Ballard girls lose heartbreaker to Roosevelt

The top two girls basketball teams in the Mountain Division met last night at Roosevelt, and the Ballard Beavers lost this time, 44-31. Now both teams are tied with 12-2 records in the division with one game to go in regular season play. The Ballard girls are a great story this season, and everyone in …

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‘Il Giardino’ restaurant now open

We just drove by Il Giardino — the new Italian restaurant on 65th near 8th — and saw a “now open” sign in the window. We’ll try to visit in the next couple weeks, but in the meantime, let us know what you think if you eat there…

Push to keep Crown Hill School building public

The Crown Hill Project is aiming to buy the Crown Hill School to keep the building and surrounding grounds available to the public.  Here’s an early sketch that includes a skate park, community theater and soccer fields: The group is pushing for passage of a bill in the state legislature that could help fund the purchase. Here’s the …

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Longtime Ballard High teacher succumbs to cancer

Ballard High’s Toni Bukowski, who won the “Science Teacher of the Year” award in 2003, died of breast cancer on Friday. “She was one of those teachers: irrepressible, inspirational, energetic, amazing,” writes Peggy Sturdivant in her Ballard blog. “Absolutely one of the warmest and most caring people.” Memorial arrangements are pending. Update: “She touched the …

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The hole that was QFC

The QFC’s demolition is complete, and construction is now underway for the eight-story apartment building, “Ballard on the Park.” Adds Karen in comments: “If you stand in the small adjoining park and look west over the former-QFC excavation, you can see what a stunning park this would have made if they could have used both …

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A smart debate about Denny’s

Our post last week about the future of the Ballard Denny’s has triggered a terrific debate in comments. “Cool to see a dialog going on here about this subject on which the opinions are so diverse!” writes Joel. And the debate is still going. If you want to get caught up on the issues on …

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Obama posters blanket Ballard Bridge

Have you seen the Obama posters plastered to the uprights under the Ballard Bridge at Leary Way? I couldn’t stop to get a closer look, but from the passenger car window, the artwork appears to harken back to the style of the old Russian propaganda posters. Not trying to be political, but take a look and decide for yourself …

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Guerrilla .com signs: Smart marketing or clutter?

A spate of Usedseattle.com signs have shown up strapped to parking signs and street posts in Ballard and Fremont… and who knows where else in Seattle. Handbills stapled to telephone poles are pretty common, but this approach seems new for the neighborhood. The site is part of a network of sites that started in Canada …

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New restaurant Ocho opens in Ballard

A new tapas bar called Ocho just opened on Market St. and 24th. We’ve only walked by (it’s on the southeast corner, without a sign), but Chowhound has a great review of its “authentic Spanish tapas” and a “small but smart Spanish wine list.” In fact, “the restaurant highly exceeded my expectations,” writes Klsalas. We’re …

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A former Midwesterner’s take on Zayda Buddy’s

A few weeks ago, Geeky Swedes stopped in at Zayda Buddy’s on Leary and said some positive things about the wings and the Midwest style pizza cut into squares, but didn’t say word one about the impressive selection of middle-American bottled and canned beers, including a favorite from Wisconsin, Leinenkugels (pronounced, “Line-en-koo-gulls”).  If you’re not from the land …

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Lock Vista Apartments sale falls apart

First on My Ballard: We’ve just confirmed what a tipster told us earlier today: the Lock Vista Apartments sale has fallen through, which means the building will not be converted into condos as planned. “The buyer was unable to meet its obligation to complete the transaction,” reads a letter from Lock Vista Apartments to its …

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