May 2006

By now, you've recovered from celebrating Cinquo de Mayor - just in time, too. Mother's Day is May 14 and a traditional day to give flowers. Rather than a handful of cut blooms that will be gone in a week, give a new and uncommon plant that will say, "I love you" for years. No, Hallmark didn't pay for the plug!

With the current trend in gardening going from narrow attention on individual specimens to a real outdoor living style, ease of care is a central concern. Plants must fit into the lifestyle and perform over a long season. One of those plants is Heuchera.

By now, you've recovered from celebrating Cinquo de Mayor - just in time, too. Mother's Day is May 14 and a traditional day to give flowers. Rather than a handful of cut blooms that will be gone in a week, give a new and uncommon plant that will say, "I love you" for years. No, Hallmark didn't pay for the plug!

With the current trend in gardening going from narrow attention on individual specimens to a real outdoor living style, ease of care is a central concern. Plants must fit into the lifestyle and perform over a long season. One of those plants is Heuchera.

As a group of Ballard students prepare their photographs for exhibits at the Ballard ARTwalk this weekend, they have to share the equipment provided by the school. Film cameras may be outdated in this digital age, but they are in high demand and short supply in the photography classes at Ballard High School.

Photography Teacher Gina O'Neill says her program is so popular she has 140 kids in five classes. Each year the program runs out of loaner cameras for students.

Imagine shopping for the perfect knickknack for your home, then giving it away. Imagine donating an item for a charity auction, then bidding on it in hopes of getting it back.

It was Ballard Night at the Seattle Mariners game last Friday and starting pitcher Phil Brockman unleashed one of his famous fastballs during pre-game festivities.

Brockman, the principal at Ballard High School threw out the first pitch for the second year in a row and is now a seasoned veteran.

During the week, Brockman went out to his personal bullpen in the back of his office, where a door leads to an outer area. He took six to eight practice throws against a brick wall.

"Aw man, I've been slinging it.

Over forty Ballard organizations and individuals are putting together displays for a new exhibit at the History House Museum in Fremont. The exhibit, "Ballard Northwest Seattle," runs through July 30.

"History is important to people, their heritage and where they come from," said Paul Nordstrand, executive director of History House.

Syrene Forsman, president of the Swedish Finn Historical Society (SFHS) brought several panels illustrating Finnish immigration to America.

She included a map of Ostrobothnia, an area where 350,000 people immigrated to the U.S.

Beer lovers are encouraged to visit the Nickerson Street Saloon and other select bars and taverns on May 15 to enjoy a glass of Bob's Brown Ale with proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House.

The beer is a product of the Georgetown Brewing Company founded by Manny Chao.

Editor

William Wordsworth wrote:

Men are we, and must grieve

When even the Shade

Of that which once was great

Is passed away.

Editor:

Last week, employees of Swedish Hospital were notified of a proposal for changes at the Ballard Campus which would turn the 163 bed acute care facility into an ambulatory center focusing on outpatient procedures. We are RNs and have worked at Ballard Hospital (yes, we STILL call it that) for over 25 years. It has been our great pleasure to have been associated with this facility where we have made lifelong friends, have cared for many wonderful patients and have felt a part of a real community of caring.

Your story "Identity theft and prevention," (April 19) clearly illustrates this pervasive and pernicious crime. Last year, the Legislature continued to build on its record of consumer protection by passing a number of key measures giving valuable tools to consumers in the fight against identity theft. One of them gave Washingtonians the right to request a credit freeze after their financial information has been breached, or, worse, if they have become victims of I.D. theft. But it wasn't enough.