The 95-year-old Locks are showing their age. Water has caused erosion along part of the small lock wall creating a scour. “There have been scour problems documented in a nearby area for 30 years. The first major repair was done in 1985 to the apron,” said Marian Valentine, a hydraulic engineer in charge of operations and maintenance of the facility. “Water is very destructive so we actively monitor the locks and make interim repairs where necessary.”

 The Corps has contracted with a Port Gamble construction company to drive sheet piles adjacent to the wall to act as armor. The hope is this armor will prevent future erosion. The sheet piles will also be used as forms so concrete can be pumped in to fill the void.

Magwife, A Magnolia Voice tipster posted this last night:

“Over the past 2-days, two men have come to my door 3 different times, claiming to be seeking opportunities to practice social skills/public speaking. I answered the door just once but didn’t let them get far into the speech because I fell for an identical scenario about 6-months back – the guy tied the story in with magazine sales. I bought some mag subscriptions but never received anything. I later read on Magnolia Voice that this was a nationwide scam, potentially tied into home invasions. Anyway, it seems really weird that they keep returning even though my husband and i both I told them we aren’t interested. They have been here during the middle of the day and later at night…”

Among the more than 15 related posts yesterday on Magnolia Moms and Dads, residents reported:

• A man lurking in the dark near a duplex on 33rd ave w between Bertona and w Ruffner
• Solicitors banging on doors and repeatedly ringing doorbells on Smith and 29th
• 2 different groups of people soliciting the same house twice in 5 days near the Howe St. tennis courts
• 2 guys on Viewmont knocking on doors selling magazines

In one post, the homeowner called the police, and they came to take a statement.  The officer told her that she had done the right thing by calling 911.  He said that if you see anything out of the ordinary or suspicious to call 911, not the non-emergency number.   That way they can track the complaints and keep our neighborhood safe. He reiterated that even if it does not look like a crime, call 911 and let them know what you see. It may be just the detail they need for a case they are working on.  As of press time, the police are in pursuit of the person of interest, and had an idea of where the person might be, because of calls and tips from our neighbors.

Former West Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Terrie Johnston said in a recent note:

I think I speak for the entire Community Police Team when I tell you that every day in our e-mail inbox, or on our telephone’s voicemail inbox, we find messages from the community that say something like this, “I wanted to let you know that I just saw something suspicious……….but I didn’t think this merited a 9-1-1 call”. Almost always the information is detailed, withgood descriptions and refers to something that may or may not have been criminal, but certainly seemed odd. And almost always it is too late for SPD to do anything with that information. I am now hoping to encourage you to trust that gut feeling of yours. If you get the sense that something weird is happening, even if it isn’t an emergency, please call 9-1-1 and simply state what you are reporting. The call taker will decide whether your call should be transferred off the primary line onto a secondary line. You don’t know what you prevent by getting a patrol cruiser coming into your neighborhood.

Need help with your taxes this year? AARP Tax-Aide posted this notice in the Magnolia Voice forum:

Confused by tax law changes? Can’t afford a professional preparer? AARP Tax-Aide volunteer counselors are eager to assist taxpayers in preparing and e-filing your tax return. Quality review insures accuracy. Don’t put off filing because you owe taxes and don’t have money. E-file now and pay by April 15. The program has no age limit, no income limit, and AARP membership is not necessary.

When you have received all your tax statements, call Magnolia Community Center at 206 386 4235, 2550 34th Ave W, to make an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Counselors will be available at the Magnolia Community Center, 2550 34th Ave. West, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM each Friday from February 10th through April 13th.

Metro bus routes 19, 24 and 31 service the immediate area. There is free parking in the MCC lot and on-street in the neighborhood.

Scope of service is limited to those filing 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ including basic Schedules A, B, C, D, EIC. Those with complex returns including rental property, partnerships, etc. are advised to seek paid preparers.

 Click here For a complete listing of sites in Seattle.

“We’re going to have the first floating pie company,” reveals Seattle Pie Company owner, Alyssa Lewis in an announcement to Magnolia Voice. A banner in the window Saturday was the first sign the area’s most delicious pie store is moving to South Lake Union.     

It seems Seattle Pie is running out of room and leaving the neighborhood, but not the pie business.  Here is their idea: Alyssa and her husband Patrick will offer their wonderful fruit, cream, and savory pies, plus Appassionato Coffee, from a vessel moored at a commercial dock on South Lake Union.  ”Customers come on-board and order,” she says. “Like a food cart, but a boat cart.” There will be no cafe.

Seattle Pie Company sold retail slices and whole pies in the space next to Queen Margherita at 3111 West McGraw, and wholesale pies to major grocery stores around town including Metropolitan Markets, Town & Country, Central Markets, PCC, IGA and Whole Foods. Pies will still be available at these stores.  The Magnolia storefront closed yesterday.  If you have gift certificates, Alyssa advises to hold onto them until the new place opens in May or June this year, or take them to Dan at The Mailbox in the Village and she will deliver pies there.  Alyssa and Patrick send their love to all in the Magnolia community and thank everyone for their support. 

Look for Alyssa’s new book, “Pie-co-lo-gy” on Amazon and in local book stores this March.

For more information, you can email seattlepie@live.com.

After 8 years in the village, Magnolia’s Dish it up is closing.  Their employees and merchandise are moving to their Ballard Ave location. Employee Linda McGillvray said the building that houses Magnolia’s Dish it up is being sold, and the store “just doesn’t have the volume to keep up with expenses.” McGillvray was quick to mention that nobody will lose their job in this consolidation.  She says they will miss Magnolia and the friends they have made here, and that they hope their Magnolia customers will “cross the bridge to shop at the Ballard Ave store”.

Dish it up’s last day in the village is February 28th.  Classes will continue at the Magnolia location until mid-February.

Dish it up’s Ballard store is located at 5320 Ballard Avenue NW

By reporter Steve Smalley

It’s one heck of a deadline for a new lounge – open the newly remodeled space, turn it into a working bar, and serve customers by this weekend’s Superbowl, but the owners of Serendipity, Nanette, Jenn, and their entire families are giving it their best shot. 

With work progressing, permits issued, and fingers crossed, the newest addition to their successful corner restaurant is to be the latest Village watering hole.  Magnolia Voice got a look inside to see a custom made back-bar, a soon-to-be installed booth, and walls freshly painted. Can they make it in time?

Cost: $5/person and $20/family

3307 West Dravus Street

For more information check out www.magnoliamoms.org

The Magnolia Summerfest Art Show is in danger of being cancelled, unless a volunteer steps up as show coordinator by January 30th.  Summerfest Chair, Marti Stave says ”I think it’s a shame that the Art Show may not happen this year.  It has been a community institution for many years offering a venue for residents to display their work. There are many talented photographers, painters and sculptors here in our community. It has also been a place for young artists to show their work in public sometimes for the first time.”

Pothole on Clise Pl W and W Howe St

“Freezing weather and heavy precipitation mean that we’re seeing more potholes. We’ve added dollars to respond to pothole repair requests,” said Mayor Mike McGinn. SDOT has $9 million available to address street surface repairs, which includes potholes. About $8.5 million of that is earmarked for main arterials.

Click here to report a pothole. Keep an eye on reported potholes on the city’s pothole map

Explosions and bright flashes of light punctuated the night sky yesterday as a tree or tree limbs came crashing onto power lines causing a 6-hour outage, according to neighbors on the north end of Magnolia.

Just before 9p.m., residents near the corner of 40th Avenue West and West Cramer Street heard two loud bangs and saw blue flashes of light outside. Apparently, branches had fallen down, taking out sections of electrical cables,  plunging the area into darkness.

Power crews warned the curious to stay away from the area and some were not allowed to drive out of the neighborhood for a brief time.

Workers managed to restore power in a speedy six hours from the time power was cut off. Neighbors expressed their appreciation for the quick service.

The morning hours found large electrical lines wrapped in yellow caution tape still hanging low near the street.

Reader Dan emailed this shortly after 9pm:

Two huge transformer explosions on Magnolia overlooking the ship canal just now…explosions with bright blue light flashes and showering red sparks, fire is out. 39th and west cramer.  Power is out locally.

Thanks for the tip and photo, Dan!

Stay tuned for updates

The  Magnolia Branch Library is offering a  brand-new  free playtime for local babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers.  Cass Mabbott,the new Children’s Librarian, says the vibe will be welcoming- a casual and lively time for little ones and parents to meet their neighbors while soaking up early literacy skills.

• Magnolia Branch library meeting room

photo from Cass Mabbott

A hardshell suitcase was leaning against net shed No. 11 at the terminal and Port police were dispatched. Seattle Police closed traffic at all ends of the terminal while the port’s bomb squad examined the case. The squad used x-ray equipment and found the case full of wires and tubing and batteries. But the case was no threat, said Port spokesman Peter McGraw.

“It had the earmarks of something that would indicate it as a device,” McGraw said. “But it was no threat to anybody.”

Seattle Animal Shelter: Fuzzy, can you tell our readers what the best thing about you is?

Fuzzy: Well, I get told almost hourly that I am especially cute. However, I also like to cuddle, which I know many people like.

SAS: I must agree, you ARE especially adorable. What do you like to eat?

FZ: I eat pellets, which have most of the nutrients I need, and I like hay (which keeps my digestive tract nice and clear). I just love vegetables, especially carrots and Italian parsley. I can’t get enough of them! When it comes down to it, I LOVE to eat.

SAS: Fuzzy, you are a senior rabbit. Do you have any comment about that?

FZ: Ask any Baby Boomer, and they will tell you that age does not define them! Yes, I am a senior, but I have life in me yet! I have things to do, places to go, and people to see!

SAS: So you don’t just nap all the time?

FZ: I must admit that I nap more than I used to, but I still love to explore and play with my toys. I love to chew on my straw mat and toss around my measuring cups. When my foster Mom is home, she lets me hop around the house (though she always supervises me – it’s so annoying). After a hard hour of playing and exploring, though, I do need to rest.

SAS: Fuzzy, we’ve been told that you’re deaf. Does that affect your life much?

FZ: There are some advantages to being deaf. I can’t hear many things that would be irritating, such as barking dogs or hissing cats. On the other hand, I am often startled. If someone comes up behind me and pets me or picks me up, it surprises me!

SAS: Fuzzy, do you have any final words for our readers?

FZ: I would really like to find a forever home. I am adorable, love to play, and can’t get enough cuddling. Even though I’m a senior, I deserve to be adopted. If someone chooses to love me, I will love them back with all my bunny heart!

Please visit Fuzzy 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 p.m., and closed on holidays.

Thanks K. Kennell for the pictures

Thanks for the photo, Frank Catalano

As of 11 a.m., Magnolia has three inches of snow and climbing as predicted. For the most part, folks have either stayed home or just walked around taking in the sights of this rare winter wonderland.

Streets are near empty of cars and other traffic, save a few kids with sleds and fun intentions. Although businesses are open, traffic is light. The busiest places are coffee shops where adults and kids were imbibing in the hot refreshments that go down so well when winter hits.

Because of all the warnings, few souls have made their way to work, and both public and private schools have been cancelled.
The most traffic anywhere in Magnolia consisted of kids sledding in parks and on steep streets with names such as Dravus and McGraw.

It seems everyone is enjoying a mid-week “snow day.”