PubliCola asked the question, 'Whose neighborhood is better?' to "instigate a little summer rivalry" and our columnist Peggy Sturdivant responded:

"The notion that Ballard is just a neighborhood of slow-driving Scandinavians dedicated to the preservation of lutefisk is hopelessly outdated, but a convenient cover for Ballard’s embarrassment of riches (which Seattle just had to make its own in 1907).

Ballard can deliver all of the essential services: Full hospital, library with green roof, high school, farmer’s market, live music venues and restaurants that represent practically every part of the world. Although Ballard isn’t yet known for its ethnic diversity or its architecture, a new resident recently said, “I’m an African-American woman from Texas, who’s participating in a Norwegian parade by doing a Latin dance with the health club.” Yah betcha."

Read more, here.