Short takes – 7

Competition for Bert’s meat department?

Neighboring blog, Central District News, reports on Bill the Butcher’s new Madison Valley location in a posting yesterday. Bill the Butcher is all about meat derived from sustainable farming practices that don’t rely on hormones, genetically modified feed, or steroids. The shop also features organically or naturally grass-fed beef. This is Bill’s fourth location. The new shop is at 2911 E. Madison Street.


Martha Harris’s connection to Conan O’Brien

The Seattle Times published a cute piece on Conan O’Brien’s Seattle in-laws this week, a story in which well known Madison Park floral and home décor store owner Martha E. Harris gets prominent mention. It turns out that O’Brien’s wife Liza is a former employee of Martha’s. Is it true that everyone but me already knew?


New incarnation for Voila! chef

Another neighboring blog—this one across the water—reports today that Laurent Gabrel, owner of Madison Valley’s Voila! and (until he sold it in December) La Cote Creperie is about to open a new restaurant in Laurelhurst. The Laurelhurst Blogger says that Gabrel will be taking on the space once occupied by Enotria (previously the location of the Union Bay Café) at 3515 Northeast 45th Street. The new restaurant will be called Chloé and will open in June.


Madison Park wins recycling prize

CleanScapes, our friendly garbage company, has announced that the Thursday pickup area, which includes Madison Park, is the winner of the 2010 Neighborhood Waste Reduction Rewards competition. In addition to our neighborhood, First Hill, Capitol Hill, Montlake, Madrona and Madison Valley are all part of the Thursday collection area, and representatives of the respective community councils will soon meet to decide what worthy improvement project from one or more of the neighborhoods will be funded with the prize money.