Kendra August 24th, 2008
So what’s the connection between Coldplay and eighty year olds? Read on to find out…
Seattle is a fairly youthful city full of single hipsters. When I first visited Ballard, even before I moved to Washington state, the joke was that the drivers were so bad as it was a neighborhood of old people who could barely see over their steering wheels. Their cars would inevitably have bumper stickers such as “Honk if you’re Norwegian.” These old folks would populate the Eagles Club on 24th Street or the Leif Erickson Hall by the old QFC. These were people who had grown up in the area and purchased their cottages and craftsman houses for prices that make present day buyers cry. Ten years ago Ballard was far from hip. However, there was something about it that charmed me, I kind of liked the fact that the streets were full of the elderly, to me it was like having a whole neighborhood of grandparents. However, I didn’t always feel so drawn to the elderly.
When I was a little girl my grandmother, though she was old herself, used to take me along during her volunteer visits to nursing homes. I fully admit to being terrified, as I was too young to understand what I was seeing. The old people some of …
Cameron August 8th, 2008
If you’re walking down Market Street, and you pass a non-descript door with only the marking, “Live Girls!” posted to a sandwich board and a staircase leading to a dark basement, your better judgment might guide you to keep on walking. In most cases that’s usually a smart bet, but not this time.
Market Street (between Ballard Avenue and Leary Way) has been the home of the Live Girls! Theater since 2005, and has been dedicated to promoting local women playwrights, directors and artists ever since. Their goal is to “empower women artists to be leaders and provide the public with opportunities to see plays by women”, and that’s hot, because let’s face it, like in many other industries, women are severely underrepresented in theater. While there are many talented women playwrights out there, most produced plays are not by women. Live Girls! Theater helps bring the female perspective to the forefront.
As a small, fringe theater group, their company members commit to a year of supporting the Live Girls! mission by partaking in various aspects of administration and production. It’s entirely volunteer-operated, so let’s support our local Girls!– go to the next production or pony up some cash and be a sponsor.
Here’s what’s coming up next at the Live Girls! Theater:
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Annika July 12th, 2008
Looking for something fun to do in Ballard but don’t feel like fighting for parking spots along Market St? Then head a bit north of Ballard to the Ballard P-Patch Garden (8527 25th Ave NW) for their 8th annual “Art in the Garden” on Saturday July 19th from 9am-6pm. Stroll through the garden admiring the strawberries, sunflowers, and tomatoes all while listening to local artists, and enjoying refreshments. Ample parking is available in the lot just south of the garden, near Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church. Please check their website for more information and directions.
SeattleMeg July 2nd, 2008
Forget joining the insane crowds at the Needle or Gasworks Park, stumbling over drunks, and a 2-hour snarl of traffic once it’s over. Stay here and plan your holiday weekend!
Start your day by joing other summer beach naturalists at Carkeek Park to learn about the beach, what lives and grows there, and what washes up. Enjoy nature and learn a little about your local beach. Make sure to wear good sunscreen for the glint off the waters! (I personally love wading in my Crocs; the waves go right through the holes.)
Enjoy a free concert at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks after lunch. The Seattle Civic Band entertains you on the 4th from 2-3pm with patriotic and marching music. Come early to grab a seat or bring your own lawn/folding chair.
At 6pm, you can while away the hours until right before sundown at the Ballard Jam House, 1707 NW Market Street. Playing on the 4th will be the Welch/Stickney Ensemble (Modern original jazz). The best thing about this set is that it’s also a relief fundraiser for a cyclone in Myanmar/Burma! No cover charge, but donations are highly encouraged and all proceeds go to the International Burmese Monks organization for those affected.
Head home just before sunset and watch fireworks from the best seat in the house - your own TV with your friends. Share nibbles and drink responsibly as you get the best view of both the …
BallardGuy June 24th, 2008
There will be a barbeque lunch this Saturday with local handmade arts and crafts available for sale. Vegetarian lunch options will be available. Free admission.
5429 32nd Ave NW (across from the Ballard Locks in Seattle)
Saturday, June 28, 2008 - 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
EtsyRain.com is an independent group of Seattle Metropolitan area craft artists who each run their own shops on Etsy.com. Their mission is to nurture a supportive community of artists that will inspire, educate and promote growth of independent businesses.
BallardGuy June 20th, 2008
Tonight the Local Ballard Comedy Show (or Lo-Ball) returns to Market Street for a run of late-night shows at the Live Girls! Theater, 2220 NW Market St.
Produced by the People’s Republic of Komedy, Lo-Ball had a been a staple of the local comedy scene, bringing in big crowds to Mr. Spot’s Chai House in Ballard to see local comedians and national acts for more than two years. A much-publicized falling out with the new owners of the coffee house, however, forced them to move their show to nearby Bergen Place Park.
Now it appears they’ve found a new home, which is great news to long-time producer Paul Merrill.
“The park was a fun experiment and a real testament to our fan-base that they would stand out in the cold for two hours to watch comedy,” says Merrill. “But frankly, I’m looking forward to having a roof over our heads.”
The shows will be every Friday at 11pm and will feature some of the top comedians in Seattle doing new material in an unusual setting.
Lo-Ball @ Live Girls! Theater
$5 / 11pm / All-Ages
www.ballardcomedy.com
SeattleMeg June 10th, 2008
One of the best things about Ballard is the Sunday Farmer’s Market. Normally open from 10am to 3pm, it’s a smorgasbord of color, sound, and treats. From the delicious Kolache from the Little Prague Bakery to the mouth-watering samples of smoked salmon, I love spending an hour or two here each week.
It takes up a full block on old Ballard Avenue, sandwiched between the boutiques and music stores. Studies have shown of late that prices for decent organic food at farmer’s markets is now becoming cheaper than the store and the gas it takes to get there. Hop a bus (17, 18, 44, and 46) to get off on Market Street and wander around the corner for the best food and gifts in the area.
The irises are in right now, filling the cheap bouquets from local flower farms with all their blue and purple glory, as well as Icelandic poppies that love this cool weather for their crepe-paper petals. A few early strawflowers add some more searing orange highlights for your foyer or table.
A real treat the last several times I’ve been to the market is the musical stylings of “The Tallboys”. True down-home bluegrass is the preferred genre of this exceedingly talented duo. I know if I tried to play a …
Kendra May 19th, 2008
Want to have a say in how your tax dollars are spent? This year is shaping up to make a large dent in most wallets at a time when prices for everything from gas to groceries is rising. As more Americans must exercise fiscal prudence, by creating and sticking to a budget, shouldn’t our local government do the same? Attend the Seattle City Council Budget Community meeting Tuesday night from 5:30-7:30pm at the Ballard Northwest Senior Center Activity Center located at 5429 32nd Avenue NW. This meeting will provide the opportunity to talk directly with your elected Council members on how your money is spent in the 2009-2010 city budget. How many of us even know the process of how the budget is created? The meeting will include a glimpse into something that is a mystery to most - the budgeting process.
Grab a pencil and spend some time prioritizing where your tax money should be spent….what do you feel strongly is a necessity and what is something that little money should be allocated toward?
Social Services
Parks and Green Space
Housing for Low Income or Homeless
Police and Emergency Services
Increased bike lanes
These are only a few of the typical items that are listed as part of the city budget. Share your comments on the best and worst uses of your city tax dollars.
