CHRISTMAS TREES ARE ALMOST HERE!

With a little luck and a lot of open road ways, our Christmas trees will arrive at The Field house on Wednesday and will be on sale for $8 per foot!  We're expecting mostly smaller, apartment-friendly trees six-feet and under. Stay tuned for more updates on the magic of winter!

To pre-order your tree email ben@blackbirdballard.com.

A NEW REASON TO LOVE SEATTLE by SKY KING

Last Thursday, it was cold, it rained, and I didn't see a part in the clouds all afternoon. At the end of the day I was feeling rather glum, and I wasn't too keen on the idea of taking the bus home at all; rather than put myself through the despair of the impending monotony, and with no other alternatives, I elected to take a different route home – to switch things up a bit, you know.  I have walked up Pike St. hundreds of times, but never before, not even in the deepest darkest corners of my periphery had I ever seen this place:

Backtracking, I gave the place a second look and was quickly beckoned inside. Co-owners, Rachel Ravitch and Nikki Mazzei explained that this was their new business, and this was their first day. My mood swiftly changed for the better.

Welcome to Scenic Drive Factory.

The concept is pretty simple:

 They have a rotating cast of artists to display their masterpieces.



 They sell bicycle-ready clothing and mercantile goods made from salvaged materials.
They have crafty little weekend and evening workshops hosted by local artists and designers.

 

You can rent a sewing machine for $7.00 an hour. You get a punch card, pay for ten hours and then you get your eleventh for free.   Until the end of October, if you get yourself there by bicycle, your first hour on the sewing machine is free as a thanks for your self-powered efforts.

Scenic Drive Factory 

open 11:00AM–7:00PM Thursday–Sunday

or by appointment

611 E. Pike Street

Gather up all your little mending projects and check it out!

HISTORIC BAINBRIDGE ISLAND SCHOOL BUILDING FOR SALE

This long-abandoned building, listed on the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation's 2010 Most Endangered List is running out of time.

Completed in 1922 and located on the east shore of Bainbridge Island, this building was in use by the Moran School for Boys as dormitories, library, science labs, and a 200-seat theatre. Founded by Frank Moran, the Moran School operated from 1914 until 1933. Among the school's influential students was future Nobel Prize winner and transistor co-inventor Walter Brattain, who graduated from the school in 1920.

Before the school's closure, Frank Moran founded another school out in the Denny-Blaine neighborhood; the Moran-Lakeside School. In 1923 that school moved again to a new location and changed its name to the Lakeside Day School for Younger Boys which still exists to this day (although in yet another location). Seattle-area residents may recognize the name Lakeside School as the premier private academy whose alumni include Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Adam West (yes that Adam West), former Washington state governor Booth Gardner, and many other notables.

(source)

After the closing of the Moran School, the property became the Puget Sound Naval Academy, preparing young men for the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, and the United States Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut. The PSNA operated from 1938 to 1951.

The property received yet another new life with the opening of Messenger House nursing home and care center. The care center remains to this day with much of the original property being renovated and added on to, but for some reason this iconic theatre building has remained largely unused since the 60s.

Property owners, Soundcare, Inc, have been in favor or the building's final demolition but have heeded to the cries of preservationists. They have generously offered one last chance for a buyer to step forward to purchase and renovate the building.

The deadline has been set for October 1st and, if no interested parties come forward, Soundcare, Inc is moving forward with demolition.

Details of the sale from this post on the Historic Seattle's Preservation Blog...

Condition of Sale

Purchaser will be required to nominate the building to the Bainbridge Island Register of Historic Places and will be expected to enter into a preservation easement for protection of the building’s character-defining features.

2010 Tax Assessor Value

$192,600

Current Condition

Some temporarily stabilization

Prominent neoclassical design features intact
Historic interior finishes intact, including the Theater
A comprehensive structural assessment will be necessary

Surroundings

This unique structure is located on the portion of Bainbridge Island known as Skiff Point, not far from the Rolling Bay community. The surrounding community features a post office, Bainbridge’s iconic Bay Hay & Feed nursery & a coffeehouse.

Parcel

* Approximately 0.62 acres or 27,000ft2
* Four-story building, approximately 14,000ft2
* Zoned R2: educational, governmental, religious, health care or group care facilities
* Rehabilitation would be subject to existing zoning and code requirements

Historic Status

* Eligible for listing in the Bainbridge Island Register of Historic Places
* Eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places

Financial Incentives

* Eligible for the federal Historic Investment Tax Credit program.
* Eligible to participate in the state Special Tax Valuation Program

Contact

Please direct all questions and submittals to:

Chris Moore, Field Director of the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation – cmoore@wa-trust.org 206.624.9449 (office) 206.930.5067 (cell)

VIM BEGET LAUNCH EVENT

20 August 7-11pm

Gerald Wu Hair Design Loft, 321 3rd Ave S., Suite 401

This Friday, Vim Beget will unveil its collection of unisex jewelry, accessories and other wares. The launch event will be held at the loft of Gerald Wu Hair Design in Seattle's Pioneer Square. Blackbird is a proud sponsor of the event and will be carrying the collection immediately upon its release.

Each piece of jewelry is completely hand-made starting from wire spools and sheets of German Silver. The materials are cut and hand-woven, soldered, bent, sanded, shaped and specially finished with several different treatments, giving each piece an incredible amount of character and elegance.

Visit www.vimbeget.com to preview the collection.

BALLARD SEAFOOD FEST: MAY THE NORSE BE WITH YOU

Ballard Seafood Fest

Saturday & Sunday, July 10th & 11th

This weekend, Ballard will celebrate its 36th annual Seafood Fest with bands, contests, salmon barbeques and sidewalk sales. This is arguably Ballard's most exciting event of the year, so you won't want to miss out!

Blackbird will be extending its semi-annual sale to the streets, so swing by the shop and peel through our racks for super-ultra deals on fabrics light enough to get you through the never-ending heat wave. If it's refreshment you're after, The Field House will have you covered with cold sodas and a fresh produce stand so you can snack while people-watching under our umbrellas.

For more information on the festival, check out the official Ballard Seafood Fest website. See you in Ballard!