David emailed us this afternoon to say he accidentally became tangled in a police action last night on his way home about 7:15 p.m.

“I was travelling west on Northeast 80th Street behind three cars,” David wrote. “At the intersection with Fourth Avenue Northeast the second and third cars revealed themselves to be unmarked police units by turning on their police lights.”

The first car (white compact of unknown make) pulled over, with approximately 6-8 officers emerging from the two cop cars with guns drawn, surrounding the first car. Within seconds, a police cruiser swiftly came up behind the second unmarked police car with the officer getting out and also drawing his weapon.

David said he remained in his car for perhaps a minute. “No one emerged from the stopped white car. Eventually, one of the officers in street clothing stopped eastbound traffic for my westbound lane to get through.”

We don’t see any mention of this action on the police blotter, but we’ll ask the department about it. Any readers have information?

Marybeth Turner with the Seattle Department of Transportation has given us an optimistic update about the collapsed staircase at 20th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 98th Street:

The staircase located at 20th Ave NE and NE 98th St was damaged when a landslide caused its footing to move several feet. SDOT has evaluated the damage and will begin repair work starting on April 1. The repair work will take approximately one week and SDOT expects to reopen the staircase for full use on April 8. These temporary repairs will enable safe use of the staircase now and will allow SDOT to schedule permanent repairs when school is not in session.

Two burglary suspects were arrested Wednesday afternoon after a wild chase near Olympic View Elementary School, police report.

The incident began just before 1 p.m. on March 30 when officers responded to a 911 call of two male suspects prowling the backyard of a house in the 9700 block of Eighth Avenue Northeast, police said.

Officers arrived on scene and set up containment around the home in question. Officers discovered that the rear door of the residence had been kicked in and was open. While a search of the residence for suspects was being conducted another patrol officer in the area noticed two males matching the description of the suspects walking down the street several blocks away.

The officer stopped the two suspects and while waiting for back up to arrive both suspects took off running. Officers engaged in a foot pursuit through the yards of multiple blocks of houses. A large area of containment was established utilizing patrol, traffic, and Community Police Team officers, detectives, and Department of Corrections personnel. Both suspects were eventually captured and placed under arrest.

One suspect, an adult, was booked into the King County jail. The other is a juvenile and was booked into the county’s Youth Service Center.

Police reports also show a continued (relative) dearth of burglaries here.

Since our last report of only one burglary in March, the police crime map shows:

• A home burglary reported Tuesday, March 29, in the 10500 block of 20th Avenue Northeast.
• A home burglary on Tuesday, March 22, in the 9700 block of 19th Avenue Northeast. There, entry was made through a sliding door next to the kitchen and jewelry and electronics items were stolen.

In addition:

• Cars were stolen Tuesday, March 29, from the 9000 block and the 5800 block of 17th Avenue Northeast.

• A motorcycle was stolen Friday, March 25, from the 9100 block of Fifth Avenue Northeast.
• A car was stolen Thursday, March 24, from the 8200 block of 15th Avenue Northeast.
• A car was prowled Monday, March 21, in the 500 block of Northeast 77th Street.
• A car was stolen Sunday, March 20, from the 8200 block of 16th Avenue Northeast.

• A car was stolen Friday, March 18, from the 300 block of Northeast Northgate Way.

Barbara and Tom Maxwell, two longtime Maple Leaf residents and ultra-volunteers, will be feted at an open house Friday, April 1.

Barbara resigned earlier this month from long service on the Maple Leaf Community Council.

The couple are leaving our neighborhood, where they’ve lived for 35 years, to move back to to Montana.

We’re gathering stories about them - if you have one, let us know, either by commenting below or sending email to tips at mapleleaflife.com. Would there even be a Maple Leaf Community Garden without them?

The open house is from 5-8 p.m. in the Northgate Community Center Activities Room, at Fifth Avenue Northeast and Northeast 106th Street.

Additional parking is available across the street at Northgate Mall.

Refreshments will be provided.

Ralph writes: “Just after 10:30 this morning the Seattle Fire Department responded with 14 units to a single family residence fire in the 7500 block of Roosevelt Way NE.

“Luckily the large response was not necessary as the fire was in a clothes dryer and was quickly extinguished. Better to see more units than not enough. Lots of hose to be rolled up.”

Thanks for the report and photos, Ralph!

According to fire dispatch, 14 units responded to what came in as “fire in a single-family residence.”

By Katie Melton

Usually when urban dwellers pick up a prescription, it’s a quick, impersonal stop at a grocery store or an even more impersonal mail-only service. But at Maple Leaf Pharmacy, they’ll know you by name.

The pharmacy originated in 1988 in the old Northgate Hospital building (north parking lot of the mall). It moved to its current location, at 8830 Roosevelt Way N.E., in 1996.

The Maple Leaf Pharmacy is independently owned and operated, and was originally called North Roosevelt Pharmacy, under the same landlord. The pharmacists, Bill McNary and Bernie Bauman, work alongside Geraldine Crews, the head technician, who has been with the current owner for 21 years.

“In order to stay alive, we focus more on being patient-oriented. We know everybody by name so they feel like they’re paid attention to more, and cared about,” Crews said.

Not only does the person behind the counter know you personally, but the pharmacy is also a drug compounding center. So, the medication is tailored specifically for each patient at the pharmacy. The Maple Leaf Pharmacy does veterinary compounding as well, which is perfect for all those dogs and their walkers in the neighborhood.

“Many people don’t realize this, but a lot of animals use human drugs. But, they are like babies, so they need them in much smaller doses,” Crews said.

As a compounding pharmacy, the pharmacists are able to provide unique drugs to their patients. One in particular can only be found in Canada, but the Maple Leaf Pharmacy is one of the very few that is able to compound it, drawing people from all over to get the medication.

This goes for animals, too.

“There’s one drug in particular that we use for cats,” Crews said. “It was pulled off the market years ago for liver damage in humans.”

The pharmacy is able to compound this veterinary drug by clarifying that it will not be used for human consumption.

(more…)

What a difference a winter makes. Last summer, we posted the above photo of the pedestrian staircase where 20th Avenue Northeast ends at Northeast 98th Street.

Reader Seth Myers sent us the following photos of what the staircase heading down to Thornton Creek now looks like:

And no, we’re not talking about the lack of greenery, but rather the huge chasm now in the middle of the staircase.

Although the staircase is closed for the time being, we’re still waiting to hear back from the Seattle Department of Transportation about what exactly happened, and what the fate of the staircase will be.

Click below for a view of the staircase from the side, to see just how bad it is. Thanks for the photos, Seth. (more…)

When LC’s Kitchen opens for lunch at 11:30 this morning, just five days will remain before the doors are locked for good.

The popular neighborhood restaurant, which just celebrated its seventh anniversary on March 4, will close at the end of the night this coming Saturday, April 2.

It wasn’t planned this way. “I’m in a state of shock at how sudden it is,” said Chef Pauline Wickey, who opened the restaurant at 8007 Lake City Way N.E. on March 4, 2004.

Wickey, who for years was a mainstay of the old Maple Leaf Grill (before it burned down and was reopened in its current location), said their landlord indicated on March 19 that he wanted them out, or he would significantly increase their rent.

Several readers have already commented on the restaurant. “This place is a Maple Leaf favorite, my husband and I have frequented them for the last 7 years,” one wrote. “Hate to lose such a homey local place!” said another. And Annie wrote on Maple Leaf Life’s Facebook page: “Please tell your friends and neighbors to go to LC’s Kitchen at 8007 Lake City Way before April 2nd! Its their last day! ”

Wickey has been calling regular customers to warn them that time’s up. LC’s is open today through Friday from11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can reach the restaurant at 206-522-1114.

Several years ago the Seattle Post-Intelligencer wrote, in a review of The Jones Bistro: “Years from now, when Maple Leaf is known as ‘the new Ballard,’ we’re going to mark The Jones and nearby LC’s Kitchen as the spots where it all began.”

Now all, including the P-I, become history.

A review in the Maple Leaf Community Council newsletter praised LC’s: “The restaurant is small, the view at best could be described as ‘territorial’ (Lake City Way rushes by just outside), the food superb. Wickey specializes in fresh fish, decisive spices, tangy salads. Market-fresh seafood stew can change daily, and has never disappointed. Grab the oyster stew, if it’s on the menu, and delight in luscious oysters bathed in a garlic cream sauce. It’s so rich it might count as dessert.”

Wickey said she doesn’t know exactly what comes next. “I need to stop and rest and figure out the next step. There’s something out there - I just know it.”

And she thanked her customers. “I’m just completely grateful for the amount of support and following I’ve had.”

She said fans can stay in touch with LC’s through the restaurant’s Facebook page, where the most recent post is: “LC’s Kitchen Last Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner!”

Update: Friday, April 1. Lumpia World cancelled for today.

What are you in the mood for this week for lunch? The options abound if you make your way to the Thornton Place area, where street food trucks will be parked at 9706 Fourth Ave.

The soup is on Tuesday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with Got Soup? serving Shrimp Etouffee; Chicken Makhani; and two vegan selections, Orange and Cumin Sweet Potato; and Wild Mushroom.

On Thursday, Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream will finish the month off serving its frozen delights from noon to 1:30 p.m., followed by a visit from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday by Lumpia World.

Another business has come and gone at 9220 Roosevelt Way N.E. The Hive Social Club, a tea party house for “little princesses” that opened last October appears to have left the building.

Owner Melissa Plourd tells us:

“I had a good amount of people “liking” me on Facebook which was nice, but not much action beyond that. Every month I was paying a lot of money to have nobody come in … I miss the shop, I think it was a good idea that I wasn’t ready for.”

Even though Plourd is no longer offering party services from the Maple Leaf storefront, she tells us that you still can book her for “princess tea parties,” face painting, body art and other artistic endeavors through her website, Happy Go Lucky Face Painting, or its Facebook twin.

Update, 8:15 a.m. March 28:

This just in from Seattle Police:

Saturday night, at 11:15 p.m., officers responded to a disturbance in the street at 88 NE/Roosevelt. Thirty-40 young males and females in the street, mostly screaming at one another, but no physical fights. As officers approached the crowd, they were approached by a woman who told them she was hosting a party for her 17-year-old daughter. Most of the party attendees are hearing impaired. She stated that she was attempting to keep the attendees off the street until their buses could arrive to pick them up. As soon as the police arrived, most of the attendees went back inside the building. Officers stayed in the area, monitoring it, small groups of four-10 people would leave at a time.

A little after midnight, officers were dispatched to a fight disturbance of 30 or so people in front of the Reservoir Tavern. Officers saw a large crowd on the street, but it started to break up as police arrived. No one was fighting; it apparently all stemmed from the earlier party. Buses arrived and everyone got on, and left the area.

——————————————————————————————-

We’ve had two separate reports from neighbors about an overnight disturbance involving dozens - perhaps up to a hundred - party-goers on Roosevelt Way Northeast and Northeast 88th Street.

The incident started a little before midnight and lasted into this morning, the reports suggest.

“There was a lot of yelling and screaming. It was extremely loud. You also could hear a girl yell, ‘the party’s still on, the party’s still on,’ ” one woman reported.

“The street was blocked and within minutes there was a large police presence and immediately most of the people disappeared,” her email states.

According to the other report: “The groups were peeling down the street….. The cops showed up and parked along Roosevelt and 88th.” That report said “there were several groups of 10 wandering the streets ’til 2:30 or 3:30.”

We’ve asked Seattle Police for more information, which we expect in the morning. The department’s Sunday media relations officer was pretty busy with the aftermath of an armed man up in Pinehurst (15th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 120th Street) who tried to break into a number of apartments and bludgeoned an elderly couple with the butt of a rifle. Officers Tasered and arrested the man.

Maple Leaf made SeattleMet’s list of the city’s “20 best places to live now” in the magazine’s April issue.

Online, “Happily Hidden” Maple Leaf comes right after “Still Funky After All These Years” Fremont and before “Unexpected Diversity” Laurelhurst.

After mentioning Reckless Video and Cloud City Coffee, as “little gems the residents would just as soon keep to themselves,” the piece ends with:

Once the ongoing development of Maple Leaf Park (which includes burying the Maple Leaf Reservoir and adding an off-leash area) wraps up in the next few years, though, it’s only a matter of time before dog walkers and stroller pushers weary of the shoulder-to-shoulder congestion along Green Lake begin to venture north.

Funny, last we’d heard the off-leash area was still on some residents’ wish list but NOT on the current park plan. We’ll have to check back.

Calling all hometown coyotes, frogs and snakes. Together with other reptiles, amphibians and mammals who originally lived here.

A noted naturalist who is also a Maple Leaf resident is wondering how many of our native animal species are still in the neighborhood.

“I’m wondering what part of the original fauna of the city is still hanging around in what seems a nicely wooded neighborhood with natural amenities such as the Thornton Creek ravine,” writes Dennis Paulson.

“When we first moved in here 19 years ago, I would occasionally hear a coyote, but I haven’t heard one for many years now.”

Paulson is director emeritus of The Slater Museum of Natural History at the University of Puget Sound. He is an internationally acknowledged expert on birds and dragon flies, and can sometimes be seen on the street here photographing the Scarlet-fronted parakeets of Maple Leaf.

Last spring he introduced several clutches of Pacific Chorus Frogs into his backyard pond. “We know they hatched, as we saw small tadpoles and a few metamorphosed individuals, but I have neither seen nor heard any frogs since then,” Paulson writes. “It would be so cool if they did get established in the neighborhood, but I don’t know if our pond will be suitable or not. They were certainly here originally, but most of our reptiles and amphibians seem to be wiped out by urbanization.”

Paulson wants to get emails from anyone who spots native wildlife. “I welcome hearing about any frog, salamander, or snake that anyone ever sees anywhere near here! Ditto native mammals other than raccoon or bats or moles.” Editor’s note: He does know about the beavers in Thornton Creek Park No. 6.

“It is important to point out that two commonly seen mammals, eastern gray squirrels and possums, are not native.” That means he doesn’t need reports about them, nor the aforementioned raccoons, bats or moles.

“I have never seen a reptile or amphibian in the neighborhood, nor any native mammal other than the ones I named.”

For other critters, email Paulson: dennispaulson at comcast.net.

Although COA Mexican Eatery & Tequileria doesn’t plan to open until mid-May, the new Maple Leaf restaurant at 7919 Roosevelt Way N.E. posted an ad via Twitter announcing that it’s already hiring:

“Tell us a little about yourself and your previous experience in the field. Share with us an experience you’ve really enjoyed with tequila.”

And COA isn’t the only new area business that’s hiring. The new Sally Beauty Supply, 837 Northeast Northgate Way, also has a sign posted in its window looking for help.

Most of the boxes are unpacked and it looks like the store is set to open Monday, March 28. Ready to work that soon? Applications are available online and can be submitted at the Lynnwood location, 19410 Highway 99, Suite C. For more information, call 425-776-4237.

If you’re more interested in being on COA’s wait staff or a “mixologist,” email [email protected].

Know of any other companies hiring in the neighborhood?

A dramatic two-car crash closed Roosevelt Way Northeast and brought news helicopters and police and fire units to Maple Leaf shortly before 10:30 this morning.

One SUV ended up in the ditch almost under this building at Roosevelt and Northeast 91st Street.

Thirteen emergency vehicles were dispatched to the scene at 10:18 a.m., and another one a minute later.

No serious injuries were reported, although ambulances were at the scene. Buses on Roosevelt were rerouted to stops south of Northeast 80th Street.

A neighbor emailed to say: “Nice pedestrian almost hit, missed him by about a foot.”