)

July 22, 2014 by 2 Comments

Roosevelt_arson4

An early morning house fire in the Roosevelt neighborhood is being investigated as an arson.

From the Seattle Fire Department’s Fire Line:

[SFD crews were] dispatched at 2:09 am to a house near 8 Avenue NE and NE 72 Street for a report of a porch fire that extended to the roof. Firefighters quickly extinguished the visible flames but worked for about an hour aggressively digging out the hidden fire located in the attic void spaces. The home owner discovered the fire and was out of the building by the time firefighters arrived.

After the home was extinguished, fire investigators determined that the fire was intentionally set on the front porch, and the case was turned over to the Seattle Police Department’s Arson/Bomb Unit.

Roosevelt_arson2

Investigators also estimated $100,000 in damage to the house and its contents, with an additional $5,000 damage to the home next door where the siding had begun to melt.

Roosevelt_arson1

If you have any information which could aid detectives in their investigation, please call the SPD Arson/Bomb Unit at (206) 684-8980.

Todd Byers, in yellow, talks with neighbors as they survey the damage to his home on the morning after the fire.

Todd Byers, in yellow, talks with neighbors as they survey the damage to his home on the morning after the fire.

Filed Under: 911, Crime, Photos, Roosevelt, Seattle Fire Department, Seattle Police Department

Two deaths at Ravenna retirement home prompt homicide investigation (UPDATES, PHOTOS)

July 18, 2014 by 24 Comments

 

IdaCulverMS5

An Ida Culver House Ravenna resident (seated) leaves the facility during the police activity for the calm of a local restaurant across the street.

We became aware around 4 PM of a large police presence around Ida Culver House Ravenna (2315 NE 65th Street). A man and an elderly female resident and been both found dead in a room inside. Police are now investigating the incident as a possible murder-suicide.

IdaCulverMS3

Homicide detectives stand in the inner courtyard of Ida Culver House Ravenna.

From the SPD Blotter:

Police received a report from the man’s family around 2 PM that the man had left his Ballard home after indicating he was contemplating suicide. A short time later, police received a second call from the family indicating the man may have headed for his elderly mother’s assisted living facility in the Ravenna neighborhood, with plans to harm her.

As police headed to the facility—located in the 2300 block of NE 65th Street—nursing home staff went to the elderly woman’s room to check on her, and found the bodies of a man and an elderly woman. The King County Medical Examiner will formally identify the bodies.

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A King County Medical Examiner readies herself for the scene as locals gather outside Ida Culver House Ravenna.

More info when we have it.

***

UPDATE (5:36 PM): Added pictures from the scene.

UPDATE (Tuesday evening): Yesterday we talked with Nicole Francois with Ida Culver House Ravenna about the incident. She told us that counselors have been made available to staff and residents onsite, and “every day is a bit better for our community.” Francois also shared with us a statement from the president of Era Living:

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our remarkable residents.  Our hearts go out to the family that is affected by this tragic event.

We are working in cooperation with the Seattle Police Department as they investigate the death of a resident from this single and isolated incident.”

– Eli Almo, President and CEO, Era Living

The names of those who died have not yet been released by the medical examiner’s office to us. Francois was unable to release similar information; however, she was able to say that the Ida Culver Ravenna resident was in an independent living unit at the time of the incident. In general, the family and friends of residents are strongly encouraged to visit their loved ones in retirement communities like Ida Culver. Depression due to feelings of isolation is a major concern. And unless staff is informed of issues between residents and potential visitors, there is usually no reason to prevent such meetings.

Francois also told us that there will be a private memorial service for the resident sometime this week, for family and friends. If residents feel moved to pass along condolences, they can be sent along to Ida Culver House Ravenna, 2315 NE 65th Street, Seattle, WA 98115.

UPDATE (Friday, July 25): The names of the deceased were published in today’s Seattle Times: Annie McClure, 83, and William T. McClure, 57. The woman’s death, due to a gunshot wound to the head, was ruled a homicide. Her son took his own life in the same manner.

UPDATE (Sunday, July 27): An obituary for William McClure is now online.

Filed Under: 911, Crime, Ravenna, twitter round-up, Updates

Your Busy Weekend in Northeast Seattle: July 18-20

July 17, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Looks like things are about to cool down. Friday’s forecast calls for clouds moving in and 78 degrees. Those clouds might bring a few showers Saturday and Sunday with the high reaching 69.

FRIDAY, July 18

  • Get your dance on with the kids and nature.
    • The Not-Its plays at 7:00 PM followed by Off the Hook, a Rolling Stones tribute band at 8:00 PM. Magnuson Community Center Family Concert Series (in amphitheater next to the Children’s Garden), 7:00 PM. Free.

SATURDAY, July 19

The Oralea BONUS event: 

SATURDAY, July 19 & Sunday, July 20

  • Pick your weight in raspberries.
    • Biringer Farm Raspberry Fest (21412 59th Ave NE, Arlington, WA), 9:00 AM-6:00 PM. Chicken dance, antique tractor display, pony rides, face-painting, and more. Free entry with items for purchase.

RaspberryPicker

 

Anything else to add? Garage sale? Fundraiser? Lemonade stand? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll add it to the post!

Want to promote an upcoming NE Seattle weekend happening? Email us ahead of time, or use our online comment form to tell us about it.

We publish these Busy Weekend posts at noon on Thursdays.

Filed Under: Your Busy NE Seattle Weekend

Your Moment of Ravenna Zen: Dark Side of the Top Pot

July 12, 2014 by 2 Comments

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At certain angles, the heavy glass doors of the Wedgwood Top Pot make a rainbow connection with the sun.

Filed Under: Moment of Ravenna Zen, Photos, Ravenna, Restaurants, Wedgwood

Your Busy Weekend in Northeast Seattle: July 11-14

July 10, 2014 by 1 Comment

Forecast calls for high-80s on Friday and Sunday with 90 degrees on Saturday. Let’s make popsicles! For dinner!

SR 520 will be closed from 11:00 PM on Friday, July 11th until 5:00 AM, Monday, July 14th. And on Saturday morning, the annual STP (Seattle to Portland) bike ride starts. From 4:45–7:30 AM waves of 500 to 900 cyclists will be leaving the UW’s E-1 parking lot every 10 minutes, heading south on Montlake, west on Pacific, north on Brooklyn, and west on Campus Parkway to cross the University Bridge.

FRIDAY, July 11

  • Enjoy some local art outside, festival-style (day 1).
    • Wedgwood Art Festival, Our Lady of the Lake (8900 35th Avenue NE; new location this year), 10 AM-5 PM. 65 booths of fine art, 8 musical acts, 6 food vendors, 2 puppet shows, and more.
  • Watch a Meaningful Movie, and learn about public disclosure law and GMO labeling

SATURDAY, July 12

  • Enjoy some local art outside, festival-style (day 2).
    • Wedgwood Art Festival, Our Lady of the Lake (8900 35th Avenue NE; new location this year), 10 AM-5 PM. 65 booths of fine art, 8 musical acts, 6 food vendors, 2 puppet shows, and more.
  • Build your CD, DVD, or Atari game collection.
    • Yard sale, 5752 25th Ave NE, 7:00 AM-2:00 PM. Kitchen items, clothing, household containers, classical guitar, mandolin with case, capos, etc.  
  • Hunt for bargains at your neighbor’s house.
    • Yard sale, 6322 22nd Ave NE, 9:00 AM.  Kid stuff, home stuff, etc!

SUNDAY, July 13

  • Hunt for MORE bargains at another neighborhood sale.
    • Moving sale, 6827 19th Ave NE, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM. Cash Only. Dishes, Pottery Barn bedding, furniture, lamps, artwork, etc. 

MONDAY, July 14

  • Watch a classic film by a master director while surrounded by books.
    • Hitchcock by the Decades, University Branch of SPL (5009 Roosevelt Way NE), 6 PM. Second film of the series of five is “Notorious,” produced in 1946, run time of 101 minutes. FREE.

***

Anything else to add? Garage sale? Fundraiser? Lemonade stand? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll add it to the post!

Want to promote an upcoming NE Seattle weekend happening? Email us ahead of time, or use our online comment form to tell us about it.

We publish these Busy Weekend posts at noon on Thursdays.

Filed Under: Your Busy NE Seattle Weekend
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