Tag Archives: Green Lake

Green Lake: Wine, Dogs, Live Music and Charity at Forza Coffee

Posted on May 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

In the six years since I adopted North Seattle Lola, I’ve gone through three surgeries with her.  The first was to remove half a tennis ball from her small intestine.  The second was to remove a growth on her elbow that she kept cutting open.  The third was just a few months ago, when the vets at Phinney Ridge Animal Hospital gave me the bad news that a new lump was a cancerous melanoma.  That’s when it hit me – my dog is now seven years old, the age that vets consider a “senior.”  Sure, she’s got lots of life left in her, but she’s an older girl now, something I’m going to have to accept sooner or later.  But along with that realization I discover I have something that loves me unconditionally, who is now calm, wise, and mature.  Well alright, maybe not too calm.

North Seattle Lola

My point is that older dogs are incredible pets.  In a year that I spent volunteering at a local shelter, I met an unbelievable amount of older dogs who still had so much love to give.  And it amazes me that there are such good people out there who work hard to take care of these older dogs, especially when their families can no longer keep them and adoption is difficult.

Forza Coffee in Green Lake is hosting a benefit on Tuesday, May 22nd, along with Piccola Cellars and small bites from La Toscanella.  The cost is $10 per person, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Old Dog Haven, a non-profit network that provides homes for homeless senior dogs in Western Washington.  So, lets just look at the facts here:

  • $10 for a wine tasting from Piccola Cellars, who provide amazing wines on tap
  • Small bites from La Toscanella
  • Live music
  • AND you help older dogs find and keep homes

If you can find any excuse not to attend this, I dare you.  Hope to see you there!

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Posted in Local Business, Local Eats & Drinks

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Cinco de Mayo in North Seattle, 2012

Posted on May 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

Have you ever actually listened to the lyrics of “My Girl” and wondered exactly what they were thinking?  ”When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May.”  Except, May is usually still fairly cold, and pretty rainy – just look outside right now.  The Temptations must have never been to the Pacific Northwest.

Temperature aside, May is here, and for those who celebrate it, Cinco de Mayo actually falls on a Saturday this year (meaning you can avoid calling in sick to work the next day).  If you’re celebrating the 5th of May, North Seattle Sarah has you covered with some of the best parties in town.

First off, Tacos Guaymas is having their annual Cinco Party in Green Lake.  If you haven’t checked this out, it’s a pretty packed outdoor event and probably the largest Cinco de Mayo party in north Seattle.  Live DJ, Sauza Girls, and a mariachi band are just a few of the fun things you can expect at Tacos Guaymas, with several thousand people anticipated to attend each year.

Down in Fremont, celebrate the evening with live music at Nectar.  The Yogoman Burning Band plays at 8pm, and tickets are $7.

At COA Mexican Eatery (7919 Roosevelt Way NE), enjoy $5 AHA Toro Margaritas, plus $2 street tacos and a $100 giveaway.  They’ll also have pinatas and a bouncy house from 12pm to 3pm.

Other venues that typically run specials for Cinco de Mayo include The Matador in Ballard and El Chupacabra in Phinney Ridge.  Remember to please stay safe on Cinco-de-Drinko and either hoof it locally or call a cab – those margaritas can be mighty strong.  Enjoy!

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Dine Out for Life – Next Thursday, April 26th – Where to go in North Seattle

Posted on April 20, 2012 | 1 Comment

With the amount of restaurants participating in this year’s Dine out for Life, it’s really hard NOT to participate.  On Thursday, April 26th, local restaurants will donate up to 30% of their food and beverage sales will go towards the Lifelong AIDS Alliance.  The Lifelong AIDS Alliance provides practical support services and advocates for those affected by HIV and AIDS.

The event is nationwide and occurs in 60 cities – but we have so many options right here in north Seattle.  Here’s a comprehensive list of where you can go locally to help the Lifelong AIDS Alliance – over 20 great local spots in Phinney Ridge, Greenwood, Fremont, Ballard, Laurelhurst, Sand Point, Wallingford and Green Lake!

  • 74th Street Alehouse (30%)
  • Alexa’s Garden Cafe (30%)
  • BalMar (30%)
  • Bill the Butcher – Laurelhurst (20%)
  • The Blue Glass (30%)
  • Blue Moon Burgers – Fremont (30%)
  • Blue Star Cafe & Pub (30%)
  • Djan’s Dining (30%)
  • King’s Hardware (30%)
  • Kylie’s Chicago Pizza (30%)
  • Masala of India (30%)
  • Naked City Brewery & Taphouse (30%)
  • Nell’s Restaurant (30%)
  • Olive and Grape (30%)
  • Pasta Bella (30%)
  • Ray’s Boathouse (30%)
  • Razzis Pizzeria (30%)
  • Sand Point Grill (30%)
  • Santa Fe Cafe (30%)
  • Stumbling Goat Bistro (30%)
  • Tutta Bella (20%)
  • Via Tribunali (30%)
  • Volterra (30%)
  • Wild Mountain Cafe (30%)

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

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Green Lake Forza Coffee presents “Hops for Hope” Benefit

Posted on April 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

Our newest Green Lake coffee house, Forza, is hosting “Hops for Hope” this  Saturday, April 21st from 7pm to 10pm.  The event benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and will feature food and drink specials, plus live music from The Castaways, a ukulele rock cover band.

In addition to the food and drink specials with proceeds benefitting the charity, there will also be raffle prizes from some great neighborhood sponsors.  Some prizes include dinner and show for two from Teatro Zinzanni, Woodland Park Zoo admission tickets, and a bike tuneup from Gregg’s Cycles.

Forza Coffee is located in the Circa building at 6900 East Green Lake Way North.  They have rotating craft beer and wine selections plus an assortment of rotating foods, and feature live music every Friday and Saturday night.

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Non-Motorized Beer Delivery returns to Latona Pub for Earth Week

Posted on April 14, 2012 | 1 Comment

Of all the events Latona Pub in Green Lake puts on for us throughout the year, the Earth Week festivities have to be my favorite.   For one week every year, all the beer that comes to Latona Pub will come by some means other than motorized transportation.  This means kegs can be walked (with a hand truck), delivered by bicycle, or even come by rowboat (any other ideas? Let them know!).

Everything kicks off tomorrow – Sunday, April 15th – with the beginning of the keg deliveries.  Kegs come from as close as our local north Seattle breweries like Big Time, Naked City, and Northgate Ram, to as far away as Black Raven Brewing (Redmond -16.6 miles away).

A handful of last year's "keg walkers", courtesy Latona Pub

In addition to saving the planet by saving fuel and decreasing their carbon footprint, Latona Pub also hosts a few events during the week.  For Earth Week 2012, there is a “Local Food Awareness” night on Thursday, April 19th beginning at 7pm.  A portion of proceeds that night will go towards Chef’s Collaborative.

On Saturday, April 21st, bring your hazardous garbage – computers, electronics, batteries and fluorescent light bulbs – to Latona for a day of free disposal, from noon until 4pm.

Finally, on Sunday April 22nd finish the week with the Feet First benefit starting at 2 pm, with a special keg from Two Beers Brewing – the “Limited Edition Hand Truckin’ Wheat Ale.”  This event requires a pre-sale ticket which you can buy online for $20 at Feetfirst.org.

As a sign at one of my local faves Naked City says, “Save the earth – it’s the only planet with BEER!”

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PHOTO: Sunny Evening, April 2nd at Green Lake Park

Posted on April 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

I’m not a great photographer, but every now and then my Windows Phone snaps a decent pic of this beautiful neighborhood.  Here’s a snapshot of the sun sinking lower over Green Lake on April 2nd!

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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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Girls Night Out Thursday at RoadRunner Sports in Green Lake

Posted on March 24, 2012 | Leave a comment

North Seattle ladies, we are fabulous.  We can throw back a pint of delicious micro-brew beer, grow our own veggies in the yard, hold down a 60-hour a week job, and still find time to keep healthy.  So every now and then, we get to reward ourselves with shopping.

I don’t like to shop very often – I hate crowds, lines, and the like.  But, with the warmer weather coming I’m realizing that the Girls Night Out event, “Fit and Fabulous” at RoadRunner Sports may be just what I need to get myself back on a fitness track and in the mindset for some long evening runs.

Thursday, March 29th from 6pm to 8pm, RoadRunner Sports welcomes ladies for champagne and treats while they show off the latest in spring exercise fashion.  There will be prizes, and they’ll also be offering personal sports bra fittings for free. 

Attendees are asked to register but the entire evening is free.  RoadRunner Sports is located at 7020 Woodlawn Ave NE in Green Lake.

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Register Now for the Top Pot Doughnut Dash, April 29th

Posted on March 11, 2012 | Leave a comment

The sun is shining, and it’s just about the beginning of what I like to call “race season” at Green Lake Park – the time of year where it seems like there’s some kind of benefit race every other weekend.  The Top Pot Doughnut Dash is April 29th this year at the park, with the run/walk beginning at 8:30 a.m., and registration is now open.

Scene from 2011 Doughnut Dash

Entry fees are $35 if you pre-register, and $45 on race day.  For that entry fee, you also get a commemorative t-shirt and of course, a free Top Pot Doughnut after you finish the 5K.   The race has prizes for the fastest runners, too – the fastest man and the fastest women will each get a round-trip airline ticket provided by Alaskan Airlines.

But it’s not all fun and games.  The Doughnut Dash benefits Childhaven, who provide care and services to children and families affected by abuse and neglect.

To register online, click here and follow the online process.  Alternatively, there are several locations to register in-person with one of those being Green Lake’s Super Jock and Jill.

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PHOTO: Saying goodbye to a great tree in Green Lake

Posted on March 11, 2012 | Leave a comment

Those of you walking around the Green Lake loop this past week may have noticed that a very large tree was felled on the west side of the Lake (Aurora side).  I’m not sure who did this, but someone or someones took the time and effort to say goodbye to the tree by placing flower petals on top of and around the remaining stump.  Even in the rain, it was fairly beautiful to see.

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