First Hill Seattle

If you're looking to catch Mexico vs. Paraguay or US vs. Argentina today, Golazo, an energy drink company that has gone all-in with their soccer-obsessed marketing, is hosting a watching party at their headquarters near Harvard and Pike. You can even kick the ball around in their indoor soccer field. They have one of those.

Looking for more to do this weekend? Check out our latest On the List. Bake it in a Cake bake sale at Cakespy? OK!

More on Saturday's part from the Golazo Facebook page:

Come to Golazo's Seattle Headquarters for a free, all-ages viewing party for the Mexico vs Paraguay (2pm) and US vs Argentina (4pm) games ! Watch the game on a HUGE projection screen and immerse yourself in the action with our booming surround-sound!

The games kick off at 2 pm, but come early and compete against your friends and family on our indoor soccer field, foosball table & pingpong table!

Doors open at Noon, so grab your friends and come play and enjoy the games at Golazo HQ!

Golazo HQ

714 E PIke St.

Seattle, WA

We were right about Seattle's marijuana boom coming to Capitol Hill -- we just had the wrong part of the neighborhood for where it would happen first. The pioneer of Capitol Hill's "new era dispensaries" has opened on Broadway:

The Apothecary is the 1st MMJ co op on the HILL and open today. Great location great meds great prices........210 Broadway Ave E. above Castles mega store.

thats 210 Broadway half of 420. Come see us soon

Cass Stewart of Broadway's brand new The Apothecary sent us a note Tuesday to let CHS know about the new co-op and invite us in for a tour. "Figure I should try to stake the claim of first on Capitol Hill," he writes. We haven't taken Stewart up on the offer yet but will definitely add the new enterprise to our schedule. The graphic he included gives you an idea of the services offered at 210 Broadway E -- conveniently located above the Castle Megastore and next to, yes, the Highline.

In February, CHS wrote about the wave of dispensaries opening in the city and plans for the Capitol Hill Patient Group to open a dispensary somewhere soon in Pike/Pine. "What you're going to see on Capitol Hill is the beginning of the new medical marijuana coming to the Hill," said Philip Dawdy, media and policy director for the Washington Cannabis Association. It looks like that new era will be starting on Broadway.

Stewart said The Apothecary is not affiliated with the Capitol Hill Patient Group. It's also not affiliated with CHS sponsor Simple Apothecary almost directly across the street from the cannabis co-op at 219 Broadway E. Meanwhile, there might be a few disappointed marijuana shoppers who wander into yet another new apothecary in the area -- East Pine's SugarPill.

You can learn more from The Apothecary's Facebook page.

Wednesday night, the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce is christening its new office space at 1641 Nagle in the Broadway Building and celebrating the ascendancy to the role of executive director by former *interim* ED Michael Wells:

The Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce Toasts our New Executive Director and Board members on March 16th, 2011 from 5:30-7:30 at our new home 1641 Nagle Place! 

Please join us in showing off our new Executive Director, our newest Board members and our new office space! Please mark your calendars and join us for a drink (or two) and some tasty delights from Capitol Hill restaurants including the Broadway Grill, High Five Pies, Poco Wine Room, Poppy and more!

(We are located right across from the Cal Anderson tennis courts)

Don't forget our monthly mixer on March 24th at Rock Box.

Wells was formerly the owner of Bailey Coy Books before shutting down the business in 2009.

The Chamber's former office was located in a soon-to-be demolished house located at the site of the 230 Broadway project.

Here is our latest batch of news and views from the Capitol Hill food and drink world. Got a tip? CHS@capitolhillseattle.com

• DRINK AND EAT FOR JAPAN: The Capitol Hill food and drink community is responding to the need for aid in Japan with a growing roster of benefits. Linda Derschang's restaurants including Linda's, Oddfellows and Smith will donate all proceeds on Tuesday, March 15th to Japanese relief efforts. Boom Noodle (and its sister Blue C Sushi) are donating 10% of sales to the cause from now through Tuesday the 16th.
• Our report on the sudden demise of the Online Coffee Company mini-chain answered a few questions but left a few beans to grind. Owner Ken Fox offered two reasons for the financial failure of the business: the rising price of coffee beans and the ubiquity of Internet access. We can now report on a third. CHS has learned that a January foreclosure was the death knell for the business as Sterling Savings Bank took possession of the Pine/14th Ave property after a foreclosure auction to start the New Year. The bank's winning bid of just under $600,000 for the unit sealed the deal. Tax records say it's worth around $770k, by the way. Good deal.
  
  We don't have details on what transpired next but it's clear Online was struggling financially -- there's also a "pay rent or vacate" notice posted on its leased Olive Way location. UPDATE: We're told by tipster yelahneb the same notice was posted at their downtown location. Source Y sent the picture to the Slog this morning, too. It's not clear at this point if the owed rent was for all of the locations (meaning Fox had made a deal after the foreclosure to lease the space he lost ownership of) or just posted at each.
• What's next for the 14th/Pine Online space: Odds suck because it's obvious but we'll bet on another restaurant. You don't find a lot of 3,000 square-foot-plus Pike/Pine space mostly ready to go for a new life of food and drink. Meanwhile, across the street, Spinasse is gearing up for expansion.
• More Online: This cheeky Sprudge post on the cafes reminds that the coffee providers place in the community transcended food and drink. For many, it was a place to get work done.
• And Victrola says coffee bean prices keep rising.
• Tacos Chukis is open, Facebook says. Owner Roberto Salmeron got us all hot and bothered with this early preview of what to expect from Chukis: "I'm especially excited about our adobada grill. A vertical rotisserie that cooks cuts of meat as the edges are shaved off and served in an adobada taco. A pineapple on top drips juice and caramelizes as the meat cooks and a slice of the grilled pineapple is served in the taco."
• Miss any of these CHS food and drink highlights from last week? Sun Liquor Distilleryopened, Skiller Dinerpreviewed, and Marjoriefoiled a burglar.
• Join us next Monday night at Monsoon for a CHS neighbors night. It's a regular night of business at the 19th Ave E CHS advertiser but we've arranged for a 30%-off bottles of wine special to go along with their Monday night crab feast ($28). Monsoon will also be in the midst of Dine Around Seattle action so there are a lot of reasons to make a reservation today and say hi Monday night. This is our first time dabbling with organizing a night like this. If it works out, we'll look at doing more as a way to connect the CHS community with local advertisers and as another way to get neighbors together.
• Seattle Times likes La Bete...
• And flips out over Eltana's bagels.
• Pho Cyclo is opening a downtown location.
• Happy Pi day. Seattle Weekly has a word or two on the pie vs. cupcake thing.
• Cakespy's Pie Slam is Monday night.
• Seattle Met follows our scoop on Poquitos, says expect the restaurant to open by the end of the month with walk-up service by mid-April. UPDATE: Well, looky, looky. Just as we post about Met's details, turns out, Poquitos has sent out a media release with the same info! Surprise! Details posted -- in full! -- below.
• Stranger's BJC with a critical question for our times: How much do you tip for drip?
• Portland is getting some Capitol Hill-style Starbucks action.
• Some nice words about Madison's Central Co-op.
• Not sure what is going on with Bleu Bistro but, thanks tipsters, we've seen the "for lease" sign, too. In our last conversation with Bleu's Ross McCartney about his East Olive Way Bleu Grotto project, he said he plans to continue operating the Bistro into 2012 when his lease for the Broadway space runs out.
• Where does a glossy Seattle mag's style editor like to lunch after a muddy urban hike with her best gal pals? Volunteer Park Cafe.
• Also, VPC: The Cafe has been planning a Haiti dinner for this Sunday since before the devastation in Japan. You can reserve a space for the four-course dinner at http://www.alwaysfreshgoodness.com/ All proceeds benefit Raise Haiti.
• Here's that Paquitos update we promised:

Poquitos to Open on Capitol Hill
Mexican Restaurant from the Duo behind Ballard’s Bastille Café & Bar

SEATTLE, March 14, 2011 – The build-out is nearing completion on the beautiful brick building that occupies the corner of 10th and Pike on Capitol Hill. This building, circa 1912, will soon be the home to Poquitos, the latest restaurant from the team behind Ballard hot spot Bastille. Owners, James Weimann and Deming Maclise, have been envisioning a Mexican concept for over five years—ever since they salvaged a vintage neon sign saying Poquitos —and they’re shooting for that vision to become a reality by the end of March.

Located at 1000 Pike Street, Poquitos boasts a 3483-square-foot interior complete with 122 seat dining and bar area, a takeout counter, and small mercantile, plus an open kitchen featuring made to order tortilla and guacamole stations.  An adjoining 1200-square-foot enclosed outdoor patio with seating for 57 will house a second bar and two fire pits. The patio will also feature radiant heated benches and floor assuring comfortable dining year round.

Weimann and Maclise are responsible for the design and interior design of the restaurant. They spent time traveling and soaking in the architecture throughout Mexico and decided to focus on Spanish colonial architecture seen in the older towns as they felt the design elements complemented the massive timber and old brick of the building. Their travels took them from Southern California to Mexico City where they found great architectural pieces that imbibe the culture and essence of Mexico.  Think: 14,000 Talavera tiles from Puebla and salvaged metal works, giant metal light fixtures, and mirrors from Mexico City. The burnt orange and blue and white Talavera titles are highlighted by black wood banquettes, arched passages ways with light bulbs surrounded by cement rosettes, and the massive decorative ironwork completes the stunning and colorful room.

Weimann and Maclise are dedicated to serving authentic Mexican food at Poquitos.  While traveling, they were inspired by the variety of culinary influences found in each town and city’s street food and restaurants and decided not to limit the food to a specific region but to encompass influences found throughout Mexico and Latin America.

They’ve brought on chef Manny Arce to execute this vision. Arce, a native of Southern California, is well-versed in Mexican cuisine and completed culinary internships in both Spain and Italy before coming to Seattle. He’s spent time in the kitchen at Union and La Spiga and most recently with chef Shannon Galusha at Bastille.

In addition to house-made tortillas, guacamole made to order, whole fish, al pastor with local pig, and tortas, the dinner menu will include items like: Short Rib Taco ($4), Queso Fundido ($12), Scallop Ceviche ($14), Oaxacan Mole Verde ($15), Pozole Rojo ($11), Goat Birria ($18), and Carne Asada ($20). All produce and products will be thoughtfully sourced and local when possible.

Poquitos will have a lunch counter offering tacos, tortas, salads, soups, pueblo style enchiladas, house-made agua frescas, horchata, and paletas (popsicles) to "eat in" or "to go" from 11:30am - 3pm Monday - Friday. At 3pm weekdays and 5pm Saturday and Sunday, this area will be closed off from the restaurant and remain a take-out area until 2am. (Please note that the evening take-out area will open for business mid-April.) They will also have a mercantile area with Mexico centric products, think: chocolate, sugar, vanilla, Jarritos, Mexican Coke, and Rancho Gordo Heritage Beans that will also be used in the restaurant.

The bar will offer a creative seasonal margarita list, tequila-based versions of classic cocktails, select Latin-American spirit-based drinks, and a wide selection of fine tequila. Six rotating beers will be on tap, as well as a selection of domestic and imported bottles. They will have a small thoughtful wine list that complements the food menu.

Weimann and Maclise have brought in industry veterans, Rich Fox and Dustin Watson, as managing partners to oversee the day-to-day business of the restaurant.

General Manager, Fox, has tremendous experience in the local restaurant/bar scene including working for Weimann back when he still owned the Triangle, as well as stints at the Baltic Room, Bad Juju Lounge, Peso’s, Mona’s, and Havana.  Watson, who will act as Bar Manager, has spent time at The Red Door, Quinn’s, Talarico’s, and most recently consulted on the opening of South Lake Union’s popular Row House Cafe.

Poquitos will accept reservations for parties of six or more.  Weekend brunch will be served from 10am – 3pm. Dinner will be served from 5pm – 11pm. They will also offer an early happy hour and a late night menu until 1am. For more information, call206.453.4216 or visit www.vivapoquitos.com

Due to unfortunate financial circumstances Thundering Hooves LLC is ceasing all operations immediately. All existing orders and all new orders for our products will not be filled or delivered. We are extremely sorry to inform you with this news and for any inconvenience this may cause you. There may be a limited amount of inventory that will become available. Check the website for updates.

Thank you all for your business, your confidence in us and our products, and your friendship.

Most sincerely,

Joel Huesby
Managing Member

Saturday at First Hill's Seattle First Baptist Church, constituents attending the 43rd Legislative District town hall focused many of their questions health care and funding for the University of Washington. On the all-Democratic panel was House Speaker Frank Chopp, Sen. Ed Murray and Rep. Jamie Pedersen .  Around two hundred people attended the meeting.

Murray started off with a PowerPoint presentation handout titled "The Great Recession and its impact on the state budget," which contained a sobering set of statistics:

- "In Washington, the recession created two consecutive years of negative employment growth."

- "Our state lost 195,000 jobs and has only regained about 20,000 so far."

- "Nearly half of the state budget is supported by consumer spending [retail sales), which means high unemployment has caused revenues to decline significantly." 

- "Revenue growth is being swallowed by low-income medical costs, which have grown 3-4 times faster than the state budget over the past 20 years.  Investments...

(Images: CHS)

One of the largest abandoned buildings in the Capitol Hill area and a haven for taggers, squatters and who-knows-what is about to be torn down, CHS has learned. And it looks likely a dormant $11 million development project is being geared back up again to replace it at the corner of Pine and Bellevue.

According to documents filed with the city's Department of Planning and Development, a permit has been issued for the demolition of the 26-unit Marion Apartments. And we've learned the company that owns the land has made the final payments for the $59,000 in fees it owes for its application to construct a six-story, 118-unit mixed-use building with about 13,000 square feet of ground floor retail. Now DPD just needs to approve the construction.

"Like a lot of people, we're working as hard as we can to attract financing for the project. But, we've fallen victim to the credit crunch," Stratford Company CEO George Webbtold CHS in July 2010 when we took a look at the Hill development that had become mired in the global real estate crash and the looming reminder of an abandoned apartment building falling into decay.

The Stratford Company first brought the proposed development known as Pine Street Condominiums to the city's design process in August 2007. The design was approved in 2008 -- with conditions (see the embedded document below --  but hasn't moved forward until now. Given what we've seen in all of the new wave of development on the Hill, it seems likely this project will also be transitioned to an apartment-based sales plan but we'll need to confirm that with the developer before anointing these the Pine Street Apartments.

Artist renderings of the Pine Street project from 2007

View the entire Early Design Guidance packet, below

We are in the process of finalizing our building permits and capitalizing the project. We plan to break ground as soon as we can obtain a construction loan for the project.

It will definitely be apartments so you can remove the doubt about that in the article.

Also, we did make a change awhile back that it appears hasnt been picked up in your reporting to make the Bellevue ground floor space live/work, so we will have 132 units (not 118) + about 4,000 sq ft of commercial.

In the intervening years, the building has become a magnet for street art, taggers, squatters and everything in between. DPD has fielded numerous complaints about the property and Webb told us that on numerous occasions he has had vagrants removed from the building and graffiti painted over. It hasn't all been bad -- the space under the abandoned building's overhang has been used for guerrilla flea markets and street performance.

But in addition to the graffiti, the old apartment building has a gaping, charred hole on its northwest corner from the October 2008 fire that ripped through part of the building as its final tenants were being moved out. Investigators determined that the fire was intentionally set by 89-year-old Ed Jackson who had served as the apartment manager and the neighborhood's de facto nightwatchman. Jackson died in the blaze.

The 1623 Bellevue project to the north of the Marion Apartments appears to still be on hold though inspections for a demolition were completed in 2008.

The sudden motion on the Bellevue/Pine project continues the trend of the great development thaw of 2011. If demolition and construction moves forward soon, a three block stretch of East Pine from Bellevue to Belmont will suddenly be a very busy place. The long-stalled development at Pine and Belmont replacing the People's Parking Lot is full-steam ahead and apparently making quick progress.

Up the Hill, the 230 Broadway project is ready to begin demolition soon. Demolition is already in progress at 13th and Madison and work at 16th and Madison is gearing up. At 19th and Madison, they are already driving pilings and pouring concrete. Meanwhile, an appeal is holding up similar progress on the Bullitt Foundation's project at 15th and Madison where the old CC Attle's has already been swept away.

And more is coming soon. We reported last week that the ambitious Sunset Electric development at 11th and Pine is on path for a summer start of construction.

Streetcar 2013. Light rail 2016. Busy days on the Hill.

In addition to noise, dirt and putting big trucks on the street, this burst of construction energy is powering an extremely rapid overhaul of some key areas of the Hill. How Pike/Pine and all of Capitol Hill can manage to keep its "grit" in the face of so much redevelopment remains to be seen. For now, with yet another truckload of dirt bumping down the road toward I-5, things will probably be plenty gritty.

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The next great redevelopment project in the heart of Capitol Hill is finally about to get underway as the last retail tenants make way way for the 230 Broadway project. Hungry breakfast goers stopping by Broadway's Noah's Bagels will find the shop closed as of Monday.

SRM Development's Andy Loos tells us the project is about to get its building permit and should have permits to demolish the buildings along Broadway from Thomas to mid-block where the construction lot will abut the building that houses the Highline, Subway sandwich shop and the Castle sex store. Demolition is expected to begin by the end of the month.

Cafe Septieme shut down months ago. Africa Mama, the never-say-die shop that moved into empty spaces in the soon-to-be demolished Broadway storefront, has gone into limbo again. Bank of America and Noah's will return to the block when the project completed some time in 2013. In the meantime, B of A operates in its new temporary home near Poppy on north Broadway while Noah's Capitol Hill will be on...

An architect’s desire to ‘celebrate’ a building’s corner has become so defacto that she or he may be seen as some kind of subversive if they were to do otherwise.  My corner problem, as I call it, lies not so much with the intent of being expressive, but in its recent, almost universally poor execution.

So much design effort is expended on corners today, that they have become buildings onto themselves, resulting in chaotic assemblages of parts reminiscent of Ms. Shelley’s infamous antagonist, but in built form. Garish colors and materials, clumsy canopies, little hats for roofs, and shifts in the building plane (often all together) are common ingredients in this over-cooked entrée. To make matters worse, such celebratory excess is often couched in a building’s need to be contextual (i.e. historical). The fact of the matter is that for hundreds of years most buildings were quite content to go about their business in a dignified manner, either blissfully ignorant of their proximate influences, or, if feeling...

All the hysteria, gnashing of teeth and tears were unnecessary. We apologize. Maybe. According to an e-mail from Pike Street Beer and Wine's owner Tony Yap passed on to us, a new owner is coming in to operate a bottle shop at the East Pike at Belmont store.

Beer!

If the new owner is, indeed, stepping in, you can likely expect the store to remain closed for additional weeks. At this time, we have not seen any applications with the state for a change in liquor license for the address.

A man told police he was robbed at gunpoint by two men early Sunday morning near Harvard and Pike.

According to police radio, the victim told police that he was held up by the two men just after 4 AM. The men fled south on Harvard and then east on Union. The victim said the duo was armed with a pistol and described his robbers as two black males, each about 5'10" with one wearing a puffy jacket and the other a green jacket.

SPD pulled over a car at 11th and Union during the search but the victim said they men in the car were not his attackers.

Sunday's incident is the first reported gunpoint street robbery in the area in 2011. The last incident we reported on was this First Hill hold-up of a woman back in December.

Architectural firm Mithun has been selected by the Northwest School to design a new multi-use gymnasium and dining facility on an East Pike parcel that is currently home to a Diamond parking lot.

We reported on the school's $2.3 million acquisition of the lot in May 2010. Before acquisition by the private middle and high school, the lot at East Pike and Bellevue had been slated for a mixed-use development. Now, according to Friday's announcement, Mithun has begun planning a gymnasium and dining facility that will replace spaces currently rented by the school. You also see Northwest kids on Bobby Morris from time to time.

View Larger Map

In a statement, school board president Cory Carlson said he is excited by Mitun's innovation. "Their open approach to design was exciting to the selection group. We are optimistic they will design a building that captures the unique learning style that happens at The Northwest School.

On the Hill, Mithun has designed both of the most recently completed open space projects Seven Hills<...

There were two more car vs. pedestrian collisions on Capitol Hill this Saturday but early reports indicate neither incident involved life-threatening injuries -- though one tied up the area around Dick's Drive-In just after the Saturday lunch rush.

The other incident took place in a more predictable location. SPD and medic crews responded to the East Pike at Boylston incident where a car hit a person in the street just after 6:30 PM. The victim was transported from the scene by a private ambulance company indicating injuries that were not life threatening.

Injuries in the Dick's incident were apparently not serious when a car struck a person near the Broadway drive-in just after 1 PM.

All information in this report is preliminary and we'll update as we confirm details and get a more complete report on what occurred in each.

Madison's independent supermarket M Street Grocery is going out of business after serving First Hill since its summer 2007 opening. Signs posted at the 801 Madison store advertise a closing sale and, according to shopper @alexjon, an explanation from the owners about why they are shutting down: "They have signs that say the landlord ordered them to close on or before January 28th. If you want cheap beer, get there now."

M Street was opened by Bainbridge Island couple Matthew and Marie Randish in June 2007 as an "urban market" and a neighborhood store. UPDATE: See comments from Randish, below. Here's how their press release described the store:

Following the grocery path of his grandfather and father, Matt really knows how to create a special store experience. Located at 8th and Madison, just a block north from the I-5 exit, M Street Grocery is a full-scale grocery store featuring superb fresh food choices. Patrons will find there is FREE parking in the garage next to the store, perfect for running in and out on...

(Image: City of Seattle)

Have any Saturday morning plans? Seattle City Council members Sally Clark and Sally Bagshaw invite you to have a cup of coffee and a chat in the first of several "coffee dates" the two city officials are planning in 2011. Details on the gathering are below. On the event's RSVP page, by the way, Clark and Bagshaw are asking people to note the "particular subject/interest you’d like to talk about" so they can "brush up" on any topics people are interested in. Clark chairs the Council's Committee on the Built Environment while Bagshaw oversees the Parks & Seattle Center Committee. Both are also on the Waterfront Planning Committee if you are, you know, interested in that particular topic.

No word on whether they'll be utilizing Bartell's Capitol Hill/First Hill hybrid coffee mugs.

Seattle City Councilmembers Sally J. Clark and Sally Bagshaw will hold a conversation hour on First Hill at the Corner Café, Saturday, January 29, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., listening and speaking with Seattleites about issues of interest.  

Councilmember Sally Bagshaw said, “One of my favorite aspects of this job is getting to the neighborhoods to chat with people.  And who better to do this with than my esteemed colleague Sally J. Clark!”

Councilmember Sally J. Clark said, “This is the first of several coffee dates we’ll have this year.  Where better to start than ‘First’ Hill?  I hope people come with great questions.”

Join the Councilmembers:

Saturday, January 29, 9 - 11 a.m.

The Corner Cafe, 1000 Madison St., 98104

Coffee and pastries will be available for purchase and all questions and topics are on the table.  For more information, or to RSVP (recommended, but not required), please visit http://www.seattle.gov/council/clark/coffeewithsallys_form.htm.

Here's your Monday cocktail of Capitol Hill food and drink comings and goings, openings and closings, rumors and brutally cold, hard facts. Have something to put into the mix? chs@capitolhillseattle.com

• It's been weeks since we first told you about this new magical place joining a wave of East Olive Way nightlife but we've finally got the story on the Bleu Grotto, a sibling to Ross McCartney's Bleu Bistro planned to open only 331 feet down the street. We told you about the project in October and McCartney confirmed the Grotto's existence in early January in the CHS comments. Considering the proximity of the Bistro and the Grotto, McCartney said his new project was not inspired by Starbucks. Instead, McCartney says the Grotto was born out of a concern about the future of Bleu Bistro as he looks ahead to the end of his lease at 202 Broadway East in 2012.
  "I started contacting my landlord in 2010 about the new leas but he's not interested in extending it," McCartney said. "He won't tell me why."
  
  We've spoken with the owner of Bleu's Broadway building before and he was quick to respond when we checked in on the talks with McCartney. "As owners, we will continue to bring the best tenant to Broadway community," Franklin Tseng told CHS. "As of the present moment, Bleu Bistro’s lease expiration date is still some time away.  There is no urgent need for a lease renewal."
  
  One rumor making its way up Broadway is that Starbucks has the space lined up for another store to augment its somewhat faded 434 Broadway East shop. A Starbucks company spokesperson tells CHS that the company currently has nothing planned for Broadway.
  
  Back at Bleu, McCartney, who also ran Chez Gaudy and currently also operates East Olive Way's The Buck, says he plans to run Bleu Bistro and the new Bleu Grotto "congruently." "Bleu is not so large," McCartney said. "We could use the space anyway."
  
  McCartney said the Grotto will be a much bigger and open space as the former Quizno's sandwich shop is transformed. When the Grotto opens this spring and the weather cooperates, McCartney said the windows of the new place will articulate fully open -- "They don't just open. They open all the way!" -- so the Grotto will (hopefully) enjoy a summer of open air service. In the winter, McCartney expects to drape the interior to be more like his snug space inside the Bistro.
  
  And he's not giving up on being part of Broadway beyond 2012 and working with Tseng to stay in the space Bleu Bistro has called home for 11 years . "You could put anything in the building," McCartney said. "It's to his advantage to have the neighborhood back him."
• Meanwhile, Bleu Grotto might beat the new East Olive Way CC Attle's to the starting line. Original hopes of a holiday 2010 opening became hopes of a Valentine's Day 2011 opening -- now we're talking Easter, according to a message sent out by CC's Chris Daw via Facebook:

Well were two thirds of the way thru January and still waiting for permits to begin construction. Rest assured, we are doing everything that we can to complete all of the tasks that don't require them in the meantime. The new target for opening is now early to mid March :-(

 

I know that you guys (and Girls) are wanting for a "real" CC's Cocktail and a warm friendly place to drink it with friends. And we will have that for you... Just hang in there a little longer. It will so be worth the wait! You all are missed very much!

Much love, Stay Warm!

Chris

• January. Crappy time for coffee sales . Re-do your floor says Fuel/High 5's Dani Cone.
• 12th Ave's Izilla Toysplanning a cafe?
• A few Capitol Hill entries in this list of Seattle restaurants kids love.
• CHS advertiser Primobought the love of the Stranger in their annual Strangercrombie auction edition. Meanwhile, Stranger also says nice things about CHS advertiser Monsoon's pho. Thanks Stranger!
• Somebody is for sale:

Cozy Cocktail Lounge
Seattle, Washington

Asking Price:    Gross:    Cash Flow:
$149,000    $280,000    $35,000

Furniture and Fixtures Value:
$125,000 (included in the asking price)

Inventory Value:
$7,500 ( not included in the asking price)

Business Summary:

Well located Capitol Hill Cocktail Lounge. Small and inviting space that can be run with 1 – 2 people. 36 seats with excellent décor package. Good rental term and rate that includes all utilities except electric.

Year Business was Established: 2007

Number of Employees: 3    

Facilities / Terms of Lease: Amazing ambiance and decor. Built out in 2007      

Owner willing to finance: Seller financing for qualified purchaser.    

Owner willing to train: training to be provided                              

• Barrio has started featuring a “Weekly Special Sheet” that pairs food with wine, beer or cocktails. First week featured "Heat Week" including "Habanero Brisket Enchiladas."
• Looking for a Capitol Hill bar to watch Tuesday's State of the Union speech? So is this person.
• Kick em while they're getting back up? Fresh off news that 18th Ave's Tougo Coffee was back in the game after problems stemming from unpaid city taxes had them shut down, we find details of a break-in at an unnamed business on 18th Ave the same weekend the shop re-opened. We've asked Tougo for details but haven't heard back.
• Also haven't heard from north Broadway's Kanape but we're told the new place on the front-side of the building that houses Roy Street Coffee will be open for business soon.
• Get your fill of Noah's Bagels. Now that the B of A building is certifiably not a landmark, the shop will be shutting down in the next couple weeks to make way for demolition and construction of the 230 Broadway project.
  
• Want to support CHS when you head out for Hill food and drink? Here's our current food and drink advertiser roster. Enjoy and tell them you read/comment/download/upload/facebook/twitter/troll/love CHS: Auto Battery, Bimbo's, Chungee's, Coastal Kitchen, Easy Joe's, Fuel Coffee/High 5 Pie, Monsoon, Pagliacci, Patty Pan Cafe, Podog, Poco Wine Room, Primo and The Lookout.

So far in 2011, notes has told you about an amazing new noodle joint and delicious tacos headed for the Hill. How about something for dessert in this day-after-the-MLK holiday edition of food + drink notes? Got a tip? chs@capitolhillseattle.com. Thanks, sweetie.

• CHS contributor Josh Mahar is a genius and the most practical urbanist we know. Man also, it turns out, is a dessert expert. Recently, Josh opined thusly on the news of new restaurants coming to the Joule building:

  With Dulces Latin Bistro joining Poppy, Olivar, and Gallerias in the high end food market on North Broadway (not to mention a high energy workout studio), someone would do well to open one of these dessert boutiques in the area. Plus, then I wouldn't have to trek it down South to satisfy my sweet tooth.

  
  The Dulces news has already shifted (more on that below) but Josh was dead on in regards to Broadway sweets. From an e-mail inquiry passed along by Josh after his curiosity was piqued by the CHS comment thread, we've learned that Pike Place Market's The Confectional is planning to bring its cheesecakes and 2 (or 3)-bite-size truffles to north Broadway.
  
  According to Confectional's Destiny Sund, the new dessert spot will snuggle into the empty space next to Poppy. We reported on Haremmoving out of the location last year. To the south will be the temporary home of Bank of Americawhile the 230 Broadway project is completed and the overhauled Jade Pagoda space that will be home to a new gym and another new business when it is completed this spring.
  
  Sund says Confectional will be baking on site and the front lobby will have tables where people can sit and enjoy their cheesecake. Sund says the plan is to be open by spring. You can learn more at theconfectional.com
• More on the Dulces thing. in cased you missed it, we reported the owners of Dulces are now planning to open in the under-construction Oola Distillery building at 14th and Union. But in the CHS comments, Oola's owner says hold your horses, no paper work has been signed. Yet.
• Oola's Kirby Kallas-Lewis also tells us Skillet is easing into its brick and mortar future by serving up chow every Wednesday for lunch at 14th and Union.
• So what else is moving into Joule besides Mod Pizza? Multiple tipsters including cranky Calhoun tell us a place called Saizen Sushi is destined for the location. Owner is from Puyallup, according to state documents.
• Also providing CHS with some tasty scoopage is a neighbor who is helping to fill in the details of the Indochine Kitchen we've reported is destined to replace Kurrent on East Pine:
  

  Not sure if this has been printed yet or not, but I was at the annual board meeting for the Press condos last night.  A question came up about what was going on with the space formerly occupied by kurrent.  Apparently, a lease has not quite been signed, but renovations have begun for a new "asian fusion" restaurant (surprise!) with a slated opening in March 2011.  Also, no more DJ booth apparently.

• Neighbor Pete tells us Pike Street Beer signs say the shop is closed for a month. Store was up for sale this summer.
• Hey, look. The Central District is getting its own craft distillery, too.
• Smith needs a new door.
• Another mystery solved: What's next for the old Maharaja space. @JTContinental tells us signs say the joint will be called Pho Le. Hard to track down too much on it at this point though we need to make a few calls. Corporation is listed as Pho Le's. City business license lists the chuckle-worthy moniker Pho Les which would probably work as a concept if anybody is interested in picking up the idea.
• CHS advertiser Poco Wine Room is hosting Dusted Valley Vinters for a wine tasting party this Thursday. Jan 20th. 6-9 PM. This one is good enough to command a tasting fee. $10.

Image: @matthickey

• Rosebud celebrated a birthday Monday night with a "new menu, new owner, the addition of a grand piano, new bathrooms, new special nights." Congrats.
• Calf & Kid hosts "Cheese 101" Sunday, January 23 from 4-6 PM.
• @matthickey wondered: "Whoa. Since when has the Egyptian Theater been a coffee stand!? http://yfrog.com/gy8k4hkj" CHS swears it hasn't operated any time in recent history but others said otherwise. Been there forever, they said. Do you really live here, they said. Have to stoop to get your coffee, they said.
• After the news that Homegrown Sandwiches was killing its late night weekend hours for the foreseeable future, we wondered about another of the Hill's night owl food and drink experiments. Glo's Julie Reisman says their late-night serving is here to stay. "The late night is going really well at Glo's and we look forward to what the spring and Summer bring!"
• Seattle Weekly loves La Bete, drops the troublesome circumflex.
• Seattle Met wonders what happened to Ni Sandwich. Silly Met, you should read CHS for more than our food posts. 230 Broadway project means that whole block's gotta clear out. Even you, Africa Mama. Even you.

The transformation of Nagle Place from a utility corridor to a connective pedestrian plaza will see a pioneering first step this spring -- and, with it, picnics at Cal Anderson are about to get a significant upgrade. The liquor license application for an intriguing new food and drink purveyor on Nagle Place went through and Seattle Met's Jessica Voelker was first on the scene with the scoop on Capitol Hill's Cure:

Specializing in charcuterie, cheeses “and everything that goes with them,” the bar is slated to open this spring—owners Amy and Erik (sic) Haldane signed a lease two weeks ago for the 750 square-foot space in the Broadway Building facing the park.

The Haldanes are a couple of Capitol Hill dining vets: Amy was a longtime Linda Derschang employee and is currently working at Grim’s; Erik (sic) is a mainstay at the Honey Hole.

(sorry for the sic marks -- hate em. But license shows "Erik" as an "Eric" -- hoping to delete all this if we find out the license info is incorrect)

Nagle, currently a parked-car (and...

This winter, SRM Development plans to begin demolition of a stretch of buildings along a block of Broadway to make room for a 7-story structure on a combined 60,000+ square feet of land. The city's design process has been completed. Financing is in place. There is only one question left to be answered. Does a 1967 bank building built at the height of car culture complete with a "drive thru" teller station have enough historical value to warrant preservation and throw the plans for a loop?

This is not typically the point in a project's lifecycle a developer wants to answer a question like this about a building they hope to demolish in the next few weeks. "I'm not concerned at all," Andy Loos of SRM tells us. "I don't think anybody in the community or anywhere else will think that building has historic value."

The building in question is the home of Bank of America on Broadway, 224 Broadway East. Someday, that address is planned to be the northwest corner of the 230 Broadway project. But in a twist of timing that can only be described as inconvenient, 230 Broadway's backers SRM only recently learned that the Department of Neighborhoods has requested that a process be completed to determine if the 1967 building qualifies as a Seattle landmark. While the Landmark Preservation Board  information on the property was requested this summer, Loos said his firm only recently found out about the requirement due to a mix-up at the Department of Planning and Development. Because of the holiday, we have not yet talked to DPD about the cause of this delay but will update when we are able to learn more.

The city's designation process doesn't guarantee preservation even if a property is eventually determined to be a landmark. Designation invokes a rule set for owners of important historical properties for how the structures can be modified and developed. As each specific ordinance is worked out, the final rule set for each individual landmark is often shaped by the plans and needs of the property's current owner.

Sarah Sodt, Landmarks Preservation Board coordinator, said that, even if the property was ultimately determined to be a landmark, SRM could apply to demolish the structure. Sodt said the approval process in that case would include considering many factors -- including economic hardship for the developer.

What the Landmarks Board can't do any more than they're already trying to, Sodt says, is speed things up. They're hoping to hold the meeting to discuss the landmark application for the Bank of America meeting in January. When we talked to Sodt before the holiday, the date for this session had not been set yet. The landmarks process include public testimony -- we'll make sure to let you know when the date is announced.

Sodt said that if the board was able to discuss the nomination in January, SRM would be able to apply for the status immediately to move the process forward as quickly as possible. If it goes that far, the next step would be applying to demolish the newly designated landmark.

In 2008, it took the board only three months after it decided a Ballard Denny's was a landmark to decide it could be demolished.

Regardless, SRM is still looking at a possible delay in its project -- and a rush to complete the process.

"The timing was poor," Loos said. "Landmark sent it to DPD six months ago. We could have been working on this."

Loos also disagrees with the decision to pursue the matter at all. "I am a little surprised that the Department of Neighborhood even brought it to the board," he said.

We've included the designation standards used by the Department of Neighborhood's at the bottom of this post.

The structure at the corner of Thomas and Broadway is not well loved. Here's how the Stranger's Dominic Holden described it in 2008:

The Bank of America building, on the corner of Broadway East and East Thomas Street, was, no doubt, quite fresh in the 1960s—the slate on the exterior walls, the little moat of rocks, the windy plaza facing a blank wall. It is, needless to say, all quite stale now.

But the notion of causing a kink in the process to build the 7-story 230 Broadway project is likely to inspire more than a little support for the building and its exhibition of "the design principles of the post-war, Modern bank style," as it was described in a memo sent to DPD from the Department of Neighborhoods in June. The building represents a possible monkey wrench in the process to create the next giant development on Broadway.

Designed by Runberg Architecture Group, 230 Broadway will be a 7-story structure with 230+ residential units and about 23,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space. Parking capacity, which was originally set at 250 spaces, was increased to 354 spaces, a controversial issue due to its proximity to the future light rail station. In addition to the Farmers Market parking lot, the 61,000 sq ft. site includes the buildings that house Bank of America and Noah's Bagels and once housed Pho 900, The Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, Cafe Septieme. During construction of the 230 Broadway project, B of A plans to inhabit a location on north Broadway before moving back to the mixed-use development when it is completed.

The project is a typical example of 21st century mixed-use projects in Seattle and on Capitol Hill. The facade mixes brick, cement, and metal siding, with a number of small setbacks. Similar to the Brix, the building will rise seven stories along Broadway with commercial space wrapping around on Thomas. Facing 10th Ave, the building will only rise four stories with mostly walk-up units facing the street.

All of that comes in the future. For now, the Landmarks Board will focus on the old bank. Loos said he hopes the board looks toward the future, not the past. "It would be a travesty to keep a building like that with its catering to automobiles and [drive through] bank tellers," Loos said. "This is a transit oriented, density focused project."

 Designation Standards
http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/designation_process.htm
In order to be designated, the building, object, or site must be at least 25 years old and must meet at least one of the six criteria for designation outlined in the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance (SMC 25.12.350):

a) It is the location of, or is associated in a significant way with, a historic event with a significant effect upon the community, City, state, or nation; or

b) It is associated in a significant way with the life of a person important in the history of the City, state, or nation; or

c) It is associated in a significant way with a significant aspect of the cultural, political, or economic heritage of the community, City, state or nation; or

d) It embodies the distinctive visible characteristics of an architectural style, or period, or a method of construction; or

e) It is an outstanding work of a designer or builder; or

f) Because of its prominence of spatial location, contrasts of siting, age, or scale, it is an easily identifiable visual feature of its neighborhood or the city and contributes to the distinctive quality or identity of such neighborhood or the City.

In addition to meeting at least one of the above standards, the object, site, or improvement must also possess integrity or the ability to convey its significance.

At the public meeting on designation, the Board will receive evidence and hear arguments as to whether the site, building or object meets the standards for designation. If the Board does not designate the property, the proceedings terminate and the property cannot be considered for designation for five years, except at the request of the owner.

Capitol Hill is home to some of the oldest churches in Seattle, and Christmas is one of those occasions when they pull out all the stops and expect people off the street to walk in and take a look. It's sort of like an open house being held at the neighbors' place, the inside of which you always wanted to see, only with pews and singing. And since the best way to spread Christmas cheer is getting your Carol Brady on, we've got a roundup of church services happening on the Hill. (If you know of anything we missed, please leave it in the comments for us.)

St. Mark's Episcopal Church on 10th has services all day, starting with a special service for families with small children at 2 pm and ending with an 11 pm Eucharist.  The best bet for the music might be the 7 pm "Festive Gathering Music and Carols," which looks like it's repeated at 10:15 before the late-nite Eucharist.

All Pilgrims Christian Church on Broadway has a service of lessons and carols at 6 pm:

Friday, December 24 @ 6:00 pm A Service of Lessons & Carols

Join All Pilgrims on Christmas Eve as we welcome the new-born Christ Child. The service combines readings of Scripture and carols sung by the choir, congregation and soloists. This is a very special tradition at All Pilgrims you won't want to miss!

Church of the Undignified has a candlelight service, also at 6 pm.  Since they meet at Central Cinema, the juxtaposition of the quiet holiness and the decidedly non-traditional setting might stir the senses (or help if you've got an issue with pews and the musty smell of hymnals).

Seattle First Baptist on Harvard and Seneca is planning a Christmas party, complete with potluck dinner, "holiday short film" and, uh, indoor snowball fight. (?!)  They've also got a service of lessons and carols for once the kiddies have gone to bed:

Beginning with an extended organ prelude at 10:15 p.m., the Sanctuary Choir sings anthems which set the texts to music including a selection from Handel’s beloved Messiah, a beautiful Gloria and carol arrangements.

Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church behind Seattle Central on Harvard has a family-friendly service of "un-traditional and traditional lessons and carols" at 6 pm.  (I have it on good authority because I'm one of the musicians who'll be playing then.)

Saint James Catholic Cathedral has Christmas Vigil at 5:30 pm and the Midnight Mass at midnight, appropriately enough.  The real secret (or Christmas bonus, as my party discovered one year) is that  they have a service of lessons and carols at 11pm, before the mass, which is convenient for those who want to avoid communion but still enjoy some seriously gorgeous music in a magical Christmas setting from free

Sunday morning started with another collision at Pike and Broadway -- this one involving an SPD cruiser and another vehicle with three occupants. Medics were not called to the scene but some of the area was closed to traffic for the typically lengthy investigation that follows crashes involving SPD vehicles.

Turns out, one of the occupants of the car the SPD cruiser collided with has the CHS iPhone app -- and reported from the scene:

Riding in my friends car hit a officer running a red without lights on. Pike ad broadway.

Thanks for the YouReport, somecaphillguy. Glad you are OK. We'll see what else we can find out about the crash -- to be clear, no confirmation one way or the other yet about the details somecaphillguy reports.

Neighbor DJ Alan has shared information in the CHS comments about the rider injured when he was struck by a car at Pike and Broadway early Saturday morning:

The biker involved in the Saturday morning accident was still in ICU at Harborview as of around noon today but is expected to fully recover and be transferred to a standard recovery room at Harborview tomorrow (Sunday). He is a host at a very popular Broadway restaurant and was on his way home from work when the accident happened.

He is also a GREAT GUY!

Just another reminder that you just can't be tooooo careful on the roads no matter if you drive, bike, or walk.

Thanks much for letting us know.

This summer, CHS talked to DJ Alan about his Capitol Hill micro-radio station broadcasting at 101.9 FM.

Seattle Police found two men handcuffed to each other on the street at the corner of Boren and Union after a reported "home invasion" robbery at a First Hill apartment or condo. Preliminary details from SPD, below.

Police searched Pike/Pine early Sunday morning after a man snatched a woman's purse near Pike and Broadway and sprinted away.

The robbery occurred after last call just after 2:20 AM. No medics were called to the scene.

The woman described her attacker as a black male, 5'10, wearing a black leather jacket and a fuzzy hat. He was carrying her beige bag as he ran east on Pike. Police found a man matching the suspect description near the bathrooms at Cal Anderson Park but the woman told officers he was not the man who had robbed her and the search continued.

According to police radio, the suspect was not located.

Meanwhile, Friday evening also saw a street robbery in the area, fortunately also without injury. The victim reported to police that his coat was stolen by a man as he walked near Jefferson and Broadway just south of Seattle University just before 5:30 PM. The suspect in that incident also could not be located.

Tis the season to be jolly. Especially this weekend. Capitol Hill's holiday spirit is in full force with free Santa pics for pets, a new way to honor the best givers on the Hill, holiday music and a giant neighborhood sale and celebration in Pike Pine. Here's a CHSanta's list worth of the weekend's holiday fun.

• Messiah Sing-Along -- Saturday -- Garfield High School's symphony orchestra performs and invites you to join the song. 7:30p Dec. 11, Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave., Seattle; $6-$12
• Santa Paws pictures at Umpqua Bank -- Saturday -- Broadway's new bank celebrates the howl-idays with a day of free Seasons Greetings pictures for your dog and other fuzzy friends. Saturday, 9a-1p, 539 Broadway East. Umpqua is also offering free gift wrapping for Broadway shoppers in a program sponsored by the chamber of commerce.
• Community Center Holiday Parties -- Friday and Saturday -- The East Precinct is helping out at the Yesler Community Center for its celebration on Friday. Garfield Community Centerneeds more help for its Friday night party. We hear turnout was great to help wrap presents for the Miller Community Center party. You can stop by to enjoy the holiday feel or lend a hand on Saturday.
• LiT designer lampshades closing down sale -- Saturday and Sunday -- 19th Ave at Prospect's LiT is shutting down with a big "bon voyage" sale.
• Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce "Stars on Broadway" Dedication Ceremony -- Saturday -- The Chamber is starting a new annual tradition to recognize the Hill's most worthy nonprofits -- Stars on Broadway. A ceremony to celebrate the program is Saturday night, 6 PM on the light rail construction wall along Broadway just south of John.
• #CHXmas: We continue to share bargains, sales, deals, coupons, etc. from across Capitol Hill on our 2010 #CHXmas Community Deals post.
• Pike n' Pine Holiday Shopping Weekend -- Saturday and Sunday -- 45+ stores, restaurants and bars are celebrating a weekend of shopping local and enjoying the holidays cheer together. You can find a full roster of Pike n' Pine discounts here.

Pike n' Pine Highlights:

• Flora and Henri: 20% off flora&henri purchases. Live Holiday Petting Zoo on 12/11. 919 East Pine St., (206) 749-9698
• Ragen & Associates: 15% off everything on 12/11; special holiday shopping hours 11am-3pm on Saturday! 517 East Pike St., (206) 329-4737
• Le Frock Ltd.: Get warm with 20% off all winter accessories and sweaters. 317 East Pine St., (206) 623-5339
• Poco Wine Room: Show us a Pike n' Pine Holiday Shopping receipt from the weekend, and you'll receive an "Extra Happy Hour" glass pour! 1408 East Pine St., (206) 322-9463
• Retrofit Home: Say "ho ho ho!" at the register and pick your discount out of the box (10%-40% off your purchase!). 1103 East Pike St., (206) 568-4663
• Cake Spy: Free Christmas cookies both days (first come, first served). 415 East Pine St.
• Pearl Apartments: Holiday Lounge in our lobby on 12/11 and 12/12 from 5-7pm. Recharge with drinks, snacks, and music before venturing out to your favorite Pike/Pine stores. 1530 15th Avenue at Pine, (206) 323-9877
• The Calf and Kid Artisan Cheese Shop: Watch as we break open a giant wheel of English Cheddar at noon on 12/11, and enjoy 10% off that cheddar all weekend! 1531 Melrose Avenue, btwn. Pike and Pine, (206) 467-5447
• Velouria Boutique and Gallery: Show the map to get 15% off storewide. 1521 Melrose Avenue, btwn Pike and Pine, (206) 623-1130

We've featured some of the inspirational messages inspired by the It Gets Better campaign kicked off by Capitol Hill residents Dan Savage and Terry Miller. It's a massive phenomenon now but a very Capitol Hill creation. The evolution of the message has Hill roots too as members of the Queer Youth Space group participated in the new Put This on the Map message that organizers say is an effort to push the anti-bullying messages forward toward holding schools and government more accountable. The video made with QYS participation and a media release from the campaign, below.

Seattle-based group creates a new popular educational campaign with:

RETEACHING GENDER & SEXUALITY

SEATTLE - Seattle-based Revelry Media&Methods released a 3-minute video online last week called THIS IS RETEACHING GENDER & SEXUALITY, which has quickly become an international sensation! With more than 75,000 views within a week on sites like vimeo and YouTube, the group said it is excited about the overwhelmingly positive response it's received about...

This weekend artists of all styles, media and -- most importantly -- ability will gather at Gage Academy next to 10th Ave East's St. Mark's for the annual Drawing Jam. You'll find the latest media release on this weekend's event, below, including details on the 2010 celebrity model roster. Again, jseattle was not invited. But you'll be able to render the likes of Teatro ZinZanni's Rachel DeShon and the star of Homo for the Holidays, Sylvia O'Stayformore, so things won't be all bad.

11th  Annual Drawing Jam Features Portrait Challenge, Stars of Seattle

Photo Opportunity: More than 1,200 artists will attend the 11

th  Annual Drawing Jam at Gage Academy of Art. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 4, Gage hosts this 12-hour art making celebration. Last year more than 1,000 people of all ages participated, packing into studios and creating artwork wherever in every nook and cranny in the school.

Breaking news: Ryan Molenkamp will bring The Portrait Challenge to Gage for the day. Most...

This picture of a soppy shopping scene is not a vision from the future of Sunday's pre-Thanksgiving Broadway farmers market. This picture is from June. The lesson? Weather in Seattle sucks. Go shopping. The market is open from 11 to 3 and is shifting into full holiday mode. More on the weather, below. Here's the list of new additions this week:

Three Tree Farms – Nobel Firs and Spruce trees for the holidays.  All sizes from Maple Valley.  At UD and Broadway beginning this weekend. 

Wreaths and Swags – Holiday décor fresh from the farm.  Beautiful local ingredients can also brighten up your home, office and entryways.  Greens, pine cones, peppers...

Hot Peppers – fresh and loads of varieties are still available from Tonnemaker Family Orchards and Alvarez Farms – at all markets: U-District, West Seattle, Broadway.

House of the Sun – pre-packaged raw food and gluten-free Wraps, Hummus, Chips, Granola. At Broadway only.

Broadway's season ends December 19th. This will be the final month for the...

With the city embroiled in another police violence scandal, it's hard to know just how amused we should be by this news that real-life superheroes are patrolling Seattle streets  -- and driving a borrowed Kia to Capitol Hill:

In one instance, police say a caped crusader dressed in black was nearly shot when he came running out of a dark park. In another case, a witness on Capitol Hill saw the crusaders wearing ski masks in a car parked at a Shell station and thought they were going to rob the place.

Police got the license plate and found those masked characters drove a Kia Fate registered to one of the character's godmothers, department staff said. She told police her godson goes around doing good deeds.

KIRO: Image Shows Teen's Face Bruised, Swollen After Videotaped Incident

CHS heard that 911 callout to the Broadway and Pike Shell station via the police scanner. Nobody was laughing at the time. Still, the effort put forth by these real-life Batmen Is pretty incredible. The Seattle PI story points to this Real Life Super Hero Manual site that documents everything from useful gadgets, to body armor to first aid. We also found the flashier, more marketing savvy http://www.reallifesuperheroes.org/ site complete with links to Facebook and Twitter accounts.

With the investigation into the latest allegation of Seattle Police Department brutality, it's odd timing for the real-life superheroes to make their big media debut but there's probably no stopping a story including characters like Thorn, Buster Doe, Green Reaper, Gemini, No Name, Catastrophe, Thunder 88, Penelope and Phoenix Jones the Guardian of Seattle. CHS certainly couldn't pass it up. You can start thinking of your superhero name now.

The PI reports that one of the Seattle TV stations will be out on the streets with some of these caped crusaders Friday night.

One of Seattle's much-loved food truck brigade is taking its place in the Shell station parking lot at Pike and Broadway for the first time this Wednesday lunch time.We recently told you about Pai's food truck coming to First Hill on Thursdays. Seattle Met has the details on Pai's new Wednesday Capitol Hill habit. Pai's will be in Pike/Pine today until 2 PM. If you're looking for a permanent Polynesian/Hawaii style plate fix, remember  Pau Hana is now open on 10th Ave East.

With news last week that the project to build mixed-use apartments in the empty lot at Belmont and Pine is once again underway, here's a note on an apartment overhaul on the Hill that isn't happening -- yet.

CHS has learned that a year ago in November 2009, the Hong Kong-based investors behind the 200 Broadway East apartment building that also houses Bleu Bistro and American Apparel on its ground floor filed paperwork with the city to study the feasibility of creating underground parking as part of a potential redevelopment at the corner of Broadway and John.

Description of Work Pre-sub application to determine feasibility of underground parking garage in light of Sound Transit tunnel passing under the building.

200 Broadway East is the same building where the owners recently went to the media with their concerns that light rail tunneling might damage the $6 million, 1924 building. Sound Transit has said that building owners Broadway Investment LTD agreed on a +$200,000 easement agreement with the agency, one of...

Police and medic units responded to the Harvard QFC early Sunday morning after a man attempting to shoplift unknown merchandise punched a cashier before escaping from the store on foot.

The incident drew fire and police response to Pike at Broadway just after midnight as officers searched the area for a tall, heavyset black male wearing all black and carrying a green backpack.

We have no details on the extent of the employee's injury. Shoplift reports at the store are a regular occurrence with occasional incidents like this one that flare into cases of strong arm robbery when a suspect becomes violent and attempts to fight security or staff. The last strong arm report at the Harvard store was October 22.

Vote by mail. Vote by e-mail. Vote by Facebook. It's all progress. But we still kinda miss the polls and the pictures of people standing in line and one time each year we find ourselves inside a church. Enough nostalgia. If you haven't voted yet, you have work to do.

• Get a stamp and proceed to your nearest post office immediately or...
• Your closest dropbox is at the King County Administration Building, 500 4th Avenue, Seattle 98104
• Or you can take a drive or a bus on adventure to any of these fine dropboxes in the county.
• Track the status of your ballot here.
• If you lost your ballot or never received it call 206-296-VOTE (8683) and the county will e-mail you your ballot. Yes. E-mail it to you. You live in the future, dude. Enjoy it. (OK, so in the *real* future, you wont' have to print it out and stuff but this is good start.) UPDATE: We're hearing that people are being directed to a ballot center in the International District, not being sent the ballot via e-mail.
• See how your CHS Elections Endorsement Board voted<...

Tuesday night brings the final public hearing on the mayor's proposed budget. But if you don't want to wait around at City Hall, you can add your voice to the priorities by weighing in on the City Council's IdeaScale system http://seattlecitycouncil.ideascale.com/

Many of the most popular ideas range from goofy to downright mean but it's an interesting trip through the (online) public's priorities. Have you added any ideas to the scale? See any worth Capitol Hill's vote?

Final budget public hearing opportunity for residents to share budget ideas with the Seattle City Council
Call-in opportunity for those who can’t make it to City Hall

Seattle – The City of Seattle faces a general fund deficit for 2011, meaning there are some very difficult decisions to be made in the weeks to come.  As the City Council works to balance the Seattle's 2011-2012 budget, considerable input from residents is needed to develop a budget that best reflects the needs of our city.

The Seattle City Council invites you to participate in...

19th Ave East's Russian Community Center is a busy little hub of activity in what can otherwise be a quiet part of Capitol Hill. The Center has started up an e-mail newsletter to keep fans informed of what's coming up. You can sign up here. You can also learn more at http://www.russiancommunitycenterseattle.org/ Below is October's update.

Seattle Police have called out the bomb squad and shut down East Pike between Broadway and 11th Wednesday night to investigate a bag left on the corner of Pike and 10th.