Three burglaries were reported in Magnolia over the past week. 

A resident in the 2500 block of Perkins Lane called police on September 1 to report that someone had stolen items from his home sometime between August 11 and August 31.  Officers say the doors were unsecured and there was no obvious point of entry.  One neighbor heard some noises at the home during that time but assumed it was coming from dogs.  Officers were able to find some fingerprints.

Also on September 1, officers responded to a non-residential burglary in the 2400 block of 32nd Ave W.  The door was kicked in and the dead bolt was broken.  Property was thrown all over the place, but it was unclear if anything had been stolen.

Another non-residential burglary was reported on September 2 in 2500 block of 34th Ave W.  The full police report on that crime isn’t available yet.

Wanted to let you know about some recent kudos for Magnolia businesses.

Mulleady’s Irish Pub and Restaurant (3055 21st Ave West) received a nice review in the Seattle Times.  Reviewer Sanjay Bhatt called the restaurant a perfect respite at the end of a long week and said that Mulleady’s pub fare delivers value and taste in a friendly, bustling setting.  Bhatt’ recommends the Shepherd’s Pie, a heaping portion for two sprinkled with chives and melted cheese.   And don’t forget that Mulleady’s offers trivia night every Monday night at 8pm.

The story of Magnolia’s PJ’s Paws and Claws is told in this article that highlights owner Patti Howell’s commitment to giving back to animals who aren’t blessed with the owners that keep her store in business. The store donates 5% of all profits to animal rescue and adoption agencies, including annual events to support the Seattle Animal Selter’s “Help the Animals” fund. 

By the way, did you know that the store name stems from a cat that Patti rescued after she found him with his head stuck in a peanut butter jar? 

The Magnolia Community Club is sponsoring an adult CPR training and choking techniques class on Thursday (9/9).  The class will be taught by Medic 2 fire personnel.  Its free and open to everyone who wants to learn life saving techniques.

The class will be held from 7 to 9p.m. at Catharine Blaine School Cafeteria at 2550 34th Ave West next to the Magnolia Community Center.

Space is limited and you can reserve your spot by calling 206-283-1188.

The owner of a Magnolia business that has been an eyesore for years has been told to clean it up by the city. 

This letter was posted on the building at 2410 32nd Ave West.  It tells the owner of the property that all graffiti must be removed within ten days.  If the required corrections are not made, the property will be considered a graffiti nuisance and a court date will be set with the hearing examiner.

The letter from Idris Beauregard from the city’s private property graffiti enforcement program says that if the owner does not clean up the graffiti the fines are $100 per day up to $5,000.

The effort to get the city involved started in the Magnolia Voice forum and on our facebook page with the following post:  Does it bother anybody in Magnolia besides me that those buildings on 32nd West between McGraw and Ace Hardware are in such horrible condition. Haven’t been open for over 20 years that I know of and now have more graffiti, dead trees, boarded windows,and probably rat infested…can’t we do anything about it? It’s an eye-sore in an otherwise lovely neighborhood. Who owns it and why don’t they either rent it or maintain it to better standards?

Another reader provided information on how to report the graffiti: I agree this property is a total eyesore. Complaining about the graffiti to the city is one way to keep a bug in the owner’s ear that the neighborhood is keeping an eye on the property and does not appreciate its derelict condition.

After the city was contacted, the sign was posted on the building.  The letter does not address any other issues with the buildings other than the graffiti but the people in the forum agree that it’s a start.

Check out this photo of Magnolia kids at soccer practice while the Farmer’s blimp hovers overhead.  The blimp has been cruising over Magnolia the last few days.

Thanks for the great pic Matt!

This weekend marks the unofficial end to summer and it’s the final weekend for free concerts at the Locks. The line-up this weekend includes the Patria Band (Country Gospel Music) from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dissonance Jazz Combo from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. The Michael Clune & Sleep till Noon Band wraps up the weekend with a free concert on Monday, Labor Day, from 2 to 3 p.m.

Got this email from Nancy Gilbert looking for volunteers to get ready for the school year tomorrow:

Calling all hands who can make it on Friday, September 3, to come down to Blaine for a quick grounds tidy-up before school starts.  We’ll focus on the main entrance area and The Courtyard, so we can use all the help we can get.  Please bring your own favorite garden tools for weeding and pruning (marked with your name) and your gloves.  Children are always welcome to help.
I will be there from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and you are welcome to come for any or all of those hours.  If you want to help but can’t make it Friday or want to come later in the day, please contact me and I will assign you your own VIP task!  Questions?  Call Nancy Gilbert at 283-4638, or send an e-mail to soaring@blarg.net.

Also, Back to School Night at Blaine is set for Friday, September 10 at 6:00 pm. The night will include a spaghetti feed, dunk tank, face painting, games and prizes. This annual event is a great time to settle back into the school year,  stock up on your Blaine Gear, carb load for Bike the Bluff on the September 12, and reconnect with friends after summer vacation. The cost is just $5 per person or $20/family.  All proceeds support 7th Grade Camp and there will be a bake sale to support 5th Grade Camp.

Lots of you wrote to ask us what was up with the camera crew in Magnolia Park this morning.  Turns out that Magnolia is the location chosen for a web based commercial for Symetra Financial produced by local advertising agency copacino + fujikado. 

Willard is seen here with producers Mike Hayward (on right) and Shawn Herron (middle).

The commercial stars movie legend Fred Willard.  You may recall Willard from his many movie roles including Waiting for Guffman and Best of Show.  He was  recently nominated for an Emmy for his role in the new TV series Modern Family.

The crew set up camp in the parking lot of the park and then shot this car as they pulled it around Magnolia Boulevard.

Twelve year old local actor Ethan Holle from Kirkland plays Willard’s grandson in the commercial and he said it was quite a thrill to get to meet and work with Willard.

We took these pictures as they were getting ready to break for lunch and it looked like a nice spread for the crew.

The spot will be viewed online on the Symetra Financial website and we will post it here when it is complete.

Thanks to everyone who sent us tips about the shoot this morning!

Thieves have set their sights on Lawton Elementary School in the 4000 block of 27th Ave W over the past few days.  This past Saturday (8/28), someone cut a lock to the north gate of the school.  A large rock was used to break the window of room 101.  The window isn’t large, which leads officers to believe the burglars were small in stature.  They apparently made off with a laptop computer.

The following day, officers noticed that someone had also tried to break into room 102 by using a large tool to open a window.  The damage was considerable and officers didn’t notice it during their investigation on Saturday, leading them to believe it was a separate burglary attempt.  This time, the burglars didn’t make it inside.

The King County News Blog reports that the sculpture and landscaping that surrounds the West Point Treatment Plant in Discovery Park has earned a place in the National Art Collection of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC.

(photo courtesy of King County)

West Point’s art and landscaping was installed in the 1990s as a mitigation measure for the plant’s federally-mandated upgrade to more stringent secondary treatment standards.

Prior to the upgrade, the plant that treats about 133 million gallons of sewage each day, was a blight on Discovery Park’s prime beachfront.  Now it is  screened by 7,000 feet of sculptured concrete walls and walking paths. 

The Smithsonian describes the project this way:  Over 7,000 feet of sinuous sculpted walls screen the sewage treatment plant for the visitors of Discovery Park.  The multi-level wall defines the industrial structures imagery, the park walkways, the wetlands and the pedestrian bridge.

A Magnolia landmark is celebrating 20 years in business with a number of special events throughout September.

When Chef Ludger and his wife Julie opened Szmania’s in the Magnolia Village in 1990 they had a one year old son and a baby on the way.  Today, you can often see the three Szmamia boys (two are in college and one is high school)working in the restaurant.  The Szmania family is committed to Magnolia and their restaurant has made our neighborhood a dining destination for many.

Julie says that the past 20 years have been filled with their three sons, 19 pets, hundreds of great employees, and about a million pounds of Schnitzel.  Its been exciting and rewarding and she wants to thank the many loyal customers and friends they have made along the way.  They have packed September with lots of fun events and an appreciation savings opportunity for customers:

• First off you can buy $50 gift certificates for just $40 until September 20.  
• The official 20th anniversary party happens on Monday, September 20th with a kick off party for Oktoberfest.  Expect German food, music and beer along with a drawing for gift certificates and more. Call for reservations.
• The Everything Blueberry "Sip & Dip" is set for Tuesday, September 14th  6:30 - 8:30 p.m.  In conjunction with Washington Organic Week and Whitehorse Meadows Farm they will be celebrating local organic wines & growers. For $35 per person you get three wines and three courses involving one of the most healthy berries ever.
• The fall harvest cooking class happens on Wednesday, September 29th at 6 p.m. when Chef Ludger will prepare a four-course dinner while walking you through his recipes and secret chef tips.  Bring any fall vegetable and he’ll teach you how to cook it.  Pre-paid tickets are $55 per person, not including tax, gratuity or beverages.  Space is limited to 12 hungry, eager-to-learn guests.

Give the restaurant a call at (206) 284-7305 for reservations or gift certificates.  You can also visit their facebook page for the latest news.

Just got this note from Seattle Parks about the schedule for Tuesday (8/31)  at Mounger Pool today:

This is to let you know that the phones and internet are down at Pop Mounger Pool in Magnolia. Before the phones went down, the pool staff were getting lots of calls asking if the pool would be open today, and if swim lessons would operate normally.

The answer to both those questions is: yes. The pool will be open and operating a regular schedule until Sept. 12 – rain or shine. The only reason we close the pool is for thunder and lightning.

If folks want to check the pool schedule click here.

Just a reminder that the Magnolia Library (2801 34th Ave West) and all other Seattle Public Libraries are closed today and won’t reopen until Tuesday, September 7th.  Budget cuts forced the closure.  The good news is that no overdue fines will add up during this time.  For a list of things you won’t be able to do, click here.

We’ve noticed a spike in car prowls around Discovery Park over the past few days.  According to Seattle Police, two car prowls were reported in the east parking lot on August 24 and 25.  Another car prowl was reported in the 4300 block of 36th Ave W on August 24.