With 2011 coming to a close, here's a look back at some of the most popular stories of the year. Big topics over the past year included the viaduct, the Occupy Movement, the homeless, new and closing businesses, and development.

Click the image above for a slideshow of the year in photos.

January:

Totem House closes due to bad economy
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-01-01 (see May for a follow-up story)

After 62 years Totem House has to close its doors. The touristy eatery across the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks on 3058 N.W. 54th St. had been serving seafood and chowder since 1948 but in can no longer sustain itself in this economy.
A sign in the front door announces the closures and reads, "Goodbye Friends. The economy has overtaken us. We will miss you greatly."

A miracle on Leary Avenue
81-year-old with Parkinson's Disease learns to walk again at Ballard Landmark
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-01-28

When Pat and Jim Hoyt moved to Ballard Landmark Senior and Assisted Living two years ago, Pat was bound to her wheelchair.
“She couldn’t shower or dress herself. She couldn’t do anything independently,” said her husband, Jim.
Pat has Parkinson’s Disease, a neurodegenerative brain disorder that impairs motor skills and cognitive processes. The most noticeable symptoms are motor-related, tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, and postural instability. Other symptoms can include sensory and sleep difficulties and dementia.
The young Pat was an avid skier, hitting the slopes anywhere from Schweitzer in Idaho to the world-class ski areas of Austria.
Ten years ago, at age 71, Pat was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
As the disease progressed she became increasingly dependent on a wheelchair but when Jim and Pat came to Ballard Landmark they were told there are options.
When the Ballard News-Tribune caught up with Pat, she was preparing for a pool session with Peter Brooks.
“Pat was pretty much dependent on that chair but now she can walk into the pool herself,” Brooks said.
Brooks said his short-term goal is to get Pat strong enough to pull herself out of the pool but the big goal is to get her independent again.

Patrick D. Redmond: 1955 - 2011
Ballard says Goodbye to another great community member
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-01-19

Patrick Dennis Redmond, the President and CEO of Viking Bank and a valued community member passed away this weekend. The community reacted with great sadness to hear of his death.
"This morning I was saddened to learn that Ballard has lost another of its great community members," wrote Beth Miller from the Ballard Chamber of Commerce in an email. "Pat was not only a leader in the company, but a leader in the community as well. He was a warm and friendly man who, despite his role, was very approachable and personable."
"This was a really good man. Truly a gentle soul" said Patrick Robinson from the West Seattle Herald. "He would, on the birthday of every employee, send them a personal message thanking them. The Viking Bank has lost a good man...very very sad to learn of his passing."

Tunnel contract signed, "unstoppable" project officially begins
By Steve Shay
2011-01-07

On Thursday, Jan. 6, at 3:00 p.m. at the Port of Seattle Headquarters, the Secretary of Transportation, Paula Hammond, signed a $1.09 billion contract with Seattle Tunneling Partners to build the deep bore tunnel.
According to Hammond and other officials present, this makes the tunnel project a done deal with work to begin next week by the Seattle Tunnel Partners and construction workers building the tunnel.
They will start boring the 58-foot diameter hole "when we get the Environmental Impact Statement this summer," Hammond said. She suggested this was a formality and that all funding was in place and workers were ready to start immediately.
The $1.1 billion, 154 page tunnel agreement was signed with no mention of the tolling controversy. And while some councilmembers were present, Mayor Mike McGinn and Councilmember Mike O'Brien were not.

Souvenir to be replaced by an elevator shaft
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-01-06

Souvenir, the decorative arts gallery on Ballard Avenue has been a unique Ballard attraction since it opened in 1999. The shop was among the first to transform Ballard Avenue into the popular shopping and dining destination it is today. Now, after 12 years, it is forced to leave to make way for an elevator shaft.
“When I came here, there was parking as far as the eye could see,” Steiner said.
“I was one of the first here and I brought new and sophisticated retail to Ballard."
Steiner also spearheaded the idea to bring the Ballard Sunday Farmers Market to the street.
Steiner is being forced to close so that his landlord from Mycon Property Management can turn the space into an elevator shaft and stairwell for the upper floors.
The upper floors have been condemned for the past two decades and no one has been allowed to set foot in it, said Steiner. Now that Ballard Ave is a popular destination, the landlords are planning to renovate the upper floors.
“It was of no hard work of his to make this a successful area,” Steiner said who added that business is great. “He is now benefitting from this and I’m the victim.”

February:

Girls basketball coach resigns
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-02-11

Carrie Burr, Athletic Director at Ballard High School announced that the girls basketball head coach, CJ Sealey, has resigned.
Sealey was head coach of the girls varsity team for only two seasons. Both seasons had a record of three wins and 17 loses overall.
Sealey resigned to spend time with her three children.
"We would like to thank Coach Sealey for her service and what she’s given to the young women here at Ballard High School, the program and to the community of Ballard," Burr said.
"We wish her the best in the future."

Electric vehicle charging stations coming to Ballard
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-02-09

As part of the EV Project, ECOtality and the City’s Office of Economic Development are providing businesses with free electric vehicle charging stations, a $1,500 installation credit and an opportunity to be part of the revenue sharing model.
"We've been keeping an eye out for what's next," said Charlie Cunniff from the Seattle Climate Partnership. The electric vehicle has been coming for quite a while and now it's here.There will be at least 1,000 Nissan Leafs driving around Seattle this year and they're going to need a place to 'tap off' outside of their home," Cunnif said.
In 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded a $115 million grant to ECOtality to manage the EV Project, installing 15,000 charging stations in 16 cities in six states, 1200 of which will be between Everett and Tacoma.
There will be publicly available charging stations at various public parking garages in Seattle and the City is encouraging businesses to participate in this pilot project and install a free charging station at their business.
Dan O'Shea from ECOtality North America said Ballard is a good destination for electric charging stations and expects to see between 12 to 24 stations in Ballard alone.

The ‘Belltownization’ of Ballard
By Katy Westlund, UW News Lab student
2011-02-07

In the last decade, Ballard has undergone some undeniable changes. These changes have been both celebrated and cursed by Ballard residents and businesses. Now, people want to know if there are more changes to come.
“What happened to Ballard was that it went from a residential shopping neighborhood in the 1990s, to a destination shopping area with a lot of fancy boutiques, to a destination drinking area,” said Julie Pheasant-Albright, author of Early Ballard.
“You can see what’s happened to Belltown and you can see what’s happened to Fremont. Fremont was a residential neighborhood and now it’s a destination-drinking neighborhood.”
Pheasant-Albright said that while the nightlife is thriving, other businesses have suffered.
“Everywhere you look there are closed businesses. Epilogue Books, All the Kings Flags, Ballard Camera, Bella’s Women’s Clothing store. It just goes on and on,” said Pheasant-Albright.
Rob Mattson, Ballard District coordinator, spoke of the discomfort some Ballardites have with transformation of the nature of Ballard.
“Most people are dealing with a fear factor that Ballard is changing rapidly and losing its character,” said Mattson.

Victims of pirates, Dr. Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay remembered
By Steve Shay
2011-02-24

Ballardite Tony Comito remembers his friends Dr. Bob Riggle and Phyllis Macay of Seattle who lost their lives with Jean and Scott Adam at the hands of Somali pirates Feb. 22:
I first heard about it on the national news. I immediately recognized the names as two people who were very good friends of mine and members, as I am, of the Seattle Singles Yacht Club.
After you cry about it you get really mad. I am a man of peace, but my thoughts are not peaceful about this because they killed my friends. To call them 'pirates' we think of Disneyland. They were really 'thugs'.The world has gone mad over there and in the chaos these four people might be lost in the issues.
We have rules of engagement and the pirates don't. Evidently there is nothing that the most powerful country can do about it. We spend billions on defense. These thugs just have a slingshot and a rowboat and take us down.

March:

Fashion designer to host event to raise awareness about the disease that took her best friend's life
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-03-07

Morgan Carson is a young, up-and-coming Seattle fashion designer and creator of Rene Ropas. In her formative years she was part of a straight-edge group whose stomping ground was Ballard. During those years she fell in love with fashion and started tearing clothes apart to make something new. Now, years later Carson is preparing for her third large-scale event and debut of her spring collection.
But during her interview with the Ballard News-Tribune Carson didn't talk much about her designs or about her recent success in the fashion industry. Her story is that of her best friend's lost battle with leukemia - a story that is both extremely sad and inspiring. During the interview neither Carson nor the reporter were able to contain their emotions and were both reaching for tissues on either end of the phone conversation.
Her upcoming show is a benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and an effort to raise awareness about the disease that took her best friend's life at 22 years old.
"We were best friends since 6th grade. We were the nerdy duo," Carson said.
"I was the awkward girl with a strange sense of style and Ashley was the beautiful shy blonde. We were the perfect misfit match."

Dr. Susan Enfield appointed as Interim Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-03-03

On Wednesday, the School board unanimously voted to terminate Maria Goodloe-Johnson from her position as the superintendent of Seattle Public Schools and voted 6-1 to appoint Dr. Susan Enfield as Interim Superintendent.
The appointment is effective immediately and extends through June 30, 2012. The Board anticipates considering whether to extend a longer term employment agreement to Dr. Enfield or conduct a search for a permanent Superintendent prior to January 19, 2012.
“As interim Superintendent, I look forward to working closely with the School Board, teachers, staff, parents and community to focus on providing our 47,000 students the highest quality education possible," Enfield said.
"This is a very difficult time for us all. I know there are serious questions about our fiscal stewardship that we must, and will, answer for the community, our taxpayers, district staff, teachers, families and students."

In close quarters:
local activists continue to demand more space for the Woodland Park Zoo elephants
By Christy Wolyniak, News Intern
2011-03-29

Elephants are an educational addition to the Woodland Park Zoo; however, there have been ongoing complaints that the condition and treatment these elephants endure is abuse.
Watoto age 41, Chai age 31, and Bamboo age 44, have been at WPZ since they were one-year-olds and have adapted to zoo life. According to the WPZ website, elephants nurse until they are two-and-a-half to three years old.
One of the main complaints against WPZ is that the three elephants endure solitary confinement and a lack of social experience.
With roughly one acre of yard space outside, these elephants have four pens to roam in and their heated indoor barn is divided into four separate holding areas, according to the zoo's website.

April:

A Seattlite in a Norwegian reality TV show? Ja, sure, you betcha!
By Alex Peery, UW News Lab student
2011-04-08



Doug Miner is one of many Norwegian-Americans living in Seattle but he knew very little about his heritage until he was cast in a reality TV program.
“I literally knew lefse, Oslo and uff-da before I went on this show,” Miner said. “It was a history lesson, sight-seeing tour, competition and meeting family all in one trip.”
Miner was one of 10 contestants on “Alt for Norge”, a Norwegian reality TV show which casted Norwegian-Americans from all over the U.S. to compete in various activities throughout Norway. The winner received $50,000 and a chance to visit with family.
“The show is similar to ‘The Amazing Race' in the fact that we traveled every week and did locally traditional challenges,” explained Miner. “We just never left Norway.”
The contestants faced numerous challenges. They were usually split into two groups, and the losing team had to face an additional elimination round.

Homeless man found dead behind dumpster
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-04-14

The Ballard News-Tribune received a news-tip that a local homeless man was found dead behind dumpsters on N.W. Market Street early this morning.
The police just confirmed that they indeed received a call at 7:17 a.m. this morning regrading a dead man behind a dumpster on 2800th block of N.W. Market Street.
Officer Scott McGlashan said the 47-year-old man was a local transient known to other transients as "Fall-down Ken" due to seizures and other medical issues he suffered from.
Homicide and Crime Scene Investigation detectives responded to the scene to investigate and search for evidence out but SPD reports that there was no obvious sign of trauma to the victim.
His death comes just mere weeks after another local transient was found dead at the Ballard Locks.

Ballard development expected to boom in the coming years
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-04-15

After a very slow 30 months, development in Ballard is on the rise again, announced Barry Hawley of Hawley Realty on Wednesday evening. Hawley said we can expect to see 750 new apartment units in the next two years and another thousand within five to six years if there's a demand.
"It would be a mistake to say it wasn't a tough recession but developments are starting to build again and real estate in Ballard is selling," Hawley said.
Hawley predicts to see developments "sooner than later", especially on some of Ballard's most talked about vacant lots.
"I understand that Avalon will soon move forward on developing the former Sunset Bowl site," he said. Avalon Bay plans to build 234 apartment united and 15,000 square feet of retail space on the corner of 14th Ave N.W. and Market.
Equity Residential has purchased the former Denny’s property and is finalizing permits to build a 261-unit mixed-use building with almost 33,000 square feet of retail space.
And the property east of the Ballard Library on N.W 56th Street, was recently sold for $10 million and Hawley said he thinks the buyers will start developing it soon.

May:

Totem House gets a Red Mill make-over
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-05-09 (See the previous story in January)

Stopping by the Totem House across from the Ballard Locks, it's evident that change is coming to the landmark chowder house.
While the exterior still looks the same, the interior has been gutted to expose high ceilings with beautiful old cedar beams.
"The place needs a lot work," said Michael Shepherd, one of the Shepherd sibling who recently became the new tenants of the Totem House to expand Red Mill Burgers to a third location.
The exterior, including the tall totem pole, will be repainted but kept intact and an outdoor patio will be added to accommodate more Red Mill Burgers fans.
Build in the 1930s, the Totem House has been a landmark in Seattle for decades. Before getting the 10-year-lease last month, Shepherd said they were eying the building six years ago but the owners didn't want to sell it at the time. So when it became known that the Totem House was closing in December, the Shepherd family went after it again.
"It's just such a great location and we love the building," Shepherd said.
Shepherd said this is the third (and potential last) Red Mill Burgers in Seattle and it will be a hybrid.
The menu will consist of eight of Red Mill's popular burgers and unlike its other locations, Red Mill Totem House will also offer fish and chips, and chowder.

Ballard High grad dies while filming in Boston; films live on at Ballard High School
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-04-20

Justin Amorrantanasuchad, a 2008 graduate of Ballard High School died over the weekend in an accident in Boston.
Amorratanasuchad, was a film production student at Emerson College and died after falling off a five-story building.
According to a statement from the school's President Jackie Liebergott, Amorratanasuchad was filming a school project when the accident happened.  
"I wish to express my deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved Justin," Liebergott said. "A service to remember and celebrate Justin's life will be organized at an appropriate time."
Amorratanasuchad discovered an interest in film in high school and joined the Ballard High School Video Production Program.
"Justin was a very talented filmmaker and an inspiration to me and his fellow students in our Video Production Program here at Ballard High School. It was impossible not to enjoy working with him.  When he was happy, it was contagious.  His smile lit up the room," said instructor Matt Lawrence, who stayed in touch with Amorratanasuchad.

Young couple on a budget builds Ballard's first zero-energy house
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-05-13

Construction has started on Ballard's first zero-energy house. This house is so efficient that it will produce more energy than it uses.
Behind this one-of-its-kind home is a young, just-married couple who have been working hard since last October to make this project happen on a tight budget.
“We’re hoping to spread the word to people in Seattle and elsewhere who care about saving energy and saving money that this sort of house is not out of reach,” said owner Eric Thomas.
“Green building is often seen as a luxury, but we’re trying to prove that it doesn’t have to be. If we can do this with a little creativity and very limited funds, just about anyone can do it.”
Eric Thomas and Alexandra Salmon moved into their Ballard apartment in 2009, and they fell in love with the neighborhood immediately.
"We’ve been interested in finding ways to cut our personal energy use for as long as we can remember, but the idea of building a zero-energy house came to us relatively recently," Thomas said.
In December, the couple invited the Ballard News-Tribune to tour the finished house. Read the follow-up story, here.

New coach has high aspirations for the Ballard High School football team
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-04-28

The Ballard High School football program has been struggling in the last few years but the newly hired head coach, Joey Thomas, hopes to turn it around.
"We're putting the boom back in Ballard football," Thomas said. "We're going to fight to put a product out there the community can be proud of."
Thomas fears that the community has lost faith in the football team and is taking several steps to get the community excited about football again.
"This isn't Coach Thomas' team, this is the community's team," he said.
As an assistant coach at Kennedy High School for the past three years, Thomas got an idea what a successful program looks like and is prepared to bring it to Ballard.
"It's certainly a challenge and it's not gonna be easy," Thomas recognized. "We're in the toughest conference of the state but there are many small victories to be made along the way."

SLIDESHOW: Thousands converge on Ballard for a sunny Syttende Mai
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-05-18

The weather was kind to Ballard last night as thousands converged on Market and 24th street to observe the annual Syttende Mai parade, which was the biggest one yet, according to organizers.
With 94 entries and a few thousand participants, the parade was a full two-hour long steam of variety and entertainment.
The Seattle Police Motorcycle Drill Team kicked off the event for the sixteenth year and many organizations, clubs, traditional costumes, high school bands, drill teams, vintage cars and unicyclists followed.
The participants danced, waived, played music, and shouted
Hip Hip Hurrah! to the mass of cheering faces and red-and-blue flags.
Syttende Mai has been celebrated in the Greater Seattle Area since 1889 and the parade is one of the largest ethnic parades in the United States.

June:

SLIDESHOW: The Fremont Solstice Parade
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-06-18

Thousands of spectators came out to see the famously eclectic Solstice Parade in Fremont on Saturday, despite the rainy weather.
This year Fremont celebrated the 40th annual Fremont Fair, celebrating the arrival of summer with events that showcase all the quirkiness that resides in the self-proclaimed "Center of the Universe".
Held annually in mid-June to coincide with the Summer Solstice, the free event draws more than 100,000 people to celebrate Fremont’s official motto “Delibertus Quirkus” – Freedom to be Peculiar.

New vegan bakery has opened, customers thrilled with the addition to the neighborhood
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-06-01

After three months of preparation, Megan Jensen has opened her vegan bakery -Bouteloua Balery - in Ballard.
Jensen said she's been a vegan for ten years but a baker her whole life.
"I've been baking since I was really little," she said.
While studying botany at a university in Lincoln, Nebraska, Jensen volunteered at a vegan cooperative.
"I was scooping a lot of cookie dough but it got me back into baking," she said.
After many "you should sell these" responses from anyone who ate her baked goods, Jensen decided to open a bakery.
In March she took over a lease for the space formerly occupied by Moo Berries on 2019 NW Market St.
Working from 3 a.m. until 6 p.m., Jensen bakes everything in-store and offers breads, rolls, pastries, bars, cookies, and special-order cakes.
After a minute or two of deliberation, Jensen said her favorite item on the menu is her chocolate cake with vanilla butter cream although the almond poppy seeds muffins are her specialty.

"Valley One" taggers arrested after over 50 businesses were vandalized
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-06-30

Community police officer Scott McGlashan informed the Ballard News-Tribune that two men behind the "Valley One" graffiti marks on over 50 Ballard businesses have been taken into custody.
On Tuesday, June 28, Seattle police counted 37 businesses that had been tagged with "Valley One" in blue paint, McGlashan said.
The following morning, on Wednesday, June 29 around 5 a.m., a witness called 911 after sighting two men spray-painting along 15th Avenue NW.
Officer Macks responded to the call and took the men into custody.
"She handled it very well and we're happy to have her here in Ballard," said McGlashan.
After the arrest, the two men admitted to tagging 20 buildings in addition to the ones counted by the police.

July:

Ballard Bell rings again
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-07-05

As of 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, the Ballard Bell will ring once again on a daily basis. Community members came out to Marvin's Garden on Ballard Avenue on Tuesday evening to witness the inaugural tolling of the automated ringer.
"This intersection was the most important intersection in Ballard and I think it still is," said Peggy Sturdivant in the events opening remarks. "It's where its heart and soul is."
The original Ballard City Hall and the bell stood on the intersection where Marvin's Garden is today, Built in 1899, the bell tolled daily at noon, 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
But the 1965 earthquake demolished City Hall, and the bell went to Firland Sanitarium for storage.
The bell was brought back to Ballard in 1976 and 11 years later, in 1987, the Bell Tower and the Ballard Centennial Bell Foundation were founded. The dedication ceremony for the Bell Tower was held in 1989 but the bell did not ring.
In December of last year, the beloved Bertha Davis decided it was time to bring the ring back to Ballard.
Thanks to a Neighborhood Matching Fund award of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle Parks & Recreation and many generous volunteer efforts, The Ballard Historical Society in conjunction with the Bring the Ring Back to Ballard Steering Committee completed the project that was started so many years ago - to let Ballard ring.

City legalizes medical marijuana co-ops, Ballard dispensary breathes a sigh of relief
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-07-20

On Monday, July 18, the Seattle City Council unanimously voted in favor of Bill 117229, which establishes a licensing and regulation system for medical marijuana distribution in city of Seattle.
Mayor Mike McGinn is expected to sign the ordinance soon, which would allow medical marijuana patients to obtain medical marijuana in the city of Seattle.
The new state law prohibits the distribution of medical marijuana with the exception of small co-operatives of up to 10 patients, totaling no more than 45 plants.
The new city ordinance requires medical marijuana dispensaries to obtain a business license, comply with city codes and pay taxes and fees. The open use and display of marijuana products will be prohibited and the dispensaries are subject to nuisance complaints, meaning that repeated complaints against the establishments could lead to fines or possible closure.
"It's a sigh of relief," said Tyler Godfrey , co-owner of a Ballard medical marijuana dispensary called Fweedom Collective. "This finally lets us operate as a normal business would."

Q & A with Brandi Carlile
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-07-25

Brandi Carlile will appear twice on stage of the Woodland Park Zoo's ZooTunes series in the coming weeks. An extra performance was added after the first performance, scheduled for July 29, sold out within hours of the tickets going on sale.
Carlile has been touring since the beginning of May to promote her live album, "Live at Benaroya Hall with The Seattle Symphony" and returned to Seattle last week. She gave a few minutes of her time to answer some questions for the Ballard News-Tribune, revealing her Ballard-love for the Tractor and margaritas at the Matador.

The Riding Reporter: the Ballard bikes vs freight debate
a ride with Warren Aakervik of Ballard Oil
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-07-08

Anyone who has ever gone for a bike ride or walk on the Burke-Gilman Trail heading west towards Golden Gardens will likely have stopped at Fred Meyer in Ballard and looked around confused about where to go next. 
The trail goes missing for about 1.5 miles before it picks up again at the Hiram Chittenden Locks to guide people toward Golden Gardens park. 
Where the trail is missing, cyclists are guided with the help of sharrows on a rough, narrow road that crosses dangerous railroad tracks and is mostly used by trucks. Pedestrians are left to find their own way altogether. 
This section of the Burke-Gilman Trail is known as "The Missing Link", a stalled transportation project that has become one of the city's longest running disputes between trail enthusiasts and the opposing Ballard companies such as Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel and Ballard Oil.
Looking at this issue in depth, I find that this is far more complex than a dispute over space and road use. It's the location of the proposed trail that brings about concerns of safety, liability and even the survival of an entire industry.
The common goal is safety and separating modes of transport. The debate is on how and where.
Our bike-riding reporter took a ride with Warren Aakervik of Ballard Oil to see this issue from his point-of-view, exchanging her bike for a ride in a 70,000 pound freight truck loaded with lube oil. 
Visit the full article online at

"We are all Norwegians tonight"
Hundreds come out to mourn and pray, and stand in solidarity with Norway.
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-07-27

Hundreds of people came out to the Nordic Heritage Museum on Tuesday, July 26, to mourn and pray for the many killed in the twin terrorist attacks in Norway and to stand with Norway in solidarity against terrorism.
In the auditorium, red, white and blue candles flickered as people crowded in, each candle marking an innocent life lost in Friday's terrorist attacks in Oslo and the island of Utoeya.
After an opening prayer and the singing of the Norwegian National Anthem, Kim Nesselquist, Consul of Norway, thanked the people of Seattle for their support and numerous letters, flowers and phone calls received over the last few days.
"One hundred and ten hours ago, a bomb went off by the government building in downtown Oslo... eight innocent people were killed and many more seriously injury," Nesselquist said as he recalled the horrific events.

August:

Ballard resident manufactures revolutionary Man Overboard recovery device
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-08-01

The fishing industry is one of the most dangerous industries in the world but Ballard resident Alex Reid of Ark Maritime has manufactured a device that he says, will help save lives on the high seas and make the industry safer.
At a safety demonstration at Fisherman's Terminal on Friday, July 29, Reid invited the maritime safety community to show just how his device can save lives when a person has fallen overboard.
Shawn Wruth and his professional team of Maritime Safety and Security divers conducted various rescue scenarios in which the person overboard was scooped
up with Ark Maritime's recovery cage and brought safely to land.
Designed after his uncle's revolutionary device, Reid's Man Overboard Recovery Cage is unlike other safety devices in that it requires little to no participation from the person overboard.

In the Spotlight: Alison Dahmen and her Skydottir Epic Cookies
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-08-11

On Sundays, delicious smells of freshly baked cookies waft through the hallways of Ballard Kitchen on Market Street. Inside, Alison Dahmen is slaving away for 15 hours to bake and package 1,200 of her one-of-a-kind Skydottir Epic Cookies, each of which will be delivered to thirty different locations throughout Seattle the following day.
“That will last me a week and I go back into the community kitchen to make the dough one evening and bake all day Sunday,” Dahmen said.
Founded in July of last year, Skydottir Epic Cookies sells only one item – handmade old fashion chocolate chip cookies.
But Dahmen’s chewy, old-fashion chocolate chip cookies are anything but simple. They’re vegan and gluten-free, health and environment conscious, as well as fair-trade.

Metro bus service saved for another two years
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-08-16

On Monday, August 15, the County Council adopted an amended package for a two-year, $20 Congestion Reduction Charge to save Metro bus service.
“I thank all seven Councilmembers who voted tonight to preserve 600,000 hours of bus service for their commitment to principle, and for their courageous leadership,” said Executive Constantine. “The package of amendments is the result of the persistence, leadership and trust exhibited by Councilmembers Jane Hague and Kathy Lambert. They worked hard to develop solutions, and through their efforts this is a different and improved proposal from the one I presented. This legislation provides certainty for commuters, mobility for economic growth, and reforms to protect taxpayers.
“This is a victory for our regional economy and a victory for those who turned out overwhelmingly to call upon us to save Metro Transit. The people of King County spoke, and we heard them loud and clear.”

September:

Hilliard’s Beer – A Can That Speaks for Itself
Christy Wolyniak, Intern
2011-09-14

Although the Northwest prides itself in its fine draft beers, Ryan Hilliard and partner Adam Merkl are hardly squeamish about their new Ballard brewery going aluminum.
Hilliard has been making beer out of his home since he was in college, but became serious about producing beer on a larger scale in the last few years. He received his first delivery of 150,000 cans Wednesday. They are in the process of filling them with amber ale and Saison pale ale.
“There is sort of a stigma about having beer in cans, because there have been a lot of bad canned beers, but if you put good beer in cans, it’s still good beer,” said Merkl.

Seattle, we must do better
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-09-15

On Thursday, September 15, dozens of bicyclists and alternative transportation activists came together in the U-District across from the place where bike messenger Robert Townsend was struck by a car last week to call for safer roadways.
A white 'ghost bike' now marks the spot where Townsend, a 23-year-old bike messenger, was struck by a car on September 10 and died from the collision-related injuries.
Townsend is the third bicycle fatality in the city of Seattle since July, following the deaths of Brian Fairbother and Mike Wang.
Four additional bicycle fatalities have occurred in nearby cities since July.
It's been a a devastating couple weeks on Washington streets and people are saying, "Enough is enough".

J.P. Patches wows large crowd in final public appearance
By Steve Shay
2011-09-17

The beloved J.P. Patches made his final public appearance at the Fishermen's Fall Fest on Saturday, September 17, entertaining fans young and old.
Although Chris Wedes, the man behind the Julius Pierpont Patches persona, was diagnosed with acute myeloma in 2007, he seemed to still have a spring in his step and sass in his shtick. The 83-year-old playfully taunted kids and adults on stage playing "Simon Says" and other games in front of a cheering cast of thousands, well, several hundred easily. Many sported round red clown noses and wore T-shrts with his likeness. After the show, he marched over to a booth selling bobble heads, bumper stickers, coloring books and t-shirts of Gertrude and him, and he patiently autographed these items, plus vintage novelty items Patches pals brought. At least two hundred fans stood in line to say "Hello", "Goodbye", and "Thank you" to a Seattle icon and father figure and hero to many.

Ducks captain found dead underneath his boat
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-09-23

On the evening of Sunday, September 18, Ballardite Anthony 'Tony' Nunes went missing. He didn't answer his cell phone and he was a no show at work the following morning.
"That was not like him. He loved his work," said his mother Marilyn Daschofsky.
Tony's father, Ronald Nunes, went looking for him at the local hospitals and filed a missing person report.
Daschofsky said that Ronald Nunes found their son underneath his boat in Ballard. It appears that he had slipped, hit his head on the dock leading up to his boat, and drowned when he fell into the water.
Only 37 years old, Tony was a proud member of the Ride the Ducks of Seattle where he was known as Captain Tristan Shout of the Might Duck Boat.

Twin brothers reopen Bad Albert's
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-09-23

In October, Ballard's beloved Bad Albert's Tap & Grill will reopen under the ownership of twin brothers Shawn and Cory Rockey.
Previous owner Steve Katsandres announced in June that due to personal health issues and financial hard times he would be closing Bad Albert's after being in business for over 16 years.
Now, the Rockey brothers are happy to announce that they'll continue the business with the same name, kitchen crew, and customer service standards people have come to expect of Bad Albert's.
"Steve was the epitome of old school customer service and we want to build on that," Cory said.
Cory and his brother Shawn are long-time Ballardites who have been doing business together since they opened their first lemonade stand as five-years-olds and later deliveredthe Ballard News-Tribune as carrier boys.

October:
Amanda Knox is back in Seattle
by Steve Shay
2011-10-04

Amanda Knox and family came back to West Seattle but in a move designed to protect her from the intense media scrutiny her case has generated, she was taken to an undisclosed location. Her father, Curt Knox came home and spoke to the press outside saying, "I can pretty much guarantee you're not going to find her" meaning they are shielding her from the press right now. He disclosed that she has a desire to return to the University of Washington to continue her education. Her Grandmother Elizabeth had prepared a chocolate Welcome Home cake and took it to the house, where a banner hangs. Curt said that there are no deals in place for any interviews, books, or other financial considerations at this time.

Nine-day Alaskan Way Viaduct closure
At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, the State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct, as we have known it, ceased to exist.
While crews began demolishing part of the viaduct and complete connections to new SR 99 lanes in SODO, drivers faces daily commute struggles as the viaduct closed for nine days.

Greenwood Arson closure: Seattle siblings receive $18,500 for arson tip
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-10-25

On Monday, Oct 24, two years after the Greenwood arson, Seattlite Carol Iverson was presented with a $18,500 check for giving authorities information that lead to the arrest and conviction of the Greenwood Arsonist.
Between June 19 and November 12, 2009, Kevin Todd Swalwell set 10 fires in the Greenwood area causing more than 2.2 million dollars in damage. One person suffered non-life threatening burns during one of the fires.
 
But it wasn't until the authorities received Iverson's tip that an Arson Task Force formed between the Seattle Fire Department and the Seattle Police Department, had a viable suspect.
John Lewitt, lead investigator for the Seattle Police Department Arson and Bomb Squad said the tip was instrumental in tracking the arsonist down.

Group of homeless people brutally beaten in Ballard
2011-10-28

A group of homeless men and women were brutally beaten in Ballard last Friday in what appears to be a random attack.
The group was gathered on 15th Ave. NW and NW 56th St. around 4:00 pm on October 22nd, when a white Volkswagen van drove by and parked about a half-block away.
Four men exited the van a few minutes later and walked up to and attacked the homeless men and women, punching and kicking them before the suspects fled in their van.
Police officer Scott McGlashan informed us that the van was impounded and the registered owner is a person of interest.

Ballard teachers join Occupy Seattle
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-10-29

On Saturday, Oct 29, Seattle teachers, University of Washington TA’s, and hundreds of their allies in the Occupy Seattle movement taught Chase bank a lesson about the impact on education funding of their bank not paying taxes in-state mortgage interest income.
The protest was part of a global day of action calling for a 1 percent “Robin Hood Tax” on financial transactions and currency trades.
Chase pays no state taxes on its in-state mortgage interest income because of a loophole was created for WAMU because it was a state bank. When the economy and the housing marketed crashed and bankrupted WAMU, Chase bought out WAMU and has now been “grandfathered” in under these tax breaks intended for state banks. If Chase did pay their fair share of taxes it would add nearly $100 million per year to Washington State’s budget.
"I am participating because I see continued cuts to education and a lack of accountability for corporations that benefit from education. Without schools business do not have a workforce that can work, taxpayers to pay for roads to transport goods on, and workers to deposit money into banks," said Ballard High School teacher India Carlson, who is helping lead the event with fellow BHS teacher Eric Muhs.

November:

Transient woman found dead across from Ballard Locks
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-11-03

The body of Karen Lee Pedersen, 45, was found on Wednesday morning near the Ballard Locks.
"Yesterday we were called to the scene of a transient camp that was about 50 feet away from the train tracks located along West Commodore Way," said Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Kyle Moore. "The female was dead when we arrived."
The death appears to be due to natural causes.
Pedersen was the fourth homeless person to be found dead in Ballard this year.
The other people were Charles Tompkins, who died of hypothermia near the Ballard Locks; Ken Trygg, whose body was found near a dumpster near Market Street NW; Thomas Mumby, who was found dead in a van near Market Street NW

Seattle City Council passes resolution in support of Occupy movement
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-11-14

Seattle City Council today adopted Resolution 31337 in support of the Occupy movement.
The resolution recognizes and supports "the peaceful and lawful exercise of the First Amendment as a cherished and fundamental right in the effort to seek solutions for economically distressed Americans at the federal and local levels".
The Council also committed to a number of actions in response to the Occupy movement dealing with fair lending and taxation. 
The resolution was introduced by Councilmember Nick Licata and cosponsored by Mike O’Brien. It passed unanimously.

Ten years later: Donna O’Steen’s family continues to look for answers
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-11-23

Donna O'Steen's sister, Shirley Lacy, has cut out every article that mentions the murder of her sister. She keeps them in scrapbooks, which after ten years are filled with dozens upon dozens of articles, obituaries, vigil flyers, and pictures.
November marks the tenth anniversary of Donna’s brutal murder and today the family knows as much about the person and motive behind the murder as they did ten years ago – nothing.
“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think, ‘why her?’,” said Richard Haynie, Donna’s ex-husband. “We always hope that someone will be remorseful and come forward.”
Donna O’Steen-Haynie was killed on Thursday, November 8, 2001 in the master bedroom of her Shilshole home. The weather was cold but clear and Donna had just dropped her daughter, Morgan, off at her piano lesson. She was in a bad mood and briefly talked to her sister, Shirley, on the phone.
Less than half-an-hour after that phone call Donna would be dead, slashed 13 times around the neck and chest while her hands were duct-taped behind her back.

Ballardite wins $100,000 in the Jeopardy! tournament of champions
2011-11-16
Ballard's Jeopardy! star, Tom Nissley, won $100,000 as the second place winner in the 2011 “Jeopardy!” Tournament of Champions. Nissley earned a spot in the finals after competing in a series of impressive games against some of the show’s recent top players.
“I really didn't expect to do so well. Getting into the finals was all I really hoped for… That and making a respectable showing – if only to prove that my original run wasn’t just a fluke!” he added jokingly.

Elephant predicts Cougars will win Apple Cup
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-11-22
On Tuesday morning, Nov 22, Chai, the Asian elephant at the Woodland Park Zoo, predicted that the WSU Cougars will win the Apple Cup.
Chai was given the choice between a pile of Husky or Cougar treats and with disappointment Husky fans watched as Chai headed to the Cougar pile fist without hesitation.
The piles were made of hay, elephant-sized papier mache apples, and football-shaped ice treats.
In 2010 Chai accurately predicted that the Huskies would win the game but unfortunately, this year Chai was wrong. The Huskies won with a final score of 38-21.

Man choked in movie theater for disturbing the film
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-11-28
According to the Seattle Police Department, a man was attacked while watching a movie at Majestic Bay Theatre for disturbing the film.
The police report states that the incident occurred during the five o’clock showing of “Tower Heist” on November 21.
The victim of the attack was watching the movie when his phone rang. After silencing his phone, the victim checked to see who had called him and the suspect, who sat a few seats over from the victim, yelled at the him to turn off his phone.
Five minutes later, the victim received another phone call and the suspect yelled at him again.
At some point during the movie, the suspect left the theater and upon his return, he grabbed the victim’s throat with both hands. The victim stated that he couldn’t breathe and tried to pull his attacker’s hands off him. The attack lasted for about 30 seconds and the suspect subsequently grabbed his backpack from his seat and left the theater.

December:

Olympic Athletic Club sold, Lifetime memberships dissolved
Members file class action lawsuit
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-12-09

At the end of November lifetime members of the Olympic Athletic Club in Ballard received letters from general manager Mark Durall stating that the club has been sold and their lifetime memberships will be dissolved at the end of December.
Many of the lifetime members have been with the club for decades and paid up to $3,000 for a lifetime membership.
Two weeks after we broke the news story, three members of Ballard's Olympic Athletic Club filed a class action lawsuit against the club owners today for refusing to honor lifetime memberships that the club sold in the 1980s.

Liquor Board's 'emergency rules' put craft distilleries in a tight spot
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-12-15

Just months after Ballardite Mhairi Voelsgen launched her company, BroVo Spirits, she has run into a major hurdle - the ratification of Initiative 1183.
The new law privatizing liquor sales could drive craft distilleries out of business due to some unintended consequences of the law.
As a result of the passing of I-1183, state liquor stores have stopped ordering from local craft companies like BroVo Spirits, and some existing orders were cancelled, including an 800-case pre-order from Voelsgen's company.
Another blow came from the 'emergency rules' implemented by the Washington State Liquor Control Board, which prevent local distillers from self-distributing until March 2012, and demand a total of 27 percent in fees from retail and distribution.
Craft distillers were originally told that they would be allowed to begin self-distribution starting December 8th, but now the date has been pushed back to March 1, 2012.
"And with a restriction on special orders, many of the restaurants and bars that stock our product are not able to get it. We hear from people daily that they want our products," Voelsgen said.

Two Ballard marijuana dispensaries burglarized
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-12-15

Seattle Police reports that just after midnight on December 15, officers responded to the 7700th block of 15th Avenue N.W. to investigate the burlgary of two separate medical marijuana dispensaries.
Responding officers located and arrested one of the suspects as he was attempting to make his escape. The suspect was standing outside the broken door holding a bag of stolen products. He was booked into King County Jail for Investigation of Burglary.

City Council unanimously votes to ban plastic bags
By Anne-Marije Rook
2011-12-19

On December 19, Seattle City council approved Council Bill 117345, intended to help clean up Puget Sound and protect marine wildlife by banning single-use plastic bags.
Similar legislation passed in Bellingham and Edmonds earlier this year in an effort to curb the impact of single-use plastic bags on the environment.
Washingtonians use more than 2 billion single-use plastic bags each year. Seattle alone uses approximately 292 million plastic bags annually, only 13 percent of which are recycled, according to Seattle Public Utilities.
"This bill is a great example of a broad and diverse coalition of people and organizations coming together to do the right thing for our environment," said prime sponsor, City Councilmember Mike O'Brien, in a press release. "We have the support of grocers, retailers, restaurants, labor unions, and environmental organizations in Seattle. We also have broad grassroots involvement from residents who have been emailing and calling in support of this issue for months now."