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Your Perfect French Vacation

SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 | EDITOR

Local French teacher Virginie Blackmoor will be hosting an event at Pioneer Hall in Madison Park called "My Perfect Trip to France." Learn the secrets of traveling in France directly from a French native.

Full details are at her website: http://www.frenchtruly.com/oct-perfect-trip-workshop/

 

Post a Comment | Topics: Classes

Artist Reception at Madison Art Collective

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 | EDITOR

Tomorrow, Thursday, from 5 to 8 p.m. the Madison Art Collective will be holding a reception for Ruth Hesse at the Baas Framing Studio.

baas-hesse
Interstitial, 24" x 36" Monotype by Ruth Hesse

The artist will be showing her monotypes, a type of print created by transferring a painted image from a smooth plate to paper. The ink may be transferred by hand, applying pressure to the back of the paper as it rests on the inked plate, or with an etching press. Ruth Hesse uses both techniques, building layer upon layer of colored inks to create rich, textural, one-of-a-kind prints.

Light refreshments provided.

Baas Framing Studio
2703 East Madison
Seattle, WA 98112
http://baasframingstudio.com/madison-art-collective
206.324.4742

 

Post a Comment | Topics: Holiday Dishes from Cafe Flora, Social Events

520 & Montlake Lid

SEPTEMBER 17, 2014 | LINDY WISHARD

For those who could not attend last week’s 520 Bridge meeting, there are extensive illustrations and diagrams online explaining the updated design for the Montlake Lid area.

montlake-lid

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/30BAD8AA-5BFC-4E65-8F5C-82F1C9645878/0/2014_0911_OpenHouse_Boards_Montlake_Small.pdf

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/FD04CBD0-E0F6-4972-858F-CFC455A4AEB2/0/2014_0911_OpenHouse_Boards_NonMotorized_Small.pdf

 

Post a Comment | Topics: Community Planning, Transportation

ACTION/FEEDBACK: Dorffel Drive Intersection Reconfiguration Study

SEPTEMBER 13, 2014 | BOB EDMISTON

Your feedback is needed on an experimental pedestrian safety intersection reconfiguration. Please share this invitation for feedback to anybody you know who uses Dorffel Dr E and the intersection of E Harrison St at Lake Washington Blvd (between The Bush School and Lake View Park). As supporters of safe routes to schools, parks and other local destinations, your feedback is very much needed at some point between now and Oct 6th.

dorffel


As part of The Bush School's commitment to experiential education, students in the 2014 winter Action Module Program (AMP) ventured beyond the traditional classroom setting and engaged with local community organizations to develop a Safe-Routes-To-School map.

The students identified the three way intersection of E Harrison St, Lake Washington Blvd and 37th Ave E (separating The Bush School from Lake View Park) to be a hazard to students arriving by foot or by bike from the south (Denny Blaine, Madrona and Leschi).

When asked by the Denny Blaine Neighbors for Safer Streets (DBNFSS), local community groups (Madison Park Community Council and Madison Park Greenways) agreed to help study this issue. Subsequently, the MPCC collaborated with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to execute a 6 week test of a new configuration of the intersection of Lake Washington Blvd and 37th Ave E.

From Aug 18 through Oct 6, this new configuration will be evaluated using temporary materials to see how it performs and to see if there are any unforeseen problems with the configuration. The final reconfiguration won't resemble the current one. Numerous usability problems are already apparent, but data from this experiment will inform the design process.

While SDOT will conduct quantitative traffic volume and speed data as part of this study, qualitative data is needed in order to understand who uses this intersection (and especially Dorffel Dr E) and what role it plays in the lives of those who depend on it today. Love it or hate it, this is where your experience and insights are crucial to a successful long term outcome.

In order to fully participate in this data gathering activity, it's important for you to experience the test reconfiguration in as many ways as possible. Since it's primarily a pedestrian safety study, we ask you to walk from The Bush School through this intersection to Lake View Park and back. Experience it at different times of day and in different lighting conditions. If you drive, try it out from each of the three legs of the intersection. Note whether traffic is moving more slowly, attentively and carefully than before. If you own a bicycle, try rolling between the barriers and see if you feel more or less comfortable waiting for a break in traffic than before.

Once you've experienced it fully, come back and fill out this short survey to capture your experiences. (Pardon that some of the text fields are small, you can paste in responses from a text editor or word processor if you find it easier.) If you have further insights later, come back and give more comments. Spread the word, we need lots of feedback.

docs.google.com/forms/d/11jHT9-y2vDtlsIa4RNR5e_Q9TfeDS7SS_mSy5rXSwzU/viewform?usp=send_form

After the test period, the temporary treatment will be removed so we can study the traffic with the previous configuration.

Thank you for your support and patience during this experiment. Your written feedback is vital to informing the design process.

 

Post a Comment | Topics: Transportation, Safety

August 2014 Police Reports

SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 | LOWELL HARGENS

There were 42 incidents reported to the police during August, down from the 56 incidents reported in July. Most of the difference between the two months stemmed from a decrease in vehicle-related crime reports; there were 19 such reports in August compared to 31 in July.

Two completed robberies and an attempted robbery were reported in August.

1. On Aug. 5 at about 2:30 AM a woman who was walking home near 27th and E. John was shoved from behind by someone who then ripped her backpack off her shoulder. The backpack contained her wallet, credit cards, iPhone, and house keys. The woman described the robber as a black male about 5' 8" tall. The police drove her home and made certain that there was no one in her residence.

2. On Aug. 13 at approximately 10:30 PM a woman who was sitting on a bench in Prentis Frazier Park was approached by two unknown males. One of them pointed a handgun at her and told her “give me you stuff.” The woman began to scream, and the robber told her to stop screaming or he would shoot her. After the woman gave the robbers her backpack and phone they fled south on 24th and about half a block away got into a dark 4-door sedan. The police were unable to find any sign of the vehicle during a search of the general area.

3. On Aug. 16 at around 1:30 AM two women who were walking home along 23rd near Union, noticed a white male dressed in a grey hoodie and wearing a bandana over his face approaching them from behind. As he drew near, the man pointed a gun at the women and said something they were unable to understand. Both women then sprinted north on 23 and soon arrived at their home, which is a short distance from 23rd and Union. Neither looked backward as they ran north, and the police were unable to find the gunman when they later searched the area.

There were two burglaries reported during August.

1. During the night of Aug. 2–3 someone kicked in the back door of a restaurant in the 2700 block of E. Madison and stole 15 bottles of wine from the bar display. The police found no fingerprints at the scene.

2. On Aug. 16 police were called to a residence near 25th and Denny at approximately 3 AM. There they found the caller in the back yard, and she reported that a little earlier a white male, about 5' 3", around 30 years old and with shoulder-length reddish blond hair entered her bedroom while she was unpacking clothes and made a lewd remark to her. She then ran outside the house and called the police. The intruder apparently left her residence without taking anything, and police were unable to find any one matching the description given by the woman during subsequent searches of the surrounding area.

 

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

 

Post a Comment | Topics: Climate March at The Valley School

Pets of Madison Valley Sep 2014

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 | ANNIE MCCALL

This month's first adorable one is Zeb, a regular, getting his Beast Mode on.
pets-11-Sep-2014-zeb

Next up, a super cute French Pointer. (That. Face.)
pets-11-Sep-2014-french-pointer

Third, fourth, and fifth are the new puppy visitors who have visited the
store over the past few weeks. We can't wait to watch them grow up!
pets-11-Sep-2014-cute-puppy1

pets-11-Sep-2014-cute-puppy2

pets-11-Sep-2014-cute-puppy3

Next up is Dumbledore, the most magical Irish wolfhound in the world!
pets-11-Sep-2014-dumbledore

And finally, it's Sonny, who was featured on bus ads we ran earlier this year.
Sonny recently stopped in with his papa for a visit.
pets-11-Sep-2014-bus-ad-puppy

See special offers from All The Best on pet food and supplies.

Logo-All the Best Pet Care

 

Post a Comment | Topics: Pets

Seattle Japanese Garden Events in September

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 | EDITOR

Experience traditional Noh theater in a performance at the Seattle Japanese Garden on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The garden will be open for twilight viewing at 5:30 p.m.

Munenori Takeda and the Takeda Noh Troupe will present three Noh vignettes that will give the audience a glimpse of their upcoming performance at Seattle’s ACT Theatre. The performance, entitled “The Universality of Noh: Crossing Borders on Stage,” will be on the Moon Viewing Stage in the garden with seating in the orchard. Bring a blanket or tatami mat to sit on.

Munenori Takeda was born into a family of pre-eminent Noh actors belonging to the Kanze School, which traces its roots to the 1300s in Japan. He is widely recognized as one of the most talented young Noh performers in Japan today.

Tickets are $10, and on sale now at the Garden, or by phone at 206-684-4725, or at the gate on Sept. 25. The Seattle Japanese Garden is located at 1075 Lake Washington Blvd. S, Seattle WA.

The event is sponsored by the Seattle Japanese Garden Advisory Council, the Japan World Exposition1910 Commemorative Fund, Kansai Osaka 21st Century Association, the Toshiba Foundation, the Asahi Shinbun Foundation, the Japan Arts Connection Lab, and Seattle Parks and Recreation.

Japanese Garden 2

 

Respect for Elders Day: Seniors Admitted Free

The Seattle Japanese Garden will celebrate Respect for Elders Day on Monday, September 15, 2014. In honor of this Japanese holiday, seniors age 65 and older will receive free admission to the garden.

Complimentary guided tours will be available starting at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. on that day.

All visitors are welcome to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in the Tateuchi Community Room at the Garden Gatehouse. The room is wheelchair accessible and chairs will be provided. Ceremonies start at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. Tea ceremony tickets are $7 per person, and can be purchased in advanced by calling the ticket booth at 206-684-4725.

The Seattle Japanese Garden is located at 1075 Lake Washington Blvd. E. For driving directions and detailed information about the garden, please visit www.seattlejapanesegarden.org.

 

Post a Comment | Topics: Arboretum, Nature

Construction on West Approach Bridge North is Starting

SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 | EDITOR

A letter from Julie Meredith, WSDOT:

Greetings,

Another busy summer has passed and great progress has been made along the SR 520 corridor. The West Connection Bridge is nearing completion, new transit stops opened on the Eastside for riders at 92nd Avenue Northeast and Evergreen Point Road, and the floating bridge assembly is well underway on Lake Washington.

This month we reached another major milestone with the start of construction of the West Approach Bridge North Project (WABN). Please see below for additional information.

520 Bridge Sketch

What to expect to during construction

Construction will begin in Seattle’s Montlake area and on Lake Washington’s Union Bay for the next three years as crews build the new WABN project. WSDOT is committed to construction management practices that avoid, minimize and mitigate the effects of our construction activities to neighbors, communities, and the traveling public. Our contractor will also implement industry-accepted best management practices. Here are some of the other things we’ll do:

· Provide the public with a variety of tools to reach us and stay informed.

· Construct local street improvements early on to help ease traffic during construction.

· Help balance weekday traffic on SR 520 and local streets by restricting some detours and closures to nights and weekends.

· Limit truck traffic on local streets.

We’ve mailed a notification flyer to Seattle residents within one mile of the SR 520 corridor, to detail the construction activities you’ll begin to see in September.

Public involvement during WABN construction

WSDOT will provide the community with multiple opportunities and tools to stay informed. For the latest construction information, you can:

· Call the SR 520 24-hour construction hotline at 206-708-4657 if you need to reach a project member immediately to address a construction issue or concern.

· Sign up to receive regular construction email updates. Look for the new alert called “SR 520 West Approach Bridge North Project” located under the “Construction Reports” section.

· Visit the SR 520 Orange Page to learn about upcoming construction activities, including highway closures and noisy work.

· Visit the WABN website to find general project information.

· Email project staff at with your questions about the project or construction activities.

· Follow WSDOT on Twitter to get key news and updates about the SR 520 Program.

· Attend the public open house and monthly construction update meetings with our contractor, Flatiron West, Inc. Meeting dates and locations to be announced soon. Sign up for the construction email updates for more information.

We understand that those who live, work and play in the area will be affected by major construction activities needed to build this project. We thank the public in advance for your patience as we work to replace the existing vulnerable structure.

The end result

The West Approach Bridge North will have solid columns and be built to modern seismic standards. The 1.2-mile-long structure will connect the new floating bridge’s three westbound lanes, including a dedicated transit/HOV lane and shoulders, to the Montlake interchange in Seattle. WABN will also extend a new 14-foot-wide regional bicycle/pedestrian path from the Eastside and floating bridge to Montlake and the University of Washington.

The new bridge will open to traffic in summer 2017.

For more information about the WABN design and how it will connect with the new floating bridge see the WABN folio online.

You can also watch our video which highlights the benefits of the completed project to the SR 520 corridor and the entire region.

Thank you again for your ongoing support in delivering this next critical phase of construction for the SR 520 corridor.

Sincerely,

Julie Meredith, PE
SR 520 Program Administrator
SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program
Washington State Department of Transportation
999 3rd Avenue, Suite 900 | Seattle, WA 98104

 

Post a Comment | Topics: Transportation

Art Walk 2014

SEPTEMBER 6, 2014 | EDITOR

The 5th annual Madison Park Art Walk opens at 6–9 PM Fri, Sep 12th, 2014 with a public reception at Starbucks in Madison Park with hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and live music.

artwalk-messer artwalk-holzer

The juried show features more than 40 local artists in 30 Madison Park businesses. Art will be displayed at businesses during regular business hours from Sep 12–28th. This is a unique community event bringing together local businesses, local artists and the community and its residents. www.madisonparkartwalk.com

 

Post a Comment | Topics: Holiday Dishes from Cafe Flora, Social Events

Dr. Sarah’s Natural Health Tips: Finding Better Sleep

SEPTEMBER 6, 2014 | DR. SARAH OUANO, ND – LEAD PRACTITIONER AT PHARMACA

Multiple times each day I find myself wandering back to the Sleep Aids aisle with Pharmaca customers who are having a difficult time finding rest. Do you have problems falling asleep? Staying asleep? Are you a night owl who needs a siesta each day? There are many reasons why people experience sleeplessness—and pinpointing the true problem can help to find the best solution.

pharmaca-sleep

If you find your best work is done at night but you're sleepy in the morning and throughout the day, you might have what’s called a reverse cortisol curve. Cortisol, the stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands, typically spikes around normal waking times (e.g. 6 or 7 a.m.), and again at around noon. This allows a healthy human to get the day started, with an extra boost at lunchtime. But the stresses of everyday life and the standard American diet can result in a flatline of cortisol during the day and a spike at night—which manifests in evening energy surges and complete fatigue in the morning.  To correct this, you can consider using natural supplements like rhodiola in the morning to mimic the normal cortisol patterns, and magnolia bark at night to rapidly decrease cortisol. You can also begin to address blood sugar issues, as these two concerns seem to be closely linked.

For those who can fall asleep but wake frequently during the night, magnolia bark may also be helpful. This can prevent cortisol spikes from happening at night. Sometimes, eating a high-protein snack before bedtime can also help to regulate blood sugar while you sleep.  

The most common solution for trouble falling asleep is melatonin. This is a natural hormone that our bodies produce when we should be sleeping, and it’s a potent antioxidant in high amounts. Because of this, melatonin loses its sedative qualities with doses higher than 5 mg. When first trying melatonin, the key to success is going “low and slow,” as some side effects can include vivid dreams or nightmares, or a groggy feeling in the morning. Start with the lowest dose possible, typically 1 mg, and work your way up to find the perfect dose for you.

There are a myriad of ways to address sleeplessness, and a qualified natural health practitioner can help you find solutions tailored to you. Stop in and chat with one of the licensed health experts at the Madison Pharmaca to help you rest easy tonight!

 

Post a Comment | Topics: Healthcare

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