Back in August, we shared news and photos of the Epiphany School expansion and renovation. Now community members have a chance to see it first-hand when the independent school hosts an open house for Madrona residents this Friday, October 15.

Every half hour from 9-11 a.m., the school will lead tours of the expanded campus. Epiphany Head of School Matt Neely called the event “an opportunity to thank neighbors, vendors and colleagues from other schools.” Tours will meet at the library. 

As we wrote about earlier, parts of the campus – particularly the play areas – are already open to Madrona community members after school hours. The new building is also unique in that it was built with a focus on sustainability, as Epiphany is hoping to become a LEED-Gold certified school.

Who is planning to attend the tours of Epiphany?

Back in June, we wrote about how the Madrona Laundromat would be undergoing a long-awaited remodel. It’s taken a little longer than expected, but Ridge Marshall of Ewing & Clark, the property management company, confirmed that the storefront will close for three days next week for renovations.

The plan right now is for the laundromat to be closed October 13-15 (Wednesday-Friday) to replace the old washers and dryers with new high capacity, high efficiency versions. Look for signs in the windows confirming the closed dates. They hope to get it done in three days, though it could take longer.

Also of note is that the spot may not remain a do-it-yourself laundromat much longer. Marshall confirmed that they’ve been advertising the property with an eye toward converting it to a wash-and-fold service instead, though there’s been no concrete interest yet.

Would you prefer a wash-and-fold joint or a DYI-style laundromat?

Last night’s monthly meeting of the Madrona Community Council was a sober one, as officers expressed concern over the lack of community participation and the fear that the council could potentially cease to exist.

“It’s disheartening,” said outgoing MCC president Cynthia Stross, who said the council was “in crisis”. “I don’t know how to increase people’s commitment to any form of involvement.”

Tuesday night’s meeting was supposed to be a venue to accept nominations for new positions on the council, but with only five people in attendance the nominations had to be postponed until next month’s meeting. The council currently has three open positions: president, vice president and treasurer. 

Stross said she was surprised that no one had even expressed interest in the open positions, given that it is a low time commitment and an easy way to be involved in the close-knit Madrona community.

If the council were to dissolve, it would almost certainly mean the end of Madrona neighborhood traditions like the hanging flower baskets, Mayfair and some of the Halloween festivities. The Madrona BBQ has already been discontinued due to lack of organizers for the end-of-summer event.

The end of the council would also mean the end of the community newsletter, which is already in jeopardy. We wrote last month about how the fate of Madrona News is in question with long-time editor Kim Herber set to retire after this year. The newsletter is also running at a deficit and at its current rate will be $5000 in debt each year. 

The council will take nominations from the floor for the open positions at the November 2 meeting, and encouraged anyone with any interest in the positions to attend and learn more about what the council does.

What do you think it will take to get Madrona residents more involved with the community council?

As part of an action-packed week in Madrona, Wilridge Winery will be celebrating their fall release this week with sampling and sales of their wines.

The winery at 1416 34th Ave will be open Wednesday, October 6, and Thursday, October 7, to feature the release of Wilridge’s 2008 Red Mountain Melange. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate gave this wine 91 points and called it “a classy red blend.”

Also new for the party are the 2008 Sangiovese and the 2007 Old Vine Nebbiolo. The last few bottles of dessert wine from their new Estate Vineyard will be on sale, only available at this event.

Finally, the party is also a rally in support of Initiative 1100, the proposed vast legal changes to alcohol distribution in Washington State. Representatives from the Yes on 1100 campaign will be on hand to distribute literature and answer questions about the initiative. 

Lots going on this week – who is planning to attend?

As one new home furnishings store moves into Madrona this fall, another one is celebrating seven years of doing business in the neighborhood.

Decor on 34th, the home furnishings store at 1421 34th Avenue, is hosting its 7th birthday party this Thursday, October 7.

From 5-8 p.m., customers can swing by for refreshments, a peek at new items and discounts and specials in honor of the shop’s anniversary. 

The party is one of a few events going on in the neighborhood this week – stay tuned for details on the others. 

Yesterday we shared details of Zaw Pizza coming to 34th Ave. Today we have the news on its neighboring business in the former Monad space.

A new home furnishings store called “Henry and Frances Home” will be moving into the vacant storefront at 1135 34th Ave. The owner, Madison Park resident Kate Sehulster, plans to open her doors on November 1. 

“I’d always wanted to open a store, and when the space came available it was perfect,” Sehulster said.

Sehulster has a background in interior design, textiles and wall coverings. Her shop will sell new furniture and consignment pieces, “the best of the old and the best of the new.” She’ll also offer lighting, candles, books, and works from local designers and artists. Eventually she plans to knock down the back wall to add more space to the 250 square foot front room.

With the post-work evening traffic from local restaurants, Sehulster plans to stay open in the evenings until 7pm.

Originally she considered calling the store Grandesse, but decided on “Henry and Frances,” based on her sons’ middle names. 

What are your thoughts on the newest business to come to Madrona?

Zaw Pizza, the local take-and-bake company with a focus on local and organic ingredients, will be setting up shop at 1137 34th Ave. (Thanks to the tip from the building property manager Jaime Hernandez on the news.)

Zaw co-owner Greg Waring confirmed they signed the lease on Monday and are aiming for a November opening date, dependent on all the necessary paperwork and permits. 

Waring said Zaw chose Madrona for its next location because of feedback from residents here and in Madison Park, who fall outside the delivery zone for the Capitol Hill store.

“It’s a response to a lot of demand in the area,” he said.

Zaw has had a stand at the farmers market on MLK and Union for the last two years, and Waring said it’s been their most successful farmers market location. 

Once the shop is open, the delivery zone will be east to Lake Washington, west to MLK, south to the I-90 bridge and north to the 520 bridge.

Zaw will occupy half of the former home of the Monad art gallery, now split in two. The other half of the space will house a new home furnishings store called Henry and Frances Home – details on that business to come tomorrow.

“We’ve really been screening to make sure we get the right people,” Hernandez said of the rental process.

There’s already some commenting action going on about the merits of Zaw. What do you say? Is a takeout pizza spot a good addition to the neighborhood?

With the beginning of fall, Madrona wine bar Bottlehouse has rolled out several new features and changes.

Starting Friday, October 1, the bar will debut four rotating wine taps. This is a new trend in wine serving as it produces less waste and lowers the cost related from corks, bottles, etc. Already popular in California, wine taps are now starting to pop up in Seattle. The Bottlehouse taps will showcase wines from the downstairs Wilridge Winery as well as other artisan wineries from the Pacific Northwest. Going forward, the bar hopes to contract with local winemakers to develop its own custom blends.

Beginning Sunday, October 3, Bottlehouse will shift to fall hours. It will be closed Sunday and Monday, and open noon-11pm Tuesday-Thursday, noon-midnight Friday and Saturday.

You can see all the details in their newsletter on their Facebook page, including info about a new cheese offerings at happy hour and a new selection of bottled beers for Oktoberfest.

Today’s the last chance of 2010 for Madrona and Central District residents to score local produce in the neighborhood. The Madrona farmers market, on the corner of MLK and Union, will close for the season after today.

Chef Michael King of St. Clouds will do a cooking demonstration today at the market from 4-5pm. According to Seattle Farmers Market Association, you can find the first of the winter squash, shelling beans, wild mushrooms, apples and smoked halibut. 

This season at the market brought a new layout and more vendors. What did you think of the expansion and upgrades? What would you like to see at the market in 2011?

The student-illustrated posters have been popping up around Madrona, which means it’s time for the annual Epiphany School Carnival. This year’s event is tomorrow (Friday) Sept. 24, from 3-6 p.m.

The traditional festivities are open to neighborhood families as well as the Epiphany community. It’s a good opportunity for neighbors to check out the remodeled campus and expansion, which we wrote about earlier this month.

Activities include a bouncy house, dunk tank, raffle, games, bake sale, book and toy sale, and a food booth. The carnival will go on rain or shine.