If you live in Denny Blaine and are interested in little league, there is little less than a week to sign up with Seattle Central Little League. Click the above link and learn more. Deadline is February 28th.
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Denny Blaine Drivers Beware: Sinkhole on 32nd and E Harrison
I would call it a pothole, but that would not be doing it justice. I have seen potholes on the Seattle streets and this is much more: a sinkhole. If you have been driving to or from Madrona or Denny Blaine the last month or so, I know you know what I am talking about: the sinkhole on 32nd and Harrison. There has been a barrier covering the hole at the four way stop for at least a month, but no action was taken until earlier this week. Blacktop was added to smooth the street, but the work is not done. I am glad to see that they left a hole in the middle of the blacktop. I am not an engineer, but I imagine the City of Seattle is going to have to pour a lot of gravel in there to support the street – at least to make me feel comfortable to drive there.
So hopefully the next time you head to Denny Blaine or Madrona, the barriers will be gone and the street will be repaired. But if this past month is an indicator, I would not hold your breath.
Negligent-Driving Plea by Denny Blaine State Representative
State Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, who represents the 37th district which includes Denny Blaine, plead guilty to a negligent-driving charge that came from a drinking and driving arrest last summer. Long story short, she was pulled over because she was drifting between lanes, the officer smelled liquor, and gave her a breathalyzer test. Santos initially only blew a .077 which is under the .08 limit, but was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. Santos was tested again at the station and there was an issue whether she was blowing hard enough. After given three chances, the police determined that she refused the test which is disputed by Rep. Santos.
The arrest went unnoticed for months and did not come up during elections, but it probably did not change any results since she ran unopposed and thus was obviously easily re-elected by Denny Blaine and the surrounding area. She has been a Representative since 1998.
30th & John Storm Water Facility
Madison Valley Storm Water Facility
Seattle Rain Storm
I took a couple snap shots this weekend of the Madrona park / storm water holding area on 30th Ave East and East John. The facility is used for excess storm water from the Madrona / Denny Blaine area when there is heavy rain. The facility seemed to be working when I was there although on the other side of the street, in between the homes, there was a lot of water. I was told there are drains in the backyards that lead under the street to the park/storm water facility, but it seems from just looking at it that the backyards and the park / storm water facility are on the same level so that is why the water was still in their backyards. None of the houses seemed to be taking on water.
As I wrote previously, they are currently working on Phase 2 of the Madison Valley Storm Water Project.
Greater Seattle Christmas Ships
Every year, the Christmas Ship festival, featuring a holiday cruise that sails to over 45 waterfront communities in the Puget Sound Area. The long running tradition (over 61 years) features holiday music from an on-board choir, full decor and a meal option. Aboard the ship, passengers enjoy the sites of the season from the water. On shore, many community members gather in anticipation of the Christmas Ships’ arrival to see the beautiful sights. This past Sunday, the ships stopped by the Seattle Tennis Club in the Washington Park neighborhood, but do not fear, you have plenty more chances to see the Seattle Christmas Ships. They are visiting nearby neighborhoods several more times this Holiday Season. Saturday, December 18th, the Seattle Christmas Ships will be up in Madison Park. The Christmas Ships will be there from 4:55- 5:15 pm. If it is anything like previous years, then you had better get there early. If you don’t, you will have to park several blocks away from the beach, which ‘I heard’ is no fun running to when you hear the music start and you have a two year old in tow. If you prefer a shorter commute, head down to see them at Madrona Park. The Christmas Ships will be there this weekend, Saturday Dec. 4th, from 9:25-9:45 pm. They will also be making their way down to the Mt. Baker/Seward Park area, if you want to venture further. On Sunday Dec 5th, they will start in Seward Park area, at Ferdinand Street in Andrews Bay (a.k.a. Seward Park Bay) at 5:40- 6:00 pm, then head to Stan Sayres Memorial Park (a.k.a. “The Pits”) from 6:15-6:35 pm, and finally to Mt. Baker Beach from 6:45-7:05 pm. Don’t miss out on this long-standing traditions and see the Christmas Ships this holiday season! Follow the link to see a full schedule of stops and tickets.
Molly Moon’s “Leo the Truck”
Leo the Truck
The popular and deliciously unique Seattle based Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream got its start in the Wallingford neighborhood by the head creamer of the same name, Molly Moon Neitzel. What was initially a little known boutique ice cream shop, Molly Moon’s has since grown into a city-wide craving for the distinctly flavored treat. From the more extraordinary salted caramel and honey lavender, to the typical (however anything but plain) vanilla bean and theo chocolate, customers have been drooling over Moon’s creations since opening in 2008. A second shop was opened in Capitol Hill not soon after and now, to our luck, Molly Moon is currently taking a online poll of where to open a third!! Neighborhoods up for the honor are Ballard, Queen Anne and Madrona. Speaking of Madrona-residents got a taste of what’s (possibly) to come when the famed truck toting mobile Molly Moon’s stopped on 34th Avenue. Despite the cold weather, many people walked away with cone in hand. People stood in line for the ice cream, faring the cold weather, unable to resist Molly Moon’s. We snapped a picture of the truck and residents (above) to prove nothing can stop the urge for Molly Moon’s. The truck, “Leo the Truck” visits many Seattle neighborhoods and you can find out where he’ll be by following facebook and twitter. In connection with the contest, Leo will reside in one of the three nominated neighborhoods for the next three months. Leo will be parked at 1435 34th Avenue, open Wed. and Thurs. from 5-10 pm and Fri, Sat. and Sun. from 12:00-10:00 pm for the whole month of December!! If the new shop comes to Madrona, Denny Blaine residents will be even closer to tasting the famed ice cream. Click to vote for Madrona and cross your fingers!!
Denny Blaine Tree houses
East Pine & Madrona Drive
Well, they really aren’t tree houses, but they sure feel like they are. If you blink you might miss it, but when you head down Madrona Drive towards Lake Washington you will pass East Pine. I stop short of saying East Pine Street, because there is no street there. On the west side of Madrona Drive there is a walkway sloping down to the sidewalk and on the east side of the Madrona Drive is a little opening in the bushes and that is where you enter. As you enter, your feet no longer are pounding against the typical cement sidewalk, but over a wood walkway.
East Pine Bridge Looking South
East Pine Bridge Looking East
As you walk out, you see what Denny Blaine must have looked like in 1900 the year before Charles Denny and Elbert Blaine began developing the neighborhood. Trees sway in the wind on every side of you as walk out onto the bridge, and the ground now 30 feet below you is cover in foliage. And as you walk across the bridge you could almost forget that you were in the middle of Seattle.
East Pine Bridge Looking North
To your left is a Denny Blaine cottage that seems like it is built upon a tree, on your right is a modern Seattle home that looks out at the same greenery that you are witnessing. As you reach the other end you are back in the Denny Blaine neighborhood, among the homes and streets of modern Seattle, but for a short while you were back in time when Seattle was at its infancy.
Dog Attack in Denny Blaine
Two joggers were attacked earlier today in Denny Blaine by dogs reported to be pit bulls. Witnesses said the joggers were bloody, but walked away from the attack. Police were called.