BLACKBIRD MEMORY #25... JULKARVA or JULENEK

Every year around Christmas time Nicole would have the store staff put up julenek on our garland and on our trees outside the store. Birds would come to eat the julenek and nobody who passed by could deny the Christmas spirit contained in those ties of grain. It was always fun for us to honor the Scandinavian heritage of our neighborhood, and we hope someone can carry the torch for us when we depart. Read more about julenek below.

A julenek (Norwegian and Danish) or julkarva (Swedish) is a sheaf of grain hung on a tree or pole as a Christmas treat for the birds. One of the most popular symbols in Scandinavia today, they are sold on street corners in the weeks before Christmas. Few homes are without one.

The tradition is actually from olden times, when people believed that taking care of the animals and spirits during the coldest, darkest days of winter would cause good luck and a bountiful harvest the following summer.

Like other winter solstice traditions in rural Scandinavia, it eventually became part of the celebration of Christmas. On farms, the peace of Christmas began before sundown on December 24th, when the sheaf was tied to a pole and erected in the farm yard. It was thought to be very lucky if birds flocked to it as it was being hung.

These sheaves of wheat were harvested by hand in Skagit Valley and were purchased from Stine's Scandinavian Sheaves here in good old Ballard. They are now on sale at the Field House for $3 a bunch.

KEXP CELEBRATES BALLARD DAY ON FRIDAY, MAY 18TH!

Celebrate Ballard’s victory in KEXP’s Hood to Hood Challenge on Friday, May 18th. KEXP will Broadcast LIVE from Bergen Place Park from 10am to 6am and festivities include LIVE music from local bands on our outdoor stage, discounts and drink specials at local businesses, evening showcases featuring KEXP DJs hosting and spinning live and a food drive and a benefit for the Ballard Food Bank.

BERGEN PLACE PARK 10:00am – 6:00pm
with live DJ sets from Cheryl Waters and Kevin Cole

10:00am – Ramona Falls
12:00pm – Deep Sea Diver
2:00pm – My Goodness
4:00pm – The Maldives
5:30pm – Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band

Bands LIVE on KEXP from The Sunset:
7:00am – David Bazan
9:00am – Yuni In Taxco
11:00am – Point Juncture, WA
1:00pm – Buffalo Tom
3:00pm – Joan As Police Woman
5:00pm – Shabazz Palaces
6:30pm – The Black Crabs
8:00pm – Marshall Scott Warner

Many local Ballard business will be offering special discounts (see map below) INCLUDING BLACKBIRD! Simply present your KEXP membership card anytime on Friday when purchasing anything at our Blackbird and Home and Apothecary stores and receive 20% off!

KEXP has also added a food drive for the Ballard Food Bank! You can drop off donations at the KEXP tent located in Bergen Place park from 10am-5pm. All of this is our way of thanking the Ballard neighborhood for their generous support. Also, Cascade Bicycle Club will be hosting the annual Bike to Work Day after party from 4-7pm in Bergen Place. The heart of Ballard will turn into a bike street party with tons of fun things to do!

GRAB YOUR BUNAD: SYTTENDE MAI PARADE IN BALLARD

Syttende Mai, meaning literally "May 17th," marks the anniversary of the Norwegian constitution being signed in year 1814. As you may well know, Ballard is home to one of the nation's longest Syttende Mai parades, taking place all throughout our neighborhood since 1889 (that's the year Washington State was admitted to the nifty fifty).

We're going to be roping off an area on the sidewalk outside of our store for our customers to hang out during the parade. Come hang with us, have a free beer in the shop, and watch the endless cavalcade of red, white, and blue bunad-clad Norskis trundle past. Happy Norway Day, Norway (and Ballard)!

2012 BALLARD JAZZ FEST: THE GUITAR SUMMIT - TONIGHT 8PM AT THE CONOR BYRNE

The 2012 Ballard Jazz Fest, which celebrates its 10th year anniversary, continues tonight at the Conor Byrne with the Guitar Summit. Starting at 8pm, watch four different accomplished jazz guitarists display the talent that has taken them to national and international acclaim.

Bobby Broom, Tim Young, John Stowell and Dave Peterson, all well-known guitarists who have played with many touring jazz and blues legends all take the stage and celebrate not only great jazz music (a 100% American-made musical genre) but also the neighborhood Blackbird calls home. The show starts at 8pm sharp at the Conor Byrne, Ballard's own Irish Whiskey bar. Get to Ballard early and enjoy Ballard's newest pizza parlour, Ballard Pizza Co.!

2012 BALLARD JAZZ FESTIVAL APRIL 18 - 21

The annual Ballard Jazz Festival kicks off this week on Wednesday, April 18th at our favorite whiskey bar, the Conor Byrne. Many of our other Ballard bar, restaurant, and hang-out faves are also hosting performances and to see a full schedule, click here.

This is a great time to come out to Ballard if you're not able to on a regular basis. Come early and shop a little, nab a delicious dinner at any of our amazing Ballard restaurants, and then head down to the Conor Byrne for a drink and some mighty fine playing.

Also of noted importance: Our very own Blackbirdian, Andrew Swanson, will be hosting a show for the record label he is a part of at the world famous Salmon Bay Eagles Club this Friday, April 20th, starting at 8:00pm sharp.

DAMIEN JURADO IN-STORE AT SONIC BOOM RECORDS IN BALLARD - TODAY!

Anyone at the cd release party for Damien Jurado's new album, Maraqopa last Friday night at the utterly awesome venue of the Neptune knows how rad all the new material was. Dude played all of the new album plus a half dozen other new songs that may never even see the light of day.

Today Ballard's Sonic Boom records hosts an in-store appearance by Jurado at 6pm sharp and we definitely recommend the trip out here to bear witness. After you're done, stop by The Field House and Blackbird and check out all of our new stuff, sure to be on your regular fashion playlist this spring...

BLACKBIRD FAVORITE THAIKU/FU KUN WU CLOSING

We are saddened to hear this week's announcement that one of our favorite Ballard haunts, Thaiku and its bar Fu Kun Wu, are both to see their final night on December 23rd. Located just across the street from Blackbird, Thaiku/Fun Kun Wu has always been an easy go-to bar and restaurant for delicious Thai food, live jazz, and their signature yohimbe-infused cocktails. Many of our (and much of the neighborhood's) events have spilled into the cozy back bar and it has been one of our first recommendations to people visiting the neighborhood. Fu Kun Wu will end with an all-night happy hour party from 5PM on December 23rd. Join us in mourning with one final yohito (the refreshing signature yohimbe-infused mohito).

We pray that both soon resurface with a new location.

The official press release (courtesy of The Stranger/Slog) is as follows..

Ballard's Thaiku and Fu Kun Wu to close on December 23 due to property dispute

Seattle, WA, December 12, 2011- Ballard's beloved Thaiku and its bar Fu Kun Wu will be closing after ten years due to ongoing dispute with the property owner causing the establishment to be displaced. Thaiku and Fu Kun Wu’s last full day of operation is Friday, December 23, 2011.

A small business venture, Thaiku offers regional, home-style Thai cuisine like no other. "I don't think you'll find a better pad Thai anywhere in Seattle," says the Zagat 2011 Review. Thaiku's bar Fu Kun Wu— famed for its herb-infused cocktails (voted one of the "Best Bars in America" by Esquire Magazine and billed as "one of the best kept secrets of the Seattle jazz scene")— has been a haven for jazz musicians and jazz lovers alike.

Thaiku celebrated its 10th year anniversary on September 13, riding out ten years of the economy's highs and lows. Since 2001, the Thai restaurant at 5410 Ballard Avenue has been one of the fixtures in the Ballard neighborhood: Thaiku opened its doors when Ballard Avenue was still a quiet street, and it thrived as the area flourished. Families have gathered there to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions. Thaiku has loyal patrons who dine there daily. The weekly jazz nights at Fu Kun Wu have brought the jazz community together.

Closing Thaiku will idle about 25 employees— cooks, wait staff, bartenders and dishwashers— some of whom have been with the restaurant since it opened.

"We are extremely grateful to our employees and customers for their loyalty the last ten years," says the management. "We encourage everyone to stop by and join us until we close our doors."

Thaiku will serve lunch and dinner until Friday, December 23. Its bar Fu Kun Wu will be open from 5pm-midnight until its final night and will offer happy hour daily from 5-7pm, with an all-night happy hour party on December 23 from 5pm-close. The live jazz on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30-11pm will also take place as scheduled.

Know that this is not the end for Thaiku. In 2001, proprietor and jazz musician Jon Alberts was forced to move the popular Fremont Noodle House, which was reincarnated shortly after as Thaiku with Fu Kun Wu in Ballard. The owners are confident that Thaiku and Fu Kun Wu will once again reincarnate in another form. In the meantime, the weekly jazz nights will relocate to its sister venue, Copper Gate (6301 24th Avenue NW in Ballard), beginning Thursday, January 5, 2012 with the Fu Kun Wu Trio (Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson and Tad Britton) headlining the evening. "We urge everyone to support Fu Kun Wu's jazz musicians and join them at Copper Gate," the management says.

"We are actively looking for a new space and we are hopeful to reopen within a year," the management adds. "For now, we will pack our elixirs and go. The Oolong-tinis will live elsewhere."

Stay tuned.

BALLARD BELL RINGS AGAIN

After much work from the "Bring the Ring Back to Ballard" project headed, headed by the Ballard Historical Society, the bell tower across the street from Blackbird (the history of which has been outlined in an earlier post) has been ringing twice a day for the past week. The bell is set to ring at noon and 6PM, as it did traditionally for mill workers.

MyBallard has photos and video from last week's celebration of the bell's new life here,

And below is a short video I shot, surprised by the sudden ringing, while work on the automated system was just being finished.

IN BALLARD - THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER IN NEW YORK TIMES

Our Neighbors and fantastic oyster bar, The Walrus and the Carpenter were recently featured in an insightful article in the New York Times on dining out in Seattle. We are always partial to our Ballard friends and love all of the great new places that are popping up and flourishing right down the street from Blackbird. With the summer months and sun-drenched nights in full swing, a great night out at The Walrus and the Carpenter sounds mighty fine to us. Come stop by Blackbird or The Field House after your meal and tell us what YOU think. 

"I stopped by the Walrus on a Friday at 5:15 p.m., and already it was full, with the intense, palpable conviviality that so many restaurants aim for but so few achieve. That kind of warmth and vibrancy often boil down to luck: to the animation of the crowd that gathers, the pitch of people’s voices. Here everyone seemed impossibly merry.

They sat on stools pulled up to high tables or a long counter, and they ate Blue Pool oysters and Hama Hama oysters and Sweetwater oysters and Eld Inlet oysters, all from Washington waters. The Walrus is essentially an embellished oyster bar, emphasis on embellished. In addition to raw shellfish it serves many cooked small plates and desserts — including, when I was there, grilled lamb tongue and a bay leaf panna cotta with a rhubarb compote — and a distinctive selection of wines, beers and cocktails.

The oysters are shucked with care: no clumsy haste, no messy errors. I closely watched the ace who shucked ours, impressed in equal measure by his skill and the elaborate beehive of what looked like dreadlocks atop his head.

When he finished shucking them, he put them before us, then did something for which I was unprepared — and very grateful. He handed us a neatly, precisely written cheat sheet that told us, from left to right, which oyster was which, so we didn’t have to remember and wouldn’t be confused. In this one odd-looking server at this one happy-making place, courtesy, earnestness, eccentric personal grooming and a proud scruffiness were all entwined. There was something so splendidly Seattle about that." NY TIMES

SOLDIER ON! - BLACKBIRD CINEMA FEATURING THE LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP

Clive Candy: I heard all that in the last war! They fought foul then - and who won it?

Theo Kretschmar-Schuldorff: I don't think you won it. We lost it -but you lost something, too. You forgot to learn the moral. Because victory was yours, you failed to learn your lesson twenty years ago and now you have to pay the school fees again. Some of you will learn quicker than the others, some of you will never learn it - because you've been educated to be a gentleman and a sportsman, in peace and in war. But Clive!

[tenderly]

Theo Kretschmar-Schuldorff: Dear old Clive - this is not a gentleman's war. This time you're fighting for your very existence against the most devilish idea ever created by a human brain - Nazism. And if you lose, there won't be a return match next year... perhaps not even for a hundred years.   

- The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp

BALLARD - PRIVATE GREENE

DETAILS: 3 inch tall painted pewter army figurine, with small foot-base. Private Greene is in the "at ease" position but could still guard your desk at the drop of a helmet.

$6

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BLACKBIRD CINEMA - THE CRITERION COLLECTION

LIFE AND DEATH OF COLONEL BLIMP

DETAILS: The passions and pitfalls of a lifetime in the military are dramatized in Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's magnificent epic, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp. The film follows the exploits of pristine British soldier Clive Candy (Roger Livesey) as he battles to maintain his honor and proud gentlemanly conduct through romance, three wars, and a changing world. Vibrant and controversial, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp is at once a romantic portrait of a career soldier and a pointed investigation into the nature of aging, friendship, and obsolescence.

New high-definition digital transfer of the British Film Institute's restoration of the original full-length version of the film, audio commentary featuring director Michael Powell with Martin Scorsese, a collection of David Low's original Colonel Blimp cartoons and optional English subtitles for the deaf and hearing-impaired

163 minutes, Color, English

$39.95

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MAIDEN NOIR

STANDARD FIT FIELD CARGO IN GREEN CAMO

Green Camo

NOTES:

100% cotton, standard fit field cargo pant in green camouflage pattern. Interior/exterior button waist closure with two button fly placket, seven belt loops and rear side adjustable button tabs. Large stitched patch cargo slanted stash pockets with additional side seam hand pockets with single button closures. Pleated stitch at knee, rear button flap pockets, and a small white Maiden Noir MFG label at upper back right.

The cut and sew pieces in the collection pay tribute to a heritage of vintage silhouettes though leaning toward a more refined and clean classic look. Fabrics used are a mix of heavy cotton twill, ripstop cotton, 60/40 cotton/nylon, and woodland camo. The focus is on the detailing, tailoring and materials. All of the pieces are made from Japanese fabrics and the selvage denim is tailored in Japan.

$198

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BALLARD AVENUE NOW AND THEN

This image isn’t dated, but based on assessor notes it appears to have been taken in the summer of 1937. Numbers and other marks indicate the property description. Photo: (Puget Sound Regional Branch Of The Washington State Archives) / (Puget Sound Regional Branch of the Washington State Archives/seattlepi.com file)

Seattle PI has published an excellent feature showing various spots along Ballard Avenue, comparing photos of the early 1900s to now. It is amazing to see how little our neighborhood has changed structurally over the years.

Click here to see the slide show.

NEW TO BLACKBIRD- THE CAMPAIGN FOLDING TABLE

Card game?
Camping Trip?
Picnic?
Small kitchen?
...No kitchen?

Style and function. Simple.

Ballard - Campaign Folding Table

DETAILS: Since the time of Julius Caesar, campaign furniture has been designed and made to be easily broken down and transported on military campaigns providing comfort and elegance to life abroad, also referred to as "under the canvas".

This campaign table is modeled after colonial British furniture of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The simple frame folds up nicely for transport and includes features of pivoting joints and a detachable table top. There are four latches at the top of each leg piece that connect to four hooks on the underside of the table.

Measures: 36 inches long by 26 1/2 inches wide by 28 inches tall

$300

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BALLARD BEE COMPANY UP FOR AMD'S VISIONARY OF THE YEAR AWARD

(photo from AMD VISIONary homepage

Corky Luster, the man behind local urban pollination company Ballard Bee Company, is up for AMD's Visionary of the Year Award in the Foodie category. Blackbird is happy to stock Luster's honey (link) and fully supports this nomination! See this previous blog post for more information on Ballard Bee Company.

Click here to go to the AMD VISIONary homepage and see all nominees or here to go directly to Corky Luster's entree.

Local news station KING5 recently ran a feature on Luster's business and can be read here. See below for video from their broadcast.

BACK IN STOCK: ALDEN x BLACKBIRD CHRISTOPHERSON'S CREAMERY MILKMAN BOOT

The incredibly popular Alden for Blackbird Christopherson's Creamery Milkman Boot is finally available again. Click here to check it out and see below for the full rundown on this special boot.

Did you buy a pair of the initial release (or any Alden for Blackbird footwear, for that matter)? We would love to see some pictures of how they have worn in! Please send an e-mail to leo@blackbirdballard.com with the style, how long you have had them for, pictures, and anything else you might like to include and we will throw it all up on the blog.

Designed by Blackbird in collaboration with Alden of New England, makers of custom boots since 1884. The Christopherson's Creamery Milkman Boot was inspired by the shiny simple uniform boots that so many delivery drivers wore back in day when milk and groceries were delivered. Christopherson's Creamery (you can see their sign in the above picture, photographed in 1939) was a local Ballard dairy shop on Market Street, just around the corner from where Blackbird is today. We're expecting to see this become your favorite boot - the one that you'll wear with everything, doing anything for the next 20 to 50 years.

Alden
Blackbird 45149HC Christopherson's Creamery Milkman Boot
in black

LAST: Barrie
STYLE: Navy Blucher High Boot - plain toe with perforated quarter detailing at the ankle
UPPER: black shell cordovan (for details, scroll to the bottom)
OUTSOLE: rubber Commando outsole for grip and durability
INSOLE: leather with the "Made expressly for Blackbird" heel pod
MID-SOLE: cork midsole with steel shank for long-lasting strength and support
LACING: flat waxed lacing through black agatine and hook eyelets
WELT: high quality Goodyear leather storm welt construction
LINING: fully leather lined.

Polish yours to a high gloss and wear them with sharply tailored trousers, or beat them up, lace them half-way, and wear them with whatever. This boot is cut sharp to accommodate a number of looks and built tough as nails for a life of hard, dedicated service.

Note: these shoes run large. We recommend sizing down half a size. If you don't see the size you're looking for, please contact us for assistance.
$649

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ABOUT ALDEN'S SHELL CORDOVAN LEATHER:

Using the centuries-old method of pure vegetable tannage and hand finishing, the single tannery still producing genuine shell cordovan today is indeed practicing a rare art. The tanning process takes a full six months to complete and produces leather that is soft and supple, yet very durable. Alden's classic patterns take on a unique character when made from genuine shell cordovan.

By virtue of their long experience, Alden stands as the acknowledged master in working and finishing this special leather into extraordinary footwear. The crafting of shoes from shell cordovan recalls, indeed depends on, shoemaking of the old school. The special qualities of the leather are elusive, unresponsive to high volume production methods. Cordovan demands the measured pace of hand shoemaking and patient finishing, responding to such careful work with unmatched luster.

Over time, the patina in Alden's genuine shell cordovan shoes will only improve, deepening with each polishing and showing to full advantage the especially rich character of the leather. As durable and comfortable to wear as they are beautiful to look at, genuine shell cordovan shoes truly are Alden's masterworks.

For more great info on the care of cordovan leather (courtesy of Alden of Carmel), click here.

SANTARCHY & TITANIUM SPORKESTRA IN BALLARD

Rebel Without A Claus

Saturday night was the Seattle date for the annual international gathering of Santa Clauses: Santarchy/Santacon. The day's festivities culminated just across the street from Blackbird, under the old Ballard City Hall bell tower, with a performance by punk marching band Titanium Sporkestra.

KEEPING OUR FRIENDS HAPPY WITH JULENEK

This squirrel was having a ball the other day with the traditional julenek we have hanging around the store.

An explanation of julenek (or julkarva), taken from a previous blog post..

A julenek (Norwegian and Danish) or julkarva (Swedish) is a sheaf of grain hung on a tree or pole as a Christmas treat for the birds. One of the most popular symbols in Scandinavia today, they are sold on street corners in the weeks before Christmas. Few homes are without one.

The tradition is actually from olden times, when people believed that taking care of the animals and spirits during the coldest, darkest days of winter would cause good luck and a bountiful harvest the following summer.

Like other winter sostice traditions in rural Scandinavia, it eventually became part of the celebration of Christmas. On farms, the peace of Christmas began before sundown on December 24th, when the sheaf was tied to a pole and erected in the farm yard. It was thought to be very lucky if birds flocked to it as it was being hung.

BALLARD HOLIDAY CHEER

Last Saturday evening Santa was hanging out across the street under the old fire bell as part of the Holidays in Ballard events. In addition to Santa Clause drawing a crowd of hundreds, there were carolers, horse-drawn hay rides, and general festivities. Click here for My Ballard's blog entry on the event.

SNOW DAY II - OPEN 11 to 3

All Blackbird stores will open at 11 today and stay open until 3.  If you are in the neighborhood, drop in to say, "hello" and have a hot beverage on us and hang out with Leo, James and Sky today.

SNOWY DAY - BLACKBIRD IS OPEN

It's snowing in Seattle.  Stay home from work if you can and enjoy/support your neighborhood independent retailers.  All Blackbird stores will be open today including The Field House, Blackbird Candy Shoppe and Blackbird Apothecary.

We are working on having free hot cider at The Field House so come in and hang out.

LEOHOSEN

Yesterday Leo (seen above in Lederhosen handed down from his grandfather to his father and then to him) and Keara (not seen here) handed out oodles of candy from our Blackbird Candy Shoppe to around 7000 families parading around Ballard enjoying Ballard Halloween.  What a joy!