Money

While many businesses in Ballard are struggling to survive with the economic downturn, some industrial businesses have actually benefited.

Sunergy Systems is one company that is doing well, despite the economy.

Howard Lamb, the owner, suggested that people see solar power for their home as a means of risk-free investing.

"People don't want to be held to the whims of the stock market," said Lamb, "Instead they are investing in the equity of their home."

There are a lot of incentives to installing solar panels at your home, according to Lamb, which has

While the economic downturn is bad for business, it's good for art at the Burien Town Square site.

Burien artists plan over the next year to turn the site into a "community arts pea patch."

The first harvest from the patch will be five large sculptures to be temporarily installed Jan.

Plans to develop an eight-story, 260-unit condo at the old Denny's site on the corner of Market and 15th has been put on hold due to recent economic troubles, according to a representative of the developers, Rhapsody Partners.

Louis Richmond, a spokesperson for the developers, said financing is still being sought and there is still a desire to move ahead with the project.

With two exceptions, I'm a mom-and-pop shop kind of guy.

As a resolution I bound myself to this New Year, in the next 12 months I want to work harder to support the local retailer. It feels almost patriotic to know that my dollar stays in my own community, and doubly so when the little guy sells me products that directly support our state, region or country.

Lately I find myself as likely to cringe at the sight of "Made in China" on a product label as I am "contains partially-hydrogenated oils." Neither of which is healthy, for our economy or our bodies.

Ballard may have to wait a little longer than planned for its first hotel.

Trendhunter.com just sent me their top 20 trends for 2009 and, you'll never guess that miniature gardening can easily be placed into a number of them.

With the economy driving our actions as of late, it's no wonder that such a neat garden idea can hit the mark on so many different levels, with so many different people.

The new trends that are not-so-new to us are: expressing yourself, do-it-yourself projects, urban gardening, living smaller, retro fads and modernizing the past.

Two West Seattle restaurants are getting a boost this month with the "New Urban Eats" deal that's bringing an influx of new people to Ama Ama Oyster Bar and Grill and Spring Hill to enjoy three courses for $30.

With the economy down, restaurants have been more quiet than usual.

"We're definitely feeling the crunch,," said co-owner of Ama Ama Oyster, Rob Coburn.

But he is optimistic about the New Urban Eats.

"It really helps people come and see the restaurant and look over the whole menu," he said.

The promotion, sponsored by The Seattle Ti

Snow and bad weather may have hurt the Majestic Bay Theater more than the economy this holiday season.

General manager Brent Siewert says the "media hype" over the snow made people fear going out and "the length of time that it was difficult [for people] to get around" contributed to a deflated holiday season.

"We had days where it wasn't in our best interest to be open," said Siewert.

Siewert also blames Hollywood for a less than stellar holiday movie season. The movie theater industry is largely affected by what movies are out.

Snow and bad weather may have hurt the Majestic Bay Theater more than the economy this holiday season.

General manager Brent Siewert says the "media hype" over the snow made people fear going out and "the length of time that it was difficult [for people] to get around" contributed to a deflated holiday season.

"We had days where it wasn't in our best interest to be open," said Siewert.

Siewert also blames Hollywood for a less than stellar holiday movie season. The movie theater industry is largely affected by what movies are out.

A lot of the press that we read, see and hear nowadays is about how horrible the economy is without a whole lot of suggestions of what to do about it.

The bulk of what I have seen is about investment accounts with admonishments to pay down debt and even to snip your credit cards into pieces.

I'm supportive of scrutinizing one's budget and minimizing the use of credit, but after that's done, most of us will just sit back and wait for our personal microcosms to get better.

And though I don't think of myself as a penny pincher, I do think this is a good time to re