Ballardblog.com

My current fascination is learning how I can get the information I need as quickly and easily as possible. Perhaps you feel the same way, since it is likely that you are also a busy, Internet-connected individual (and you understand intuitively that the Internet both saves you time and also snatches it away).

So today I wanted to figure out what musical acts are playing in Ballard for the coming week. Google to the rescue. I quickly had links to both Seattle Weekly and The Stranger, listing musical events by neighborhood.

But the fun doesn’t stop with music. You can also get upcoming Ballard art listings, movie times (ok well it’s really just Majestic Bay), theater performances, and readings and literary events.

The links above go to The Stranger‘s website, but Seattle Weekly has something similar.

Feel empowered?

 Seattle Weekly‘s Green Card program is doing its part for ecology. Businesses that are deemed eco-friendly can advertise in the Green Card program, and readers who shop at those businesses and show their “Green Card” (available for free) can obtain a discount on products or services.

Ballard area businesses offering discounts via the Green Card:

Ballard Loft – 10% off your bill

Bal-Mar – 10% off your bill

Market Street Shoes – 15% discount

The Sneakery – 10% off entire purchase

Sonic Boom – 10% off all used goods

In addition, Seattle Weekly is donating 5% of Green Card program advertising revenues to Carbonfund.org.

Green Card: http://greencard.seattleweekly.com/

This year we had record breaking snow, but in December of 2007 we had those record breaking rainstorms.  The severity of the storms was made up close and personal to Ballard residents by news that the road to Golden Gardens had collapsed due to the pressures of the storm.  For north Ballard residents like myself, this meant being cut off from the ‘back way’ to Golden Gardens and Shilshoe Marina for over a year.  Sure, you could drive all the way down to NW Market Street and get to the shore that way, but who wants to deal with heading through congested downtown Ballard anymore?   The back way past the dog park was a much more peaceful, scenic and enjoyable drive.

The road reopened last month, and though  I am grateful for the reopening of the road, I couldn’t help but notice several rough patches….as long as the road was shut and needing repair, could they not have made it as smooth as possible for the reopening?  One of the platforms of the new President is investment in infrastructure and roads and we could definitely use a little of that around the neighborhood these days.   Has anyone noticed the big holes on 85th Street?  Just this week the Seattle Times reported that none of the federal funds being given to Washington would be used to fix the Mercer mess etc. but instead be used to repair WA roads – seems like someone is noticing!

If you are an over-35 year-old mom with a baby, toddler or preschooler at home, you know how isolating and lonely it can be.  80′s Ladies with Babies is a local Moms group that has meet-ups in Ballard and other Seattle-area places.

Join up with other moms and talk about:

• your common interests and concerns
• the challenges you’re facing
• whatever you like

…while your child plays with the other little ones!

Some 80′s Ladies with Babies outings have included:

• the play room at Firehouse Coffee in Ballard
• the play zone at REI downtown
• Wayward Coffeehouse in Greenwood
• the play room at Ballard Community Center

If this sounds like fun for you and your kid(s), come join us!

Local literary journal Crab Creek Review is excepting fiction and non-fiction submissions until May 31. If any of you are looking to be published, or are a closet writer, or maybe a student just realizing their love for creative writing, this is a great Northwest outlet to get your name out there in a highly-regarded journal.

Crab Creek Review has been an independently published literary journal for the past 25 years, and they are a great organization. Just thought I’d pass along the tip and info for anyone interested. 

Maybe you have a short story you think others would absolutely love, or a powerful essay that deserves hearing about. This could be your time to shine!

For more info check out their website at: www.crabcreekreview.org

Drink, eat, be merry and raise money for a great cause!
It’s time for another BalMar event! It’s simple: Bring all your friends to BalMar in Ballard. Buy a bracelet at the door for $10. All the proceeds go to Planned Parenthood.

Time and Place
 
Start Time:
Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 6:30pm
 
End Time:
Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 2:00am
 
Location:
BalMar
 
Street:
5449 Ballard Ave NW

Thousands of items for sale, antique items, clothes, kitchen items, toys, jewelry, china, glass, tools, craft items.

Lunch served each day, great sandwiches and soups at a great deal.

About Ballard Northwest Senior Center

They are a community senior center of Senior Services, a nonprofit agency, supporting the independence of seniors age 50 and above. The Northwest Senior Activity Center provides daily exercise, nutrition programs, health clinics, Information and Assistance, classes, recreation, social services and education to those 50 and over in Northwest Seattle.  Come and help support this wonderful center.

Huge Rummage Sale Friday, Feb 20, Feb 21

Saturday, Feb 21, 10AM to 3PM
 
5429 32nd Ave NW (across from the Ballard Locks in Seattle)

Blackbird will be hosting a night at the Sunset Tavern here in Ballard.  All proceeds from the show will be donated to the Ballard Food Bank, and there will be opportunity for additional contributions as well.  Two of the three bands playing feature Blackbird employees (including myself)!  Hopefully we’ll see you there!

The Sunset
5433 Ballard Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98107
(206) 784-4880

Rosie Kohlmeier from New York Fashion Academy won 1st place and a $3,000 scholarship at the second annual Project Red Dress benefit for the American Heart Association on Friday night. She is the second consecutive student from NYFA to win the student fashion design competition.

Only two students from each of Washington state’s fashion design schools were selected to compete in the competition, hosted by the Seattle Chapter of Fashion Group International. Each student had to construct a red dress in 16 hours on the International Academy of Design and Technology campus, and like Project Runway, had to showcase their final piece, ready or not, on runway models. The judging criteria was based on construction, fit, fabric, finishing techniques and movement, and Nick Verreos of Project Runway was the guest of honor and celebrity judge.

Kohlmeier’s garment was a playful, bell-shape taffeta cocktail dress with a bow on the front bodice. Judges selected her piece because of the  ”impeccable construction”, complex detailing and overall structure. Second place went to Maria Canada, from Seattle Community College for her harem-inspired, iridescent silk chiffon gown.

Have you always wanted to see the mayor of Seattle up close and personal?  The Ballard District Council meeting this Wednesday is your chance.   The meeting agenda doesn’t spell out exactly what the mayor will be talking about, but usually after presentations questions are taken, so if you have been dying to ask him about some of his plans and projects, you may get the opportunity.  Even if you aren’t interested in a little personal face time with his Grandness, there are opportunities to meet other people well known in  Ballard who will be recognized at the meeting with awards for their contributions to the Ballard community.

BALLARD DISTRICT COUNCIL
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Ballard Library – 5614 22nd NW
(Free parking below building – accessed from NW 56th)
7:00 – 8:30 PM

7 PM  Short Announcements by member organization representatives
Please hold announcements to not more than one minute.

7:10  Revising Seattle Public School’s Student Assignment Policy,
Torry Volk
Where will our children go to school; and how will these decisions
affect the Ballard community.

7:25  Briefing – 2009 Neighborhood Projects Fund, Brenda Belcher,
Seattle Dept of Neighborhoods

7:35  Proposed Amendments to Ballard District Council By Laws, Andy
MacDonald
Proposed by laws revisions will be emailed to member organization
representatives on Monday February 9th.  Others can request a copy by
contacting Rob Mattson at rob.mattson@seattle.gov

7:45  Special Guest – Mayor Greg Nickels

8:00  Ballard Community Service Awards Presentation, Jody Grage, Claire
Anderson, and Fred Maxie
Annually, the Ballard District Council on behalf of the Ballard
community recognizes the contributions and accomplishments of some of
those who have contributed much to the health and well-being of the
Ballard community or who have put Ballard on the map.   The following
Ballardites, actually or honorary are being recognized for their
service.

Helen Sommers has recently retired after 28 years representing Ballard
and the 36th Legislative District in the State House of Representatives.

Randi Hansen is a long time Ballard activist who has relentlessly
advocated for the preservation of Ballard’s Nordic heritage and, in
recent years, has been a tireless spokesperson advocating on behalf of
the homeless and others in need in Ballard.

Crystal and Bob Carlson opened Great Harvest Bread Co. on NW Market ten
years ago this year.  They have faithfully contributed to local civic
projects and are always in the forefront, involved as leaders in the
Ballard business community.

Dave Boyd is a Ballard resident who has, for years been in the vanguard
of those advocating for parks and open space.  He is dominant in the
leadership of Groundswell NW a well known Ballard based non-profit
organization devoted to encouraging the preservation of open space and
greening of Ballard.

Kate and Cory Bergman are the creators of “MyBallard.com“.  New parents
and recent new immigrants to Ballard; they have demonstrated their
passion for this community and have created a powerful and popular web
based vehicle which encourages connection among neighbors.

Curt Pryde and Fawn Johnson are the principles of Pryde+Johnson
developers of multifamily housing and commercial property in the Seattle
area. Pryde+Johnson are building Hjarta, a 100 unit condominium, mixed
use development at 1532 NW Market Street.  This project is notable as
the first “Silver Rated” Green Building project in Seattle’s
neighborhoods. They also purchased the former Ballard Library property
on 24th NW, which this community feels will be redeveloped with the same
care and sensitivity demonstrated in the firm’s Hjarta project.

8:30  Adjourn