Capitol Hill Home For Sale: $1,275,000

This beautifully restored Capitol Hill home is newly on the market, and sits directly across from Volunteer Park. The lovely designed home has been featured in Seattle Homes & other local magazines, for it’s fine craftsmanship, and beautiful mill work, with beamed ceilings and built-ins. The expansive kitchen gets a hearty amount of natural sunlight, with top of the line appliances and finishes. The master bathroom is enormous, as is the closet, and the 3rd floor even has a media room for entertainment! If you’d like more information on this wonderful Capitol treasure, with 4 bedrooms, and 2.75 baths click here.

Status: For Sale
Bed/Bath: 4/2.75
List Price: $1,275,000

Capitol Hill Block Party 2012 Line Up Is In!

The much anticipated 2012 lineup for Seattle’s 16th annual Capitol Hill Block Party is finally in and tickets are on sale now for the biggest music festival in the neighborhood! Every year the Block Party hosts over 100 of the hottest northwest & national bands and DJs, and this year’s lineup includes  bands such as Fitz and the Tantrums, Neko Case, Major Lazer, the LumineersAesop Rock w/ Rob Sonic & DJ Big Wiz, and many more local favorites.

Capitol Hill Block Party Artist Fitz and the Tantrums

Seattle is all about independent music and expressing yourself, and the Capitol Hill Block Party is the biggest summer weekend event showcasing not only lyricists and musical wizards, but also independent local arts & craft booths, food trucks, and non profits raising funds for local charities. Block Party kicks off this year on Friday July 20th, and runs through Sunday July 22nd, all days host love performances from 1pm-2am. For more information on ticket sales, and volunteer opportunities for the festival, visit the Capitol Hill Block Party website here.

Skate at Cal Anderson Park

Are you looking for a fun, winter activity for the whole family to enjoy this season?  If so, Capitol Hill is where you need to be.  The 1st Annual Ice Rink is now open in Cal Anderson Park, and ready for skaters.  The synthetic ice rink is 50 x 80 feet and located above the basketball court.   Skaters will enjoy holiday décor and music, as well as food and refreshments from local vendors.  The rink is open from 11 am to 10 pm every day, now until December 24th.  Adult admission will set you back $12.00, and only $6.00 for kids 8 years and younger.  For more information, please visit the official Ice Rink website.  Happy skating!!

Christmas Ship To Visit Madison Park

It’s that magical time of year again in the Northwest and what better way to bring in the holiday season than the 62nd annual Christmas Ship Festival from Argosy Cruises.  The festival features the ever popular Christmas Ship decked out with décor, filled with music and brimming with holiday spirit.  The Christmas Ship sets sail on 25 nights this season and stops at many Puget Sound waterfront locations.  If you live in Capitol Hill, see the ship on Saturday, December 17th when it’s at Madison Park on the shores of Lake Washington.  The ship will be there between 4:55 and 5:15 pm. Onboard the Christmas Ship, riders can enjoy chorus performances from The Dickens Carolers and a visit from Santa Clause.  You can also ride on one of the dinner cruise boats which trail behind the Christmas Ship.  On the dinner boat, riders can experience all the sights and sounds of the night.  If you didn’t spring for a ticket this year, don’t worry because Madison Park is a great place to simply watch the ceremony and see the ship with your family.  If you live in Capitol Hill or nearby neighborhoods, make sure to stop by. If you would like to purchase tickets for a Christmas Ship cruise, see a full schedule of events or to find more information, please see the website.  Ticket proceeds will benefit the Seattle Times Fund for The Needy.  Happy Holidays!

Tunnel Boring in Capitol Hill Causes Mess on the Street

The Capitol Hill tunnel boring project is making quite a mess on the streets above, in the form of grey sludge.  A manhole created for soil sampling on Boylston Ave and E. Pike St. spewed soil and soapy water onto the streets and on cars yesterday, leaving a grayish film on the surroundings.  The mixture is used to soften clay soil for the drill.  Those who ended up with dirty cars have been provided vouchers for car washes.  For more info, see the full article here.

City Proposes New Parking Payment Plan

Do you hate standing in the rain at a slow meter paying for parking?  I do too, but the City of Seattle has proposed a new system for the process involving, of course, a cell phone.   As part of the new 2012 budget, the city is proposing a Pay-by-cell plan which will allow for payment through cell phones.  Users will enter time and payment info and be alerted when their time is near expiration.  At that point, you can extend your time without going back to the meter and/or car.  I think this is a great idea (avoid the rain, avoid ditching a lunch date), but some officials feel this will result in less revenue for the city.  The system could lower parking violation fines which typically bring in a big chunk of change.  Pay-by-cell could begin as early as next year.  For more info, please see the full article from Seattle Pi.

Garfield Community Center May Have Extended Hours

This week, Mayor Mike McGinn proposed a change regarding the city’s 25 community centers; cut staff and hours to most, but turn the remaining in to high-use centers.  The purpose it to reduce the cost of community centers and this particular program would save the city $1.2 Million in 2012.  Under the proposal, the community centers are split into 5 geographical regions.  Within these regions, high-use centers will have specialty programs and extended hours.  The 7 centers with extended hours and activities would be Bitter Lake, Garfield, High Point, Jefferson, Loyal Heights, Meadowbrook and Rainier.  The Garfield Community Center in on E. Cherry St. in Seattle’s central distric.  For more information on the proposal, please read the full  Seattle Times article.

Seattle Greek Festival Happening This Weekend

The Saint Demetrios Greek Festival is happening this weekend at the St. Demetrios Hall & Cultural Center on Boyer Ave. E in Capitol Hill on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  This is the 50th year of the annual event that uses proceeds to support ministries and community charities.  The festival will feature authentic cuisine including favorites like gyros and delish baklava (MY personal favorite).  Attendees will also have the chance to tour the church and watch Greek Foll Dancing performances from over 120 dancers.  If that’s not enough, stop by a variety of shops with beautiful jewelry, imported arts and crafts, and Greek clothing and literature.  Please visit the official webpage to find festival hours, parking, directions and general information.  See you there!

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church was founded in 1894 and closed in 1995 to make way for REI.  It reopened at its current location in 1963.