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Jen December 19th, 2008

Kadampa Meditation Center, at 6556 24th Ave NW, will be holding a New Years Eve service that is welcome to everyone, including families and children. 

The candlelight service, from 5:00 PM-6:30 PM, will include chanted prayers for world peace and Western Buddhist monk Gen Khedrub, who will give a teaching on compassion and wisdom, and facilitate a meditation for the group. Refreshments will be served afterward.

I think this would be a great way to ring in the New Year, plus if you have plans for parties, it’s still early enough to attend.

Regardless of religion, there’s something so special about being in a room filled with people who all in their own ways, have hopes of making our community and world a better place. Plus, nothing besides good thoughts are required of you.

Almost ten years ago, I went to hear the Dalai Lama speak in San Francisco with my mother who is Buddhist. Though I am not necessarily religious, it was one of the most beautiful, inspiring things I have ever seen or been a part of- I can’t begin to imagine how much it meant to my mother.

So if you are in the neighborhood, or looking for something special to do this holiday, think about checking it out. I have no doubt that it will be a remarkable experience and possibly leave you with some new-found optimism.

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Alyssa December 15th, 2008

For many, the winter holidays are a time of excess and plenty, but not for those having trouble making ends meet. Imagine not having enough to eat, especially during these cold winter days! If you’re able, please consider making a donation of money, clothing, food or hygiene items to the Ballard Food Bank. They also have a variety of volunteer experiences available.

It’s a busy time of year for the Ballard Food Bank, which serves the needs of Ballard, Queen Anne and Magnolia families in need (including some who are homeless), by providing food, personal hygiene products and clothing. 

During the coming weeks, please note some changes to their hours:

December 23 and 24 — open to distribute food, clothing and hygiene items along with holiday gifts, 11am-3pm. Santa will be visiting to help distribute the gifts!

December 25 — closed (no Christmas dinner)

December 30 & 31 — open to distribute food, clothing and hygiene items, 11am-3pm

January 1 — closed

Ballard Food Bank:  7001 24th Avenue NW, Seattle, WA (206) 789-7800

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Cameron December 15th, 2008

Check out Holiday Bizarre: A Jewish Christmas coming up at the Tractor Tavern tonight and tomorrow. This original musical play follows the adventures of the three Wiseman law firm representatives – Goldberg, Frankenstein and Murray – as they investigate the hidden identity of the biological father of the baby Jesus. Joseph claims that he has never made love to his own wife, and Mary says that her child is the Son of God, but it seems that God is not the only one that has “known” Mary in this Jewish retelling of the Christmas story. The Easter Bunny, The Pope, Santa Claus and the Ghosts of Christmas past and future are only some of the other characters that participate in this mile-a-minute farce featuring original music, a three-humped camel and lots of hats. Sponsored by our Jewish buds at Jconnect.

The Tractor Tavern
Tue, December 16th at 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Wed, December 17th at 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm

5213 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 789-3599

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Jen December 14th, 2008

I know it’s a little late in the month to be writing about this, and believe me, I wish I would have looked into what I had been thinking about much earlier. 

The main reason we don’t have a Christmas tree in our home is because we don’t agree with killing a tree for the purpose of a holiday, or supporting it. We as well don’t feel comfortable buying unrecyclable synthetic-made trees. For those who have them, great; it’s just not personally for us.

However, it would be nice to have a Christmas tree. The only way we imagined this happening though, would be to find a place where we could rent a live tree and return it after the holiday. Even though we live in this wonderful, environmentally-friendly Seattle bubble, we still thought that this would only be possible by traveling a long ways to some charming, idealic nursery far, far away from the city.

Not the case!!!

I recently learned that Ballard’s own Swanson Nursery, located at 9701 15th Ave NW, offers live trees. They even offer exotic live trees (shown above). And since 1999, They have partnered up with Carkeek’s salmon restoration project in an effort called Trees for Salmon, to help restore Piper’s Creek salmon habitat. 

Even though I am sure these live trees can get pretty pricey (one was quoted at $125), this sounds like a great program! We probably won’t be able to do it …

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Jen December 14th, 2008

Fried pickles just may be that pick-me-up you’ve been hoping for this holiday. Lucky for us, they can be conveniently found in local favorite watering hole, the People’s Pub, on Ballard Ave.

I was first introduced to this tasty treat about a month ago. A friend had opted to meet up at People’s and when she said “fried pickles”, I was sold. Normally, I’m not one to be lured in by fried bar foods, but this was not to be missed…I couldn’t begin to imagine what a fried pickle would even taste like.

Since, the People’s Pub has definitely won a special place in my heart. I even hear they have a delicious fried tomato sandwich. Thinking about these two dishes, makes my mouth water and I wonder, “maybe fried foods aren’t so bad after all…” But yes, of course they are- it’s all in moderation, friends.

After first trying the pickles and being blown away, I started asking others about it. I couldn’t help but think, “Am I the last to know about this phenomenon?” When it comes to food, I hate feeling left out-especially when it’s practically in my backyard.  From asking around I learned that fried pickles can actually be found at various German pubs and restaurants in town. It seemed that everyone had a different take on which or whose pickles were best; hit and miss sauces; and the difference between spears and rounds. I couldn’t believe my ears.

Still …

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Cameron December 11th, 2008

To all my fellow Jews of Ballard: when you’re bored stiff on Christmas eve, I suggest you check out Latkepalooza, an annual holiday (Chanukah-style) bash sponsored by Young Leadership of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. There will be dancing, DJ Mayhem from MoVin’ 92.5 spinning live, a Jones Soda Latke Buffet and hundreds of other Jewish people in their 20’s and 30’s!

Event Details

December 24, 9pm-2am (9-10pm free Jones Soda Latke Buffet)

War Room in Capital Hill, (21+ only, ID required)

RSVP to www.JewishinSeattle.org/yld Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door

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Ashleigh December 10th, 2008

Every year in the United States up to 30 million Christmas Trees may be sold. This means about thirty percent of families in the United States will celebrate with a real tree, where will you get yours? All you have to do is travel on 15th street to see the number of local Christmas Tree sellers at work. In fact, I have been told that the seller set up in the Petco parking lot on Holman road has been around for ten years. If it is your desire to support small local business this holiday season, why not start with the purchase of a local Christmas Tree!

To learn more about the history of the Christmas Tree visit Wikipedia.

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Kendra December 9th, 2008

Different areas of the world integrate their surroundings into how they celebrate the holidays.  Hawaii has a Santa surfer, in Australia they have a Christmas barbecue on the beach and Seattle plays up its waterways and dark winter nights through the Christmas Ship Festival.  There’s something a bit magical about a flotilla of lighted parade boats gliding by Seattle neighborhoods  with the singing of onboard choirs echoing over the water.

The Christmas ship parade glides past several points around Seattle from December 3rd through December 23rd.  However, tonight it’s Ballard’s turn.   So bundle up, pour some of your favorite hot cocoa into a thermos and trek down to the water’s edge to participate in this holiday treat.

Dec. 9, 8-8:20pm Ballard Locks.  Vivace Cathedrals Choir performs.

Dec. 9, 9:05-9:25pm, Golden Gardens.  Bonfire featured.

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Alyssa December 9th, 2008

Need yarn and supplies? Full Circle sells yarn and supplies for knitting, crochet and needlework. Full Circle also does custom framing, and specializes in framing for needlepoint, crewel and cross stitch. There’s also Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft – a source of yarn, knitting/crocheting supplies, buttons and more.

Like to dye your own yarn and fiber? Check out Earthues (previously mentioned in BallardBlog.com).

Looking for other people to knit, spin and crochet with? Each Monday evening from around 5:30 to 10pm, a group of fiber artists meets at Miro Tea for tea, crepes and conversation. Just look for the people with the yarn!

Coming in spring, visit the Nordic Heritage Museum for their exhibit Knitting Along the Viking Trail. The exhibit runs Friday, February 6, 2009 to Sunday, April 5, 2009, and features work by Swedish knitting designer Elsebeth Lavold. From February 7-9 Elsebeth Lavold will be holding knitting workshops at the museum. Additionally, the 2009 Nordic Knitting Conference runs March 13-15, 2009.

Full Circle: 2036 NW 56th St., Seattle, – Phone: (206) 783-3322

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft: 2217 NW 57th St., Seattle – Phone: (206) 782-6242

Earthhues: 5129 Ballard Avenue NW, Seattle, – Phone: (206) 789-1065

Miro Tea: 5405 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle – Phone: (206) 782-6832

Nordic Heritage Museum: at 3014 NW 67th St., Seattle – Phone: (206) 789-5707

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Alyssa December 8th, 2008

You’re invited to Miro Tea (5405 Ballard Ave NW) for their December Art Walk Benefit on Saturday, Dec. 13th, from 6-10pm.

To support local homeless youth, Miro Tea is raising money and collecting supplies for U-District Youth Center and YouthCare Orion Center.

The Charity Drive Supply List includes:

gift cards for food, clothing, shoes and entertainment
haircut vouchers
CD players
big back packs
bus tickets
journals
digital alarm clocks
flashlights
batteries
blankets
travel size hygiene products

While there, meet 7 artists showing at Miro who are donating 7% of sales to the cause.

Live music provided by Julie Massey, Give it to me Rusty, and more.

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