Wedgwood author writes next in ‘Cheap Bastard’s’ series, highlights Phinney-Greenwood spots

by | Dec 9, 2010

Humor writer and Wedgwood resident David Volk just released “The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to Seattle,” the latest travel book in a national series targeted at not only tourists, but locals looking to have fun without breaking the bank.

“I think it’s for everyone in Seattle,” Volk said while relaxing at Espresso Express in Ravenna. “Times are tough, and it doesn’t look like things are changing anytime soon. It’s really all about doing the things you’d already do for less, and working within the system while having a good time doing it.”
After the series received commercial success in New York, Chicago and Boston, Globe Pequot Press decided to tackle the Northwest.
“We needed an insider’s perspective for the book,” Editorial Director Amy Lyons said by phone from Guilford, Connecticut. “This one is very much for the person that lives in Seattle.”
“I’m the perfect person to do this book because I know how to pinch pennies till they scream,” declared Volk, who makes his living as a freelance journalist. “I wrote about what I’ve been doing for years — surviving on cheap haircuts and happy hours.”
A resident of Seattle for the last 20 years, Volk highlighted some of his favorite spots for free fun, inexpensive furniture and cheap tours in the Greenwood and Phinney Ridge neighborhoods:

  • Couth Buzzard Books and Espresso Buono at 8310 Greenwood, Ave. N.: It features open mic nights every Wednesday, Celtic jams every other Saturday afternoon, and an occasional cabaret on a Saturday night every few months (pg.36).
  • Wayward Coffeehouse at 8570 Greenwood Ave. N.: Science fiction geeks have a place to call their own on the first Friday of the month when this sci-fi/fantasy themed coffeehouse shows a sci-fi or fantasy movie (pg.59).
  • Armadillo Consignment at 12421 Greenwood Ave. N.: Since the store prefers to keep items no longer than 60 days, it cuts prices three times to keep things moving along. At 30 days, the discount is 15 percent. After 45 days it drops 25 percent and at 60 days it’s 50 percent off, which can make for a great bargain (pg.200).

“There’s a lot of stuff in Greenwood — something for everyone,” Volk said.
Volk will discuss his book from 7-9 p.m. tonight at Couth Buzzard Books, 8310 Greenwood Ave. N. And you can read an indepth profile on Volk on our sister site, Wedgwood View.
Tyler Steele is PhinneyWood’s intern. He is a journalism student at the University of Washington.

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