North Beach Park

Ballard Weekend: Solstice Parade, Solstice at Populuxe, Classic Homes Tour, Noise for the Needy

Guest — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 19:24:14 +0000

Guest (not verified) Fri, 06/21/2013 - 12:24pm

Friday, June 21

Family Happy Hour On The Solstice

What: Populuxe Brewing will host Family Happy Hour. The Tumblebus, a fun and interactive mobile gymnastic adventure for kids, will be onsite and free to all kids 3 - 7. Allow Tumble Tom to entertain your child as you sip a beer in peace. Pizza will be available for purchase from Streetzeria as well as ice cream from Bluebird MicroCreamery. Then from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m., local musical duo Train Wreck will perform your favorite 80's covers.

Where: Populuxe Brewing (826B NW 49th St)

When: 4:30-6:30 p.m.

More info: www.populuxebrewing.com

Noise for the Needy

What: Noise for the Needy, the music festival for a cause, is coming to Ballard to benefit the Ballard Food Bank. This year will be a special Ballard-only event with acts playing at Hattie's Hat, Conor Byrne, Sunset Tavern and the Tractor Tavern.

Where: Conor Byrne, Sunset Tavern and the Tractor Tavern.

When: 9 p.m.

More info: See our guide! http://www.ballardnewstribune.com/2013/06/19/features/guide-noise-needy…

SketchFest at Ballard Underground

What: The entire month of June is going to be chocked full of all of Seattle's best sketch comedy. Experience a huge chunk of the wonderful script/character-focused comedians which Seattle has to offer.

Where: Ballard Underground (2220 NW Market Lower Level)

When: Charles & Chad Chats at 7 p.m., Chad Chats & Entertainment Show starts at 9 p.m.

More info: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/374045

Saturday, June 22

Sustainable Ballard Community Open House

What: Come check us out! Learn how Sustainable Ballard's new projects are coming, check in with your old favorites, help develop some new projects in the works and have some coffee and pastries.

Where: Ballard Public Library

When: 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

More info: info@sustainableballard.org

North Beach Work party

What: We'll be building ivy composting platforms for the Earth Corps work parties later this summer. Wear weather-appropriate layers that can get dirty. We'll provide tools, gloves, and guidance. Bring snacks and water if you need them, but there are no facilities at the park.

Where: Main entrance at 90th St. and 24th Ave. NW

When: 9 a.m. - Noon

More info: lukemcguff@yahoo.com.

Concerts at the Locks

Enjoy free music while you visit the Ballard Locks. On Saturday, the Eastside Modern Jazz Orchestra will be performing.

Where: Ballard Locks

When: 2 p.m.

More info: http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/LocksandDams/Chittend…

Solstice Parade

Solstice Parade will once again stream through the streets of Frelard and Fremont. Naked cyclists, costumed people, floats, artists and vendors galore. Parade will end at Gasworks Park where there will be a flash mob singalong at 6 p.m. and festivities will go on until 9 p.m.

Where: Fremont

When: 3 p.m.

More info: fremontartscouncil.org

Solstice Saturday at Populuxe Brewing

What: On Saturday, June 22, Populuxe Brewing, in conjunction with neighbor Apex Automotive, will have front row seats for viewing the Solstice Cyclists as they depart for the parade. Live music, food and beer all day. Special release of the Populuxe Solistice Pale Ale made with non-commercially available hops grown in the WSU hop breeding program in Prosser, WA.

Where: Populuxe Brewing (826B NW 49th St)

More info: www.populuxebrewing.com

Noise for the Needy

Where: Hattie's Hat, Conor Byrne, Sunset Tavern and the Tractor Tavern.

When: Hattie's Hat concert at 2 p.m., rest at 9 p.m.

SketchFest at Ballard Underground

Where: Ballard Underground (2220 NW Market Lower Level)

When: Drop the Root Beer and Ubiquitous They: Pass More Pleasantly at 7 p.m., Charles & Princess starts at 9 p.m.

More info: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/374045

Sunday, June 23

Ballard Historical Society Classic Home Tour

What: Purchase your tickets now for this year’s tour, featuring seven vintage Ballard residences of unique character and modern livability. Built by skilled craftsmen, these homes exemplify lasting quality that continues to support generations of Ballard families.

Where: Tour starts at Sunset Hill Community Clubhouse, 3003 N.W. 66th Street

When: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

More info: http://ballardhistory.wordpress.com/

Ballard Farmers Market

What: Ballard Farmer's Market is open year-round and features fresh produce from local farmers, flowers, trinkets, street entertainment and more.

Where: Ballard Ave NW, between Vernon Pl NW and 22nd Ave NW

When: Sunday, June 9, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

More info: http://ballardfarmersmarket.wordpress.com/

Concerts at the Locks

Enjoy free music while you visit the Ballard Locks. On Saturday, the Microsoft Orchestra will be performing.

Where: Ballard Locks

When: 2 p.m.

More info: http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/LocksandDams/Chittend…

Noise for the Needy

Where: Hattie's Hat, Tractor Tavern

When: Hattie's Hat concert at 1 p.m., Tractor Tavern at 8 p.m.

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Ballard Historical Society

Restoring North Beach Park

Guest — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:38:13 +0000

Guest (not verified) Wed, 04/17/2013 - 7:38am

The team that makes it possible, from left to right: Morry Browne (Forest Steward), Rory Donovan (Parks Department), Michael Yadrick (Parks Department and Green Seattle Partnership), Selena Carsiotis (Forest Steward), Andrea Mojzak (Forterra and Green Seattle Partnership), Jesse Bonn (Parks Department), Luke McGuff (Forest Steward), Drexie Malone (Forest Steward)

Photo by Jerry Gay

North Beach Park has made leaps and bounds in progress over the last few years.

When the Ballard News-Tribune last published an article about the park, in June of 2008, it was in a depressing state. Seattle Parks and Recreation crew chief Patrick Merriam had inspected the park and found beer bottles, graffiti on trees and other debris. In addition, nearby residents had discovered piles of litter, a water heater, an old tent and other junk on a morning stroll. (If you want to visit memory lane, you can still read May 20, 2008’s article “Neighbors upset over illegal trails” and June 30, 2008’s “North Beach gets help to stay green”)

About two years ago, in 2011, Luke McGuff and Tad Anderson both took a forest stewardship class at Carkeek Park. When they visited North Beach Park, their professor said “there is a depressing amount of work to do in this park.” The park was overrun with invasive plants such as ivy, laurel, blackberry and holly. To this day, thick veins of ivy can be seen crawling all the way up trees to the top of the canopy, essentially choking and weakening the trees.

Much of the ivy has been cut at the bottom by volunteers, which will cause the rest of it to die. Photo by Zachariah Bryan

But things have begun to change. That class at Carkeek Park inspired McGuff, Anderson and other community members to form a volunteer group, restore the park and reclaim it from invasive species.

“Since then we’ve done a lot … this is a really good time to see how progress is going,” said McGuff, who is now going to the University of Washington for a Master’s in environmental horticulture. “Just watching the changes … even from just the year-and-a-half, it’s been big.”

A walk through the park quickly clarifies this. Muddy trails bring visitors through an unkempt wilderness that one would expect to see in the Cascades, not just north of downtown Ballard in the middle of a well-developed residential neighborhood. It seems untouched by mankind.

Photo by Jerry Gay

But in truth, volunteers have been hard at work. Altogether, as they start their third year of restoration, volunteers have planted 700 plants, carried out much of the trash and wiped out huge monocultures of invasives -- all while being careful to maintain what makes North Beach Park so special.

“What I want to do is get the worst of the invasives out and have it still feel wild,” McGuff said. “I want this to feel wild … rambunctious.”

For Anderson, who has been involved in forest stewardship for a number of years now, North Beach Park offers a chance for him to continue his passion of caring for the environment while staying close to home.

“I’ve always had my eye out for a home park in my neighborhood,” he said. “… I love it. I love the friends I’ve made from it and having something that I can ride my bicycle to.”

The Ballard News-Tribune went out to a recent EarthCorps work party at North Beach Park to see some of the work that was being done in the park. McGuff said it was easily the biggest volunteer event they ever had, by at least double. Around 40 people showed up to plant trees, remove invasive plants, stabilize a hill side with mulch (which resulted in a very impressive 30-person bucket brigade) and other maintenance work.

Usually, though, work parties consist of a core group of volunteers with fewer than 10 people, so this was quite an impressive volunteer army.

Photos by Zachariah Bryan

Despite all the progress that has been made in such a short time, there is still plenty of work to be done in North Beach Park. If you want to help out, volunteer work parties take place the fourth Saturday of every month (this month it will be April 27), except May because of Memorial Weekend. For more information, contact Luke McGuff at lukemcguff@yahoo.com.

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Ballard Weekend: Clean up North Beach Park, Ballard Artwalk, Grynch and Budo at Hilliard's, and more

Guest — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:53:56 +0000

Guest (not verified) Fri, 04/12/2013 - 2:53pm

Friday, April 12

HomeStreet Bank Kicks Off the Ballard Jazz Festival

What: Live music will be provided by the Mark Taylor Trio. There will be a drawing to win tickets to Jazz Festival events. Free

Where: HomeStreet Bank - Ballard Branch (8050 15th Ave. N.W.)

When: 4-6 p.m. Free.

More info: 206-783-6380

Sustainable Ballard Knitters for the Homeless

What: Come join us on 2nd Friday of the month. Knitting instruction and yarn provided.

Where: Aster Cafe (5615 24th Ave NW)

When: 7-9 p.m.

More info: Jody at 718-1529 or jodytgrage@gmail.com

Saturday, April 13

Clean up North Beach Park with EarthCorps

What: Join EarthCorps and the Green Seattle Partnership at North Beach Park as they improve the health of this urban forest. You will be removing invasive plant species and maintaining restoration sites to encourage habitat recovery. Sign up here.

EarthCorps supplies gloves, tools, water, light refreshments and volunteer education that covers safety, information on the park you are working in, forest health, environmental restoration and the overview of the project. No prior experience is necessary, just come ready to learn something new!

Where: Registration will be at the main entrance to the park, located at NW 90th St and 24th Ave NW, just south of North Beach Elementary. Street parking is available north along 24th Ave NW or east along NW 90th St in the surrounding neighborhood.

When: Saturday, April 13th: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

More info: http://www.earthcorps.org/volunteer.php

Ballard Artwalk

What: It's second Saturday, which means Ballard ArtWalk! During the Art Walk, artists open their studios to the public and neighborhood businesses host local art on their wall. The Ballard Art Walk showcases painting, glass art, sculpture, performance, and more, in venues from Leary Way to Shilshole, and as far north as 65th.

Where: Various locations throughout the Ballard neighborhood

When: Saturday, April 13, 6-9pm

More info: Map can be found at http://ballardartwalk.blogspot.com/p/map.html
Ballard ArtWalk website: http://www.ballardartwalk.blogspot.com/

Grynch and Budo live at Hilliard's Beer

What: Join Fin Records for a free Grynch and Budo concert at Hilliard's Beer. The duo will be releasing their new single, "Treadin'" and there will be merchandise for all your favorite local bands such as Blue Scholars, Sol and The Physics. Oh, and beer. 21+

Where: Hilliard's Beer (1550 NW 49th St)

When: 1:00pm until 5:00pm

More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/433722820035745/

Free wine tasting at Portalis

What: Got a hankering for wine? Then we suggest supporting a local place and going to a free wine tasting at Portalis, which has 500 bottles from around the world.

Where: Portalis Wines (5205 Ballard Ave NW)

When: 2-6 p.m.

More info: http://www.portaliswines.com

Sunday, April 14

Free wine tasting at Portalis

What: Portalis offers free wine tasting on Sundays, too, but with one difference: Ballard Farmers Market is open at the same time. Why not knock two birds out with one stone?

Where: Portalis Wines (5205 Ballard Ave NW)

When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

More info: http://www.portaliswines.com

Norwegian Ladies Chorus’ Annual Fishcake & Meatball Dinner

Social, No-host Bar & Silent Auction. Dinner & Entertainment, singing by Ballard High Choirs, instrumental entertainment by Fire Norske, live auction & wonderful raffle items.

Where: Leif Erikson Lodge (2245 NW 57th St)

When: Sunday, April 14, 4-8:30 p.m. 4 p.m. Dinner at 5:30 p.m.

Price: $25, Majority of proceeds benefit NLC’s Scholarship Fund.

More info: Reservation, call Arlene at 206-784-1290.

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North Beach Park first recipient of Groundswell NW's microgrant program

Guest — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 07:29:34 +0000

Guest (not verified) Fri, 10/19/2012 - 12:29am

The first lucky winner of Groundswell NW's new microgrant program is Friends of North Beach Park, who have been working to restore North Beach Park and Nature, according to a press release.

The microgrant program awards $500 to support community members trying tos tart projects which support Groundswell NW's mission. They are preferred to be in the Northwest quadrant of Seattle, be a new project and have an inclusive group which will welcome public participation.

David Folweiler, a member of the Groundswell NW board, had this to say:

“Friends of North Beach Park is a passionate group of volunteers who maintain a much needed green space adjacent to North Beach Elementary School. Their work involves removing invasive species and restoring native plantings. They also work with students to enrich their environmental education. The work of the Friends of North Beach Park furthers the mission of Groundswell NW – the creation and maintenance of public parks, habitat, and green space. We are honored that our first microgrant award goes to such a dedicated group.”

Friends of North Beach Park includes neighbors from Crown Hill, Olympic Manor, North Beach, and Ballard. Since April, 2011, there have been 17 work parties in the main body of the park, including visits from five school groups. Work parties are held on the 4th Saturday of the month, from 9 a.m. to noon. The October and November work parties will feature native planting in numerous sites throughout the park.

The grant will be used to produce a newsletter for neighbors of the park and to purchase tools. The work of Friends of North Beach Park is also supported by the Green Seattle Partnership and the Seattle Parks Department.

For further information about Groundswell NW and their new microgrant program, please visit their website: http://www.groundswellnw.org/

For further information about Friends of North Beach Park, or to volunteer for a work party, please contact Luke McGuff at lukemcguff@yahoo.com.

Groundswell NW

Zachariah Bryan

Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation

North Beach Park

Friends of North Beach Park

David Fowlweiler

Ballard

Ballard News Tribune