UPDATE:  You may have noticed that some of the merchants decorated around their businesses with red lights.  That was their surprise.  They plan to keep them up through the month of February. 

A group of merchants in the Magnolia Village has a surprise planned on the first day of February.   They have asked us to help them keep it a secret until they reveal their special Valentines themed ‘treat’ on Tuesday.

Keep your eyes on The Village around dusk on Tuesday to see what they are planning.

Underneath Salmon Bay run a pair of 75-year-old sewer pipes that needs to be replaced. The old wooden pipes convey about 60-million gallons of sewage to the West Point Treatment Plant near Discovery Park every day. According to Annie Kolb Nelson with the King County Wastewater Treatment Division, the pipes are at the end of their lifespan.

The Metropolitan King County Council recently secured funding to replace the wooden pipes with larger concrete segments. The new 85-inch pipes will help ease the combined sewer overflows, which are overflows of stormwater and wastewater that occur during heavy rains in older parts of Seattle. “The County was able to use our strong credit rating to secure a low rate loan that will allow the Ballard Siphon to be upgraded while saving money for ratepayers, creating jobs, reducing sewer overflows, and improving water quality,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, who represents Ballard on the County Council. “This really is a win-win for people living in the Ballard area and for the entire county.” The $20-million, 20 year loan with a 2.8 percent interest is with the Washington State Department of Ecology. According to a release sent out by King County, this loan It will save the County an estimated $26.9 million in interest compared to conventional bond financing.

Kolb-Nelson tells us that they are currently looking for a contractor for the project and once started, the project will take two-and-a-half to three years. There will be two portals – one in Ballard, one in Magnolia. “People should expect impacts during construction – noise, dust, the presence of heavy equipment and possible traffic impacts,” Kolb-Nelson says. “King County will work with the public and the contractor to take reasonable steps to minimize impacts where we can.” The county will appoint a community relations contact if citizens have questions or concerns.

Construction on the Ballard Siphon project is expected to begin later this year. (Old photo courtesy Seattle Municipal Archives.)

Fourteen year old Elizabeth Swanberg is getting ready to go bald as she raises funds to fight childhood cancer. The Blaine 8th grader will shave her head on February 18th as part of her fundraising efforts for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.  She has already raised over $2,000 for the foundation that provides grants for researchers working to find a cure for childhood cancer. 

The idea is for each participant to  shave their head to raise awareness about childhood cancer since many children who have cancer lose their hair after treatment.  Elizabeth writes that she has never had any connection to cancer, or been heavily impacted by it but that is why she is participating.   She says she has been reading about peoples experiences with cancer, the causes, the symptoms and medications. 

As you can see from the photograph, Elizabeth has very long hair.  It measures 21 inches from the top of her scalp. 

If you would like to support Elizabeth, you can donate here.  We will update you with a photo and a fundraising update after the big day.

The retail store on 32nd Ave West by Bartell Drugs that was left vacant when Hollywood Video closed is getting two new tenants.  

Pet Pros will be relocating from their current location on McGraw Street and will share the space with a new branch of Umpqua Bank.  

The move will happen in the next few months since the space needs to be renovated to accommodate both tenants.  Pet Pros tells us that they are looking forward to having a larger space for their pet food and supply store.  No word on whether a new tenant has been located for the space Pet Pros will be vacating.

One other business note.  LyLy Nails is moving to the space that was formerly occupied by Katy’s Daisies at 2436 32nd Ave West.  That store closed in December after two years in operation.  No word on when the nail salon will move from its current location on McGraw Street.

Sassy is a five year old, Chihuahua mix that is looking for her forever home. She’s currently staying in a Seattle Animal Shelter foster home and after some initial shyness she’s settled in quite well – she just needed a little time to feel safe and secure. Now she greets her foster family with such intense wiggles it’s impossible to tell which end is up.

Sassy is more playful as she has become more accustomed to her new surroundings and now helps herself to toys.  She doesn’t seem interested in chewing anything. She will sometimes ask to hop up onto a lap, but she’s not needy and is a very easy dog to live with – she’s always smiling and wagging.  She does love to be up on the furniture and can easily jump up on the bed. She’s mostly potty trained but may need some encouragement as she transitions to a new home and routine.

Sassy shares her foster home with a couple of other dogs and would do well as either an only dog or with a compatible male dog in her new home. She may be okay with cats if supervised. She likes both men and women and she has happily greeted an assortment of teenagers who have come to visit. She will bark to warn when new people enter the home but then she settles down quickly. Sassy is easy to have around, cheerful and friendly.

If you would like to meet Sassy, download a Dog Adoption Application here and send your completed application to the Shelter’s Adoption Review team at adoptionreview@gmail.com or via fax it to (206) 386-4285. You may also pick up/drop off the application at the Seattle Animal Shelter, 2061-15th Ave. W. (1 mile south of the Ballard Bridge). The shelter is open Wednesday-Sunday from noon-6:00 pm, and closed on holidays.

The Camp Fire candy sale runs from now until February 21 and there are three Camp Fire groups in the Magnolia area who are selling candy. 

             (Second graders Ava Olson and Sidney Misner selling candy at an area grocery store)

This year the kids from Camp Fire are are selling Mint Patties, Almond Roca, Almond Caramel Clusters, P-Nuttles and a new addition is Camper Mix, a sugar free mix of cashews, almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame sticks.    Each item sells for $5.   You can also buy online here.

The Magnolia Community Club reports that it has collected and forwarded 74 pages of petitions to the FAA  in opposition to the proposal to lower the Class B airspace over Magnolia and parts of Ballard and Queen Anne. 

Well over one hundred people showed up at a Community Club meeting last November to express concern about the proposed change that would lower the floor from 3000 feet to 2000 feet above sea level.  That would mean larger planes flying lower and with more frequency over Magnolia.

The FAA will accept written comments (in triplicate) until Monday (1/31).  If you would like to submit your comments, click here for the information.

The Bloodmobile is coming to Interbay on Saturday (1/29) from 10:00am to 4:00pm at the Peet’s Coffee in the Interbay Urban Center (1827 15th Ave West, across from Brown Bear Car Wash).

All donors can enjoy a free massage from the staff at Magnolia Chiropractic & Massage, who will be there for the entire duration of the blood drive.  Donors will also receive free refreshments from Peet’s Coffee.  For more information, or to reserve a time slot, email InterbayUrbanCenter@gmail.com.  Walk-ins are also welcome.

We wanted to pass along this note from Melissa Valenzuela about a special class at the community center starting up next week.

We’re having a special promotion at Magnolia Community Center right now involving one of our new classes, Tiny Hip-Hop Dance. For just $2, parents can have their kids try out the first class of this 8-week session. The instructor is Annie McGee, a very well-known and celebrated instructor coming from Queen Anne Community Center.  Tiny Hip-Hop Dance is designed to get children ages 3-5 moving to appropriate hip hop beats while learning motor skills, rhythm and coordination. The class begins Monday, Jan. 31 at 3 p.m. If a child enjoys the class, parents can sign them up for the remaining 7 classes for just $52.50, or they can secure a spot now by registering in full for $60 by calling 206-386-4235.   

The Magnolia Mom’s group is hosting their annual pancake breakfast in the Fatima Parish hall (3307 West Dravus Street) on Sunday (1/30) following the 8:30a.m. and 10:30a.m. masses.  The money raised will go towards the Easter Basket program. The event is open to the public and the cost is $5 per person or $20 per family.  Each year the Magnolia Moms create and deliver approximately 200 Easter baskets to Seattle women, moms, and children who are in transitional housing.  Baskets are filled with age appropriate toy items, books, school-supplies, and toiletries.

Sustainable Magnolia has received funding from the Department of Neighborhoods through its Small and Simple matching grant program to fund a project entitled ”Envisioning a Vibrant Community Gathering Place for Manor Park.” The amount awarded is $20,000, and is expected to be matched in the form of volunteer hours and resources.

Magnolia Manor Park is located in the 3500 block of 28th Ave West.

The project, led by a steering committee made up of local community representatives and a landscape architect consultant, will result in developing a conceptual plan for the park.  Organizers say this is more than an effort to create a new landscape design for the park.  It is an opportunity for the community to have a say in how it will use the park.

The plan will incorporate a dog off leash area which has been in the works since a decision in 2006 by the Parks Board of Trustees and Parks Superintendent.  There are funds from the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy ($70,000) allocated for the dog park.

Depending on community input, other elements that will be considered for the park include community gardens, a children’s play area and picnic areas. 

Magnolia Manor Park is a one acre parcel maintained by the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation and owned by Seattle Public Utilities. 

Three public meetings on the park will be held in the next few months.  We will let you know when dates are announced.  You can find updates on the project web site here. 

Plābase fitness is now offering birthday parties for kids that are a blend of healthy activities and energetic movement.   The Magnolia fitness center is located at the corner of 36th Ave West and Government Way across from Discovery Park.

Plabase owners Steven and Monica Stanfield say the parties create a fun environment that allows kids to come together to play and celebrate.  The parties are available to kids over the age of five.  A Plābase coach guides the kids through a variety of fun activities and movements. 

Each party lasts two hours and prices depend on how many children attend.  The party includes invitations, wholesome snacks, mini cupcakes and a craft item created by the kids.  

For information call 206.624.6693 or via email at info@plabase.com.

The Magnolia Little League is facing a huge increase in fees for the use of city ball fields this season.   League president Keith Peterson says they received an invoice for $24,000 for 2011.  Last year the league paid $9,800 for field use. 

Peterson says the increase far exceeds anything the league was expecting for the year.  Last October the league was told by the city to expect a 20% increase in field fees to assist with the budget deficit.  However, when the Seattle City Council passed their budget in November they increased field fees by approximately 120% and also initiated a new fee of $20 per hour for the use of lights. 

According to Peterson, there was no communication with youth sports organizations regarding this decision.  Magnolia Little League only learned of the change when they received the invoice. 

“The amount of the increase and the method employed is outrageous and will negatively impact what all youth sports leagues can provide for kids.  This is not just an issue for Magnolia Little League, but all youth sports leagues,” said Peterson. 

Peterson is asking little league parents and supporters to contact city council members to share their concerns about the increase.

A fun run that will benefit Magnolia area schools is set for October 9th in Magnolia.  The race will be a 12k run and a 5k run/walk, starting and finishing at the Magnolia playfield. 

Alex Eddings from Magnolia Travel outlined plans for the race at the chamber of commerce meeting, saying that he is still looking for input and volunteers from the community.  He is working with Josh Penner and Marty Penner of Mgnolia Chiropractic Care and Geoff Meno from Edward Jones to make the race happen.

Organizers expect to have 1,000 people participate in this first ever fun run staged in Magnolia.  A portion of all entry fees will be donated to Blaine, Lawton, Our Lady of Fatima and Ballard High School.   At this point they expect the entry fee to be $35, which will include a T shirt.

The current course plan for the 12k race will be a loop around Magnolia that includes Thorndyke and Magnolia Boulevard before heading back to the playfield.  It has also been suggested that the run should include a trip up the Magnolia bridge.  The final course will be set once organizers receive final approval for the race from the city of Seattle.

Organizers are working with a professional race management company to stage and market the race.  They also say they will need at least 85 volunteers to be successful and they are open to ideas from the community.

Eddings says they are currently looking for sponsors for the race.   Sponsorship is offered starting at $250 and the cost of the title sponsorship is set at $7,500.  The group is planning for post race festivities that include live music, an exhibitor area and beer garden.

If you would like to volunteer, contact Eddings via email at eddingsalex@hotmail.com