My Ballard » Phinney Ridge-Greenwood

Grease opens to sold-out crowd

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:36:26 +0000

The Ballard High School spring musical Grease opened last night to the first-ever opening night sell out, according to one of the parents. The musical runs tonight and tomorrow and again next Thursday, Friday & Saturday (March 19, 20 & 21.) Tickets are $12, available through the school office or at the door. Box office opens at 6:00pm on performance nights.

Sign goes up at Take 5 Urban Market

Dale — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 23:47:29 +0000

The sign is up out front and they’re stocking the shelves and the deli case inside Take 5 Urban Market, located at the corner of 8th Ave. and 70th St.

We wrote a week ago about the new market, which replaces the Wicker Basket. One new detail: it’ll also have espresso made from Phinney Ridge’s Herkimer Coffee beans, which will arguably make it the best place to get a hot caffeinated beverage on 8th Avenue.

Donations collection for puppy mill dogs

Dale — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 17:52:14 +0000

Seattle Natural Veterinary Center at 65th and 8th Ave. here in Ballard is taking donations to help out the more than 600 dogs that have been rescued from suspected puppy mills in Skagit and Snohomish counties last month. All donations will be given to Saving Pets One at a Time (SPOT), a rescue organization in Skagit County, which is currently providing care for the majority of the rescued dogs. You can see a list of the most-needed items right here. You can also bring donations to Mud Bay Granary at 8211 Greenwood Ave. N.

Icy snow blankets area, school start delayed

Dale — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:37:15 +0000

A thin layer of crunchy, compact snow and ice is covering the area, especially East Ballard, Sunset Hill and Crown Hill.

Seattle Public Schools are running two hours late, there’s no kindergarten, Head Start or door-to-door programs today as well.

6:32 a.m. update: If you’re a Microsoftie, or otherwise heading to work on the Eastside, 520 across Lake Washington is closed due to accidents in BOTH directions. Check your traffic before you head into work today (as of 6:50 a.m., one eastbound lane is open, but traffic is very backed up).

Some Metro bus routes are on snow routes, but none are reported in our area so far. Despite that, Metro warns service could be slowed.

Serial condo burglars plague Ballard, Greenwood

Dale — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:02:27 +0000

A group of serial burglars have been hitting parking garages and storage lockers at condos near 15th and Market and 85th and Greenwood in Greenwood, reports Q13 Fox, which aired surveillance video of the suspects.

Police say the female suspect is in her early 20’s; about 5′5 tall with dark hair and a heavy build. She was wearing a North Face Jacket. The male suspect is also in his early 20’s, about 5′5 to 5′9 tall with blonde hair. He was wearing a camouflage jacket, jeans, and a North Face backpack. The pair may frequent the Ballard, Greenwood, or University District.

If you have information about these suspects call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. (Thanks Nina for providing the surveillance photos!)

Cat escapes from hospital, may be headed to Ballard

Dale — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:08:35 +0000

Phinney Animal Hospital on Greenwood Ave. has had an escapee. Please keep your eyes open for an orange cat with a blue e-collar (those plastic cones they get after a procedure). Her name is Elsa. She was last seen on 83rd St. between Greenwood and 1st around 11 a.m. Needless to say, the owner is distraught.

Update: From Polly in comments - Thanks for your concern, the cat has been recovered! Just a correction on the circumstances, the cat did not “escape” from the animal hospital, she escaped her carrier on the way to her car, but the staff did spend the day helping to find her.

Thieves steal safe at Tigertail

Geeky Swedes — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:47:00 +0000

Tigertail was closed Monday after thieves broke into the restaurant.

The break-in happened overnight Sunday. The thieves smashed a small window in the roll-up door and squeezed inside. They made off with the safe, according to a business next door that was told about the break-in.

If you have any information regarding the crime, please contact the folks at Tigertail. (Thanks Gooner for the tip).

Update: Could it be the same burglar responsible for hitting 45 stores in the North Seattle area in the last few weeks?

Starbucks officially unveils the Clover

Geeky Swedes — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:09:10 +0000

Up until now, Starbucks was silently testing the Clover in three Seattle stores. Now, the Ballard-made specialty coffee machine is available in ten local Starbucks stores — but not in Ballard, Fremont, Phinney Ridge or Greenwood. (The closest are in Green Lake and Queen Anne.) If you want Clover coffee in Ballard, Aster on 24th near Market St. remains your only choice.

Raccoons attack cat on the Ridge

Geeky Swedes — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:49:09 +0000

PhinneyWood reports a case of raccoons attacking a neighbor’s cat. As most Ballard residents know, raccoons are a common sight around here. In fact, one walked right into our kitchen a couple weeks ago and gave us a good scare. (There was quite a discussion recently in the My Ballard forum about raccoon sightings around the area — even a couple hanging out in the old Denny’s parking lot.) The tipster who emailed PhinneyWood wants to make sure that cat owners are careful — especially if you have an unsecured cat door.

Phinney Market closing on Friday

Geeky Swedes — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:40:02 +0000

PhinneyWood is reporting that Phinney Market will go out of business on Friday. The store has been struggling with financial problems. There will be a farewell BBQ from 4-7 p.m. this Friday.

Earlier: The Wicker Basket market closing its doors

Burbank, Carlyle proceed to general election

Geeky Swedes — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:00:46 +0000

As of 2:30 a.m.the results of the “top two” primary are: John Burbank, 42.21%, Reuven Carlyle, 41.53% and Leslie Bloss, 16.26%. As expected, Burbank and Carlyle are neck-and-neck, and the two Democrats will proceed to the general election where they’ll face off for the 36th district legislative seat. Get ready for a lot more signs around the neighborhood.

‘Sundaes on Sunday’ at new Ballard park

Geeky Swedes — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:55:47 +0000

Groundswell NW is holding an event this Sunday afternoon at Ballard’s newest park on 9th Ave. near 70th St. Called “Sundaes on Sunday,” neighbors in the area can enjoy an ice cream treat ($3 suggested donation) and hear about future plans for the park. The event runs from 2-4 p.m. with the update at 3 p.m.

Carjacking on Phinney Ridge

Geeky Swedes — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:22:45 +0000

A man driving his Geo Prizm around a traffic circle at 67th St. and 1st Ave. was carjacked and robbed, reports PhinneyWood. Yikes. Also, neighbors there report a sudden increase in smash-and-grabs in the area.

Snoose Junction opening Greenwood pizzeria

Dale — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:56:03 +0000

Environmentally friendly Snoose Junction Pizza of Ballard, will soon open a second store on the far north end of Greenwood. If you’re not already familiar with them, Snoose Junction has gotten rave reviews for their finely crafted pizza, as well as their use of recycled building materials in their first restaurant and their delivery of food by bicycle.

(Photo of the Ballard restaurant). The new 45-seat restaurant near the southwest corner of Holman and Greenwood Avenue will open in September, according to General Manager Mark Ball. It will also include a full-service bar upstairs with seating for 40. They’re also opening a dispatch center, so both stores will use the same phone number, 789-2305.

Ball assures us they used recycled materials in this build as well, including bowling lanes from Sunset Bowl, flooring from Garfield High School, bleachers from Lincoln High School, and found doors and kitchen rails.

The weekend events calendar

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:28:33 +0000

- Friday night on Phinney Ridge, it’s the Outdoor Mystery Movie in the parking lot of the Phinney Neighborhood Association. Show starts at 8:30 p.m.
- The Army Reserve will celebrate 100 years of service with music, festivities and free cake at the Ballard Locks on Saturday. The event will run from noon to 5 p.m., with the cake cutting ceremony at 3 p.m.
- The Seattle Animal Shelter hosts a cat adoptathon on Saturday at Loyal Heights Community Center on 77th St. near 21st Ave. Noon to 3 p.m.
- Help Ballard’s Class of 2009 raise money for the prom with a car wash Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Bernie’s Automotive at 4420 Leary. There’s a suggested $10 donation.
- This Saturday evening is the monthly Ballard ArtWalk, beginning at 6 p.m.
- For live music, check out the concert calendars for the Tractor Tavern, Sunset Tavern, The Bit Saloon, High Dive, Conor Byrne and Nectar.

As always, check out our events calendar. And if you have an event to add, just email us at tips@myballard.com and we’ll post it in the calendar.

Recently on PhinneyWood.com

Geeky Swedes — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:31:16 +0000

Some news from our neighbors to the east, Phinney Ridge and Greenwood…

‘Mutant bicycles’ descend on Ballard

Dale — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:50:00 +0000

Hundreds of colorfully dressed riders on often misshapen and mutant bicycles kicked off the 13th annual Dead Baby Downhill Race at El Chupacabra on Phinney Ridge Friday evening.

Friday’s race, which finished in Ballard, is part of a weekend of events celebrating mutant bicycle culture.

There was tall bike jousting, bands, bike dance perfromances and other activities at “the greatest party known to mankind,” which was held last night at the Bit Saloon and The Station along Leary.

Not to be confused with the Critical Mass, of course.

Recently on PhinneyWood.com

Geeky Swedes — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:05:09 +0000

A few stories from our neighbors to the east, Phinney Ridge and Greenwood…

Coming soon to a store near you: 20 cent bags

Dale — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:23:41 +0000

The Seattle City Council has just approved a 20 cent fee on disposable paper and plastic bags which will take effect Jan. 1 at local stores, including Ballard Market and Bartell’s. Some carryout styrofoam containers will eventually be banned too.

Critical Mass turns violent on Capitol Hill

Geeky Swedes — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:44:43 +0000

This is out of the neighborhood, but nonetheless interesting considering Critical Mass came through Ballard the last time around, resulting in quite the discussion here on My Ballard. Last night on Capitol Hill, Critical Mass cyclists surrounded a Subaru and assaulted the driver after two riders were hit. The sequence of events is unclear: did the driver hit the cyclists while attempting to escape? Or was the driver threatening them to begin with? One thing is clear, though. Tension between motorists and cyclists has been intensifying of late, especially as more people are riding their bikes to work.

Update: More details on what happened from the Seattle Times
Earlier this month: Bike road rage on Burke Gilman ‘missing link’

House fire on Phinney Ridge

Geeky Swedes — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 03:04:47 +0000

Updated: More than a dozen fire units responded to a fully-involved house fire at 5511 2nd Ave. NW on Phinney Ridge at 7:40 p.m. Friday evening.

As I drove to the scene from Ballard, I could see smoke billowing up from over a mile away. (Photo by My Ballard reader Nina.)

Flames were shooting out the back of the two-story home, which was hard to see from the street. Both floors were on fire.

Over a hundred neighbors around the home watched the firefighters at work. A next door neighbor quickly climbed onto his roof with a garden hose.

Medic units checked out one patient, presumably the homeowner, who has minor injuries. A little less than an hour after the call the fire was out. No word on the cause, and we’ll update as we learn more.

Update: The Seattle Fire Department says the cause appears to be accidental: “discarded smoking materials” that caught fire. The homeowner was in the backyard at the time of the fire, and there are no official injuries. No word on a damage estimate, although to my untrained eye the house is a total loss.

Earlier this month: House fire on 2nd Ave. NW and 52nd St.

Recently on PhinneyWood.com

Geeky Swedes — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:22:30 +0000

News from the neighborhoods next door, Phinney Ridge and Greenwood…

Bag fee going to a council vote

Dale — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:47:46 +0000

We had quite the discussion on this story a few weeks ago, so here’s an update. The full Seattle City Council is expected to vote Monday on a proposal to charge shoppers 20 cents for paper or plastic bags. If it’s enacted, Seattle would become one of the first large cities to push the use of reusable bags.

The proposal also includes a ban on plastic foam food containers and cups.

There would be a 90-day education program before the fees take effect at grocery, convenience and drug stores on Jan. 1st. More details here.

Annual Seafair parade in Greenwood today

Geeky Swedes — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:29:34 +0000

One of the oldest and largest summer parades in Seattle, the annual Seafair parade in Greenwood begins at 6 p.m. today (Wednesday). The route is Greenwood Avenue from 95th to 85th, then west on 85th to 6th Ave. Of course, one of the big attractions is the Seafair pirates.

Rawwwwr! Photo from last year’s parade by Life As Art (CC).

Patas monkey dies at Zoo

Dale — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:01:48 +0000

Woodland Park Zoo staff euthanized T.C., a 14-year-old male patas monkey, following a “sudden and severe decline in health due to congestive heart failure.”

Patas monkeys can live 15 to 20 years in the wild and more than 20 years in zoos.

“The degree of heart failure was severe and the quality of this monkey’s life was compromised, so we made the humane decision to euthanize him,” explained zoo Interim Director of Animal Health Dr. Kelly Helmick in a press release. It appears to be congestive heart failure, but final findings are pending.

T.C. came to the zoo’s African Savanna exhibit in 2001 from Honolulu Zoo. Two female patas monkeys, Alexa and Fiona, remain in the African Savanna exhibit.

On a related note, Fiona continues to recover from treatment earlier this month to relieve pain caused by kidney stones. The kidney stones were blasted using sound waves (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy) and the resulting small pieces passed through her urinary tract.

Low tide walks this weekend

Dale — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:50:20 +0000

It’s another very low tide this weekend, so if you’ve ever wondered what seastars eat, why barnacles stand on their heads and how moon snails lay their eggs, ask the Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists on hand at Golden Gardens and Carkeek Park from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. If you can’t make it, they’ll be back again a final time this summer on Aug. 2.

Photo courtesy Marty Gordon.

The weekend events calendar

Geeky Swedes — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:51:53 +0000

- Tonight (Friday) from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. is the “Third Friday art show” at the Phinney Neighborhood Association blue building.
- Saturday is the 8th annual Ballard Art-in-the Garden at the Ballard P-Patch on the corner of 85th and 25th Ave NW. More info on BallardGardenParty.com.
- Also on Saturday is Grace-a-palooza, a family street fair in front of Gracewinds to raise funds for the non-profit Global Breast Milk Initiative. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info here.
- Saturday evening from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. is the 3rd Annual PNA Summer Beer Taste, “Shakesbeer in the Parking Lot.” More information here.
- For live music, check out the concert calendars for the Tractor Tavern, Sunset Tavern, The Bit Saloon, High Dive, Conor Byrne and Nectar.

As always, check out our events calendar. And if you have an event to add, just email us at tips@myballard.com and we’ll post it in the calendar.

Zoo breaks ground on new penguin exhibit

Geeky Swedes — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:40:42 +0000

The Woodland Park Zoo is hosting both the mayor and county executive today to break ground on a $6.5 million penguin exhibit. The 17,000-square-foot project, located near the west entrance, will mimic the desert coastal habitat where Humboldt penguins come ashore to nest. Unlike the old exhibit, the new tank will allow you to watch the penguins swim underwater.

The new exhibit is slated to open summer 2009.

Water outage in east Ballard

Geeky Swedes — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:19:22 +0000

Updated: A water main broke along 50th St. around 7 p.m., leaving hundreds of homes in east Ballard without water or with very low water pressure. Seattle Public Utilities says they received complaints in an area from 15th Ave. to 3 Ave., and from 50th Street on up north (they didn’t know the northern boundary.) By 8:45 p.m., water appeared to be restored.

We found this water crew along 50th working to get the water main back in service. “This happened a couple of years ago,” writes Jennie, who lives near 67th and Dibble and first alerted us of the outage. Other residents, like Nina who lives near the Post Office, said they experienced low water pressure. (Interestingly, we live in the affected area, but our water was fine.)

Introducing our new blog, PhinneyWood.com

Geeky Swedes — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:52:44 +0000

It’s been six months since we launched My Ballard, and the response has been unbelievable. The biggest surprise has been the enormous role that all of you play in helping us cover the neighborhood. At least half of My Ballard’s stories originate from tips or comments, and we’ve been very proud to host ongoing debates about the issues that are important to our neighborhood. Over the months, we’ve heard from our Phinney Ridge and Greenwood readers — what about a similar blog for Ballard’s adjacent neighborhoods? So with the help of our Phinney Ridge friends, Doree and Dale (who live very close to Greenwood), we’re happy to announce we’ve launched PhinneyWood.com.

The first question you may have: will My Ballard stop covering Phinney Ridge and Greenwood? Nope. PhinneyWood just will feature more of it. Our goal is to foster the same community that’s here on My Ballard but focus more on issues that are unique to our neighbors to the east. Honestly, it’ll take us a few weeks to get used to the connection between the two blogs, and we ask your patience. (Each blog links the other in the upper right-hand corner). So check out PhinneyWood.com and let us know what you think in comments below…