Dustin Ronspies’ Art of the Table, one of Wallingford’s many unique chef-owned and operated restaurants, re-opens in its new location at 3801 Stone Way N, a stone’s throw from its old digs, tonight, Friday April 7th:

Chef Dustin worked closely with local designer Christine Chaney to create a beautiful, new space that echoes Dustin’s approach to cooking. Inspired by Dustin’s “freshly picked” approach to ingredients, Christine designed usable spaces, like wine storage and lighting,to mirror the natural shapes of branches, trees and vines. Longtime Art of the Table fans will recognize elements that were brought over from the old space, …

Over on Northwest Wallingford’s Nextdoor site, Daniel says he found an ATM skimmer at the 7-Eleven on Stone Way and 40th:

I discovered a skimmer on the ATM machine at 7-Eleven on Stone Way and 40th. I removed the device and gave it to the clerk and asked him to call the police.

That’s not the first time that someone said they found a skimmer installed in a local 7-Eleven. Back in January, Jeffrey posted to Southeast Wallingford Nextdoor site:

At 3:23 PM, I removed a card skimmer from the Cardtronics ATM at the 7-Eleven at 304 N 36th St. …

Despite the early spring that crashed up from the south across the country this year, at least one vernal turn is delayed: the cherry blossoms. We’re about 3 weeks later than usual, but on the verge of the burst.

Michelle Ma writes in the UW Today that our cold winter has stalled them:

Bloom timing varies each year and depends mostly on the amount of daylight and consistency of temperatures. If we have a stretch of days reaching over 50 degrees F, that bodes well for blooming. Alternatively, if it gets colder for a longer stretch, the blooming will stall.…

I had hoped to have a long post here that finally dispelled the mystery around what happened to Wine World (400 NE 45th St). Since it first opened, it’s served as a gateway to Wallingford, a towering landmark over I-5. But the footprint! How can they afford the rent? Why did the first owner, David LeClaire, exit? Who owns it now? What’s been going on since it closed 14 months ago? Why did it close?

Unfortunately, all I can say at the moment is the following: 1) it’s a tangled, torrid story, and 2) it’s re-opening March 10th!

Stop in …

Reading the news used to be my favorite past time. My standing answer to the question “what do you want for your birthday?” has been “a comfy chair, the Sunday New York Times, and a snifter of brandy.”

But it’s been hard to even look at the paper for the last few months. A climate denier leading the EPA, a racist as our Attorney General, an ignorant billionaire in charge of the Department of Education, and a neo-Nazi white supremacist pulling all the strings.

And then there’s Trump himself. There are no words.

In the weeks and months since the …

A bolt of lightning during our brief afternoon snow flurry struck a power pole in West Wallingford. Seattle City Light crews are on their way to restore power. The outage seems fairly contained, judging from the map.

…

Police have NE Latona Ave between 42nd and 43rd blocked off at the moment, and, based on the loudspeaker that can be heard blocks away, they’re trying to get someone named Anthony to come out his house. According to neighbors, the house is 4228 Latona, a group house with a history of problems with the law (including arrests there several years ago.)

At the moment, the police just keep repeating “Anthony, come on out now,” interspersed with offers to help him, questions about his drum set and re-assurances that they only want to help.

2:21 AM Update: Loud explosion just …