Few people know how I got started in the newspaper business.

I'm choosing this time to tell that story because after eight years and approximately 1,500 stories I'll be leaving the Ballard News-Tribune on July 24.

My interest in journalism began in junior high school when I was assigned to write a story about the Susan B. Anthony dollar. I sat for hours at the typewriter, not knowing what to write. I didn't know how to do interviews or conduct research. There was no Internet on which to do a Google search.

From there I helped publish the Cleveland Journal at Cleveland High School. Then I went to the University of Washington, grew my hair long past my shoulders and wore a stylish leather jacket. I became the typical Asian American student activist of the mid-1970s.

After I moved to San Francisco, I was exposed to real grass roots journalism as a volunteer with the San Francisco Journal.

This was a weekly newspaper covering issues in the Asian community. Volunteers wrote stories during the week, taking time off from their jobs. They gathered in a small building south of Market Street and published an English and Chinese edition each Sunday night. The staff even ran their own printing press.

It was a publication fueled by dedication. The newspaper had no advertising.

Back in Seattle, I became involved in the International Examiner, in the Chinatown International District.

The staff did everything there, including distribution, loading our cars with bundles of newspapers, until the suspension began sagging. We took turns bundling the third class bulk mail and doing janitorial duties.

I was originally a photographer. I learned how to write by myself with the help of a few demanding copy editors.

When I started doing freelance photography with a side job as an assistant apartment manager, I began taking assignments from Robinson Newspapers.

News Tribune editor Tony Brouner then asked me if I wanted a job at the newspaper writing stories, putting together the community calendar and answering the phone back in December 2000 and I accepted.

Before coming to Ballard, I did not know anything about the community, other than the Ballard Locks that I visited as a kid.

I quickly learned how much people cared about this neighborhood.

Ballard has many service organizations like the Ballard Lions, Ballard Rotary, Ballard Elks and Ballard Eagles.

All the different community councils, parks advocacy groups, Sustainable Ballard, youth sports programs, Scandinavian organizations, Nordic Heritage Museum, Northwest Senior Activity Center and others make this a better place to live.

The Ballard High School Foundation and the various booster clubs help make the school one of the best in the city.

I've gotten to know the coaches of 18 sports teams and the student athletes wearing the red and black have come and gone.

Over the year's I've seen the area change. Condominums have taken over.

Institutions like Denny's and the Sunset Bowl are gone.

Residents of apartments are left scrambling to find a place to live as their buildings are converted to condos.

Homeless people live in their cars and motor homes. Others find shelter in our greenbelts. Some die on the street.

Rich Lang, pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church was the first to invite Tent City to move in. The reaction in the community was outrage.

Tent City returned two more times. The third time at Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church this spring, where neighbors helped residents move in, gave them food and clothing and held dinners for them.

Lang said my stories about Tent City and homeless people like Ronnie Robinson who passed away in a shack last fall helped change attitudes in Ballard on the homeless.

Former editor Adam Richter had a framed cartoon by his desk. It showed a pen sitting at a bar next to a sword. The sword is looking at the pen with caution. A man tells the sword, "Remember what happened the last time you messed with him."

The caption read, "The pen is mightier than the sword."

During my time at the News-Tribune, I've tried to focus on the groups and individuals doing charitable work and the people in the community who had unique and interesting stories to tell.

I tried to give credit to the young people collecting donations for the food bank or the high school students learning about the maritime industry.

I imagine my stories and pictures have filled many scrapbooks and have been held up by many refrigerator magnets.

As a journalist, I was continuing a tradition that dates back to the first issue of the Ballard News Tribune in 1891.

Randi Hansen thanked me for writing about the social causes and for stopping condo building. Sorry Randi, I didn't do a very good job at the latter.

Tennis coach Brad Hamilton said Ballard sports won't be the same without me. I appreciate that Brad, but there were reporters before me and there will be reporters after I've gone. But sure, there's only one me.

Jim Vatn said jokingly said I'm now a Norwegian and Scandinavian specialist. Well Jim, I've still never tried lutefisk.

Vatn said I was one of the easiest people he has worked with and he could not think of anyone who has promoted and reported on the community with so much energy.

Well our news writers like Richter years ago and Rebekah Schilperoort and Steve Shay now, covered many night meetings and stories. They deserve credit too for making this a great newspaper.

Pete Kinney, Anna Kay, Matt Lewis and Dick Sherman helped keep the paper in business with their ad sales.

And we can't forget editor Jack Mayne, I'll miss his stories about his long and distinguished journalism career.

I have to thank the Robinsons too. They include Jerry, Elsbeth, Tim, Ken and Pat. I include my first boss Roger Hollings and all the current Robinson Newspapers staff on that list too.

I'll be working for the Asian Counseling and Referral Service where I'll be doing facilities and security work in their new $19 million building.

It's an amazing agency that provides mental health counseling, citizenship classes, a legal clinic, English lessons and other services, including a food bank.

With the new job, I'll find time to continue writing a book about my childhood days, growing up in the Chinatown International District.

While I won't be working in Ballard, I plan to continue doing some freelance assignments for the News-Tribune.

So you'll see me again Ballard. You betcha!

I can be reached at deanw@robinsonnews.com.