Seattle Department of Transportation announced on Tuesday, November 27 that construction of the planned pedestrian safety improvements at NW 65th Street and 6th Ave NW will begin in the next couple weeks, pending completion of other area projects.

This project, years in the making, is a critical crossing point necessary for the creation of the future 6th Ave NW Greenway.  Here’s a diagram of what neighbors can expect when the crossing is complete:

The 6th Ave NW Greenway has been in the works for several years and enjoys the support of neighbors and businesses. The original crossing concept was created by Chris Saleeba and Fred Young of Alta Planning & Design and won 2nd Place in the 2015 Seattle Neighborhood Greenways PARK(ing) Day Design Competition.  

Thank you to the following individuals and groups for their continued support.  Cathy Tuttle and Gordon Padelford, Seattle Neighborhoods Greenway, Jamee Ashburn, Ballard Greenways, Robin Randels of Greenwood-Phinney Greenways, Dawn Hemminger of Groundswell NW and the East Ballard Community Association and Chris Saleeba and Fred Young of Alta Planning & Design.

Learn more about this project:

1. SDOT project document (dated 2016):  6th Ave NW Greenway
2. Seattle Neighborhoods Greenway: Safe routes to school
3. West Woodland Neighbors Updates:  6th Ave NW Greenway Posts

Photo below, dated August 2015, shows neighbors participating in the 6th Ave NW Greenway Walk, lead by Cathy Tuttle formerly of Seattle Neighborhood Greenways. 

The City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will be implementing a beautification project in Ballard.

SDOT Urban Forestry Division will be replacing the missing trees in the center median along 8^th Ave NW, north of NW 65th Street.

Tentative schedule for tree planting is as follows:

• From NW 65^th Street to NW 75^th Street, planting 12/5/2018 and 12/6/2018
• From NW 75^th Street to NW 85^th Street, planting 12/12/2018 and 12/13/2018

From SDOT:

“Please, help us out by complying with the “No Parking” signs coming to your street. We are sorry for any inconvenience, just need a little space to park trucks, unload tools and trees.  If you have questions concerning this project please contact Sherry Graham in SDOT Urban Forestry at 206-615-1569 or via email at sherry.graham@seattle.gov.”

For more information on this project, visit: at www.seattle.gov/transportation/street-trees.

It’s Christmas tree time again for Boy Scout Troop & Crew 100 Ballard. The 75 Scouts along with their parents will be selling Christmas trees for their annual fundraiser at Saint Alphonsus parking lot, located along 15th Ave N.W.

The Scouts help customers find the perfect tree, give it a fresh cut and use their Scouting skills to make sure trees are tied onto cars with proper knots.

Proceeds from sales help send the entire Troop to summer camp, operate the Troop “White Whale” bus and cover camping trips and activities expenses.  The Troop also donates trees to several local churches along with a portion of the proceeds to support local charities and local families in need.

“The tree lot is a great example of scouting’s patrol method in action,” says Scout Master, Patrick McCann.  “The older scouts take the lead and teach the younger scouts the necessary skills to run the lot.  In a few years those younger scouts will be the ones teaching the skills. The lot is a great opportunity for scouts from both the Troop and Crew to work together and interact with the Ballard community.”

Troop 100 has been selling Christmas trees in the Ballard area since 1956.  

Originally selling trees door-to-door, Troop 100 began operating a tree lot at Arts Food Center (now QFC) on Holman Road.  The Troop tree lot moved twice until landing at St. Alphonsus’ parking lot in 1991.  Buying a tree at the Troop 100 lot is a tradition with many Ballard families returning year after year.

Location:

Saint Alphonsus Parish Parking Lot along 15^th Ave. N.W.  (between N.W. 57^th & N.W. 58^th Streets)

Dates/Hours:

Saturday November 24 – Friday December 14

• Kickoff 9:00 am, Saturday, November 24
• Monday through Friday: 2:00pm – 8:00pm
• Saturday & Sunday: 9:00am – 9:00pm

Products Available:

• Six varieties of fresh-cut trees ranging from 3’ – 8’ tall:
• Nobel Fir, Nordmann Fir, Fraser Fir, Grand Fir, Norway Spruce, Sheared Douglas Fir, and Natural Douglas Fir
• Trees are delivered twice a week from local growers to ensure freshness.
• Fresh Holiday greenery:
• Deluxe Wreaths, Mantlepieces and cedar Garland by the foot.

For more information:

• Lance Pettit, Troop 100 Tree Lot Manager: lance@troop100seattle.com
• Troop 100 website: troop100seattle.com

Photo courtesy Jewish Multiracial Network

Congratulations to Ballard artist Akira Ohiso for winning 1st place in Jewish Multiracial Network’s (JMN) design contest. Ohiso created the Jews of Color Convening (JOCC) poster which will be featured during the 2nd National JOCC happening this spring. His submission showcased the vibrance of intersectional and Jews of Color identities, and you can see his winning entry at Ohiso.com.

Locally, a collection of Ohiso’s mixed media work is available for view at the The Oddfellows Building, 915 E Pine St, Suite 401, in downtown Seattle. Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/events/2451945018464089/

From the Jewish Multiracial Network:

Akira is an artist, writer and musician who gained popularity as an outspoken blogger and social media voice, and is now using social media to curate about green living, art, and a philosophy of “slowing down.” He received his Masters of Social Work degree in 2003 and worked for years in the social services profession. His invaluable experience working with underserved populations continues to inform his engagement in the digital world. He was the co-founder and editor of Green Door Magazine. He is married to Ellie Ohiso and lives in Seattle with their three children.

About the 2nd Jews of Color Convening:

The 2nd Jews of Color Convening (JOCC), sponsored by the Jews of Color Field Building Grant, is an initiative by Jews of Color and for Jews of Color and their families to wage strategic impact upon the Jewish community far and wide.

This year, JOCC will take place in Copake, New York, at the Berkshire Hills Eisenberg Camp, from Sunday, June 17 – Wednesday, June 20, 2018.  Those interested in learning more are encouraged to visit tinyurl.com/JOCC2018.  Additional information about the event, including fees and transportation details, can be accessed  at https://tinyurl.com/yc28u564.

Want to learn to pilot a tugboat or a ferry boat? Take a free Argosy Ship Canal Tour? Try your hand at welding? Fire an emergency flare? Or be in a Survival Suit Race?

Those are part of the free hands-on activities planned for the Harley Marine Seattle Maritime Festival Family Fun Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, at Seattle Maritime Academy, 4455 Shilshole Ave NW in Ballard’s West Woodland neighborhood. The Seattle Maritime Academy is part of Seattle Central College.

In addition to the Experience Maritime Activities, there will be music on the Port of Seattle/KEXP Entertainment Stage, Argosy Ship Canal tours, food trucks, fire boat tours, photo booth, and other events. The festival, which is Seattle’s largest maritime industry celebration, is presented by the Seattle Propeller Club and Port of Seattle, with Harley Marine.

“Family Fun Day is a tremendous opportunity to experience the maritime industry and learn about the incredibly important role it plays in the region,” said Susan Chesney, President of the Seattle Propeller Club and National Sales Manager for National Fisherman magazine.

Here’s a sample of the days events:

1. Free Argosy Ship Canal Tours – 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Presented by the Port of Seattle
2. Pilot a workboat at the full mission bridge simulator and engine room – Seattle Maritime Academy
3. Build your own boat (kids) – Courtesy Center for Wooden Boats
4. Try your hand at tossing a heaving line and a life ring – Seattle Maritime Academy
5. Join in Survival Suits Races – Compass Course and Seattle Maritime Academy with
6. Knot Tying – Sea Scouts, Seattle Maritime Academy and Northwest Marine Trade Association
7. Oil Removal Demonstration – Global Diving and Salvage

And so much more!  Full free family fun event schedule available HERE.

Port of Seattle / KEXP Entertainment Stage
Noon – 12:45 p.m. The Not-Its!
1:15 – 2 p.m. Knut Bell and the Blue Collars
2:30 – 3:15 p.m. The Knast

Special Events
Water Display – Seattle Fire Department, 11:15 a.m.
Tour a Seattle Fire Department Fireboat
Tour a U.S. Coast Guard vessel – on the plaza
Evergrey Photo Booth

Food Trucks
Trident Seafoods’ Fin and Fork
Full Tilt Ice Cream
Secret Sausage

Other Displays
Port of Seattle
Seattle Propeller Club and Festival Information Booth
Youth Maritime Collaborative

All events subject to change.

The Seattle Maritime Festival and the Maritime Matters campaign are sponsored by a unique partnership between business, labor, industry associations and government.

Presenting Sponsors – Seattle Propeller Club, Port of Seattle, and Harley Marine Services.

Industry Sponsors – Crowley Maritime and Foss Maritime.

Supporting Sponsors – The Northwest Seaport Alliance. Seattle Maritime Academy – Seattle Central College, and Vigor.

Industry Partners – Columbia Bank, Compass Courses, Global Diving & Salvage, Island Tug and Barge, Jones Stevedoring, Manson Construction, Marine Exchange of Puget Sound, Maxum Petroleum, Markey Machinery, International WorkBoat Show/WorkBoat magazine, Pacific Fishermen Shipyard, Pacific Marine Expo/National Fisherman, SSA Marine | Carrix, Puget Sound Pilots, Washington Chain and Supply, and Western Towboat.

Industry Supporters – American Seafoods Group, Argosy Cruises, Bauer Moynihan Johnson, Fisheries Supply, Pacific Seafood Processors Association, Port of Everett, Harrigan Leyh Farmer & Thomsen, Track Your Truck & Straight North, Transportation Institute, and West Coast Insulation.

Maritime Friends – American Waterways Operators, Ballard High School Maritime Academy, Center of Excellence, Marine Manufacturing & Technology, Skagit Valley College, The Center for Wooden Boats, Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, Economic Development Council of Seattle & King County, King County Maritime, Lake Union Working Group, Manufacturing Industrial Council, Marine Exchange of Puget Sound, Maritime Folknet, Museum of History & Industry, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, North Seattle Industrial Association, Northwest Marine Trade Association, Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, Northwest Seaport, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, Puget Sound Maritime, Puget Sound Ports Council, Maritime Trades Department AFL-CIO, Sailors’ Union of the Pacific, Sea Scouts, Seattle FIREBOAT Duwamish, Seattle Marine Business Coalition, Seattle Maritime Academy, Seattle Propeller Club, Tacoma Propeller Club, Transportation Institute, Virginia V Foundation, Youth Maritime Training Association, Washington Maritime, Washington Maritime Federation, WorkBoat Maintenance & Repair Conference and Expo, and Youth Maritime Collaborative.

Media Partners – KOMO Television, KEXP Radio, KIRO Radio, The Evergrey, National Fisherman, and WorkBoat Magazine.

About the Seattle Propeller Club
The Seattle Propeller Club is Seattle’s premier and largest maritime membership organization. The Club represent all sectors of the commercial marine industry and coordinates a year-round schedule of luncheon programs, marketing activities and special events. www.SeattlePropellerClub.org

About the Port of Seattle
The Port of Seattle manages international trade and travel in King County and operates harbor facilities and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. www.PortSeattle.org

About the Seattle Maritime Academy
Part of the Seattle Colleges, the Academy provides the classroom instruction and hands-on training on working vessels that you need to prepare for a career in the regional and global maritime industry. www.maritime.seattlecentral.edu

Press Release provided by 24-7PressRelease

Photo of Choice Deli & Grocery, located at 6415 8th Ave NW in Ballard’s West Woodland neighborhood.  

It’s easy to miss the For Sale sign posted on the northside of Choice Deli & Grocery, located at 8th Ave NW and NW 65th Street. Tucked up on the NW corner of the building, you could pass by the sign a dozen times, like I did, before even noticing the announcement.

After an observant neighbor asked about the property,  I called the shop and spoke with an employee who told me that the business wasn’t closing. Choice Deli & Grocery has a lease until 2026, so future owners will benefit from a revenue generating rental agreement.

Choice Deli & Grocery has been under the same ownership for the past 15 years, and recently reinvented itself as a beer stop with teriyaki and other quick eats. Ballard neighbors have enjoyed the expanded food and beer offerings, as well as the family friendly summer block parties, which have included live music and ice-cream. Check out a few past posts about the expansion HERE.

Interested in buying the property? It could be yours for $1,950,000. Property details, courtesy Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate Services, available HERE and in this supplemental document: Choice Deli and Grocery

Thank you to Megan M. For the tip! If you see something happening in the neighborhood, send me an email at westwoodlandneighbors@gmail.com.

Guest Post By Jason Kardong, Woodland Bee Company, woodlandbeecompany.com

Beekeeping has become a very popular hobby in the U.S., especially in cities like Seattle and Portland where it’s not only legal to keep bees in your yard, but encouraged. Many people undertake this extremely joyful undertaking, but many people fail. Not out of lack of desire or love, but because there are many aspects of beekeeping that require attention and detail.

What Does Beekeeping Entail? Anyone can keep bees, all you need is a spacious yard, some equipment, and a passion to help struggling bee colonies. Seattle allows you up to four hives in your yard, but most new keepers opt for two. I can help you get all this started, from selecting books, to buying equipment, to installing your bees! It’s all part of a service I offer.

Bee Packages. Ok, after setting up your hive(s), you now need bees!! Most new beekeepers opt to buy what’s called “package bees”, which is three pounds of bees (that come in a special box) that will be moved into your hive. Typically packages are available from April until May and once they are gone, you have to wait another year. We sell these packages in limited numbers, and can even help you install them.

Jason tending his downtown Seattle hives.

Colony Collapse, Parasites, Diseases! There are plenty of things that can kill or weaken bees. Fungus, varroa mites, sicknesses all can quickly kill a colony. A skilled beekeeper can keep an eye out for signs and make necessary corrections. Working with an experienced beekeeper can expedite your learning, so find an experienced mentor!

Consultation. New and even experienced beekeepers need help from time to time. If you have questions or concerns about your hive, let us know and we can come out to consult.

Hosting. Because some people would like to keep bees, but either do not have the time or resources, Woodland Bee Company offers a hosting program where we place bees into your yard and take care of all aspects! We charge a service fee that goes directly to serving the bees in your yard.

Jason at work in Ballard

Swarms….. May and June is swarm season. Don’t be scared if you see one, but rather enjoy the sight, from a distance. It may look scary, but it’s really not. If you do have a swarm, we can come collect it and rehome the bees in a new hive, thus giving them a wonderful chance to live another year.

Honey?? Did you know most of the honey you buy in the grocery store is not “real” honey? Most of it is fake or substitute. The best way to ensure you get real honey is to buy from a beekeeper. Yes, we can help you with that, let us know if you’d like 100% pure honey.

Jason Kardong, Owner

About Jason Kardong

After keeping bees in my West Woodland yard in Ballard, then working at Ballard Bee Company for some years, I started my own beekeeping company, eventually named Woodland Bee Company. I have bees in over 20 different yards across Ballard, as well as at Google, Pacific Science Center and on the Columbia Center downtown.

I love my bees, love my hosts and love spreading the word and am certified with the state of Washington and Montana as a beekeeper. When not keeping bees I’m active in the Ballard music community and can often be seen getting dragged around West Woodland with my black lab Simon.

Find Jason Online

Bee Plus Honey LLC | beeplushoney.com
Woodland Bee Co |  woodlandbeecompany.com
EMail |  jason@woodlandbeecompany.com 

The Ballard Alliance, formerly Ballard Chamber of Commerce, works to ensure Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood remains a unique and economically vital community for its visitors, residents, businesses, and property owners. As a community partner, they continuously encourage improvements within our neighborhood and business districts.

One improvement program, created to tackle the litter issue affecting our neighborhood, is a litter abatement program which recently kicked-off near the breweries.

From the Ballard Alliance:

“The city of Seattle is trying out ways to tackle the litter issues that affect many Seattle neighborhoods. They recently partnered with the Ballard Alliance looking for key areas to focus on in Ballard. Their first round of cleanups were in West Woodland focusing on our Ballard Brewery District.”

AWESOME!

Thank you to the Ballard Alliance and Ballard Brewery partners for supporting this litter abatement program.  The program will make our streets and sidewalks safe for those who live, work, and play in Ballard’s Brewery District.

Read the full newsletter here: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1110058482871&ca=e26d63f3-fc0f-4389-bed2-0965caca8d8f

Join the Ballard Alliance!

Membership in the Ballard Alliance provides an opportunity to promote your business or organization, keep informed about important events and issues, participate in B2B networking events and engage on broader community issues and initiatives.

Learn more here:  http://www.visitballard.com/membership/

Remember Joris Hutchison, the amazing young boy who won a $5,000 prize and donated it all to support cheetah research, (http://wp.me/p5JLfD-3Ox)? Joris, and his Mom, Corine Boekee, invite you to join them for some Earth Day rollerskating fun!

This event is a fundraiser for cheetah conservation efforts in Namibia, and 100% of proceeds will be used for human-carnivore conflict mitigation efforts by the N/a’an ku sê team.

Here’s more from his Mom, Carine.

Dear neighbors,

Spring is here! And with it comes Spring Clean, a community cleanup program supported by Seattle Public Utilities.

Spring Clean, now in its 32nd year, runs from April 1 through May 31. During this time, Seattle residents—neighbors, volunteer groups, community organizations—come together to keep Seattle clean and vibrant. Activities include picking up litter, stenciling storm drains to prevent water pollution, painting out graffiti, and removing invasive plants. Seattle Public Utilities supports volunteers by providing free tools like garbage bags, gloves, garbage grabbers, safety vests, paint supplies, and waste disposal.

Ready to join? Then gather your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors, or go solo—there’s no minimum or maximum group size. Register online or call (206) 233-7187.

Spring Clean is a partnership between Seattle residents and Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, and Seattle Department of Transportation. All Spring Clean projects must be conducted on public property.

If you snap any photos, tag us on Twitter and Facebook!

Reprint from Seattle Public Utilities, dated March 26, 2018, and available here.