Bringing in Ballard Friday night socials connect newcomers to long-time residents to support bonds with each other and to this unique and delightful corner of the city. Each event includes potluck, speakers, crafts and opportunities to socialize and learn.

The next Bringing in Ballard event is Meet Your Ride: Getting from Here to There, on Friday, September 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Cheryl Chow Court at 2014 NW 57th St in downtown Ballard. Seattle’s lead bridge tender will share experiences from the bridge towers. Hiram Chittendon Locks staff will explain how they get all those boats between Puget Sound and Lake Union. Participants can test ride one of three models of electric bikes from Rad Power Bikes to experience other fun and sustainable ways to travel. Confused about the Missing Link on the Burke Gilman, Neighborhood Greenways, or SEVA Electric Vehicles? Learn more from several organizations including Cascade Bicycle Club.

The event is free, but participants are asked to bring something for the potluck, along with canned or packaged food for the Ballard Food Bank.

Launched in the November 2015 the yearlong series will have its final event on Friday, November 18, 2016. Each event was themed to illuminate an aspect of Ballard’s history in order to build its vibrant future. The series has highlighted Community Organizations, Stories of Home, Maritime and All Things Garden. After Meet Your Ride the series will end with Harvest, and feature well-known local chef Bruce Naftaly (formerly of Le Gourmand) in an evening showcase of local farm to Ballard table.

The Bringing in Ballard Series is part of a Small & Simple Grant to Cheryl Chow Court from the Department of Neighborhoods, City of Seattle. Steering Committee Members include the Low Income Housing Institute, Nordic Heritage Museum, Ballard Task Force on Homelessness, Sustainable Ballard, Ballard Historical Society, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, At Large in Ballard, and staff and residents of Cheryl Chow Court, Arthur Warmoth of Cheryl Chow Court.