Tag Archives: Ballard

PHOTOS: Team Up for Nonprofits Gigs4Good benefit for Outdoors for All

Posted on February 10, 2013 | Leave a comment

Friday night I was incredibly excited to attend my second Gigs4Good benefit presented by the amazing Team Up for Nonprofits.  The evening benefited an organization called Outdoors for All, which provides children and adults with mental, physical and sensory disabilities the chance to enjoy outdoor sports.  Thanks to sponsors like REI and Stevens Pass, the concert was able to donate a large portion of ticket sales to Outdoors for All, as well as raise extra money selling raffle tickets at the event.

Three bands performed Friday evening at The Tractor Tavern in Ballard – River Giant, Smokey Brights and two members of The Head and the Heart, Josiah and Charity Rose.  Here are a few photos I managed to snap!

River Giant kicks off the show:

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Team Up for Nonprofits:

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Bill Rudolph takes the stage to present a toast to his son, Chris.  Chris Rudolph was the marketing director of Stevens Pass, and passed away last year in an avalanche. The benefit was in his name:

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Smokey Brights takes the stage:

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Josiah & Charity Rose of The Head and the Heart close out the concert .

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It’s the end of the world…but don’t forget, it’s the Winter Solstice too.

Posted on December 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

If the world is going to end, go out with a full belly – that’s what I always say.  And celebrate the day, which also happens to be the Winter Solstice.  The Fremont Arts Council presents their 24th annual Feast of the Winter Solstice this Thursday, December 21st at 1416 NW 51st Street in Ballard.

The event begins at 6pm and as always, is a potluck dinner so bring a dish and your beverage of choice.   See artwork and costumes and come prepared to dance with three different bands gracing the evening.  Tickets to the event are $25 and can be purchase through Brown Paper Tickets, and children under 16 don’t need a ticket to attend.  You can also RSVP on the event’s Facebook page. 

In addition to bringing some food and drink, participants are encouraged to bring their own fun and funky dinnerware, and to “dress to impress.”  The event acts as a way to celebrate the past year and prepare for the next – despite rumors  of fire and brimstone Thursday night, I think this will be a great way to party!

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Posted in Community News, Local Eats & Drinks

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Neighborhood Review: Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery

Posted on October 23, 2012 | 1 Comment

Stop the car – this place is called Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery – turn left here.

That’s essentially what happened on my ride home from the Sounders game Sunday night.  Craving chocolate, or at least something sweet, I turned to Yelp to help my friend and I find somewhere open late on a Sunday that served up something delicious and unique.   I didn’t even need to read the reviews – with a name like that, I went straight for the address.

Inside Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery

I’ve been up and down Ballard Ave, but never stopped into this place before – Hot Cakes is located at 5427 Ballard Avenue and is right in the thick of things.  The chocolate menu is extensive and the list of drinks, some alcoholic and some just fun, causes you to stare at the chalk board for a good seven or eight minutes before you can figure out what to order.

I went for the Peanut Butter Cup, a milk chocolate cake with peanut butter ganache and peanut butter fudge inside.  My friend went dark with the Dark Decadence, which had salted caramel and butter toffee.  And since I wanted to feel like Harry Potter for the night too, we tried the butterbeer.

Peanut Butter Cup cake with vanilla ice cream

The cakes are baked in the jars they come in, and served up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.  For a small size, they pack a big, rich punch and are well worth the $6.75 to $7.50 apiece.   But I shouldn’t be surprised at how delicious they are – Autumn Martin, a local who started the company, has prior experience as the pastry chef at Canlis and as head chocolatier at Theo Chocolate.  To top it off, the cakes are organic, and generally made with local ingredients.

If you don’t have time to sit down and eat, you can take Hot Cakes home.  Several of the cakes are sold in jars, along with toppings, cookies, pies and more. You can also pick up their products at a variety of farmers markets and local cafes.    What’s more, the store offers an array of classes covering everything from how to make caramel sauce and butterbeer to informational sessions on the coffee and other fine items they serve.

Hot Cakes made a great change from all the cupcake and frozen yogurt options out there.  It’s a perfect treat when you need that extra something, and one I’ll definitely be going back to.  Now, I suppose I owe Yelp a thank-you letter!

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Posted in Community News, Local Business, Local Eats & Drinks

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Seattle Restaurant Week Returns – here’s your north Seattle hookup

Posted on October 9, 2012 | Leave a comment

I know it feels like it just happened, but Seattle Restaurant Week returns October 14th – 18th and 21st – 25th.  For those of you new to Seattle, this is one of the greatest weeks for those of us that aren’t millionaires - the week when many restaurants present a 3-course dinner for just $28 (and some also provide a 3-course lunch for $15).

And there’s no shortage of options for north Seattle dining this time around, either.  Here’s where you can go to get your fine dining fix, along with my recommendations:

In BALLARD, you can visit the Golden Beetle, Volterra, Staple & Fancy Mercantile, Belle Clemantine, Bastille, Maggie Bluffs, and Anthony’s Homeport. My choice?  Ray’s Cafe.  Ray’s is about to remodel their downstairs restaurant, but the cafe is offering up some excellent Restaurant Week menu selections, including a pumpkin creme brulee for dessert.

In FREMONT, swing into the 35th Street Bistro, Chiso Sushi, or Hunger 2.0. Or one of my favorites, Via Tribunali, where you can start with some caprese arrostito.

In GREEN LAKE, which I’m quite partial to, dine at Nell’s, or try some of the best sushi in Seattle at Kisaku.  You can also dine next door at Eva.

In PHINNEY-GREENWOOD, you can go vegetarian at Carmelitas, or Mediterranean  at The Olive and Grape.  Or visit my pick: The Stumbling Goat, where you can choose between an entree of pan seared trout, pork tenderloin, duck risotto, or grass fed hangar steak.

Finally, in WALLINGFORD, don’t forget to stop by one of my absolute faves: Cantinetta – one of their entree options is a seasonal butternut squash ravioli.  Or, you can dine at Tilth or Art of the Table.

If you just feel the need to get out of north Seattle, which I won’t hold against you, you can view the full list of participating restaurants here.

 

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Posted in Local Business, Local Eats & Drinks

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Celebrate Two Pub Grand Openings in Ballard this month

Posted on September 11, 2012 | Leave a comment

They’ve been open already for the past few weeks, but coming up later this month two new Ballard pubs will officially Grand Open with celebrations.

First up will be Nick’s Off Market, a new restaurant and bar located at the corner of 17th Ave NW and NW 56th Street.  Nick’s Off Market will celebrate their Grand Opening on September 14th beginning at 4pm.  There will be free food, prizes, giveaways and even a chance to win a custom New Belgium bicycle.

Nick’s Off Market will provide hand-crafted sandwiches, soups, specialty cocktails and feature 8 rotating taps.

“First and foremost, we’re a neighborhood place; we listen to what our neighbors want do what we can to provide it,” said Nick Simonton, proprietor of Nick’s, in a local press release.  “We pride ourselves on top-notch food and drinks at an affordable price, on being the place you can visit regularly without breaking the bank.”

Nick’s will also have a pre-Grand Opening “Kill the Keg” party on Thursday, September 13th, with $3 glasses of Proletariat Chardonnay.

Once you’ve had your fill of Nick’s, check out Ballard Station Public House for their official Grand Opening on September 21st beginning at 6pm.  They’ll have drink specials all night long, and Dante’s Inferno Dogs will be serving up some grub outside (bar snacks are available inside).  Ballard Station sits at 2236 NW Market Street.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

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Today: Annual Syttende Mai Celebration in Ballard

Posted on May 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

Syttende Mai.  It’s a lovely phrase, actually meaning “The 17th of May,” and it’s time to celebrate Norwegian-style.  Over 20,000 people are expected out on the streets of Ballard today to celebrate Norway’s Constitution Day, linking the neighborhood to its vast Norwegian heritage.

In the midst of many other activities, there will be a parade beginning at 6pm, starting at the corner of NW 62nd Street and 24th Ave NW and then following around to Market Street, east to Bergen Place Park, south down Ballard Avenue before eventually finishing at Dock Street.

Other activities throughout the day include entertainment at Bergen Place from 2pm to 5pm, children’s activities at the Nordic Heritage Museum from 10am to 2pm, and food & drink available at the Leif Erikson Lodge from 3pm to 5pm.  After the parade, smoked salmon will be available at the Pacific Fishermen Shipyard, for $25 per person (kids under 10 free).

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Artists & Writers get new gathering & learning spot in Ballard

Posted on May 3, 2012 | 1 Comment

A new studio called The Drawing Room is opening its doors in downtown Ballard at 5335 1/2 NW Ballard Avenue to all kinds of people interested in writing and art.

The studio, which doesn’t have a storefront, offers small group classes and private lessons in visual art and creative writing.  Classes are offered Monday through Friday and generally last one hour, with some private Saturday lessons available.

Kim Overton runs The Drawing Room, after teaching for many years in public and private schools and wanting to find a way to encourage a small group setting and safe space for children, teens and adults interested in exploring their creativity.

“At its essence,” says Kim, “arts learning is a process of giving form and making meaning from personal experience. It promotes an ability to imagine possibilities and to recognize multiple perspectives.  Art provides a welcome means of learning about oneself and the world.”

Kim studied art therapy and enjoys working with small groups of students.  Upcoming classes include “Lunch Poems,” a small-group poetry writing class for adults on Fridays from 12-1 pm beginning May 18th.  ”Lunch Poems” is instructed by Amanda Laughtland, a published poet and editor of Teeny Tiny Press.

To schedule lessons either for “Lunch Poems” or another workshop, you can visit The Drawing Room’s website here or call Kim Overton at (206) 707-1o38.

Photo courtesy The Drawing Room

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New Homes on the Market in North Seattle

Posted on April 23, 2012 | 2 Comments

I think of all the times I’ve neglected this blog since I started it, the past two weeks have been the worst.  It’s all due to the fact that this is the busiest time each year for real estate, and this year is much busier than the prior.  So busy, in fact, that I have had 7 signed around deals this month so far and am waiting to hear back about #8.  But, for all I talk about lack of inventory on the market in north Seattle these days, there are still homes coming on all the time, every week, and I like to tell you about them from time to time.

In the past seven days, 49 new listings have come on the market in MLS areas 705 and 710, which make up north Seattle (705 is generally west of I-5, and 710 is east).  Of the 49, 38 are residential listings and the rest are condos.  Here’s just a brief look at a few of the homes that just came on the market in north Seattle.

6111 14th Ave NW – This townhome has 1,160 square feet and 2 bedrooms in Ballard.  It’s an end unit, and priced at $355,000.  The townhome does have an attached 2-car garage.

7330 18th Ave NE – This 3 bedroom, 1.75 bath home is located in the Ravenna area and has 2,160 square feet.  It’s been updated with a newer roof, hardwood floors, crown molding and double-pane windows.  This home has been on the market just a few days and is priced at $485,000.

I’ll write my regular monthly update during the first week of May with more information about the amount of home sales we had this month, but the market has definitely been on fire!

 

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Posted in Real Estate

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A Very North Seattle Easter – Where to go, when, for your neighborhood Egg Hunt

Posted on March 31, 2012 | Leave a comment

I’m not very good at paying attention to holidays, probably because I don’t have children.  The only way I know which holiday is approaching is usually by the displays of candy at the grocery store – Halloween to Christmas, Christmas to Valentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day to Easter, and so on.  The marshmallow Peeps are out, along with the jelly beans and Cadbury Creme Eggs, and so Easter must be on its way.

And for those of you that DO have children, that means Easter Egg Hunts.  You have a few to choose from in north Seattle this year – and North Seattle Sarah has you covered on what to do.

Wallingford: The Wallingford Center presents their annual Easter Egg Hunt featuring…wait for it…The Bubbleman! The celebration will be Saturday, April 7th at the Wallingford Center (1818 N 45th Street) and will go from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.  The Bubbleman begins performing at 9 a.m., and the egg hunt takes place at 10 a.m.  From 10 a.m. to noon there will also be face painting, crafts, and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny.

Woodland Park: The Zoo is hosting their annual Bunny Bounce from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 7th.  Egg hunts for age groups 3-5, and 6-8 will happen in half-hour increments starting a 10 a.m.  Egg hunts for toddlers will be at 9:30.  This is the 11th year the Zoo has put this on, and there will be crafts, bunny encounters and more throughout the day.  Cost to participate is regular Zoo admission.

Green Lake: Egg Hunt at the Green Lake Community Center is back this year, after being cancelled last year from lack of funding.  Visit the Community Center at 10 a.m. on Saturday April 7th at 7201 East Green Lake Drive N.   It’s free for kids 10 and under.

Ravenna: The Spring Bunny Hunt at Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center at 6535 Ravenna Way NE is also hosting an egg hunt.  This one starts at 10 a.m. and is for children 12 and under.

Loyal Heights:  Children 10 and under can hunt for eggs at the Loyal Heights Community Center at 10 a.m. on April 7th, at 2101 NW 77th Street.

Ballard: Same goes for you, Ballard.  Children 10 and under can egg hunt at the Ballard Community Center on April 7th at 10 a.m.  The Ballard Community Center is at 6020 28th Ave NW.

Bitter Lake: Finally, we can’t forget about our friends on the northern border.  Visit the Bitter Lake Community Center at 13040 Greenwood Ave North for an egg hunt for children 10 and under at 10 a.m. on April 7th.  Note: Meet at the Bitter Lake ANNEX which is attached to Broadview Thomson Elementary School.

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Eggs N Ovaries: Drink away Cancer in Ballard April 5th

Posted on March 27, 2012 | Leave a comment

Eggs and ovaries: I haz ‘em.  And I’d like to keep it that way.  So why not help girls keep those important bits and pieces by participating in a benefit bar hop.

The Annual Eggs N Ovaries Bar Hop takes place this year on April 5th between 7 Ballard pubs, beginning at 5 p.m. and going through midnight.  Proceeds from the bar hop go to the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research.

To participate, you can purchase your wristband online here for a donation of $20, $30, $40 or $50 (since the proceeds go to charity, you’re encouraged to give a big donation!).  Wristbands will be available at will-call on the day of the event.  If you miss the online purchase window, you can also buy your wristband on the day of the event for a minimum donation of $25.

Then, take your wristband to any of the participating bars for food and drink specials all night long.  Here’s a list of participating bars: The Bal-Mar, Sunset Tavern, People’s Pub, Shiku Sushi, Hattie’s Hat, King’s Hardware, and Ballard Loft.   Additionally, look out along the way for eggs – yes, eggs – that are holding candy, toys and prizes.

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