Plaka Estiatorio

Plaka (Greek) PlakaBallard.com 5407 20th Avenue NW (map) 206-829-8934 AdventuresOfAHungryGirl.com: “It would be a great place for a family dinner, or for someone’s birthday.” [ratings]

Root Table

Root Table (Asian-fusion) RootTableRestaurant.com 2213 Market Street (map) (206) 420-3214 SeattleTimes.com: “It’s a lovely neighborhood restaurant for a relaxing meal, at a price point that won’t make you too tense …

Read more

More schools close over swine flu

Updated 8 p.m. Three Seattle schools have closed due to “probable” cases of swine flu linked to students: Madrona K-8, Stevens Elementary and Aki Kurose Middle School. There are now …

Read more

Neighbors: Church to vote on homeless shelter

The congregation of Our Redeemer’s Church is planning to vote on whether to allow a controversial SHARE homeless shelter move into Calvary Lutheran Church without sex offender background checks, several neighbors tell My Ballard. They said they were informed of the new development by Pastor Steve Grumm over the weekend while they were helping church staff spruce up the grounds around the vacant Calvary Lutheran building (below) in Loyal Heights. Neighbors say the congregation-only vote is scheduled for May 7th.

We spoke to Pastor Grumm this evening at home. “We’re not going to share any information,” Grumm said, explaining that the church had decided to stop talking with the media until they have an announcement in “a week to 10 days.” He refused to confirm a report posted a few hours earlier that quotes the church’s own spokesperson confirming the vote. “What the situation is today changes tomorrow,” he said. “Everything now is conjecture.” Grumm said the church is still “in the midst of a conversation” with neighbors….

Longtime Ballard pastor passes away

After battling lung cancer for more than a year, Reverend Malcolm Unseth of Ballard First Lutheran Church passed away last Saturday evening. Rev. Unseth, pictured here during the 2008 Blessing …

Read more

‘Dine out for Life’ in Ballard

A handful of Ballard restaurants are participating in the 16th annual “Dining Out For Life” event this Thursday. BalMar, Hattie’s Hat, King’s Hardware, Pasta Bella, Ballard Brothers Seafood and Burgers, …

Read more