Jeff Gilbert, Co-Owner, Feedback Lounge in the Morgan Junction

Feedback Lounge Forecast 2012:

Our motto for 2012 is "more is not enough." Meaning that we have lots more of everything headed your way in the next twelve months, from new artisan cocktails and food, to music showcases and a treasure trove of rock memorabilia, just waiting for you to rub your eyeballs on. And mopping. Lots and lots of mopping.

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Helen Johnson, barista at West Seattle Coffee House in Hans VW lot on 35th Ave. SW

"Next year I will kill A LOT of zombies and become a very powerful leader..... or, if the apocalypse doesn't happen, I will just keep doing what I'm doing now."

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Vera Johnson, owner, Village Green Nursery, 10223 26th Ave SW

Last year was an amazing year for Village Green and we would like to thank our loyal customers and the community for their rally of support and encouragement through the challenges last year presented.

This year Village Green will introduce a new vision to our neighborhood. We will bring together local artists and local businesses to provide a space that will harvest creativity and community. We will host music and events for everyone and provide a space for special, private events like weddings and celebrations. Village Green is looking forward to it’s continuing partnership with local restaurants in providing a chef’s garden to supply seasonal menus. We will begin a physical transition at Village Green as well, expanding the gardens and transforming the property into a showcase of possibilities. Of course we will, as always, offer the best plants, the best growing advice and the best products to help our customers create the space of their dreams.

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Joe McDermott, King County council member, West Seattle resident

I look forward to continuing to create jobs and economic opportunity here to help people move out of and beyond the Great Recession. Personally, I resolve to run regularly again (see you in Lincoln Park) and to continue my guitar lessons so that I might not be embarrassed to play in public late in 2012.

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Norm Smith, former WSHS student, Special Olympics board member

My hopes for 2012 are that I continue on my journey learning to see all people in the same light, without regard to race, religion, disabilities or different viewpoints than mine. I also hope my sons find success in their lives. I would like for more people than I come in contact with to learn the power of a hug. A hug can mean many things. It can mean a simple hello, or I am here for you, or thank you for being my friend, or thank you for sharing your love with me. One last hope is that I continue to find friends wherever I may travel. One can always use more friends. I am currently in Belize with 13 of my family celebrating my dads 80th and my little brother Monty's 50th birthdays.

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Sweet Pea, White Center resident, fundraiser, & Luna Park Cafe staffer
Looking forward to a NAP! haha! Okay, how is this... After a 2011 filled with traveling, working, fundraising, and a lot of fun, I'm looking forward to more of the same, and hopefully a sunny spring and summer so I can grow a better garden than last year! I went to Port Aransas, Texas, Las Vegas NV, San Diego CA and PERU! I plan to go to Las Vegas again, and also the island of Kauai! and hopefully Leavenworth. Seems to be easier to go if I go far away!

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Diane Venti, co-owner of Alki Arts Gallery & Events Space, 2820 Alki Ave. SW
Last year was a wonderful experiment in creating a business for myself, and a place for community to gather at the gallery. In 2012 we don't know how long we can keep our same space (since we sublet) so I am aiming to use the remaining time we have to show artists who may not otherwise get a showing, and offer our space to as many community groups and charities as we can! I want to utilize every last bit of goodness that we can with this neighborhood experiment! In 2012 as always, I am also aiming to help my children reach new goals and improve my own health and fitness so that I can continue an active and productive lifestyle.

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Scott Law, WS resident & owner of The Electric Train Shop, now at new location: 625 SW 152nd St., Burien

My New Years resolution now that we've moved the train shop from the Junction to beautiful downtown Burien is to keep the trains running on time and all the wheels on  track. We faced a lot of challenges in 2011 and with the aid of several of our customers stepping up to help with the heavy lifting, were able complete the transition to the new store with flying colors.

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Richard Paddon, Alki resident

In 2012 my hopes personally and in general would be, that on a personal level I work harder on understanding others from their viewpoints, even if I disagree, and not in favor of their position. Trying to move around the circle of life's perspective and see things from where others stand. On a much more personal note, if this is the year that my youngest son Mitchell, 9, needs his second open heart surgery, I hope that we as a family maintain our strength,courage,hope, and faith that it all goes well.

On a general sense for the year, I hope that the state of things politically as much as that bores me, but politically,economically and nationally we as a country can make some positive turns in our direction or sailings. Getting ourselves out of other countries,making or building things from within,creating jobs work, wealth, vision, direction and sense of purpose rather than despair, is what will keep this vessel afloat. Pride in our collective selves needs to be rediscovered .The health,wealth and pursuit of happiness amongst family and friends too.