WHY DID YOU JOIN SUSTAINABLE BALLARD? I joined because I want to engage in activities that encourage less waste and bring joy to others with items we are ready to pass on.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF SUSTAINABLE BALLARD? Since November 2023
WHAT PROJECT(S) ARE YOU CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN? I am the new program lead of the Board Game & Puzzle Swap.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST SUSTAINABLE BALLARD EVENT/PROGRAM YOU ATTENDED? Board Game & Puzzle Swap
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF SUSTAINABLE BALLARD? I enjoy the friendly people who are making a difference in our community.
SHARE A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF
For the past couple of years, I have participated in the Around the Year 50 book challenge through the GoodReads app.
Please join us Sunday January 28th from 6:30-8:30pm at Sunset Hill Community Association’s Upper Hall to reflect on the successes of 2023 and collaborate on our direction in the year ahead. This is open to all and a great opportunity to learn more about Sustainable Ballard projects & events, get to know Board Members and our Project Leads. Together we make Ballard a better place to live, work & play. We hope to see you there!
Growing CommunityJenny & Wendy at this year’s Barter Fair/Holiday PartyB.H.S. Greenhouse on 2023 Edible Garden TourCheers to our amazing Project Leads & Volunteers!First SB Giving Sunday at Commons ParkEngaging Youth with Sustainability
As we approach the darkest day of the year it is a great opportunity to reflect, rest, and restore ourselves and our urban landscapes for the return of increasing daylight. Here in the PNW we have very early dark winter nights and Summer nights that almost stretch into the next day. If you are a gardener this is a quiet dormant time. The time to dream and plan ahead for the next season of growth… Perhaps you already have a pile of seed catalogs strewn across your kitchen table. What will you plant next year? How will you make improvements to your existing space to be more pollinator & salmon friendly? This is a good time to review our successes and examine failures or as I like to call them “experiments that turned out differently than expected”. May you relish in the dark and kindle your light for the days ahead.
All of us at Sustainable Ballard would like to thank all of you-volunteers, members, neighbors, and community partners for a year of abundance. Together our community can continue to become more sustainable and healthy. Thank you for helping us create, grow, and support community! Wishing you a peaceful and reflective holiday season. Happy Solstice!
The Shortest Day, by Susan Cooper And so the Shortest Day came and the year died And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world Came people singing, dancing, To drive the dark away. They lighted candles in the winter trees; They hung their homes with evergreen; They burned beseeching fires all night long To keep the year alive. And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake They shouted, reveling. Through all the frosty ages you can hear them Echoing behind us—listen! All the long echoes, sing the same delight, This Shortest Day, As promise wakens in the sleeping land: They carol, feast, give thanks, And dearly love their friends, And hope for peace. And now so do we, here, now, This year and every year. Welcome, Yule!
Sustainable Ballard Knitters for the Homeless donated over 400 hats, scarves, mittens,and lap robes this year. Knitters gotta knit and folks gotta be warm, so it’s a very winning combination! Come join us the second Tuesday each month at Pour Decisions for an enjoyable and productive time – and if that doesn’t work for you, there’s a pick up and drop off option.
Our next meet-up will be Tuesday January 9th. We hope to see you there! For information or to arrange drop-off of knitted items please contact Jody
Last Tuesday Dec. 12th we had a record turnout of over 40 people who wanted holiday cards. We also welcomed a potential new volunteer to the project who may be stepping up to staff the project in January. Again, postage stamps are our project’s greatest need. You can order them directly from USPS.com and have them delivered to Andrea at 7713 11th Av NW 98117 or to Paula Jenson at 7318 23rd avenue Northwest 98117.
Thousands of pounds of food is collected by our Gleaning Projects to decrease food waste and increase food securityOur Annual Ballard Edible Garden Tour connects garden hosts and community to inspire organic, pollinator friendly & RainWise gardening
Unlock a world of community connection and sustainable living with the perfect gift this holiday season. When you give the gift of a Sustainable Ballard membership, you’re not just offering access to exclusive benefits – you’re supporting ongoing community projects that make a meaningful impact.
Recipients of this thoughtful gift will enjoy all our member perks, including access to the Tool Library – a treasure trove for DIY enthusiasts. But that’s not all; your contribution goes a long way in supporting initiatives like Bakery Gleaning, Knitters for People Experiencing Homelessness, Ballard Sprouts, and our Sunday Market Gleaners who tirelessly gather thousands of pounds of food annually for the local food bank.
As a member, they’ll also receive special discounts to exciting community events hosted by Sustainable Ballard, creating opportunities for shared experiences in the upcoming year. Imagine attending our Spring Beer Hop or embarking on a Summer Edible Garden tour with fellow community members – moments that will be cherished for a lifetime.
What makes this gift truly special is its enduring impact. It’s not just a one-time present; as a way to connect with like-minded neighbors, it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Plus, it’s incredibly convenient – no shipping or wrapping required. This makes it not only a thoughtful and meaningful gift but also an earth-friendly choice.
This holiday season, give more than just a gift – give the gift of community, sustainability, and shared experiences with a Sustainable Ballard membership. It’s a present that will align with your values and resonate with the spirit of giving back.
Our Spring Beer Hop in Ballard’s Brewing DistrictSB’s Annual Fall Festival
Another great option is to donate on behalf of your friends or family. We couldn’t do all of the wonderful things we do without the support of our members and donors! Wishing you all a very healthy & happy holiday season. Looking forward to 2024!
If you answered yes then we have some wonderful news… We have a new project lead for the game and puzzle swap, Ashlee Norris (she/her)! Ashlee is an avid board game player and enjoys doing puzzles with her family. Her goals for the swap are to hold them three times a year, once in winter indoors, once in June/July outdoors at a Ballard park and rounding out the year with another swap. She is looking forward to leading this great project and meeting fellow gamers/puzzlers at a future swap. Welcome Ashlee!
Stay tuned for more details and swap dates in the new year. To get an idea of how the game & puzzle swap typically works check out SB’s Game & Puzzle Swap
Last week our Free Letters home project at the Ballard Food Bank gave out over 45 cards. They had some packets of five cards that people could take away because they don’t always have the time or the address with them when shopping. This is definitely the highest volume in one day and our volunteer Paula was very popular. Now that we have come consistently for so long more people are participating and enjoy the project’s response. Creating connection is important throughout the entire year but is especially appreciated around the holidays.
If you would like to help support this project please consider purchasing stamps and having them sent directly to our project lead. Forever stamps from USPS are needed Buy Stamps simply purchase and send directly to Andrea at 7713 11th Av NW 98117. Stamp donations will also be accepted at our upcoming Barter Fair and Holiday Party Dec. 2nd 1-4pm at the VFW.
Did you know unnecessary vehicle idling wastes four million gallons of fuel in the US every day? And it isn’t even good for your car! Turn off your engine – whether waiting for the Ballard bridge to open, outside school, or in the drive through! Simple things can make a big difference: check your phone before you turn your car on.
Help spread the word with Idle Free Ballard! Hand out cards and posters to your friends, neighbors, coffee shops, businesses, etc. We deliver! Contact your local school or fellow parents to educate your school community. We have a sample article for newsletters. And a link to signage! Table at upcoming events! Or suggest events where we should table! Sew or print an Idle Free banner! To get cards or posters, or learn more, visit https://www.sustainableballard.org/idle-free-ballard/
Not Mars: Tools to Save Our Home Planet is a one-night, multi-speaker event, bringing together Patagonia’s activist heroes to share lessons learned, practical tips and personal stories to turn your climate anxiety into climate action. Hosted by journalist Yessenia Funes, this special event will inspire seasoned and newly curious activists with inspiring conversations from a diverse group of speakers, including community organizer Nikkita Oliver, author Bonnie Tsui, climate activist Jamie Henn and surfer and ocean advocate Greg Long among others. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect directly with local grassroots groups that can provide a clear pathway to help protect local waters and build healthier communities.
