July 2012

press release
Mars Hill Church is celebrating Summer in a big way by providing opportunities for gathering together for the purpose of building relationships and enjoying God's good creation.

On July 21st we will be meeting in Lincoln Park at shelter #5, the northernmost shelter for a picnic and cupcake cook-off.

What to bring:
-Blankets & Chairs (picnic tables available)
-Outdoor Games
-Neighbors, family and friends

Details of Cupcake Cook-off:
-Bake a dozen cupcakes (11 to share and 1 to enter in the competition)
-Panel of 3 judges will evaluate cupcake entries on appearance, uniqueness, and flavor
-Guests will submit votes for favorite cupcake
-Baker of Best Overall Cupcake wins a $50 giftcard to Target
-Winner by popular vote wins a $25 giftcard to Target
-Baker of Best Gluten-Free Cupcake wins a $10 giftcard to Target

Rules of Cupcake Cook-off:
-One entry per person (Although, you are able to enter one gluten-free and one regular)
-Must submit entry by 12pm to be eligible

The 30th annual West Seattle street party, Summerfest will welcome multiple thousands to the community July 13 through 15.

The event this year will feature GreenLife, a sustainability and garden expo, sponsored by the West Seattle Nursery and Sustainable West Seattle. Also new this year is Art Dive! a communal area coordinated by the Twilight Artists Collective where dozens of local artists will be displaying their work.

More than 150 vendors, from food booths to major companies will line up on California Ave. s.w. from Oregon Street to Edmunds Street s.w. selling everything from clothing and candles to cellphones and jewelry.

Local restaurants will have designated street side cafe areas set up to serve visitors including West 5, Elliott Bay Brew Pub, Bang Bar, Sugar Rush Baking Company (Coffee to a tea), and others.

Entertainment (see below) will happen all weekend on two stages. 28 musical acts are scheduled.

The California stage, located north of Oregon Street s.w. will feature live music with by rising musician Star Anna at 8:15 Friday night.

Storming the stage Saturday night at 8:45 is emo pop punk band Alcohol Funnycar followed by Pierced Arrows.

Press release:

Plants are amazing organisms that feed us, clothe us, heal us, shelter us, and protect us. Learn more about the green wonders that can be found in your very own neighborhood this Saturday.

Join us for a FREE program:

Saturday, July 14th, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Bigfoot Backwoods: The Power of Plants
Environmental Science Center at Seahurst Beach

Herbal scientist, Vicki Winston, and associate will be leading a program on the many uses of plants. There will also be science stations, art stations, and nature hikes to engage curious minds of all ages!

Directions
http://envsciencecenter.org/about/contact/

For questions, contact Jennifer Dumlao: Outreach@EnvScienceCenter.org or 206.248.4266.

For more information about the Environmental Science Center visit: www.envsciencecenter.org

Another event is colliding with Seafoodfest this Saturday: the Second Saturday Ballard Artwalk! Local artists will be opening their studios and businesses will be displaying art on their walls. The artwalk takes place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Above is a map of participating locations. Below are the coordinating numbers, names of businesses and addresses.

So in the midst of chowing on salmon, don't forget to feed your eyes with art.

1) The Scoop at Walters, 6408 32nd Ave NW

2) Ballard Works, 2856 NW Market St

3) Art & Soul, 2860 NW Market St

4) La Isla, 2320 NW Market St

5) SAVOUR, 2242 NW Market St

6) Shakti Vinyasa Yoga, 2238 NW Market St

7) Market Street Shoes, 2232 NW Market St

8) Great Harvest Bread Co., 2218 NW Market St

9) Annie's Art and Frame, 2212 NW Market St

10) Starbucks, 2200 NW Market St

11) La Tienda Folk Art Gallery, 2050 NW Market St

12) Umpqua Bank, 2032 NW Market St

13) Dakota Art Store, 2000 NW Market St

14) Habitude, 2801 Market St

15) indi chocolate, 2325 1/2 NW Market St

16) BalMar, 5449 Ballard Ave NW

17) Miro Tea, 5405 Ballard Ave NW

After a highly charged meeting at the Fauntleroy Community Association on July 11, Seattle Parks and Recreation has withdrawn their proposal to build a zipline and ropes course in West Seattle's Lincoln Park.

“We listened to the community, and though there is demand for this emerging form of recreation, there are some who clearly do not support it at this location,” said Acting Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams.

According to a parks press release,"Low and high ropes courses are gaining in popularity worldwide, and they are among a number of emerging sports and other outdoor activities Parks and Recreation is working hard to accommodate.

by Joshua Chin, UW News Lab Intern

Can you imagine what Thomas Jefferson would look like after a zombie apocalypse?

Dead End Press, a collaborative art studio located in Ballard, hosted the third Sketch Jam on Sunday, July 8, celebrating the spirits of the undead as well as our Founding Fathers. The theme was sparked by the Fourth of July holiday.

Thirteen artists drew from noon to 5 p.m., then helped set up for the big event. As the clock struck 6, guests entered the studio with tickets to vote for their favorite zombie figure.

“I gave the most points to Zombie Betsy,” said Dipa Reddy, a third-time attendee. “I really like how well the watercolor and paint blended together.”

In fact, artists were judged not only on drawing skill and creativity, but on a certain “it” factor that separates a winner from rest of the competitors, according to Jordan Giarratano, one of the co-founders.

At the end, it was Seth Goodkind who edged out the competition with his Zombie Crispus Attucks leading a mob of zombie minions.

Over 250 angry advocates for Lincoln Park and the natural beauty it offers packed Fauntleroy Hall for a 7:00 p.m. Fauntleroy Community Association (FCA) meeting tonight to voice concerns over a plan by Seattle Parks & Rec to install a zipline "Treetop Adventure Course". It would be operated by the company Go Ape! which installs such attractions worldwide in parks. A fee is charged to use the zipline and some money benefits cash-strapped communities and their parks departments.

The two invited representatives for Seattle Parks, Charles Ng and Rebecca Salinas first spoke and were booed loudly by many attendees. Salinas claimed that a lot of misinformation about the zipline project has been circulating in the media. Representing Go Ape! was Chris Swallow, who was introduced, and also booed. He did not speak. FCA President Bruce Butterfield then took the microphone and pleaded with the audience to show civility to the invited guests, and explained the Parks reps were given just seven minutes to speak during the two-hour meeting. Most honored his request.

John Van Lierop, Jr, who runs a piano studio on Gatewood Hill off Morgan Street has had his cat Morris for 20 years. Morris was purchased from a now closed pet store in the Alaska Junction when he was only a couple of weeks old. When they first saw Morris, Van Lierop said, "We could tell he wanted a home and when we took him out of the cage he just clung to my father."

Over the years the cat has heard countless piano students play on John’s grand piano in his upstairs living room. Now, when they come to play they want him in the room with some feeling they play better with him there.

Morris generally rests on the couch as the students perform their pieces. But if the music gets too loud he immediately leaves the room. Morris,"Likes Chopin and softer more tuneful music," said Van Lierop, who indicated that Beethoven is not on Morris's playlist.

Morris has a feisty nature, which his veterinarian feels has contributed to his longevity.

Students have learned to only pet him on the head or else expect a bite from his sharp teeth.

Photo via Creative Commons, by Cheryl

I love how my garden changes every year. Last year I had the best spinach ever, but not a red tomato in sight. This year, it’s all about the peas. They are amazing! The vines are loaded with pods and beautiful paper-white flowers, with new ones appearing daily.

There is nothing as sweet as peas right off the vine. (Well, maybe a fresh tomato). At my house garden-fresh peas often don’t even make it in the kitchen door – they are gobbled up on the spot by my family and garden visitors.

Not only are peas delicious, they are a good source of vitamins A, K and C, as well as folate. Plus, they are a great protein source and the pods are high in fiber, which helps protect your kidneys and heart.

If you don’t have a garden, try a farmers’ market or an Asian produce market for wonderful, crunchy, green, first-of-summer peas. There are three kinds, all worth a taste:

Earliest this year, Ballard’s newest barbecue joint opened on the corner of Ballard Avenue NW and NW Vernon Place, and the smell of sweet, roasting meats can be smelled from the street.

The meats are free-range, the vegetables are local, and the atmosphere is perfect for enjoying Bitterroot’s intentionally all-American fare.

“We wanted to do something more casual, more street-food focused,” said Co-owner and General Manager Hannah Carter.

Open seven days a week, with a happy hour that rivals some of Seattle’s best, the restaurant promises that you will “leave full and happy,” according to owners Grant Carter and Hannah Carter.

With 10 years’ experience in the industry, Hannah Carter said she and her husband are “passionate about barbecue.”

“My husband grew up on [braised beef,” she said of one of their popular menu items. “He’s been feeding me those for years.”

With a twinkle in her eye, Hannah Carter confessed of the braised beef sandwiches, “It’s one of the things he swooned me over with.”

Now, as the head chef, Grant Carter is serving up such menu items as “The Cowboy Killer” and “A Whole Chicken.”