Features

From farm to bottle in 12 hours, new distillery brings unique fruit-infused liqueurs

bryanz — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:35:45 +0000

Ballard has more breweries than you can shake a stick at (no matter how good you are at stick-shaking), but what it doesn't have is a distillery with a focus on special bounce liqueurs which is open for public tastings.

On Thursday, June 20, 4 p.m., that's about to change when Old Ballard Liquor Co. (4421 Shilshole Ave NW, on the East side of Ballard Bridge) opens up shop. Well, sort of.

The company has been pushing through a seemingly insurmountable amount of legal papers this past year, and though it's nearing the end, it still has to get formulas for the different liquors approved. So Thursday, which will just be a soft opening, will mostly be a chance for the curious person to drop in and chat with the talkative owner, Lexi aka (she jokes) "The Lexicon," for how many words she spews out of her mouth. Also, you can buy a cool t-shirt for $12.

Lexi said that she will probably not start selling for at least three weeks and at most six weeks out while she makes the final hurdles.

"The doors are open but we're still waiting for the last couple of papers until we sell some alcohol," she said.

In the meantime, however, people can get an idea of what to expect. While many new distilleries have a focus on whiskey ("Everyone wants to make whiskey," Lexi lamented), Old Ballard Liquor Co. will be focusing on the bounce liqueur, and will also eventually offer vodka and aquavit.

Bounce is a fruit-infused product that is a higher proof and is sweet, but not overbearingly so like many other liqueurs are, Lexi said. Each flavor has to be aged for at least six months.

Stepping into the Old Ballard Liquor Co. space, one can see that Lexi is some sort of mad scientist always trying out different fruits to create new flavors. Sitting on a rack are many wonderfully colored jars with different fruits floating in them: cherries, blueberries, nectarines, Italian plums, watermelon, rhubarb and more. Some turn out well, she said, and others, not so much. But, she confides, "If it tastes like ass, I'm not going to sell it."

Her flagship product is the Cherry Bounce, for which she gets the cherries from her farm in Eastern Washington. Once a year, she said, she goes to a farm in Eastern Washington to gather up 1,600 lbs. of cherries, brings them back to the distillery where she has a team of people, and bottles up the batch for the whole year. "I like to say it goes from farm to bottle in 12 hours, though it's more complicated than that."

When creating a new flavor, Lexi said she is looking for a couple of things. For one, she wants it to taste good and clean, but also she wants the flavor to be distinct, to taste like the specific fruit, and not so much as a boring nondescript sweet flavor.

Lexi also brings with her an Old Ballard-type attitude. She's pragmatic, speaks Swedish, she mourns the fast-fading heritage of the neighborhood and she's strongly passionate about serving the neighborhood and won't go too far out of bounds if it's possible to be sustainable that way. She said she has a business plan to grow only so much, so she can continue to serve the local community without giving up quality of service or product; she's not so interested in becoming a big corporate national distributor, she said.

"It's Old Ballard (Liquor Co.), right? So it's Scandinavian, it's pragmatic ... and very unpretentious. At least, I want it to be unpretentious, I don't know what will happen when the hipsters invade," she said. (She also noted that she's not a hipster-hater and that they are definitely welcome.)

She added, "We've really lost our sense of identity, and I miss it ... this is one of the small ways that I can honor that, tip my hat to it."

Also, perhaps appealing for fellow Old Ballard types, she plans to make no-B.S. vodka and aquavit.

For the vodka, she plans to make a straight-shooting, high quality craft well, with none of the fancy gimmicks of the new flavor-forward products that have become popular on the market as of late. "In my opinion, vodka's not meant for sipping. You shoot vodka or mix with vodka," Lexi said.

For aquavit, she wants to stay true to the original flavors, flavored with caraway. Having been to Scandinavia, she said, she knows how it should taste. "I want to make it good enough that people from that area will understand it."

For Lexi, the Ballard Liquor Co. is a culmination of who she is.

"I worked software for a long time and I didn't like it. I'm really burnt out," she said. "This (Old Ballard Liquor Co.) was really an amalgamation of culinary, science and small business ownership (instead of working for someone else) that actually pays the bills."

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Reminder: Ballard Classic Home Tour this Sunday, June 23

bryanz — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:46:10 +0000

From Ballard Historical Society

Come see seven vintage Ballard residences of unique character and modern livability on Sunday, June 23, anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This Ballard Historical Society-produced tour occurs only every three years and we're following up on 2010's great successes. Our docents and homeowners are preparing to share their homes with you. Which home will be your favorite? To find out, buy a ticket and plan to attend! (We also need volunteers; in exchange for a three-hour shift the day of the tour, you get a free ticket to view all the homes. See contact info below.)

Two ways to buy tickets:

1. Online at http://ballardclassichometour.bpt.me

2. Stop in to these local businesses to purchase tickets for $20 (cash or check only): REStore, Secret Garden Bookshop, Johnson & Johnson Antiques and Sunset Hill Green Market. Please note all ticket holders must exchange tickets for the tour booklet on June 23 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at our Tour Headquarters at Sunset Hill Community Clubhouse, 3003 N.W. 66th Street. See you soon!

Tour basics:

Ballard Classic Home Tour, by Ballard Historical Society

Date: Sunday June 23, 2013 from 10:00 to 4:00

Location: Exchange your tickets for the tour brochure containing home locations beginning at 9:30 at Sunset Hill Community Clubhouse, 3003 NW 66th Street in Ballard.

Rules summary: Please check online for the complete list. http://ballardhistory.wordpress.com

To preserve homeowner privacy, we keep home locations private until day of tour.

Self-guided tour with no transportation. Not wheelchair accessible: homes have stairs and guests might need to park at some distance. No children under the age of 12 (babes in arms are allowed). No cameras or video equipment.

Questions? Contact Tour Coordinator Lesli Billings, retroreno@comcast.net

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Another new brewery in Ballard: Bad Jimmy's

bryanz — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:49:00 +0000

Update, June 18

So, where is the new Bad Jimmy's brewery you ask? Well, it's taking longer than expected, and they need some help purchasing the final parts for the full build-out.

That's why they have started a Kickstarter campaign to try and raise $13,000 by July 10. As per Kickstarter rules, they won't get any money if they don't make that amount of money. Currently, they have raised about $5,500.

Money raised will go toward:

Bar stools, tables, glassware
Kegs, water boiler, high quality ingredients, glycol system
New paint job for exterior of our building, additional lighting, exterior signage

Some items you can win for donating are: hats, stickers, t-shirts, pint glasses, homebrew classes, private parties, naming rights to seasonal beers, naming rights to fermentation tanks and more.

Haven't heard of Bad Jimmy's? Oh, no worries, you can read about them in our original post below.

Original, March 7

If you can believe it, Ballard is squeezing in yet another brewery: Bad Jimmy's.

Located across from Hale's Ale at 4358B Leary Way NW, the people behind Bad Jimmy's have ties to Ballard -- between the five of them, they have worked at the Matador, the Sunset Tavern and Market Arms. They say they're all industry kids with over ten years of experience in restaurants and bars.

"I also worked (at Pyramid Ale House) years ago during college, which is where I first fell in love with delicious beer and realized the ones I had been swiping from the fridge at my parents during High School were not actually so delicious," Jill Kramer wrote in an email. Currently working at Pyramid again now, she's one of the people behind Bad Jimmy's.

For the past two years, two of the business partners, Billy Burdick and John Stinson have been brewing the beer they plan to sell at Bad Jimmy's. Kramer testifies that it's delicious.

Bad Jimmy's will have a small tasting room, outdoor seating and Kramer says several places have already committed to carrying their brew.

Kramer said people have asked her why they are opening in an area chocked full of small breweries and an obvious competition in Hale's Ale.

"Craft beer drinkers aren't out to necessarily squash the competition," she wrote. "It's a friendly and helpful climate. We all love good beer. Period. The more the merrier; bring it on."

In any case, Kramer's enthusiasm is undeniable. After working for other people for so long, the folks at Bad Jimmy's appear excited to strike out on their own and make a name for themselves.

"Cheers to the birth, home, and union of a new business, a new brewery, a new family, and lifelong love affair with beer," she wrote.

Bad Jimmy's will also have a Kickstarter page soon. We'll keep you updated on when that goes up.

On Feb. 19, Bad Jimmy's officially applied for a new application with the Liquor Control Board for a microbrewery.

We will have a fuller profile when the brewery gets closer to opening.

Zachariah Bryan can be reached at zachb@robinsonnews.com

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SLIDESHOW: Phinney Farmers Market is back on, every Friday

bryanz — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:59:33 +0000

If you're looking for a change of pace from the Ballard or Fremont Farmers Market (well, how could you get sick of them?), the Phinney Farmers Market is now back on as of last Friday.

The Phinney Market is open every Friday through October 4 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. It is located at the lower parking lot at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, at 67th and Phinney Ave N. Free parking is available in the lot next to the farmers market.

According to their web page, it "features a beautiful mix of produce from both Puget Sound and Eastern Washington, all seasonally ripe: berries, tree fruits, heirloom tomatoes, all kinds of greens and lettuces, summer squashes, root vegetables, pole beans, purple cauliflower and dozens of other veggies, as well as a good selection of farmstead cheeses, locally produced meats and seafood, honey, preserves, and fresh cut flower bouquets. Ready-to-eat foods also featured."

Steve Shay strolled over to take some photos of the scene last Friday. You can see his photos either by clicking the main picture above or the thumbnails below. Good weather should be on its way tomorrow, so why not check it out?

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You Are What You Eat: Unexpected ways with bay

bryanz — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:51:39 +0000

By Katy Wilkens, MS, RD

One of the least-used fresh herbs is bay. Several years ago I planted a bay tree in my garden, and I have been rewarded with more fresh bay leaves than anyone could use.

Every December I prune the tree back. (Bay trees can get really big; I keep mine trimmed topiary-style at about 10 feet.) I make holiday wreaths from the cuttings for family and friends. I tie in some dried garlic, dried red chili peppers and several boughs of rosemary (another herb that can grow to dramatic proportions if left on its own). I pass wreaths out to everyone who stops by, along with a page of recipes on ways to use fresh bay leaves in cooking.

Bay is probably most well-known as an ingredient in soups and stews. Tie the leaves into a small cloth bag or use a metal tea ball to add them to dishes that will simmer a long time. Count how many leaves you put in, and be sure you remove them all. The wide, flat leaves can be swallowed accidentally and cause choking.

Bay is a great addition to tomato sauce, and it pairs well with oregano and rosemary. For a great salad dressing, use bay to season olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Add bay instead of mint to lamb dishes, the way cooks do in the Mediterranean.

Fresh leaves off my tree have a very intense flavor. If you buy them in the grocery store, the flavor will have mellowed a bit. Crinkle leaves in your hand before you add them to foods.

Since I have access to evergreen bay leaves year-round, I use bay in unlikely places.

Bay is a soothing herb. If you plant a bay tree, you will have enough leaves to use in your bath water or to soak in hand lotion. You can make a hair rinse to fight dandruff by soaking bay leaves in water.

Bay makes a pungent herb-flavored sorbet that can start or end a spring meal. Serve it with a nice cheese, a fresh pear and a handful of hazelnuts.

Hand-stirred bay sorbet

1 cup of bay leaves

4 cups water

1 cup pureed pears

1-2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon grated lemon or orange peel

1 cup sugar

Drop of green food coloring if needed

Crush bay leaves and add to water. Let infuse several hours, up to one day. Remove leaves. Puree pears in food processor with lemon juice and peel. Add sugar and bay-infused water. Stir in a drop of green food coloring if desired. Put in freezer ice tray covered with foil. While still slushy, stir or beat from front to back to reduce the size of ice crystals. Beat every half hour for one to two hours; remove about 20 minutes before serving.

Nutritional information:
Calories: 204, Protein: 1 gram, Carbohydrates: 52 grams, Sodium: 8 milligrams

The recipes in this column are meant for people who want to keep their kidneys healthy and blood pressure down by following a low-sodium diet. In most cases, except for dialysis patients, a diet high in potassium is thought to help lower high blood pressure. These recipes are not intended for people on dialysis without the supervision of a registered dietitian.

Katy G. Wilkens is a registered dietitian and department head at Northwest Kidney Centers. She has a Master of Science degree in nutritional sciences from the University of Washington. See more of her recipes at www.nwkidney.org.

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Catchy melodies worth headbanging to, Mikal Cronin defies description at The Tractor

bryanz — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:11:56 +0000

By Dusty Henry

Guitar shredding and manners aren’t necessarily synonymous. Neither are catchy pop melodies and head banging. Mikal Cronin is hard pressed to be stereotyped. Between every hard rocking song he played at the Tractor Tavern last Friday night, he’d either say “Thank you” or “Sorry” for some sort of technical mistake.

Cronin is not one to be pigeonholed or to fulfill a stereotype. He has garnered a following over the years associating himself with other California lo-fi garage rock acts like Ty Segall (for whom he plays bass) and Thee Oh Sees. But there’s almost nothing lo-fi about Cronin’s music, except for maybe his “just hanging out like the rest of you” attire. His latest record MCII is polished, hard-hitting, radio-ready rock music with big guitar hooks and infectious vocal melodies.

It was a stark contrast to see Cronin step on the stage after Shannon and the Clams –- a rockabilly group with flowing silk shirts, rainbow suspenders, and short skirts. Cronin and his band looked like they could have been anyone else there, as evidenced by most of the band hanging out on the floor during the opening acts. He seemed mild mannered, brushing his long hair from his face as he addressed the crowd. But within the first few minutes of the first song, Cronin was on his knees throwing his long locks in every direction while thrashing at his 12-string electric guitar.

Much of the set centered on his older material from his 2011 self-titled release. That album veered more toward the lo-fi garage sound of his contemporaries but fared much better in the live setting. The energy was much more palpable live. Songs like “Is It Alright” and “Apathy” were rambunctious and worthy of much fist-pounding in the air.

Save for a couple breakdowns, the band only played Cronin’s upbeat material (disregarding ballads like “Piano Mantra” and “Don’t Let Me Go”). Though they did play a fair amount of the new album. “Shout It Out” and “Weight” from MCII got the crowd into a frenzy. Even though a group of denim-clad men kept throwing themselves into everyone around them (obnoxious and inescapable) while spouting a YOLO-esque mantra, fans were still eager to stick it out.

The keys and strings that are present throughout the new record were missing in the live performance. Though likely absent for logistical purposes, the two instruments would have added another layer of texture to the vibrant performance. Nonetheless, the band proved themselves to be a powerhouse. As a pop band cleverly disguised as a garage act, they were able to effortlessly harness a groove and turn it into a blistering guitar assault.

Opening band Dude York also captured the same catchy-but-electric tone as Cronin’s band. Playing menacing sounding tracks with sweet, accessible melodies, the group got the crowd warmed up. Vocalist and guitarist Peter Richard’s crooning was reminiscent of The Exploding Hearts while drummer Andrew Hall’s shirt harkened back to George Michael Bluth of Arrested Development.

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Who's that mysterious bartender? The Anchor spotted at Hattie's Hat

bryanz — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 17:13:02 +0000

The Anchor, Ballard’s first superhero, was spotted at local watering hole and restaurant Hattie’s Hat last Sunday. A powerful hero needs a powerful breakfast. The Anchor was downing three plates of food: rice and beans and eggs, chicken fried chicken and a country breakfast. (He attests that all three were delicious.) After he built up some energy, he spent some time behind the bar, making drinks and telling folks all the wonderful things about SeafoodFest.

The 39th Annual Ballard SeafoodFest takes place on July 13 and 14 in the downtown core of Ballard along Market St and Ballard Ave. To learn more, visit www.seafoodfest.org

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SLIDESHOW: A peek inside the new Ballard Li'l Woody's

bryanz — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 22:34:51 +0000

Tempting passersby since Zak's Burgers mysteriously closed, the new Li'l Woody's (2040 NW Market St) is finally just about ready to let loose on Ballard, with an opening date set for next Monday, June 17.

Marcus Lalario, owner of Li'l Woody's and who has had a location in Capitol Hill for about 5 years, said he had been eyeing Ballard for a little while now. Curious about what Zak's was doing -- which had gone into noticeable decline after it was bought by the folks of neighboring Yozen -- Lalario asked them what was going on. They said it was about time for them to move on, they worked out a deal, and now the rest is (almost) history.

According to Lalario, Li'l Woody's delivers hamburgers in the style of a backyard barbeque -- only, well, probably fresher than your typical Costco frozen patty and with more ingredients.

"We make everything in house ... everything's fresh, natural, nothing's frozen. We try to keep everything (ingredients) from the Northwest," Lolario said.

Burger selections, made with Painted Hills Beef, include the classic signature Li'l Woody and Big Woody as well as build your own burger list and a Ballard-specific salmon burger, all made with Painted Hills Beef. In addition, they'll be offering Dr. Kombucha on tap and Molly Moon's Icecream, both offerings which are new to the Ballard location.

As for the Molly Moon's, Lalario said that he and Moon have been friends for years and that it just made sense. Until next week, Molly Moon's has not had a location in Ballard.

Li'l Woody's will also have a selection of beers, including Manny's, Pyramid Hefeweizen and Lucille's India Pale Ale. Hilliard's, Tecate and Rainier will also be available. For the teetotaler, Li'l Woody's will have Vita Coffee and rootbeer.

While the basic structure of Zak's was kept, the interior was redone to make it look like a Li'l Woody's, including whimsical graphics, red seats and lots of reclaimed wood.

We took some photos for you to gander at. To view them, click on the main picture above or the thumbnails below.

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SLIDESHOW: Salmon Bay students take on the Oregon Trail

bryanz — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 16:24:06 +0000

Last Friday, 110 students from Salmon Bay Elementary recreated the Oregon Trail experience, trudging and toiling their way eight miles from Ballard to Magnuson Park. The kids went all out for the biannual event, dressing up like miniature modern day Lewises and Clarks. Wherever they went, peoples' heads turned at the unexpected surprise of the small army of pioneers.

When the Ballard News-Tribune caught up with the crew, around U-Village, the once energetic kids had begun to slow. Teacher Brian Williams said they were just beginning to understand what the pioneers on the Oregon Trail had experience. Of course, while the kids walked on a paved trail and did not have to repeat the experience again the next morning, pioneers would travel for up to six months at a time on rugged, pathless terrain.

Still, Williams said it was a good learning experience for the children, most of whom probably haven't walked such a long distance in their life. The children slogged along the Burke-Gilman Trail for about six hours. "There's triumph in overcoming adversity," he said.

To view the slideshow, click on the main picture above or the thumbnails below.

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Ballard Weekend: ArtWalk, SketchFest, Open House at Shilshole Bay Marina and more

bryanz — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:47:06 +0000

Friday, June 7

Hawaiian Bouncefest At Loyal Heights Community Center

What: We’ll have bounce houses, game stations, and prizes. Dress in your best aloha outfit. Game cost: 50 cents per ticket (some games cost more than one ticket).

Where: Loyal Heights Community Center (2101 NW 77th St)

When: Friday, June 7, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

More info: Call 206-684-4052 or visit https://www.facebook.com/LoyalHeightsCC?ref=tn_tnmn

SketchFest at Ballard Underground

What: The entire month of June is going to be chocked full of all of Seattle's best sketch comedy. Experience a huge chunk of the wonderful script/character-focused comedians which Seattle has to offer. On Friday, SketchFest will host "Princess & Pork Filled Players" and "Love Snack & Ubiquitous They: Retch."

Where: Ballard Underground (2220 NW Market Lower Level)

When: Friday, June 7, Princess & Pork Filled Players starts at 7 p.m., Love Snack & Ubiquitous They: Retch starts at 9 p.m.

More info: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/374045

Saturday, June 8

Literacy Council Fundraiser

What: The Literacy Council of Seattle is holding its annual Book Sale fundraiser. Come check out our fantastic selection of over 5000 books, sorted and selling for $1-2.

Where: Literacy Council Office (8500 14th Ave NW)

When: Saturday, June 8, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Price: $5 for entrance at 8 a.m.

More info: http://www.literacyseattle.org/

National Marina Day Celebration-Open Boat Event-Swapmeet

What: Marinas across the country, including Shilshole Bay Marina, invite community members to their facilities to show them the importance marinas play as family-friendly gateways to boating, and the responsibility marina personnel have as stewards of the environment.

Where: Shilshole Bay Marina (7001 Seaview Ave NW)

When: Saturday, June 8, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Concerts at the Locks

Enjoy free music while you visit the Ballard Locks. On Saturday, the Highline Community Symphonic Band will be performing.

Where: Ballard Locks

When: Saturday, June 8, 2 p.m.

More info: http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/LocksandDams/Chittende...

Ballard Artwalk

What: It's second Saturday, which means Ballard ArtWalk! During the Art Walk, artists open their studios to the public and neighborhood businesses host local art on their wall. The Ballard Art Walk showcases painting, glass art, sculpture, performance, and more, in venues from Leary Way to Shilshole, and as far north as 65th.

Where: Various locations throughout the Ballard neighborhood

When: Saturday, June 8, 6-9 p.m.

More info: Map can be found at http://ballardartwalk.blogspot.com/p/map.html
Ballard ArtWalk website: http://www.ballardartwalk.blogspot.com/

SketchFest at Ballard Underground

What: The entire month of June is going to be chocked full of all of Seattle's best sketch comedy. Experience a huge chunk of the wonderful script/character-focused comedians which Seattle has to offer. On Saturday, SketchFest will host "Pork Filled Players & Jason 'n Spike" and "Pork Filled Players & Now with Dames."

Where: Ballard Underground (2220 NW Market Lower Level)

When: Saturday, June 8, Pork Filled Players & Jason 'n Spike starts at 7 p.m., Pork Filled Players & Now with Dames starts at 9 p.m.

More info: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/374045

Sunday, June 9

Submerged in Science

What: Ever wonder what happens to the water that goes down your drain? Join Salish Sea Expeditions to explore the wonders of watersheds and their connection to the Puget Sound. Please register via email kristen@salish.org. Free. This event is appropriate for all ages.

Where: Golden Gardens Park (8498 Seaview Place NW)

When: Sunday, June 9, 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Ballard Farmers Market

What: Ballard Farmer's Market is open year-round and features fresh produce from local farmers, flowers, trinkets, street entertainment and more.

Where: Ballard Avenue NW, between Vernon Place NW and 22nd Avenue NW

When: Sunday, June 9, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

More info: http://ballardfarmersmarket.wordpress.com/

Concerts at the Locks

Enjoy free music while you visit the Ballard Locks. On Saturday, the Barneleikarringen of Greater Seattle (Children's Scandinavian dance) will be performing.

Where: Ballard Locks

When: Sunday, June 9, 2 p.m.

More info: http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/LocksandDams/Chittende...

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Pike Place's fishmongers feed the bears

bryanz — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 21:32:33 +0000

Earlier today, fishmongers from Pike Place Fish Market put their fish-throwing skills to the test when they fed Woodland Park Zoo's 750-pound grizzly bears.

"We love doing this kind of stuff," said Ryan Reese, a fishmonger and Ballard graduate of 1996. "It's nice to get out of the market, too. This is part of our program. Instead of tossing these fish and throwing them away what better thing to do than to save them and feed the bears. We are 100-percent sustainable and have been doing this since January, 2010."

Ryan Reese, fishmonger and Ballard graduate, puts on a show. Photo by Steve Shay

The toss was to promote the zoo's annual Bear Affair, Pacific Northwest Conservation, which will focus on bears, wolves, raptors and other Pacific Northwest wildlife. Bear Affair is a signature event of Seattle Science Festival, the largest celebration of science in the Pacific Northwest. For event details, visit www.seattlesciencefestival.org.

Chum salmon, the least expensive kind of salmon, were used to feed the bears. Though they have blemishes, they are still "human grade."

Jenny Pramuk, animal curator at the Woodland Park Zoo, catches a fish. Photo by Steve Shay

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Ballard students, supporters and survivors raise funds at Relay for Life

bryanz — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:24:13 +0000

By Elizabeth Wang

The Relay for Life of Northwest Seattle at Whitman Middle School brought in 27 teams and 228 participants to walk, run and raise money that will all be donated to the American Cancer Society.

The 16-hour marathon over June 1-2 featured events like team parades, lawn games, guest speakers such as 36-D Rep. Gael Tarleton and Carson Wiggs of the Seattle Seahawks, as well as the traditional survivors’ lap.

With over 1.66 million cases of cancer projected for 2013, according to the American Cancer Society, “the Big C” has become a disease that has touched almost everyone in one way or another.

Cindy Lange, who joined the Windemere Walkers team, kept thoughts of her friend and her mother in mind as she walked the track. Her friend is a mother of a 37-year-old son, who is currently suffering from brain and lung cancer. He had fought to overcome the disease a few years ago, but this time around proved less fortunate for the family. Lange’s friend decided to move back home to Texas and put her life on hold to spend time with her son.

“That whole family is going through all the dynamics,” Lange said. “It’s a physical change ... and also what happens to the people that are left behind. He’s been the tent pole of their family, so everything’s going to be different.”

Lange went through a scare with her own mother five years ago. At 82, her mother had found a lump in her breast but was able to remove it immediately and returned home the next day.

“I am so thankful for that,” Lange said. “That happened because there is an awareness of breast cancer. That wouldn’t have been the case years ago. They have things like this (event) and it makes it something people can talk about. It’s something that everybody can relate to and the more we talk about it the less scary it becomes.”

And the conversations were sparking around the track, raising awareness among people of all ages. Eleanor Stratton-Clunas, 17, a Ballard High School student and captain of the Life Savers team has been on the Relay for Life development crew for the past two years, helping to coordinate this event locally.

Reaching out to all the team captains and encouraging people to form groups, Stratton-Clunas promoted participation within students and youth around the area.

Her inspiration comes from the loss of one of her mentors, Cheryl Chow, Seattle City Council member, who passed away earlier in March 2013 from central-nervous-system lymphoma. Stratton-Clunas knew her as the Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team captain.

“She was one of those people that made her presence very strong,” Stratton-Clunas said. “Whenever she was with us, she always gave good lessons. She would come up to you and know your name; it would be very personal ... You didn’t go unnoticed even from the shyest girl to the loudest one.”

Remembering Chow throughout this event has reminded her of why Relay for Life is so important and the impact she can make on others.

“When I do this, it makes me think of her,” she said. “It’s just another way to give back and give support to people like her.”

To Jean Oplinger, Relay for Life means living in the present. After the loss her father and cousin to cancer in the last five years, as well as supporting her friend, who is currently battling lymphoma, Oplinger has learned to just be grateful.

“It’s just everywhere,” she said. “When it comes to cancer or any kind of disease, the disease kind of dictates its destiny in a way ... You really just stay in the moment and on the next indicated step you should do.”

Oplinger’s father was over 80 years old when the cancer had taken over. She said she always knew there was a life and death, but what she really wasn’t prepared for was death.

“It’s a big deal,” she said. “It was a big learning moment for me. But I now understand. Cancer is a big deal, but there is recovery.”

Years later, Oplinger still is affected by little reminders of her loved ones, like the smell of cookies recalls memories of her cousin’s love of baking. But she doesn’t let them get to her and she is able to move on.

“I think you just get used to the pain from loss,” Oplinger explained. “You just get used to the loss. You don’t get rid of it ... But it’ll just still catch me.”

Participating in Relay for Life this year has given her some hope. As a chaperone for the BHS students, she found out that many of them are involved with biotechnology classes and she remains optimistic about their interest in making advancements to cure the cause in the future.

“It just feels like community, it feels healthy just to be walking,” she said. “It feels like the right thing to do. We’re here to have conversations about it so we’ll never forget it.”

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Ballard High students strut their stuff for charity fashion show

bryanz — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:45:15 +0000

Last Friday, Ballard High School students strutted their stuff to benefit the nonprofit Treehouse, which supports foster-care youth, for the first ever Stylin' and Sharing fashion show.

Earlier, we spoke with the mastermind behind the event, Ballard High junior Celia Major, who was inspired by friends and the "We Day" event to do something good for the local community. She said the event was a success: a fair amount of money was donated, a large load of clothes was brought to Treehouse's Wearhouse and the kids had fun. She said she hoped next year goes better.

Almost all the models were Ballard High School students and they were taught beforehand how to walk by professional model Michael Delk. Photographer Lauren Capone (https://www.facebook.com/LaurenCaponePhotography) was on the scene taking pictures. Click the main picture above or the thumbnails below to scroll through the slideshow.

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Ballardite makes difference in Sierra Leone communities

bryanz — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:09:23 +0000

By Christy Wolyniak

“Let’s donate our clothes, you’re helping children in Africa.”

It’s an age-old line told by parents to children that perhaps many still believe. But from a business perspective, the donations can be damaging -- free clothes can be sold on a cheap market and leave another child’s parent unemployed.

That’s the perspective of Ballardite Dan Lavin, a business accountant who also runs the Community Initiative Program (CIP) in Sierra Leone. He calls the gifting of goods such as clothes and buildings “anti-development,” or organizations unwittingly doing more harm than good with their aid.

More than an accountant, Lavin began working with the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone 23 years ago in the village of Makrugba near the base of the Kangari Hills. He made a friend there named Sullay, who started a relief organization following the war. After Sullay passed away, Lavin was asked to continue the organization, which under his stewardship would become CIP.

Lavin’s business skills helped him create working solutions, not by coming to a country with initiatives already cemented, but by meeting in the villages with his team of five Sierra Leoneans and discovering what their actual needs were.

“The most important test is not what happens when you’re there, but what happens when you leave,” Lavin said.

When it comes to giving aid, he poses the question: After organizations spend millions of dollars to set up a new school, hospital, provide clothing or food, what happens after all of the volunteers leave?

Lavin says a surplus of U.S. aid is leading to unemployment, as local businesses cannot possibly compete with the price of “free.”

“Our biggest problem is organizations that come in and give things away, when we’re battling to get people to stand on their own feet by giving them tools to do that,” said Lavin. “… Our organization is fighting against other organizations who do things for them, giving everything away for free. CIP is based on getting (the community) involved and being their own solution.”

Gifting new buildings, while initially positive, can often turn into a negative. When a building is not affordable by a community’s standards, upkeep of the building also becomes unaffordable. Moreover, by taking away the responsibility of building infrastructure from the government, a culture of dependency is created, “opening the door for corruption and greed instead of responsibility and independence,” Lavin said.

As one might guess, Lavin has a different approach. He goes into the community to find out how he can help people help themselves.

“When people are asked to identify what their real issues are, they always come up with ‘we want this, we want that.’ We don’t bring in cement. Whatever solution to their problem is a shift from wants to needs and it is that shift where eyes become opened,” said Lavin.

Lavin discussed the idea of community-based schools (CBS), where the community is responsible for resurrecting a building, transforming it into a school and funding it. The village of Makrugba started their own school in 2012, serving 73 elementary students who, up to that time, were walking five miles each day to the nearest village to receive their education.

Recently in May Lavin traveled back to the village to check the progress of these community-based schools. Communities are building schools for themselves and raising their own funds and discovering teaching methods that are both affordable and easily replaceable. Wooden blocks are being used to teach spelling and basic mathematical applications to students.

Lavin and his team in Sierra Leone met with the CBS teachers to challenge them to think of new ways to utilize the resources available to them for educational purposes.

“A true community-based school provides their own structure, pays their own teachers, and is as independent as possible . . . Teachers are paid by parents directly, or the community farms a plot of land owned by the teachers. Desks and benches can be made locally, and repaired periodically as necessary,” Lavin explained.

CIP purchased the first set of textbooks for the school, though replacing texts in the future will be the school’s responsibility.

Lavin’s organization also consults villages on the idea of for-profit libraries, as most communities want to have a library. He stated every library should have a garden, so that students who cannot afford to pay the monthly fee, which would provide funds to purchase books, can work in the garden and sell the food in order to support the library.

“When they realize that they could keep all the profit by providing a library to an undeserved area, and that their knowledge and experience of running a library can make them a profit, libraries and the availability of appropriate books would prosper,” said Lavin.

Animal husbandry is another topic Lavin’s team touches on, stating that members in the community use goats and chickens like a savings and checking account.

“It is common to see villagers heading to the local weekly market with a few chickens, simply seen to them as carrying their check book to the market.”

Lavin’s team helps train and educate individuals on how to make a proper and profitable goat house, which must first be approved by a consultant. A goat loan -- four females and one male -- can result in 13 animals at the end of one year if the female produces eight offspring. The farmer is responsible for the care of the animals and then pays back one goat to the program and one to the consultant.

Back in Seattle, Lavin has been able to generate involvement from some of his accounting clients.

“Vasuda Salon was so encouraged by what’s going on, they took all of their proceeds from one day and donated it. New Roots Organics (based in Ballard) has sponsored our program for years,” he said.

In the end, Lavin’s involvement in Sierra Leone can be summed up with another old line: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

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Registration open for 29th annual Night Out Against Crime

bryanz — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:53:36 +0000

As summer is approaching, it's time to think about registering your block for the annual Night Out Against Crime event. If you're new to the event, it's basically an opportunity to get a police-sanctioned street party where you can meet neighbors, promote safety against crimes and have a good time.

Night Out 2013 is Tuesday, August 6, 2013 and SPD's registration link for Night Out Against Crime 2013 is now active. Interested in taking part? Go to: http://www.seattle.gov/police/nightout/default.htm

There are a few things to note, says SPD:

Once you have registered your event, you will get email verification. You can go back in and edit and/or cancel your event later if you need to.
The Night Out invitations available on their website are in pdf and are editable and printable from there.
You can choose to add your event to a map as well. To share your event, go to: http://www.seattle.gov/police/nightout/nightoutevents.htm. It can take approximately 48 hours to populate the map.

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Wall of whimsy comes to life at Whittier Elementary

bryanz — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 17:24:59 +0000

At Whittier Elementary, where once jagged and broken mosaics adorned the wall extending the entire length of the playing area, now (as of last Friday) a whimsical mural has come to life.

A cheetah wearing sunglasses, a cat wearing a ballerina suit, grim-faced bees with heavy brows and jutting jaws, a swarm of red ladybugs of all different shapes and sizes are just a few of the characters you’ll see adorning the wall. The mural is a garden of colorful and cartoony flowers and creatures.

And it was all painted and drawn by children. One of the main jobs for parents was merely to complete the tedious task of painting the background blue. The teachers were mainly responsible for guiding the children, and maybe making sure they didn’t splatter or drink the paint.
Parent and volunteer Caroline Zizza, whose child will soon be going on to middle school, said taking part in this project was a way to give one last thing for the school.

“Every single kid has painted on this wall,” Caroline Zizza said, adding that there are over 450 students at Whittier Elementary. “The community spirit of doing this project together -- it’s kind of great.”

An artist herself, Zizza said that she believed children needed more contact with art. The mural was a great way for all the children to collaborate on one big project, she said.

“I think it (art) is really important to kids, and I think we haven’t had enough of it in schools,” she said.

Artist-in-residence Jan Harvey-Smith said the process for the mural started in April. They had to powerwash the wall and put on two base layers of paint before they could start painting the mural itself.
Students had a drawing contest for the cats that ended up on the wall. (Whittier Elementary’s mascot is the wildcat.) Out of over 50 entries, 14 entries were selected. Harvey-Smith said she loved them all and had to give them to someone else to decide because it was too hard for her.

When the weather permitted, groups of about 25 kids were brought out to work on the mural. For the finer details, like adding stripes to a bee, smaller groups were needed. “It’s a little chaotic, you can imagine, 25 kids with a paintbrush,” she said.

Fellow artist-in-residence Nina Crampton poured credit on Harvey-Smith whereas Harvey-Smith tried to talk as little about herself as possible.
“This is all her fault, this whole mural is all her fault. She is the mover and the shaker,” Crampton said.

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Capitol Hill's Bill's Off Broadway coming to Greenwood

bryanz — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:15:36 +0000

For a little while, Bill won't be right off Broadway on Capitol Hill. Instead, he'll be on Greenwood Ave, in Greenwood.

In an announcement made via the Capitol Hill Seattle blog, Bill's Off Broadway owner said that they will be relocating to Greenwood and rename the new incarnation Bill's On Greenwood.

"We will be opening at 8560 Greenwood Ave North. Our plan is to open on September 1. The menu will be essentially the same with a few additions but otherwise it will be Bill’s. Bill’s on Greenwood!!" the announcement, which was made in the comments section, reads.

Capitol Hill Seattle reports that Stevens expects the original Bill’s to close for about a 20-month hiatus at the end of July. Good news for Greenwoodians (What do Greenwood residents call themselves?), Stevens said he plans to operate both locations when the seven-story building and preservation project at Harvard and Pine is completed.

The story of Bill's is similar to another Capitol Hill institution, B&O Espresso, which moved to Ballard in February after being displaced by development. Like Bill's, they may move back to Capitol Hill, but the owner is unsure. Bauhaus Coffee and Books is also expected to move to Ballard in August.

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Development: Application in for sidewalk cafe at Pestle Rock

bryanz — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:39:24 +0000

Pestle Rock Isan Thai Cuisine, which opened last September, is jumping onboard the sidewalk cafe bandwagon. (If you haven't noticed, several restaurants and bars have sidewalks cafe on Ballard Ave and especially on Market St.)

According to the Department of Planning and Development, Pestle Rock sent in the application on May 29. Pestle will have to display a notice for at least 10 days. Since it is in the Ballard Ave Landmarks District, the Ballard Ave Landmark District Board will have to approve it at their next meeting.

Comments regarding the sidewalk café application will be accepted through June 17th, 2013. Comments should be submitted via email to annualpermits@seattle.gov or by mail to:

SDOT
Attn: Annual Permits
PO Box 34996
Seattle, WA 98124

Please be sure to include the application number, project address and your contact information with your comment. More info can be found at http://web1.seattle.gov/dpd/luib/Notice.aspx?BID=820&NID=15350

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SLIDESHOW: Harbor seals get a new waterfront home at Seattle Aquarium

bryanz — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 16:15:03 +0000

The new $6.5 million harbor seal exhibit at the Seattle Aquarium means some seals have a fancy new home on the waterfront. The exhibit features doubled-tank depths over previous accomodations, a 180-degree visitor viewing area outdoors and surround seating for 100 people. While the exhibit can hold up to five seals right now the three harbor seals Barney, Q and Siku are getting used to their new surroundings after spending the past few months at Tacoma's Point Defiance Zoo. The City of Seattle contributed $3.5 million for the project. Private donors will cover the remaining $3 million.

“We are so thrilled to deliver this exciting new habitat for our seals and viewing accommodations for our visitors of seals and Elliott Bay,” said Aquarium President and CEO Bob Davidson. “Barney, Q and Siku are ambassadors to the wild harbor seals who inhabit our beautiful Pacific Northwest marine environments. Visitors can now enjoy both the spectacular view of our seals and Puget Sound.” More than 830,000 visit the Aquarium each year.

The stars of the exhibit include Barney, a silver-grey 28-year-old male; Q, a dark-colored, 14-year-old male; and Siku, a dark-colored, eight-year-old, female. Siku is part of an important breeding exchange program with Pt. Defiance Zoo.

The Aquarium spent the past nine months replacing the original exhibit on Pier 60 with a new Pier 60 boardwalk, steel-crafted pilings, acrylic panels spanning three sides of the exhibit, naturalistic exhibit rock upgrades and comfortable seating to enjoy the seals for hours. The ample seating will accommodate three entire classrooms of school children. The seals will have more room to dive and play underwater, as well as above-ground areas to play and sunbathe.

“Harbor seals are the only seals that breed off the shores of Washington and one of Puget Sound’s most thriving marine mammals,” said Traci Belting, Aquarium curator for marine mammals and birds. “Harbor seals are an important barometer to the health of Puget Sound and the marine mammal most Washington families will encounter on our local beaches and shores.”

Seals feed on sole, flounder, sculpin, cod, herring, octopus and squid—all links in a food chain that is increasingly vulnerable to pollution, development and other human activities. They can be found in coastal and inland marine waters and estuaries. Seals routinely rest and sunbathe on sandbars, beaches or rocks that are uncovered at low tide. They do not migrate and instead tend to stay in one locale most of their lives.

The Aquarium works with local volunteers to educate the public about harbor seals and marine life found on local beaches through its Beach Naturalist program. It also works closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network. The Seal Sitters program works to protect marine mammals in the urban habitat of Puget Sound and Washington. Volunteers are trained to help educate Washington citizens on seal behaviors and how to interact with wild seals they encounter on our local shores.

“Barney, Q and Siku offer an up-close chance for visitors to study seal behavior and become their ambassadors for smarter marine conservation,” said James C. Gurke, chair of the Aquarium board. “Our mission is to educate the public on how to protect these magnificent mammals and their habitat. We can do that by engaging the public with an exhibit that is now better geared for seals and visitors.”

The new harbor seal exhibit is part of the Aquarium’s continued strategic plan to ensure the Aquarium’s mission of inspiring conservation of Puget Sound’s marine environment. The Aquarium completed a $22 million renovation of its building and launch of its Window of Washington Waters exhibit in 2007. The Aquarium successfully transitioned into a nonprofit in 2010.

Hours/prices at the Aquarium:
The Aquarium is open daily from 9:30am to 5pm daily, with the exhibits closing at 6pm.
Admission fees: Adults $21.95; Youth (4-12) $14.95; Children 3 and younger are admitted FREE.

On the web: www.seattleaquarium.org
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/Aquarium.Seattle
On Twitter: twitter.com/SeattleAquarium

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Ballard Weekend: Ballard bike block party; Ballard High presents "Songs for a New World;" SketchFest storms Ballard Underground

bryanz — Fri, 31 May 2013 18:41:58 +0000

Friday, May 31

Ballard Bike Street Party

What: Celebrate the Bike Month finale with hundreds of other bicyclists at the annual Ballard Street Party. Cascade Bicycle Club transforms the heart of Ballard into a bike block party, and you're invited!

Where: Bergen Place Park

When: Friday, May 31, 4-7 p.m.

More info: http://www.cbcef.org/btw/btw_afterparty.html

Ballard High School presents “Songs for a New World”

What: Ballard High School Playmakers present Jason Robert Brown’s musical revue, which transports his audience from the deck of a 1492 Spanish sailing ship to a ledge 57 stories above Fifth Avenue to meet a startling array of characters. Purchase tickets at https://www.showtix4u.com

Where: Ballard High School, Earl Kelly Performing Arts Center (1418 N.W. 65th St.)

When: Friday, May 31, 7:30 p.m.

More info: http://www.ballardperformingarts.org/

SketchFest at Ballard Underground

What: The entire month of June is going to be chocked full of all of Seattle's best sketch comedy. Experience a huge chunk of the wonderful script/character focused comedians which Seattle has to offer. On Friday, SketchFest will host "Comedy Contest for a Cause: A World Beyond Oil" and "Princess."

Where: Ballard Underground (2220 NW Market Lower Level)

When: Friday, May 31, Comedy Contest for a cause starts at 7 p.m., Princess starts at 9 p.m.

More info: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/374045

Saturday, June 1

Whittier Heights Annual Garage Sale

What: Neighbors all over Whittier Heights will be hosting garage sales.

When: Saturday, June 1

Where: Whittier Heights Neighborhood

More info: Brad Wakeman at Brad@LakeRE.com

Concerts at the Locks

Enjoy free music while you visit the Ballard Locks. On Saturday, the Boeing Employees Concert Band will be playing.

Where: Ballard Locks

When: Saturday, June 1, 2 p.m.

More info: http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/LocksandDams/Chittende...

Relay for Life

What: It's too late to sign up, but you can still cheer on and support the teams who will be walking on the Whitman Middle School Track from 2 p.m. on Saturday to 8 a.m. on Sunday to support a cure for cancer.

Where: Whitman Middle School Track (9201 15th Ave NW)

Description: Relay For Life is a celebration of survivorship – an occasion to express hope and our shared goal to end a disease that threatens the lives of so many people we love. Relay For Life events are held overnight as individuals and teams camp out with the goal of keeping at least one team member on the track at all times throughout the night..Check out

http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLCY13GW?fr_id=50502&pg...

SNAP: Emergency and Natural Disaster Preparation

What: Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP) is offered at various libraries throughout the City to help residents and neighborhoods become well prepared for disasters. This interactive and informative program teaches simple steps that don’t take a lot of time or money. You’ll learn that preparedness can be fun and empowering! more info at

Where: Ballard Library (5614 22nd Ave NW)

When: June 1, 6-7:30 p.m.

More info: http://www.spl.org/locations/ballard-branch/balevents-at-this-branch

Ballard High School presents “Songs for a New World”

Where: Ballard High School, Earl Kelly Performing Arts Center (1418 N.W. 65th St.)

When: Saturday, June 1, 7:30 p.m.

More info: http://www.ballardperformingarts.org/

SketchFest at Ballard Underground

What: The entire month of June is going to be chocked full of all of Seattle's best sketch comedy. Experience a huge chunk of the wonderful script/character focused comedians which Seattle has to offer. On Saturday, SketchFest will host "Ubiquitous They: Pass More Pleasently & Pork Filled Players" and "Jason 'n' SPike & Drop the Root Beer and Run."

Where: Ballard Underground (2220 NW Market Lower Level)

When: Saturday, June 1, Ubiquitous They starts at 7 p.m., Jason 'n' Spike starts at 8:30 p.m.

More info: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/374045

Sunday, June 2

Ballard Farmers Market

What: Ballard Farmer's Market is open year-round and features fresh produce from local farmers, flowers, trinkets, street entertainment and more.

Where: Ballard Avenue NW, between Vernon Place NW and 22nd Avenue NW

When: Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

More info: http://ballardfarmersmarket.wordpress.com/

Concerts at the Locks

Enjoy free music while you visit the Ballard Locks. On Saturday, the Boeing Employees Concert Band will be playing.

Where: Ballard Locks

When: Sunday, June 2, 2 p.m.

More info: http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/LocksandDams/Chittende...

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$2 scoops for bikers at Cupcake Royale today; Free Popcorn at KuKuRuza on Sunday

bryanz — Fri, 31 May 2013 19:27:21 +0000

The Snack Gods look favorably on Ballard.

Today, Cupcake Royale (2052 NW Market St) will be selling discounted icecream to bicyclists at $2 a scoop starting at 2 p.m. What better way to start off the the Street Bike Party starting at 4 p.m. at Bergen Place Park?

On Sunday, which apparently is Free Popcorn Day, Kukuruza (2211 NW Market St) will be giving away free small bags of popcorn. One per customer, of course. They have a new wild huckleberry flavor that looks as dangerous as it is delicious. They'll also be sampling popcorn today for the influx of bicyclists.

So go forth, get ye discounted and free snacks, and be merry.

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SLIDESHOW: The Anchor, Ballard's first superhero, fights evil crab at Golden Gardens

bryanz — Thu, 30 May 2013 19:41:45 +0000

An orange-and-yellow clad superhero has been roaming the streets and seasides of Ballard lately, protecting residents from terrorizing crustaceans, hipsters, condos and anyone who doesn't like lutefisk.

His name is, simply, The Anchor. You may have seen him at Syttende Mai with his mermaid friend. Spoken of before only in hushed whispers, The Anchor has finally come into public view, just in time for SeafoodFest. Which he loves to talk about. (It's Saturday and Sunday, July 13-14, on Ballard Ave and Market St, if you haven't received the memo.)

On Tuesday, The Ballard News-Tribune received a tip that a devious crab was roaming Golden Gardens, snapping its claws at tourists. Before we got there though, The Anchor was already on the scene.

What ensued was a battle of epic proportions. The two went mono-a-mono, blow-for-blow, fist vs. pincer. It wasn't until The Anchor used his, well, anchor -- which has mysterious powers and which no sea creature can defend against -- that the fight was resolved.

If you see The Anchor around town, make sure to say thank you for saving your life. To learn more about SeafoodFest, visit http://seafoodfest.org/.

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Dirt Exchange, small business with classic family spirit

bryanz — Wed, 29 May 2013 15:39:12 +0000

In a way, the folks at Dirt Exchange by the Ballard Bridge represent the American Dream. They are the quintessential family-owned small business.

The father, Gary Ard, grew up on a farm and went on to be an architect. The daughter, Brittani Ard, was a land use consultant. But both dropped their respective careers to do what they love: Play in the dirt, and allow others the opportunity to play in the dirt, too.

“It’s a lot less stress and a lot more fun,” Brittani Ard said of switching careers.

Or, at least, Gary Ard says it’s a different kind of stress. Whereas before they could spend all day working full bore and not necessarily feel like they got anything done at the end of the day, at Dirt Exchange they can go to bed every night knowing they helped someone with something.

“It turns out there’s something really enjoyable providing a service, a product,” Gary Ard said. “It’s a fun place to work because everyone is trying to improve their property.”

Gary Ard jokes that while the do all the fun stuff, his wife Rowena Ard has to do all of the hard, boring work -- accounting and paper work.

If all that wasn’t enough, every Sunday, the Ard family gets together at the grandmother’s house to have dinner. Whereas many families might manage to get a few people together a few times a year, they manage to pull together at least 16 people for a weekly dinner.

“We spend a lot of time together,” Brittani Ard said, mentioning that her and her dad were actually taking time off of work this weekend to spend time together.

The family originally started the business as an excavation company about seven years ago, but quickly realized the benefits of reusing the dirt and serving the local community. Now, their company wears multiple hats: excavation, bulk compost retailer, a place where customers can bring leftover dirt and rocks, and with their new building, a place to buy landscaping tools.

“Between Queen Anne, Magnolia and Ballard, we have a lot of good customers and it’s been fun to serve this whole other industry,” Gary Ard said, referring to the landscape industry. “... It’s like a bunch of cooks in the kitchen, and it’s really interesting. … They all have their favorites.”

Just last month, they made a big move from their original Ballard location, which is being paved over for a storage building with a possible floor of retail. Though the new Dirt Exchange space is only two blocks to the north, it offers huge change in both size and the fact that it comes with a building where they can sell items and have office space.

“Trying to find a place in Ballard that would work was a little tricky,” Brittani Ard said.

The interior of the building matches the personality of the family and particularly of Gary Ard, who grew up on a farm. Rough, salvaged lumber has been reused to comprise the stairs, display tables and counterspace. (Gary Ard keeps on getting told that the wood would look beautiful if he just sanded it down, but he keeps saying no, he likes the rough, down-to-earth nature of it.)

Dirt Exchange has also ingrained itself into the community. Besides being the go-to place for everyone’s dirt needs, the Ard family entertains field trips and teaches kids about composting. They also have donated plenty of trucking and material to various community projects.

One of those community projects, a median renovation at 14th Ave NW and NW 58th St, had The East Ballard Community Association effusing praise for Dirt Exchange. Co-chair Shannon Dunn’s description of Brittani (who loves to drive around the trucks and excavators) was particularly heartfelt. On their blog, Dunn writes about how helpful and thoughtful she was, “Brittani, the ownerʼs daughter … was a skilled and efficient operator. Watching her back a dump truck into the median between the oak tree and the sculpture was inspiring.”

The large new property means the Ard family is committing to their excavation and dirt retail business. It was not a decision easily made, Gary and Brittani Ard said. They thought how the timing would be perfect to just quit and move on.

But in the end, the family stayed put. Now, Brittani is looking at her two sons, who love playing on the excavators and in the dirt yard, and is considering what they’re going to do when they grow up.

“I have two boys that love it here and I’m hoping when they grow up they’ll take over,” Brittani Ard said. “One of my kids is exactly like my father, except younger.”

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Scenes From Old Ballard: A tradition of baseball

bryanz — Tue, 28 May 2013 15:33:14 +0000

While a good season of Ballard High School baseball wound down to an end at the beginning of the month, the Ballard News-Tribune wanted to take a glance at baseball in the yesteryear.

In this photo, nine boys play baseball out in front of Adams Elementary circa 1910. The expressions on the children in the background are priceless. While some are waiting intently for the pitcher to hurl the ball, others look simply bored, waiting for their turn to take a crack at the bat.

Meanwhile, this year, Ballard High School’s baseball team was full of promise as a core group of talented seniors attempted to claw their way through to the championship. Unfortunately, they fell short, making it to the playoffs but losing early on against Skyline in a May 7 game that resulted in a 2-3 loss. A single tweet sent out by Ballard High School at the end of the game sums up the emotional moment: “Man! That stings. Great comeback Beavers! Heart you.”

Nonetheless, it’s clear that Ballard has a long tradition of playing baseball, and though the Beavers lost this year, they contributed their own moments and stories to that tradition.

Scenes From Old Ballard consists of notes and photos taken from the Ballard Historical Society archives. You can follow BHS at ballardhistory.wordpress.com.

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