The free concert of Schubert Songs scheduled for Friday, May 17^th at the Magnolia Presbyterian Church is been postponed due to the illness of soloist John Obourn.  The event will be rescheduled later.  We wish you a quick recovery, John!

There is something going down at (or near) US bank.

This email (which may or may not be related to the incident) was sent to MV at 6:03pm:

There are currently six cop cars on 31st Ave W, just south of Dravus. Only two officers are in a car and they said they are checking the premises (or perimeter ?) for the block, but wouldn’t comment further.

We got this email earlier this week. Nice to know there is still great customer service in our neighborhood!

It’s not often that cashiers are able to take the time to really help a customer, though the folks at ACE Hardware have never failed to help me when I needed it.

Today a young lady (whose name I didn’t catch) helped me get a small flashlight back in action. She was willing to spend the time to clean all contact points, test and retest the light bulb, and bring my flashlight back to life!

Yes, I could have bought a new one, but I’m old enough to remember that we actually fixed things when they stopped working.

It gives me hope that our next generation will be more careful and not only recycle and reuse but also REPAIR!

Many many thanks for all the help! And thanks for being a great example for your generation – from someone nearly old enough to be your grandmother!

(A sponsored post by  John Madrid with John L. Scott Real Estate)

There are no signs that the current trends of low inventory, rising prices, short sales times and multiple offers will be abating anytime soon.

For Queen Anne and Magnolia there continues to be only about a 1 to 2 month supply of single-family home inventory. This tight inventory can be attributed to continued low interest rates, robust Puget Sound area hiring and a generally improved economy including significant gains in the stock market. Whether the market will become more “balanced” (defined as a 3-6 month supply of homes) will hinge on many more listings hitting the market over the coming months.

Of Queen Anne and Magnolia homes closed in April the average sale price was a little over 102% of the most recent list price.  This indicates continued multiple offer situations.

Prospective buyers also should think in terms of at least a minimum of 3-5+ year home ownership horizon and preferably maintain the option to hold onto their home through future downturns in the market. Home seller costs (excise tax, title/escrow fees, sale commissions) of approximately 9% of the sales price should also be factored into any decision to purchase.

Click here for more stats on other Seattle neighborhoods. John Madrid is a Managing Broker with John L. Scott Real Estate – University Village and is a 2005-2012 Seattle Magazine “Five Star” Agent. His clients include both home buyers and sellers. He can be reached at 206-498-1880, john@live206.com or www.live206.com.

Statistics are deemed reliable but are not guaranteed.  All information should be verified to the users own satisfaction.

Gym rats beware… take your bag with you.  We got this email over the weekend.

My wife’s Saturn was (a) smash and grab victim last night. It appears they were after her gym bag which was on her front seat. She has always kept it in her car but I guess we will have to think twice about doing this now. Car was parked in our parking spot under Casa Ladaro Apts. on 27th Pl W.

My black and yellow Honda motorcycle, a 2003 CBR600RR, was stolen from my Magnolia carport … I called the police as soon as I found out it was missing but I am trying to get word out particularly as it was probably a local…it is my only mode of transportation (and) could use all the help I can get.

-License plate # 981185, tabs exp 5/13

-It has a white dragon decal on the windscreen

-White “CrossFit Interbay” stickers on each of the silver lower side plastics

- The yellow fairings (plastic side pieces) are held together w/ black zip ties

- It’s been lowered about 1 1/4 so the bottom middle of the license plate is bent back a bit.

- Note: this picture is pre-zip ties.

I’m advertising a $100 reward for any tips that lead to it’s recovery.

Thanks again for your

I wouldn’t be surprised if they painted it since yellow is a unique color and is easy to spot. The police also told me to let people know if they have a tip to call the non emergency police line which is 206.625.5011 opt 2,8.

Photo from Tacoma News Tribune

We were thrilled to learn that Magnolia’s own Bill Condon won the Tacoma Marathon last weekend.  He was kind enough to do an interview over email with Magnolia Voice. Here’s what we talked about:

MV: Congrats on your amazing finish in the Tacoma Marathon!  What can you tell us about the race?

BC: The race was on Sunday and had about 2,000 runners.  It was a great course with lots of supporters.  I was running in 3^rd the majority of the race and passed the guy in 2^nd at mile 18 and was able to catch the guy that was running in first at mile 24.  That guy had won the past 6 Tacoma marathons.  He finished about 2 minutes and 30 seconds behind me.  I finished in 2 hours and 43 minutes which is my 2^nd best time.  My PR is 2:39.

MV: Where do you train?

BC: I mainly train in Magnolia.  Magnolia is a great place to run because of all the hills.  I run pretty much all over Magnolia (Blvd, Discovery Park, Viewmont, 28^th, Government Way, Thorndyke, and the Interbay area as well). I have a routine depending on how far I am going that day.  I usually run about 70 miles a week.

MV: How many marathons have you run?

BC: 11 ( I started running marathons in late 2010).

MV: How many have you won?

BC: I have won some half marathons but this is my first win for the full marathon.  I finished 3^rd in the Coeur d’alene marathon, 4^th in the Seattle marathon, 5^th in the Denver marathon.

Condon was at the Boston Marathon earlier this Spring:

BC: I was in Boston with my dad and 5 year old son.  We were having lunch when the explosions happened. We were staying at the Fairmont hotel which was about 2 blocks from the explosions.  When we walked back from lunch to the hotel, it was a very sad and chaotic environment.  We will definitely be back next year and I will run in the marathon again and we will be there to support that great city.  Boston is a resilient city and I know that next year will most likely be the biggest year ever for Boston marathon supporters.  I ran the Boston marathon in 2011 and had a great experience.  This year I was injured going into the race and ended up having to pull out of the race at mile 12 due to my calf.  I was worried about running Tacoma so soon after being hurt in Boston but I started slower than normal for Tacoma and was able to close strong.  I was thinking about all of those people affected by the horrific attack in Boston and that was great motivation for me in Tacoma.  Boston did not deserve that nor did those innocent people that were caught up in that terrible tragedy.

MV: Any other thoughts you want to add would be great…

BC: Playing football, basketball, and baseball growing up  I used to think people that ran long distances were a  little crazy but then I started running and became a huge fan. I think that people can get caught up in how fast they are running and they shouldn’t pay attention to that, the key is to get out and challenge yourself and just do the best job that you can do.  There is always someone that will be faster than you.  There is a great feeling when you train for a race and cross the finish line.

MV: Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions, and congrats again on your huge accomplishment!

Ballard’s dance team is hosting a dance clinic on Saturday, May 11 at the Ballard High School gym from 2-4.  Kids aged 5-14 are invited to learn dance and conditioning techniques, leaps, turns, and a combo that will be performed at the end of the clinic (3:45).  The team is ranked 12th in Washington State, performs at school and community events, and participates in regional and state competitions.  Coach Emily Lubinski is a certified teaching artist who is also a professional dancer in Seattle.  Come and see what it’s like to dance at Ballard High School.  The cost is $15.

To register, follow this link  and click on the registration form at the bottom left corner of the page.  The registration form/waiver is required in order for your student to participate.

If you have any questions or would like assistance with registration, contact Laura at quandt4@comcast.net.

Seattle Parks and Recreation will join Citizens for Off-Leash Areas (COLA) for a general membership meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8 in the Park Board Room, 100 Dexter Ave. N.

Parks and the COLA Board of Directors will celebrate the openings of two new off-leash areas at Magnolia Manor Park in Magnolia and at Lower Kinnear Park in Queen Anne. They will also share important updates and upcoming events and hold a round table discussion.

Topics will include events, fundraisers, marketing, education, volunteers, partnerships, newsletters, and more.

The public is invited to come and learn about the benefits of COLA membership and to join. Member dues help improve existing off-leash areas and communicate with supporters. Donations support the newsletter, postage, printing, phone line and educational brochures and materials.

Citizens for Off-Leash Areas (COLA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was formed to obtain and maintain off-leash dog exercise areas in Seattle. For more information on COLA, please go to www.coladog.org.

Note: Please leave doggies at home!

There is construction on W Galer street this weekend, causing a detour (just before you enter the Magnolia bridge from Magnolia).  Please drive carefully.  It should be done before Monday’s commute!

Per Metro

On Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5, 7:00 AM through 6:00 PM each day, Routes 24 and 33 will be rerouted off of 28th Av W between W Hayes St & W Galer St, due to construction. During this time, bus routes 24 and 33 heading toward downtown Seattle, will travel instead via W Hayes St, Thorndyke Av W and W Galer St to their regular routes, using all posted bus stops along the revised routing. Bus routes heading toward Magnolia will not be affected.