Families

Mini-craft fair at Boulevard Grocery

August 12, 2012 by Rebecca Nelson 1 Comment

The reincarnated Boulevard Grocery (2007 NE Ravenna Blvd) is holding their second mini-craft fair this afternoon, Sunday, August 12, from noon-3 PM, in front of the store.

A selection of vegetable portrait postcards by Chavas Garden.

Some of the vendors and their wares include:

Gemstone, wire-wrapped jewelry from Frankie Says Seattle
Beautiful abstract art and paper goods from Amy’s Artworks
Great vintage and modern jewelry from ReDeFind Vintage
Watercolor vegetable portraits from Chavas Garden (shown above)

There will also be face painting for the young (and young-at-heart).

Another great opportunity to check out the little store, too, if you haven’t already!

Filed Under: Businesses, Events, Families, Food, Kids, Ravenna, Ravenna Park, University Park Tagged With: Ravenna Kale Festival

Northgate Link Extension groundbreaking and celebration scheduled for August 17

August 3, 2012 by Rebecca Nelson 4 Comments

Fresh from our inbox to you, the details on Sound Transit’s Northgate Link Extension (formerly known as North Link) groundbreaking and community celebration happening on Friday, August 17:

You’re a big part of this project and we hope you can join us for a family-fun celebration to commemorate this historic milestone!

Ceremonial groundbreaking

Live music music by Roosevelt High School Jazz, Nu Klezmer Army, the Illicit Jug Cartel and the Rolling Retreads

Face painter, balloon artist and train-themed bouncy house for the kids

Link train photo booth – bring your camera or camera phone

Zap Gridlock, Sound Transit’s traffic fighting superhero

Project information booths – learn the latest on the station designs, public art, bicycle parking and access, current Sound Transit service and more

The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 3:30-4:30 PM, with the celebration portion going until 7:30 PM.

And just where will the event be taking place?

At the Former QFC site at NE 66th Street and Roosevelt Way NE.

You are encouraged to “bike, walk or take transit to the event. Bike racks will be available. The Roosevelt neighborhood is well-served by local transit with several bus routes in the immediate area.”

Filed Under: Events, Families, Kids, Light Rail, Music, Roosevelt Tagged With: ZOMG TRAINS

Be a part of the Eckstein Middle School principal selection process

August 2, 2012 by Rebecca Nelson Leave a Comment

In mid-July, Eckstein Middle School principal Kim Whitworth announced that she would be accepting the position of Executive Director of Schools for Seattle Public Schools’ Northeast Region (replacing Phil Brockman, who has moved on to the Director of Operations position within the district).

This means that Eckstein is currently without a principal, an issue which the district hopes to rectify by mid-August.

To that end, there is a Principal Selection Information Meeting tonight, Thursday, August 2, from 6:30-8 PM, at Eckstein Middle School (3003 NE 75th St).

Via email:

Please join us […] in the Eckstein library to learn more about Eckstein’s principal selection process and to provide input about the characteristics and qualities you would like to see in our new principal. There will also be introductions to some members of the screening and interview committees.

The Principal Selection Committee consists of Eckstein staff, parents and PTSA board members who are working closely with Phil Brockman, SPS Director of Operations. Please join us to ensure that you have an opportunity to provide input about the hiring process.

Information on the hiring process as it moves forward will be on the school’s homepage, www.ecksteinms.seattleschools.org.

Filed Under: Eckstein Middle School, Families, Meeting, Northeast Seattle

Movie magic continues at Magnuson Park

July 26, 2012 by Rebecca Nelson Leave a Comment

It’s a Thursday summer night, which means it’s another outdoor movie night at Magnuson Park (NE 65th St and Sand Point Way).

From the Seattle Outdoor Movies facebook page:

Join us for “The Help” tonight at the PEMCO Insurance Movies at Magnuson Park! We’ll have trivia, circus acts by JustinCredible, food trucks, games, prizes and more…

There is construction starting in the park so entering from 74th is your best bet. Event parking is still north of the athletic fields.

See you tonight! Seating opens at 7 pm.

“The Help,” stars Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer (who won an Oscar for her role), and Emma Stone.

Check out the full schedule of movies (showing through August 30) here.

Filed Under: Events, Families, Food, Magnuson Park, Northeast Seattle

Fall Parks and Recreation brochure for NE Seattle now available online

July 20, 2012 by Rebecca Nelson 1 Comment

Registration starts Tuesday, August 7. Get to perusing!

Click the image to start downloading the brochure (2.9 MB PDF).

The community centers and pools in the Northeast Region are Laurelhurst, Magnuson, Meadowbrook (and its Teen Life Center), Northgate, Ravenna-Eckstein, Meadowbrook Pool and the Helene Madison Pool.

Filed Under: Families, Kids, Northeast Seattle, Seattle Parks and Recreation

June Story Time schedule for the Northeast Branch

June 11, 2012 by Rebecca Nelson 1 Comment

With all that liquid sunshine coming down outside, surely you and your little one(s) need some indoor fun.

With that depressing realization in mind, here’s the June Story Time schedule for the Northeast Branch (6801 35th Ave NE), courtesy the Children’s Services Librarian, Erica Delavan:

Toddler Story Time (Geared for ages 1-3)
Thursdays, June 14, 21, 28 at 10:15 & 11:15 a.m.

Preschool Story Time (Geared for ages 3-5)
Tuesdays, June 12, 19, 26 at 10:30 a.m.

Pajamas & Puppets (All Ages)
Wednesday, June 20 at 7:00 p.m.

Furthermore, the Summer Reading Program has begun, and as of noon on Friday, June 8, had 575 kids signed up. When 10 books have been read, enrollees can choose a book from the Prize Book Cabinet AND a pass for four kids and two adults to visit the Burke Museum (good between July 1 and August 31. Read more about the Children’s Summer Reading Program here.

BUT WAIT — there’s MORE.

There is a Summer Reading Program for adults as well. For every three books you read and review (online, in the Seattle Public Library’s system), you are entered to win a free Kindle.

And MORE.

Teens can partake of the fun as well. Here’s more information on the Summer Reading Program for Teens, for those of us aged 13-18 years.

Filed Under: Families, Kids, Northeast Seattle, Seattle Public Library

Summer Parks and Recreation course registration starts Tuesday

May 21, 2012 by Rebecca Nelson 1 Comment

Summer is really just around the corner, no matter what the recent weather has you believing.

Registration for Summer 2012 Seattle Parks and Recreation classes and camps begins tomorrow, Tuesday, May 22.

Click the image to download the Summer 2012 Seattle Parks and Recreation brochure for Northeast Seattle (4.7 MB PDF)

Course registration can be done either in-person at your local community center, or online with SPARC (Seattle Parks and Recreation Connection. However, camp registration SHOULD be done at the center where the camp is being held. There is paperwork that accompanies camp registration which each center needs on location.

The front desk at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community center is open Monday through Friday from 12:30 to 8:30 PM, and Saturdays from 9 AM to 2 PM.

Fall registration begins August 7.

Filed Under: Families, Kids, Northeast Seattle, Ravenna, Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center

Enjoy Story Time this week in your PJs, or with seeds, or both!

April 24, 2012 by Rebecca Nelson Leave a Comment

Story Times at the Northeast Library (6801 35th Ave NE) are back on their regular weekday schedule the first week of May, but there is a Pajamas and Puppets this Wednesday, April 25, from 7-7:30 PM.

And if you’re looking for a weekend story time to take your sprout(s) to, you may want to check out the Miller Library at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens (3501 NE 41st St) this Saturday, April 28. The library holds a monthly story time with activities for kids age 3-8 years and their families. The program runs from 10:30-11:15 AM.

Here’s a description:

Amazing Seeds Story Program

This is a story program that starts small and grows into something amazing! Before the stories, join us in the program room to make a seed mosaic.

HOW GROUNDHOG’S GARDEN GREW by Lynne Cherry
FLIP, FLOAT, FLY: SEEDS ON THE MOVE by JoAnn Early Macken
PLANT SECRETS by Emily Goodman

Information on upcoming Story Times at the Miller Library can be found here.

Filed Under: Families, Kids, Northeast Branch, Northeast Seattle, Story Times, University of Washington Tagged With: Story Times

Take a tour of the new old Boulevard Grocery (PHOTOS)

April 18, 2012 by Rebecca Nelson 9 Comments

The exterior of the building is still forest green with red trim, but the interior of Boulevard Grocery (2007 NE Ravenna Blvd) has undergone quite a transformation this year.

Since Seven Coffee Roasters’ Sean Lee took over the business around the close of 2011, the barely 800-square-foot neighborhood grocery store has added two more jobs to its own resume: cafe and art space. All three facets seek to tempt both long-time residents and university students alike to come in, enjoy each others’ company, and head home with food and drink for their tables.

We stopped by the 96-year-old-building in January (for the soft open) and again here in April to witness the progress and share it with you here.

From left to right: Owner Sean, Barista Patrick, and Manager Jeff (photo taken at the soft open)

Whole bean Seven Coffee Roaster coffee was first to line the shelves back in January...

...and has since been joined by other goods such as pasta, oatmeal, soup, condiments, and more.

The Four Loko is gone, happily replaced by 22 oz bottles of local beers.

Wall o' wine at the rear of the store.

During our January visit these built-in benches had just been completed. They've since been joined by a large table.

The new pastry case, rife with hand pies from High 5 Pie.

Sandwiches by Blue Saucer in Maple Leaf wait to be purchased for a picnic.

Bread by the Essential Baking Company, delivered every other day.

Free toast with coffee special advertised next to a jar of doggie treats.

Sorry, kitty: No treats for you.

A small flock of origami birds cluster together on a windowsill.

A painting of Boulevard Grocery itself, done by a local.

The Compassion Wizard even hangs out here.

A mixed media work by Narboo (note the plastic soda can rings on the left).

A limited run of handpainted bags on display -- portions of each sale go to the artist, the store, and a charity.

With the beans removed, your coffee bean bag artwork is suitable for framing.

For more on the gallery side of Boulevard Grocery, check out this piece by Lauren Kronebusch of The Daily at the University of Washington: “Boulevard Gallery: View From A Coffee Cup.”

Boulevard Grocery is also holding an artwalk this Friday, April 21st, from 6-9 PM. Works by Greenwood’s Narboo and Starheadboy will be showcased, with live acoustic music.

Filed Under: Businesses, Families, Food, Photos, Ravenna, Ravenna Park, University Park