Money

For skiers and snowboarders things are going downhill faster than the economy, thanks to the snowy Northwest. Entrepreneurs Greg and Kara Whittaker of Alki Kayak Tours have capitalized on the snow and those itching to head for the hills. Their new business, Seattle Ski Shuttle, transports passengers via 11-passenger van from both the Fauntleroy Ferry and Seacrest Water Taxi docks to the Crystal Mountain, Snoqualmie Summit, and Alpental slopes.

Beginners are welcome, and you can snowboard, rent inner tubes, and snowshoe, too.

While some businesses in West Seattle suffered in the end of 2008 due to the struggling economy and drastic weather conditions, others fared well and even benefitted from the snow storm.

Several stores reported that while they expected a decline in sales this holiday season they did not see too much different in comparison to sales one year ago.

At Northwest Art and Frame the poor economy and inconvenient weather didn't affect business much at all.

"I was pleasantly surprised with how the month ended up," said Dan Reiner, owner of Northwest Art and Frame.

As 2008 comes to a close, those who know the community well have a few New Year's resolutions in mind to maintain the neighborhood's quality and improve the community.

Looking back at the major stories of the past year, it comes as no surprise that many of the resolutions put forward by members of the community involve development, transportation and the economy.

As buildings come down, go up or stay down around Ballard, the composition of the neighborhood is changing.

Artist Virginia Howlett, who has a studio in Building C in Ballard, said Ballard should resol

Each year, our community evolves. From smaller issues about community parks to major transportation impacts to this small region of Seattle, the West Seattle Herald has been there to cover it in-depth in order to serve our readers. The new year is bound to bring more news that will continue to shape our community and we will be there to cover it for you.

Here are some highlights of 2008.

January

Area's only motel has name change

By Tim St. Clair

The owner of West Seattle's only existing motel plans to renovate its 50 guest rooms and then seek a neighborhood zoning change from the city to allow taller buildings so that 50 additional rooms could be built on the upper floors.

In years past, those suffering from a lonely-heart or physical illness may have consulted a psychic for a peak into their future for a hopeful sign. The psychic in turn consulted a large crystal ball, a numerology chart, a deck of tarot cards, and personal intuition in hopes of finding that sign. But it's 2009, and everything has changed, even in the mysterious world of the occult.

According to three area professionals claiming psychic ability or fine-tuned intuition who offer private "readings," the universal question, "Will I ever find Mr.

It's almost a new year.

We will have a new President, and a new sense of possibilities. Hopes should be running very high on this bright and clear morning.

Yet at the same time, we live in a time of uncertainty, of worry about the economy, and we read news articles every day about people losing their jobs and companies asking for bailouts.

It's an uncertain time, and in times like these, many families turn towards what is comforting.

They turn towards the things that really matter.

Eric Lanzillotta is sitting behind a counter on the wide-open top floor of Resolution Audio Video on Leary Way. He's surrounded by blackness; the walls, floor, ceiling and railing; even the half-filled CD shelves are black.

Lanzillotta's dark corner is the record store Dissonant Plane, which he opened in late November with his son Tanith, and it could not be more at odds with the rest of the floor, which is covered in light colors from ceiling to carpet.

The jarring visual split between Dissonant Plane and the rest of Resolution Audio seems fitting for a record store that takes seemingly every opportunity to go against the status quo.

Lanzillotta is opening Dissonant Plane at a time when a slumping economy is forcing business closures all over the country and the record business is suffering through an eight-year sales nosedive.

To further fight convention Dissonant Plane will focus its stock on metal, avant garde, experimental and classical music, among other genres, ignoring popular music almost entirely.

"It's all about presenting things we believe in," Lanzillotta said.

People may not dining out as much in Ballard but they seem to still be flocking to the bars.

While restaurant business is down, happy hours, specials and promotions are on the rise.

For the Austin Cantina, "business crashed right along with the stock market," said owner Jefe Birkner. The restaurant is likely to close before the holidays.

Retrospectively, Birkner wondered if it would have been a good idea to try to lower meal prices to meet people's expectations and needs.

Even though restaurants are feeling the effects of penny-pinching attitudes, they are hanging in there and adapting to customers new savvy-spending trends.

"They (people) are still coming in to dine, but being more cautious about what they are spending," said Rays Boathouse marketing and public relations manager, Lori Magaro.

Barry Ladenburg became the newest SeaTac Council member when he was sworn in at the SeaTac Council Meeting on Dec. 9th.

Ladenburg will serve the rest of Councilman Joe Brennan's term. Mr. Brennan passed away on Oct.

People may not dining out as much in Ballard but they seem to still be flocking to the bars.

While restaurant business is down, happy hours, specials and promotions are on the rise.

For the Austin Cantina, "business crashed right along with the stock market," said owner Jefe Birkner.