Well, it sounds like that "HVAC work" that supposedly caused Babalu to close suddenly has been resolved, and the bar is set to re-open. According to the My Wallingford blog, Babalu has managed to get its liquor license back, despite having operated for almost a month without one. While he couldn't get the cabaret / nightclub license (too small), he has managed to convince the liquor license review panel that he'll be adding more than $99 TV dinners to the menu.…
If you've ever been frustrated at how difficult government web sites are to use, here's your chance to help them improve (and make a little something for yourself while you're at it). Sarah Schacht writes: We're trying to reach out to Wallingford residents and those in northeast Seattle to participate in a usability study of Seattle.gov. The mayor's office and Seattle's Department of Information Technology have committed to using our study to guide redesigning the site. We're in the first round…
The beautiful intersection-wide Ladybug painted at 48th and Burke will be getting a refresh this Sunday afternoon, Carrie M. tells us. The ladybug was created six years ago as the brainchild of Eric Higbee, who has put photos of early sketches and the creation of the bug on his web site. Every year, a group of neighbors get together to refresh it and enjoy a bit of sunshine and comraderie, and this year, it's this weekend. Stop over and join the…
Somehow we got subscribed to all those "group deal" services, where you get offered one "screaming deal" a day, and it's only good if a certain number of people buy it. Well, today's Groupon deal is for Wallingford's own Rain Sushi: you can buy a certificate good for $50 worth of sushi, sake and such for $24. It's local and it's a good deal, so we thought we'd share it with you: $50 worth of Rain Sushi for $24 Hey, while…
We really enjoy writing this blog. We wouldn't bother with it if we didn't. Still, it is a lot of work to keep up and can be frustrating and discouraging at times, so it's nice to hear good things back from readers. In particular, one long time reader recently moved away to another neighborhood and dropped us a note that we thought we'd share: We're settling in to our new home in <redacted>. I've been reading <our new neighborhood blog> regularly…
The monthly tour of interesting things around the 'hood known as "Wallingford Walks" is this Saturday, 10 am - 12 pm, starting at Tully's on 45th: We'll talk to them about their craft and what it is that keeps them creative. Visit with one of the artists who developed the beautiful fence at the Boys' and Girls' Club, a Wallingford author of not just internationally renowned novels but cookbooks too, and a Wallingford artist who is preparing a show for a…
Chocolati on 45th St. is playing the dance-sequence music from Napoleon Dynamite (Jamiroquai). A guy in line suddenly busts out his moves. At the Chevron station, a driver is sitting perfectly still on the asphalt next to his cab with head bowed. At first glance, it looks like he's having a cigarette but there's no smoke. Prayer, meditation? The new Caffe Appassionato on Stone Way seems to be open, late hours? No, a private party. People drinking glasses of champagne, tables…