Review of Kittyhugs Baking Company

Sonya has contributed the following review of Kittyhugs Baking Company in the North City area of Shoreline. Thanks Sonya!

Kittyhugs Bakery is an inconspicuous shop located just off 15th in North City; it's so inconspicuous that you've probably driven past it hundreds of times without knowing it was there. It's in the generically ugly building on 179th that houses "Dinner's Ready," and it's hard to spot unless you happen to drive past on a day that Kittyhugs has put their a-board sign out by the street. That's how we found it, and the name and logo were so intriguing that we decided to stop in one Saturday.

As it turns out, we came on one of the best days to visit Kittyhugs, because they're only open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays, and even then, I'm not entirely sure what their hours are. But the lady who welcomed us was friendly and chatted a bit, explaining that they bake breads and pastries for local supermarkets, like Thriftway. She showed us a selection of very tempting baked goods that were available for purchase that day, and while it's now been long enough that the exact names of what we bought have left my memory, I remember that we enjoyed every bite. We felt like we'd stumbled on some secret pastry hoard of treasure there in North City.

You can read a little about Kittyhugs at their website, kittyhugsbaking.com -- it's a little out of date (the "Specials" section shows a menu from Summer 2007), but you can get an idea of what's offered. Try not to drool on your keyboard as you read it. There's even a section for diabetic alternatives: standard goodies but with Splenda.

You can call Kittyhugs at 206-361-5740 to talk about custom-made yummies, according to the site; it sounds like they'd bake you up a batch of pies or cookies for your next party, though I'm not sure how that would work. The whole coffeecakes on the menu I picked up that day range from $10 to $20, which seems quite reasonable for a custom-made cake. Fancier stuff, like the "Mary Ann cake with Lemon Curd and Blueberries" (don't know what that is, but it sounds good!) runs in the $22 to $35 range. And the selection of gourmet cheesecakes, with flavors like pumpkin, orange brandy, and green tea, are $27.50 for a 9-inch cake. The menu I have may be outdated, since it's been a while since I've been there, but if you call or drop by on a weekend, I'll bet they'll supply you with a new one. And I think, after looking at it again, that I need to stop by next weekend too!

(review contributed by Sonya)


Thanks, Sonya, for the great review! I'll be checking that place out.

By the way, if you look at the About Us page at their website, you'll learn why the place is named Kittyhugs. You'll also learn about another, much scarier name, that was considered! I'm glad they went with Kittyhugs. That's a sweet name.

Update: I went by Kittyhugs today and learned that they're currently open to the public on Fridays from 3-7 and on Saturdays from 9-2 BUT there will be no weekend sales this coming weekend, June 20 & 21.

Link to Kittyhugs Baking Company

Link to Sonya's Blog for things, images and whatnot

And if you would like to contribute something to this blog, feel free to email me.

What are they building at Echo Lake Park?

What is this thing?

I just happened to be driving past Echo Lake park this afternoon and noticed that something weird-looking is being built there. I'll investigate and have more details soon.

Link: Shoreline parks webpage

Link: All posts about Echo Lake Park

How can this blog be made better?

First of all, thanks for reading this blog. And extra thanks to all of you who leave you thoughts and feedback in the comments sections. "Ronald Bog" is made more valuable and useful by every person that contributes.

So I ask you: what would you like to see here? I've been posting things that I find interesting and that I think other people might be interested in, and it's been working out pretty well (I think). But if there's something in particular you'd like to see here, let me know! Anything Shoreline related is welcome. Restaurant reviews? Information about local parks? More coverage of local government? More Shoreline history? Entertainment options? More photos?

You probably have ideas I haven't even thought of. Please leave a comment with your ideas. Let me know how I've been doing and how I can do better. I would really appreciate it!

Also, if you ever have an idea or a contribution, please send it to me. I'll post your reviews of local businesses, ruminations on life in Shoreline, commentaries, photos, etc. What'd'ya got? Send it along!

A dog park in Shoreline?

This Thursday evening (June 12th, 7pm) there will be a "public presentation" concerning the recommendations of Shoreline's Off-Leash Dog Area Study Group. Find out which sites the group has identified and what their recommendations are.

I won't be able to make it to the meeting, but if you do go, please send me a note to let me know what happened and what was talked about. I'd love to be able to post something here about the results of the meeting. Thanks!

Where: The Shoreline Historical Museum
When: Thursday, June 12th at 7:00pm

For more info:
Contact Maureen Colaizzi at (206) 546-0232 or email mcolaizzi@ci.shoreline.wa.us

More info about this project is here: City of Shoreline

Ronald Pl. N., History under your feet (or tires)

Have you ever noticed the little curvy piece of road that connects Highway 99 with N. 175th St? It's more or less between Aurora Rents and TOP Food and Drug, just east of the intersection of Highway 99 and N 175th. Well, a brochure I got at the Shoreline Historical Museum has this to say about that:

"The last remaining exposed piece of the North Trunk Road curves in an arch across 175th, connecting with Aurora Ave. N. (Highway 99) on both ends. The original road was brick-paved in 1913. The road was straightened and widened in 1928, in preparation for the new national highway, and paved shortly thereafter. The remaining curve was left in place, a reminder that Judge Ronald dug that section of the road with his own hands."

Wow! Judge Ronald must have been exceedingly industrious. No wonder so many things around here are named after him (including this blog, since it's named after Ronald Bog, which is also named after Judge Ronald).

According to the Shoreline Historical Museum's website: "The Ronald School (which is where the museum is housed), established in 1906, was named after Judge James T. Ronald, a prominent area attorney, Mayor of Seattle in 1892 and 1893, and King County Superior Court Judge from 1909 to 1949. Many places in Shoreline came to be named after him, such as: Ronald Methodist Church, Ronald Voting Precinct, Ronald Place (the brick road), Ronald Sewer District, Ronald Bog, Ronald Station, Ronald Neighborhood, and Ronald Room at the Shoreline Center."

By the way, I think that brochure must have been printed before the Walgreen's was put in, because Ronald Pl. N. no longer seems to connect to Highway 99 on both ends. It seems to be just that one little bit that's left now.








Link to: more information about Ronald Pl. N.

Learn more about Shoreline Mayor Cindy Ryu

Mayor Ryu speaking at the UW

Yesterday The Daily newspaper at the University of Washington ran a profile of Shoreline's mayor, Cindy Ryu.

This is a quote from the article:

"Ryu, 50, is the country’s first female Korean-American mayor. She spoke with students at the School of Social Work (on May 21st) , sharing the story of her transition from a young immigrant to a microbiology honors student to a successful businesswoman"

Read the entire article here: Shoreline mayor talks about breaking barriers

This Friday, May 16th, is "Starbucks Bike to Work Day"

From The City of Shoreline's website:

Bike to work on May 16th and stop by the Cascade Bicycle Club's Commute Station in Shoreline to pick up free schwag, snacks, city and county maps, bicycle commuting information and to have bikes checked for free by our fantastic bike shop station sponsors. This is your day to be counted and recognized!

6am - 9am

Interurban Trail
Base of 155th Street Bridge Stairs
N 155th St & Aurora Ave N


More information here: Starbucks Bike to Work Day

Average Joe Cat Show today in Shoreline. Meow!

Henry

Today the Average Joe Cat Show is happening in Shoreline. It's from 10am to 3pm at Shoreline Center. 5 bucks per person or 12 bucks per family. Get out and see all the Average Joe kitties!

More info here: Average Joe Cat Show

Shoreline Mayor Cindy Ryu on the Radio

KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher produced a radio story yesterday about local real estate developers and government officials working out ideas for regional planning by playing a game called "Reality Check." Shoreline Mayor Cindy Ryu is part of the story. The story aired on 94.9fm KUOW yesterday. Here's the lead and a link to the text and audio...

How do you look at the whole region of Puget Sound, and plan for the future? First you get a big map, and some LEGOs. Then you play a game that real estate developers and government officials have played in cities all over the country. Seattle is the latest to give it a try. It's called "Reality Check." And it happened yesterday (April 30th) at the University of Washington.

KUOW's Phyllis Fletcher has more.

Which restaurants deliver to Shoreline?

Sara from North City says:

"I have a suggestion for a question on Ronald Bog. What are good restaurants that deliver to Shoreline? All I have so far are Suni's and Black Pearl, but there must be more..."

Sara's right - there must be more!

Post your suggestions in the comment section.

Tulips in the sun at Ronald Bog park

The sun shone on Shoreline this afternoon!
The tulips were so happy they obscured the sign. :)

Will they ever finish putting up this building?

Have you noticed this building at Midvale and 185th? It's across from the Bartell's and the police station. It seems like it is taking forever to get built. I wonder what's going on (or not going on) with it.

'Clean Sweep' Recycling Event on May 3rd

It's time for spring cleaning! On Saturday, May 3rd, Shoreline residents will have the chance to unload a wide variety of stuff all in one convenient location. A few items require a nominal fee, but many will be taken off your hands for free. Batteries, yard waste, fluorescent lightbulbs, old porcelain fixtures, clothes, furniture and more will be accepted free of charge. Some items, such as certain large appliances, TVs and computer monitors require a fee to be paid.

This is happening from 9am - 3pm on Saturday, May 3rd at the Park and Ride at Aurora Ave. & N. 192nd St.

You should receive a flyer in the mail.
You can also get more info and download a copy of the flyer here.

If you have further questions, call the City at 206-546-1700

Possible changes to Metro bus route #373

Metro is proposing a change to bus route 373. The upshot is that the bus would run down 5th Avenue instead of I-5 between 175th and 145th. There would be only three stops on that leg of the journey. Metro says the change would "improve schedule reliability."

I ride the 373 and I like this idea. I've often wished the bus went down 5th Ave instead of I-5, so that I could get off at the Shoreline library after work, then walk home from there.

What do you think? Your feedback is requested by Ted Day at 206-684-1304 or ted.day@kingcounty.gov by Friday, May 9th.

If you ride the 373, feel free to comment on this post. I'm curious what others think of the idea.

Photos from Shoreline's Natural Yard Care event

A few photos from the Natural Yard Care event yesterday (April 19th, 2008) at Central Market in Shoreline. I wasn't there long, but there seemed to be a decent turnout, despite the crazy weather. For more information about any of these organizations, click on the link below the photograph.

The official banner


The long view

The City of Shoreline

Master Recyclers and Cleanscapes

King County Noxious Weed Control Program

Kruckeberg Botanic Garden

King County’s Master Recycler Composter program

The snow last night in Shoreline

This was the evening of April 18th, 2008 in Shoreline WA

Look how big and fluffy those flakes are!

Photos of springtime snow in Shoreline

Photo by Sara

Photo by Sonya



Photo by Sandy, from her Lake Forest Park blog

Wild weather in Shoreline

It was hailing about 90 minutes ago in Shoreline. Now it is snowing (BIG flakes!). This weekend's forecast calls for the possibility of rain, hail, snow and thunderstorms. Happy Spring! ;)

I've also got some short videos of the snow. I'll try to post a couple of those tomorrow.

Take some photos of this weekend's wild weather if you get a chance and email them to me (my email address is on my profile page). I'll try to post some of them here.

Public hearing on school spending

This is an article from The Enterprise newspaper:

The Shoreline School Board will conduct a public hearing at its regular board meeting at 7 p.m. April 28 in the board room at the Shoreline Center, where the public can comment on the 2008-09 Initiative 728, or Student Achievement, spending plan.

The fund, approved by voters statewide, can be spent to lower class sizes, offer professional development and fund technology integration staff, among other uses.

The final approval of the plan will be part of the 2008-09 budget adoption in August. A copy of the draft proposal may be obtained by calling 206-361-4366.

The original article is here.

Natural Yard Care Event this Saturday at Central Market

When? Saturday, April 19th from 9am to 3pm.
Where? Central Market, just north of 155th and Aurora in Shoreline.
What? A "Natural Yard Care Event"

This sounds pretty cool. A flyer on the City of Shoreline's website says "Sample products and learn natural yard care techniques that will reduce pollution, protect our climate and save you money."

Following is some further information sent to me by Tina with the City of Shoreline.

Free Stuff (one item per household attending the event while supplies last, after signing to agree to take part in a future mail-in survey)

Kitchen Compost Pail: A BioBag brand ventilated pail to conveniently collect food scraps.
Compostable Kitchen Bags: A box of 25 bags that is 100% compostable to keep food scraps contained.
Organic Corn Gluten: Two pound bag of corn gluten to spread on lawns or in gardens to inhibit weed growth.
Organic Soil Builder & Fertilizer: Fifteen pound bag of worm castings that works to improve soil structure and aeration for gardens, plants and lawns.


Organizations that will be on hand:
City of Shoreline
CleanScapes
Master Recycler/Composters
Master Gardeners
Seattle Audubon Society
King County Noxious Weed Control Board
Washington Native Plant Society
Sustainable Shoreline Education Assoc.
Kruckeberg Botanic Garden
Dunn Gardens

You can get more information by calling the City of Shoreline at 206-546-1700