Armed robber strikes Lake City XXX store

View Larger Map

 From the Seattle Police Department:

A masked, armed robber remains at large today after striking in Lake City early Sunday morning. About 4 a.m. a man wearing a bandana over his face walked into the XXX Theater/Store, 12706 Lake City Way NE, and pointed a silver revolver at the clerk behind the counter.

The suspect demanded money and was given the cash from the register. There was a party going on down stairs and those attending were unaware of the robbery taking place upstairs. The suspect walked out of the front door and fled northbound. Nobody was injured during the incident.

Officers responded to the area and conducted a search with the assistance of a canine unit, however the suspect remains at large.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his mid 20′s, approximately 5’06” tall.

Anyone with information about this incident or who may know the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is asked to call 911 or Seattle Police and refer to this incident. Anonymous tips are welcome.

International collection of Nativity scenes on dispaly in our neighborhood

Its that time of year when people unpack their holiday decorations, decorate their homes and prepare to celebrate the traditions that make the holiday season such a special time for families and communities.

This weekend one of the most impressive displays of holiday decorations is happening right here in our very own neighborhood.

On Saturday and Sunday, December 1st and 2nd, Nativity Exhibit Northwest and Lamb of God Lutheran Church are hosting the Annual Nativity Exhibit at Lamb of God church, 12509 127th Avenue N.E. The exhibit showcases more than 800 nativities from almost 100 countries. Some are intricate artworks, some are made from recycled items, some are made from food, some are funny, some try to make a point, all are fascinating.

"This is a great way to kick off the holiday season," said Ben Breeden, a visitor who has been coming to the see the display with his extended family for years.

The display moved from its previous location after the collection grew too large. For the past 20 years it was hosted at Crista Senior Living in Shoreline.

The exhibit runs until 7 p.m. on Saturday. It continues on Sunday (December 2nd) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Below is a small sample of some of the nativity sets on display.

Singer who led our neighborhood parade helping hip-hop artist top the charts

Vocalists Ray Dalton, right, and Camila Recchio, center, lead our neighborhood parade.

During the Douglas Park Cooperative neighborhood block party a couple years ago, we hosted a parade of neighborhood kids to kick off the party. We were lucky enough to have the parade led by talented vocalists Ray Dalton and Camila Recchio, shown above.

Since then, the pair have had much success with their respective music careers. Recchio is releasing an album in January and Dalton teamed up with Seattle hip-hop artists Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis, collaborating on their self-produced album that is topping all the charts.  As Associated Press national music writer Chris Talbott says, the lauded album is shaking up the hip-hop paradigm in the U.S.

Expect to hear much more about the two singers as they continue their skyrocketing careers after performing on our humble streets.

Below, Dalton performs with Seattle's chart-topping Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis on KEXP.




Below, Recchio and Dalton perform together.

Come support Olympic Hills Elementary at annual Pancake Breakfast

Olympic Hills Elementary is hosting its 7th annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser on Saturday, December 1st, from 9-11 a.m. And you are invited to come enjoy some food with your community and help provide for our neighborhood school.

The fun event includes performances by the school's impressive Taiko Drummers, the Intermediate Choir and the Primary Choir.

You get all that entertainment plus a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee for 6 dollars, 4 dollars for the kiddos.

Proceeds from the annual event help fund classroom field trips for Olympic Hills students.

The breakfast will be held at the Lake City Community Center and is sponsored by the Lake City Lions Club.

• 9:30 Taiko Drummers to perform
• 10 Intermediat Choir
• 10:15 Primary Choir 

Coming soon to NE Seattle, a Tool Library

A new Northeast Seattle project is taking the concept of the lending library beyond just books.

The NE Seattle Tool Library, which plans to open in January or February, will be a place where library members can borrow an assortment of tools. And if you are a homeowner, you know how important proper tools are to upkeep you home.

The library, a project of Sustainable NE Seattle, is hosting an open house and pot-luck on December 1st at the location for the library, 2415 NE 80th St. The event is from 7 to 10 p.m. and is a celebration before the tools and shelves move in. You can bring a snack or drink to share, and tools you'd like to donate. There will also be music and room to dance.

The library plans to provide free, community access to a wide variety of tools, training, and sustainable resources. They plan to start lending tools at our the grand opening in January or February 2013.

Although not in our immediate neighborhood, this could be a resource for our own residents and a program that perhaps could be mirrored here in the future.

You can become a member of the tool library here.

(H/T to Ravenna Blog for this info)

Man tries to rob people on Lake City Way with his gun-shaped hand

A series of unusual robbery attempts happened in Lake City on Tuesday. Seattle Police report a man tried to rob people on Lake City Way with his hand in the vague shape of a handgun.

The man also had a pillow and crack cocaine with him.

From the Seattle Police Department's Blotter blog:

Officers arrested a 30-year-old man—armed with a pillow, crack cocaine, and a limited working knowledge of pantomime—Tuesday evening in Lake City after he went on a very unsuccessful robbery spree.
The suspect’s sad saga began around 6:20 pm at the Jack in the Box on 130th and Lake City Way, where he walked into the restaurant, approached two men as they were eating, put his hand in his jacket pocket like he was carrying a gun, and told them to hand over all their money.
Instead, both men got up from their table and asked a restaurant employee to call 911. The suspect, determined not to walk away empty handed, sat down at the victims’ table and began eating their food.
After picking over the victims’ lunch, the suspect grabbed a soda from the table and walked off down Lake City Way.
Down the road, the suspect approached a woman near a gas station at the corner of 130th and Lake City Way, brandished a handgun—which was simply his hand, formed into the vague shape of a gun—and said something to the woman.
The woman didn’t hear the suspect, however, because she was listening to music and had headphones on. She simply ignored the suspect and walked away.
Undeterred by his lack of criminal success, the suspect walked further down Lake City Way to a Wells Fargo bank, where he approached a man at an ATM and again did his best impression of an armed mugger.
This time, the victim yelled at the suspect and walked off, leaving the suspect to continue his walk down Lake City Way.
Finally, the suspect walked to the Lake City Bar and Grill, where he stood aimlessly in the doorway until an employee approached him and asked what he was doing.
One last time, the suspect stuck his hands in his pockets, making like he had a gun, and told the employee to give him money.
The employee told the man to leave.
Officers arrived moments later and, after confirming his identity with several victims, arrested the suspect.
When officers searched the suspect, they found a small pillow in his jacket, and some crack cocaine in his pocket.
Officers arrested the suspect and booked him into the King County Jail for robbery, drug possession and two warrants.

Two Dog Yoga Community Contra Dance this Saturday, November 17th

This Saturday, November 17th, Two Dog Yoga will host their annual Community Contra Dance with the popular duo, the Canote Brothers. And you are invited to come mingle with your neighbors and meet new friends.

The Cantone Brothers are identical twins that like to say they have "genetically matched voices." The brothers play the fiddle, banjo, ukulele and bring vintage American music that will make you tap your toes and want to get on the dance floor. For 13 years they were the sidekicks on National Public Radio's show Sandy Bradley's Potluck.

The event starts at 6 p.m. with a finger food potluck. The easy social dancing begins at 7 p.m. and continues until 8:30.

This fun, family event is open to all and raises money for the Two Dog Scholarship Fund via donations. The event also helps gather non-perishable food to benefit the local food bank. So please bring something to donate.

We hope to see you there!

12549 28th Ave. NE

Truck stolen from Fred Meyer parking lot

A truck was stolen from a member of our community on Thursday night during a trip to Fred Meyer. The truck was taken from the Fred Meyer parking lot.

It is a black 1994 Nissan, license plater B61438S. There is an 80s "Magic Happens" sticker on the rear bumper.

If you see the truck please call 911. 

UPDATE:  The truck was found by Seattle Police in Wallingford, with "very little damage," said the owner. "A big thank you to everyone in the hood who was on the lookout. I appreciate your support."

Flags damaged on Veterans Day

A previous post here on Douglas Park Cooperative thanked the Lake City Lions Club for their work hanging flags around the neighborhood on Veterans Day.

We later found out from the Lions Club that two of the flags hanging on Elliott Bay Brewery were ripped from their brackets and damaged at some point during the day.

The group puts up the flags at sunrise on federal holidays and takes them down at sunset.

When they returned to Elliott Bay to gather the flags on Veterans Day all that remained were broken brackets on the side of the building. The two flags were later found but the eagles on top of the poles were smashed and the wire holding the flags to the poles was damaged.

"This was the first time we every had anything like that happen," said a member of the organization.

Thanks to veterans, volunteers, those that give to community

On this Veterans Day we thank and remember all that serve their community in a multitude of way:  Military members, teachers, police officers, social workers, firefighters, medical workers, volunteers.

We would also like to thank the Lake City Lions Club for hanging flags around our neighborhood, reminding us of this important day.

Flags are shown in the Lake City Mini Park