The print deadline for calendar submissions is two weeks before the date of the event to be publicized. Email calendar@ballardnewstribune.com, or to get it posted online immediately, email anner@robinsonnews.com.

Breakfast & Neighborhood Cleanup
Jan 8th, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
8018 Fremont Ave N.

Celebrate the NEW YEAR by participating in GAIN's next litter cleanup. Join us for a FREE breakfast hosted by Greenwood Christian Church followed by a neighborhood cleanup.
We will be doing both a leaf / stormdrain cleanup as well as litter cleanup.

Sustainable Ballard sailboat CSA to talk at Sustainable
6:30 - 9 PM
January 18th
Senior Center of West Seattle
Ballard's Salish Sea Trading Cooperative, co-founded by two Sustainable Ballard members, will share their sailing adventures and lessons learned from working in harmony with Nature, using her gifts of wind and tide to power an organic vegetable CSA program (Sequim to Ballard).
In true potlatch style, the co-op will bring a small gift of sail repair tools for West Seattle's community tool lending library.
For more info, contact info@sustainablewestseattle.org.

Secret Garden Bookshop
2214 NW Market St.

Crab Feed Dinner
January 22, 2011
Leif Erikson Hall
2245 NW 57th
Crab feed with Silent and Dessert Auctions for Leif Erikson Lodge 2-001 Scholarship Fund
After dinner dance to the jazz/blues music of Victoria and the Sometimes, a young group lead by singer Victoria Mjolsnes who trained at the Cornish College of the Arts!

Ballard Little League Free Pitching Clinics
Salmon Bay Elementary East Gym
1810 N.W. 65th St.
Session 3: Jan. 10, 11, 13, 17, 18, 20, 24, 25 & 27.
To reserve a spot: Contact League President at www.p.lott@comcast.net. Then go to: www.BALLARDLL.net to 1. Download & fill out Registration Form. 2. Download & fill out Medical Release Form. 3. Download, read, & sign the Concussion Information Sheet. 4. Include registration payment (see Registration Form above.) 5. Mail all to: Ballard Little League, P.O. Box 17458, Seattle, Wa 98107

"Secrets" Reading at Hugo House
Saturday, February 12, 7-9:00 pm, free and open to the public
David Schmader from The Stranger will host “Secrets” on Saturday, February 12, 2011, at Richard Hugo House, 7:00 p.m. Featuring ten local writers, four of whom live in Ballard, Corbin Lewars, Tanya Ruckstuhl-Valenti, Ann Teplick, Lisette Austin, Anastacia Tolbert, Jennifer Munro, Monica Lemoine, Larissa Min, Deborah Pursifull, and Bonnie Rough.
These smart and sassy women will bare their secrets about life and love—in poetry, prose and plays—in an evening where truth may bleed into fiction. But maybe not.
The event is free and open to the public. A $3.00 donation is requested.

Taproot's Acting Studio:

Drama with Your Mama
Come experience the class everyone's talking about! Drama with Your Mama pairs toddlers and their parents or caregivers in an engaging and enriching class designed to activate and encourage children's imaginations while helping them bond with their caregivers. Parents and caregivers will learn to cultivate their children's creativity with fun, exciting games and activities they can also incorporate into playtime at home.

Ages 1-3
$75 per 6 week session or drop in for $15 per class
Seattle: Thursdays, Jan 13-Feb 17, 6 weeks 10-10:45 am | Location: Timberlake Church-Ballard
Shoreline: Fridays, Jan 14–Feb 18, 6 weeks 11:15 am-12 pm | Location: TBA

Dramatic Adventures
Acting is a tall order, with many skills required to create believable characters and situations, but this class breaks it all down for young actors, helping them learn each of the components of acting-words, emotions, thoughts, expressions and movement-in a fun and exciting way. With sessions for various age groups, ranging from Pre-K through third grade, each session is designed with lessons specifically targeted for your child's age. Children create their own play, which they'll perform for friends and family during the final class.

2 Sessions!!
Session 1: Grades: Pre-K & K
Session 2: Grades: 1st-3rd
Mondays, Jan 24-Feb 28 (no class the week of Feb 21-25) | 4-5:30 pm | 5 weeks | $195
Location: Taproot Theatre Company

Winter Showcase
Think your kid or teen has what it takes to light up the stage? Give them a taste of the professional acting experience by signing them up for Winter Showcase. Students will learn acting techniques during each class and put them into practice as they work together to put on a one-act play for friends and family. All levels welcomed; beginning students will learn the building blocks of acting while advanced students will be encouraged to stretch their acting skills and explore their range of characterization.

Grades: 4th-12th | Tuesdays, Feb 8-April 5 (no class the week of Feb 21-25) | 6–8 pm | 9 weeks | $235
Dress Rehearsal: Monday, April 4, 6–8 pm at Taproot Theatre Company
Performance: Tuesday, April 5, 7 pm at Taproot Theatre Company
Location: Timberlake Church-Ballard

MIDWINTER BREAK CAMPS

Make the school break an enriching one for your child or teen by signing them up for one of our camps. With three age-based sessions to choose from, there’s something for everyone from ages Pre-K to 12th grade! From improv to stage combat, Shakespeare and musical theatre, students in Sessions 1 & 2 will sample the best of what theatre has to offer in this week filled with fun and adventure. Our youngest actors in Session 3 will exercise their creativity as they create an original performance while learning the building blocks of acting. Each session concludes with a performance on the final day of camp.

Session 1: Grades: 2nd-5th | Location: Taproot Theatre Company
Session 2: Grades: 6th-12th | Location: Taproot Theatre Company
Monday-Friday, Feb 21-25 | 10 am–4 pm | 1 week | $265
Performance: Friday, Feb 25, 3 pm at Taproot Theatre Company

Session 3: Grades: Pre-K-1st
Location: Timberlake Church-Ballard
Monday-Friday, Feb 21-25 | 10 am-2 pm | 1 week | $175
Performance: Friday, Feb 25, 1 pm at Timberlake Church-Ballard

ADULT CLASSES

Audition Master Class with Karen Lund
Get the extra edge on next year’s general auditions! Veteran casting director Karen Lund will help you master the art of auditioning, from your introduction to polishing your monologue, headshot & resume, and callbacks. 10 student maximum.

Mondays, January 24-Feb 7
7:00-10:00 pm
3 weeks
$250
Location: TBA

Actors’ Workout
Keep your acting skills sharp by giving them the training and practice they deserve. Through improvisational exercises and scene work, Actors’ Workout encourages beginning and advanced actors in the building and maturing of basic acting techniques. You’ll take your performance to new levels while working with a Taproot teacher who will help bring out your unique talents.

Mondays, Jan 24-March 14 (no class the week of Feb 21-25) | 7–9 pm | 7 weeks | $265
Location: Timberlake Church-Ballard

Music:

ROUND MOUNTAIN
Friday, January 21st
9 p.m.
Tickets $10/All ages
Egan’s Ballard Jam House
1707 NW Market Street.
206.789.1621

The Tractor Tavern:
5213 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

1/7 - 7th Annual Elvis Birthday Tribute with the
ROY KAY COMBO
with CHRIS BALLEW, MARTIN FEVEYEAR, LEON BERMAN, ANDREW McKEAG, BILLY JOE HUELS, BARBARA IRELAND, MARSHALL SCOTT WARNER, ANGELATINI, TONY LABORIE, CASEY MacGILL, KNUT BELL
with Special Performance by MISS KITTY BABY! and more!
a portion of the proceeds go to the DESC
Cover: $10 ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Time: 9:30pm

1/8 - animal funk, laced with old-school blues
HOT BODIES IN MOTION cd release show
THE GOLDEN BLONDES
Cover: $10adv/$12dos ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Time: 9:30pm

1/8 - quite & loud folk music
CHRISTY McWILSON &
DAVE ALVIN
seated show
Cover: $15 ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Time: 6pm

1/9 - new old-time & bluegrass
CAHALEN MORRISON & ELI WEST cd release show
WATER TOWER BUCKET BOYS
Cover: $8
Time: 8pm

1/10 - MONDAY SQUARE DANCE feat. music by
THE TALLBOYS
hellacious square dancing starts at 8 PM!
Cover: $5
Time: 7:30pm

1/11 - psychedelic pop & stoner rock
DEAD MEADOW
SWEET APPLE feat. J Mascis
BLOOD RED DANCERS
Cover: $15 ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Time: 8pm

1/12 - old-school cowboy cool
WYLIE & THE WILD WEST
seated show
no opener ~ playing 2 sets
Cover: $15 ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Time: 8pm

1/13 - 16th Annual Rock ‘n Roll Mardi Gras Tour
COWBOY MOUTH
DASH RIP ROCK (Fred LeBlanc’s old band)
Cover: $16adv/$18dos ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Time: 9pm

1/14 - 16th Annual Rock ‘n Roll Mardi Gras Tour
COWBOY MOUTH
DASH RIP ROCK (Fred LeBlanc’s old band)
Cover: $16adv/$18dos ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Time: 9pm

1/15 - horn powered, percussion fueled sonic assault
FIVE ALARM FUNK
ORKESTAR ZIRKONIUM
Cover: $10 ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Time: 9:30pm

1/16 - reckless honky-tonk
WAYNE 'The Train' HANCOCK
THE RAINIEROS
Cover: $15 ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Time: 8pm

1/19 - local rock, roots & soul
THE CHARITY STRIPE
WASHINGTON MILE
EXPLONE
Cover: $6
Time: 9pm

1/20 - gothic folk
THE HANDSOME FAMILY
SEAN ROWE
Cover: $12adv/$15dos ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Time: 8pm

1/21 - punk rock sea shanties & appalachian death polka
THE WAGES OF SIN
BEN GILMER & THE SIDEARMS
BUZZ BRUMP
Cover: $8 ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Time: 9:30pm

1/22 - sweet pop-rock confections
THE YOUNG EVILS
BLACK WHALES
THE FIRST TIMES
Cover: $8 ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Time: 9:30pm

1/22 - An Evening of Comedy and Music with
STUART DAVIS
seated show
Cover: $15 ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Time: 5pm

1/23 - alt-country singer/songwriter
ELIZABETH COOK
TONY FULGHAM & THE BLOOD
RACHEL MAE
Cover: $8adv/$10dos ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Time: 8pm

1/24 - MONDAY SQUARE DANCE feat. music by
THE TALLBOYS
hellacious square dancing starts at 8 PM!
Cover: $5
Time: 7:30pm

1/25 - local rock
AIRPORT WAY
JULIA MASSEY & THE FIVE FINGER DISCOUNT
SMILE BRIGADE
Cover: $6
Time: 8pm

1/26 - gothic, folk & celtic rock
OCKHAM'S RAZOR
BLVD PARK
BAT COUNTRY
Cover: $6
Time: 9pm

1/27 - all original 8-piece funk and afro-beat orchestra
POLYRHYTHMICS
YOGOMAN BURNING BAND
WHITNEY MONGE
Cover: $7
Time: 9pm

1/29 - STG presents
BOBBY LONG
Cover: $15 ~ Tickets also available at Sonic Boom!*
Time: 9pm

1/30 - local indie rock
THE THOUGHTS
THE SYNTHONY
PUNCH
Cover: $6
Time: 8pm

The Sunset Tavern
5433 Ballard Avenue NW
(206) 784-4880


FRI 1/7 9 PM
Police Teeth with Virgin Islands and Eastern Grip $7.00


SAT 1/8 8:30 PM
KEXP Audioasis benefit with Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground, Kaylee Cole & Bryan John Appleby $8.00 – $7.00

WED 1/12 9 PM
A Benefit Show for Geek Girl Con with DJ Princess Sparklepony, Chana Masala, Runt and more! $7.00 


THU 1/13 9 PM
Davidson Hart Kingsbery with Zoe Muth and The Lost High Rollers $7.00


FRI 1/14 9 PM
Dolorean with The Parson Red Heads and Barton Carroll $8.00


SAT 1/15 9 PM
Heather Sorrentino’s 30th Birthday Bash and Hall and Oates cover night with many awesome bands! $7.00


SUN 1/16 9 PM
Faintly with If Bears Were Bees and Dewi Sant $6.00


MON 1/17 6 PM
Kung Fu Grindhouse

Couth Buzzard Books Espresso Buono Cafe
8310 Greenwood Ave N.
www.buonobuzzard.com

Jazz First Fridays...hosted by Kenny Mandell(flutes, saxes, percussion) and Don Berman(percussion) with a special musician guest each month. This month Steve Barsotti(electronics) playing jazz of the masters and more. 7:30pm. Free.

Art-Up ArtWalk and Pacific Northwest Folklore Society Coffeehouse Concert. Every second Friday, starting with the walk at 6pm and the music at 7:30pm. This month--Matt Moeller and JW McClure. That's right, Free.

Community Cabaret. This month's Theme..."What's the Word." Celebrating word artistry in all its forms...poems, stories, comedy, lyrics. More details in our next missive. Saturday, January 22nd at 7:30pm. Do you have to ask? Free!

Pint and Dale. They keep coming back because you want them and sure want you. Rousing, swashbuckling tunes.
January 29, at 7:30pm. This is getting ridiculous...Free!

Special Concert...The Return of Hejira. Our genre-bending, culture-blending favorites return for a full evening of Middle Eastern meets Western music. Don Baragiano(guitars) and Anil(Tabla) and friends always fill the house.

Salmon Bay Eagles Club
5216 20th Ave NW in Ballard
206 / 783-7791

~ Jan Music ~

Sat 1st – COUNTRY NITE

Marc Bristol & Okie Doke

Thurs 6th – Black River Blues Band

Sat 8th – Jimmy Free & Friends

Thurs 13th – Kimball & The Fugitives

Sat 15th – FeVer

Thurs 20th – Jeff & Jet City Fliers

[21st Anniv of Blue Thursdays! – Party time!!]

Fri 21st – Teen Music Showcase

Sat 22nd – Daddy Treetops

& The Howlin’ Tomcats

Thurs 27th – Stan Eike Trio

28th & 29th – Kami’s Karaoke

Sun 30th – LIVE Swing Dance upstairs with
Brian Lee & The Orbiters
7-10pm $10

Ongoing Events:

Crafting and Publishing Personal Essays
Saturday, 1-3:00 p.m. for 5 weeks starting January 22 • $150
17th and 77th Ave NW

The first half of this class will be devoted to crafting and strengthening students’ personal essays. Using other authors as examples, we will discuss the importance of a strong lead, pacing, voice and other characteristics to consider when writing essays. Time will be devoted to workshop participants’ essays in class.The latter half of class will be spent learning about and identifying suitable publications to submit to. Participants will learn how to position themselves effectively in a query letter and craft an effective pitch. Ideally, by the end of the 5 weeks everyone will have submitted several queries and/or their complete essay to various publications. Sliding scale fee available. For more details view www.corbinlewars.com or contact Corbin at corbinlew@clearwire.net

Writing Your Nonfiction Book Proposal
Monday evenings, 7-9 p.m.
for six weeks starting January 24th
$190.
Each class will focus on a particular section of the book proposal. What is required to create a winning book concept, how much information needs to go into the overview, how to research your potential markets and competition, how to sell yourself as an author with a platform (even if you don’t think you have one), and everything else you need to know to complete a book proposal will be covered in class. Outside work will be expected to be done in between classes so we can workshop each section during class. The goal is to have a draft, if not complete book proposal, written by the end of the six weeks. Sliding scale fee available. For more details view www.corbinlewars.com or contact Corbin at corbinlew@clearwire.net

Greenwood Senior Center
525 N. 85th St.
206.297.0875

Enhance Fitness
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Ongoing. Certified instructors use cardiovascular exercise, strength training and stretching to help increase your strength, boost your activity levels and elevate your mood. Buy a monthly punch card and plan to attend two or three times a week. $32 2x/week for a month or $48 3x/week for a month.

Senior Voices Discussion Group
Second Thursday each month, 1-2 p.m.
Bette Reed from the Puget Sound Alliance for Retired American will facilitate this group. Discuss pertinent issues affecting older adults in the world today. Free.

Line Dance Class - All Levels
Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m.
Ongoing. In this easy, fun class, you’ll learn line dances to swing, rock and roll, waltz, zydeco, and western music. Benefits include increased flexibility, better balance, stronger muscles and improved body awareness. Different dances explored each month. $6 PNA member/$8 public.

Way of the Qin: An Exhibition on the Ancient Chinese Zither
Taoist Studies Institute
225 N. 70th St.
206.784.5632
Saturdays & Sundays, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Our exhibition will feature over 50 items illustrating Chinese culture and philosophy. The Qin, known as Guqin - Ancient Zither, has been played in China for over two thousand years and is an integral part of Chinese Culture. The exhibition includes paintings, calligraphy, rubbings, scholars’ objects, and and examples of the Guqin. www.taoiststudiesinstitute.org

Nordic Stories
First Tuesday of each month, 10-11 a.m.
Free (not intended for large groups). Program is geared toward stay-at-home parents and preschool aged children that features kids’ stories from all five Nordic countries and the Sami, and a craft project. nordicmuseum.org for story schedule.

Events at Ballard Landmark
5433 Leary Ave.N.W., 98107

National Memory Screening
Tuesday, Nov. 16, 10-2 p.m.
Free, confidential memory screenings to the public and educational materials about memory concerns, dementia, caregiving and successful aging. Screenings are a significant 1st step toward finding our if someone may have a memory problem.

Ballard Community Center
6020 28th Ave. N.W.

Lifelong Conditioning for People 50+
Thursdays, 9:15-10:15 a.m.
An interval fitness training class where you use fitness stations for strength and balance in conjunction with walking intervals. Fun, engaging class. 11 weeks for $35. Register at 206.684.5177. Registration # 56994.

Aerobics for People 50+
Mondays, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
A fitness class to get you energized, easy for beginners to get started. Work on cardio, strength, and flexibility. Improve your balance and stamina. 10 weeks for $28. Register at 206.684.5177. Registration # 56997.

Couth Buzzard Books Espresso Buono Cafe Events
8310 Greenwood Ave. N.
206.436.2960

Open Mic Night
Wednesdays at 7pm.
Hosted by Katie Weller. Sign-up at 6:30pm. Come and share your music, poetry, stories, whatever. Phone is. Drinks and food available.

Writing Group
Every Monday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Led by Marilyn Stauter.

Book Discussion Group
Every other Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. New group. First book: "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel. Contact Gemma at gemmamaria5@hotmail.com.

Paper Craft Meet-up
Every other Tuesday. Lead by Susan Plahn. Bring your own paper project or let Susan guide you. Call for time 206.436.2960.

Family Board Game Night
Every Thursday, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Chess, Go, Scrabble, Boggle or bring your own game.

Business Writers Meet-up
Second Friday of each month, 10 a.m. - noon. That Wordsmith’s Suzanne Griscom leads a monthly session for Professional Writers. Visit www.thatwordsmith.com.

Emerald City Contra Dance
Phinney Neighborhood Center
6532 Phinney Ave. N.
914.8324
Every Friday , 7:30-10 p.m.
Beginner's workshop at 7 p.m. $8 general admission; $7 seniors, PNA members, SFS members; $5 students. All dances taught, no partner necessary.

"Soap For Hope"
AAA Washington

1523 15th Ave. W.
206.216.4200
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Support AAA Washington in their "Soap for Hope" donation drive. We are collecting unused sample-sized or full-size shampoos, conditioners, lotions, shave cream, razors and soaps along with new socks to support DESC Downtown Emergency Service Center in Seattle. Donations may be dropped off at the AAA Seattle (15th Avenue) office Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Children's Dance Class
Motion and Rest Studio
5340 Ballard Ave. N.W.
Soma Yoga
1423 N.W. 70th St.
Now registering for winter classes. Six weeks for $90. Classes include: pre-ballet, ballet and jazz for students ages 1-9. www.darrahblantondance.com or 206.281.9815.

Emotions Anonymous
St. Paul’s Church
6512 12th Ave. N.W., Room 1
Saturdays, 6 p.m.
Join us for this 12-step group. For information call James at 467.9027 or visit www.emotionsanonymous.org.

North End Flower Club
Saint John United Lutheran Church
5515 Phinney Ave. N.
206.324.0803
First Friday of the month. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The North End Flower Club welcomes prospective members. Programs are horticulture and flower design speakers. Annual membership is $20. Catered lunch at each meeting $20.

Ballard Northwest Senior Center Events
5429 32nd Ave. N.W.
297.0403

New Group: Low Vision Support Group
Second Monday of the Month, 10:30 a.m.
Do you have trouble seeing or a hard time reading this? If so come to our Low Vision Support Group. Meeting once a month, we will discuss the issues of living with low vision.

Job Bank
Attention all Employees seeking work and Employers who are willing to offer work as an individual or business in the Ballard community. The NW Senior Center’s “Job Bank” may be the exact place to help you find that successful matching connection. To sign-up contact the Volunteer Job Bank Organizer, Moriah at 206.297.0403.

Sound Steps Walking Group
Saturdays, 9 a.m.
Join the group on Saturday mornings and enjoy the exercise and conversations while on beautiful walks in Ballard.

Piano Lessons
Tuesdays, 2-4 p.m.
Piano teacher Cecilia specializes in classical, contemporary, and jazz. Choose between private or group lessons. Call to register: 206-279-0403. Private Lessons $10 (1/2 hour), Group Lessons $80 (8 week session for up to 6 to 7 adults).

Wii Sports & Fitness Class
Fridays, 1-2 p.m.
Come learn how to use the Wii! Wii Sports has bowling, golf, baseball, and more; Wii Fitness has yoga, balance, and strength training. The Wii improves coordination, balance and fun. Class is free.

Chair Massage
Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m.
Chair Massage is now available. Sign up now at the upstairs reception for 15 minute sessions. Members $5/non-members $7.

Wednesday Night at the Movies
Wednesdays, 6 p.m.
Suggested donation $2.

Theatrical Improvisation/Scene Study Workshop
First & Third Tuesdays, 10 a.m.
New Group! Come join a local theatre artist for an hour of fun theatre exercises and games. All physical capabilities and experience levels encouraged to attend.

Life – "A maze or Amazing"
First and Third Mondays, 12:45 p.m.
Do life's twists and turns have you in knots? This could be the group for you. This new group is to help with all those difficulties in life that come your way. All are welcome.

“Hollywood in Ballard” – Classic Movies
Tuesday, 1 p.m.
Free movie matinee at the Center. Bring a friend and have a relaxing afternoon watching a classic movie.

Laughter Yoga
Thursdays, 11 a.m.
Laugh your way to good health. This is a fun class and you get a great workout. This class combines yoga breathing with playful laughter exercises. New participants welcome. Free.

Card games
Pinochle: Tuesdays at 9 a.m.
Cribbage: Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.
Bridge: Mondays at 12:30 p.m.
We have a great group of people that play Pinochle and socialize. Bridge games are fun and social. $1 to play. No partner is needed. Cribbage is a new and growing group. It is free to play.

Enhanced Fitness
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m. or 3:30 p.m.
Classes include strength training, balance, aerobics and stretching. $25 per month, no charge for eligible Group Health members. Please call in to sign up.

Financial assistance
By appointment 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., second Thursday of the month.
If you are in need of financial assistance please take advantage of Kyle, our volunteer financial adviser. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment, 297.0403.

The Dream of America
Nordic Heritage Museum
3014 N.W. 67th St.
789.5707
www.nordicmuseum.org
“The Dream of America” exhibit is an interactive path that traces the journey of a Nordic immigrant from Scandinavia to Ellis Island, and into the American frontier. Admission: $6 adults, $5 seniors and college students, $4 students K-12, children under 5 free.

Pickleball
Loyal Heights Community Center
2101 N.W. 77th St.
684-4052
Wednesdays 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Bring your friends, family, toddlers and more for this fun and exciting time. Bring your paddle and be ready to compete. Open for all levels of experience. Cost: $2.

Toastmasters
Ballard Baptist Church
2004 N.W. 63rd St.
Tuesdays, 7:05 – 8:15 a.m.
Thursdays, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Saturdays, 9:30 - 10:45 a.m
Come conquer your public speaking concerns. For information visit www.toastmasters.org or 206.941.3743. Email livingstonedave@yahoo.com

Farmers market
Sundays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Check out the new Ballard Farmers Market blog at ballardfarmersmarket.wordpress.com to see what’s new. To see our fresh sheet, go to www.fremontmarket.com/ballard/index.html.

Men’s club
Greenwood Senior Center
525 N. 85th St.
297.0875
www.greenwoodseniorcenter.org
Second and fourth Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
$3/PNA member, $5/non-member. Join facilitator Joseph Raineri and get together with other men to socialize, discuss issues, hear speakers, take part in outside activities and gather information on a variety of interesting topics.

Volunteer opportunities
Foss Home and Village
13023 Greenwood Ave. N.
Volunteers needed Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and to escort residents to Foss Beauty Salon. Volunteers also needed Tuesdays, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. to staff the Foss Gift Shop, and Thursdays 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. to assist with resident birthday parities. To volunteer call Carolyn Fuson at 834.2586.

Volunteer opportunities
Carkeek Park
950 N.W. Carkeek Park Rd.
Meet on the fourth Monday of each month. CAN (Carkeek Area Neighbors) is a committee of the park Advisory Council, and is open to the public. Call Jack Heavner at 782.7054 for info.

Introduction to meditation
Soma Yoga Studio
1423 N.W. 70th St.
Tuesday evenings, doors open at 7:15 p.m., beginner’s meditation instruction 7:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m., sitting meditation and dharma discussion 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. Shambhala Meditation is a simple mindfulness-awareness meditation, based on the teachings of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Drop-ins welcome, no experience necessary. $30 for the four-class series or $10 per class.

Court appointed advocates
Train to become a volunteer advocate for abused and neglected children in court. Must be 21 or older, have excellent references and attend 28 hours of training. For more information call 296.1120 or e-mail casa.group@kingcounty.gov.

Adult education
Northminster Presbyterian Church
7706 25th Ave. N.W.
783-3402
www.northminsterpres.org
Sundays, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.

WICS support group
Ballard Landmark Inn
5433 Leary Ave. N.W.
Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
New Ballard location for an ongoing support group for widows and widowers through Widowed Information and Consultation Services (WICS). Open to all, regardless of the time since death. Suggested donation $5, no one will be refused for a lack of funds. For information call Doug at 441.9490.

‘The Beautiful Game’
Phinney Neighborhood Center
6532 Phinney Ave. N.
914.8324
Learn all about the rules, offsides, penalties, the history, FIFA, World Cups, the folklore, class struggle, great games and players. For information e-mail fraser509@gmail.com.

Circuit training for seniors
Loyal Heights Community Center
2101 N.W. 77th St.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Use multiple weight stations and cardio equipment to get fit. Each class is $35 for 11 weeks. For information call 233.7138.

Parent’s night out
Loyal Heights Community Center
2101 N.W. 77th St.
Fridays, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., $15. Ages 2 – 10.
We will provide child care for three hours, pizza, and give parents a chance to have some time to themselves. Space is limited, please RSVP.

Propose a neighborhood project
www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/btgnsfcrf
Have ideas for neighborhood improvements? Propose a project today. The Neighborhood Projects Funds can be used for small-scale improvements such as sidewalk repair, traffic circles and traffic calming, sidewalks, school zone speed limit signs, playground improvements, etc.

Ballard giving gardens
Change your grass to gardens. Using French intensive and master gardener methods I can help you recycle unwanted grassy areas into highly productive sustainable vegetable gardens. For more information call Jeff at 789.3168.

Now recruiting scouts
Boy Scout Troop 125 is now recruiting boys ages 11 – 17. For more information go to http://troops.scouter.com/wa/troop_125 or call 781.8978.

Interspiritual children’s class
Interfaith Community Church
1763 N.W. 62nd St.
www.interfaithcommunitychurch.org
Sunday mornings, 10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
For ages 3 through 12.
Age appropriate values based spiritual education that embraces all faiths and cultures. Learning is through song, story and games. Pre-registration not required. For more info call 783.1618.

Weight management class
Ballard Curves
2821 N.W. Market St.
789.1965
Crown Hill Curves
10033 Holman Rd. N.W.
783.1556
Curves Free Weight Management Classes will be offered at the work out studios in Ballard and Crown Hill. Ballard Curves will hold classes on the first Tuesday of every month from 10 a.m. – noon. Crown Hill Curves will hold classes the first Wednesday of every month from 7:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. Members and non members are welcome. Call to RSVP.

Computer classes
Northwest Senior Activity Center
5429 32nd Ave. N.W.
297.0403
Starts every second Thursday of the month, runs each Thursday for three weeks. 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. $36 members/$40 nonmembers. All levels welcome.

Seeking singers
The Market Street Singers, a Ballard community choir, invites choral singers to join us for the winter into spring season, culminating in our fifth anniversary concert in May. Fun and satisfying, call 297.3228 or visit www.marketstreetsingers.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters
Becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister is a fun and easy way to make a big difference in your community. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound has several program options that you can choose to fit your schedule and interests. All you have to do is hang out, have fun, and be a friend to a local child. For more information, text the word “BIG” to 839863 or go to www.bbbsps.org

Fremont Toastmasters Club
Fremont Baptist Church
717 N. 36th St.
Come learn how to increase your confidence in speaking.
We meet every Wednesday morning 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. We also meet every Wednesday evening from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Toastmasters is not a religious organization.) For information on the morning meetings call 347.3352 or visit http://fremonttm.freetoasthost.net/index.html. For more information on the evening meetings, contact Dave at 206.941.3743 or linvingstondavid@yahoo.com.

North Seattle Lapidary and Mineral
Northminster Presbyterian Church
7706 25th Ave. N.W.
Second Tuesday of the month, 6:30 p.m. juniors, 7:30 p.m. adults
Our club is a group of individuals who’ve been meeting for over 55 years promoting earth sciences, rock hunting, jewelry making and the like. Each month we feature a guest speaker who presents on various topics ranging from geologic studies to how to make cabochons.