BNSF Railway have placed a number of sandbags to reinforce the sea wall along the beach connecting Golden Gardens and North Beach. My Ballard reader Liz Neuman sent us this photo, voicing her concerns about the safety of the quick fix.

“The fallen rock supports that are lying below the beach wall are being replaced with the photographed bags and landscape blocks creating what looks like a bizarre and disturbing precedent,” Neuman says. “When one thinks of the cargo traveling day and night along our local coast, this is of great concern.”

BNSF spokesperson Courtney Wallace says the sandbags are part of their ongoing maintenance program for Washington railways. She didn’t give a timeline for a more permanent fix, but said that crews are currently working throughout the state and, “schedules can change based on priorities and need.”

Update: Seattle Police report that one man has been arrested at the scene of one of the four fires set. According to the SPD Blotter, the fires were set to a mattress, trees, shrubs, and a debris pile in four places along the Burke-Gilman.

“When officers arrived at one fire at NW 7th Street and 42nd Avenue NW, they saw a man–who was carrying a pair of nunchaku–running from the scene,” Seattle Police say. The man was also carrying a lighter, but police are investigating whether he played a role in the fires. Officers arrested him for carrying a dangerous weapon – the nunchaku – and booked him into King County Jail.

Original: Several fires were allegedly intentionally set overnight in a homeless camp along the Burke-Gilman Trail.

A series of fires hit Homeless Camps — including one overnight in Ballard. #KOMONews pic.twitter.com/DYlE9xOTFD

— Ryan Yamamoto (@YamsTV) July 25, 2017

The fires were set between NW 36th St and NW 42nd St just before midnight, causing some damage to properties. There were no injuries reported due to the fires.

Seattle Police are currently investigating; we’ll update with any new information.

Just one subdivision application makes up today’s development update from the City of Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) as posted in the Land Use Information Bulletin.

Applications:

1554 NW 60TH ST

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into five unit lots. The construction of residential units is under Project #6571854. This subdivision of property is only for the purpose of allowing sale or lease of the unit lots. Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots.

Comments may be submitted through 8/07/2017.

The Ballard Tool Library will host a free “Repair Cafe” on Thursday, July 27 at the Paul Teel Craft Room at the Ballard NW Senior Center (5429  32nd Ave NW) from 6 to 7:30 pm

The tool library volunteers will be on hand to help people fix, mend or repair items, and will have a range of tools for use. “Even if you just want to craft with like-minded folks, come see us!” the organizers say.

They’ll have the following tools on hand: sewing machines, eyeglass repair tools, computer repair tools, awl, needle/thread for hand-sewing, knitting needles, crochet hooks, hammer, voltmeter, screwdrivers, tapes and glues, hand drill, and more. 

Ballard’s Stoup Brewing has announced the opening of their new event space, located just above their tap room. Aptly named “Upstairs at Stoup”, the space looks westward with a deck over the existing beer garden.

“While we have always welcomed groups to carve out their own space among our regulars, it is really great to be able to offer a more intimate setting as well,” Stoup co-owner Lara Zahaba said in a statement about the opening.

The space will be large enough to accommodate up to 40 people seated, and 60-70 standing. Guests can choose four beers from the tap list, and outside catering is welcome. When not in use, the event space is open to the public Thursday to Sunday for 21+, but no dogs are allowed.

Events can be booked in four-hour increments on weeknights and through the weekend, and two-hour blocks are available from 9am to 4 pm weekdays for businesses looking to host off-site meetings.

More info and pricing can be found online. Inquiries can also be sent to events@stoupbrewing.com.

Photos by Will Foster

This weekend is full of outdoor theater in Salmon Bay Park, with children’s theater on Friday and Saturday and Backyard Bard on Sunday. If you have any events to add to the list, email us at tips@myballard.com.

Have a great weekend in Ballard!

Friday, July 21

• Free Theater in the Park at Salmon Bay Park, 6 – 7 pm. This summer’s show is Tales from the African Continent and features stories, games, and songs gathered from many countries and cultures.  Performing the Tanzanian Folk Tale: Two Ways to Count to Ten and from West Africa: Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears. Interactive storytelling allows children of all ages to participate by singing along to songs by famous Smithsonian Folkways artist, Ella Jenkins and join on stage to play the Liberian children’s game Who is in the Garden. $5 suggested donation.
• Live Music
  • Jazz at Egan’s Ballard Jam House (1707 NW Market St). Chris Chandler with John Elliott (piano/guitar/vocals), Christine Gunn (cello) and special guest Paul Benoit (guitar/vocals) at 7 p.m. Kelly Eisenhour (vocals), with John Hansen (piano), Jon Hamar (bass), Travis Ranney (sax) and Greg Williamson (drums) at 9pm. Tickets $10.
  • Motopony w/ General Mojo’s & Kelli Schaefer at Tractor Tavern (5213 Ballard Ave NW) at 9 p.m. Tickets $10.
  • Wolf Alice and Black Ferns at Sunset Tavern (5433 Ballard Ave NW) 9 pm. Tickets $15.
  • Jonathan Warren & The Billy Goats, and Chuck Westmoreland at Conor Byrne Pub (5140 Ballard Ave NW) 9pm. Tickets $8

Saturday, July 22

• Celebrate your pet at Ballard Commons Park, 11am-2pm. The culmination of Pet Week at Bartell Drugs, celebration your canine companion at a fun outing to the Ballard Commons Park (right across from our Ballard store near the library). Pet-themed giveaways and activities for those who come with their furry friend. Free and open to the public.
• Free Theater in the Park at Salmon Bay Park, 12 – 1 pm. This summer’s show is Tales from the African Continent and features stories, games, and songs gathered from many countries and cultures.  Performing the Tanzanian Folk Tale: Two Ways to Count to Ten and from West Africa: Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears. Interactive storytelling allows children of all ages to participate by singing along to songs by famous Smithsonian Folkways artist, Ella Jenkins and join on stage to play the Liberian children’s game Who is in the Garden. $5 suggested donation.
• Sunset Hill – Shilshole Gateway Workparty, 9 – 11am. Please join us for weeding in the 36th Ave NW median to keep clear sight lines at the intersections. Meet at the south end, just north of NW 60th St, to spruce it up in anticipation of the Night Out party coming up in early August. Please bring water, work gloves and any favorite weeding tools. We’ll provide safety vests, light refreshments and some tools.
• Live Music
  • Dream Police (Cheap Trick Tribute) with Jen Ayers and The Sweet Pickles at Tractor Tavern (5213 Ballard Ave NW) at 9 p.m. Tickets $10.

Sunday, July 23

• Ballard Farmers Market along Ballard Ave from 10am – 3pm. Click here to see this week’s specials.
• Backyard Bard at Salmon Bay Park. A Midsummer Night’s Dream at 3pm and Hamlet at 4:30pm. Bring a picnic blanket and enjoy the free outdoor theater performances by GreenStage.
• Sustainable Ballard Presents “(Dis)Honesty: The Truth About Lies” at Royal Drummer Cafe (6420 24th Ave NW) 5:30 – 7:30pm. Please join Meaningful Movies : Sustainable Ballard for a screening of “(Dis)Honesty: The Truth About Lies”. We invite you to arrive early to enjoy Happy Hour pricing of 25% off all items on Royal Drummer’s regular menu.
• Live Music
  • Drew Martin, Honey Mustard, and Beasley at Sunset Tavern (5433 Ballard Ave NW) 8 pm. Tickets $10.
  • Open mic at Conor Byrne Pub (5140 Ballard Ave NW) sign-up at 7:30 pm.

On August 10, Sunergy Systems (4546 Leary Way NW) is hosting a free educational solar workshop in Ballard.

Known as “Solar U”, the workshop will cover topics such as how solar works, and how it can help address our country’s energy issues. Participants will learn about how it can help increase a home’s resale value and about the new 2017 WA State Incentive Program, the 30% Federal Tax Credit and Net Metering available for solar customers.

The workshop is on Thursday, August 10 from 6 to 7:30 pm. Lite fare, refreshments, beer and wine will be available. Those wishing to attend are should pre-register online or call Clare Salsbury at 206-297-0086.

The People’s Pub, the German bar on Ballard Ave NW, is closing on August 12.

The pub opened back in 2000, known for their German fare with pretzels, fried pickles and wiener schnitzel. The owner’s reasons for closing are still unconfirmed, but the above Facebook user, S.s. Emerald, suggested it’s for financial reasons.

My Ballard has contacted the owners for comment. We’ll update with any new information.

With summer in full swing, we look back at what the warmer months looked like 100 years ago.

Carl Henry Moen in a barrel on a beach in Salmon Bay, circa 1910. According to MOHAI, “Carl Henry Moen was born in Seattle in 1892 to Norwegian immigrant parents. His family moved several times as he was growing up, but settled in Ballard when he was nine years old. He helped harvest and sell the produce, milk, and poultry his family raised, and also was a messenger for Western Union, dug clams, and worked for Bemis Bag Co. Eventually he left home and began a 30-year career as a sailor, crossing the Pacific Ocean over 200 times .”

Group listening to wax cylinder recordings on Ballard Beach, Seattle, ca. 1913. The group is shown on the beach listening to a machine playing wax cylinder recordings. Ed Moen is the boy at center; Jake Jacobson is also in the photo.

Glen Bigelow and Ed Moen on camping trip, ca. 1910. The Moen brothers often went camping just north of Ballard, in what was then undeveloped land.

All photos courtesy MOHAI

Most notable in today’s development update is a proposal for a four-story congregate residence containing 53 sleeping rooms and street level retail at 15th Ave NW and NW 59th St. The update is from the City of Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) as posted in the Land Use Information Bulletin.

Applications:

2028 NW 61ST ST

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into two unit lots. The construction of residential units is under Project #BN9509 dated 1961. This subdivision of property is only for the purpose of allowing sale or lease of the unit lots. Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots.

Comments may be submitted through 08/02/2017.

5419 BAKER AVE NW

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into four unit lots. The construction of residential units is under Project #6533944. This subdivision of property is only for the purpose of allowing sale or lease of the unit lots. Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots. Environmental review conducted under #3024094.

Comments may be submitted through 08/02/2017.

924 NW 51ST ST

Land Use Application to subdivide one parcel into two parcels of land. Proposed Parcel sizes are: A) 3,394 sq. ft. and B) 1,600 sq. ft. Existing structures to be demolished.

Comments may be submitted through 08/02/2017.

Notice of Administrative Design Review:

1501 NW 59TH ST

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The proposal is to allow a 4-story congregate residence containing 53 sleeping rooms and street level retail. Existing structures to be demolished. No parking proposed.

OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT

The Director will accept written comments to assist in the preparation of the early design guidancethrough August 2, 2017.  You are invited to offer comments regarding important site planning and design issues, which you believe, should be addressed in the design for this project.

Comments and requests to be made party of record should be submitted to PRC@seattle.gov or

City of Seattle – SDCI – PRC
700 5th Avenue, Suite 2000
PO Box 34019
Seattle, WA  98124-4019

PROCESS

Following the public comment period, the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) will issue a written Early Design Guidance report identifying the highest priority city-wide and neighborhood specific Design Guidelines applicable to the proposed design.  This report will also consider public comment provided to SDCI. A copy of the report will be sent to those who commented or requested to be made a party of record.

Following this early design guidance process, the applicant may apply for their land use permit.  An opportunity for public comment will be provided at that time.

MORE INFORMATION

This proposal may be viewed at our Design Review Program website. For more information regarding this application or the Design Review process, you may contact the Land Use Planner listed above, go to the Design Review Program website or visit our office at the address above.  (We are open from 8 am to 4 pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 10:30 am to 4 pm Tuesday and Thursday.)