What's the story?

Former Tully's site languishesIt's been almost ten months since Tully's abandoned its Madison Park location in a downsizing move last October.  And it's five months since the Madison Park Blogger reported that HomeStreet Bank would be opening a branch in the space.  Yet to date, about the only thing that's happened to the building is the addition of some graffiti.One of the most-asked questions we hear is, "What's up with that Tully's...

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This 'n that

Fat Salmon makes landfallThe 350 swimmers participating in the 14th Fat Salmon Open Water Swim arrived on Madison Park beach yesterday morning after successfully completing a cold swim (with or without wetsuits) over a 3.2-mile course which began at the I-90 floating bridge. Participants were required to be able to swim the distance in under two hours (laggards would be pulled from the water if they didn't accomplish that mission). The first...

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Rabid bat found on our beach

A sick bat was discovered in the sand at the Madison Park beach earlier this week, prompting the King County Public Health Department to issue a rabies alert this afternoon, after the bat was tested positive for the disease. Rabies is contracted through a bite, but anyone (and any pet) having had contact with the animal should be tested. Information is available on the KCPHD site here.  It is critical that testing occur quickly, according to...

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Keeping up

Eaglet soars: Several blog readers reported seeing the Broadmoor eagles in flight with their offspring over the weekend (we and our camera, unfortunately, were late to the party).  But never fear, Montlake photographer and bird watcher Larry Hubbell took many excellent shots of the eaglet in flight on Saturday and posted them on his blog, Union Bay Watch, to be enjoyed by those of us who missed out.Music in the Park:  The line up for...

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A perfect day for a little fun

For those not content to just sit on the beach and enjoy the fabulous day, there were multiple opportunities yesterday (and each within walking distance) to share the spirit of the summer with other like-minded revelers. Madison Valley staged a very successful second incarnation of its Bastille Bash, celebrating the French holiday with food, drink, song, and (at least for some) a certain esprit.Organizers would certainly have preferred to have...

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Remember, bridge closed again this weekend

SR-520 and parts of I-405 will be off limitsThere's been a lot of media hype about upcoming shut down ("It's the big one!").  Not only will the floating bridge be closed from 10 pm on Friday until 5 am on Monday, but the portion of 405 between S.E. Eighth in Bellevue and 520 will also be shut down during that period.  Work this weekend includes installation of another fish culvert, regular maintenance on the floating bridge, and the replacement...

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June Police Blotter

Before we get into an overview of June's criminal activity, here's something we think readers may be interested in.  It comes from Madison Park resident Beth Gold:"On July 1, my Toyota land cruiser was hit by a White Jetta on the corner of 41st and E. Mcgilvra Blvd. and it was a hit and run.  Amazingly, despite the significant damage to my land cruiser, the Jetta was able to drive away. According to several witnesses, they saw a young blonde...

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More summer fun ahead

Bastille Bash returns to Madison Valley, July 13Leveraging last year's successful introduction of a new tradition for the neighborhood, Madison Valley will again this year be celebrating France's La Fête Nationale, better known as Bastille Day.  Although the official French holiday is July 14, Madison valley will get a head start with its Bastille Bash taking place on Saturday, July 13, from 3 until 8 pm.  Entertainment this year will...

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The good real estate news just keeps coming

Home values here continue to climbYou may have seen the recent headlines about U.S. home prices: up 12.1% year-over-year through the end of April, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller Index.  Seattle, meanwhile, enjoyed an almost equally robust 11.37% increase over the same period, a full 2.65% increase in April alone, according to Case-Shiller. The national and regional markets are definitely continuing their upward spiral after years of decline...

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