It’s been an exciting spring in the CD restaurant world, with three new breakfast spots and several new restaurants around the area.

One we’re still looking forward to is the brand new Cheeky Cafe at 17th & Jackson. We got an update from Wendy Wong, the owner, who says that they’re working like crazy to get everything ready, and hope to open within the next couple of weeks if everything goes well.

Wendy also gave us an early peek at the preliminary menu, which includes a range of Asian-inspired dishes priced from $5 to $16. Wendy says “our menu is reflecting comfort food we had growing up,what we cherished from our families’ stash of recipes, and how we wantthe community to feel like they are coming to eat at our house.”

Some of the highlights include:

• Sirloin Beef Skewers – $8
• Grandma Kam’s Dumplings – $5
• Grandma Fumiko’s Sukiyaki – $15
• Pan Seared Pork Chops – $12
• Seared Tuna Salad – $16

And here’s a photo of the interior that Wendy sent over:

Our newspartners at the Seattle Times forwarded us a tip about possible vandalism on the corner of 34th and Spring, called in by an anonymous reader. We went over to check it out and probably wouldn’t classify it as vandalism – as you can see from the photo, there are basically some colored streamers and fuzzy puffballs hanging from the tree.

No one in the nearby businesses knew what it was about, except it was like that this morning when they arrived to work. One person pointed out that the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure for breast cancer research was today, and some other trees in the area had similar-looking ribbons on them, so it’s possible this is related to that.

If you know the origin of the streamers on the tree, feel free to chime in in the comments.

We live on 25th and Mass, just south of the CD and north of the Rainier Valley right by the African American museum. Our home was broken into Friday at lunch time. They kicked in the front door and entered while the alarm was blaring. They stole electronics, a laptop, jewelery and my brief case. Today (Sunday) we just spotted a person brazenly walking by our house with my briefcase slung over his shoulder. He ran when he saw me, so the picture is not good, but I will post it if that’s possible on this site.

I just came across an article talking about Broadstripe looking at selling off some of their networks in Washington.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/453194-Broadstripe_Explo

Personally, I think this could be a good deal for the CD. I tried Broadstripe when I first moved to the neighborhood. I’ve never been so disgusted with a company’s service levels.

However, if they do sell their network, about the only buyer is Comcast? How is Comcast in the CD? My experience on the Eastside has been positive for the most part. The network out that way is reliable and fast when it comes to cable internet. The TV lineup was pretty good. Notably, they had HBO HD which Broadstripe does not offer.

Comcast buying up the Broadstripe network in the CD, yay or nay?

Today King County Executive Dow Constantine threw out the first pitch at the Grand Opening of the remodeled baseball field behind the Garfield Community Center.

The city, county, and private companies have provided $300,000 to fund new lights, backstops, pitching cages, scoreboard, and artificial turf for the infield of the southwestern field.

Volunteers at the event also provided some intersting history of the field. A number of professional players with big careers who got their start their start on the field, including Bill North and Joe Staton, both of whom were present at the opening this morning.

A two- car accident has sent a Chevy Tahoe careening into the Casey Family Program building near 23rd & Union.

It appears to have been heading north on 23rd when it hit a southbound white minivan, and then left the roadway and into the building. The driver of that minivan appears to have escaped injury.

A large medic response is tending to the passenger-side occupant of the SUV, but he appears to be conscious and moving. We didn’t see any sign of the driver of the SUV at the accident scene.

Update: The passenger of the SUV was loaded onto a stretcher and taken away in an ambulance.

The damage to the building appears to be superficial. Some bricks where knocked loose on one of the building’s columns, and a small tree got scraped, but the vehicle didn’t break through into the structure.

Update x2: 5:34pm More photos from StatonD as they pull the car out of the building:

With the (finally) sunny weather comes a few outdoor-friendly events for this weekend in the neighborhood. 

• Remember how Molly Moon’s was asking neighborhoods to lobby for a visit from their new ice cream truck? Per a late-night tweet, it looks like Madrona is one of the lucky locations to get one of the first visits either today or tomorrow. No times or locations yet, but you can follow @MollyMoon on Twitter for clues to the route.

• Bottlehouse is having their “Grand Opening Celebration” today from wine specials from 4-8pm, with live music from 5-7. They are also starting summer happy hours from 5-7 Thursday through Sunday, and will soon be offering an expanded menu and be open on Wednesdays. 

• The “Cupcake of the Month” for June at Cupcake Royale is Toasted Coconut Lime, which sounds quite appropriate for 70 degrees and sunny weather. We haven’t tasted one yet, so please report back if you’ve tried it. 

Are you a fan of Garfield Community Center? Become a fan on our new Facebook page! Visit our page, click like and suggest to all your friends who love Garfield too!

Those colorful banners that adorn the utility poles of neighborhoods around Seattle are coming to Madrona, thanks to grant funding from the city.

That news was one of the highlights of the June meeting of BOOM (Business Owners of Madrona) today, along with updates on the Madrona summer festival and plans for the revised version of last year’s walking map and business directory.

The proposal for the banners (if you don’t know what they look like, the Office of Economic Development has a good description) was the only one of four recently submitted to receive money, but it was met with approval from the group. Madrona will be able to place 20 banners up Union Street and along 34th Ave as far south as Cherry. They will ideally be implemented by fall, though BOOM has not yet settled on a design.

The Madrona 34th and Union Street Festival, set for Saturday, July 24, is coming together as well. Expect to see posters for that event, which will include bands, food and tents for local businesses, going up in about a month.

Finally, the updated edition of the Madrona walking map and business directory brochure will be out within the month. Longer term, BOOM is seeking funding to install a kiosk on the corner of 34th and Union to house the brochures and a historical marker.