By reporter Steven Smalley

The old Szmania’s location at 34th and McGraw is open for business, but don’t tell anyone. Corino Bonjrada, owner of Mondello Ristorante Italiano, and his wife, Ana Sofia Ponce de Leon opened the Peruvian inspired Pink Salt restaurant in the Village Friday night. A lively crowd already occupied the space that smelled of smoky flavors infused into one of the South American dishes. We could go on and on, but no. It’s a soft opening. Let’s not over-hype the place.

This reporter had ceviche to start and a sliced beef tenderloin entrée Peruvian-style. Add to that a Peruvian-influenced Manhattan and the meal was complete.

Okay, that’s all you’ll get from us. Except, notice the wall of lighted Peruvian pink salt bricks lining the back-bar. It makes a real statement as you come in the front door. Enjoy.

SDOT is hosting a community engagement meeting to share the planning study results and answer questions on Thursday, June 6, at Catharine Blaine K-8 in the cafeteria, from 6 to 7:30PM.

From SDOT:

With cost estimates spanning from $190M to $420M, bridge replacement and alternative options considered in this study far exceed available Seattle Department of Transportation funds without significant outside investment from our State or Federal partners.

First, ongoing maintenance and inspections of the Magnolia Bridge continue in coordination with the Port of Seattle. We perform regular maintenance, frequent inspections and 24/hour monitoring to ensure safe use of the Magnolia Bridge. That doesn’t change.

Second, the Levy to Move Seattle funds a ten-bridge study to help us assess and manage roadway structure maintenance needs and maximize future investments. The Magnolia Planning Study was the first of the 10 assessments to be completed. The studies are a part of our effort to better understand the size of Seattle’s maintenance backlog, which requires long-term attention. We’ll be launching the Ballard Bridge Planning Study later this spring.

Lastly, we’ll continue to work with the community and elected officials to be creative in examining funding opportunities for the Magnolia Bridge. We’ll also be launching the Ballard-Interbay Regional Transportation system study pending confirmation of state funding.

For additional details about how the study was conducted and how community input was considered visit the Project Library.

Email us with questions at magnoliabridge@seattle.gov or subscribe to receive occasional project updates.

Join Windermere Magnolia’s Community Service Day event this Saturday and Clean Up! Clean Out!

Windermere staff will be on hand to help you load your . Saturday, June 8 from 9-1 on 33rd Ave W between W McGraw and Wheeler Street

Bring your papers to shred, clothing to donate, and electronics to recycle. In addition to an on-site shredding truck, we will have an electronics recycling truck collecting old computers, TV’s, monitors, printers, cameras, cell phones, batteries, small appliances and more.

There will be a Good Will truck onsite to collect used adult clothing and undergarments. Now is the time to get a jump start on your spring cleaning!

All are invited to help kick off the summer season in Magnolia with rides, games and live music! Invite your friends–this Friday, June 7th 5:30 to 8:30pm.

Come one, come all!! Help us celebrate another great year for our beloved Catharine Blaine K-8 school in the heart of Magnolia.

This annual event and fundraiser is open to the entire Magnolia community; invite your friends and neighbors. Come and enjoy a fun evening filled with games, rides, activities, food, treats and a ton more fun.

Check out live music by local band, Those Guys, who will fill the carnival with their amazing covers of pop and rock hits. 

Avoid lines and save money by purchasing tickets in advance via this site. 1 Ticket = $1. Pre-purchase is available in bundles of $20. For each pre-purchased bundle, you receive 23 tickets. Skip the lines and buy your tickets in advance HERE.

Access to carnival games, inflatables, rides, souvenirs and snacks are exclusively through tickets. Activities range from 1 ticket for simple games up to 5 tickets for the professional carnival rides and inflatables. Sodas, water and candies range from 1-2 tickets.

Food can be purchased separately with cash/credit from one of the amazing food trucks.

This Carnival is the last major fundraiser this year for the Catharine Blaine PTA. Would your family or business like to help? Click HERE.
Help is needed at the event too. This is a great opportunity for High School students who may need community service hours! Please click on the Sign Up Genius HERE.
If you have questions, please reach out to our Carnival Chairpeople:
Brian Matsubara, brian.matsubara@gmail.com
Jen Arterburn & Jake Milstein, jenjake@gmail.com

By Meghan Walker at our sister site MyBallard

The 90-year-old bridge into Magnolia is nearing the end of its lifespan, and the cost replace it will likely require some federal funding.

In 2017, the Seattle Department of Transportation launched a study to look at viable replacements for the aging bridge, and distilled the options into four alternatives.

Alternative 1 is a new Armory Way Bridge and Western Perimeter Road, Alternative 2 includes Dravus St. improvements and Western Perimeter Road, Alternative 3 would create a new Garfield Bridge with Dravus St improvements, and Alternative 4 would replace the Magnolia Bridge.

The study ranked the Armory Way Bridge (Alternative 1) highest, with the Magnolia Bridge replacement (Alternative 4) coming in second, and the Dravus St. bridge improvements (Alternative 2) in third. The ranking for second and third place was narrow, with less than one point dividing the two.

Cost estimates for the above projects span from $190 million to $420 million, which “far exceed” available city funds, according to SDOT. The department says they would need “significant outside investment” from state or federal partners to complete the work.

The Magnolia Bridge study is part of a ten-bridge study funded by the Levy to Move Seattle — the next bridge study will assess the Ballard Bridge, and will commence later this year.

If you want to learn more or provide input regarding the Magnolia Bridge study in person, there’s a community meeting on Thursday, June 6 at Catharine Blaine K-8 in the cafeteria from 6 to 7:30pm.