Last October the city was in the third day of a major winter storm. Some people couldn’t leave their homes, some who did got trapped.

“Maple Leaf Team to Wedgwood Hub. This is a drill. We have a car stuck snowbound with three occupants suffering from hypothermia. Requesting support.”

That was the drill last Oct. 29th. Participants came from all over northeast Seattle, including Maple Leaf, View Ridge, Meadowbrook, Hawthorne Hills, Ravenna/Bryant, even Pinehurst, Fremont and Montlake, according to a follow-up report from the Wedgwood Community Council. Some 85 neighbors participated.

Now the drill is coming to Maple Leaf this weekend, and the organizers want community support from neighbors here.

Here’s what it will sound like: “Maple Leaf here, we have a cyber attack by malicious hackers who have shut down the power grid. We have no power, no phones, no cell service.”

This Saturday expect to see white “pop-up” tents and 20-foot radio antennas appear at Maple Leaf Reservoir Park, just off 14th Avenue Northeast. The drill will run from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

It’s part of a citywide effort to prepare for emergencies – officials say that in a major event all residents should be prepared to be without city services for at least three days – and maybe two weeks.

The tents on Saturday will stand in for a permanent emergency communications “hub,” such as the one built last year in Wedgwood.

“The Maple Leaf neighborhood is uniquely suited to have its own communications hub,” emails John Parnell, a Maple Leaf resident and amateur radio operator.

“Being located in one of the highest elevations in the city, we would be able have point-to-point communications all the way from Lake Washington to Puget Sound. This would be very important when/if there is an emergency that knocks out public safety communications and overwhelms the cellular phone networks (even minor shakes cause cell overloads as everybody tries to talk at once!)”

The ham operators tested conditions earlier this month. “We were able to reach all of the community areas using a base radio at the park talking to handheld radios. The only ‘dead zone’ was a few blocks at a low spot near where Northeast 92nd Street crosses Interstate 5.

“All we need is for folks to show up at 8:30 a.m. on the 19th; we will divide them up into groups and send each group out with a radio and a  radio ‘mentor’ who will help them sending out the messages. The drill will last only two hours,” Parnell says.

“Other folks can stay at the hub and participate with our volunteers and see what the various roles are in the operation of the hub. You need not stay for the whole drill. Feel free to come by and check us out!”

For more information email John:  k7hv (at) arrl.net

The parade in 2010.

Sacajawea Elementary School’s annual Spring Arts Festival – which includes a parade and draws several hundred people – is slated for this Saturday afternoon from 2-5 p.m.

“An array of performances include: Music, singing, dancing, storytelling!!! Performed by our talented students, teachers and special guests.

“See our amazing student art shows!!! Join the Dragon Parade.”

Want more details? This from the school: “The parade this year will be a ‘Dragon’ Parade. The kids (and adults too) will have an opportunity to make masks during the festival. The parade is scheduled for the end”

Food and drink are also available, and jewelry and crafts are for sale. The school is at 9501 20th Ave. N.E.

Keep an eye out for “Buddy,” especially in the Thornton Creek ravine.

Shawn emails that Buddy has been missing for two weeks, and suspects that he wandered into the ravine between Northeast 98th and Northeast 100th streets at about 17th Avenue Northeast. He hasn’t been seen since April 26th.

“Buddy is 14 years old, and hard of hearing. He is a red Shiba Inu, and when last seen was wearing a black harness with a red heart tag. He is only 20 lpounds, and likes to crawl into small/dark places. I am asking folks around the neighborhood to check in their garages, crawl spaces, vehicles, under their porches, in or under infrequently used vehicles…etc.”

Update: Maybe I should have titled this, “what’s the stupidest thing you’ve had stolen from your house?

We report on neighborhood crime with some regularity … but this is ridiculous.

Some one overnight unscrewed and stole two hanging planter boxes from a tidy front-yard fence on 12th Avenue Northeast.

The home there also houses Seattle Creative Kids Preschool, at 9221 12th Ave. N.E. You can just see the school in the right of this photo, taken when Seattle firefighters paid a day visit to the school last October.

“All that is left is the screws that were used to hold the baskets.   I believe they were taken last night,” Sheila emails us from the school. “I’m so bummed they took my good Huecheras.”

Petty crime is not unknown in Maple Leaf. Cars are routinely plundered here, and as proprietors of the Dog Oasis, also on 12th Avenue Northeast, we have had several of our dog bowls stolen from the corner.

Shouldn’t thieves have more pride than to steal wooden planters and canine water bowls?

7 p.m. – The first-ever Maple Leaf Art Walk is in full swing on a glorious spring evening.

Groups of people are congregating on Roosevelt Way Northeast and Fifth Avenue Northeast, scanning their art walk maps and deciding which gallery or shop to visit next.

Twenty-some businesses are participating in the walk, sponsored by Maple Leaf Life and 20Six Fresh, a Maple Leaf graphics shop which produced the map.

Store owners up and down the arterials are passing out maps, advice, free or reduced-price grub – and selling art.

The Art Walk continues until 9 p.m.

Parents pushed children in strollers, couples walked arm-in-arm and even a few dogs graced the galleries.

In the first hour, several businesses reported seeing a number of new faces along with regular customers. “We’ve seen people who said they’ve never been in before,” Reckless Video reported.

World flutist Gary Stroutsos performed at Cloud City and Between Cultures and local musician Mark Juan played Spanish guitar music at Blue Saucer.

Graphic artist James Gordon outside Reckless Video with his large-format work. Gordon said he saw the advance posts for the Art Walk and decided to exhibit this work, which he says has never before been seen in public.

The Italian Spaghetti House & Pizzeria is still closed, but there’s life in its parking lot. 

Our neighbors to the north-northeast, the Victory Heights Blog, caught this crew in action as a new Espresso stand went up at the old restaurant site at 9824 Lake City Way.

Headrush Coffee hopes to be open for business by June 1st said owner Zach Head, who will run the stand along with his brother. The free-standing building won’t need any plumbing and will tap electricity directly from the main power line.

The Victory Heights report is here.

Update: This was posted as a comment on our “Burglar hits while owner gardens” post:

Hit and run last night 9:50 p.m. to our parked vehicle in front of house just off Roosevelt Way.
Dark color extended cab,short-bed pickup with tool box. Pickup sits high. Silver trim left on ground. This truck will have front corner driver side damage. Never even slowed down, security photos cannot make out make or model though. If anyone sees this vehicle please post.

————————

Judy emails overnight to say a neighbor’s pickup truck was struck by a hit-and-run driver about 9:50 p.m. Wednesday at Roosevelt Way Northeast and Northeast 103rd Street.

“The vehicle that hit it did not slow down. It was a medium sized pick-up, super cab, tool box in the back, black rims. The driver’s side will be smashed up.”

Update: Note that Bead World, 9520 Roosevelt Way N.E., is participating on the tour with bead and craft art.

Have you mapped out your route yet for the first-ever Maple Leaf Art Walk, from 6-9 p.m. Friday, May 11?

We’ve got maps you can print out in color or black and white that are ideal for planning your path, and we’ve got a few more businesses for you to include on the map:

• Flying Squirrel Pizza Co., 8310 Fifth Ave N.E., which is offering art walk specials and works from local artist Dawn Wyatt
• Maple Leaf Veterinary Care Center, 1421 N.E. 80th St.
• Reckless Video, 9020 Roosevelt Way N.E., which will be showing paintings from Jim Gordon on the patio.

Please see the full lineup below (which still has a few details we’re hoping to include before Friday night!), and we hope to see you come out to support your local businesses and artists at the Art Walk! Be sure to RSVP and invite your friends via the Facebook link.

Aljoya Thornton Place, 450 N.E. 100th St.
Works from ZZ Wei will be on display (read our earlier post about his work) and refreshments including wine and hors d’oeuvres will be offered.

Art Tile Co., 8511 Roosevelt Way N.E.
A number of artists will be showing their work and be available to answer questions at Art Tile Co. Participants include:

• Billy Thompson, print art
• Erick Cort Gay, glass artist
• Barb Clark, Agapanther handmade tile
• Paul Lewing, tile artist

Between Cultures, 8809 Roosevelt Way N.E.

Blue Saucer, 9127 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Works by Maple Leaf artist Rachel Marcotte, who designed Wallingford’s turtle street mural, will be on display. Also, from 6:30-8 p.m., local musician Mark Juan will be performing acoustic Spanish guitar music.

Cloud City Coffee, 8801 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Cloud City Coffee will feature linocuts by artist Chip Baker as well as music from world flutist Gary Stroutsos, who will play from 6-8 pm. In addition, hand-poured single-origin coffee will be served by the staff and other refreshments will be provided.

COA Mexican Eatery & Tequileria, 7919 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Art from Sydney Davis will be on display.

Cooper’s Ale House, 8065 Lake City Way N.E.
Works on display from photographer Karla Thomas and an artist Christel Weixelman.

Early Masters, 8815 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Bring the kids by during the art walk so they can experience watercolors, charcoal, pencils and photo references of great artworks around the table. Art walkers of all ages are invited to stop by to sketch like Matisse or Picasso and others.

Edward Jones, 9524 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Maple Leaf woodturner Vern Tater will have works such as handmade salt and pepper shakers, wooden tops, decorative bowls and more on display, and he will do a spinning top demonstration if you’d like to see him in action.

Fine Impressions, 8300 Fifth Ave. N.E.
A number of artists will be available to answer questions throughout the evening (the list may grow, so stay tuned!), including:

• April Richardson, who will be demonstrating monotype and linocut
• Stephen McMillan, who will have aquatint demonstration plates and tools
• Diane Steen, watercolor
• David Harrison, etchings and watercolor
• George Ciardi, photography
• Marguerite Langlois
• Paula Phipps

Flying Squirrel Pizza, 8310 Fifth Ave N.E.
Works on display from local artist Dawn Wyatt, and Art Walk specials including:

• Growler beer fills (beer to-go!) are only $12, regular price $15. (bring your own 64-ounce growler or purchase an FSPC one for $3)
• Cheese bread appetizer (to-go or in house) for only $5. Regular price $7. This is portable and good for walking!

Fraternal Order of Eagles Mother Aerie No. 1, 8201 Lake City Way N.E. (which is shown on the wrong side of Cooper’s on some older versions of the Art Walk map)
Painter Ray Munger and Maple Leaf photographer Jeff Blucher are set to exhibit.

Glassique, 9634 Roosevelt Way Northeast

HangFire Design & Frame, 9211 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Works from linoleum cut artist Chris Minor and HangFire owner and Maple Leaf resident Mark Hutchins will be on display.

Hudson New American Public House, 8014 15th Ave. N.E.
Art from Kellie Talbot will be on display and an oyster special will be available.

Last Drop Bottle Shop, 8016 15th Ave. N.E.

maoStudios, 9220 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Jewelry from Yoj Healing Crystals and Bijoudally will be on display.

Maple Leaf Veterinary Care Center, 1421 N.E. 80th St.

Maxine’s Floral & Gift, 8811 Roosevelt Way N.E.

Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave. N.E.
Stop by to take part in a hands-on workshop that will be open to all ages.

Reckless Video, 9020 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Artist Jim Gordon will show his paintings on the patio.

Snow Goose Gallery, 8806 Roosevelt Way N.E.

Looking for an escape with the ladies for a good cause? The “Pink Tour” returns tonight to Maple Leaf Ace Hardware, 900 Roosevelt Way N.E., where the refreshments will be flowing for the after-hours ladies night from 7-9.

The “hardware event by women for women,” according to Ace’s Facebook page, includes a personalized tour of the store, a composting demonstration by clerk Heather, door prizes, free munchies and refreshments, and plenty of time for you to browse the store and ask questions.

In addition, 5 percent of all the evening’s sales will benefit Friends for a Greater Maple Leaf Park, a volunteer group that is raising money for the new Maple Leaf Reservoir Park.

Looks like we’re going to have perfect weather for the Maple Leaf Art Walk on Friday, with a high of 65 that day and clear skies after the sun sets at 8:36 p.m.!

We’ve also got a few more additions to the schedule, including an appearance by Maple Leaf woodturner Vern Tater.

Tater will have works such as handmade salt and pepper shakers, wooden tops, decorative bowls and more on display at Edward Jones, 9524 Roosevelt Way N.E., and he also will be doing demonstrations if you would like to see him in action.

In addition, Fine Impressions, 8300 Fifth Ave. N.E., has added two more artists to its lineup:

• Marguerite Langlois
• Paula Phipps

Other updates include:

COA Mexican Eatery & Tequileria, 7919 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Art from Sydney Davis will be on display.

HangFire Design & Frame, 9211 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Works from linoleum cut artist Chris Minor and HangFire owner and Maple Leaf resident Mark Hutchins will be on display.

UPDATE: Reckless Video, 9020 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Artist Jim Gordon will show his paintings on the patio.

We’re waiting on updates from a few more, then we’ll post the list again in its entirety.

Here again are links to the maps from Maple Leaf resident Billy Thompson with 20Six Fresh in case you want to print them out:

• color
• black and white

This arrived overnight from Terrie Johnston, Seattle Police crime prevention coordinator for the North Precinct:

I talked with a gentleman today who lives in the Maple Leaf neighborhood. Evidently, yesterday during the glorious weather we had, he was gardening in the front yard. A thief, unseen by neither the homeowner nor nearby neighbors, entered this home through the unlocked back door and took cash and prescription medications from a back bedroom.

I know it may be inconvenient to keep your doors locked when you are home and gardening, but these crimes are quick and contribute to our burglary rate increases during summer months.

Johnson’s email also included this about the “prolific burglar” we wrote about in March who made a practice of targeting occupied homes: “The 19-year-old serial occupied burglar and auto thief who was hitting the north end neighborhoods hard approximately eight weeks ago has been charged with nearly 10 years. He is in jail and won’t be released for a long time.”

And she told this story:

A 39-year-old, white female was arrested last week for multiple burglaries in the north end, some in which the residents were home at the time of the crime. She confessed to detectives that she is an addict, and she preferred burglaries to prostitution. She spent the day with detectives showing them houses she had hit. She told the detectives that she was surprised how many people leave their house keys out in mailboxes; or on the front porch.

She also told the detectives that she often looked in the windows and could see the desirable loot in plain sight (purses, cash, electronics).

We haven’t done a Maple Leaf burglary report since March, but in the past two months there have been roughly 15 home burglaries here, plus another half-dozen business burglaries. See map above (some of the icons represent more than one burglary).

We also heard over the weekend from Eric, a regular reader, who told this door-to-door story:

On May 3 at around 3:30 p.m. we had a knock to our side door here on 12th Avenue Northeast just off Northgate Way. There was a fairly heavy-set guy with a lisp whose first words to me were not “hello” but consisted of some hurried mumbling asking about what street he was on. He was relaying this information to someone on his cell phone as I stood there confused and thinking he might have just had a car emergency outside our house.

He then went straight into asking me, in a very excited but strangely uninterested way, if I wanted a free carpet and/or furniture cleaning. I said something about being a renter and no thanks, to which he repeated that it was totally free and who could say no and all that while he was peeking into the door. When I said no thanks again he just shrugged and made a dismissive motion while walking away and saying “ok then.”

It was one of the most-odd people I’ve had come to the door and definitely freaked us out for a bit. Just figured I’d send along my story in case a bunch of others have dealt with the same thing or know much about it.

Didn’t get enough starts at the Olympic View plant sale last week?

Now Nathan Hale is having another one nearby, starting this afternoon.

The annual sale, featuring everything from hanging baskets to tomatoes, is at the school’s greenhouse, off of Lake City Way and Northeast 110th Street.

From the intersection of Lake City Way and 110th, head east down the hill, then turn northbound onto 34th Avenue and take a left (westbound) onto our driveway. Please park in our gravel parking area.

We will be selling hanging baskets (fuchsias and mixed annuals), bedding plants, ornamental grasses, herbs, vegetable starts, and native trees and shrubs. All plants are grown organically by Nathan Hale students.

Here are the sale hours: Today, Wednesday and Thursday from 1-6 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Note there is no sale on Friday.

For more details go to the school’s website or their horticulture Facebook page.

Many of our commenters seemed ready to see Toys “R” Us leave after Christmas, and ideas for what should fill in the gap varied from a Trader Joe’s to a drugstore to a pizza place and them some. But nobody even thought about one of Seattle’s favorite local stores: Nordstrom Rack.

According to The Seattle Times, Nordstrom is planning to move into the 37,000-square-foot space after making $1.9 million in renovations, although a move-in date is unknown. From the article:

The new store is part of an aggressive national expansion for the Rack, which expects to soon have more locations than the company’s full-price Nordstrom division. It also follows the chain’s move last month to Westlake Center downtown, across Fifth Avenue from the Nordstrom flagship store.

Nordstrom spokeswoman Kendall Ault said that while the company has nothing “definitive to share at this time,” it considers Northgate “a great location for a Rack store. It’s consistent with our strategy of opening Rack stores in close proximity to our full-line stores.”

Thanks to Stu for sending us the link!

Pacific Northwest gardeners will be flocking to Maple Leaf this weekend!

From Friday to Sunday, the annual Olympic View Plant Sale returns to the elementary school at 504 N.E. 95th St., where you can buy beautiful edibles, flowers, shrubs and other plants to benefit the students of Olympic View Elementary School.

The plant sale will be open:

• Friday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, May 5, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sounds like Saturday is the day to shop, though, with free kids’ crafts starting at 11 a.m., as well as coffee from Blue Saucer and frozen custard from Peaks.

UPDATE: Another reason to shop Saturday: Maple Leaf gardener Stacy Brewer, author of the Seattle Seedling blog, will be at the plant sale from 10 a.m. to noon to answer any of your gardening questions. She writes:

I’ll share all of my favorite plant picks with you! I hope you’ll come out and chat with me! Tell me how your garden’s growing and what you hope to grow in your garden this summer! I’d love to meet you!

Of course, you might be distracted Saturday by another gardening event taking place at Aljoya Thornton Place, 450 N.E. 100th St., where Pacific Northwest gardener Ciscoe Morris will be giving a talk at 1 p.m. about container gardens. From a news release: (more…)

North East Seattle Together  – the new “virtual village for seniors” – has its full public launch today.

Many neighbors have followed NEST’s progress over the past three years, watching as it organized, became a 501(c)3 and raised over $100,000 from the community. It was  featured in the Seattle Times and by KUOW Public Radio.

NEST is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization that will be supported primarily by membership dues.  It serves 14 neighborhoods in northeast Seattle – including Maple Leaf, Wedgwood, View Ridge and the University District – with a wide assortment of services, including transportation, simple household tasks, shopping and many, many more activities that are described on its website.

In February, NEST launched for Founding Members, who became the first to benefit from the community and support services that NEST provides to keep seniors safe in their own homes. Channel 13, Q13Fox.com,  has video here.

For more information email info@nestseattle.org or call 206-525-6378.

Disclosure: Mike, the author of this post, is also a NEST board member.