We had so much fun last year, we are doing it again: Books and Ice Cream!

This Sunday, June 23, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., bring teens to the Wallingford Library for a celebration of two of the best parts of summer: icy-cold floats and summer reading!

Librarians Dawn (Wallingford) and Marty (Green Lake) will be giving out a brand-new book to each middle or high schooler who shows up!

Learn about Teen Book Bingo, where readers will get a free book and entries into a prize drawing for each row they complete and a bonus for getting a full …

Why, it seems like yesterday that we were talking about Restricted Parking Zones (RPZs) here on the blog. It wasn’t exactly yesterday, but it was as recently as last October that Jordan wrote about RPZ changes here in the neighborhood. His article termed these changes “final.” Well, those changes may have been final then, but we now have before us a new set of changes which are anything but final. You can weigh in on these changes either by submitting comments online or attending a public meeting. More on that later.

First off, what’s being proposed? The color-coded map elsewhere …

In her song “Big Yellow Taxi,” Joni Mitchell delivered this clarion call: “that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone.” While her lyrics mean different things to different people, her message of conservation and preservation remains as relevant as ever. I think of her message in the context of Wallingford, as a call for those who love and cherish this neighborhood, as I do, to take stock of what we have and advocate for its preservation.

This May, Historic Wallingford launched the Wallingford Historic District Feasibility Study to be directed by preservation consultant Northwest Vernacular, with financial support …

I wish I hadn’t waited until being assigned an article to walk into Cedarhouse Flowers/ Peti Boutique, the floral design studio and clothing boutique that opened late last year at 1621 N45th, across from Molly Moons and next to the new Grand Central Bakery.

Having strolled by a few times prior with my unruly toddler who leaves a Cheerio trail everywhere we go, I was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome into such a sophisticated interior and by the temptation to buy (or break) a lot of pretty things inside.

The shop is a partnership between two Wallingford residents, Parnel …

A few weeks ago, I noticed that the onramp to I-5 southbound from 45th Street had undergone some changes with regard to the HOV lane (the rightmost of the two lanes on the ramp). Some readers have noticed it, too.

Previously, HOV traffic was allowed to enter the freeway without stopping. During busy times, the left (non-HOV) lane was metered forcing traffic there to wait for a green signal from the light at the left of the lane.

Now, two lights hang from an overhead beam. During busy times, both lanes are metered meaning that HOV and non-HOV traffic must …

The long wait for the return of the Iron Bull (2121 N 45th St) is over.

It will not return.

In its stead, though, The Tailgate is now under construction, owned and managed by Liza Danger and Trevor Marsh, the owners of The Octopus Bar on the same block.

However, don’t go there expecting to find an extension of The Octopus’s Georgetown vibe. Tailgate, as its name implies, will be a sports bar first and foremost. The promo text explains:

Tailgate is redefining a sports bar as the place for all those who enjoy drinking, community and culture, and of …

(Editor’s note: Alex Pedersen is running to represent District 4 in City Council. District 4 extends from Wallingford to Lake Washington, and, after skirting Green Lake, reaches up to Wedgwood. Alex published a neighborhood newsletter for five years called “4 to Explore” which frequently featured Wallingford. He also attended community meetings here as a former aide to City Council President Tim Burgess.)

Alex Pedersen with son at Archie McPhee’s in 2014 conducting important research for the community newsletter “4 to Explore”

Archie McPhee, Blue Star Café, Chutney’s Bistro, Fainting Goat Gelato, Meowtropolitan, Molly Moon’s, Ro Ro’s barbecue, Wallingford Wurst Festival, Wallingford Farmer’s Market, …