Some people refuse to pay to park at the automated parking kiosks in downtown Ballard. Others don't mind, but most agree that parking is becoming harder to find. Dean Wong photo.
Bike helmets still on, Noah, 6, and Jesse 3, have fish and chips with dad, Stan, at the Lockspot diner. Amber Trillo photo.
We as a region have a chance this fall to expand our regional light rail system by up to 60 miles and give commuters even more alternatives to sitting in traffic on our overcrowded freeways. The proposed Sound Transit 2 package enhances the rail transit system we're building today. This is work the region should have approved back in the 1960s and 1970s.
Meet Anne Sheehan who now lives in Ballard
The last time I saw this intrepid lady she was demonstrating yogurt smoothies at a supermarket. She had a big grin on her face like she just knew that if I drank enough of her product it would make a man of me.
To change the subject from yogurt.
Mark Elster can remember when the parking meters in Ballard charged 10-cents an hour and parking spaces were available on the street.
That was back in the late 1970s. Parking has changed dramatically since then.
In late 2005, the city of Seattle began installing 1,500 automated pay kiosks in downtown Ballard and at the Ballard Locks.
Another multi-million dollar development in Ballard will expand the Olympic Athletic Club on Ballard Avenue and bring a four-star hotel to the neighborhood.
In February the health club owners purchased two properties adjacent to the club at 5300 Ballard Avenue Northwest for $3 million.
When Pete Reed, a vendor for the homeless newspaper "Reel Change" passed away recently, his friends started a memorial for him at the northwest corner of Market Street and 22nd Avenue Northwest.
Reed was better known as "Long Haired Pete," on the streets of Ballard.
According to the King County Medical Examiner's office, Reed was 52 years old.
A group of Seaview Avenue Northwest residents and business owners want King County Metro to restore bus service to their area, but transit officials say it's not cost effective because ridership on that corridor is too low.
The Seaview Transit Coalition, a group of more than 1,000 "busless" residents, business owners, and employees, say the lack of midday bus service on Seaview has "created serious hardships," especially for seniors with no cars.
Clay Bean, chair of the coalition, wonders how this fits with the city and county's stated goal of getting people to use public
How Your Reperesentatives Voted
HB 1128
Making operating appropriations for 2007-2009. By a vote of 31 to 17, on April 22, the Senate approved HB 1128. By a vote of 60 to 36, also on April 22, the House approved HB 1128, which would make appropriations to the 2007-09 state operating budget. The operating budget is one of three budgets approved by the Legislature each year. These appropriations pay for general state services such as state employee salaries, basic education, and social services. The bill is now under consideration by the governor.
Sen.
For members of the Ballard Lions, White Cane Days is more than a fundraiser, it's a chance to help people with poor eyesight to see better.
White Cane Days on May 4 and 5 hopes to raise $2,200 this year. A year ago, the Lions Club members collected $1,525 from the public.
