Best of Ballard

It is that time of year again when the Ballard News Tribune puts out the Best of Ballard poll. We think it's a shame that they don't have a Best Blog category because we know we would win ...sorry My Ballard. :)

But make sure to fill out the ballot and support your favorite businesses. I know some of ours include: Oaxaca, The Smoke Shop, Ann's, Moshi Moshi, Clover, & Hazlewood.

Some additional categories could include:

Best Bridge:

Best Vacant Condominium Building:

Best Parade:

Nicest Homeless Person:

And what happened to Best Bartender?

Vote strong Ballard! And remember to ask for Best Blog next year!

To vote click the title link.

Representin' Our Hood

Update!

It came as quite a surprise to us when we received an email from our representative, Reuven Carlyle, asking if we would add a link to his site. If you recall, we linked to his legislative site when we were urging the public to protest the new liquor tax.

It turns out that our Silver Fox politico likes our site and gets some traffic from us! "Hey, I get a number of clicks from your awesome site...not sure if you get many from me. Could I get a link from your site since I represent Ballard in the Legislature and try and be relatively cool (that a father of 4 can muster in a minivan!). "

Well, we think you're pretty cool! Especially if you can help repeal that stupid new liquor tax. Oh, and our other pet peeve about our fair city - WHY CAN'T WE GET SYNCHRONIZED LIGHTS ALONG MARKET STREET?! This is the 21st Century people. So, Reuven, anything you can do to help with that would be awesome. Thanks!

Update:
Reuven responded to our plea. Here's what he found out - basically, our lights are old and tired and too many old and tired people are walking around Ballard for them to fix it.

BGG,

Here's the response from Seattle DOT about the signals along Market that you asked me to tackle for you.

Hum....how's this for a non answer answer?! Always takes more, more. Sheesh.

"The signals on NW Market St. between 8th Ave. N.W. and 24th Ave. N.W. were synchronized in 2008. SDOT does re-calibrate the signal synchronization periodically as needed.

There are a few items to take into account with respect to optimizing this corridor. There are high volumes of pedestrians. As a result, we need to balance the needs of the pedestrians and vehicles traversing the corridor, which will result in less than optimum conditions for vehicle progression. In addition, with the close proximity of the fire station just west of 15th Ave. N.W., Market Street experiences a high number of emergency responses throughout the day, resulting in the signal system not operating in a coordinated fashion for periods of time. Parking activities along Market Street also contribute to less than optimal conditions for progression. This corridor also has some of the oldest electronics running the intersections, limiting our ability to provide the very best results. We have applied for grant funding over the past years to upgrade the system in downtown Ballard, but to this point, we have been unsuccessful in doing so."

I have no idea what this means in English.

Your partner in service,

Reuven "Ballard's Foxy Pol" Carlyle :-)
State Representative
36th District--the heart, soul, passion and spirit of Seattle

Motorcyclist Injured on 24th and 56th

We saw a FedEx Kinkos van hit a motorcyclist this morning at about 8:10 a.m. The van was turning left onto 56th and hit the cyclist. The driver of the motorcyclist was moving around but we are pretty sure they were hurt badly. Thank you to all of the motorists who stopped to help. Our thoughts go out to everyone involved.

Wash and Fold Service?

Wash and Fold Dry Cleaner or Laundromat...


Anyone know of a wash and fold service in Ballard or the surrounding area? You know, the kind where you can drop of laundry and they weigh it, wash, dry and fold it for you.

Toad and Salmon's Chowder Bowl

This sounds fun....see you all there I hope!



Toad and Salmon's Chowder Bowl July 18, 10:00amThe chowderbowl in Seattle is a one of a kind event that has a skateboard bowl contest, as well as a chowder cook off. This event will take place Saturday July 18th at the Ballard Commons park. There are cash, and product prizes, with skateboard participants being judged in the bowl and the chowder being judged against other entrants. There is a world class panel of judges for both.The production crew expects close to 250 spectators and close to 75 entrants. This event is free to the public, and everyone is welcome. The event starts at 12 noon and goes until 5 pm. The chowderbowl is going to be off the hook! Come support Seattle's skateboard and chowder scene!

Friday Rush Hour Ship Canal Nightmare - maybe

Alert Alert Alert!

We just found out that the Ballard, Fremont, Montlake and University Bridges will all close intermittently during rush hour tonight! Beware drivers, it could be a mess. A barge carrying a huge part of the I90 bridge will be passing through the ship canal according to Q13. Here's a link to their article.

We absolutely cannot believe they would allow the bridges to go up during rush hour. What would Chris Tucker say? I mean, really.

Let us know if you see the barge pass - maybe they'll get it done early!

Portage Bay Cafe Open Today

Update - Portage Bay Cafe is open Today! Go check them out and let us know what you think. 2821 NW Market St.

We're thrilled to hear that PBC has most of their permits ready. Amy says they are looking to open this Friday. This could be the best brunch weekend in Ballard yet.

Edith Macefield Would Be Pissed

We're just saying...this is a whole lot of attention she might not have wanted for her or her house.

Hold on to what is important to you. It's not necessarily a publicity stunt for a motivational speaker - or scam artist depending on who you believe. According to the Seattle Times, Greg Pinneo has served time for a loan scam in 97.

" A Seattle-area entrepreneur who ran a real-estate loan scam has been sentenced to 13 months in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Gregory Pinneo, 38, was among four people sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge William Dwyer in a so-called "no money down" real-estate-financing scheme."

From the P.I. in '07, "I liked the old Ballard," Macefield said. "The new one -- you can have it."

We all know what she meant to us. What do you think?