December 2005

Around 6:30 Tuesday night, a woman became concerned when a man who had been driving aggressively and erratically followed her up the hill at Highland Park Way and deliberately hit her car with his several times. She pulled to the side of the road, thinking he wanted to exchange insurance information. Instead, he walked toward her vehicle, screaming. She was able to dial 911 on her cell phone, but before she could speak to the operator, the man grabbed the phone and hit her in the jaw. Though stunned, the victim followed him until she could get his license plate.

Dean Wong

After years of losing seasons, the Ballard High School girls are looking to improve under the leadership of new coach Karen Blair.

The former Meadowdale High coach brings a long resume to the Ballard program.

Bridget Budbill

Christmastime in Ballard may at first glance seem similar to the festivities in other neighborhoods. There are shimmering tinsel-covered snowflakes lining the streets and little corners of the local grocery stores are set aside to provide us our own urban Christmas tree hunting grounds.

This is all typical of the holiday season in most neighborhoods, right? Maybe. While shopping on Market Street I saw a sign in the window of Olsen's Scandinavian Foods. Their gnomes are currently 20 percent off regular price. Typical of most neighborhoods?

Steve Clark

I didn't realize how delicate memories were until so many had faded. Even the holidays dim and blow out in my mind so I'm grateful for the Christmas on 1992, indelible in my mind. I woke that Christmas morning, and climbed into the shower and a few moments later slipped and fell out of it, striking my jaw on the toilet bowl.

I wouldn't have chosen to memorialize that holiday by crashing into a toilet bowl. A photo album would be a less violent option. But I am grateful. Things could've turned out differently.

The latest addition to the Ballard building boom is Hjarta condominiums.

Dashing from store to store along N.W. Market street are the pitter patter of shopping feet, the most reassuring sound to merchants along this busy corridor besides the "dinging" sound the cash register makes as it records another sale.

The merchants of Market Street are reporting an upward trend in holiday sales with many adding they expect to exceed 2004 sales.

"It's going great!" La Tienda's co-owner Monique T.

A group of women devoted to embroidery and art forms using the knitting needle have been meeting as the Northwest Needle Arts Guild since 1972. Each December, members make caps, scarves, blankets and other gifts to donate to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center patients for free for the holidays.

"We do that every year. We make things for patients, their family members and caregivers.

Dean Wong

My family would sometimes buy a small Christmas tree when I was growing up. It was never a fancy tree. The branches would be uneven, the shape somewhat out of control, but it was a Christmas tree. A few lights and ornaments made it look joyful.

I was just a little boy and the storefront space my family lived in on King Street did not have a fireplace. I wanted to believe in Santa and read all the stories about his reindeer, delivering presents to kids on his sled.