Every year Food & Wine names America’s ten “most brilliant up-and-coming chefs” by asking readers to vote for their favorites.
The contestants for this The People’s Best New Chef 2011 include two new chefs from right here in Queen Anne, Jason Franey from Canlis and Shaun McCrain from Book Bindery. Here’s some of what Food & Wine had to say about the two:
Jason Franey:
Why he’s amazing: Because he has somehow kept his restrained and subtle style of cooking while maintaining Canlis’s famed lavishness.
Best known for: Introducing avant-garde flourishes to a venerable 60-year-old institution in Seattle.
Must-try dish: “Of Earth & Ocean”—a classic Canlis dish of avocado, prawn and mango updated with braised octopus, lobster knuckle and Hawaiian seaweed.
Shaun McCrain:
Why he’s amazing: Because his illustrious training and limitless imagination produce food that’s polished and exhilarating.
Must-try dish: Hamachi with house-made chile rice crisps, gelled dashi and avocado.
Check out other Pacific Northwest chefs up for the title here. Want to cast your vote for Franey, McCrain, or another top chef? Vote here.
While SR 520 does not directly link to Queen Anne, many Queen Anne-ers (and Seattleites) use Mercer and Westlake as major connections to I-5, and eventually the floating bridges. Considering the freeway bound thoroughfares that run through Queen Anne, WSDOT’s new tolls over 520 will be pertinent to those in the neighborhood who commute to the Eastside often. Here’s some information about the new tolling system, and WSDOT’s “Good to Go!” payment campaign, from our sister site the U District Daily:
TheSR 520 “Good To Go!” campaign kicked off Tuesday. Starting this spring, tolls will be collected using the Good To Go! electronic tolling system, which allows tolls to be collected without stopping or slowing. There will be no traditional toll booths.
“Tolling is a critical funding source for replacing the vulnerable 520 bridge,” Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said. “Starting tolling this spring helps keep project costs down while improving the safety and reliability of this vital corridor. The funds help us begin pontoon construction in Grays Harbor for a replacement bridge and improvements on the Eastside starting next month.”
WSDOT officials announced yesterday that drivers will receive a $10 credit towards SR 520 tolls if they purchase a Good To Go! Pass and activate an account by April 15. Starting this Friday, Friday, February 18, the Standard Sticker pass, costing $5, will be available at 84 participating Safeway stores throughout Puget Sound.
Last year the Family 4th at Lake Union was saved thanks to donations from Seattlites and local companies from the area. Over $500,000 was raised and the fireworks show that followed was considered one of the best ever by many.
The success of last year’s fund-raising doesn’t mean this year’s celebration is all set, however. Although 68 percent of the event budget has been secured, another $162,000 needs to be raised by March 1 in order for the 2011 show to go on.
If you’re interested in helping, there’s a couple ways to do it.
You can make a donation directly to Family 4th at http://family4th.org by March 1st (site may load slow due to increased traffic).
You can also show your support and encourage others to join the campaign by downloading one of the Family 4th widgets to your website or blog.
The Council Committee meeting starts at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 16 in the Council Chambers at Seattle City Hall, located at 600 Fourth Ave. A media briefing will follow at 3 p.m. in the Bertha Knight Landes Room. Specific questions will be addressed during the briefing.
Right now parents who have children in full-day kindergarten are charged $207 each month of the school year. With an estimated $35 million budget gap for next year, Seattle Public Schools wants to know what you think about raising that rate to $310.
Although SPS will continue to accept survey responses through Friday, those filled out by Wednesday at 3 p.m. will be reviewed by the School Board during their work session that evening.
From SPS:
The state of Washington funds only half-day kindergarten (there are a few exceptions to this for high poverty schools). For many years our district has added funding for a further half day to ensure there would be one full day kindergarten available in every school. Over the years schools added “pay for K” programs as more and more families wanted full day K for their children. For the 2010-11 school year, we implemented a standard $207 per month Pay for K program across the district. Students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch receive tuition waivers.
With the severe budget crisis, we are considering various options to balance the budget and one is related to Kindergarten services. We want your feedback about these options. Thank you.
Happy Valentine’s Day Queen Anne! If, like me, you didn’t have a chance to plan ahead for the holiday, there are still a few places on the hill where you can stock up on Valentine’s Day treats and eats. Take a look at our last-minute guide to Valentine’s Day in Queen Anne:
Looking for a romantic holiday feast? Swing by Eat Local at 2400 Queen Anne Ave N for a ready made Valentine’s Day dinner for two and a bottle of wine. Eat Local will be open until 8 p.m. tonight.
Nothing says Valentine’s Day like chocolate, and Chocolopolis has all the cocoa you’ll need. Fill a heart-shaped box with chocolatey goodies–everything from truffles to drinking chocolate and single-origin chocolate bars from around the world. Chocolopolis is open for extended hours, until 9 p.m., and they’ll even deliver. Call (206) 282-0776 for more information.
Want to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a good book? Swing by Queen Anne Books at 1811 Queen Anne Ave N until 7 p.m. tonight and have your V-Day tale wrapped in celebratory pink, red and white.
Looking for some tasty treats with a spicy edge? Swing by El Diablo Coffee at 1811 Queen Anne Ave N for some yummy Valentine’s Day treats from the pastry case, including tiramisu, sweetheart cookies, chocolate raspberry cheesecake, and strawberry swirl. El Diablo will be open until 10 p.m. tonight.
Pick up some cute and crafty gifts at Queen Anne Dispatch, at 2212 Queen Anne Ave N. They’ve even got a love gun (check it out here) just in time for the holiday. They’ll be open until 7 p.m. tonight.
Get some sprinkled and frosting topped Valentine’s Day treats at Wink Cupcakes, located at 1817 Queen Anne Ave N until 6 p.m. today. The shop has some special V-Day flavors, including Love Potion #9 cupcakes (and gluten free options). They also have some long-stemmed red roses.
Know a great place for Valentine’s Day treats and goodies on the hill we missed? Comment below and we’ll add it to the list.
Now’s the time to start thinking about neighborhood improvements that could use funding through the 2011 Neighborhood Projects Funds. The NPF is comprised of two budget sources – the Neighborhood Street Fund and the Cumulative Reserve Subfund. According to the NPF Fact Sheet, approximately $1.2 million is set aside in the city budget to fund small-scale improvements to neighborhood streets and parks.
This application is for projects up to $90,000 which would improve parks or streets – such as sidewalk repair, traffic circles, sidewalks, etc. Once applications have been submitted, the Magnolia/Queen Anne District Council will prioritize each project and submit the top three ideas then send them off to the city. The final decision to fund a project will be made by the Mayor’s office and the City Council.
The deadline for the NPF is March 8. Applications can be found here (.pdf.)
“Altogether we found homes for 17 cats, 4 dogs, and one lucky rabbit,” David wrote. “It was great to see so many people from the community come out and join us, and to see so many of them head home with a new family member!”
The Seattle Public Library is now offering free access to Career Transitions, an online career resource that offers step-by-step guidance to help you discover your interests and find a new job.
Career Transitions features five guided steps to help plan and make the next move in finding a job: explore and discover occupational interests; investigate thousands of career paths; prepare a resume and list of references; find educational opportunities to increase hiring chances; and find jobs from listings across the country.
To access Career Transitions, go to www.spl.org and select the “Job hunting resources” Quick Link on the homepage. Then scroll down the page to find Career Transitions under “Career Discovery & Job Skills.” A Library card and personal identification number is necessary to access Career Transitions. Users will need to create a username and password in order to save their work and continue later.
A long-standing staple of Seattle’s (and Queen Anne’s) arts community, Intiman Theatre, is facing closure, according to a statement from the Board of Trustees released today.
Due to a number of managerial problems since the Intiman’s former Managing Director departed last fall, the theatre, which first opened in 1972, now must raise $1,000,000, well beyond its 2011 fundraising goal, by September or face the end of its 39-year presence within the local arts scene.
We’ve republished the full letter Intiman sent out to the community below:
February 11, 2011
An open letter to the Seattle arts community
Dear friends,
I want to share some unsettling news about our beloved Intiman Theatre. As many of you know, we’ve been struggling for several months. Since the departure of our former Managing Director last fall, the board of trustees has unearthed a series of missteps and management failings. Inflated budget projections, unpaid bills and a complete lack of financial and accounting oversight have left the theater dangerously low on cash. Sadly, I must report that unless we are able to raise $500,000 by the end of March, an additional $250,000 by June, and $250,000 by September, we cannot continue.
The $1 million dollar campaign is above and beyond the theatre’s 2011 annual fundraising goal.
Our staff and trustees have been tirelessly working to put our house in order – reconciling our books; establishing clear oversight; soliciting the support of independent leaders; paying down our debt; cutting operational costs; and reaching out to friends and family in the local community for help. The picture is now clearer and so is the harsh reality of the current situation.
I find this most difficult because the staff and creative leadership are incredibly strong right now and the quality of work being produced on our stage is of the highest quality and thematically touches on topics that need a public stage.
Seattle is a unique community; we are intellectually curious; progressively open minded; and willing to openly reflect and debate who we are as a community. I’m continually reminded by friends from the national theater community that only a city like Seattle could create a theater like Intiman. I also believe that only a city like Seattle can help preserve a gem like Intiman.
For 39 years Intiman has served as our community’s kitchen table for discussing relevant topics through art. We need your help to make sure that tradition continues. Please make a donation today by visiting http://www.intiman.org. At the website you will find more information on the current situation along with video testimonials from our artistic director, Kate Whoriskey, and acting managing director Melaine Bennett. You will also be able to show your direct support by making a donation.
Thank you for your time and continued support in helping Seattle maintain its reputation as progressive/trend-setting hotbed for the performing arts. Theaters like Intiman are critical to protecting that fragile ecosystem. Please help us protect this local treasure by making a donation to the theater today.
Sincerely,
Kim Anderson
President
Intiman Theatre, Board of Trustees
If you’d like to support Intiman, donations can be made on its website. Intiman also posted the following messages from Artistic Director Kate Whoriskey and Acting Managing Director Melaine Bennett in the hopes of encouraging community support to help the theatre live on.
A group of West Mercer Place residents submitted to the Alliance a letter voicing their opposition to plans for expanding West Mercer Place and West Mercer by one lane. The letter, covering such concerns as freight traffic, pedestrian sidewalks and parking, was addressed to Mayor McGinn, the Seattle City Council, and SDOT. The residents asked that the Alliance to send it as representative of their position. The vote on the motion to adopt the letter was approved.
Held in the Uptown Metropolitan Market’s restaurant space, residents voiced their concerns and passed out fliers at the meeting. One issue addressed was the possible reallocating of 15 to 20 feet of land from Lower Kinnear Park to expand into an additional third lane of West Mercer Place, an area that is home to some 24 old-growth trees, according to one opponent, and would require the construction of a concrete retaining wall along the easternmost edge of the park. They also announced a “letter writing rally” (see the event flier here and Facebook event info here) to oppose the West Mercer traffic expansion.
“This Mercer West Place expansion, I don’t believe it’s going to stop there – I think this is a trend that we’re going to see over the next few years and beyond, for the continual aggression of traffic into our neighborhoods,” warned Pennington. “We have to take a stand on it now.”
SDOT Deputy Project Manager for the Mercer West Project Eric O’Brien attended but didn’t speak until the end of the meeting. He passed out a FAQ sheet on the possible changes to West Mercer Place and said he was available to speak to individuals after the meeting adjourned.
The FAQ sheet said they are “looking at the feasibility of several changes to West Mercer Place in the future. We may do a few of these or we may do none of them,” noting that SDOT expects to complete and present its results in March.
Seattle City Councilmember Mike O’Brien, chair of the Seattle Public Utilities and Department of Neighborhoods, was a guest at the meeting and spoke on the restructuring of the Department of Neighborhoods due to the budget cuts. Although O’Brien said the mission of the department is the same, he doesn’t believe that they’ve seen the last of the cuts, and further “refining” is likely.
“The question is how do we meet the neighborhoods’ goals, the citizens of Seattle’s needs with fewer resources, and I don’t know what the answer is,” O’Brien said.
He also spoke on the concerns of West Mercer and West Mercer Place residents, advising them to stay organized, attend meetings, perform letter or e-mail campaigns, encouraging them to reach out to city council members, and “if you want to get really creative and dress up in customs and stand in the street, that gets our attention too.”
“Folks who live closest to these things have a very important powerful voice, but they’re not the only voice in the city… everyone will be heard,” said O’Brien, adding, “I have some serious concerns with doing much to widen that roadway.”
Also discussed at the meeting:
Co-President Rick Hooper provided a new construction report regarding four new projects in development for apartment buildings in Uptown under the Multifamily Property Tax Exemption Program. These projects are not yet under construction.
Co-President John Coney reported that the governor has recommended in her draft budget a 50 percent cut in the Regional Mobility Grant line item, which would have adverse consequences for the Ballard RapidRide line, such as putting future lines at risk.
Secretary Jean Sundborg discussed the three-day rummage sale the weekend of Feb. 25 held by the Uptown Alliance and FOLKpark to raise money for different projects in Uptown. She also reminded everyone of the Clean and Green event this Saturday beginning 9 a.m. at Counterbalance Park.
Coney announced there is a town meeting with the mayor Tuesday, March 1 5:30 p.m. at Blaine School in Magnolia.
It was found that the recently installed lights at Counterbalance Park were not designed for the outdoors. Parks and Recreation has ordered the parts to correct the matter, but the completion of the project is expected to take some time.
The next Uptown Alliance meeting will be Thursday, March 10 at the same location (Metropolitan Market). A report from SDOT on the Mercer West Project, including plans for West Mercer Place, is expected at that time.
Seattle’s annual cannabis festival and reform rally, Hempfest, has filed a lawsuit against the City of Seattle, Mayor Mike McGinn, the director of the Seattle Department of Transportation, the director of Seattle Center, and the chairperson of the Seattle Special Events Committee over permitting issues for the 2011 festival, the group announced in a press release this week.
Festival goers gather at the booth-lined Myrtle Edwards Park at Hempfest 2009.
The suit, filed in United States District Court Thursday, “seeks relief under the U.S. Constitution and the Washington Constitution, and was filed in an effort to obtain a 2011 permit to produce the annual free speech rally to reform America’s laws prohibiting cannabis,” the group wrote.
The festival, which has been an annual event in Seattle since 1991, has been held on the waterfront at Myrtle Edwards Park since 1995. Last year the Seattle Special Events Committee requested that the group seek out alternative locations for the festival in 2011–it’s 20th anniversary year. From Hempfest:
Upon the suggestion of the Special Events Committee, Hempfest contacted the Seattle Center in October 2010 to see if that venue would be suitable for 2011. After a few months Seattle Center representatives decided the center could not adequately host Hempfest until 2013 because of pre-existing reservations on some facilities as well as planned Seattle Center construction.
When the group filed a permit to host the festival at its usual spot at Myrtle Edwards Park, they were told that a conflicting construction project (the West Thomas Overpass Project, a pedestrian overpass that will link Lower Queen Anne with the waterfront, and was given the green light back in August) may interfere with the group’s plans to hold the festival in late August, its usual time.
Artists rendering of the West Thomas Overpass project, which would run from Thomas Street on Queen Anne all the way across to Myrtle Edwards Park.
From Hempfest:
The suit asks the city to issue an appropriate permit for Seattle Hempfest in August 2011 and, if necessary, to enjoin Seattle from implementing the “West Thomas Overpass project” in such fashion as to interfere with the use of Myrtle Edwards Park in August 2011. Planned summer construction of the sky-bridge in Myrtle Edwards Park, the location of Hempfest since 1995, has displaced the mammoth event which routinely draws more than 100,000 attendees annually.
Well aware of the slow-moving nature of the Seattle Special Events permit process, Hempfest submitted its special event application earlier than ever, in early November 2010, hoping for a decision within the 60-day period set forth by law. However, after months of negotiations Hempfest organizers find themselves with neither a date or a venue for the annual summer “protestival,” which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
“It is with heavy hearts that we take this action against the city that we love,” Hempfest executive director Vivian McPeak said in the release. “We thoroughly wanted to spend the months leading up to Hempfest’s 20th anniversary working on the best event ever. Without a date or a venue that is almost impossible.”
“We are very excited about the prospect of a new foot bridge into Myrtle Edwards Park, but after initially being told by the city that the project would not impact our event, we were suddenly informed we needed to hold the event in June or take Hempfest somewhere else. We’ve been, and we still are looking for alternatives to Myrtle Edwards Park. However, there are few venues that are adequate and after many months of meetings we are simply running out of time. We hope we can work with the city to find a workable resolution soon and get back to producing our event,” McPeak added.
Hempfest organizers are holding a members party tonight, Friday, February 11 to discuss the lawsuit and other organizational news. The event will take place at Studio 7 in SoDo, at 110 S. Horton St., starting at 7 p.m. More information about this event can be found here.
The west half of Queen Anne is a close second to win a stake in a $50,000 community project through a city-wide contest held by Seattle waste management company CleanScapes.
Running from September 2010 to September of this year, trash collection areas are competing against one another to make the largest reduction in trash, yard waste and recycling compared to the previous year. This is the second year Queen Anne has competed in CleanScapes annual Neighborhood Waste Reduction Rewards program, which is meant to encourage Seattle residents to limit the amount of waste they produce.
“We think it’s a great program and a great way to give back to the community,” said CleanScapes Government Relations Manager John Taylor. “What we like about this is that it gives something back tangible to the community that everybody in the community can enjoy.”
The first four months of the competition have already been tallied, and the trash collection area in second place, Tuesday South, includes Queen Anne west of Queen Anne Avenue North and the top portion of Magnolia north of West Emerson Street. First place, Tuesday North, which encompasses the Ravenna neighborhood, is leading west Queen Anne by only 0.7 percent. Wednesday South, the half of Queen Anne east of Queen Anne Avenue North including the Westlake, South Lake Union and Eastlake neighborhoods and a portion of Capitol Hill, is in fourth place.
“What’s unique about the competition is it invites communities and traditional neighborhoods to work with other neighborhoods and communities,” said CleanScapes Waste Diversion Project Manager Candy Castellanos. “Queen Anne is in a couple different areas, which actually gives Queen Anne a better opportunity to compete.”
If the Tuesday or Wednesday South collection areas win, Queen Anne could inherit the $50,000 community project. Once an area has been deemed a winner by CleanScapes, a project selection committee is made of representatives from the community councils of the neighborhoods in the collection area. They then decide on a project from proposals submitted by the public. If come September Queen Anne and Magnolia in Tuesday South manage to surpass the Ravenna area, they will get to decide how to spend $50,000 in their area.
“Picture Perfect Queen Anne has tons of projects that are part of our streetscape plan that we’d love to see done, clearly $50,000 could go a long way towards that … and the Galer Stairs would lend themselves wonderfully to some community activity,” said Okamoto, adding, “anytime you can bring people together to make decisions for public spaces it makes you feel more cohesive as a neighborhood, and the more community involvement there is I think the more vibrant a neighborhood is.”
FOLKpark Chair Debi Frausto said the money could easily be used to fund the organization’s plans for the renewal of lower Kinnear Park. They received a matching grant of $100,000 from the city of Seattle, and they are currently looking to raise $50,000 to honor the terms of that grant.
“It would be a perfect number for us,” said Frausto. “It would be very exciting to know we had that additional money already raised so that we could go into full production.”
Last year’s winner was Thursday South, which includes the neighborhoods of Montlake, Madison Park, Madison Valley, Madrona, Capitol Hill, First Hill and Yesler Terrace. They’re turning the prize into a playground at Washington Park Arboretum.
CleanScapes has many tips and resources for reducing waste on their website, and representatives are available to give presentations and help organize events, said Castellanos.
From the CleanScapes website:
Winning is easy: stop waste before it happens. Compost at home. Use a worm bin. Grasscycle. Use refillable water bottles and coffee mugs. Replace paper towels and napkins with cloth kitchen towels and washable napkins. Bring your own bag. Use Tupperware. Reuse. Repair. Buy in bulk. Buy local. Buy second-hand. Share. Trade. Swap. Rent. Donate or sell unwanted items. Print double-sided. Stop junk mail and phonebooks… you get the idea!
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced this afternoon that the lane closures on the Ballard Bridge planned for this Saturday, February 12, have been canceled “due to an unfavorable weather forecast.” Crews have tentatively planned to resume the scheduled bridge maintenance on Saturday, February 26.
If you’ve walked by Flame on Queen Anne Avenue N recently, you may have noticed the paper covering the windows and the sign on the door directing patrons to Elliott Bay Pizza Co. two doors down.
That’s because the two restaurants have merged, according to an Elliott Bay Pizza Co. employee who spoke to us over the phone this morning.
While the sign on the door at Flame says it is only closed for renovations, adding “Y’all kin get yer got juicy delicious flame broiled burgers next door at Elliott Bay Pizza,” in fact the restaurant changed ownership this week, the Elliott Bay Pizza Co. employee confirmed.
The man who owned both Elliott Bay and Flame decided to consolidate the two restaurants – and their vastly different menus – and sell the Flame location. The renovations inside are on the part of the new owner, he said, adding that he does not know what the new owner plans to do with the restaurant.
A call to the new owner has not yet been returned. In the meantime, most of the original Flame menu (burgers, fries and onion rings, chicken tenders, BBQ sandwiches, and salads) can be found at Elliott Bay Pizza Co. alongside its existing pizzas, pastas, salads, calzones and subs. The only items not available in the new merger are Flame’s tacos and shakes.
And as for the fate of Flame’s old homestead, we’ll keep you posted as we learn more about what will be moving in.
The Interbay Urban Center is putting on another event for a good cause this weekend (at the blood drive they held last month volunteers were able to collect 21 pints of blood from donors, according to Interbay Urban Center representative David Mistysyn).
It’s a pet adoption event just in time for Valentine’s Day, working with SHS [the Seattle Humane Society] and the Seattle Animal Shelter (our neighbors),” Mistysyn said.
The St. Valentine’s Pet Adopt-a-thon will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, February 12 at the Interbay Urban Center, 1827 15th Ave W (the retail space with the Peet’s Coffee & Tea and Whole Foods).
The Seattle Humane Society is bringing the Maxmobile to Interbay Urban Center for on-the-spot pet adoptions. Our neighbors at the Seattle Animal Shelter will be have an adoptions tent as well, and we will be opening up two storefronts to serve as the cat room and dog room for the event. Adopting a dog or cat is the perfect way to bring some love into your home this Valentine’s Day!
Adoption prices will range from $67 to $157 for cats, and from $82 to $237 for dogs. This price includes initial vaccination, de-worming, feline Leukemia testing (for cats), a certificate for a free health exam at a local veterinary office, spay or neuter, microchip, and a Seattle Pet License (if applicable).
If you can’t make it to the event, but still want to adopt a pet before Valentine’s Day, the Seattle Animal Shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W. (just north of the Interbay Urban Center) is open for adoptions and licensing Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Details here.
Mother Nature’s, a natural health store that has been a staple of Lower Queen Anne retailers for 35 years, is closing up shop at the end of the month, according to owner Stephanie Gilbert.
This drawing was created by Mother Nature’s employee Sara Spidell, depicting Sara, Stephanie and Elaine (Stephanie’s mom and prior owner). The date is inaccurate, according to Gilbert, who says the store has been open since 1974.
The store, which has been in Gilbert’s family since the ’70s, has seen declining business for some time now, she says.
“I grew up in the store—since I was 12 I’ve worked here. In the ’80s and ’90s it was a rocking store. We’d get 160 people in the store a day. Now we get 60 people a day,” she said. “Business has been pretty crappy, to be frank, for the past couple years… it’s just hard to be an independent retailer in the city. If we were in Cle Elum, we would probably be fine.”
Though the mixed-use development planned for 100 Republican Street spurred the decision to close, Gilbert says the saturation of the market (with customers coming into the store, finding what they want, and then buying it from larger suppliers who can offer cheaper prices like Costco, Super Supplements, or online) has ultimately led to the store’s choice to close down, rather than relocate.
“It really bums me out that people don’t make a conscious effort to shop local,” Gilbert said. “It’s destroying our communities.”
The property owners of the building that houses Abraxus and Mother Nature’s, the Burkheimer Family LLC, plan to turn the Seattle Center and KeyArena-adjacent site into a residential/retail mixed-use development that will span from the current storefronts to the edge of the empty lot at 100 Republican.
The six-story building will house 275 units–studios, 1-2 bedrooms and 10 town homes–parking, 17,725 square feet of street level retail space, two rooftop courtyards, and a 2,000 square-foot outdoor plaza on Republican that will serve as an entrance to the building. After a series of public hearings on the project, developers have been given the go-ahead to move forward with the project. Developers expect to complete the project in 2012.
On top of that, Uptown Alliance co-chair John Coney shared his support of this proposal with City Council’s Transportation Committee this past fall, noting that he believed the project would revitalize a “dead block” in the neighborhood.
“It’s an important redevelopment on what is now a substantially dead block of Republican,” he said. “It is going to bring housing onto Warren Avenue North. We believe that is important because that is another dead block in an urban center.”
For the time being, Mother Nature’s and Abraxus are making preparations for closing.
Gilbert says her lease is up on the 28th. She plans to keep the store open until just a few days before then (though no final date has been set yet), to clear out its current stock and say goodbye to longtime customers. Everything in the store is currently 30 percent off. Gilbert says discounts could go as high as 75 percent as the end of the month nears.
Abraxus will be closing in just a few days, on Saturday, February 12. “Our building is being torn down and we’re calling it a day on this chapter,” the owners Carol and Tony wrote on the store’s Facebook page. The last month since announcing plans to close has been a “pretty emotional time” for them, Carol wrote to us.
Everything in the store is being sold at 50 percent off, and bookshelves and other fixtures are also up for sale. The store will be open from 12 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on its last day Saturday.
After a little holiday hiatus last month, the Queen Anne Movie Guild is back in action, hosting a screening of the documentary film “At the River I Stand” as part of its Second Saturdays Series this Saturday, February 12. From the QAMG:
At the River I Stand chronicles the tumultuous events that unfolded over two fateful months in 1968. It began as a local strike by African American sanitation workers for human dignity and a living wage. The story eventually captured national attention and drew Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Memphis, along with the assassin who would kill him. The results marked a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement and the national struggle for racial and economic justice.
This film recounts the two months leading to Martin Luther King Jr.’s death, coinciding with the 65-day strike of 1300 Memphis sanitation workers. In 1994 it won the Organization of American Historians Erik Barnouw Award, and has been widely heralded as one of the most poignant documentaries about the civil rights movement.
As always, the screening will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 12 at the Queen Anne United Methodist Church, located at 1606 5th Ave W (the pink building next to the Queen Anne library branch). Moviegoers should use the Fellowship Hall entrance on W Garfield Street. Admission is free (though donations are welcome), and there will be coffee and doughnuts provided by the Queen Anne Top Pot Doughnuts.
The Ballard Bridge will be restricted to one lane in each direction on Saturday, February 12 from 7 a.m. until no later than 7 p.m., weather permitting, while Seattle Department of Transportation crews pave the roadway at the north end of the bridge. Ramps to the bridge and the walkways on the bridge will remain open.
Paving crews will grind the old surface and lay new asphalt on the raised portion of 15th Avenue NW above Leary Avenue NW at the north end of the Ballard Bridge. Both the northbound and the southbound lanes will be paved. The work is needed to replace the deteriorated roadway surface.
See ratings and reviews of
Every year Food & Wine names America’s ten “most brilliant up-and-coming chefs” by asking readers to vote for their favorites.
While SR 520 does not directly link to Queen Anne, many Queen Anne-ers (and Seattleites) use Mercer and Westlake as major connections to I-5, and eventually the floating bridges. Considering the freeway bound thoroughfares that run through Queen Anne, WSDOT’s new tolls over 520 will be pertinent to those in the neighborhood who commute to the Eastside often. Here’s some information about the new tolling system, and WSDOT’s “Good to Go!” payment campaign, from our sister site the 
The Interbay Urban Center is putting on another event for a good cause this weekend (at the 
If you can’t make it to the event, but still want to adopt a pet before Valentine’s Day, the Seattle Animal Shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W. (just north of the Interbay Urban Center) is open for adoptions and licensing Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Details 
At the River I Stand chronicles the tumultuous events that unfolded over two fateful months in 1968. It began as a local strike by African American sanitation workers for human dignity and a living wage. The story eventually captured national attention and drew Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Memphis, along with the assassin who would kill him. The results marked a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement and the national struggle for racial and economic justice.