June Carter Cash tribute, Live Girls! Theater, 2220 N.W. Market St.

Sept. 12 – Oct. 4, Fri. at 8 p.m., Sat. at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets prices for 8 p.m. shows- $15/$12 student/senior, Saturday 4 p.m. shows- All tickets $7, $5 under 18 with ID. Live Girls! commissioned three one-act plays from local and national playwrights. Each writer was asked to choose a song recorded by June Carter Cash and create a play inspired by that song. These three new plays will be produced together in one evening as a tribute to this legendary singer, writer and humanitarian. The plays include “Red Velvet Cake,” “Burn the Houseplants,” “Run Away with Me to a Lonely Spot on the Edge of a Cliff,” and “Jackson.” Visit www.livegirlstheater.org for info.

‘Susan and God’, Senior Matinee, Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St.

Oct. 1, 2 p.m. In “Susan and God,” Lisa Peretti plays Susan-a bright, charming, intelligent woman at the center of the gossipy, fun social set lazing their summers away in the Hamptons. And now, darling, she’s found God. Or at least her version of him. Susan’s newest fad becomes everyone else’s newest headache until Susan receives a startling revelation of her own. Senior tickets are $20, available at the box office at 781-9707 or Ticketmaster at 292-ARTS. Taproot Theatre also offers a $2 discount for senior citizens for all performance dates during its regular season.

Get involved in your city!

Public Scoping Open Houses

WSDOT, King County, City of Seattle and the Federal Highway Administration are hosting a series of public scoping open houses throughout Seattle. Come learn about the plan to take down the central waterfront section of the viaduct in 2012, and give us your comments about the options we are currently studying. For more information go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/viaduct/centralwaterfront.htm, or call 1-888-AWV-LINE.  Ballard’s meeting will be September 18th, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.  Leif Erikson Hall, 2245 N.W. 57th St.

Don’t snap, make sure you SNAP!

Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare, Ballard Library, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W.

Thursday, Sept. 11, 6:30 – 8 p.m. This program is designed to help your family and your neighborhoods become better prepared for the next disaster. Come learn how to put together a disaster supplies kit, create a family disaster plan, and organize with your neighbors to take care of each other when disaster strikes.

And lastly, there’s still a chance for salmon.  BBQ Dinner, Salmon Bay Eagles #2141, 5214 20th Ave. N.W.

On Sept. 13, 6 – 8 p.m., Past Presidents of Salmon Bay are having a BBQ dinner complete with a dessert bar. $8. Also they will present a check to Daniele King of the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library of the Blind, and there will be a raffle to benefit the Northwest Kidney Foundation.  Yum!

Do you like your latte served up with a full order of deliciousness?  It doesn’t matter what kind of milk or flavoring you put in your cuppa Joe if the underlying base of the drink isn’t worth the price.  And at Firehouse Coffee, it’s definitely worth every penny.  Surprisingly, this shot of caffeine-laced goodness isn’t expensive at all!

The cozy atmostphere means limited seating, but the tables and chairs are extremely comfy, and there’s a nice little patio for those iced cappuccinos on hot days.  They even have a bowl of water out for your four-legged coffee buddy.  I was quite pleased to get a 20 oz. latte (Hazelnut soy, no foam, my standard) and a wonderful breakfast sandwich and spend only about $7.  The sandwich was a delightful multi-grain bread with lots of flavor, encompassing an egg, swiss cheese, and bacon on the perfect side of crisp.  Warmed up and cut in half made it the perfect way to spend half an hour on the free wi-fi with my laptop.  The wi-fi had a good connection, albeit an unsecured network and you have to re-login every 20 minutes or so. I personally didn’t get that pop-up for almost an hour.  They do have a single computer in the back corner in case you just HAVE to check your email and don’t have anything with you.

Good coffee, good food, nice atmosphere, free wi-fi…  Not only two thumbs up, but I’ll definitely be back.  Oh, and I might hit that drive-through window if I don’t have time to actually stop in.

Firehouse Coffee

2622 NW Market St

Seattle, WA 98107

(206) 784-2911

Thursday, August 21st, come meet new friends at our neighborly Greenwood Senior Center for an Intentional Community Potluck.  6:30 – 8:30pm, please label your dish.

The Loyal Heights Community Center is having an End of Summer BBQ, and you’re invited!  August 22nd, 6-7:30pm, with hotdogs and games.  Best of all?  It’s free, so bring the whole family!  2102 NW 77th St, (206)684-4052

On Saturday, Aug. 23 from 2 – 6 p.m. the Ballard/Alki Odd Fellows will be hosting the First Annual Oddfest. Donations are $5 at the door and benefit the SOS Children’s Village in Cambodia for AIDS affected youth. For more information, e-mail Greg Powers at Kitkadevi@aol.com.  Oddfellows Hall at 1701 NW Market St.

St. Paul’s at 6512 12th Ave NW is also hosting a neighborhood event.  Join them for a pancake breakfast (suggested donation, $5) on Saturday, August 23rd, from 9-11am.  Tons of opportunities this week to make new friends and really get to know your fellow Ballardites!  Maybe we should vie for a “Most Community-minded Neighborhood” award…

And lastly, enjoy a jazz concert at Golden Gardens this Friday!  August 22, 7-10pm, listen to Ambience with Leah Natale, a four-piece band from Seattle.  They play vintage and Latin jazz, and will present a concert at the Golden Gardens Bath House. Following the concert, a “Jazz Jam Group” from the Miller Community Center will perform. $3 adults/$2 seniors, youth under ten.

So enjoy the cool weather and get out in your neighborhood to have fun in YOUR Ballard.  It’s what you make of it!

The peaches are in right now, going for a very reasonable less than $2 a pound.  Fresh green beans and snap peas, rows of vine-ripe tomatoes, canteloupes for less than a dollar a pound…  I’m in heaven while I make my choices for the week.  This is my favorite Sunday ritual!  Yesterday morning, I grabbed the following:

1 LARGE red bell pepper for mum
1 huge head of cauliflower (delicious steamed and mashed with butter and pepper)
little over a pound of tiny cukes to make fridge pickles
bag of peeled baby carrots
bunch of organic bananas
about a pound of small red potatoes, to be skewered and grilled tonight
3 huge plums
4 huge peaches
a large english cucumber
a bunch of green onions

Total? $20.26.  I can deal with that.  They do take credit cards, unlike most farmer’s market booths.  There’s a decent sized gravel parking lot and they’re more than happy to help you get items to your car.  Like maybe those giant watermelons?  Although they have plastic bags (but they’re sturdy for re-use!), the clerks are more than happy to evenly distribute your items in bags that you’ve brought.  And they don’t put the easily squashable items on the bottom, as has happened to all of us at the grocery store sometimes.  So come check them out and plan a delicious dinner tonight.  Invite friends over and share the secret when they ask “Wherever did you find such wonderful-tasting fresh veggies?”  “Why, Top Banana, of course!”

Top Banana, 6501 15th Ave NW Seattle, WA 98117 (206) 783-7786, Mon-Sun 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

(and they have fresh-cut trees in the lot over the winter holidays.)

Mmmm, Salmon.  Dinner and music AND the chance to experience another culture.  The Leif Erikson Lodge of the Sons of Norway at 2245 N.W. 57th St. presents a wild salmon dinner followed by the Norwegian folkdancing group, Symra, on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 6 p.m. Proceeds benefit the educational programs of Norsk Folkedans Stemne. Afterwards there is dancing for everyone. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children until Aug. 9. For more information or to purchase tickets call Karlyn Tomta, 772-4545.

Love to sing? The Northwest Chamber Chorus is holding auditions for their upcoming season. Aug. 13, 6 – 9 p.m. and Aug. 17, 1:30 – 5:30 p.m. Experienced singers (all voices), by appointment. To schedule contact Betsy Brockman at nwcc@verizon.net or call 523-1196.  The auditions will be at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church at 7500 Greenwood Ave. N.

This Thursday is the last one for the Summer Reading program at the Nordic Heritage Museum.  Bring the kids to listen to an authentic Nordic tale, which will be followed by an easy take-home craft.  It’s totally free, no reservations required.  August 14th, 2-3pm.  Don’t miss it!

The Blanket Bee for Kids gives you an opportunity to make a difference in the life of an ill or traumatized child.  Everyone needs a security blanket when the worst happens.  Saturday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, help make homemade blankets they can treasure and keep close. Bring your sewing machine, quilting supplies, fabric, batting, yarns – whatever you can provide. They also need people to rotary cut fabric, people to iron and people who can tie a knot. Light refreshments will be served. For more information call Kristi at 784-1554 or Jean at 365-5669.

Just want to get down and get happy?  The lineup for the Sunset Tavern at 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W. for this week includes on August 11, The Globes, The Monday Mornings, Huff This (Brooklyn), and Slay The Demon Inside.  Aug. 12 brings us the Blood Red Dancers and guests.  Aug. 13, Brittain Ashford takes the stage. Aug. 14. entertains us with The Apple War, The Kindness Kind, and Beestings.  The week closes with Aug. 15th’s Cancer Rising, Champagne Champagne, and the Caves (Portland).  All shows except Aug. 15 are at 9pm and are $6.  August 15, the show starts at 10pm and costs $8.  Come on down and take a load off!

Stand in the shade at the Ballard Locks (3015 N.W. 54th St.) on Saturday and enjoy cake!  The Army Reserve’s citizen-soldiers are celebrating a century of service this year, and the regional headquarters in Seattle invites the public to help celebrate with festivities at the Hiram Chittenden Locks in Ballard this Saturday.  The 70th Army Band and the 104th Division Band will provide a century’s worth of music from noon to 5pm, and Maj. Gen. Chris Ingram, commanding general of the Pacific Northwest’s 70th Regional Readiness Command headquartered nearby at Fort Lawton in Magnolia, will start serving cake at 3pm.  He’ll also be reenlisting a few soldiers and distributing some awards.  Plenty of fun for the whole family and a chance to appreciate those who serve!  (And hey, free cake.)

The Greenwood Senior Center at 525 N. 85th St welcomes its Ballard neighbors to a yummy pancake breakfast on Saturday, August 9th!  From 9 – 11 a.m., the men’s club is volunteering their cooking skills for this tasty morning of pancakes with all sorts of toppings, coffee, juice, and more. Open to all in the community. $5 member/$7 non-members.

The Loyal Heights Community Center wants to know:  Have you given thought to a place in your heart and home for a cat?  IF so, come to the Fabulous Felines Cat Adoption Event.  On Saturday starting at noon, you’ll be able to meet and connect with the cat or kitten of your dreams.  Maybe you’ll click when you look into the eyes of that fuzzy new friend.  Save a life and make yours better at the same time.

Beat the heat and raise your spirit at 2pm on Saturday in the coolness of “Godspell” at United Evangelical Free Church.  This classic rock musical is being done by the UPAC Theater Group, and does run through the following Saturday as well with evening performances.  But you just can’t beat a classic story with toe-tapping music that you’ll be humming after you leave for only $12-15.

From now through the 17th, come bid farewell to a beloved Ballard boutique.  Olivine, at 5344 Ballard Ave. N.W., is closing.  You can save 50-70% on items and say goodbye to owner Julie Merriman.  Olivine had a fresh Parisian feel with personal service.  That rarity will be missed.  From the delightful clothes and bath items to the on-site designer who could whip up a pair of custom pants and the signature cosmetics line, Olivine’s closing is a blow to those of us who love the way retail ought to be run.  By real people, with real service, in a real nearby location.  Wish Julie the best!

The “Deadliest Catch” boat is open for tours! Come see the now-famous Sea Star, from the pilot episode and first season.  There’s a gift shop, and you might have a chance to talk to former crew members on board!  206-550-2623, Dock 9 at Fisherman’s Terminal, 9am-6pm. $10 adults, $7.50 Seniors/kids, kids under 5 free.

Emerald City Contra Dance

Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N.  206-440-9839 emeraldcitycontra@pobox.com
Dance from 7:30 to 10 p.m., beginner’s workshop at 7 p.m. $7 General Admission; $6 Seniors, PNA members, SFS members; $4 students. All dances taught, no partner necessary. Light, comfortable clothing recommended. Please do not wear cologne, perfume, oils, powders or other scented products.

August 1. Dale Russ (fiddle) and Mike Saunders (guitar). A master Irish fiddler noted for his power and grace teams up with an equally masterful guitar player.

August 8. Flootie and the Bowfish consists of Matti Mero on guitar and mandolin, Craig Shaw on flute, Steve Sutlief on bass, and Melissa Coffey on whistle, flute, and fiddle. Hal Mueller calls.

Ever wanted to make something from handblown glass?  Here’s your chance – Join Art By Fire during ArtWalk to create either an ornament to hang or a footed float that will sit like a paperweight. Beautiful colors to choose from and lots of fun. It will only take 10 to 15 minutes for you to create your own masterpiece. $27. Saturday, August 9, 5 – 8:45 p.m. Please call 789-1490 to reserve your space.

Sunset Tavern has some great music lineups headed your way.  Check out the cheap entertainment this weekend!  5433 Ballard Ave. N.W.,  784-4880

August 1, 10 p.m. Film School (Beggars Banquet), The Purrs, Blue Skies For Black Hearts. $10

August 2, 9 p.m. Chopperfest! A Benefit For John and Donna Fisher With Duff Mckagan’s Loaded Guns and Rossetti Girl Trouble, Red Jacket Mine and the I Love Myselfs. $8

August 3, 9 p.m. Little Penguins, Faunts (Friendly Fire Records), Patterns. $6

Want something different in your music?  Come check out Swamp Soul at the Highliner Pub, 3909 18th Ave. W. (283-2233) Saturday, August 9, 8 – 11 p.m. $12 (Over 21 only) Swamp Soul plays traditional and contemporary Cajun, Creole, and zydeco dance music from Louisiana. Enjoy multiple waltzes, easy two-steps, varied swing, and sultry Louisiana blues. Fun for both couples and singles.

This Saturday (11am-8pm) and Sunday (11am-7pm), be sure and join us at 22nd and Market Street.  Several blocks will be closed to traffic (so watch those bus re-routes over to 24th!) to let you enjoy music, entertainment, and all the seafood you can imagine.

This year promises to be perfect weather, with a forecast of mostly sunny but not too hot.  Just like the rest of the week, that will let you stay out long enough to hear several bands, eat, and browse the Market Street Sidewalk Sale.  Check out all the Arts & Crafts booths as well, it’s a great time of year to start getting some presents for the holidays out of the way!

The food…  Oh, the delicious food.  The main reason people come to Seafood Fest is to try all kinds of yummy new tastes.  From the Alder-smoked salmon barbecue to Hi-Life (snapper wrapped in a mini-tortilla with pineapple salsa), India Bistro (fish tandoori), New Orleans Cookery (jambalaya and crab cakes), Ballard Brothers (Cajun blackened salmon fillet), Smokin’ Pete’s BBQ (seafood gumbo) and Port Chatham Smoked Seafoods (salmon and mahi-mahi burgers, as well as “smoked salmon-sicles.”)  I may pass on that last item and hit Cupcake Royale to grab a babycake.  They promise not to have a Lutefisk flavor.  The salmon is owed in part to Trident Seafoods, who has donated about 2,000 pounds each year.  You’ll also have the option of a beer garden or a wine garden to attend.  All proceeds from the wine garden will be benfitting the Ballard Food Bank.  Please drink responsibly, this is a family event.

The entertainment listing is shaping up to please a variety of tastes as well.  The emcee this year is the president of Ballard Oil, Warren Aakervik.  He’ll be at the salmon barbecue both days, make sure to say hi!

Main Stage musical acts on Saturday include: HB Radke and the Jet City Swingers, noon; the Weavils, 1:30 p.m.; Chuck Prophet and Mission Express, 3:15 p.m.; Joey Kline Band, 5:15 p.m.; and Big World Breaks, 6:45 p.m.

Sunday groups include: Etouffee, noon; The Buckaroosters, 1:15 p.m.; Juan Barco y Su Conjunto, 2:45 p.m.; Carrie Akre, 4:15 p.m.; and Laura Love with Harper’s Ferry 5:30 p.m.

The Community Stage on Saturday, 11 a.m. and Sunday, noon
welcomes a Ballard institution when Stan Boreson, the “King of Scandinavian Humor” appears.  The Community Stage has many acts this year by volunteers from the Nordic Heritage Museum, and all but one act is in Scandinavian.  Make sure not to miss the Nordiska Folkdancers, noon; the always fun Lutefisk Eating Contest, 1:20 p.m.; Watermelon Eating Contest, 2 p.m.; Whateverly Brothers, 3 p.m.; The Pickled Herring Band, 4 p.m.; and Peter and Viki, 5 p.m.  Sunday at the Community Stage will bring the Svea Trio, 1 p.m.; the eighth Annual Slotky Memorial Couture Coverall Contest sponsored by the Ballard News-Tribune, 2 p.m.; Mad Fiddlu, 3 p.m.; Seattle Spielsmanslag, 4 p.m.; and SUS, 5 p.m.

Ballard Commons Park hosts the Family Stage, where kids and parents alike can enjoy Mario the Funny Man, 11 and 1 p.m.; Clay Martin’s Puppets, noon and 2 p.m.; Alleyoops Musical Games, 3 p.m.; Mary Shavers Marionettes, 4 p.m. Alleyoops Maritime Show 5 p.m.

So join us in eating, shopping, listening to great local music, and enjoy the flavor of Ballard!

Ballard District Council Meeting, Ballard Library. 5614 22nd Ave. N.W. July 9, 7 p.m. Topics include: a discussion with City Council president Richard Conlin, decision on priority for projects in Ballard proposed for funding from the City’s NSF/CRF program, a discussion of issues associated with the planned Two Way Mercer Street project, and our annual “ice cream in July” event. District Council meetings are open to the public. For more information contact district coordinator Rob Mattson at 684.4060 or rob.mattson@seattle.gov.

Volunteers Needed, Ballard Community Center, 6020 28th Ave. N.W. July 10, 6 – 8 p.m. All ages are welcome for a community dig. Help us get our accessible garden ready. Call 684-4093 for information.

Scandinavian Dance Classes, Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N. Thursdays, July 10 – August 7, 7:30 – 9 p.m. It’s not directly in Ballard, but come learn a Scandinavian art!  Art Hare and Larry Reinert present the Skandia Summer Class with a selection of favorite set and mixer dances. No partner required. Smooth-soled shoes will help with turning. Members, $6/session or $25 for the series; nonmembers, $8/session or $35 for the series.

Garage Sale, Ballard Eagles, 7509 24th Ave. N.W. (Philadelphia Church Parking Lot), Saturday, July 12, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. One day only, huge garage sale event. Come find just the item you’ve been searching for and maybe some other hidden treasure!

Benefit Garage Sale, 7301 Dibble Ave. N.W., July 12, 9 – 3 p.m. Multi-family garage sale to support the Ballard High Girls Swim Team (ranked #2 in state.)

Sons of Norway Leif Erikson Lodge Bazaar, 2245 N.W. 57th St., Wednesday, July 16, 7:30 p.m. Join us to help plan the 2008 Leif Erikson Lodge Bazaar. We are looking for new ways to boost our income for this annual event that provides almost half of our budget for the year.

“Art in the Garden”, Ballard P-Patch, 8527 25th Ave. N.W., www.ballardgardenparty.com Saturday, July 19, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Over two-dozen local artists will display and sell their art throughout the garden. Our music stage will feature local musicians throughout the day. All proceeds benefit our not-for-profit garden community.

]]> http://ballardblog.com/2008/07/08/things-to-do-in-ballard-pt-3/feed/ 0 http://ballardblog.com/2008/07/04/things-to-do-in-ballard-pt-2/ http://ballardblog.com/2008/07/04/things-to-do-in-ballard-pt-2/#comments Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:59:22 +0000 SeattleMeg http://ballardblog.com/?p=380 Here’s a quick peek at some upcoming things to check out.  July is a busy month here in the ‘hood…

Check out Market Street Traders on the July 12th Artwalk at 2016 NW Market Street.  They’ve got beaded baskets of all sizes from people in Bali.  The elders teach the children the craft and the whole economy benefits.  Grab on of these shimmering treasures, anywhere from 3 inches to two feet in size!

Drop in to enjoy a pot of your favorite tea at Floating Leaves, Ballard’s first authentic Taiwanese tea house.  Chinese antiques, music for the soul, and welcoming employees are sure to give you a bit of respite in your hectic day.  Owner Shiuwen draws on her memories of Taiwan to create just the right atmosphere in which to find peace.

Street Cars?  In Ballard?  It certainly would provide yet another alternative to your car, not to mention giving our town a real flair.  July 8, 4 – 6 p.m, there will be a public forum to learn about and discuss the proposed Seattle Street Car Network. Sponsored by Jan Drago and the Seattle Streetcar Alliance. For more info, please contact Drago’s office at 684-8801.

The July 12th Artwalk also will offer the opportunity to make your own unique paperweight at Art by Fire (5465 Leary Ave NW).  Come make a red, white and blue heart that you can proudly display and say, “I made that!”  Please call 789-1490 to reserve your space.  Ages 7 and up, $28.  But where else can you say you learned to make a glass paperweight for so little?

July 12th and 13th bring us another day of fun sponsored by the Nordic Heritage Museum…  Tivoli Viking Days!  (3014 NW 67th Street)  The full free day brings you Vikings in costume showing off ancient crafts and skills, incredible edibles including Swedish meatballs, multiple stages full of music and folk dancing, and loads of high-quality Nordic crafts for sale.  Museum admission is free during the festival, with added living history re-enactor folks to add to the experience.  Paid events are the very popular traditional Swedish pancake breakfast takes place from 9 am to 12pm on Saturday and from 10 am to 1 pm on Sunday. ($8 adults, $6 kids 12 and under) and a famous Salmon Barbecue Dinner will be on Saturday from 5 pm to 7 pm. ($12adults, $8 kids 12 and under)  Come have fun, it’s the 25th anniversary of the event!

Stay tuned for more in-depth reviews of above items and more fun things to do!