Saturday night my husband and I celebrated our 11th anniversary by dining at Rover’s. It was also our last chance to celebrate a special occasion at that fine establishment. After 25 years, Rover’s closed its doors yesterday. But Thierry and Kathy Rautureau are still part of our neighborhood!

In addition to running their world-famous restaurant, they have lived in Madison Valley, sent their sons to local schools, and will still be busy running Luc, their local French neighborhood restaurant.

And look for Thierry's name around November, when a new restaurant somewhere downtown will be announced! But I've already said too much…

Rover’s has been a special occasion restaurant for us for years. I remember waddling over there exactly nine years ago celebrating another anniversary. I was bemoaning the fact I was nine months pregnant and would surely be the only woman in the restaurant who looked like a blimp. Then we sat down right next to a couple celebrating their anniversary…and she was nine months pregnant as well! 

Five years later some other moms and I began the tradition of having lunch at Rover's on a Friday each September after our kids returned to school. Who will take over the space after Rover’s vacates? No takers so far. But I was happy when our waiter told us he would be working at Thierry’s new restaurant once it opens. Goodbye, Rover's—and keep up the good work Thierry and Kathy!

Please consider volunteering to help with this year's Bastille Bash. The event is July 13, shifts are about 2–3 hours apiece, and involve ticket and beverage sales, safety, general help, and clean up. Contact Sally Martinez at [email protected] or 425 467-3390.

ROSTER OF SHIFTS

Ticket Takers
3–5:30 PM or 5:30–8 PM
2 people per shift at 5 locations
You are stationed at a restaurant and assist with ticket taking and help as needed.

Street Crossing Guards
3–5:30 PM or 5:30–8 PM
2 people per shift at 2 locations
Hold flags that stop traffic to help manage pedestrians crossing the street.

Ticket Sales
3–5:30 PM or 5:30–8 PM
10 people per shift
Sell tickets in a fast paced environment.

Wine Sales
3–5:30 PM or 5:30–8 PM
10 people per shift
Sell wine in a fast paced environment.

Ice Delivery
3–5:30 PM or 5:30–8 PM
2 people per shift
Using carts, help re-stock ice at locations pouring wine. Must be strong and have endurance.

Stage/Sound Manager
3–5:30 PM or 5:30–8 PM
1 experienced person per shift
Manage the sound system as local chefs prepare food live.

Roamers
3–5:30 PM or 5:30–8 PM
4 people per shift
Help as needed

Break Down
8–9:30 PM
20 people minimum, perfect for sports teams
Break down tables, chairs, tidy up event site.

French native and local resident Virginie Blackmoor is offering beginning French lessons on Wednesday nights at Harbour Pointe Coffeehouse. 

Virginie has been teaching the French language for ten years in Europe and the US. She uses a natural learning method of role-playing and immersion in French culture and cuisine. The class is limited to six people to keep the experience intimate and active.

French Hands-On Experience

In this 1.5-hour class, we spend the first half learning theory and then we spend the second half putting it into practice through role-play. This is not only an incredibly fun and bonding French event, it is also the best way to remember the theory. French food and drinks are included to provide more inspiration.

French Hands-on Example

Let’s pretend we are learning what to do and say in a French restaurant, from the moment you enter to the moment you leave. Person A is the customer and person B plays the waiter. A and B play their roles covering all sorts of topics, from inquiring whether a table is booked, to asking about the food and ordering, to dealing with problems and paying the check. We always have a lot of fun playing with this French event and it is amazing how much you retain when you are truly involved in a scenario, rather than just listening to a teacher and taking notes.

What’s included?

1. Weekly French Hands-On Experience described here.
2. Fun props for role-play activities
3. French workbook
4. Weekly audio files related to what we cover each week
5. Access to our secret Facebook page to keep you in touch with our French community at all times
6. Extra freebies

Who? Beginners but intermediates looking for a brush up are also welcome.

When? Every Wednesday starting on June 19th 2013, from 6:30 pm to 8 pm

Where? Harbor Pointe Coffeehouse in Madison Valley, Seattle 

You can sign up for the class at Virginie's website or phone her at 206 617-2716.

Vandals spray-painted graffiti on business property and public spaces last night. The damage reverses the volunteer efforts and $2,500 spent by the Merchants Association on last month’s Spring Cleaning, a project to remove previous graffiti. 

April's article on the Madison Valley Spring Clean can be viewed here: http://madisonvalley.org/news/madison-valley-spring-cleaning.html

Eight of the candidates for Seattle mayor will attend the Liveable Streets forum to discuss their plans for making Seattle’s streets great places for walking, playing, using transit, shopping, biking, getting to school, and raising a family. 

The event will take place on July 1st, from 7:00–8:30 PM at the MLK F.A.M.E Community Center. Anticipated attendance: Mike McGinn, Peter Steinbrueck, Bruce Harrell, Ed Murray, Charlie Staadecker, Kate Martin, Joey Gray, and Mary Martin.

The event is free, RSVP requested. Register online. 

Transportation: The community center is served by nearby bus routes 8 and 11 and is on the Lake Washington Loop bike route. A by-donation bike valet will be available. There is no off-street car parking.

Childcare will be provided (please register for childcare when you RSVP)

The Livable Streets candidate forum is hosted by Seattle Neighborhood Greenways and the Park Shore Retirement Community with support from the Seattle Parks Foundation, Commute Seattle, Sustainable Seattle, Senior Services, Seattle Subway, Feet First, the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, Cascade Bicycle Club, 12th Ave Stewards, Seattle Bike Blog, Futurewise, Capitol Hill EcoDistrict, the Madison Park Community Council, West Seattle Bike Connections, and Bike Works. 

About Seattle Neighborhood Greenways

Formed in August 2011, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways is a rapidly growing volunteer coalition representing many neighborhoods across Seattle to identify, advocate for, and activate safe, equitable, and comfortable streets connecting us to the places we use, whether we walk, drive, ride a bike, push a stroller, or move by wheelchair. More information can be found at their website.

Madison Valley is excited to host the 2nd Annual Bastille Bash on Saturday, July 13 from 3–8 p.m. Last year we were thrilled to see how many people came out to enjoy the festivities and this year we promise to have plenty of food, wine and entertainment for everyone! Festivities will take place up and down East Madison Street from 27th to 30th Avenues. Madison will remain open to traffic during the event.

Don your beret and striped shirt and visit your favorite Madison Valley shops and restaurants for Bastille Day celebrations. Indulge in French-inspired food, sip wine, beer and spirits with your Wine Passport, grab a table and be entertained by our lineup of live music and dance performers on the main stage. Also enjoy mimes, jugglers accordion players, live chef and gardening demos, kids activities, dog treats and exciting giveaways! 

We encourage you to purchase food and wine tickets early to avoid waiting in ticket lines at the event and ensure you get your share, as tickets will be limited. Visit bastillebash.com to purchase today! Food is priced at $2.50, $5.00, $7.50 per bite and tickets can be purchased in $10 increments. The Wine Passport includes tastings of wine, beer and spirits for $20 per person. 

Proceeds from Bastille Bash support the Children’s Response Center, a local nonprofit that provides unduplicated, essential legal and counseling services to children under 18 in east and north King County, who have experienced severe abuse, trauma and child crimes.

Like us on Facebook for updates, specials and event information and share with friends and neighbors to help spread the word about Seattle’s European village! 

Spectrum Dance Theater Executive Director Susie Purves announced her resignation today in order to pursue independent projects. She will remain at Spectrum through July 2013 to support the organization through this transition. 

“Spectrum Dance Theater is a phenomenal organization that combines the intensity and depth of Donald Byrd’s choreography and artistic leadership, the artistry and dedication of a top contemporary dance company and a dance school with high expectations from its teachers and students. There is no other organization like it in the entire state and I’m happy to have been associated with everyone here for the past three years.” 

Purves joined Spectrum as Executive Director in 2010. During her tenure the organization made the leap into non-traditional performance space, increased the size of the professional company that toured nationally and abroad (as part of DanceMotion USA, a U.S. State Department program), expanded the school staff and made critical administrative improvements that enable Spectrum to approach its financial potential.

“Susie has been a great asset to Spectrum Dance Theater and has worked very hard on behalf of the organization,” says Spectrum Board President Wayne Thurman. “She is very personable and has been very good to work with. We will miss her. I speak for the whole board when I thank her for her service and wish her success in her next venture.”

Spectrum Dance Theater has finished its last two fiscal years in strong shape and looks forward to a solid financial future.

The Spectrum Board of Directors is initiating an executive search immediately.

ABOUT SPECTRUM DANCE THEATER

Spectrum Dance Theater was founded in Seattle, Washington, in 1982. Its mission is to produce and present contemporary dance of global caliber that challenges expectations and calls forth strong emotions and thoughtful responses; to provide expert dance instruction in diverse dance forms to all; and to educate the community about dance as an art form and as a social/civic instrument.

Please visit the Spectrum Dance Theater website for:

• Detailed bio of Donald Byrd

• Video clips 

• Press and reviews

 For more information, please contact Rebecca Pirwitz, Marketing and Communications Manager.

Spectrum Dance Theater
800 Lake Washington Blvd
Seattle, WA 98122  
(206) 325-4161 

http://www.spectrumdance.org

La Côte closed last week, but in its place another critically acclaimed restaurant comes to Madison Valley. Trevor Greenwood, owner of the celebrated Cantinetta in Wallingford and Mercato Stellina Pizzeria in Bellevue, has purchased La Côte in an undisclosed investor/partnership arrangement with La Côte’s owner Arnaud Guerin. Guerin will stay to oversee the buildout of the new space and assist with the transition.

The new restaurant will be called Bar Cantinetta, and will include a complete redesign of the interior, including the addition of a wine bar. While we don’t know all the details of the menu, we’ve confirmed that homemade pasta will be part of the fare. Cantinetta in Wallingford was named 2012 Reader’s Choice for Best Italian food.

Bar Cantinetta is scheduled to open at the end of July. The new restaurant will probably play a role in this year’s Bastille Bash, but this has yet to be confirmed.

While the loss of La Côte makes Madison Valley a little bit less French, the addition of a Tuscan restaurant enhances the Valley’s reputation as a European village.

The number of crimes reported to the police increased from around 30 in March and April to the mid-30s in May. Perhaps as a result of the heightened police patrols in the Arboretum, car prowl theft (4 incidents) was no longer the most numerous type of report. Instead, property damage/graffiti (7 incidents) took over first place, almost doubling from its March–April levels. In addition to 4 reports of stolen vehicles, there were 4 burglaries during May.

1. On May 14 a burglar broke into a home on 19th Ave. near Highland Dr. while the owner was briefly away and stole computer equipment and tools. The intruder left behind a crow bar used to force open the back door of the house, but police were unable to find fingerprints on it.

2. Sometime during the night of May 15–16 two businesses in the 2800 block of Madison were burglarized. The burglar(s) entered by smashing a front window and stole cash, merchandise and a laptop computer.

3. On May 23 a burglar pried open a window in the back of a house on 19th Ave. near Aloha and stole computer equipment and cameras while the owner was away. The police could find no fingerprints.

4. During the night of May 26–27 someone pried open the side door of a home under construction near 26th Ave. and Helen and stole several power tools. Police found no evidence that could identify the burglar(s).

May also witnessed 4 assault/robbery reports.

1. On May 11 shortly after midnight police were called to the home of a person who claimed to have been assaulted and robbed by two assailants who had been following him home from a party at 20th Ave. and E. Cherry St. In the neighborhood of 20th and Union the assailants allegedly pushed the victim down and took his wallet and backpack. Unfortunately, the victim was too intoxicated to give a description of the assailants or to explain how they were able to take his wallet and backpack. The victim refused medical assistance.

2. On May 15 at approximately 10:30 PM a robber attempted to steal several bottles of champagne from the liquor store at 23rd and Union. When the robber attempted to leave the store with the bottles, the clerk told him that if he didn’t give the bottles back he would summon the police. The robber refused and claimed to have a handgun. Outside the store the clerk again told the robber to return the bottles at which point the robber punched him in the mouth and fled. After arriving at the scene around 10:45 the police made an unsuccessful search for the robber.

3. On May 27 at around 10:30 PM the police were called to 21st Ave. near Olive St. to assist a person who feared assault by someone who was following him north on 21st. After the potential assailant threatened to kill the victim with a broken wine bottle, the victim hid in the back yard of a friend’s house and had the friend call the police. The police then made an area search for the assailant but were unable to find him.

4. Around 10:30 PM on May 31 an assailant unsuccessfully tried to steal a laptop computer from a pedestrian on Madison near 25th. After the assailant headed west on Madison, the victim called 911, and when the police arrived he gave a description of the assailant. Soon afterward other officers spotted a person matching the description near 19th and Madison and placed him under arrest after the victim identified him as the assailant.

Harassments and minor thefts made up the bulk of the remaining incidents reported to the police during May. Police reports are underestimates of such activity because many incidents are not reported to the police.

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

On July 13th between 3:00 and 8:00 PM, the Madison Valley Merchants Association and Community Council will host the second annual Bastille Bash. This French-themed event will take place along East Madison Street between 27th and 30th Avenue. We expect between 2,000 and 3,000 guests. Some vehicle access and parking will be affected—please refer to the list below for specific street closures.

We are working together with the City of Seattle Special Events Committee and businesses in our neighborhood to minimize the impacts that will be felt during the event. Your individual needs are very important to us and we will work with you to resolve reasonable scheduling conflicts. There will be emergency vehicle access, should the need arise.

The following streets will be closed and not accessible to vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic between the hours of noon and 9:00 PM on July 13th: 

• 28th Ave East on the north side of Madison to the end of the Schuster Building
• 29th Ave East on the North side of Madison to East Roy Street
• 29th Ave East on the South side of Madison to East Republican Street
• There will be no parking on East Madison between 27th and 29th Ave

We will also have amplified music during the hours of 3:00–8:00 PM.

If you have comments and/or questions about the impact this event will have on your business, please email the Madison Valley Merchants Association or the City of Seattle.

Madison Valley Merchants Association
Lindy Wishard, Volunteer
[email protected]

City of Seattle Special Events Committee
Chris Swenson, Chair
[email protected]