My Ballard » events

Big evening for Sounders fans in Ballard

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:24:00 +0000

The Sounders FC owner, coach, several players and band all came out to the neighborhood Thursday for two separate events.

Goalie Kasey Keller was quite the draw at the Sutter Home and Hearth grand opening party in their new location at 920 NW Leary Way.

Sound Wave performed for the crowd of about 100 or so.

And the grill masters grilled free burgers and hot dogs.

The event was a fundraiser for the Ballard Food Bank. The bins quickly filled up with donations from the community.

On the other side of town, Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer, coach Sigi Schmid and midfielders Brad Evans and Steve Zakuani – along with their two U.S. Open Cups – were at the Market Arms where about 100 fans showed up for some Q & A. The event was a fundraiser for America SCORES Seattle.

(Thanks @carlman03 for the photo from Market Arms!)

Photos from ‘Night Out’ block parties in Ballard

Geeky Swedes — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 04:10:49 +0000

We snapped a few photos of “Night Out Against Crime” block parties near our home in Ballard, but please send us your pics! Email us at tips@myballard.com or tweet us at @myballard and we’ll include a few of ‘em here.

Some block parties we’re lucky enough to get a visit from Ladder 8, like this one along 9th Ave near 70th.

Kids had a blast on the closed-down streets.

A group shot with Ladder 5 in Loyal Heights at 77th & 26th.

Frank and the Big Shots played at a Night Out party in Loyal Heights.

You couldn’t miss the big bouncy house in the middle of 14th Ave!

Here’s the block party at the 8500 block of 10th Avenue NW.

Having fun with the dogs and neighbors on Crown Hill.

The photo above and two below are from 80th and Earl ave. NW

A couple of young neighbors discussing their chalk art. 12th Ave, Crown Hill Night Out 2011 festivities.

More photos coming as you send them…

A few tasty salmon secrets at SeafoodFest

Geeky Swedes — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 17:18:43 +0000

If you’re headed to the Ballard SeafoodFest today (Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.), you can’t miss the salmon — from the annual salmon BBQ ($10) to a salmon fundraiser, selling whole fish for just $3 a pound.

The annual BBQ is a tradition that draws long lines with a delicious alder-fired recipe that hasn’t changed in decades. This is Warren Aakervik’s 35th year overseeing the BBQ, carefully monitoring the custom-built metal cookers to ensure the salmon is cooked just right. Also helping are Doug Dixon and Cam Hardy with others from Ballard Oil, Pacific Fishermen, Camco Electric and the Ballard High School Football team.

“The salmon is beautiful this year,” Aakervik told us. “The best part about it is we’re slightly behind. And when you’re slightly behind, the quality of the fish is much better.” Aakervik said the secret is to wait until the line gets longer, so the cooks are pulling fish straight off the BBQ to the plate without any delay. “It’s good, hot, moist and juicy, and just done. It’s the best.”

There’s another salmon secret down Market St. in front of the Pho Big Bowl restaurant. Since 2001, Bob and Janet Jones have been selling whole salmon (minus the head and insides) for just $3 a pound. They’re hoping raise $12,000 for charities in Italy, where they spent many years as missionaries.

For both the salmon BBQ and the fundraiser, a generous Trident Seafoods provides the fresh fish — donating 2,000 pounds for the BBQ and 6,000 pounds (at a steep discount) for the Jones family. So head on down, enjoy a great salmon BBQ and take home a fish for the freezer.

Earlier at SeafoodFest: “The Devastator” wins the lutefisk-eating contest

Scenes from the ‘Twilight Crit’ in Old Ballard

Geeky Swedes — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 23:06:29 +0000

If you ventured into Old Ballard last night, you discovered Ballard Ave. transformed into the Second Ascent Twilight Criterium, one of Seattle’s most thrilling bicycle races. Ballard videographer Keith Bubach videotaped the event and put together this video clip for My Ballard:

The weekend events calendar

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:00:19 +0000

It’s another busy weekend in Ballard and it appears the sun might take a break. Here’s a look at the weekend events:

Starting Friday morning and running through the weekend is the Sperry Topsider NOOD Regatta at Shilshole. Expect heavy traffic around the area, including at Golden Gardens. Here’s a list of events (.pdf.)

On Friday at 6 p.m., Ballard First Lutheran Childcare (2006 NW 65th Street) is holding their annual Fundraising Auction & Dinner in the church’s lower social hall. There will be a pasta dinner, games for the kids, and great auction items

Friday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. is the Kids Helping Kids Music & Movie Night at Sunset Hill Community Club. Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew of the Presidents of the United States) will be performing and they’ll show classic movie shorts. Tickets are $15 (call 206-902-4229) for kids and adults (kids under 2 are free). The evening raises money and awareness to help homeless children in King County.

Saturday evening at 7:30 is a concert at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ (6512 12th Ave NW) featuring Chris Davis, piano; and June Mendoza, Ev Merrienne, and Becky Peterson voice. They will offer selections from Pippin, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, and Cabaret; as well as classical works by Handel, Puccini, and Rachmaninoff. An offering will be taken to support the church music program

Adult story time with Cat Valente at Secret Garden Books (2214 NW Market St) is at 1 p.m. on Sunday. She will be reading from her book, “The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making.”

The Market Street Singers will perform choral music at Ballard First Lutheran Church (2006 NW 65th St). Donations will be taken, a portion of which will be donated to earthquake and tsunami relief in Japan.

Mostly Nordic Chamber Music Series and Smörgåsbord – Finland at The Nordic Heritage Museum (3014 NW 67th St) at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Sunday evening from 7 to 9 at Aster Coffee (5615 24th Ave NW) is the Ballard Sailors: Pirate Movie Night Fundraiser to benefit the Salish Sea Trading Cooperative, a Ballard non-profit and CSA. Donations will go to replace Soliton’s headsail.

For more live music, check out the calendars for Tractor Tavern, Sunset Tavern, Picolinos, Conor Byrne and Egan’s Ballard Jam House. As always, check out our events calendar.

Click here to add a Ballard community event to our events calendar.

The weekend events calendar

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 13 May 2011 21:00:55 +0000

Traffic note: The Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. When the road re-opens on Monday, both directions will be reduced from three lanes to two between the stadiums and the West Seattle Bridge.

Here’s a look at some of the events going on around Ballard this weekend:

Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to noon is a Bergen Place Work Party (5420 22nd Ave NW)

Golden Gardens Park will host its monthly Golden Gardens Reforestation and Trails (GGREAT) work party at the off-leash dog area and upper parking lot outside the restrooms at Golden Gardens on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Click here for more information.

The Ballard NW Senior Center (5429 32nd Ave NW) is hosting a pancake breakfast fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday. $5 for adults, $3 for kids. Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, ham, OJ, coffee and tee.

The Crown Hill Neighbors Annual meeting and Emergency Preparedness Workshop is Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Get an update on the renovation of the former Crown Hill School building, construction of the new Crown Hill Park, paving of NW 85th St, tree walks and Hood Hunt.

Saturday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. is the monthly Ballard ArtWalk. During the walk, ‘Root. Integrative Health’ (2026 NW Market) will be holding a fundraiser for Direct Relief International. The event features live music, art, tapas and wine.

The Brothers Four 50th anniversary concert is Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Ballard High School auditorium. Tickets start at $50 (available here). Proceeds benefit the BHS music department.

For more live music, check out the calendars for Tractor Tavern, Sunset Tavern, Picolinos, Conor Byrne and Egan’s Ballard Jam House. As always, check out our events calendar.

Click here to add a Ballard community event to our events calendar.

The weekend events calendar

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:27:34 +0000

It’s all about Easter Eggs and music this weekend in Ballard.

Here’s a look at the weekend events:

Friday evening is the 8th annual Ballard Jazz Walk. For venues and more information, click here.

Saturday morning at 10 a.m. is the spring egg hunt at both Ballard Community Center (6020 28th Ave NW) and Loyal Heights Community Center (2101 NW 77th St). Rain or shine, kids aged 2-10 scramble for goodies in age appropriate hunt areas. Please bring a bag or basket for collecting. They will also be collecting non-perishable food donations for the food bank.

Saturday is the Swedish Pancake Jazz Brunch at the Nordic Heritage Museum (3014 NW 67th St). There will be two seatings, at 10:30 a.m. and noon. Tickets include jazz vocalist Gail Pettis and all-you-can-eat Swedish pancakes. This is a fundraiser for the museum. More information available here.

Saturday evening at 7:30 wraps up the Ballard Jazz Festival with the mainstage concert at the Nordic Heritage Museum (3014 NW 67th St). More information can be found here.

Sunday afternoon at one o’clock is the Salmon Bay Eagles Easter Egg Hunt at Salmon Bay Park (map here). The annual event is open to kids younger than 13.

For more live music, check out the calendars for Tractor Tavern, Sunset Tavern, Picolinos, Conor Byrne and Egan’s Ballard Jam House. As always, check out our events calendar.

Click here to add a Ballard community event to our events calendar.

The weekend events calendar

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 20:52:20 +0000

The events are starting to pile up for the weekends, a sign that spring is (supposed to be) here.

Photo of the art created by St. Alphonsus students courtesy Dawn Hemminger.
Here is a look at what’s happening in Ballard this weekend:

The Ballard Preschool Co-op’s Gently Used Kids Gear Sale and Plant Sale is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Phinney Neighborhood Center (6532 Phinney Ave N, Community Hall, Lower Brick Building). At noon, many items are marked down 50-percent.

Saturday at 10 a.m. is the biannual Adopt A Street Cleanup on 14th Ave NW. Volunteers will be cleaning up the street and taking care of the planters in the medians. At 11 a.m. students from St. Alphonsus school will be installing art in the planters. “This will be a rain or shine event, so come dressed for the weather!” Dawn Hemminger writes in the MyBallard events section. “Food and drink donated by the Ballard Market will be on hand!” Sign in at Blowing Sands Glass (5805 14th Ave NW)

Saturday is 18th annual April Pool’s Day at the Ballard Pool (1471 NW 67th St.) From 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Learn hands-on water safety in and out of the water. Activities may include practicing wearing and using life jackets, learning about hypothermia, taking a boat ride, practicing reaching and throwing rescues, and learning about CPR. Participants can enter a drawing for a free life jacket, as well as other prizes.

The Third Annual Seattle Empty Bowls fundraiser is Saturday at 4 p.m. This year the event will take place at the Nordic Heritage Museum (3014 NW 67th St.). “Buy a unique handcrafted bowl for a minimum donation of $15 get it filled with soup and bread, listen to music while dining with your neighbors!” according to the events listing. All proceeds benefit the Ballard Food Bank.

Saturday evening is the RE Store’s Trash Fashion Show. Trash fashions will hit the catwalk for one all-ages shows at 7 p.m. and 21+ show at 9:30 p.m. at the New York Fashion Academy (5201 Ballard Ave. N.W.) Doors open 30 minutes before the show. Tickets are $15 for general seating, $25 for VIP seating. More information can be found here

Sunday at 4 p.m. is the Mostly Nordic Chamber Music Series and Smörgåsbord at the Nordic Heritage Museum (3014 NW 67th St.) This month’s music is from Iceland: “Floating in the Blue Lagoon” Melkorka Olafsdottir, Icelandic flutist; and Lisa Bergman, pianist. “Featuring an exotic sampling of Icelandic and international flute repertoire,” the museum’s website states. Tickets are $40 for members, $45 for non-members.

For live music, check out the calendars for Tractor Tavern, Sunset Tavern, Picolinos, Conor Byrne and Egan’s Ballard Jam House. As always, check out our events calendar.

Click here to add a Ballard community event to our events calendar.

Scenes from ‘Norwegian Heritage Day’

Geeky Swedes — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 18:40:13 +0000

The Leif Erikson Lodge here in Ballard hosted its annual Norwegian Heritage Day event on Saturday, complete with traditional food, dance, music and costumes. Earlier in the day, runners and walkers alike participated in the “Leif to Leif” race, from Ballard to Shilshole Marina and back.

Jody Grage, known as “the bunad lady,” led the parade of Norwegian costumes at the Lodge. She offered a historical perspective for each bunad on stage.

This little girl kept the audience entertained.

One of the big attractions is the authentic Scandinavian food, including krumkake (seen here), lefse, lapskaus and pickled herring.

There was as a raffle for prizes like (what else) 15 pounds of cod and gourmet Norseland lefse. Here, one lucky lady won the $100 grand prize.

The event also featured arts, crafts and other goodies, like this table from Scandinavian Specialties, the shop on 15th Ave.

Adams Choir to serenade shoppers

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 01:35:44 +0000

Ballard Market (1400 NW 56th St) is holding a holiday open house this evening from 5 to 9 p.m. and the Adams Choir kids have been invited to sing. The group will be serenading shoppers from 6:15 p.m. until about 7 p.m.

The weekend events calendar

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:58:08 +0000

The holidays are just about upon us and there are quite a few holiday and non-holiday-related events going on this weekend:

A performance during Yulefest 2008

The Nordic Heritage Museum (3014 NW 67th St) kicks off the holiday season with Yulefest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The Ballard Senior Center (5429 32nd Ave NW) is hosting a holiday bazaar on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There is a Pancake Breakfast and Fair Trade Fair at Salmon Bay School (1810 NW 65th St) on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Learn about green remodeling at a presentation Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Loyal Heights Community Center (2101 NW 77th St.) You could win $100 gift certificate to the Re-Store (1440 NW 52nd St.)

The Reindeer Festival is underway at Swansons Nursery (9701 15th Ave NW). See Santa, Dasher and Blitzen. Get your picture taken with the jolly man or with Jingle, a tame, lesser-known reindeer. Curley, the curious Camel and Moe the miniature donkey are also there.

Celebrate the Norwegian holiday spirit with your children and grandchildren by baking cookies, eating lapskaus (stew) and making Christmas crafts on Sunday at Leif Erikson Hall (2245 N.W. 57th St.) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $10 for adults, free for children.

For live music, check out the calendars for Tractor Tavern, Sunset Tavern, Picolinos, Conor Byrne and Egan’s Ballard Jam House. As always, check out our events calendar.

Click here to add a Ballard community event to our events calendar.

The weekend events calendar

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:36:02 +0000

It’s supposed to be a beautiful, crisp fall weekend. Here are some things going on around the neighborhood.

The first Friends Webster Park cleanup will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday morning at 3025 NW 68th St. Volunteer to pull weeds, sweep the play area or haul and spread mulch. Tools will be provided, but feel free to bring your favorite weeding tool or broom.

The Market Street Singers rummage sale is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (5710 22nd Avenue NW.)

The East Ballard Community Association is hosting the biannual cleanup of 14th Ave NW from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Along with tidying up the area, they will also be doing a little gardening in the planters. Meet at Blowing Sands Glass (5805 14th Ave NW) for coffee and breakfast snacks. Ballard Market will be providing lunch.

For live music, check out the calendars for Tractor Tavern, Sunset Tavern, Picolinos, Conor Byrne and Egan’s Ballard Jam House. As always, check out our events calendar.

Click here to add a Ballard community event to our events calendar.

Work parties highlight Sustainable Ballard Fest

Geeky Swedes — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 05:03:14 +0000

Sustainable Ballard held its annual festival Sunday with a different approach than previous years. Held on 10/10/10 to synchronize with the Global Work Party organized by the climate-change group 350.org, Sustainable Ballard emphasized work parties over its traditional festival at Ballard Commons Park.

On Sunset Hill, a group learned how to assemble storm windows while building a few for the Sunset Hill Community Association’s clubhouse.

At Ballard Commons Park, groups learned how to make a solar cooker and repair a bicycle.

Photo courtesy Jenny Heins of Sustainable Ballard.
Over at Golden Gardens, a group helped with native habitat restoration. At the Ballard Community Center, another work party put together worm bins and learned about composting. In all, Sustainable Ballard organized 10 work parties out of 30 held in Seattle.

“We really like the mission of 350.org ,the idea of doing action as well as education this year, and we wanted to emphasize the community aspect of Sustainable Ballard,” said Jenny Heins, Sustainable Ballard’s president.

The traditional event at Ballard Commons — normally held in September — was scaled back compared to previous years, and the rain kept the crowds away. “We may go back to a little earlier in the year next year, but the community action day has been really successful,” Heins said. “A lot of people missed the educational booths and the more active festival in the park, so somehow we need to figure out how to combine the two.”

You can see photos of work parties held across the globe on 350.org.

The weekend events calendar

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 20:25:56 +0000

Here’s a look at what’s going on around Ballard this weekend:

Saturday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. is the Crown Hill Landmark Tree Walk. Starts at the corner of 13th Ave NW and NW 95th St. Arthur Lee Jacobson, author of Trees of Seattle, will guide the walk.

The Seattle Bicycle Music Festival will be at Bergen Place Park from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Listen to pedal-powered music by Leaf Colors and Ethan J. Perry.

Saturday is the Olympic Manor garage sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Olympic Manor, entrances at: NW 85th & 23rd NW; 15th NW at NW 90th; 24th NW at NW 90th.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, EarthCorps and the Green Seattle Partnership will spend the day at Golden Gardens Park on the National Day of Service & Remembrance. The group will be performing maintenance on past restoration sites and removing invasive plant species such as English ivy.

Saturday evening is Ballard’s Second Saturday ArtWalk from 6 to 9 p.m.

On Saturday evening, The Market Street Singers will perform at Ballard First Lutheran Church (2006 NW 65th) from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., celebrate the opening of the new Ballard Food Bank at their community open house. (5130 Leary Ave NW).

For live music, check out the calendars for Tractor Tavern, Sunset Tavern, Picolinos, Conor Byrne and Egan’s Ballard Jam House. As always, check out our events calendar.

Click here to add a Ballard community event to our events calendar.

Scenes from Art at the Garden

Geeky Swedes — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 00:11:44 +0000

In its tenth year, the Art in the Garden Festival drew a steady crowd to the Ballard P-Patch in beautiful weather today.

Folks enjoyed the tranquil garden, fresh baked goods and refreshments

As well as displays from many talented local artists.

And beautiful flowers, of course.

Kids could paint their own designs on small wooden garden signs.

And many musical acts kept everyone entertained all day. The event continues until 7 p.m. at the P-Patch off 85th St. at 25th Ave. NW.

Grand entrance at the Pig & Pipes fundraiser

Geeky Swedes — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:47:37 +0000

The 3rd Annual Pig & Pipes fundraiser kicked off in style at The Old Pequliar this afternoon as the guys with the bagpipes and drums made a grand entrance.

The Pipes and Drum team is playing throughout the afternoon (until 6 p.m.) at The Old Pequliar on Market Street. Tickets are $25 at the door.

Proceeds of today’s fundraiser benefit Seattle Firefighter’s Pipes & Drums in association with Seattle’s Bravest Charity, which was created after the 1995 fire deaths of four Seattle Firefighters at the Pang Warehouse Arson.

The weekend events calendar

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:33:52 +0000

Here’s a look at what’s going on around Ballard this weekend.

The 10th Annual Art in the Garden Festival at the Ballard P-Patch (8527 25th Ave NW) on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Two dozen local artists will have tables set up among the dahlias, sunflowers and ripening tomatoes. There will be live music and a bake sale.

The 3rd Annual Pig & Pipes fundraiser is Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. at The Old Pequliar (1722 NW Market St). Proceeds benefit Seattle Firefighter’s Pipes & Drums in association with Seattle’s Bravest Charity. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. (This is a 21+ event).

Music and children’s theater at the Locks this weekend. On Saturday, the Microsoft Jazz Band will play a free concert from 2 to 4 p.m. followed by a free theatrical performance: Wonderland- A Children’s Theater event at 5 p.m. The 85th Street Big Band will play on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. with another Children’s Theater event at 5 p.m.

Thai Siam (8305 15th Ave NW) hosts its 23rd annual benefit dinner from noon until 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. Over the years they’ve raised $220,000 for charity.

For live music, check out the calendars for Tractor Tavern, Sunset Tavern, Picolinos, Conor Byrne and Egan’s Ballard Jam House. As always, check out our events calendar.

Curious about what’s going on all over north Seattle this weekend? Sign up for our weekly events newsletter.

Click here to add a community event to our events calendar.

Final Kirke Park design revealed at movie night

Geeky Swedes — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 17:18:47 +0000

About 100 neighbors in Whittier Heights gathered in Kirke Park on 9th Ave. NW and 70th St. last night to snack on popcorn and watch the movie “Up.” They also perused the final landscape design for the property.

The design (below) features a p-patch, a secret garden (those concrete walls will be lowered to 3-feet high), a small orchard, a narrow “skatedot” for skateboarders, a play area for the kids, and an adventure trail with small climbing boulders along the back fence. The biggest change from the previous design is the gathering area in middle, which now mirrors the layout of a home, from a “front porch” entrance to a “back porch” area with picnic tables.

(Click the image to see full screen).

Representatives from SiteWorkshop, the landscape design firm, answered questions from neighbors and provided a timeline for what happens next: construction plans in November, then the project goes out to bid, and construction will begin in February. “The new park as you see on the board there will be ready for next year’s movie night, sometime in the early summer,” said Clayton Beaudoin, a landscape designer.

There have been three community meetings leading up to the design, which is “pretty final,” we’re told — although the designers said they’re still entertaining ideas and feedback from the community. You can contact Friends of 9th Ave Park at ninthavenwpark@gmail.com.

Scenes from Summer Streets on Greenwood Ave.

Geeky Swedes — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 16:53:58 +0000

Much of Greenwood Ave. was closed to cars last night for “Summer Streets.”

Thousands of people came the neighborhood for a stroll down Greenwood Avenue, timed with the monthly Art Walk. Our sister site PhinneyWood took lots of photos and video of the event.

‘Kidical Mass’ heading to the Tour de Fat

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:06:00 +0000

Kidical Mass, the family-friendly, law-abiding bike ride, will be celebrating the two-wheeled mode of transportation in a ride from Ballard to Gas Works Park on Saturday.

The ride will take off from Ballard Commons Park (5701 22nd Ave. NW) at 9 a.m. (sharp), head to Fremont to take part in the 3-mile New Belgium Tour de Fat bike parade which finishes up at Gas Works for the family-friendly Tour de Fat event.

“Bring your freak bikes, your kids, and a fly outfit or costume. The Tour de Fat looks to be a lot of fun, and we’ll arrive in time for their 10am bike parade, which is ‘a costumed celebration of human-powered transportation,’” the Totcycle website states. To save yourself some time, Kidical Mass organizers encourage participants to print out the parade registration form (.pdf) and drop it off when you get to Fremont. (Photo courtesy Julian Davies.)

Viking Days at Nordic Heritage Museum

Geeky Swedes — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 04:53:11 +0000

One of Ballard’s favorite annual events is underway at the Nordic Heritage Museum all weekend, featuring Viking reenactments, Scandinavian food, crafts, historic exhibits, live music and a beer garden.

We shot a short video tour of Viking Days on Saturday afternoon, starting off with Einar Tapio playing to a happy crowd in the beer garden, with Odin Brewing and Carlsberg on tap. The video ends with the Folk Voice Band.

We toured the Viking encampment, and watched the preparation of the traditional Danish pancakes, æbleskiver. There’s also Finnish sima, Icelandic vinarterta, Norwegian lefse, and Swedish meatballs (our personal favorite). Folks enjoyed a salmon dinner on Saturday night, and head on down Sunday morning for the Swedish pancake breakfast, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There are plenty of crafts and Scandinavian-inspired jewelry, as well.

Don’t forget the raffle — $2 a ticket benefits the museum, and prizes include two roundtrip tickets anywhere in Scandinavia. Vikings Days runs to 6 p.m. on Sunday. More details here.

The weekend events calendar

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:30:49 +0000

Here is a look at what’s going on around Ballard this weekend. And if you’d like upcoming events every week in your email — from Ballard and surrounding neighborhoods — sign up right here.

A Ballard tradition: Viking Days is this weekend.

From 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday evening, Friends of 9th Ave NW Park will be holding a work party at the new park on 9th between NW 70th & NW 73rd. Tools, water, and something to eat will be provided.

On Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, there will be a dedication ceremony for the new sculpture at the Salmon Bay Natural Area (NW 54th St @ 34th Ave NW, next to The Canal.)

Viking Days at the Nordic Heritage Museum (3014 NW 67th St.) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, enjoy free music at the Locks by Dukes and Diva from 2 to 4 p.m.

On 2 p.m. on Sunday there will be a plaque dedication at the Leif Erikson statue at Shilshole Bay Marina. The ceremony is to officially introduce the plaques, with nearly 1700 names of Scandinavian immigrant names to the families. More information can be found here.

The Coal Creek Jazz Band will perform at the Locks from 2 to 3:30 Sunday afternoon.

For live music, check out the calendars for Tractor Tavern, Sunset Tavern, Picolinos, Conor Byrne and Egan’s Ballard Jam House. As always, check out our events calendar. And if you have an event to add, just email us at tips@myballard.com.

Scenes from SeafoodFest 2010

Geeky Swedes — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 21:05:19 +0000

The 36th Annual SeafoodFest, moved a little earlier this year, attracted thousands of people to Central Ballard in beautiful weather.

The theme this year: “May the Norse be with you.”

Like every year, Stan Boreson, the King of Scandihoovian humor, kicked things off on Saturday morning. Stan and his wife own a tour company, and recently they stayed in a fancy hotel in New York City. Says Stan, “The pillows were so fluffy I could barely close my suitcase!” (Thanks, Silver for the photo!)

The big attraction, of course, is the seafood. Warren Aakervik, owner of Ballard Oil, oversaw the traditional salmon BBQ — his 34th year at SeaFood Fest. “The recipe is exactly the same it’s been for years,” he said. This year, members of the Ballard High Football Team helped at the cookers. “Maybe there will be a year in which I can just sit over there, shout orders, and watch,” Warren jokes.

With lutefisk sales on a steady decline, the lutefisk eating contest “may be the biggest simulus package lutefisk producers see all year,” says the SeafoodFest program. We covered the event right here.

On the main stage, musical acts like Portland-based Derby (above) and local favorite The Maldives entertained the crowd.

A brand new KidsZone featured a climbing wall, inflatable slides and a bouncy room, not to mention puppets and marionettes on the Family Stage.

SeafoodFest runs until 7 p.m. on Sunday. (Full disclosure: The Seafood Fest is run by the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, of which My Ballard is a member.)

Your guide to fireworks and zombies

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 22:07:41 +0000

If you’re planning to head over to Gas Works Park this Sunday to watch the fireworks show, then we recommend reading My Wallingford’s fireworks guide featuring the schedule, parking, road closures and other events in the area.

Updated: Meanwhile, thousands of zombies took over Fremont on Saturday evening in an attempt to reclaim a world record.

“A lot of people have been watching a lot of zombie movies, because they were all kinds of convincing,” says Athima with Fremont Universe, who snapped a ton of photos here. No official word yet on whether the record was broken.

Scenes from Greenwood Car Show, Outdoor Movies

Geeky Swedes — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 20:06:36 +0000

Thousands of people flocked to Greenwood this weekend for the annual car show, featuring hundreds of vehicles along a long stretch of Greenwood Ave.

PhinneyWood was there and snapped lots of photos here.

And over in Fremont, it was the opening night of Fremont Outdoor Movies. A big crowd came to watch “Twilight” and see two of the vampires in the movie, Nikki Reed and Elizabeth Reaser. Fremont Universe was there and posted this story.

The weekend events calendar

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:22:39 +0000

Here is a look at the weekend events around the area — and you can also receive a preview of weekend events in your email by signing up here.

Students from St. Alphonsus Parish School show off their artwork that will be on display during Saturday’s Edible Garden Tour.

Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., St. Paul’s UCC Church (6512 12th Ave NW) is hosting a pancake breakfast.

Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. is a community meeting for the North Beach Basin Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO). The ession will focus on the science and engineering behind the county’s proposed alternatives to build CSO control facilities in the North Beach neighborhood. The meeting will be held at the Loyal Heights Community Center. More information can be found here.

The East Ballard Community Association, Groundswell NW and Sustainable Ballard are hosting a self guided walking/biking tour of edible gardens in East Ballard. Cost is $10 per person. Pick up your map and pay the fee at the St. Alphonsus School parking lot.

Ballard authors Kerry Colburn and Rob Sorensen will give parents tips from their new book “How to Have Your Second Child First” at the Ballard Library (5614 22nd Ave NW) at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. the Eastside Modern Jazz Orchestra will perform on Saturday at the Ballard Locks. On Sunday, the Microsoft Orchestra will perform from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Both performances are free.

Nearby: The Greenwood Car Show is Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Greenwood Ave N. From 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Greenwood Ave N from N 65th St to N 90th St will be closed. Cross streets will be closed, except for N 80th and N 85th streets which will remain open.

Traffic Alert: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon is Saturday from Tukwila to north Seattle. According to the Seattle Department of Transportation, “Both directions of Highway 99 from Diagonal Avenue S. to N 39th Street will be closed at 5:30 a.m. The southbound lanes should re-open by 1:15 p.m. and SR 99/Aurora Avenue N from the viaduct to N 39th Street will open at 2 p.m. (one northbound lane will be open for local traffic between Roy Street and Queen Anne Drive). The northbound lanes of the SR 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct will re-open by 4 p.m.”

Library activities to keep teens busy this summer

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:15:58 +0000

The Ballard Library (5614 22nd Ave. N.W.) has put together several activities to keep teens busy this summer. Jesten Ray and Lynn Miller, the Teen Librarians at the library, sent us the following information:

Friday, July 2 at 3 p.m. – Zinery 101 for Teens: A zine is a self-published magazine. Learn the basics and make your own zine with Lucy Morehouse of Ong Ong Press. For ages 12-18. Limited to 20 teens. Please register with the branch. 684.4089 (ext 3)

Wednesday, July 7 at 3 p.m. – Hands-on Henna Workshop for Teens: Become a henna artist! Artist Krysteen Lomonaco shows you how to design and then apply a temporary henna tattoo on yourself. For ages 12-18. Limited to 12 teens. Please register with the branch. 684.4089 (ext 3)

Friday, July 30 at 3 p.m. – Robot Challenge for Teens: Explore the world of robotics with educators from the Pacific Science Center! Analyze the features of robots, then program one to maneuver through a simulated hostile environment. Compete in teams against others to be the robot champion. For ages 12-18.

The weekend events calendar

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:23:40 +0000

Here is a look at what’s going on around Ballard this weekend. And if you’d like upcoming events every week in your email — from Ballard and surrounding neighborhoods — sign up right here.

The Ballard Senior Center Rummage Sale (5429 32nd Ave NW) is Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Whittier Heights neighborhood garage sale is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Here is a map of the participating homes.

The Ballard Corners Park work party is Saturday at 9 a.m. at 17th Ave NW & NW 63rd St. If you’ve got’em, please bring bring gloves, weeding tools, a pitchfork, a wheel barrow, and buckets/containers for collecting weeds and trash.

The Second Ascent Twilight Criterium is Saturday in Old Ballard. Six races in all, the first starts at 3:30 p.m. The men’s pro race starts at 7:30.

Performances by the Market Street Singers: ‘Hits of the ’60s (1360s, 1460s, 1560s…)’ are Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 3:00pm at the Ballard First Lutheran Church (NW 65th & 20th NW).

The 21st annual summer concerts kick off this weekend at the Ballard Locks. On Saturday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. the Boeing Employees Concert Band will perform. On Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. the Cascadia Jazz Band will perform.

Sunday is the Parade of classic Ballard homes starting at 10 a.m. This is a fundraiser for the Ballard Historical Society. Tickets and a tour brochure will be available beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Sunset Hill Green Market (6405 32nd Ave NW).

Scenes from the first annual BURP

Geeky Swedes — Sun, 02 May 2010 05:21:42 +0000

Hundreds of people attended the first-ever Ballard Urban Picnic, or BURP, at Ballard Commons Park on Saturday.

Organized by the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, the event featured live bands, many of Seattle’s most popular mobile food vendors, games for the kids and an outdoor movie. And Dutch Bike Company’s conference bike, of course.

“We really wanted something to use this great park we have,” explained the executive director of the chamber, Beth Miller. “We decided to have the mobile food vendors, much like the Mobile Chowdown, and bring them here to Ballard and surround the park.”

The vendors were the highlight of the event, including Skillet, Anita’s Crepes (above), Veraci Pizza, Cupcake Royale, Parfait and Dante’s Inferno Dogs. Maritime Pacific Brewing Company powered the beer garden, with proceeds going to the Ballard Food Bank.

Miller says Dante “called his friends” and helped bring in the vendors, and the long lines were proof they were a big hit.

Kids played with sidewalk chalk, an inflatable slide and a big bouncy room.

“I definitely think the event will happen again,” Miller said, adding that they’re hoping to bring in even more mobile food vendors next year. The weather brought a few raindrops a few times during the event, and she said they’re considering moving the timing from early May to August.

As night began to fall, attendees were treated to an outdoor movie on a big inflatable screen. It was none other than Disney’s Up, a movie that plays a close parallel to Ballard’s own legend, Edith Macefield.

Scenes from the Ballard Jazz Festival

Geeky Swedes — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 05:18:18 +0000

The Ballard Jazz Fest is in full swing, kicking off the weekend with the Jazz Walk — 16 bands playing in 12 venues in Central Ballard.

The festival continues Saturday with the Nordic Heritage Museum concert (Claudio Roditi with Jovino Santos-Neto, and the Hadley Caliman Quartet), and the Swedish Pancake Jazz Brunch on Sunday (schedule).

The Corey Christiansen Quartet played to a packed house at Conor Byrne.

The John Moulder Quartet photographed through the window at the New York Fashion Academy. Click below for a few more photos…

The John Moulder Quartet.

Goat playing at Bop St. Records.

The Corey Christiansen Quartet.

The crowd at Conor Byrne.