I saw one of my favorite performers, at one of my favorite venues last night: Michael Sicoly at the Triple Door  - it was a fantastic evening!

The first time I met Michael was in Whistler at the Chateau.  I was skiing with a group of friends that knew Michael and they took me out for a fun night of dancing and listening to good music.  Michael really knows how to engage the crowd and create a fun atmosphere. 

This was the first time I saw Michael more as a true showman rather than playing music to dance to.  (He is excellent at both!).  He always entertains and was definitely in his zone, not only playing but impersonating Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan to name a few.  I was super impressed with his three Italian songs, even though I didn't understand the words, the performance was so moving, it brought a tear to my eye.  There were also fun sing-along songs.  I loved it all but what I think I loved the best were his original songs.  I hope to hear them all again, maybe on the radio one of these days soon! 

If you ever get the chance to see Michael Sicoly perform, take the opportunity!

Driving North on I-5, just before the Northeast 145th Avenue exit, you see a big green space.  That's Jackson Park golf course.  It is also a small neighborhood located north of NE 125^th and Roosevelt, east of I-5 (and 5^thNE), south of NE 145th and west of  15^th NE.  

The 160 acre Jackson Park golf course takes up most of the neighborhood.   Recently renovated in 2001, The golf course has been around since 1928 and was renovated in 2001 to allow Thornton Creek to flow through in a more environmentally friendly way.  Rumor has it, that Tiger Woods has even golfed here, with a record score of 65.

Southeast of the golf course is a community p-patch garden and a couple of wooded areas with trails for walking.

The rest of the neighborhood includes single family homes, a condo next to the golf course and a couple of apartment buildings,  There is a Starbucks in the neighborhood as well as a couple of other small businesses.  Easy access to the express bus route and freeway make this a really easy neighborhood to commute from.

Most homes were built in the early 1950's with few newer homes sprinkled in.  Homes are currently selling between $365,000 and $500,000.

This neighborhood is near and dear to my heart because as a teenager, I walked up and down the hills delivering the Lake City Journal Newspaper to the residents.

The Olympic Hills neighborhood has peaks and valleys surrounding a steeper slope north to south and is located east of 15th Avenue NE, south of NE 145^th, west of 30^th Avenue NE and north of NE 125^th.

The community is very quiet and a caring residential spot with a few businesses along the edge.  On 15th Avenue northeast, across from the Jackson Park golf course is the Caroline Tavern, a friendly place to stop for after golf beverages.  Other buildings include an elementary school, a church, a bank, and the library.

West of the hill sit many 1950's rambler style concrete block houses.  On the hill and east are several charming homes.  Built mostly in the 1950's and some as early as 1926, there are a few newly built townhouses as well.

Homes range from $260,000 to $550,000.

As I was recently jogging around Green Lake in the last couple of weeks, I've noticed the work being done around the inner jogging trail and the new benches installed.  Then I noticed the beginnings of a new arch and trail leading to the eastside pool area. 

I always like to know what's going on and figure others do too so I did some research: 

The project replaces existing asphalt paving with new compacted crushed rock paths and concrete paved focal areas. The project will also include the restoration and relocation of an arch from the demolished Martha Washington School.  This project was originally due to complete in 2008 and then the Parks Department was shooting for this March.  Still not quite done but the progress can easily be seen.

Where is it:

Like all Seattle neighborhoods, Wedgwood has no official agreed-upon borders.  The unofficial boundaries are: 

North - NE 95th Street; East - 45th Avenue NE; South - NE 75th Street; and West - by a route coming north from NE 75th Street along 25th Avenue NE, then jogging west along NE 85th Street and winding up Lake City Way NE to NE 95th Street.

Why it is a Great Neighborhood:

• It is a pocket of affordability among more expensive neigborhoods.  Single family residences are currently selling from $283,000 to $1,050,000.
• The schools have a good reputation for high academics and parent involvement.
• Easy access to I-5 and the 520 Bridge make it within minutes to Downtown Seattle and Bellevue.

• Dahl Park is on the western border; The Burke-Gilman Trail and Magnuson Park are just a few blocks east.  "Downtown" Wedgwood has all the necessary amenities and more: Two grocery stores, a Post Office, banks, gas stations, a Seattle Public Library, a dry cleaner, yoga and dance studios, hair salons, a variety of churches, a bakery, a community p-patch garden and even Seattle-based Top Pot Doughnuts. The Fiddlers Inn, a cozy, live music venue sits near the Northern boundary.

Neighborhood Trivia:

The Wedgwood neighborhood is named after the English bone china-maker of the same name.

Started sometime in the 1960's, the P-patch garden is the oldest community garden in Seattle.

The Wedgwood neighborhood branch library is the largest branch library and the 2nd busiest public library in the city.

When the neighborhood was developed during the 1940's, many of the large trees were preserved. 

Another north Seattle neighborhood not well known is Pinehurst. 

Determined by the very active Pinehurst Community Council the boundaries are NE 130th Street to the north, NE Northgate Way to the south, I-5 to the west, and Lake City Way to the east.   

Geographically, the eastern area slopes east and many homes enjoy a great territorial view.  East of 15^th NE, is the Pinehurst Green Grid  with a model natural drainage system.  The grid is 12 beautiful, meandering, tree-lined streets and the project incorporates new sidewalks, roadways, and landscaping with native and non-native plants to enhance the pedestrian experience.  

The western area of Pinehurst borders Northgate Mall on the north boundary and many businesses outline the arterials. 

Homes are currently selling from $288,000 to $625,000.

Okay, I didn't even know about this neighborhood before I became a Realtor.

Cedar Park is a hill rolling up from Lake City Way (west) down to Lake Washington (east).  The southern boundary is NE 125^th and the northern boundary is NE 145^th.  The steep hills and very little traffic toward the lake make for excellent bicycle hill training! 

This residential area has no retail or business except on the border of Lake City Way.

The Burke Gilman trail runs through Cedar Park, although there are no entrances to the trail available from this neighborhood.  East of the trail are waterfront homes. 

The two plus acre park in this neighborhood, appropriately named, Cedar Park, was created with the help of several neighborhood volunteers.

This neighborhood has the most affordable, nice water view homes in North Seattle.  Prices currently range from $360,000 to over 2 million.

Broadview is a quiet residential neighborhood, tucked away in Seattle's northwest corner and many locals have never heard of it, even though it is an easy commute to downtown.  It is one of my favorite neighborhoods as I find it very charming.  On the western edge of Broadview is a bluff, overlooking the Sound and below runs the Railway.  Its western boundary is the Puget Sound; northern is NW 145^th street; Greenwood Avenue N is the eastern boundary and south is NW 105^th Street and Carkeek Park.

Despite its low-key demeanor, the neighborhood is not small.  13,000 residents live here and turnover in the neighborhood is relatively low.  Residents stick around which has built a strong sense of community.

Just west of Greenwood between 110th and 120th, are a couple of my favorite Seattle streets.  Beautifully designed by Seattle's pilot Street Edge Alternatives project, are curving, natural landscaped roads with sidewalks and improved drainage systems.

Carkeek Park offers more than 6 miles of trails.  A pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks takes you to the sandy beach with views of the Olympic Mountains.

The northwest side of Broadview holds one of Seattle's best-kept secrets, Llandover Trail, a 9-acre "open space" at 145th and Third Northwest. This is an escape into nature with Native Animal and Plant Species such as owls, eagles, mountain beavers, and old-growth trees.

Broadview is also home to EB Dunn Gardens and can be toured Thursdays-Saturdays, by advance reservation.

West of Third Avenue Northwest, and along the waterfront, are the more-expensive homes, many with large lots and Puget Sound views.  East of Third, up to Greenwood, buyers can find smaller, more affordable homes.  Many buyers love the open floor plans of Broadview's mid-century homes.  Currently, homes are selling from $225,000 (without a view)  to over 4 million (with a view).

Wow!  Lots of progress since my last update.  

Thornton Place is really a breath-taking, beautiful 5 acre village with walkways meandering through green spaces and across the exposed Thornton Creek.  The creek has been under cover for over 40 years and the developer, Lorig, worked with the City to improve and naturally filter storm-water runoff bound for Lake Washington. The newly designed Thornton Creek serves as an improved filtering system for drainage often polluted by oil and pesticides.     

This photograph shows the Thornton Place Condominiums on the right and the Aljoya Senior Housing Community on the left. 

121 Condos have been built at Thornton Place and move in dates are currently set for June.  The preview center is located just off of NE 103rd and is open 11am - 6pm daily.  The MLS currently lists studios (600 square feet) at $300,000.  One-bedrooms start at $370,000 and two-bedrooms start at $466,000.  Recent new incentives have just been added!

Aljoya is the ERA Living senior housing building.  143 units are slated to open this summer as well.  Their preview center is located south of the project on NE 100^th Street.      

                                      And the big building with no windows? 

This is the highly anticipated new 14 screen cinema and IMAX theater due to open this MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!  Seattle north-enders have been without a nearby movie theater (besides the deteriorating Oak Tree) for decades.  This is exciting!  The cinema will include stadium seating, high-back rocking seats, and digital surround sound in all 14 auditoriums, as well as an IMAX screen with digital projection and the IMAX sound system.

In addition, there are two apartment buildings with 266 units available for rent beginning in July. Retail and restaurant space is available on the ground floor. 

 This lovely community is Green focused and LEED Certified.  LEED Certification Has requirements in various areas of design and construction, including storm water design, water efficient landscaping, daylighting, indoor chemical & pollutant source control, ventilation levels, recycled content levels, and use of regionally-produced materials. During construction, air quality is consistently monitored and waste items are recycled.  This rating will result in lower operating costs and a healthier environment for residents. Also, the residences feature water efficient fixtures and Energy Star appliances. Interiors are finished with low-emitting paints, adhesives, and carpets.

All of this is surrounded by three acres of green space to be enjoyed by the residents and the general public.  It is a welcome sight to have the Northgate area revitalized! 

Seattle's Licton Springs neighborhood is not well know by its' name but we all know where it is.  Referred to as North College Park and frequently called Green Lake, it is located west of Northgate, north of Green Lake (NE 85^thStreet), east of Greenwood and Aurora (Highway 99) and south of Haller Lake. 

Another not well-known fact is that it is also home to a natural spring, which exists in the northwest area of Licton Springs Park. 

Licton Springs was once a healing center for Native Americans, who constructed sweat lodges and bathed in the mineral waters of the springs.  Pioneer David Denny built a cabin near the springs in 1870 and hundreds of settlers drove for miles to immerse themselves in the spring water and in the mud.

A spa was built in 1935. Thousands then flocked to the springs to dunk in the thermal baths. In 1960 Seattle voters approved the site as a park, and the City bought the springs in 1961.

The park still exists with swing sets and fun hop scotches, bridges crossing over a creek, and large grassy areas.

Today, the residential area has mixed single family and town home residences with a few apartment buildings.

There are well over 300 Townhomes and new townhouses continue to be built.   Two bedrooms are currently selling from $280,000 to $325,000 and three bedrooms run from $325,000 to $425,000.

The area is holding their holding value fairly well.