Goodbye Viking Tavern, hello more condos

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Tuesday was the last day that locals could enjoy a beer at the Ballard ScaVikingndinavian Viking Bar. The bar opened in 1950 and closed yesterday to make way for a new development project…..more condos. Many are sad to see the local hangout go and are trying to decide which local bar will be their new hangout to enjoy a beer.

It was bittersweet for owners Tim and Peggy Cannon. They had been the owners of Viking Tavern for the past 23 years. The bar was filled with regulars, customers who have become family to Peggy. Peggy left early while Tim stayed to see out the Viking’s last closing. Although no decision has been made, the Cannons have been talking with Bill Parks, managing partner of the Ballard Lofts, in regards to possibly resurrecting the Viking. Parks has plans for new development which would provide space for retail or a new bar.

Local Musician’s Guitar Stolen Out of Car on Market Street

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It’s a very sad surreal day for Mark Pickerel, a prominent musician in the local music scene best known for his presence in bands such as The Young Evils, Screaming Trees, and the Tripwires. The 1960′s Washburn Prairie Song guitar that he has composed every song he’s ever written was stolen out of the back seat of his car around 12am this morning in Ballard, on the corner of NW Market Street, and NW 24th Street. guitar

The guitar is of deep sentimental value for Pickerel, and if you have any leads or information on it’s whereabouts, you’re encouraged to contact the SPD North Precinct Burglary/Theft department at (206) 684-5735, or hit Pickerel up on his facebook.

Last Minute Valentine’s Day Dining Ideas

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Happy Valentine’s Day! Check out what is going on around the Sound on this fabulous day of LOVE!

valentines-day-dinner

Did Valentine’s Day sneak up on you this year? Forget to make reservations at your hunny’s favorite spot? Check out one of these restaurant’s to indulge with your significant other!

Bastille- If you’re in the Ballard neighborhood tonight, Bastille is offer his and her punch for $10 a glass (his:Stockade, hers:Sainte Marie), and various Parisian style entrees that are sure to please the pallet; including a platter of a dozen Hama Hama oysters on the half shell with caviar and Washington Ver Jus Mignonette, yum!

Cafe Flora- This vegetarian Madison Park cafe is celebrating it’s 20th Valentine’s Day, and offering a prix-fixe menu themed dishes such as the “savory embrace” (a bok choy and cheese filled pastry) and “layers of love” (a macadamia nut crusted filo stuffed with shiitake mushrooms, asparagus and a butternut squash sauce). Dinner runs $45 a person, from 5:00-10:00pm.

Spinasse- This lovely Capitol Hill restaurant is offering two amazing prix fixe menus at one of the “best 7 restaurants that define Seattle Now” according to Seattle Magazine. Dinner specials are sure to make diners feel as if they’re dining at a cafe right in the heart of Rome at this authentic Italian hot spot. Dinner is $70 per person with a $40 wine pairing option.

Restaurant Bea- Cozy Madrona candlelit dinging experience for two, with chef Jim McCarthy serving up a three course meal off of their comfort food menu, and offering three choices for each course. Dinner is $50 per person, with an optional cocktail or wine pairing for $22 per person.

Hunger-Indulge in a 5 course menu including beef tartare, oysters, and a special rose will be delivered for your significant other when you’re bellies are nice and full of love. $150 per couple, with an optional $25 wine pairing.

Bon Appetite!

Congrats to Ballard on Receiving the “Only in Seattle” Grant

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Last week the city of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development awarded the Ballard neighborhood a grant that will allow them to create a commercial revitalization, given by the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, through the “Only in Seattle” initiative. The initiative is a partnership between the OED and Impact Capital with the neighborhood business districts. and grants are given to allow the communities small businesses to succeed, and implement proven theories to create successful business districts.

Photo courtesy of kingcounty.gov

Photo courtesy of kingcounty.gov

Ballard is already a successful business district by definition, and the grant will allow the Ballard Chamber to have a group of community stakeholders come together to plan to further develop a plan for success, present and future. The “Only in Seattle” initiative’s goals are not only to further business and retail organization and success, but to ensure safety and cleanliness in the community, utilize marketing to promote the district’s positive reputation, and ensure that the pedestrian environment is inviting and easily accessible for transportation. Congrats Ballardites! Continue to support and appreciate your local community businesses.

Free Self Defense Classes in Ballard Next Week

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Next Week Umpqua Bank and Fighting Chance Seattle are teaming up to offer free self defense classes to the neighborhood. The class will be taught by Fighting Chance Owner Jordan Giarranto, and the workshop will include a demonstration of advanced fighting and self defense techniques from martial arts Muay Thai kickboxing to Tang Soo Da karate. Umpqua Bank

The class will be held next Wednesday Jan 23 from 6-7pm at Umpqua Bank on Market Street, and is open to everyone interested in learning more about safe self defense. For more information visit Fighting Chance Seattle.

Ballard Lofts Design Review Board Meeting

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Interested in learning more about the Ballard Lofts project? There will be a design review board meeting for the 72 unit apartment complex proposed for the corner of NW 65th and 24th Ave NW on January 28th at Ballard High School. In recent months, the project has been a  hot topic around the neighborhood, as it will be replacing the long standing Viking Tavern. ballard lofts

Bill Parks, the building developer will be leading the discussion at the meeting beginning at 6:30pm, and present the proposal to the community,  and will also go over priorities presented at the previous meeting. The proposal for the project includes 25 additional residential units, and 3,665 sf of ground floor retail space, as well as parking for 36 vehicles below ground. If you’d like to learn more about the project, or application of the design review process, visit the Department of Planning and Development for updates.

No Weekend Plans? Get Friendly With Deadliest Catch Crew & Artsy at the Ballard Art Walk

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Having trouble coming up with new and exciting things to do this weekend? We’ve got the scoop! First, if you’ve missed previous opportunities to meet various members of the popular Discovery Channel series Deadliest Catch, some of the crew members are headed to Ballard Brothers on Saturday to support their month long food drive. The crew will be available to sign autographs and meet fans at their restaurant this Saturday from 11am-3pm. At this time they will continue to be collecting non perishable food items so bring your canned goods, and come meet the guys! deadliest catch

If you’re not feeling fishy, there is also the Ballard Art walk going on this weekend, on Saturday. The walk is from 6-9pm and will be showcasing paintings sculptures, glass art, among other creatives and will be showcased in venues from Leary Way to Shilshole. You can find all you need to know from artists to participating venues here!

Nordic Film Festival Comes to Seattle

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You heard it here first- the Nordic Heritage Museum will present the fourth annual Nordic Lights Film Festival next month, the weekend of January 18-20. The festival will include documentaries, short & feature length films from Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The festival kicks off with a reception at SIFF at 6pm on Friday, followed by a film called Beyond starring Noomi Rapace from The girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Two Movie Tickets In Front Of A Take Clapperboard And A Reel Of Movie Film

Both Saturday and Sunday festivities begin at 10:00am, and have some wonderful films of note lined up, such as Silence, a drama about the 2nd World War, and how Finland was among one of the only nations to take home their casualties to be buried in their homeland, and Teddy Bear, a Drama from Denmark about a body builder from Copenhagen who has never known love. After his father finds a companion in Thailand, he goes on a quest to find a woman of his own.  Tickets can be purchased ahead of time for single day passes ($10), or entire weekend passes ($55).

Last Minute Gift Ideas at the “Last Minute Market”

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Have you been procrastinating on your holiday shopping? Me too. If you’re looking for some original gift ideas, check out the Seattle Creative Arts Center’s “Last Minute Market” tomorrow and Saturday for great local finds. The last minute crafts fair will have 15 or so local artists selling jewelry, glass, paintings, and other items for holiday gift-giving.

Some fun items for sale this year include hand tailored ties, glass blown vases, and Colter Candy Company will have their small batch toffee on hand! The fair will be held Friday from 12:00PM-10:00PM, and all day Saturday from 10:00AM-5:00PM. Feeling overwhelmed and shopped out before you’ve even started? They’ll also have pleasant music going, and snacks available to settle some of the Holiday shopping nerves.

Tis the Season for a Christmas Ship Festival!

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The month of December is filled with Holiday activities around the city of Seattle, and an all time favorite for many Seattleites includes the Argosy Christmas Ship Festival. It’s been a holiday traditional celebration in the Pacific Northwest since 1949, and every year from November 24th through December 23rd the Argosy Christmas Ship sets it’s sails around the Sound to various waterfront communities including Gasworks Park, Pier 55, Alki Beach Park, Shilshoe, Laurelhurst Beach Club among many many others (45 to be exact).

 

The ship has different choirs performing, brightening the festivities for patrons on board. A nice addition to the Christmas ship experience is that on shore along the different water front community stops, locals gather around singing carols and anticipating the arrival of the ships, welcoming those getting off, and either hopping aboard the ship, or one of the parade ships that follow. Those who have their own boats can decorate theirs with lights and join in the line of as one of the largest holiday floating parades in the world! The schedule this week includes two value nights on Tuesday and Wednesday, ($10 knocked off the standard $35 per person price) with choirs such as the Dickens Carolers, Rainier Youth Choir, and the Federal Way Harmony Kings. You won’t want to miss out on this wonderful NW Christmas tradition, for more information on the Christmas Ship Festival and schedule, visit their website today.