The WaterWheel's new menu

The Waterwheel Lounge is hosting their first annual DrunkFest, on Sunday May 24th. Sounds like it will be a good time. Stu has mentioned he will annouce his new BBQ menu that day. The Waterwheel is changing their menu, and going all BBQ. (Don't worry, the fried chicken isnt going anywhere!)

I have tried his homemade BBQ sauce, and it's quite delicious. So, come see for yourself on May 24th. Would love to know what you all think!

Stupid Liquor Board Ruining Our Life Again

The price of booze is going up drinky friends. Beware! Expect to see price increases at your local liquor store and at bars and restaurants. The Washington State Liquor board approved a tax increase of more than 10% to go into effect August.

According to the sin tax loving board's whiskey example, here's what you'll be paying:

Premium whiskey priced today at $41.95 would be approximately $45.65 under the new formula. A value whiskey priced today at $10.95 would be approximately $11.85 as of August 1, 2009.

And who knows how much bars will start marking up drinks. What should a recession stressed liquor lover do?

• Start hoarding liquor now!
  
• Email the liquor board and suggest they open all liquor stores on Sundays to make up for lost revenue instead of increasing sin taxes. Write to them at comments@liq.wa.gov
• Tell your state reps you're pissed! Ballard is in the 36th district. Here's who to contact with links to their contact information:

Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles
Rep. Reuven Carlyle
Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson

Rise Up People! Rise Up!

Waterwheel Street Side Sign Alight!

It's Alive! Wheel Be Able To Find You Now!

The sign at the Waterwheel is lit up after years and years and years of being dark. Isn't it amazing? We think we'll be craving a martini and cheeseburger dinner more regularly.

Thanks go out to the new owners decided it was time to light the beacon of hope on 15th. We think this will help us find that tricky parking lot as we fly by.

It's Industry Night

Monday Night is Industry Night in Ballard

We thought we'd be kind to our local bartenders and waiters by letting them know where they can go out in Ballard for Industry Night deals. While some of these deals are exclusive for servers, I think some places may give these deals to everyone.

Waterwheel: $2 Beers and $4 Jagers. And have you looked at their new site?
BalMar: Happy Hour food til 10 p.m.
Loft: Manic Monday Industry Night (must show industry proof)
MoshiMoshi: They have an industry special - ask about it if you're industry

Okay where else do they have industry night? Help us Obi One, you're our only hope.

Syttende Gay Returns! Hej!

IT'S BACK!

May 17th (or Syttende May in Norwegian) is Ballard's biggest day of the year. It's Norwegian Constitution Day and it's one of the largest Norwegian parades outside of Norway. The Syttende Mai Parade will again feature the fabulous Syttende Gay event at BalMar - their event name is quite clever. All of the local Scandigavians will be there to watch.

Where will you watch? The BGG has our patio reserved and we've started planning for the day. The parade starts at 4:00 p.m. near Adam's Elementary on 24th and 62nd. The route follows 24th down to Market Street where they head east toward Bergen Place.

It's actually not too late to apply to march in the parade. You can get the application here.

As we've said before, we really love the Seattle Police Motorcycle Drill Team. Here's a video of them we found on YouTube. Enjoy!

Dirty Little Party and Famous People

In case you have been salivating since you heard Lindsay and Sam split, you can get your chance to see the high profile man-waif spin here in Seattle. "DJ" Samantha Ronson will be spinning at DList Magazine's anniversary party in Fremont. (Although we're way more fond of her brother's work - especially the lovely remix of the Klaxons' Valerie featuring Ms. Winehouse.)

They're promoting a pretty interesting group of people including tan-o-riffic Blayne Walsh from Project Runway.

You can get some tickets at BrownPaperTickets.com for the May 14th show. Now's your chance for you to famewhore around in your own neighborhood!

New BECU Branch in Ballard Square

We confirmed with BECU that they will be moving from their current location to the Ballard Square building at 2232 NW Market St. BECU's Media contact Todd Pietzsch says they have outgrown their space in Safeway.

BECU be in the building where SuperCuts and The Tux Shop were located. According to BECU, "We are projecting opening in July."

Thanks go out to BGG reader Anna Jacobs for the question!