My Ballard

At least two hundred cyclists rode up the middle of 15th, across the Ballard Bridge, down Market and all the way to Golden Gardens around 7 p.m. Friday evening. It’s all part of the Seattle Critical Mass — a monthly event that can leave many Seattle drivers confused and angry.

“A couple motorists tried pushing into the cyclists at Market & 24th, but a couple drivers with two tons of cars isn’t much of a match for hundreds of cyclists,” writes Michael, who sent us these photos.

Here’s the scene on 15th. “In the future, please have patience. It only happens once a month,” he writes. (Thanks for the photos Michael!)

To the delight of beachcombers, the lowest tides of the year will begin this Sunday and last for one week. On Wednesday at 11:48 a.m., the tide will be at its lowest point: -4.3 feet. In fact, Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists will be on hand at Golden Gardens Park on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and the following weekend. Click here for specific times.

“This vehicle owner pulled in to the java bean for some coffee while I was waiting for the bus,” writes OhNobody under this photo she posted on Flickr.

Lots going on in the neighborhood this weekend. Here’s a quick rundown…

On the events page:
-Ship Canal Cleanup: Saturday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
-Councilmember Larry Phillips’ salmon bake: Saturday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
-Concert to benefit NW Senior Center: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

On the music front:
Sunset Tavern
Friday: Juhu Beach, Mr Gnome, H is for Hellgate, Who the Hells
Saturday: The Crying Shame, The Curious Mystery, Diminished Men, Kevin Large (Widower)
Sunday: Elba, The Quit, Another Perfect Crime

High Dive
Friday: West Memphis 3 Benefit w/ Instant Winner, Death First, The Plankton Beat, Return Of The Bison, The Unspeakable Horror
Saturday: Upwell (CD Release), The Oswald Effect, Hollywood Lightweights
Sunday: Half Acre Day, Glenn Bell, The Pourlouders

Tractor Tavern
Friday: The Stairwell Sisters CD release show, The Tallboys
Saturday: The Wilders, Gallus Brothers
Sunday: Benefit for Eileen and Grant Dermody. Eileen is undergoing treatment for cancer, and the goal is to raise money for medical and living expenses. From 4pm to 7pm there will be an acoustic concert, from 8pm to 11 pm or so, an electric blow out will materialize.

Conor Byrne Pub
Friday: Cabin Kind, Dandelion Greens
Saturday: Blue Healers, Erik 4_A, and the Howlin’ Hounddogs
Sunday: Open Mic w/ Ricky

If you have an event coming up, or know of an event, drop us a line and we’ll add it to the events page: tips@myballard.com

So it’s been a little slow in the neighborhood over the last few days, which means it’s a good time to officially introduce the My Ballard forum. After a quick sign up, you can start conversations, ask for reader recommendations and even post free classifieds. We admit we ripped off the idea from our friends over on the West Seattle Blog (check out their thriving forum here), but that’s what friends are for, right?

Please let us know if you have any suggestions or find any bugs.

You may have heard helicopters buzzing the neighborhood this afternoon. King-TV sent its “Skyking” to check out some police activity at the 9000 block of 4th Ave NW. According to the Times, police responded to a home earlier this morning after reports that a man was acting strangely and barricaded himself in his home. Later police informed the media that two boys ages 11 and 13 were inside the house with the man. Just before 1 o’clock this afternoon the man surrendered to police. SPD doesn’t believe the man threatened the children.

What used to be Collective on Ballard Avenue, is now an upscale women’s boutique called Dolce Vita. The place has been repainted, they’ve added a chandelier or two and put up a wall between the front half of the space and the back half of the space so it seems smaller. The shop just opened last Saturday and it still has that new paint smell. Dolce Vita has three other locations around the country - New York City, Los Angeles and Santa Monica. According to their website, they’re targeting “the young, the restless and the glamorous.”

On May 29, 1907 at about 3:45 p.m., the city of Ballard was annexed into the city of Seattle because the water smelled like a dead horse. Citizens then weren’t happy with their new status, and 101 years later Ballardites are still miffed. Thursday is “Free Ballard Day.” Last year (on the 100th anniversary) there was an anti-celebration and gathering at the old city hall, and people were encouraged to wear black. This year, Archie McPhee is remembering the day by giving away a free gift to anyone who comes in and tells the cashier the secret word. While we can’t tell you what the secret word is, this photo might help. Happy Free Ballard Day!

Work will begin as early as next month on Ballard Corners Park, the plot of land at 62nd and 17th, reports the Ballard News Tribune. The plan is to design an entry way that will resemble Boudin’s Grocery store, which operated on the site until the 1950s (right side of the plan below). At the other end, a bench and concrete easy chair will form an outdoor living room of sorts.

The park will also have a community garden and a children’s play area.

Vandals hit both Habitude and the Ballard Mail & Dispatch late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, according to police reports. At the salon, a rock shattered the window, causing $500 in damage. And a window at Mail & Dispatch was left with a one-foot hole. No word on suspects.

So where does the owner of Canlis, one of Seattle’s most romantic restaurants, go to propose to his girlfriend? Zak’s, right here in Ballard. Brian Canlis surprised his girlfriend by dropping to one knee at their favorite burger place, surrounded by 400 candles, writes Girl About Town.

According to the sign in the window, “Hamburger Harry’s” is moving into the restaurant that was formerly Sea Breeze, on Market Ave. near 24th.

It’s a prime location, that’s for sure, but there’s plenty of burger competition around Ballard. So we’ll just have to wait and see…

Update: Ballard Gossip Girl says she saw lots of menus from other burger joints on the table inside. “It looks like they’re also trying to figure out menus or pricing,” she says. “I’m also really curious about the concept based on their graphics — casual dining with tuxedo-level burgers.” Hmmm.