In case you missed the post on our Facebook page, Judy Fu’s Snappy Dragon, 8917 Roosevelt Way N.E., is closed from July 1-14 for renovations.

We can’t wait to see what’s new at one of the city’s top Chinese restaurants!

Police are reporting an armed robbery shortly after 9 a.m. at Sally’s Beauty Supply, in the 800 block of Northeast Northgate Way.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a lone male suspect entered the store and walked up to the checkout counter. While holding a bandanna over his face the suspect ordered the female employee to open the cash registers and give him all the money. At that point the victim felt something hard pressing against her back that she believed to be a weapon (a handgun was displayed during the robbery).

After she gave the suspect the money from the registers the suspect demanded the money from the safe. The victim opened the safe and handed the suspect a bank deposit bag containing receipts. The suspect then ordered the employee into a back office and told her to place her hands behind her back as he threatened to bind her hands. At that point two customers entered the store causing the suspect to flee westbound on foot. The victim was not injured during the robbery.

Responding officers conducted an extensive area search however, the suspect remains at large. There is no suspect description available at this time.

Robbery detectives responded to the scene and continue to actively investigate.

As anticipation grows over the opening later this summer or early fall of the new Maple Leaf Reservoir Park, a firm has announced plans for redevelopment at the park’s north entrance.

There, at Northeast 88th Street and 12th Avenue Northeast, an easement will provide a new entrance to the park. The firm Build Urban proposes to replace a multi-family, somewhat dated building with four new single-family homes, each with five bedrooms and 3.5 baths.

The project is called “Canopy at Maple Leaf,” and judging from the sketches it will retain many of the large trees currently on the property.

(We have the sketches, but are wrestling with WordPress to get them uploaded. You can see them at the “Canopy at Maple Leaf” link, above.

Two of the homes will be “traditional,” similar in appearance to the new homes currently next to the park entrance, according to Build Urban. “The two units next to the sidewalks maintain a more traditional look while utilizing contemporary materials, while the two units beyond these exhibit a more modern form.”

We are currently in the permitting process and expect to break ground sometime in the fall.

We expect them to be complete sometime in the spring of 2014 (timing is dependent on the permitting and construction process).

Currently it is too early to determine pricing of each unit. (They will) range from 2500-3600 approximate square feet.

Update: Our news partner The Seattle Times has a broader story here.

A portion of Northgate/Maple leaf is one of 14 Seattle neighborhoods said to get broadband Internet service.

The provider of potential super-speedy Internet access, which we wrote about in April, today announced how much it will cost and added it won’t start until next year - and even then, not here.

From Gigabit Squared:

The Gigabit Squared fiber network will initially be made available to neighborhoods located within the University of Washington West Campus District, First Hill, Capitol Hill and Central Area of Seattle as part of a program called Gigabit Seattle.

The cost? Somewhere between $10 and $80 monthly, depending on plan, with a one-year service contract. More details below.

Background from our earlier post:

After the plan to provide broadband access citywide died last year, Seattle in December announced a partnership with broadband developer Gigabit and the University of Washington to use existing but unused fiber-optic cable to bring blazing Internet speed to several neighborhoods that actually had the cable.

In February the initial dozen neighborhoods participating in the demonstration project were increased to 14. On its website, Gigabit Seattle says that will bring service to 100,000 citizens and businesses. There is the possibility of some wireless access as well.

In April, Gigabit indicated where it begins service might be influenced by how many people signed up for email alerts in a given neighborhood. It look like they’ve made that decision.

If you’re interested in registering for the service, click here.

More details on cost: (more…)

Thornton Place is the gathering area to be this summer with the addition of its new Summerfest that kicked off this weekend, followed next weekend by the first-ever Seattle Chess Club Tournament Simultaneous Exhibition.

From 12:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29, you’re invited to join the chess tournament that will pit 30 players against one another. Registration fee is $10, payable at the adjacent box office at Regal Thornton Place Stadium 14.

May the winner be a Maple Leaf resident!

Despite the rain, there are plenty of people and vendors at the Lake City Farmers Market this afternoon.

It’s open until 7:30 tonight, and every Thursday from 2:30-7:30 p.m. in front of the Lake City Library at Northeast 125th Street and 28th Avenue Northeast.

It’s been two days since our feeders have been inundated by Red Crossbills. Have they left for the mountains?

The wait is over, and the place is - different.

The annual Maple Leaf Summer Ice Cream Social will begin at 6 p.m. on July 31st, and will be at Olympic View Elementary School.

The social is held on the last Wednesday of July, and is usually held at the Maple Leaf Reservoir Park.

But this year, as we wrote earlier, the park is still under construction, and the grass on the reopened playground still new. There was speculation the social might move to August.

But instead the school, at 504 N.E. 95th St., will host, according to an email Monday from the Maple Leaf Community Council, the event organizer.

Maple Leafers won’t have as far to travel to get fresh produce from their local farmers market starting Thursday, when the longer and bigger Lake City Farmers Market reopens for the season.

This year, the market runs from 2:30-7:30 p.m., and extends from the road in front of the Lake City Library (at Northeast 125th Street and 28th Avenue Northeast) into adjacent Albert Davis Park.

New vendors this season include:

(more…)

Celebrate North Seattle is returning for the fourth consecutive year from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, June 23, at the Oak Tree Village parking lot.

You’re invited to bring the whole family to the free event that includes live music, carnival games, bounce houses, local businesses with interactive booths, local artists, food trucks and giveaways, including a gift bag for the first 300 guests.

For more information, go to the Celebrate North Seattle Facebook page.

Police this afternoon report two new incidents, at the north and south ends of Maple Leaf.

One involves a fight involving a knife at the Northgate QFC, the other a traffic incident at Northeast 80th Street.

From Seattle Police:

A man causing a disturbance outside a North Seattle QFC was cut on the nose by another man who remains at large.

At approximately 12:33 p.m. officers responded to the 11100 block of Roosevelt Way Northeast for a disturbance that escalated into an assault with a knife. Preliminary investigation indicates that an adult male was outside both the Jiffy Lube and QFC yelling, kicking and being hostile and confrontational toward customers and passers-by. At one point the man confronted another man and was cut on the nose with a knife by the man he confronted.

The knife-wielding man left the scene on foot and remains at large. He is described as a light-skinned black male in his mid-20′s, 6’2″ tall, with a slender build and light-colored hair in a pony tail, last seen wearing a brown coat and brown shorts.

The man who was cut sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was subsequently transported to an area hospital by ambulance.

In the traffic incident:

Traffic Collision Investigation Squad (TCIS) detectives are at the scene of a two-car collision that occurred at 12th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 80th Street earlier this afternoon.

At around 12:15 pm, officers and Seattle Fire responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision at that intersection involving a small SUV and a small, private bus/large passenger van. Three of the occupants in the SUV were treated at the scene by Seattle Fire and then transported to Harborview Medical Center for further treatment. The driver of the bus was not injured.

TCIS detectives responded to the scene and will conduct their investigation. Traffic is being diverted around the intersection until the investigation at the scene is complete.

Great Blue Heron (the official City of Seattle bird) fishing this week at Thornton Creek’s Beaver Pond Natural Area.

Thornton Creek, which flows through north Maple Leaf on its way to Lake Washington and includes the home of our very own beavers, has dangerous levels of human fecal bacteria, Seattle Public Utilities has announced.

A two-year investigation by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has confirmed human fecal bacteria are likely entering North Seattle’s Thornton Creek at multiple locations.

Funded by the Washington Department of Ecology and led by SPU stormwater scientist Jonathan Frodge, the study was based on samples collected at 45 sites throughout the watershed, under a variety of conditions

It has been known for years that fecal coliform bacteria concentrations in Thornton Creek exceed the state water quality standard and pose a potential threat to public health. The new study confirms human bacteria are present and contribute to the water quality problem. The study is also the first to identify sub-basins (general areas) where bacteria appear to be entering the stream.

Our news partner The Seattle Times has a lengthy story here, including a plea for help determining where sewage is entering the creek.

Frodge says the public is being asked to help out with the smell test.

“If you’re out there walking, your nose is as trained as anyone’s,” he says.

Sewer smell is sewer smell.

Frodge says people can email him at [email protected].

The building that Beadworld took over last year continues to evolve.

After Beadworld expanded into 9524 Roosevelt Way N.E., Espresso Repair Experts moved in just next door at 9518 Roosevelt Way N.E., followed by the latest arrival: Maple Leaf Physical Therapy.

The one-therapist practice owned by Rändi Sundby didn’t have far to move from its previous location at 9414 Roosevelt Way N.E., but it’s a bit more visible now with its own storefront.

According to its website, Sundby “provides individualized comprehensive quality care for orthopedic injuries, cancer and lymphedema rehabilitation, and Pilates exercise instruction.”

Also new in the neighborhood is Giraf Design, which recently moved into the location vacated in the fall by maoStudios.

Police overnight report a woman attempting to make a deposit to the Bank of America branch at Northgate Mall was stabbed on the hand by a robber who took her deposit bag.

From Seattle PD:

An armed robbery suspect and his accomplice remain at large tonight after robbing and assaulting a woman outside a bank this evening in North Seattle.

At approximately 7:45 p.m. officers responded to the report of an armed robbery with a knife outside the Bank of America located in the 400 block of Northeast Northgate Way.

Preliminary investigation indicates that an adult male suspect was waiting in the hallway area on the south side of the bank near the night deposit box. The female victim approached the night deposit box to make a deposit. The suspect attempted to strike up a conversation while moving in closer to the victim. The victim ignored him. The suspect then took hold of the victim’s deposit bag with his right hand while holding a knife in his left hand. The suspect demanded the money and threatened to stab the victim. The woman resisted and during the struggle that ensued the victim was cut on the hand. The suspect fled the scene on foot with the deposit bag and the victim’s wallet.

Mall security followed the suspect as he ran out the exit door. The suspect was seen getting into a black car that was occupied by one other person. The suspects fled the scene in the vehicle and remain at large.

Fire department medics responded to the scene and treated the victim for her non-life-threatening injury.

The suspect is described as a very thin built white male in his 30′s, 5’10″ tall, last seen wearing a black baseball cap and an Alexander Seahawks jersey.

Anyone with information about this incident or who may know the identities or whereabouts of the suspects is asked to call 911 or Seattle Police and refer to this incident. Anonymous tips are welcome.

This remains an active and on-going investigation.

Thornton Place is inviting the community to its upcoming free Summerfest activities, which kick off June 22 with the Latin-inspired “Side of Salsa” from 3-6 p.m.

The festivities begin with a salsa lesson by instructors from the Century Ballroom, followed by live music from Miho & Diego. There will also be food available from the food truck Taco Gol.

Summerfest continues July 27 with “Paris on the Plaza.” From a description distributed by Thornton Place:

Mais oui! We’ve enjoyed our Nation’s birthday this month and so did another country we know, France! Let’s celebrate with a little bit of Parisian culture on the plaza. Stop on in for a quick lesson in swing dancing, grab a crepe from Crisp Seattle, and sit with your amour as our jazz trio livens up the plaza with music. Have a taste of the classic Parisian time all and before you know it you won’t want to say Au Revoir to the night.

And we’ll say goodbye to Summerfest with a “Hawaiian Hello” on Aug. 14th:

Think summer is over? Well then say hello to some Hawaiian beach fun. Come enjoy our beach-themed night on our own private oasis. We might not have a pig roast but Raney Brothers BBQ will be on site to feed your beach appetite. Miho & Diego make their second appearance at the plaza with a completely different set of musical stylings, bringing you the sounds of the luau. Don’t say goodbye to summer, give a big Hawaiian Hello to our last Summerfest event hosted by Thornton Place! The party starts at 3:00pm!