Pistol-packing pharmacist scares away robbers

A small sign in the Bob Johnson Pharmacy window says it all: Mike Donahue does not put up with anyone trying to steal from him. The sign lists a half-dozen people who Donahue says have tried to rob the Crown Hill pharmacy since 1988. “None of them got away with it!” the sign reads. Donahue …

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Weekend construction traffic alert

If the weather is nice on Saturday, expect some traffic problems heading up the hill on Market St. Seattle Department of Transportation crews will be working on Market St. between 6th and 8th, and also at the top of Fremont on N 46th between Fremont Ave. and Linden Ave. Crews will have just one lane …

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Ballard Corners Park is now open

After years of planning and months of hard work, Ballard Corners Park at 17th Ave. between 62nd and 63rd St. is now open. The fence came down today, and neighbors ventured out into the new grass. “Waiting for this park, it’s been like torture,” said Ann, who explained how excited she was to play catch …

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Animal Shelter needs donations after fire

The Seattle Animal Shelter is cleaning up after a fire this past weekend. According to a letter to their volunteers, the fire “began near the dryer in the laundry room and did not spread far outside of the laundry room.” Our sister site, Magnolia Voice, is reporting that no animals were hurt in the fire …

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Another business expanding to 15th Ave.

There’s another new business coming to 15th Ave NW. Blue Dog Kitchen in the U District plans to open a new business, Blue Dog Coffeehouse, at the old Energy Espresso location on 15th Ave. We spoke with Jeremy with Blue Dog who says they plan to open very soon. The drive-thru could be open within …

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Ballard choir headed to the Big Apple

The Ballard High School choir, under the direction of Courtney Rowley, has been invited to perform at Lincoln Center in New York City next May. “We believe that this is the first time that a Seattle Public Schools choral group has received such an invitation. In fact, it’s likely that this is one of the …

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Surf shop moves to Seaview Ave.

Just in time for summer (really, summer is coming!), Cheka-Looka Surf Shop closed their Fremont storefront and moved to 6300 Seaview Ave. They’ve got surf equipment, clothing, skimboards and stand-up paddle board rentals. Jeff, the owner, tells us the paddle boards have been extremely popular. For $20 you can rent one for two hours. Wear …

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Three Girls Bakery expanding to Ballard

The popular Three Girls Bakery at the Pike Place Market is heading to Ballard for their second retail location. We spoke with Ryan Gaylord of CW Development, the contractor on the project, who tells us that he’s busy transforming the old Ballard Pet Store on 15th Ave. and 61st St. into the new bakery. He …

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See art proposals for Salmon Bay Natural Area

Groundswell NW invites you to look at five proposals for a “landmark art piece” that will be installed at the Salmon Bay Natural Area. The public is invited to provide feedback for the selection committee at an open house this Monday, 5:30 to 7 p.m. It will be held The Canal, on the south side …

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Mars Hill to skip communion over Swine Flu

Mars Hill Church posted on its website that it’s taking extra precautions this Sunday due to the Swine Flu: no communion, no coffee or refreshments, no formal meet-and-greet during service, extra hand sanitizer stations will be available and the visitor center will be closed. “We have no plans to cancel services, as we want to …

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Trash, brush cleared from ‘the Jungle’

While we were attending Saturday’s clean-up event, a concerned neighbor took us on a tour of “the Jungle,” an overgrown strip of land between Ballard Ave. and Shilshole along 22nd Ave. She told us the Jungle is a hotbed of drug use and a popular homeless hangout, especially at night. We didn’t see any homeless …

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Spring cleaning in Central Ballard

Mayor Greg Nickels, city crews and Ballard residents pitched in this morning to give part of Central Ballard a quick spring cleaning. It’s the 98th event with the mayor’s “Clean and Green Seattle” initiative, which began organizing neighborhood clean-ups in 2002. A group of 40 or so people gathered at Marvin’s Garden a little after …

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