There were 53 incidents in Madison Valley reported to the police during November, about the same as October's total. The number of reported burglaries jumped to 15 however, and was only one fewer than the number of car prowls. That is noteworthy because during most months car prowl theft substantially outnumbers any other kind of crime in Madison Valley that is reported to the police. In contrast, there were no robberies or aggravated assaults reported during November.

Police have posted descriptions of nine of the fifteen burglaries.

1. On Nov. 2 at 7:30 PM police were called to a townhouse on 22nd near Madison to investigate a forced-entry burglary that occurred earlier that day. When they arrived, the resident told them that someone had entered through a bottom floor window and had proceeded to rummage through the home, stealing video gaming equipment, two gold rings and a credit card. The resident also reported that the credit card had just been used to make purchases at a nearby gas station. Police found no fingerprints at the scene. 

2. During the night of Nov. 4-5, a burglar broke into a specialty store on Madison near 29th, but no description is available.

3. On Nov. 4 there was a forced-entry burglary at a residence on 24th near Denny but no description is available.

4. On Nov. 5 a burglar broke into a home on 26th near John but no description is available.

5. On Nov. 7 sometime between 10:30 AM and 2 PM someone broke into a house on 24th near Olive by smashing a dining room window. After dumping the contents of several drawers, the burglar took cash, jewelry, camera equipment and other items worth approximately $10,000. Police found fingerprints on objects that had been moved during the burglary.

6. Sometime during the day on Nov. 11th, a burglar entered a home on 23rd near Howell through an unlocked basement window and after ransacking the home stole computer equipment worth $1900. Police found no fingerprints at the scene.

7. On Nov. 12 Police were called to a residence on 26th Ave. E near Thomas to investigate a non-forced entry burglary that occurred earlier in the day. The burglar took a safe that was kept in a closet and a pile of credit cards, but ignored jewelry, electronics and other valuable items.

8. In the afternoon or early evening of Nov. 14 there was a forced-entry burglary at a home on 30th near Denny. The burglar was apparently looking for cash because expensive items in the home were not taken. A little over $1000 was taken and there was $260 in damage to the home. The police submitted items that may bear fingerprints to the crime lab.

9. Sometime during the weekend of Nov. 14 -15 someone broke into a building site on 19th near John and stole just-installed wiring worth $500. Police found no fingerprints at the scene.

10. On Nov. 16 police were called to a residence on 25th near Howell to investigate an attempted burglary that had occurred around 3 PM. When they arrived a resident told them that a webcam in the home had recorded someone looking into a side window as if to break in, but that a barking dog had apparently thwarted the would be burglar. Police talked to a witness who had viewed the video and identified the suspect as having entered a white Ford van which subsequently drove south on 25th. The witness gave the license number of the van to the police, who found that it was registered to an address in Everett. 

11. At 4:30 PM on Nov. 16 police were called to a residence on 19th near John to investigate a burglary in progress. Upon arriving home, a resident observed that lights were on, and upon entering heard someone run out the back door. The resident then ran to the side of the home and while the burglar passed by him, made a video recording. When the burglar got to the front of the house, he dropped a backpack in the driveway, jogged across 19th, and headed south to E. Thomas St. The victim found that the backpack contained an iPad and a jar of coins that had been taken from his residence. When the police arrived they found that the burglar had entered the residence by throwing a rock through a sliding glass door near the kitchen and had ransacked the bedrooms in the house. In a subsequent search of the neighborhood that was assisted by a K-9 unit, the police were unable to find anyone matching the description of the suspect, but the victim provided the video of the burglar that he had made when the burglar passed him.

12. On Nov. 16 there was an attempted forced-entry burglary on 27th near Pine but no description is available.

13. On Nov. 18 there was a forced-entry burglary at a residence in a condo complex on Madison near 29th. The burglar(s) apparently was able to enter the complex without using force, but had to use a prying tool to enter the victim's unit. Once in, the burglar stole jewelry worth approximately $2500 but neglected other items. A video of a possible suspect taken when he was in lobby of the complex has been given to the police.

14. On Nov. 26 there was a unforced-entry burglary at a residence on 22nd near Aloha but no description is available.

15. On Nov. 29 at around 3PM there was a forced-entry burglary at a residence on 25th near Highland but no description is available.

[Editor's note: The author has inquired about the recent lack of incident descriptions but has not received a reply.]

Lowell Hargens is a Madison Valley resident and former University of Washington professor of sociology specializing in the statistical analysis of data.

Cafe Flora will host its annual vegetarian brunch buffet on New Year’s Day! Buffet options include Deep Fried French Toast, Chick Pea and Okra Fritter, Savory Mushroom Crepe, Poblano and Yam Tamales and more. Cafe Flora also offers libations including the Garden Flora, their take on a Bloody Mary made with house pickled vegetables, or Mimosas made from a variety of juices such as grapefruit, rosemary lemonade and classic orange. 

The brunch buffet is available from 9 am – 2 pm and is $25 for adults and $12.50 for children. Reservations are required for parties of six or more. To reserve, call 206.325.9100 ext. 3.

CafeFlora
2901 East Madison Street
http://cafeflora.com

Join us for one of the best holiday parties of the year! We're extending our Happy Hour until 8 PM and featuring an array of winter warmers on draft, in addition to holiday cocktails certain to imbue even the Grinch with good cheer.

In addition, and much to the delight of all who have asked, we are also RELEASING THE NOG, available through Christmas Eve. Dare we say, we feature one of the very best egg nogs in this great state, made with sherry and anejo tequila (thank you Jeffrey Morgenthaler), and if you haven't sampled it, you absolutely must. So don your holiday attire, grab a friend, and get thee to The BottleNeck, lest Santa leave you with only coal this year!

BottleNeck Lounge
Friday, Dec 18
4–8 PM
bottlenecklounge.com

Here are the Dept. of Planning and Development’s Land Use notices and announcements of interest in the last two weeks for communities from 21st Ave east to Lake Washington and E Union St north to SR-520.

2609 E Thomas St

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into five unit lots. This subdivision of property is only for the purpose of allowing sale or lease of the unit lots. Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots. Zone: Potential Slide Area, Lowrise-2

Notice of Application

118 27th Ave E

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into three unit lots. This subdivision of property is only for the purpose of allowing sale or lease of the unit lots. Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots. Zone: Lowrise-1, Potential slide area, Liquefaction prone soils

Notice of Application

1425 22nd Ave

Land Use Application to subdivide two parcels into three parcels of land. Proposed parcel sizes are: A) 5,080 sq. ft., B) 5,006 sq. ft., and C) 5,158 sq. ft. Existing structures to remain. Zone: Single Family 5000, Urban Village Overlay

Notice of Application

2603 E Thomas St

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into five unit lots. This subdivision of property is only for the purpose of allowing sale or lease of the unit lots. Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots. Zone: Potential Slide Area, Lowrise-2

Notice of Application

Backyard Cottages Community Meetings

Expanding the construction of backyard cottages could provide thousands of new housing units throughout Seattle and give homeowners an opportunity to earn stable, extra income and remain in their homes. Join us, along with Councilmember Mike O’Brien, at two public meetings to discuss policy options that would encourage production of backyard cottages.

Tuesday, January 19   6 – 7:30pm
Filipino Community Center
5740 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way

Tuesday, January 26   6 – 7:30pm
Loyal Heights Community Center
2101 NW 77th St

Resources

Land Use Information Bulletins
Property & Building Activity Interactive Map 
Design Review Board

Buildings in Design Review Map

Seattle In Progress

Since 2013, parklets have been transforming the streets of Seattle, by creating vibrant community amenities and neighborhood gathering spaces for all people to enjoy. In early 2015, SDOT expanded the idea of parklets by developing the Streatery Pilot Program, allowing restaurants and bars to build parklets that provide extra café seating space during business hours and public open space when businesses are closed. Last month, Some Random Bar—located at 2604 1st Ave in Belltown—became Seattle’s second business to host a streatery, joining the ranks of one other streatery in Capitol Hill and seven parklets in operation throughout the city. The Some Random Bar streatery features seating, planters, and tables, giving Belltown a new, attractive amenity for the 1st Ave commercial core.

The streatery at Some Random Bar in Belltown

In hopes of including more businesses and community groups in the parklet and streatery programs across the city, SDOT is now accepting applications on a rolling basis, rather than restricting them to designated application windows. Interested groups are encouraged to submit applications during the fall and early winter to allow enough time to design, permit, and construct their spaces by the spring to take advantage of Seattle’s scarce sunny weather.  Interested in building a parklet or streatery for your neighborhood? All the information you need on how to apply can be found on our website.

Recognizing that the cost of designing and building a parklet might be out of reach for some businesses and community groups, we’re is working to connect prospective parklet and streatery hosts with funding opportunities and volunteer partnerships. As part of this effort, we’ve compiled a roster of local design firms that are eager to provide pro bono or reduced cost services to help bring parklet and streatery ideas to life. SDOT’s parklet web page has more information on these firms and their services.

If you have any questions or comments about starting a parklet or streatery, feel free to contact us.

[email protected]
206-615-1028
seattle.gov/transportation/parklets.htm

Warm yourself by the beach bonfire while you watch the parade of Christmas ships in the annual Madison Park Holiday Bash & Christmas Ship Parade! Live jazz band, beverages, cookies and more!

Sunday, December 20th 2015
3:30 PM – 6 PM
Madison Park Bathhouse
1900 43rd Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98112 

Christmas Ship Parade begins at 4:40 PM

Here are the Dept. of Planning and Development’s Land Use notices in the last month for communities from 21st Ave East to Lake Washington and E Union St north to SR-520.

1834 38th Ave E

Land Use Application to allow a new single family residence with a variance. Parking for two vehicles to be provided. Zone: Single Family 5000

Notice of Decision

728 21st Ave E

Land Use Application to allow an 8,932 sq. ft. addition to an existing institution (Holy Names Academy). The project includes removing and replacing an elevated walkway with a 2-story addition for cafeteria expansion, common area, conference room and rooftop deck. Zone: Single Family 5000, Arterial within 100 ft.

Notice of Decision

112 27th Ave E

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into four unit lots. This subdivision of property is only for the purpose of allowing sale or lease of the unit lots. Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots.  Zone: Lowrise-1, Potential slide area, Liquefaction prone soils Note: the original lot was divided last year, and the plans call for rowhouses on the street front and townhouses on what is the back half with the address 118 27th E.  

Notice of Application

Resources

Land Use Information Bulletins
Property & Building Activity Interactive Map 
Design Review Board
Buildings in Design Review Map
Seattle In Progress