Kyle sent us a note about an incident that happened this weekend:

Sunday evening (last night) a car drove up my street (heading north on Dayton b/t 63rd & 64th) and shot a BB through the passenger window of my friend’s car that was parked on the street. We happened to be outside and I turned when I heard the faint sound, not realizing it was anything malicious. Ten minutes later we found the hole in his window and the shattered glass. The incident was reported and the officer told us that there had been several business windows on Greenwood hit with BBs or pellets recently. My hazy memory recalls the car as a late model, silver 4-door sedan.

Did this happen to anyone else?

Jen sent us a note about a huge dog she saw roaming the neighborhood all alone. Do you know who he belongs to?

There is a gigantic, black and white male American Bulldog or Pitbull roaming around. Ran in to him with my dogs on 70th and Dayton, had a squabble (my dog is a grumpy old man) and he moved on. I put my dogs in the house and went after him for a few blocks. He crossed paths with a small dog on a leash and didn’t have a problem at all, so I don’t think he is aggressive or anything. I couldn’t get a leash on him, he was a little skittish (although pretty friendly), seemed like he was on a mission. Last I saw, he was trotting north on Fremont (around 74th). If anyone tries to get a leash on him, they may want to bribe him with cheese or something.

Seattle Public Utilities will pick up garbage, recycling, and food and yard waste like normal on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday.

The city’s North Recycling and Disposal Station in Fremont/Wallingford will be open normal business hours, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Customers can report a missed collection after 5 p.m. on the day it was missed by calling (206) 684-3000 or by filling out the online Missed Collection form.

SPU also will pick up and recycle TVs, computers and other electronic items for a $20 fee. Call (206) 684-3000 to request an electronics collection. Apartment residents should contact their building manager to arrange for electronics collection.

You can also drop off your old computer and TV for free at a designated E-Cycle location.

The “Mini-B” passive house was installed in the lower parking lot of the Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., last month, and the official open house is from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Mini-B during its installation on Dec. 12, 2009.

The 300-square-foot eco-friendly, energy efficient modular residence was built by 22 carpentry students at Seattle Central Community College/Wood Construction Center.

The Seattle chapter of the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild is using the Mini-B to encourage building practices that promote super energy efficiency. After six months at the PNA, it will go on sale, with the hope being that more will be built and sold if it proves popular enough.

The Mini-B, designed by architect Joe Giampietro (Johnson Braund Design Group), has a kitchenette, three-quarters bath, living/dining room, bed loft, closet, equipment loft with storage, solar hot water collector, and vaulted ceiling. It is built to an energy conservation standard that uses approximately 15 percent of the heating energy used by similar houses built to current Washington State Energy Code requirements. Once the last inspection and test is completed, Mini-B will be certified as a “Passive House” by the Passive House Institute U.S.

Representatives from Seattle Central’s Wood Construction Center, Johnson Braund Design Group, Phinney Neighborhood Association and the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild will be on hand during the open house to answer questions about the Mini-B.

Now that the Phinney Market at 5918 Phinney Ave. N. will close at the end of the month, the store is marking down everyting in its inventory. Clearance items are marked up to 50 percent off, and they’re giving an additional 15 percent off everything except deli, bakery and bar.

The Phinney Market told us and its customers on Tuesday that it would not be renewing its lease in light of high overhead and low volume.

The owners tell us that KING 5 will be at the store today, producing  a story on how the economy has factored into their decision to close.

Update: I asked the owners to clarify questions about their high overhead. Here’s what they said:

Our lease was up in December, with an option to renew for the next 5. There was a yearly increase in the rent over the next 5 years, in the option. We felt that the rent as it stands is too high, for the volume we do, and based on the economic conditions. SO, We did ask our landlord to work with us with a rent reduction. (We are paying the same as when the economy was at its best) – He wouldn’t budge…

But, rent is only part of it. Our business model is very labor intensive, because we chose to be unique with our sandwhiches, baked goods, etc. Our projections were optimistic. Our volume needed to be higher. Merchant services (credit card fees) are exhorbitant, though there is finally legislation to limit the banks “profits” and it may trickle down to small businesses late this summer…

Large vendors have volume discounts for large stores. It’s impossible to compete on price with those large stores.

The economy dictates spending habits. We opened at the worst economic time possible, and I think we just ran out of time.

The Seattle branch of the nationwide School of Rock is looking to move from Lake City to Greenwood.

School of Rock provides music education for kids from ages 7 to 18, with the goal being to perform in front of a live audience.

General Manager Kristoffer Kierulff told us the school has been looking around the neighborhood for a while, but hasn’t found the right space yet. They need about 2,000 – 3,000 square feet, preferably a stand-alone building, or at the end of a larger building.

We are a music school, so we make some noise, but we also intend on doing some sound attenuation. The more I’ve explored the neighborhood, the more in love with it I’m becoming, so I’m really eager to get over there.

The music school hopes to move this year. They’ve already looked at the former site of Greenwood Academy of Hair at 85th and Greenwood, but said it’s too big.

So, PhinneyWood readers, let’s hear your ideas of appropriate spaces for School of Rock.

The monthly Art Up Artwalk in Greenwood-Phinney is from 6-9 p.m. Friday night, and they’re celebrating the release of the new promotional poster.

About 30 businesses are participating. Here are a few highlights:

Rockwell Realty, 8315 Greenwood Ave. N., presents “an eccentric mix of female energy, geometric experimentation and color blast by Kaitlin Siebken” (below).

Francine Seders Gallery, 6701 Greenwood Ave. N., is featuring paintings and drawings by Wendell Brazeau.

Brazeau is known for his pared-down geometric figure studies and still lifes as well as his eye-popping optical abstractions, and examples of all three will be included in the show. The work ranges in date from 1932 to 1970 with most of the pieces being from the fifties and sixties. Many of the works are ink or charcoal on paper, others are acrylic on panel, and a few are oil on canvas. Brazeau, who was born in Spokane and lived most of his life in the Northwest, taught at the University of Washington from 1945 until his death in 1974.

Art on the Ridge, 8005 Greenwood Ave. N., presents “Thinking on 2011,” an “interactive exhibit about the perils of our earth and hope for better choices to resound a rebirth.” Tomas Verba, Yvonne Palermo, Karol Williams, Nicole Stremlow Monahan and Mathew Scott. First 100 people will receive a free keepsake.

Couth Buzzard Books Espresso Buono Cafe, 8310 Greenwood Ave. N., has paintings, photography and sculpture by TV-TommyVision, Shelli Young, Brian Prosser, Zachary DeBeijl, Rober Willsie, Ann Burlund and Jess Ahgelo. Plus live folklore society concert at 7:30 p.m. by Matt Moeller and JW McClure.

Gainsbourg, 8550 Greenwood Ave. N., features the pop portraiture of Justin Kane Elder (below).

Elder simplifies images by deconstructing them into basic geometric shapes. His goal is to construct a complex design out of simple forms. Each piece focuses on individual colors and how those colors relate to the space they inhabit. Colors are piled together to create a network of corresponding objects.

Rhea Healing Essentials, 121 N. 85th St., has floral, landscaping and architectural photographs by Diane Becker, and is offering free chair massage and a healing foods cooking demo with nutritionist Tim Knight.

Strut shoe store, 7511 Greenwood Ave. N., has mixed media paintings by Deborah Walker (below).

Walker explores deep psychological, mystical and environmental concerns in carefully composed mixed media paintings. In our environment where images hang like a disturbance in the air around us, she would like to bring the viewer to a place of provocative thought-full-ness; a reflective place where mystery and beauty lie in the quiet magic of the unknown.

Tasty, 7513 Greenwood Ave. N., has a group show featuring art for under $100, and is discounting everything in the store by 20 percent only during the art walk.

The neighborhood is invited to a retirement party for Beth Pflug, who until two weeks ago was the coordinator for the Northwest Neighborhood Service Center, located in Greenwood. She helped people connect with various parts of city government, as well as social services such as food banks, and she attended as many community group meetings as she could, acting as a helpful liaison.

Even before the city decided to close six NSCs due to budget cuts, Pflug had planned to retire early this year, after 19 years at the Greenwood NSC. For the rest of the month, she is working with a team of other NSCs in the North end of the city. She can be reached at 206-684-4096 or Beth.Pflug@seattle.gov.

Pflug’s retirement party is from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 23, at the Greenwood Masonic Lodge, 7910 Greenwood Ave. N. Refreshments will be served. A special toast is scheduled for 5 p.m. Dress is casual. You can bring a bottle of wine to share.

Off-street parking is available in the parking lot behind St. John’s Catholic Church, 121 N. 80th St.

RSVP to Ed Medeiros at ed.medeiros@drizzle.com.

Plenty of classes coming up at the Greenwood Library, 8016 Greenwood Ave. N.

On Thursday, “Learn How to Reduce Stress with Hypnotherapy.” Hypnotherapist Gail Sparlin will discuss and demonstrate self-hypnosis and relaxation techniques from 6-7 p.m. Free. For more information call the branch at 206-684-4086.

The Greenwood Library has a full slate of free basic computer classes coming up:

• Tuesday, Feb.1, 6-7:30 p.m.: Computer Basics 1 – Learn how to use a computer keyboard and mouse.
• Tuesday, Feb. 8, 6-7:30 p.m.: Computer Basics 2 – Learn how to use basic features of the Windows software operating system. The session will cover using the toolbars, scroll bar and text boxes.
• Tuesday, March 1, 6-7:30 p.m.: Internet Basics 1 – Learn how to navigate a Web page and how to use Web browsers and search engines.
• Tuesday, March 8, 6-7:30 p.m.: Internet Basics 2 – Learn how to find information using Web directories and search engines.

The Greenwood Library is not one of the many libraries offering free tax assistance with the help of United Way of King County and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), but nearby branches are:

• Ballard Branch, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W., 206-684-4089; 4-7 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays, starting Thursday, Feb. 3.
• Broadview Branch, 12755 Greenwood Ave N. 206-684-7519; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, starting Friday, Feb. 4. Note: hours for tax help on Feb. 5 are 12:30-4 p.m.; no help is offered Feb. 12.

Trained volunteers will answer questions and help prepare personal tax returns (not business returns).

The Central Library downtown is offering a free SAT practice test, in collaboration with Kaplan, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5.

There will be a follow-up session from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19 at the Central Library, Level 1, Microsoft Auditorium. Attendance is required on both days.

The program is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Parking will be available in the Central Library garage at the regular rates. Each student should come prepared with a pencil, eraser, calculator and snack.

Students will take a practice test at the first session and will receive their test scores and tips on how to improve their scores at the second session. Scores are confidential.

And in case you missed last week’s news, you can now download free music through Seattle Public Library’s Freegal Music, which includes 500,00 songs from Sony Music artists.

Freegal Music is an online database that provides access to songs from Sony Music. The music files are DRM-free and do not expire, and are compatible with PCs, Macs, iPods, iPads and other MP3-compatible devices.

Seattle Public Library cardholders are eligible for three MP3 downloads per week. A Library card number and PIN is necessary to access and download songs.

The Knights of Columbus will have a benefit dinner this Saturday to benefit the Luberts family, whose home just over the Phinney Ridge/Ballard line was destroyed in a raging fire less than two weeks ago. Luckily, all seven family members escaped.

Come support a local Ballard family by sharing a delicious meal featuring pasta and meatballs, green salad, rolls and butter, coffee and punch.

The benefit is Saturday at 6:15 p.m. at St Alphonsus Parish Family Center (1415 NW 58th St). Donations will be collected and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the Luberts Family Fund at Key Bank.

The 7-Eleven franchise at 5900 Phinney Ave. N. is for sale.

Tim Bain, franchise sales manager for 7-Eleven, tells us that the store has been for sale for a couple of months. He said the average time to sell a 7-Eleven franchise right now is about six to nine months.

Bain said the current franchise owner, Eric Batara, has owned it for about 10 years.

“We’re definitely looking for someone in the community, and who wants to be a part of the community,” Bain said.

Bain said the 3,000-square-foot Phinney Ridge 7-Eleven is an average volume store, making around $1.2 or $1.3 million in sales annually. It has two gas pumps.

To purchase a 7-Eleven franchise, you pay a one-time franchise fee that is determined based on the gross profit of the store. In this case, Bain said it might be around $85,000. Plus, you pay what they call a negotiated “goodwill” fee to the selling franchise owner.

7-Eleven rents the land, with a current lease that runs through Sept. 30, 2022. 7-Eleven also maintains the building and all equipment.

With a number of empty storefronts in the neighborhood (and the nearby Phinney Market announcing yesterday that they would be closing at the end of the month), neighbors are worried what would happen if a new franchise owner doesn’t buy it soon and Batara had to walk away.

Bain says that is unlikely, but 7-Eleven could step in and run it as a corporate store until finding a franchise owner.

“It won’t be empty,” Bain promised. “We’d run it. It’s a good neighborhood. I think it’ll franchise in the next couple of months.”

If you’re interested in purchasing the Phinney Ridge 7-Eleven, fill out an application online. For more information, call Tim Bain at 253-796-7156.

The 7-Eleven at 2100 N. Northgate Way is also for sale. You can find a map of all available 7-Eleven franchises here.

Thanks to Patti for the tip, and to James for the photo of the franchise sign!

As forecasters predicted, the snow has turned to rain, converting the overnight snow into a slushy, gloppy mess. It’s a boots and umbrella morning.

For drivers, the roads are covered with slush, but most appear to be passable based on the number of mushy tire tracks in our neighborhood.

Some a.m. impacts

Seattle Public Schools: “As a precaution for the safety of students and staff, Seattle Public Schools will be running two hours late on regular bus routes.” And five schools that had previously scheduled early release days, will release students at the normal dismissal time: Whitman, McClure, Hamilton and Eckstein middle schools, and Roosevelt High School.

King County Metro Buses: Most Metro buses are on snow routes through 9 a.m. due to snowy/slushy roads. Expect some delays. See more route updates here.

Roads: View Phinney and Greenwood-area traffic cams.

Garbage pickup: Seattle Public Utilities says residential garbage, recycling and yard waste pickup will happen today, but some routes may start and end later than usual. So don’t be surprised if you don’t see your usual morning garbage truck until late afternoon.